The 2024 Society of Ancients Convention will take place once again at Madingley Hall, Cambridge, over the weekend of the 25th - 27th October 2024.
This year Madingley Hall is imposing more stringent rules about booking, requiring us to commit to final numbers well in advance.
So this year if you wish to book for the Convention including accommodation then it is important that you do so before 31st August. After that date we will not be able to accept any further bookings.
In the same vein, I need to say something about cancellations, and in particular late cancellations. Once the above deadline has passed and we have booked you in to Madingley, we will be unable to make a refund. The venue will charge the Society based on numbers at that point, and we have to pass that cost on to those who have made the bookings. I recognise that “things happen” (among which weather and health events are but two) which can prevent attendance and I am very sympathetic towards this – but the Society is an amateur organisation which cannot afford to carry these risks. It is possible that an individual travel insurance policy may cover some or all of this risk, so those concerned by this may want to look into it.
As usual at this time of year, I am still putting together the programme. I hope to post on the Forum any updates, and further emails sent out to members about the Convention should also contain some updated information.
Our keynote speaker on Saturday evening pre-dinner will be John Bassett OBE. John is an innovative game designer, stalwart member of Wargames Developments as well as being a sometime contributor to Slingshot over the years. And that is just his hobby bio! The subject of his talk is one of his long-held obsessions - the fall of the Roman Republic, and he will be running his own-designed committee game based on this the following day – so hear the talk, play the game!
We will have a talk from Dr Matthew Bennett on the poem and battle of Maldon 991 AD, based on material he put together back in 1991 for a talk to celebrate the 1000th anniversary. As a Society veteran, and indeed Convention veteran, Matt needs little introduction to members, so expect a stimulating discussion (including something on beserkers). And of course this will whet the appetite for the 2025 Battle Day, where many of us will be refighting our versions of the battle.
We also have a talk confirmed from Ian Piper on the subject of the Numidian general and prince Masinissa. Ian says: Masinissa was considered quite an action hero by later generations of Romans if Appian is any guide, but who was he and who were the 'Numidians?' In addition, Ian will be running a related 28mm game featuring Numidians.
As for other games, we already have some crackers lined up!
As ever, I am always looking for more people to run games, so if you are coming to the Convention and can run a game, please get in touch!
We are delighted to say we are able to hold the prices at for another year, as follows:
Booking now available below, so, please get booking your place as soon as possible, and remember the 31 August deadline. See you at Madingley in October!
All enquiries to
Full Residential Package (Friday supper to Sunday teatime): £326
Main Conference Residential Package (Saturday coffee to Sunday teatime): £221
Saturday day rate (non-residential) (Saturday coffee to Saturday teatime): £50
Sunday day rate (Non-residential) (Sunday coffee to Sunday teatime): £50
The annual Conference is where the Society of Ancients gets together for a weekend to exchange ideas on wargaming in the ancients and medieval periods. And to enjoy playing some good and varied wargames!
As in previous years, things kicked off on the Friday evening with a boardgame session that went on until midnight when even the ragged band of Viking raiders decided it was time to pack up and go to bed. The rest of the weekend consisted of a presentation followed by breakout sessions where Conference participants were invited join one of several games.
When was it: 2nd - 3rd November 2019
Where was it: Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth
The annual Conference is where the Society of Ancients gets together for a weekend to exchange ideas on wargaming in the ancients and medieval periods. And to enjoy playing some good and varied wargames!
The weekend contains a mixture of presentations and wargaming sessions in small and larger groups. There are options to join the various activities, some of which will run more than once, so that you can choose what you like the look of, and what you don’t! It’s an opportunity to try new things, be they new rule sets that are under development, multi-player games with political elements, or more traditional games – all will be well-represented.
As in previous years, things kicked off on the Friday evening with a boardgame session that went on until midnight when even the ragged band of Viking raiders decided it was time to pack up and go to bed. The rest of the weekend consisted of a presentation followed by breakout sessions where Conference participants were invited join one of several games.