Writer Rhiannon Kira Gorman finds out how Nottinghamshire’s legendary Partizan wargaming show has got bigger than ever as it gears up for its 40th anniversary 🎉
Nottinghamshire is well known for its legends and tales of Robin Hood, but in the wargaming and miniature community the likes of Games Workshop, Warlord and ‘Partizan: Wargaming and History form the legends of today.
Partizan was forged into being by its founding fathers, Laurence Baldwin and Duncan Macfarlane, more commonly known as the Newark Irregulars, in 1986.
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The show was created as a place for like-minded lovers of wargaming history and table top games to share and trade and has hosted the regional wargaming championships on multiple occasions.
The show gained speed after Duncan used the show to take pictures of table-top games for Wargames Illustrated Magazine (which he also founded), prompting participants to show off their ‘pretty’ games in hopes to be snapped and featured in the magazine.
Starting in Grove Leisure Centre Newark, the show quickly outgrew their space as more people and companies joined to showcase their own games and trading stands. Partizan then made nearby Kelham Hall its base for 30 years until Kelham Hall’s side rooms, halls and hallways became too crammed packed in with traders, demonstration games and participation zones – it was again time for a change of location.
Fast forward to the present day and we find Laurence and Richard still graciously planning, organising and hosting the show in their new home at The Newark Showground where they commandeer the George Stephenson Exhibition Hall twice a year, May and October.
Despite being nearly half a century old, Partizan shows no sign of stopping. In fact, they are already outgrowing the 3000sqm worth of space and find themselves having to pitch tents outside for their recently added ‘Bring and Buy Table Top Sales.’
40th birthday celebrations begin with a bang
2026 marks Partizan’s 40th birthday and in May they kicked off their birthday celebrations with a bang.
They set a new record back in May 2025 with 1374 like-minded people coming through the door to browse the trade stands, meet authors and watch the tabletop games play in real time. This year, Partizan beat that record by welcoming 1383 people despite their ticket prices rising for the first time since 2018 and in spite of the unpredictable weather, the atmosphere was as good as ever with Newark Showground providing burgers, chips, caffeine and even ice cream. May is considered their quieter show with October 2025 hosting 1475 attendees. Can they set a new record this October? I say yes!
With tents pitched, dice ready to roll and traders ready, the Partizan Crew began the countdown to 10am. The queue stretched farther than the eye could see but they were prepared; two cashier desks set up with flyers and stickers eager to go. That was when the ultimate curve ball was thrown; the card machine broke. Only recently acquired, the card machine had become a preferred form of payment for all generations at Partizan. Luckily, however, the show runners had been promoting the use of pre-paid tickets online. This, of course was the knight in shining armour and the curve ball was gracefully missed. Within an hour the Partizan Crew had welcomed approximately 1000 people through the doors, and soon the hall was buzzing with people of all ages and from all over the globe. An attendee had travelled from Australia to see the show, which they described as ‘good as ever.’ Partizan has also welcomed Americans, Norwegians and Germans.
Family Friendly
Partizan lays host to all ages; under 5’s are free, with some of the Partizan Crew members making the show a family affair. The little helpers love giving out the flyers and stickers, that is when they aren’t busy patrolling the area on their scooters to ensure the adults are behaving themselves.
And, if you have a dog, they’re welcome too! The Newark Showground has a vast field for your four-legged friends to blow off steam when they need to and the Partizan Crew always welcome cuddles. Reluctant spouses are also welcome with the cafe offering specialised coffee, a selection of tea and cake.
Niche to Mainstream
The rise in interest of Games Workshop’s Warhammer, courtesy of Henry Cavill, has introduced the younger generations to the niche hobby of miniature wargaming and has paved the way for unique participation games being hosted, such as Veteran Wargames Association with their Minion Dungeon Crawler game.
One show-goer and crew member of over 10 years, Arron Drury said: ‘I am always excited to see what Veteran Wargames do. They are always coming with new ideas and I’ve been waiting for them to bring the Minions back.’
As well as new participation games, the interest the younger generation has bought has saw a surge in the range of traders Partizan hosts. With a waiting list of around 3 years, Partizan attendees have seen a rise in sci-fi and fantasy miniatures being made in the catalogues of Bad Squiddo Games, Crooked Dice and TooFatLardies. As someone who was introduced to the wargaming and miniature world through my fiance, I much prefer the sci-fi and fantasy aspects of miniatures which, I cannot deny, is becoming ever more prominent in the mainstream. In fact, I was highly impressed with Melton Middle Earth Community which showed off their 28mm Battle for Helms Deep. The display showcased perfectly the wonder and incredible detail that comes with the show.
Partizan is a great day out for all the family and has become a staple in the Nottinghamshire area for wargaming enthusiasts across the globe.
The Other Partizan Show will be held on 11th October 2026. Tickets are now priced at £8 per person with concession tickets priced at £3 per person.
Find out more information on their website: www.partizan.org.uk
