We are well into 2008 and no battles have yet been fought or scheduled. The players are largely busy with family and work commitments, but the Battlegroup is still ongoing. At present most of the players reside in and around Devonport, although one (the site editor) resides in Wynyard. Most wargaming energy is, at the moment, being put into painting armies for a variety of periods. Napoleonics accounts for the greater part of the endeavour but some effort is being put into armies for the English Civil War and Late Roman, Viking and Early Russian armies for the Ancient to Medieval Period. These armies represent a revival of interest in periods other than the age of Napoleon. To refight these periods, "DBA" and "Push of Pike" are the rules that are most likely to be used.

Like most other wargamers, the members are always on the look out for new periods that catch their interest, exciting new rules or shiny boxes of soldiers to add to their ever growing stash. At the moment the great victories of Marlborough are sparking interest for some players as is WWII. Whether these interests are developed further remains to be seen, but it often depends on time, budget, and the availability of plastic figures for the period. Although the Baccus 6mm metal figures are looking tempting.

The ancient and medieval period looks to be in for a huge revival with the release of Osprey's and Slitherine's new rules "Field of Glory". They appear to be a very well polished set and give a good game if reviews are anything to go by. In the meanwhile, the editor is quite happily reading Neil Thomas's book "Ancient and Medieval Wargaming". It is a good read, with a quite refreshing set of rules to ease the jaded heart of an old wargamer. It will be interesting to have a few games using them.