Board games, cards, dice, tournaments and even Cosplay are some of the attractions that will be on offer at a table top convention in Broadstairs.
All Around The Boards gaming group has organised the family event which will feature games of all descriptions – and guides to explain all you need to know so there is no need to read that pesky rule book.
The event, which will be held at St George’s School in Broadstairs on April 21-22, has been set up by gamer Darius Twyman with partner Jayde and colleagues.
Dad-of-one Darius, from Westgate, began the All Around The Boards group last year in Broadstairs. Since a change in venue to the Westgate United Services Club the Monday night gathering has grown in popularity with between 20 and 40 people attending each week.
Darius, 27, got hooked on games of all varieties after a trip to Brighton.
The learning support assistant said: “I was in Brighton and went into a shop that had games everywhere. I tried all different ones and really got into it.”
A benefit of the gaming passion has been Darius spending more family time with Jayde and their five-year-old daughter Jessica.
He said: “As a family we weren’t spending a lot of time together, we’d be together but watching TV or on the console. We started playing the games and would all be at the table, spending time together. It’s nice, it’s social.”
The game group is hoping to entice lots of families to the Uncon event in April.
Darius said: “It really is family based. At our last convention we had games with Geek Havoc, play areas, and then people could bring their own games or play the ones in our library of about 200.
“They don’t need to read the rules as we have hosts their to show how it’s played. This convention is going to be bigger than the last one and we have literally everything from dominoes to Dungeon and Dragons, war games, speakers, virtual reality and entertainment for children in a family zone with DBS checked hosts.”
The Uncon (Unconventional convention) has capacity for around 400 people and will include special guests and exhibitors. It is being supported by businesses including Geek Havoc, Inside The Box Games, Yay Games,Little Brown Fairy Cake, Stuff By Bez and Playopolis.
The event runs from 8:30am-9:30pm Saturday 21 April and 8am-6pm Sunday 22 April.
Tickets
Pre-booked price:
Adult – One Day £8
Adult – Weekend £13
Child – One Day £5 (incl lunch)
Child – Weekend £7 (incl lunch)
On the door price:
Adult – One Day £10
Adult – Weekend £15
Child – One Day £5 (excl lunch)
Child – Weekend £7 (excl lunch)
Prebook here http://www.aatboard.co.uk/
All Around The Board runs every Monday at the Westgate United Services Club from 7.30pm. Find out more here