Today I received the following communique from Chris Scott: “This is to let you know that the first Don Featherstone Memorial Trophy was played for at an old-school style wargame of Gettysburg at the Wargames Holiday Centre, Basingstoke. It was part of a Donald Featherstone Tribute Weekend sponsored by Miniature Wargames Magazine and involved a hotel stopover and a splendid dinner. The game was competitive of course, but the whole thing was conducted in a very friendly manner with the emphasis upon playing for fun and enjoying the social side of the hobby.”
“All went exceptionally well with one of Don’s old mates from the North, Charlie Wesencraft, being elected unanimously by all those present as being the actual winner. Don’s daughter Jane presented the beautiful trophy which had been donated by Ron Miles. The event is bound to appear in the wargames press but I thought I’d give you all the news too. Over the dinner it was suggested that we made an effort to see if there was some way in which we could make the week of Don’s birthday (20 March) a worldwide annual Remember Don Featherstone Wargame Week? Worth toying with?”
Sounds a great plan in my opinion – what do people think…?
I’ll have to tell my Don Featherstone story: I’ve met Don at the Historicon conventions here in the States before. On one of his last trips we chatted and I proposed the next time he came to Historicon he should leave a little early and come to Pittsburgh, my home. I said a few local gamers and I would take him to a few French and Indian War historical sites nearby and then drive him to Historicon. He laughed and, in response to my quizzical look, said some thing like: “This is a big difference between Americans and Britons! I know you will do exactly as you say. If a Briton said it, he really hoped you wouldn’t take him up on it!”. Great man!