Board game fans meet for day of fun in Oswestry

Organiser Pete Darby started his monthly meet-ups in Oswestry Memorial Hall because he was struggling to get to evening events in Shrewsbury and Telford.

The 47-year-old IT technician is part of a new wave of popularity for the medium, which has come a long way since the days of Monopoly.

And Pete said the region is right at the heart of the surprise revival.

“The UK Games Expo started in Birmingham in 2007 with a few dozen attendees, but last year filled out two halls and a hotel at the NEC, with over 32,000 people attending,” he said.

“Board game cafes have popped up the length of the country, offering a quick game over a coffee or an evening of entertainment.

“Nationally, we’re deep into a revival of board games as a hobby for adults.”

This month’s Oswestry meet-up took place on Sunday, attracting fans of board games from all walks of life.

“I’ve started a monthly all-day board games meet-up in Oswestry, which complements weekly evening meet-ups in Shrewsbury and Telford that I’m not able to get to as often as I’d like,” Pete said.

“Shropshire also boasts one of the largest online UK boardgames retailers, Games Lore in Telford, and their sister games publishing and distribution company Spiral Galaxy Games.

"If you’ve got any interest in boardgames at all, there’s something for you.”