As we go to print with this, the December issue of Wargames Illustrated, things around WiHQ and indeed the rest of the county are feeling decidedly un-Christmassy. In a few days this green and pleasant land (read: dark and wet land at this time of year) will be heading back into a national lockdown. For any publisher the biggest challenge thus created comes with the fact that shops across England will be closing – adding to a number of our stockists that are already shut across Europe and likely to close across the US. All this meaning that we – and other small publishers/businesses – need to tighten our belts.

We were planning on including a free ‘How To …’ modelling supplement with this issue of the magazine, but I hope you will forgive us for the fact that the uncertainty of not knowing if there will be stores open to sell this magazine means we are not able to throw money at that particular ‘freebie’ at this time.

However, looking on the bright side, plans are afoot and agreements in place for some smashing cover mounts throughout 2021. Doubtless next year will see the wargames show circuit reborn, clubs around the world reopening their doors and gamers again meeting across the table to enjoy some social un-distanced pewter and plastic pushing and joyful dice rolling.