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My Father's Soldiers

A Poem by Lorraine Mariner

 

From the book Bye For Now

 

I never really noticed my father's toy soldiers

until I brought a boy home and saw his reaction

to the armies lined up in their glass fronted cabinets.

I'd meant to ask my father some interested questions

such as which was his first regiment, which ones

had he painted and which were the rarest in terms of value,

because I understood about money and male teenagers.

But I never got round to it and am only remembering

 

all these years later now my father's in intensive care.

When the consultant said it was touch-and-go, I tried to imagine

 

 

 

death,and it was my uncle (who collects the opposition)

packing the soldiers back into their boxes, an advert

for an auction in 'Military Modelling' and my mother crying

over her husband's children, who don't know which little men

to keep for mementoes. I am inspecting the troops

while there is still touch and this miniature Empire stays.

 

Could it be these ones in blue tailcoats lighting canons

that are his favourites?Or these on horseback

with plumed hats and drawn swords?Or these Greek

like my father's father, in white pleated skirts?

Their stoic faces try to persuade me that he loves them all

equally but at night, next door in my childhood bedroom

some of them call out to me Where is our captain?

I hear tiny feet marching, marking time.

 

 

 

Anchor 1

industry Q & A session

Studio Miniatures

We got in touch with Stuart from Studio Miniatures and he filled out a Q&A for us. Studio Miniatures are an independent company that produce some truly amazing miniatures. If you've never visited their website, we highly recommend you do so. We have many of our favourite Studio Miniatures painted and on our site, most of which are in the Pop-culture section. The range they provide is an eclectic mix of historical and fantasy figures with a nod given to some of the great classic tv shows and movies of our time. 

It's always a pleasure to deal with Stuart. His orders are always packaged well and delivered in a timely manner.

 

 

About Stuart:

 

I'm married and live in the south west of Scotland, spent 20 years in sales and the licenced trade (running bars and nightclubs)  before going full time with Studio Miniatures. I started wargaming in secondary school and would class it as my main hobby. My main periods of interest are zombie/post-apocalypse, 19th colonial and WW2. Huge movie/TV buff and watch most genres even chick flicks like The Notebook haha 

 

Q1 – How did you get the idea and make it a reality for Studio Miniatures?

Wargaming has always been my hobby since school so in 2008 I decided that I would start making my own range of miniatures. I knew that I had to start with a small skirmish range rather than taking on a larger historical period and with my interest in movies/TV especially zombie/action movies that were what I went for.

 

Q2 – What do you think is the main reason for your success?

We offer good quality miniatures that nobody else does in a niche market.

 

Q3 – What made you decide to invest in this particular industry?

Earning a living from your hobby or something you love doing is a "no brainer" lol

 

Q4 – What has been your greatest and worst moments at Studio?

Best - when I decided to go full time with Studio Miniatures. Worst - To be honest, I really haven't had any BAD moments (yet) although one or two of the wargames shows we have attended over the years would qualify I think :)

 

Q5 – What is your own personal favourite mini from your range and why?

That is a hard one as I have several miniatures that I especially like from our ranges, the Chicken Suit zombie, Scott, Paul Hick's 1st Afghan War British officers, the Predator team...I really couldn't pick one single miniature!

 

Q6 – What advice would you give anyone starting a business generally and in this industry?

PLAN, PLAN, PLAN then plan some more lol Try not to get too excited or ahead of yourself, it is very easy to do but if you want to make your business or range successful then work to plans and budgets.

 

On a lighter note

 

Q7 – What are you currently reading?

I am a big fan of historical fiction and currently reading Conn Iggulden's War of the Roses series.

 

Q8 – What is your favourite Film of all time?

Just as I couldn't pick my favourite mini I definitely could not pick my all time fav movie, just too many to choose from. Even picking my top ten would be hard but it would probably include Shawshank, Seven Samurai, Zulu and A Bridge Too Far.

 

Q9 –  Who has been your Hero and why?

My wife because if i pick anyone else I'll be sleeping in the shed haha

 

Q10 – If you could ask yourself a question what would it be? And more to the point what would the answer be?

What is going to be the next BIG range/rule system and how can I get involved.

 

 

 

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