East Anglian Pinballers! - events, league and social. - A gauging of interest and numbers

[David_Vi]

When I rediscovered pinball my first real social aspect was visiting @MajesticPinball 's place on one of his self titled "crappy competitions". It was also the catalyst for me pushing ahead in buying a house and pinballs.

I've attended a few events post covid and I've really enjoyed the social aspect of this, realising how friendly the pinball community is.
This got me interested in the leagues which I never looked into due to covid and discovered I fit into the London/SE region. Most of those meets in the past have been closer to the south and around London than East Anglia, I know I could offer to host one and travel (and I will!) but this isn't the point of this thread.

I know there's a few of us in East Anglia and possibly more! So I wanted to see If there is interest in a few meets and maybe something regular.

I'm in Sudbury (Suffolk) and have 4 pins currently (6 by the end of next week, it's escalating please send help). I have had friends over regularly for pinball parties and matchplay tournaments.

It's been my goal to host events (albeit small probably max of 20 atm) like a lot of people in the community do, there's nothing more fun than pinball with friends.


POINT BEING...
If I were to host an event I am wondering who would be interested in coming?

Basically I'd like to try get more pinball social events and competitions happening in East Anglia, and who knows maybe in a few years we can have our own league

So i say East Anglian Pinballers ASSEMBLE!

(obviously those outside are welcome too)

Addition, I'm not expecting people to host any events, but gaining interest in people attending ones here and see who's in the area (or just outside!). You don't have to have pins or ability/space to host, but maybe people will be more encouraged to in the future

 

[Doggard]

Would be very interested, although I have no pins of my own ( apart from a virtual cabinet), would love to get involved with some friendly competition, and meet other pin heads.

 

[Fubar]

I'm in Cambridge, only got 1-2 pins at a time so not great for hosting events, but would definitely attend some in the area when possible!

 

[David_Vi]

Would be very interested, although I have no pins of my own ( apart from a virtual cabinet), would love to get involved with some friendly competition, and meet other pin heads.

Doesn't matter if you don't have any, thats how I started! And it's about seeing what kind of community we have in the region

I'm in Cambridge, only got 1-2 pins at a time so not great for hosting events, but would definitely attend some in the area when possible!

Same as above I'm happy to host a few a year if there's the interest. I host for friends anyway but would like to open them up a bit and maybe run some IFPA sanctioned tournaments.

 

[Hiltoncriss]

Probably I could help here. We would be able to do a weekly/monthly league depending on how many people would be interested. I’ve spoke with Wayne J and he will help organising one at my place. After seeing how it will go, we can make a decision. So count me in.

 

[David_Vi]

Probably I could help here. We would be able to do a weekly/monthly league depending on how many people would be interested. I’ve spoke with Wayne J and he will help organising one at my place. After seeing how it will go, we can make a decision. So count me in.

I had been considering this call to arms for a few weeks now and to be honest your club has motivated me as it'll be another and most likely the best venue in East anglia

Wayne has been very helpful to us so far, we did ask about possibility of an East anglian region in the UK league but it's not the right time. I am thinking if we can get things rolling maybe in a few years (if that), we can have a new region.
If not, we can have our own leagues
I'm up for it all!

 

[JAG555]

Yeah, I will be up for meeting again. @MajesticPinball meets were a lot of fun!

I am in Essex, not too far from James, so keep me posted!

 

[David_Vi]

Yeah, I will be up for meeting again. @MajesticPinball meets were a lot of fun!

I am in Essex, not too far from James, so keep me posted!

Were you at the one in 2019? I think it was that year
I was so new to it all and barely remember much except a few names and faces, obviously @stumblor, he's unforgettable.

 

[JAG555]

Yes, I was there in 2019. But I think the last might have been early 2020 (I lose track to be fair!).

I will be up for meeting and I am sure a few others too (@Dave Playman @insx)

 

[Lecari]

I should also mention that when we've hosted events, I usually make food for everyone plus pinball themed cheesecake! Here are two I made earlier...

(I've also made Victoria sponge cakes, lemon drizzle cakes and various other non-pinball themed cakes...)

 

[PAX]

Count me in David

 

[Andydn]

I’d be interested in attending definitely

 

[Hiltoncriss]

I should also mention that when we've hosted events, I usually make food for everyone plus pinball themed cheesecake! Here are two I made earlier...

(I've also made Victoria sponge cakes, lemon drizzle cakes and various other non-pinball themed cakes..

Wow! Now that’s what I call dedication! Very nice!

 

[JAG555]

I should also mention that when we've hosted events, I usually make food for everyone plus pinball themed cheesecake! Here are two I made earlier...

(I've also made Victoria sponge cakes, lemon drizzle cakes and various other non-pinball themed cakes...)

That looks very cool!

 

[MajesticPinball]

I'm not one for the seriousness of leagues etc. And always enjoyed the light heartedness of my crappy competitions. Dipped out of the pinball community this year but will hopefully be able to arrange another sometime soon now that I'm starting to settle into the new place. Just waiting for my pinball mojo to return

 

[David_Vi]

I'm not one for the seriousness of leagues etc. And always enjoyed the light heartedness of my crappy competitions. Dipped out of the pinball community this year but will hopefully be able to arrange another sometime soon now that I'm starting to settle into the new place. Just waiting for my pinball mojo to return

I've found most comps to feel casual and fun, that's what has appealed to me I think leagues are more about the social side than the serious comp.
I believe you can have both sides and still have fun! For example if you could get IFPA/WPPR points just by playing on your own I wouldn't bother with them, they're a bonus to a great day out with people who enjoy pinball. Plus I quite enjoy the stats and seeing my improvement

I'm sure your mojo will return when you play pinball with others again, it's been so long and Covid has taken that social side away from many hobbies!

 

[Jim gatward]

Me and my brother will be very interested. Count us in

 

[Jim gatward]

We have 5 pins. How many pins do we need to host a league night?

 

[stumblor]

Sounds great guys and thanks to everyone for putting their hand up and getting involved. I love comps they're a hoot, whether they be serious or crappy, its all pinball and all fun.

 

[Macro]

I'm near Diss and would be interested!

 

[Paul R Owen]

We have 5 pins. How many pins do we need to host a league night?

It's 4 in the UK Pinball League.

 

[David_Vi]

It's exciting how many have come forward saying they'd come over, this gives an idea of numbers and gets my brain planning!

I'm hoping to do a bit of research into running IFPA sanctioned events and I'm thinking of jumping in feet first and finding a date in February.

My house is still a project so not the most polished environment and the intended pin room isn't even done yet!
(I'm just eager to try something out, meet new people and play pinball with them)
Although the pin room and house is an ongoing problem, there will be 6 pins and people and I think that's the main thing. It's a start!

I've had 16 people over before so think it's a number I can handle even with the place in the current state.

We have 5 pins. How many pins do we need to host a league night?

I think it's four, but that's for the UK league and we will be doing something independent of that for now, that's if we do!
For now I'm thinking just a few one off comps, or just get togethers to see how many folks are in the area and get an East Anglian crew started

 

[Doggard]

This has got me excited, I’m not the best player in the world, but can manage some half decent scores, ( sometimes )
What appeals to me is meeting like minded people, as my friends have no interest in pinball, and my wife just gives me that blank look, whenever I start talking about it !

 

[David_Vi]

This has got me excited, I’m not the best player in the world, but can manage some half decent scores, ( sometimes )
What appeals to me is meeting like minded people, as my friends have no interest in pinball, and my wife just gives me that blank look, whenever I start talking about it !

This is exactly it!

I'm lucky that in a way pinball has brought me closer to some old friends. I have a group I went to college with (we all studied music) and because I have a house with pins in we have a regular meeting place, every month or two. I think most of them have got into pinball because of me and one of the appeals is mixing it up and them playing others

Once I have studied my work roster I'll find a weekend in late Jan or Early Feb and get it pencilled in.

I'm thinking mostly casual but attempt a competition for a few hours, Flip frenzy with a semifinal and final would work with around 12-16 people and the number of games.
Maybe group matchplay.
Both formats I find are very social, especially compared to just head to head where you don't really feel you can talk to someone while they play


Would be interested in thoughts, preferences of Saturdays or Sundays. Times... Casual/social/free play from late morning, comp mid afternoon to early eve so people can get home before it's too late if they need to!

 

[Dave Playman]

I’m just outside Cambridge and would also be up for attending

 

[Den - aka Wolfgang]

I'm in kind of East London/Essex , might be a bit of a trek fro me; but count me in Dave!

 

[Wayne J]

I’ve spoke with Wayne J and he will help organising one at my place.

Wayne has been very helpful to us so far,

If anybody else is interested in running a comp, whether that's an informal get together amongst friends, something a bit more serious or running a local league - feel free to get in touch.
I'm happy to offer advice and give you the spreadsheets I've created for a number of different formats of comps, some of which work better with large numbers, others with smaller numbers and show you what you need to do to register as a tournament director with the IFPA (it's not hard).

 

[Dr. Pinball]

I’m just outside Cambridge,

I’ve usually got 4/5 machines set up and I organise the Swavesey Pinball Weekend. I’m not heavily into the competitive thing but I’d be happy to pop along if I’m about and help out if you want a location to host.

Mark
www.pinballsurgery.co.uk

 

[David_Vi]

So first meet will be 29th Jan. Still finalising the plan and IFPA details.

Being new to this I'd like to get people's opinions on registration, considering I can only accommodate 16, maybe 18 at a push I was thinking to have a registration much like Neil and Greg do. But it feels a bit off for our first time hosting to expect people to pay to come round my unfinished home
I was thinking a min donation of £5 which will go to charity.
I will provide food, some drinks and trophies but I'm happy to cover some of that

I’m just outside Cambridge,

I’ve usually got 4/5 machines set up and I organise the Swavesey Pinball Weekend. I’m not heavily into the competitive thing but I’d be happy to pop along if I’m about and help out if you want a location to host.

Mark
www.pinballsurgery.co.uk

That's fantastic! Hopefully we can have a meet up there, it's a perfect location with Herbies diner round the corner

 

[Judderman]

I’m just outside Cambridge,

I’ve usually got 4/5 machines set up and I organise the Swavesey Pinball Weekend. I’m not heavily into the competitive thing but I’d be happy to pop along if I’m about and help out if you want a location to host.

Mark
www.pinballsurgery.co.uk

Is there pinball in the White Horse all the time, or is it just for events? We'll be going past there in a week or so & may call in if there is. (Or do we just call in at the diner on the main road?)