A Dungeons and Dragons taster session, held as part of this year’s Brightlingsea WinterFest, has sparked memories for the festival’s co-founder, Dave Griffiths.
The event, organised by the Brightlingsea Gamer’s Guild, was held at Brightlingsea Library, during the first week of WinterFest’s packed programme of arts, music, spoken word and wellbeing activities.
The Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) club is the one of the many groups in Brightlingsea to have received support from WinterFest’s Wellbeing Fund, which helps local people with activities and equipment to improve their mental, physical and social wellbeing.
Dave co-founded WinterFest with Alix Sheppard 10 years ago and since then the festival has gone from strength to strength, now running in association with Brightlingsea Literary Festival, staging events throughout February and into early March.
After being invited along to the D&D session Dave said: “Forty plus years ago, myself and a few friends got into Dungeons and Dragons. Two of us designed a game, which took us about three months, then we all started playing it. Eight of us would meet every Sunday afternoon and play for several hours. We played the game for the best part of a year and then we stopped. We had a great time, but I haven’t thought about it at all since then.
“A little while ago Brightlingsea WinterFest was contacted by the Dungeons and Dragons club when they were setting up. They applied to the WinterFest Wellbeing Fund for funding for folding tables and chairs and some specific D&D equipment, including character sheets, storyboards and dice.
“We were told that the club was open to 10 to 19 year olds and up to 25 for players with additional needs. WinterFest was more than happy to help this new club.
“When I visited the club at the library I was amazed to see such a large number of young people having a great time. They were all really into the game, thoroughly enjoying themselves. It brought back to me all the wonderful times I had playing the game.
“I would like to thank the organisers and the players in the club for reminding me of what a good time I had playing D&D all those years ago and I was pleased that WinterFest’s Wellbeing Fund was able to help the club get going.”
To book a space at one of the D&D sessions, email brightlingsea.library@essex.gov.uk or just pop along to the library and ask a librarian to reserve you a space.
