Dumfries Teacher Set to Launch Guild of Gaming
A new not-for-profit organisation, Guild of Gaming, is gearing up to open its doors at Noblehill Community Centre, Greenbrae Loaning in Dumfries, on Saturday, thanks to a generous £14,200 National Lottery funding. Founded by Dumfries teacher Danny Bennet, the guild aims to provide a welcoming and inclusive space for both young people and adults to delve into the world of tabletop gaming.
The Guild of Gaming aspires to tackle social isolation, promote inclusivity, and inspire creativity among residents of Dumfries and Galloway. With a focus on hobbies such as Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons, as well as a variety of board and card games, the club aims to make tabletop gaming accessible to all. Free membership is made possible by the funding received, ensuring that everyone can join in the fun with ample support to kickstart their gaming journey.
The club is well-equipped with state-of-the-art resources, including 12 fully equipped gaming tables with standard painted terrain, and a communal hobby station stocked with over 300 paints, brushes, and tools for members to personalise their game pieces. Founder Danny Bennet, who has utilised tabletop gaming in his teaching for the past five years, envisions the Guild of Gaming to not only offer recreational activities but also to foster creativity, build confidence, and cultivate meaningful connections.
The Guild of Gaming has already garnered support from the local community with several Dumfries gamers stepping up as committee members and volunteers. Committed to providing a safe environment for all members, especially youth, the club ensures that all volunteers are PVG-checked, and under-15s must be accompanied by a parent or carer. Additionally, the club supports youth development through initiatives like the Duke of Edinburgh Award participation.
The club’s logo, featuring two crossed swords symbolising diverse gaming genres, and a D20 dice symbol at its core representing creativity and imagination, encapsulates the ethos of the Guild of Gaming. The letters “GG” in the logo stand for “Good Game,” embracing principles of sportsmanship, mutual respect, and camaraderie within the gaming community.
The Guild of Gaming invites all interested individuals to its open day on Saturday, January 11, from 10am to 4pm, to witness firsthand the wide array of gaming opportunities the club has to offer. Future plans for the club include hosting tournaments and structured gaming nights to further engage and enrich the gaming community in Dumfries and Galloway.
In summary, the Guild of Gaming in Dumfries, led by teacher Danny Bennet, is poised to revolutionise the local gaming scene by providing a space for all ages to enjoy tabletop gaming, fostering creativity, inclusivity, and community spirit. With its well-equipped facilities and commitment to youth development, the club promises to be a hub of fun and learning for all gaming enthusiasts in the region.