End? No...

War Leader ~ Jack Darlington
13 minutes ago
3 min read

THE JOURNEY DOESNT END HERE

The journey doesn't end here. But for me, the year does!

2025 has been a funny old year for me, not just for hobby but life as a whole.

It's genuinely been that cliché, a year of 'Highs and Lows'.

I've had some fantastic experiences with work, took home my very first ever GBHL podium spot (2nd!), and ofcourse, realised an awesome hobbying goal...

My Hill Tribes army from the begining of the year

JACK OF ALL TRADES...

Master of one! Yep, the start of the year went off with a real bang for me. After not quite fully burning myself out in 2024, I staggered across the finish line at the GBHL masters with a win for best painted Commander.

This was for sure my proudest hobby achievement to date, snatching victory from some of the most prestigious and most respected hobbyists in the country. I must say though, after that, I needed to stop.

TOTAL BURN OUT

While I'd hit new heights for hobbying, I had also found my limits and begun to crash down rapidly.

I've always been open about my own mental health, and many of you will know that sometime during the spring and the summer, I had a pretty scary melt down of sorts.

As well as working my arse off producing new armies ever other month for competitions, I have a very demanding day job, and also juggle my games club, running events AND parenting a toddler on top.

Not only did I find that I had run out of hobby juice, the stress and exhaustion of the previous physically took a toll on my body.

Ultimately, it caused a series of pretty nasty seizures. Since slowing down and developing a supportive team, I have so far been successful in keeping them at bay.

MELTON CALLED FOR AID

And my very own fellowship answered!

Not long after I met my amazing wife Holly, she helped me to get back on the Hobby wagon after a short hiatus. Ever since she has been my fiercest ally, and has encouraged and supported me with every aspect of my obsession with toy soldiers.

Top Left to bottom Right: Ash, Scott, Mike, Holly

But due to the sheer amount of growth the Melton Community has seen, I knew I needed to draught in more help. Enter Ash, Scott and Mike.

Each of them joined me on my project at different points, but what they all share is a common passion with myself for the vision I have.

They have all helped out in their own vital ways to aid me in delivering some of the UK's most loved MESBG events, and kept me relatively sane in the process.

DON'T BE HASTY

I really had to force myself to slow down my hobby output. That in itself had a detrimental effect on my mental health, as hobbying has always been an important way for me to 'switch off'.

But you know what they say, when the fun stops, stop.

Because of this, I have actually only attended two GBHL events this year, but I was very happy to take home awards from both!

It has however meant I've had less hobby to share and showcase online.

A FEW FAVOURITE MOMENTS

That is not to say I've been completely idle! I have still tinkered in my studio from time to time, and have produced some of my favourite conversions and paint jobs to date.

I have a lot planned for the new year, and hope to at least get to a few more tournaments as an attendee throughout 2026.

But for now, here are some of my favourite hobby moments from this past year!