As previously (and extensively) stated we were soundly castigated for deciding to leave Diplomacy out of our senior seminar.  However, after considerable thought we bowed to pressure and re-instated the game in new and experimental mode - an intensive two day 9am to 3pm game running parallel with our senior seminar.  As the game would co-incide with New Zealand's lead-up to the annual ANZAC Day commemorations we decided to award a special prize to the winner.  After a diligent search, the games team leaders, Patrick and Elroy, managed to locate just the right thing:  `The 1916 Experience: Verdun and the Somme' compiled by Julian Thompson in association with the Imperial War Museum, containing rare document facimiles and an audio CD of veterans' first-hand accounts of their experiences. 

Though initially doubtful about the new two-day format, wondering if the players might become bored by lunchtime on day one the games team were forced to cast such ideas aside when the group elected to play though the lunch breaks.    The game was a resounding success, was completed by 2.30pm on day two and the magnificent award was presented to the winner, Max Ashmore of Auckland who will undoubtedly treasure it.

And yes - we WILL be including Diplomacy in our next programme!