Category: Not So Grumpy Old Men

On Thursday 20^th July, 14 of the Not So Grumpy Old Men met up at Ramsdale Golf Club to try their hand at the renowned Pirate Crazy Golf.

With names out of a hat, we split into two teams of 4 and two teams of 3. Issued with our putter, ball and score sheets, we set off to see if any of us would be spotted for the Masters Championship.

The course consisted of 18 holes of varying complexity and with our basic lack of ability, soon proved to be harder than expected.

The rules stated no more than 7 shots per hole were allowed, which was in honesty a Godsend for quite a few of us.

Having said that two grumpies managed to score three holes in one and one team actually scored three holes in one on the same hole, one after the other, such skill!

After negotiating, hills, dips, hollows, ramps, rough, alligators, water features (several plonks), cannons etc., totting up the scores, which varied from 44 (excellent and below par) to 80 (all promised not to tell his wife). Congrats to Bob Payne for winning, and scoring 3 holes in one. Bob becoming NSGOM Crazy Golf champion 2023.

The other 3 holes in one, were our chairman, who was almost sent off for trying to use his crutch instead of the provided club!

Off to the club house (the 19^th hole) for a well earned pint and a wonderful Pie, Peas, Chips and Gravy lunch.

Many thanks to Paul Haig for organising the activity

In May, the Not So Grumpies braved the sweltering heat to do battle on the lawns of Nottingham Croquet Club.  

Our gracious hosts, Nicky, Peggy  Martin and Mark, all members of the Club, explained the rules of Croquet, and the alternative games of Croquet Golf and Skittles, following which battle commenced.

Far from the picture of genteel serenity the game of croquet may suggest to the uninitiated, ours was a hard fought strategic engagement between opposing teams who each employed various tactics to block, frustrate and defeat their opponents.  Any rules were often stretched, broken or downright disregarded in the general melee of the afternoon, with only a brief respite as adversaries sought the temporary refuge of the refreshment area.

As the afternoon’s exertions finally came to a close, the overall winning team was Greg Umney, Ian Raynor, John Saunders and Mark Jackson.

We then made our way back to The Loxley in Nottingham for a post-match analysis and well-deserved fortifications before returning home.

Sixteen NSGOM met with our guide, Shaun, for the start of a Minster tour that would collapse nearly 1000 years of history into 75 minutes. While seated in the Norman Nave what comes to mind is, how did they bring sandstone from quarries in Mansfield and then construct a three-story building featuring columns 30ft in circumference? It took 50 years (more than an average lifespan at the time) The Minster revolved around the needs of the people, stained glass windows were used to tell stories. The finest example, made in 1528, displays four biblical events, the colours are clear and vibrant and the scenes have perspective. Much within the Minster displays the skill of medieval craftsmanship; in the Chapter House there are countless examples of naturalistic carvings. One of our group had to find the hidden pig! The craftsmen carved what they saw around them; they saw the mythical Green Man and the ‘leaves of Sherwood’.

Next came coffee and cake, in The Refectory.

The Minster is near to the road that linked London to York, had extensive forest, deer, the Trent and 4 natural springs; an ideal stopping off point for, ‘progresses’ going to York; consequently, The Archbishop’s Palace was built.

In the afternoon our two guides Christine and Patricia took us into the State Chamber. We were given a short history of the lives of Cardinal Wolsey and James i. In the Bishop’s Garden, we were able to visualise how The Palace might have looked, built around a central courtyard.

The volunteer guides, who appreciated the interaction and banter with our group, displayed passion for, and dedication to, their work; intertwining history with anecdotes and concluded with a poem; making the day a memorable experience.

PS. The guides intimated that NSGOM was an erroneous description of those present.

The latest NSGOM activity saw its members return to Hucknall LC for another session involving leather and willow. Indoor Cricket in case you were wondering!

Twelve players plus scorer Dave Wormall (channelling his inner Bill Frindall) were ably tutored and guided by regular player John Beharall. Whilst it would be fair to say the standard was modest (except Alan “Six” Newton) there were definite signs of improvement since our last outing. Runs scored were greater and wides bowled were far fewer. Some spectacular sixes were hit, some great catches taken and even a few dollies dropped. However, the highlight for many was seeing the organiser clean bowled by WG Grace lookalike, our Chairman Melvyn.

Bob McEwen 

The NSGOM enjoyed their now customary start to the new year activities by visiting the Spot On club to occupy eight tables for two hours of snooker.

While the professional world of snooker is rife with fixing allegations there was little evidence of such activity at this event!! While the skills were often lacking, the event proved very enjoyable with most members playing three matches during the afternoon. A big thank you to Greg Umney for once again organising the day.

The group took the opportunity to plan future events for 2023 which include Indoor Cricket at the Leisure Centre in February, a visit to the Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington in March and a trip to Southwell Minster in April.

Later in the year the group hope to visit the Climbing Centre at Phoenix Park, The Headstocks at the former Clipstone Colliery, play Croquet at Highfields, play Crazy Golf at Ramsdale Golf Club in Calverton and of course also attend the latter venue for now annual Christmas meal in late November.

A busy year ahead!!!