Category: Not So Grumpy Old Men

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!!!

In almost monsoon-like rain, a group of the NSGOM met up on Hucknall Market Place for an early start to our journey to Leeds Armouries. Travelling with a minibus from the Ravenshead Community fleet we enjoyed the journey up to Leeds arriving before 10.00 am.

The Armouries house the home of the UK’s National Collection of arms which are spread out over five floors of the purpose-built centre. You discover during the tour how arms and armour have shaped our history over the centuries.

The exhibits are brought to life by the ” Live Interpretation Team” who provide live demonstrations over the day. The are some very special exhibits on show not least the largest animal armour in the world – elephant armour complete with tusk surrounds.

Meeting up at 12,45 pm the group then travelled on to The Lord Darcy restaurant for lunch. We returned in slightly improved weather conditions arriving back in Hucknall just after 4.00pm.

A huge thank you goes to Gary Holmes for organising what was an excellent day out.

Have you ever wondered how products in your online shopping cart get from Amazon to you? Well, in October, the Not So Grumpy Old Men visited the Amazon Fulfilment Centre at Doncaster to find out.

The Doncaster facility is one of over 50 Fulfilment Centres across Europe and is over 1m square feet of technologically advanced storage space where the barcode is king. From receipt to stowage, picking, packing, labelling, shipping and delivery, everything, is driven by those thick and thin lines. The application of the final despatch labels in the SLAM machine is a joy to behold.

In a Q&A session we learned what happens to the returns and where to buy cheap Amazon products (but it’s our secret!).

On leaving with our goodie bags we made a short trip for our lunch stop before the return home.

Just a day after the Queen’s funeral it proved a particularly significant day for ten of the group to visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Sharing two cars we left Hucknall at 9.30 am for the relatively short journey to the Arbortum. Thanks to drivers Mark Jackson and Terry Moult.

After parking up, and one member receiving thorough instructions on how to use his mobility scooter, we headed for a drink before visiting the displays and exhibitions. There were three options for the day, a guided tour, a ride around the site by Landtrain complete with a commentary or a self-led tour. The group opted for the guided tour which proved very informative.

Members were quite amazed by the sheer size of the venue which meant that it was impossible to see all of it in detail in one day. Areas of the site were dedicated to various wars and conflicts, to specific regiments and also to non-military services such as the Police service.


A meal at the site followed by a visit to the Memorial Wall bearing the names of fallen soldiers. It proved a very thought-provoking day and one that was enjoyed by all.

Barrie Saunders