Category: Not So Grumpy Old Men

In February, the Not So Grumpies motored into Nottingham to try their driving skills (or lack of) on the recently redesigned and extended Scalextric track at the Dragon featuring many of Nottingham’s historic landmarks and locations.  

After free practice in which participants theoretically acclimatised themselves to the circuit, three qualifying rounds were held to determine the six fastest drivers who then raced against each other in the nail-biting final.

To everyone’s surprise, the favourite to win (Senna(Pod)) only managed third place, being soundly thrashed by AlanDenham in second place, and FieryNikiL who, despite a number of allegations of track and grid violations during which a number of rivals were forced off the track, finished in first place. However, despite winning, his overall times fell far below the 10 lap record, set by Claire Balding in the inaugural race following the commissioning of the new circuit, which still remains unbeaten.

After the race, all drivers repaired to the Long Row Social to analyse the race violations, consider their appeals, and partake of much-needed fortifications.

On Tuesday October 24^th we had a guided tour of Newstead Abbey. Best laid plans to meet at Newstead Village and to enter the Abbey grounds through the tradesman’s entrance were thwarted by a flooded road with two abandoned vehicles. Plan B was then executed as we travelled round to the main entrance and onto the Abbey car park.

Our guide Barrie was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The building and contents are very impressive and Barrie was able to explain the provenance of many of the paintings, furniture and rooms and put them in a chronological historical context. He also led us through history of the Abbey including the various Byrons and the Wildman family.

He recognised Melvyn from a time when their professional careers crossed, a time when Melvyn was without his recognisable beard!

Afterwards we dined at The Badger Box where the staff were very welcoming.

On September 20^th our visit was to the Ruddington Framework Knitters Museum

Before our guided tour we met in Parker’s Yard Cafe named after the Parker family who owned and ran one of the earliest frame knitting workshops that once employed 100 workers.

It was an interesting visit which included a link to Hucknall with a working machine made for J Buck and sons who had factories on Derbyshire Lane and Titchfield Street.

NSGrumpy, Roy Brown, is seen working the machine, a nostalgic reminder of his first job on leaving school in 1958.

Our next activity is a guided visit of Newstead Abbey on October 24^th

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.