London League members not on the committee but help out with vital roles
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Janet Bonham Membership Secretary | Jake Berliner Mailing Co-ordinator | Moira Conway League Results Co-ordinator | Mike Lott New Members' Liaison Officer | Philip Cohen Complaints Officer |
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Some of the players that once played in the London Scrabble League
Jenny Albon
Elie Dangoor was born in Baghdad, Iraq and has played Scrabble in many countries including India, Thailand, Germany and America in the 15 years he has played the game. He is unmarried and has a degree in mathematics. |
London League members who are no longer with us and are not forgotten
Peggy Snell
Tributes which appeared on the LSL Scrabble mailing list... Philippa Morris: "It is my sad duty to inform members that Nita Freedman died of a heart attack. She attended her local Scrabble Club on Monday but died the next day.." Vivienne Bishop: "Nita left the League just about a year ago when, reluctantly, due to failing eyesight and health had to give up her flat and move in with her daughter. Although a player of modest ability she was quite capable of surprising one and making a high scoring word so she could not be taken for granted. She was a welcoming host and I remember her for always serving large slices of rich fruit cake in the tea break. She was very fond of her elderly cat who was always banished outside on Scrabble nights but was often scratching at the window wanting to return in, but that was never allowed. Nita was a pleasant old lady who will be missed." Sandie Simonis: "I can't remember the exact details but I recall Nita was involved in making Princess Diana's wedding dress. She might have been a cutter. Interesting background. I believe she has/had a brother in the US who originally contacted me about getting Nita involved in the LSL/ Sad news but great that she was playing Scrabble right up until her death." return to top | Article featured on website - April 2010Ron Hendra
Sandie Simonis: "Even more sad news from the London Scrabble League. We have just heard that our long time member Ron Hendra passed away in his sleep on Sunday night. Right up until last week he was still playing regular LSL fixtures and his final position in the league (24th) with an average score of over 400 suggests he had lost none of his form. I'm not sure how old he was (>90 I think) but I know a guy who will - over to you Robert Richland. I remember Ron as a great Scrabble player (tournament and League) but also an affable gentleman. He was somewhat clumsy - tiles, teaspoons, coffee, indeed anything that could get knocked over usually did but that only added to his charm! Another very sad loss to the Scrabble world."Doreen's profile from LSL Newsletter 195 - 2001 Remembering when she started playing Scrabble or when she joined the League or remembering her highest score or best win are: "Lost in the mist of time, lost in dead brain cells." Doreen Marsh, retired, 70-year-old, continues: "These are not really important to me I just enjoy playing!" Doreen was taught to play Scrabble by the influence of her mother who encouraged learning and social accomplishment. Her first match was at Philip Nelkon's flat in Southgate which indicates joining the League in the late 80's. Doreen remembers once playing Scrabble on a cross-Channel ferry. She never studied OSW/Chambers and played on average twice-a-week. Her favourite word was SNIRTLE, because she learnt the word before it became playable. Doreen came second at Doddinghurst in Division A in November of last year (2000). She had many other interests which included reading, theatre, ballet and history with games and pastimes including canasta, whist, chess and Trivial Pursuit. Doreen had not appeared on TV, "I have never been noteworthy until now! Are you sure you've got the right person for a member profile?" Doreen shared Ron Hendra's interest in Richard III. "I believe he has been maligned and would like to hear his own opinion of events". Tributes which appeared on both UK and LSL Scrabble mailing lists for Doreen from members and former members of the London Scrabble League included... Viv Bishop: "I have just taken a 'phone message that Doreen Marsh has passed away. I do not have any other information. She will be sorely missed in our Scrabble circuit. She had not been well for a while and never wanted to give in to her disabilities. I am saddened to be the bearer of this news. Moira Conway: " Those of you on this group (UK Scrabble mailing List) who are ex-London League members will remember Doreen Marsh. Today we were told, by her brother, of her sudden and unexpected death. In the past she had attended local one day tournaments but stopped when her mobility decreased. She will be missed.." Robert Richland: "Very sad news. I've known Doreen since as far back as 1968, when she joined my primary school (Brookland) in Hampstead Garden Suburb. In fact Doreen was briefly my brother's class teacher in the same school in 1976 before we moved to Stanmore. It wasn't until I joined the London Scrabble League in 1984 that I got to know her as a Scrabble player. Always a friendly and cheerful lady.." Ashley de Safrin: "I'm truly sorry to hear about Doreen. Although I haven't played her in some years, I used to play her regularly when I lived in Finchley. I think the last time I saw her was about a year ago. She was one of those really nice people who always put others first. She will be very much missed by those who knew her.." Clive and Sheila Spate (Nottingham Nomads): "Sheila and I remember Doreen as a regular entrant at the first six Nomads weekends and as a generous contributor to our fund-raising efforts. Indeed, when one year she had to cancel she declined any refund and requested that her entry fee be donated to charity. As you say, her mobility problems restricted her in recent years. Our sympathy goes to her friends and family.." Terry Kirk (former LSL Chairman): "I'm very sorry to hear that. I used to play Doreen a lot in my early years in the London League and she would often offer me a lift to venues, particularly Frank and Tilly Moss's. She did a lot to encourage new members in the League in the North London area, by taking the time to help them and explain the basic strategies. She was in unfailing good spirits, and I shall miss her warmth and humour." Philippa Morris: "I was so sorry to hear today of the sudden passing of Doreen. She was one of the first members I met when I joined the London Scrabble League towards the end of 1985 as a very raw "recruit", and she taught me a lot about playing Scrabble. But I feel she will be remembered most of all for her thoughtfulness for others, and especially her bravery. She suffered a lot of pain and discomfort through her disablement and was never heard to complain. May she rest in peace." return to top | Article featured on website - January 2010Jonathan Anstey
His battle against leukaemia and many other illnesses ended up taking its toll and in the early hours of Tuesday 2nd June, Stephen passed away aged 70. He attended a Baptist church in East London of which he was a long term member and at which his funeral will take place on Friday 12th June at 1.30pm at Hope Baptist Church, Stafford Road (off Katherine Rd), Forest Gate E7.
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Robert Richland (London Scrabble League): Les Nyman, member of the London Scrabble League for at least 30 years (and of course father of Mark), passed away at the weekend (21st-22nd March 2009) at the age of 86. The funeral at Golders Green Crematorium in north-west London was on Friday 27th March. Always a smile and always seeing the positive side of things.
Rachelle Winer (London Scrabble League): Les was a kind gentle man, who I first met way back in tournaments in the 80's. He always called me Roch, somehow I never minded. I will miss him.
Philp Appleby (Hants & ex London Scrabble League): I'd known Les for 30 years, and have lots of wonderful memories of visiting him and Mark at their home in Willesden. To me, Les was like a favourite uncle, always welcoming me with a big smile and the offer of a hot drink and a slice of something tasty from the fridge. He was an extremely able and tough opponent over the Scrabble board too, and took great pleasure in beating the "big guns", including his son. One of my favourite memories was in 1993, when Les called me to tell me that Mark had just won the World Championship. He was so proud, and emotional. It was all he could do to get the message across. I haven't seen Les much over the past few years, and I know he's not been at all well for some considerable time. Nevertheless the news came as a major shock to me. The Scrabble world has lost a great personality, and one of the nicest people I've met whilst playing the game.
Clive Spate (Nottingham Nomads): Sheila and I heard this very sad news this afternoon. We both have some wonderful memories of Les over the years. Always a welcoming host at Robson Road with, almost invariably, a cream cake on offer. Apart from Scrabble, he was a capable practitioner of sleight of hand magic and liked the occasional flutter on the horses. We'd spend time talking about the losers we'd both selected. We have lost a true friend.
Terry Kirk (Middlesex League): When I first moved to London over 20 years ago, I spent many happy evenings playing Scrabble at Les's. Like Phil, I remember him as a kindly uncle figure who was always trying to feed me with something - I think he thought I didn't eat at home. He was always a very tough opponent, who would never give in. We'd both enjoy our tussels at London League Sunday Drives. I shall miss him.
Allan Simmons (Scottish Borders & ex London Scrabble League): So sorry to hear that Les Nyman has passed away. A genial and generous host of many a London league match and as others have mentioned - cream cakes were a special delight together with a demonstration of a few card tricks. At one of my earliest meetings chez Les he mentioned that his schoolboy son was getting interested in the game...what became of him I wonder. Great to have known you Les and rest in peace.
Jackie McLeod (London Scrabble League): I can only echo what so many others have said already. I have many fond memories of a charming, kind and generous "elder statesman" of the UK Scrabble scene and the London Scrabble League in particular, and it was very sad to see his health decline so markedly over the last few years. Les will be missed, and remembered as a very special person. My deepest sympathies go to Mark and all his family.
Penny Downer (Newport IoW): I would like to add my condolences to Mark and his family on this sad news. I only met Les a few times but always really loved his company - he was great fun and a tough, yet always gentlemanly, opponent. I have never forgotten a valued Scrabble tip he passed on after a game at a London tournament many years ago (I think it was in the old 'high score' days!). I was impressed with his play of OILCANS and remarked on it at the end of the game. Les said that COLINS+? was an excellent set as it took all the vowels (a tip originating from Mark, I believe!). I went home and learnt the set and whenever I play a resulting bonus (and there have been several occasions) I always think of Les.
Graeme was involved in a fatal road traffic accident at approximately 01:30 this morning (4th November 2006). His car - apparently the only one involved - ran off the road into a tree, a couple of miles from his home in Hatfield.
Peter lives in Peterborough and a bout of ill-health has forced Peter to stop all League activities including being a committee member. Sheila Green became responsible for arranging fixtures. Peter does manage to play Scrabble occasionally at the Peterborough Scrabble Club.
It is with great sadness to inform members that on the morning of Saturday 11th June Peter Dean passed away in hospital at Peterborough. A "true" icon of the UK Scrabble scene if ever there was one. His word power of seven-letter words was second to none. His contributions to the London Scrabble League and the Postal Scrabble Club over the past thirty years just cannot be overestimated. Ill health caused him to limit his Scrabble greatly in recent years but still found time for Postal games and played Scrabble the day before he died winning the game by over 200 points!
It was with great sadness that Frank Moss died peacefully recently.
He was 91. He had been in hospital for a few days after a fall. He was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium on the 24th June. Our condolences go to his wife Tilly and family.
It is with great sadness I have to inform members that on the evening of Monday 28th June long time member of the London League, Tilly Moss, passed away. She had been cared for at a nursing home since husband Frank passed away last year. She was 88. The funeral was held at the Golders Green crematorium last Friday 2nd July at 1.00pm.

Elizabeth Terry: (London Scrabble League): Gertie died at her hospice on Monday night (23rd February) at 8.00pm. Her one remaining son was with her. The end was very peaceful. She was in her 79th year. It was sad that her rapidly deteriorating health followed on so suddenly from the shock of her younger son's death. Many players met Gertie regularly at tournaments and she almost unfailingly attended the New Malden drives. It was always a good game when you played Gertie and many enjoyed her pithy comments. Another lovely character gone from the Scrabble scene.
Kim Phipps: (London Scrabble League): Gertie sadly died on the 23rd February 2009. A difficult 8 months culminated in a late diagnosis of Mesothelioma (cancer from exposure to Asbestos) in January of this year. Gertie was a true lover of Scrabble, she had an insatiable appetite for the game and would willingly play "back to back" league matches. She enjoyed Scrabble tournaments, played in the Southern League and was an early member of the Carshalton Scrabble Club. Gertie had a phenomenal general knowledge and was a keen quiz and crossword puzzle participant. She was a loving mother and proud "nana", and had a passion for cats, classical music, science fiction and Michael Schumacher! She enjoyed watching the wild birds feeding in her garden. She was an original "silver surfer" and had mastered the "web" long before many had even heard of it. Many of us received amusing and clever personalised emails from her. She is survived by her son Nick and granddaughter Natasha.
return to top | Article also featured in LSL Newsletter 289 - 2009
Simon Carter

Jackie McLeod
broke this news on the UK Scrabble Mailing list: "It was a great shock and sadness to learn today that Simon Carter was found dead last Friday (11th July), having apparently taken his own life. Although Simon had dropped out of the tournament scene recently, there will be many who remember him as a keen, active and very able tournament player for a number of years, a warm, friendly and highly intelligent man whom you couldn't possibly not like. He joined the ABSP at the same time as Gary Fox, his friend from schooldays, both keen to improve their Scrabble skills and ratings. Not much more is known at this time. The funeral is likely to be private, family only."
Tributes flowed in on the UK Scrabble mailing list for the former member of the London Scrabble League during the early 90s.
Robert Richland: "I am very shocked and saddened (to say the least) to hear this news about Simon. Apart from being a very competant Scrabble player he (like myself) was a mine of information regarding pop music from the 1950s onwards. I last saw Simon in June last year at the Essex Extravaganza tourney.... it was his first tourney for a good few years and he seemed the same as before... very friendly and approachable."
Terry Kirk: "I too saw Simon last year at the Essex event. He was trying to co-opt me for a quiz league team, and was also waxing lyrical about recent walks along the banks of the Thames with a group of friends. I always found him a very entertaining chap to talk to, he made me laugh. I was very saddened to read we won't be able to enjoy his company anymore."
Clive and Sheila Spate: "How very sad. He was a pleasure to know, but it is a while since we saw him. He was very brave battling his brain tumour, so even after all of that he obviously felt that he could not carry on."
Rachelle Winer: "Simon was a lovely guy and definitely one of my favourites in Scrabble. Like Jackie, and I suspect many others, I will miss him.
Webmaster: "In December 1990 I bought a cassette of 'Power Themes '90' A selection of top themes from classic Gerry Anderson and other cult TV programmes remixed by some of the countries top mixers. In the small print was the name Simon Carter. At the next tournament I attended I asked Simon if he was the chap concerned in its production. Indeed he was! The cassette now serves as my lasting momento of Simon. Click here to see cassette artwork.
return to top | Article appeared on website - July 2008
Ros Harris
It was sad to hear that Rosalind (Ros) Harris died suddenly recently after a short illness. She was a member with husband Alf of the London League in the 80s and 90s. Rosalind left the LSL some years ago, but for the past few years she has been having a fortnightly Scrabble meeting at her home for members of the U3A (University of the third age). Alf and Rosalind had taken up Bridge and played very frequently in the past few years. The League sends condolences to Alf and family.
return to top | Article featured on website - June 2007
Graeme Thomas
Graeme Thomas was not married and was born in Preston, Lancashire 50 years ago. He started his Scrabble playing as a child and took it up socially as "it seemed like a good idea!" Graeme started playing seriously in 1983 joining the League in 1985. The webmaster remembers playing him at a match at Frank and Tilly Moss' shortly after joining the League. His first scheduled match was against Bob Violett and Harold Robinson at the late Ivor Freedman's house. Graeme shared the editing of the League's Newsletter and edited 16 issues and most recently had stepped down from the London League's committee as Vice Chairman having served 17 years in that role. Graeme joined the committee when Ivor Freedman died in 1989. Graeme had also spent over 10 years as the Chairman of the Association of British Scrabble Players.
When Graeme was not playing Scrabble, he programmed computers for a company that dealt with credit cards. He studied at Cambridge University from 1974-77 and loved to read and learn about many things. Graeme had a vast knowledge of interesting facts. OSW and Chambers were high on his list because he read them every day. He listed MAIEUTIC as his favourite word played but still hoped to play one of the words that require both blanks: KRAKOWIAK. Twice Graeme had managed to score 212 in one move, ZEMINDAR at a Nottingham tournament (about 1987) and SHAMMING a couple of years later. "For many years I held the record score in a matchplay game (789), although it was never acknowledged." added Graeme.
Graeme appeared on Countdown in 1991 where came up against eventual series winner: Gareth Williams. Salisbury was his first tournament win and has gained further wins at the Isle of Wight tournament. Once at a wedding reception in Montreal our Graeme played Scrabble during a quiet moment.
"I used to be a reasonable squash player in my youth." Graeme concluded. Any resemblance to his brother Steve is purely co-incidental! They are twin siblings!!
Greame died tragically in a road accident (see below) and his funeral was held on Monday 13th November 2006 at the Carlton Crematorium in Blackpool. Many people from the Scrabble community were there to remember a unique personality.
Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 190 - 2000 (adjusted for website; 2006)
Details on what happened are still somewhat scarce, and it's possible that
some answers will never be known. At the point of the crash the road does a
sharp bend, and the car failed to take it. There was a sharp frost at the time,
and hence possibly ice. Witnesses heard a screech and a bang, and called the
police who were on the scene quickly. I do not know how fast the car was
travelling, or whether any attempt was made to take the bend.
I last spoke to him by telephone some six hours before the crash, and at that point he apparently had no intention of going out. The lateness of the hour
is curious--he is unlikely to have been visiting so late. If my somewhat hazy
knowledge of the geography is correct, the incident happened on the road
between Graeme's house and those of Pat Burgess and Eileen Anderson, to which he
was a fairly frequent visitor for London Scrabble League fixtures. In any
event, it's likely that it was a road he knew fairly well.
The police could not locate a wallet, though that doesn't mean he wasn't
carrying one. They traced his address from his vehicle registration, let
themselves in with his keys, and got hold of me, as next of kin, through his
passports.
UK Scrabble mailing list - Steve Thomas, 4th November 2006
Further tributes
Jackie McLeod (London Scrabble League): I am stunned, shocked, horrified - this is awful, and I hardly know what to
say to you. Graeme has been a good friend for well over 20 years, often a travelling companion to tournaments, was enormously helpful to me only recently when I had PC problems, and has been a pivotal person on the Scrabble scene from ... well, always. There are scores, if not hundreds, of players who
will doubtless tell you the same. My deepest sympathies to you and your parents and sisters at this terribletime. I know you have had recent health problems yourself, and this is the cruellest blow for you now, especially with you having been so close as twins.
Robert Richland (London Scrabble League): The number of times that Graeme has used his catchphrase "it's a perfectly normal word" when I challenged several of his words . . . and then be told
what the definition was . . . !!!
Bob Berry (London Scrabble League): I am very grieved at this news.
On the fairly infrequent occasions I post to the (UKScrabble mailing) list, there was always one
person whose scrutiny of my contributions I bore in mind - and that was Graeme.
This was not so much because of his role as moderator, but because I admired his
sarcastic wit, dry humour and verbal dexterity. He was a raconteur, with a
studied pomposity but also with self-deprecation. The irony of his posts was
sometimes missed, but where that was the case he never stooped to explanations.
Nor did he suffer fools gladly.
He made a huge and selfless contribution to the Scrabble community.
I wish I could have spent more time talking with Graeme. I always look back to
the time we had lunch together in a cafe in Hailsham some years ago, and the
sparkling conversation. His was an expansive and thoughtful mind.
I salute the passing of a great character, but my words cannot reach him now.
Janet Bonham (London Scrabble League): There are two things for which I, personally, shall always remember Graeme. Firstly his occasional comment when sitting next to one at a London League match "Oh, so you decided not to play your bonus then!" and "I thought you would have gone out. You had (such and such) on your rack". Many a word has been added to
my vocabulary thanks to him and I know I will remember them, and him, for as long as I play Scrabble.
Secondly I was touched by his care for others. Having experienced long spells in hospital himself he was always concerned for those in a similar situation. When Edelle Crane was lying so ill in hospital he rang me to ask if there was anything he could do. "I'd be happy just to come over and sit and hold her hand if that would help." And he did, bless him, despite the distance from Hatfield.
His eulogy at her funeral was so sincere and caring. Little did we think that so soon someone would need to be making such a speech at his own.
Terry Kirk (London Scrabble League): The personal memories that stand out for me are: Graeme's unfailing help whenever I was unsure of procedure when we were worked together as Chair and
Vice-Chair of the LSL; the conversation on a wide range of subjects that was so
far over my head, but dazzlingly entertaining nonetheless, on the occasions that
I was lucky enough to join Graeme and Steve on their joint birthday outings to
the Nut Tree; LSL matches at Eileen Anderson's house where Graeme would regale
us with his many, many anecdotes; and also his seemingly never-ending supply of
limericks, one to suit every occasion, which he knew by heart, and which never
failed to make me laugh out loud. All those things, and of course all the
qualities that others have mentioned, his erudition, his love for words, his
sense of humour and his interesting and forthright views on all subjects.
return to top | Postscript- webmaster 2006
Edelle Crane
Together with many others throughout the Scrabble fraternity, Aylesbury Scrabble Club is this week mourning the death of its leader, Edelle Crane, who died in the early hours of Sunday 15th May at the age of 61.
When at 13 years old two cysts on her spine were treated with radiation therapy, not only did the treatment destroy the cysts but sadly it damaged her spinal cord and she became paralysed.
As a patient in the Spinal Injuries Unit of Stoke Mandeville Hospital she fell in love with and married another patient, Barry, and they recently celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary.
Happily she was well enough to leave hospital in time for the celebration but a month later had to return when her condition deteriorated and led to her death.
In the beginning, Barry and Edelle were able to enjoy holidaying in their caravan, which gave them much pleasure. Unfortunately the need for one of Edelle's kidneys to be removed ended this freedom for them and from then on they only spent one night away from home at a time. About this time their caravanning had to cease, Edelle was invited to join a Scrabble group which met in a local public house. She soon became addicted and became leader of the group which at the time was some 40 in number.
However, when the group had to move to a local church hall, which forbade smoking, the group gradually dwindled until the number was so small that Aylesbury Scrabble Club moved to Edelle and Barry's bungalow, where they continued to meet until her illness. Scrabble became Edelle's life and her circle of friends was greatly enlarged when she joined the London Scrabble League and became involved with Postal Scrabble, extending world-wide when she joined the Internet Scrabble Club.
She enjoyed going to tournaments whenever she was able. Her favourite one-day venue was Swindon, and she was always one of the first to book for the Winter Matchplay weekend at Milton Keynes, where she and Barry were able to have a one night "holiday".
For about ten years she oragnised the Aylesbury Scrabble Tournament which was always very popular.
Edelle was a pleasure to be with, always interested in other people's families and lives, a good listener able to give sound advice when needed. She had a good sense of humour and, above all, was ever cheerful. She was never heard to complain of her disability and its great restrictions.
She will be missed by many. May she indeed rest in peace.
Article written by Janet Bonham originally featured in LSL Newsletter 243 - 2005
Further tributes
Allan Simmons (Chariman of the ABSP): She was a great Scrabble activist with a sense of humour as I recall. She put the Aylesbury Scrabble Club event on the map.
Robert Richland (London Scrabble League): A real loss. Edelle always remained cheerful despite her disabilities... very sadly missed.
Pauline Johnson (Cleveland Scrabble Club): I played Edelle many times on the Internet Scrabble Club and it was always a good game. There was usually a laugh to be had if either of us had a better run with the tiles but always the games were conducted in a really friednly manner. I too will miss her.
return to top | Tributes originally featured in LSL Newsletter 243 - 2005
Peter Dean
"I can't stand the game, but he really loves it." Peter Dean's wife Betty muses. Ealing born Peter has been playing Scrabble for over 30 years and competitions for over 15 and has always maintained an interest in words and maths.
Now 78, this retired former railway accountant spends his time arranging London League fixtures every month and is a games master of the Postal Scrabble Club, yet still finds time to play Scrabble two to four times a week.
He joined the London League in its inception in 1971/2 and his first game at Mrs Woolf's scored 298, 249 and 216 for a total score of 763. His first National Scrabble Championship was in 1973 and was a joint winner of the National Club tournament in 1980 and 1982 with Di Dennis, Mike Willis and Ian Gucklhorn. A TV appearance in 1983 on Countdown saw him lose to Allan Simmons.
Favourite words include MUGWUMPS against Keith Waterhouse and most recently SFORZATI. Peter has analysed 8,000 seven letter words to add to list of unplayed bonuses - having already played 5,000 of them.
The person he would have most like to have met is Alfred Butts, the inventor of Scrabble. "I bet I could have beaten him!" Peter adds.
Other noteworthy achievements have been as a returning officer in PR elections to the Church Assembly. Being an ex-secretary of the Postal Scrabble Club, and admiting to having an interest in electoral reform.
Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 181 - 2000
Further tributes
Barry Grossman (London Scrabble League): Peter really was "Mr London Scrabble League". A founding member of the League in 1971, he did the fixtures, collated results, ran the drives, practically everything. There was no-one quite like him and probably never will be.
Robert Richland (London Scrabble League):Beneath that very deadpan exterior Peter had a real sense of humour. He was 83.
return to top | Postscript- webmaster 2004/2005
Margaret Greenyer
It is with great shock and sadness to inform members that early on Wednesday 26th October Margaret Greenyer passed away after a fairly short illness. She had recently been diagnosed with leukaemia and chose to carry on with her life without people knowing how ill she really was. Margaret was one of the kindest people you could ever hope to meet. Her attitude was always positive and she only ever saw the good things in life. She was always a pleasure at fixtures whether hosting or visiting and always maintained a sunny personality. Last season she won the Billie Gray Memorial Trophy for Most Improved Player and she is pictured above holding the trophy along with a Bronze High Word Scroll for BROMATES for 158. She shall be greatly missed. The funeral was held on Thursday 3rd November at 2.00pm, at Kensal Green cemetery
return to top | Article featured on website - October 2005
Beroze Mody
Beroze Mody was born in Mumbai, India in 1938. She has two children and is a widow. With the sad passing of her husband she needed to get out more and to find other avenues.
She has been playing Scrabble since 1998 and has recently joined the London Scrabble League. Her first match being at Sandie Simonis'.
She plays two or three times a week and studies her OSWI once a week. She has also been attending tournaments since 2002 but has yet to win a Division so she will have to take pride in the red and silver scrolls achieved for highest game scores. One of which was 568. Her highest word
score stands at 104 for FRESHEN which was at Exeter last Easter.
She used to do secretarial work but now enjoys cooking, gardening and her grandchildren along with code-word and arrow-word puzzles.
Beroze has travelled extensively. By train across Canada Has been in a hot-air
balloon in Australia, been on safari in Nairobi and found the Palace at Petersburg - awesome. She has done London/ Bombay/London by car with three young children, has met the Queen, Prince Edward and wife Sophie, was the president of her community and is a Registrar of marriages.
She has yet to go to Moscow.
Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 239 - 2005
It is with great sadness that I have to let you know that one of our much loved members Beroze Mody collapsed and died early on the evening of 19th July. Beroze was an enthusiastic player
both in the London League and tournaments. She had finished 5th in Division E at the New Malden tournament just the previous weekend. She was compassionate, thoughtful, funny, interested and interesting, a pillar of her family and her community and a delight to know. She was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium on Saturday 22nd July.
return to top | Article featured on website - July 2006
Frank and Tilly Moss
Due to declining health Frank and Tilly have had to give up competing in the London League.
It will seem strange not seeing their names on league tables and word
lists.
They met at London Bridge back in August 1940, and celebrated 59 years of marriage last August. Their nephew decided to scrap his Scrabble set in their direction, but without any decent rules to go by they made up the rules themselves and were scoring in the two hundreds per game.
Frank and Tilly eventually heard about the formation of a new London club through friends and joined the League one year after its inception.
Having played so many matches (it used to amount to six times per week!) it has been difficult to remember notable results. Frank has had successes in the South East Evergreen Trophy and twice runner-up in the British Amateur Championship in 1993 and 1995. Tilly has had scrolls for her achievements of a high game score of 690 in 1987 and the highest move score of 284 for QUETZALS. Tilly is mainly proud of her worthy words featured in the League review every month.
Frank is 89 and Tilly 85. Frank used to work in a finance-connected office while Tilly spent 25 years as a volunteer in a hospital for the chronic sick: she was also an Honorary Secretary organising entertainment and fund-raising lunches for the residents.
Frank had a prowess for gardening in his earlier days and had a lawn like a bowling green. Frank also enjoys reading, walking (in earlier days) and classical music especially opera.
Frank sees the future of Scrabble as "rosy" and would have liked to have known the late John Meikle for whom a season's trophy is named. "He was a regular visitor here and bequeathed sets to me," Frank recalls.
The original trophy may have gone walkies but a cup inscribed with John's name will always be continued.
Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 200 - 2001
return to top | Postscripts originally featured in LSL Newsletter 223 - 2003(Frank)/Website 30 June 2004 (Tilly)
Michael Goldman
Sheila Hockey ©1997 (London Scrabble League): As the first secretary of THE LONDON SCRABBLE LEAGUE (originally started life as the Greater London Scrabble League) formed in the latter part of 1971, I feel that I should write a tribute to Mike Goldman. Whatever feelings have existed over the past few years for whatever reasons, there is no denying the fact that all of us enjoy our Scrabble Evenings, Scrabble Tournaments and friendships made as a result of these occasions, and all due to an idea devised by Mike Goldman and Reg Lever. Their aim was to promote friendship and interest in Scrabble and improve the standard thereof. Mike sent out letters to individuals who took part in the first National Scrabble Championship. Thirty-one people responded to join the League, playing in two divisions, namely ACHILLES and BOADICEA. I think that Pat MacBean, Peter Dean and myself are the only survivors of the thirty-one still playing in the League.
Mike, in the early days, was great fun to be with; he talked about many things apart from Scrabble. There were the occasional Scrabble sessions on a Sunday at his house in Wood Lane, interrupted by sumptuous feasts, conversations and lots of laughter.
If Mike and I were at the same fixture he would always 'phone me to see if a lift was required to and from the venue. When the inter-club tournaments commenced with Leicester Scrabble Club, Mike would try to ensure that League Members were offered lifts in cars rather than wait for people to enquire how to get to the venue.
Mike's first heart attack affected him greatly and seemed to change his personality to some degree in recent years.
I am so sad that news of the death of Mike Goldman in July was only discovered by chance recently, and that his son and daughter probably felt that the London Scrabble League was not interested. For my part, I am glad that I knew Mike, eternally grateful that the League was started because I would never have even met some of the people who over the years have become good friends of mine. So far as I am concerned Mike and Reg succeeded in their aim of promoting friendship, interest in Scrabble, but with regard to my improvement in playing, well, I leave that to my opponents.
return to top | Article featured on website - October 2007, Article originally written by Sheila Hockey and featured in LSL Newsletter October/November 152 - 1997
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