Mauro Pratesi Drives/Scrolls Webmaster/Cups	Barbara Morris Treasurer	Sandie Simonis Secretary	Ted Lewis Welfare Officer	Priscilla Encarnacion League Review	Mike Chappell North West Drives Co-ordinator	Vivienne Bishop Administrator & Fixtures Org.	Daniel Smith Advisor .	Victoria Kingham Newsletter Editor
Chairperson	Vice Chairperson	.	.	.	.	.	.	.

London League members not on the committee but help out with vital roles

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

The sections that follows includes the profiles of the following current League Members:
Jenny Albon, Danny Bekhor, Jake Berliner, Vivienne Bishop, Ian Gucklhorn, Pamela Kikumu,
Ted Lewis, Barbara Morris, Jackie McLeod, Philippa Morris, Mauro Pratesi, David Shenkin,
Lis Shepheard, Neil Stein and Richard Woodward.

Profiles of past League Members:
Kathy Byrne, Elie Dangoor, Darryl Francis, Barry Grossman and Rael Hayman.

Profiles of deceased League Members:
Jonathan Anstey, Simon Carter, Nellie Cox, Edelle Crane, Peter Dean, Nita Freedman, Michael Goldman,
Margaret Greenyer, Ros Harris, Ron Hendra, Stephen Hunt, Doreen Marsh, Beroze Mody,
Frank & Tilly Moss, Les Nyman, Gertie Roberts, Peggy Snell, and Graeme Thomas.
Click on a name to take you right there.

Membership Profiles - from past newsletters Mauro Pratesi Mauro must be lousy at maths because rather than tell you his age will give you his year of birth: 1955. He was born within the sound of Bow Bells in London. Both his parents were from Italy.     He started playing Scrabble in the 70's when a fellow student at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts introduced him to the game. Mauro used to play many word games with his mother, did lots of puzzles and solved crosswords.     He replied to an ad from The Times for the 1981 National Scrabble Championships. After two years of not qualifying he doctored the entry form in such a way so that he qualified for the 1983 Regionals. One of his games was against ex-member Allan Simmons who suggested joining the London League. Amazingly his first League match of the 1985-86 season was at Allan Simmons' house.     Mauro is married and has two children. His wife, Diane, has achieved expert status in the ABSP ratings and played in the first World Scrabble Championships in London back in 1991 and his elder girl, Jessica, has picked up the game; firstly through the ISC on-line Scrabble game, progressing to Sunday Drives, then tournaments achieving A division status. In the 2008 National Scrabble Championship Teams South East Regional Final they competed as a threesome and won the Plate competition - possibly the first all-family team to win a Plate title in the Mattel organised event.     Mauro used to play once a month but had to stop playing because he cannot guarantee arriving at a fixture by the 7.30pm start time. He still maintains League connections having become Chairperson in 2006, co-running Sunday Scrabble Drives since 1989 taking over from Brian Sugar, awarding cups and scrolls at the end of the six-monthly League seasons and originating and maintaining the LSL website since 2003.     His highest single game score stands at 685 which included the 221 play of CHAFFERS. He won a prize for playing ARSENAL for the word theme of tube line stations at one of Robert Richland's drives at the Hospitality Inn, Bayswater.     Mauro's highest tournament placing was fourth at Bristol many years ago. He has won two highest score trophies and a few word theme prizes at tournaments. But you will generally find him on keyboards at tournaments as he does prefer adjudicating and entering results rather than playing and even directed one or two tournaments.     Mauro used to play Bridge, likes football and collects cards, stickers and Corinthian model footballers.     His favourite television programmes include Blue Peter, Countdown, the many Star Trek series and most science fiction programmes.     You can see him regularly on the TV as he has a regular seat level with the penalty area at Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium.     Mauro has adjudicated at every level of Scrabble possible: club, national and world and is greatly indebted to the late Michael Goldman for his book 'Play Better Scrabble' which showed the secrets of playing to Club standard. return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 202 - 2001 amended October 2008 for website, Barbara Morris After playing Scrabble for more years than she cares to remember Barbara Morris has been with the London League since 1986. Finally at the BMSC in West Bromwich this year Barbara gained a merited second place in Division F. At last year's Nottingham Nomads she also won a prize. All this Scrabble must be now paying off.     Barbara only started playing tour-naments in America where she lived for a few years in the 90s. Her first tournament was in Los Gatos, California. So she had knowledge of many of the American-only words before the UK scene moved to Sowpods and OSW International.     Barbara was born in Royston, Hertfordshire and has taught Mathematics both full- and part-time during the course of a long career. Before teaching she was a computer programmer, in the days when input was by means of punched cards and programs were carried in shoeboxes! She has been married twice but is now single having two grown-up children.     She regularly played Scrabble with her first husband using the Concise Oxford, since they conveniently possessed two copies. After he died she joined the London League. She remembers Sheila Hockey teaching her some strategy in Marylebone High Street. At the first match she hosted, one of her visitors was the current Webmaster. (I remember it well. It was the only house on that side of the street with a house number! Webmaster).     Barbara plays once a week and admits to never studying her OSWI or Chambers. She recently got a certificate for the high scoring word DISCOERS although her highest scoring word that she remembers was DOLMADES in the high-scoring Scrabble days. She was pleased to spot MAZELTOV at a recent Sunday drive.     The strangest place she has played Scrabble was in the labour ward with her first husband when she was expecting her first baby. Barbara may have had other things on her mind as husband won the game, the baby had to wait for its turn.     Her other interests include, music, film, theatre, walking, reading and has been known to play tangleword on-line.     'Modesty and discretion prevent my telling you of my noteworthy achievements.' she concludes. return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 212 - 2002 Richard Woodward Richard Woodward was born 50 years ago in Stoke-on-Trent. He is single and does not have any children.     He played Scrabble socially from teens to mid thirties before joining the London League in January 1987, 'I have always had an interest in Scrabble, but had no-one to play with. Thankfully the London Scrabble League provided the opportunity' he says.     His first game was at Eileen Anderson's where he beat Diane Pratesi (before she married Mauro!) using four blanks! They were playing with the old wooden tiles where the blank was unmarked and either side of the tile looked similar, 'I didn't think to turn them over and played them as blanks. No one noticed and then I picked up the real blanks. The result had to stand'.     He can't recall the venue of his first tournament but it was in 1992. Unfortunately early tournament performances did not reflect his position in the League.     Richard plays at least once or twice a week and mainly plays for fun. He learns his words through practice so he hardly studies his word lists.     Richard once arranged for a League match to be played in a cottage in Tuscany, Italy, 60 miles south of Florence, which stands on record as the furthest League match outside London.     His favourite words include EUOUAES and QUIXOTIC (a nine-timer for 350 plus). He has played EUOUAES but the nine-timer has yet eluded him.     His highest scoring word was JASMINES for 221 which earned him a gold scroll. It was especially significant as it was against Jackie McLeod, who is a highly rated player in both London League and matchplay Scrabble.     At New Malden this year he won his first ever ranking tournament in ten years of trying. His previous best was second at the Romford Tournament in 2000.     He is the captain of the Boydell Court Jesters team which competes regularly in the National Scrabble Club tournament, They won the South East Regional Plate event in 1997, and the main South East event in 2001.     Richard works as a Civil Service Executive Officer and was once a University squash champion, golf champion and National Civil Service Bridge Champion in 1981.     As well as Bridge he used to be quite athletic playing squash, tennis, snooker, badminton and table tennis before injury forced him to stop.     These days his interests include genealogy, theatre, golf and R 'n' B music. Complementary health therapies as acupuncture and associated dietary changes plus counselling have cured his back, neck and shoulder problems, as well as insomnia and enabled him to lose eighteen pounds in six months last year.     He has not been successful in getting onto TV having failed three auditions of Countdown and has given up trying to get on Who Want to be a Millionaire, although he has been a member of the Countdown audience.     The last word goes to Richard, 'Scrabble should thrive and prosper without necessarily expanding its popularity and status, will probably always rank third as an intellectual pursuit behind chess and bridge. However, it is not faddish, it relies on natural skills so it will always continue and not become yesterday's craze'. return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 218 - 2003 Ted Lewis We go all the way to South Africa for this personality and this particular character fills the void Frank and Tilly Moss had in most games played in a season and one assumes by playing as many as four times a week minimum his century of played games will not be too far away.     Born in Capetown, South Africa Ted Lewis has been playing Scrabble for only four years having joined the London League in April 2000. In his first match in Stonegrove having scored 475 in one of his matches earned a red scroll for scoring between 450 and 549. He has since progressed to a gold scroll in November of last year with a score of 644.     The highest word he has scored so far is 131 for ASTEROID. Maybe it will come with QUAALUDE for a possible 221 as it is one of his favourite words. Ted studies his OSW/Chambers every Tuesday.     Ted attends most of the local tournaments but has yet to win a division having started 14th at his first event in Luton progressing to second at East Sussex in 2002 and third at West Sussex in 2003.     Ted is 68 years old and is divorced. None of his four girls and six grandchildren have yet to show TedÕs love of English word games. Ted used to be employed helping build Concorde.     As Scrabble takes up his main time he rarely has any other interests or plays any other games or pastimes. He lists The Adventure of English by Melvyn Bragg as his favourite TV programme. He has yet to be captured by TV cameras and has no wish to be a contestant on any quiz programme.     Ted is able to speak in Afrikaans, as well as English, in case any body try their luck against him in that particular language. He owns four Scrabble sets. return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 231 - 2004 Jake Berliner Jake Berliner was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, 48 years ago, coming to England when he was 15.     Jake joined the London League in April 1997 after years of playing socially, deciding he would rather be playing at club level. His local library provided him with Harold Robinson's 'phone number with his first match being at the late Nathan Meade's home.     Jake plays Scrabble at least twice per week which includes tournaments and Drives. He gets to study OSWI and Chambers every weekend where he studies his favourite combination of words which contain KH, CK and TCH. He has also played Scrabble in Hebrew as a child.     His highest game score in the League has been 535 two years ago against Irene Woolley at Alan Freeman's.     His highest word score was INCURRED against Margaret Greenyer at a Sunday drive for 141.     Jake has yet to win a major tournament having come second in Division C at Chester in 2003 and third at Richmond in 2001 and Worthing in 2000.     He used to run a clothing wholesale company which he closed down recently. His interests include music of various types, history and television documentaries. He has yet to appear on television and cites Who Wants To Be A Millionaire as his favourite TV programme with Julia Roberts and Harrison Ford as his favourite actor and actress.     Sir Robin Day would be the person he would most like to have met because 'He was a bright intellectual with whom I could probably have discussed any topic'.     One final word on the future of Scrabble from Jake: 'I'll enjoy playing Scrabble as long as I live' return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 221 - 2003 Danny Bekhor At the age of thirteen Danny Bekhor recieved a Scrabble set as a present. Forty years later and many Scrabble matches later we find him playing in the London League fortnightly, and playing the occasional tournament.     Danny joined the London League in 1985 after he found out about League Drives at a Wine Bar with dim lights and loud music. Gillian Kinder, who now plays in Australia, showed Danny a two and three letter word list. 'I felt so inadequate when I first read it' he remembers.     His first match was at Sheila Hockey's with Ron Hendra and Harold Robinson where he won two games and came away from the evening with 10 points.     Browsing through OSWI to subconciously learn all those incredible words he plays on the Scrabble board has helped in winning games he would have normally lost. CAATINGA (a low forest in Brazil) and THRANGED (a Scots word for throng) are two such words.     Danny has managed to win many tournaments over the years finishing top of Division A five times, as well as many second and third places. Winning the Sunday Drive Cup in 2002 was another of Danny's achievement.     The sea breezes of the south coast seem to bring about the best in Danny, having his first tournament win at the Southampton Open event and winning twice the weekend tournament at the Isle of Wight and only last year winning Hailsham.     Even more memorable was winning a tournament in Cardiff in 1999 when playing Brett Smitheram, who is one of the top players in the country, Danny won on merit without having had all the luck.     Danny was born in Baghdad, Iraq in 1950 and married Susy in Bangkok, Thailand in February 2003.     He is a property landlord, so he should also be good at Monopoly as he collects rent from people.     Although his listed interests do not include Monopoly, Danny does play lawn tennis and table tennis and is a big fan of classic horse racing meetings like Cheltenham and Ascot.     Danny is very shy in public so would never appear on a quiz show or TV programme or make a public speech. He does like watching TV programmes such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Question Time and Countdown. return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 229 - 2004 Jackie McLeod As a member of Mensa she played Scrabble in their games events. Colin King first took her along to a Sunday Drive in Bayswater on 12th July 1981 - She lost all 3 games. She continued to attend the drives for a while before joining the League. Jackie's first recorded fixture seems to have been at Ruth Lowy's on 18th November (1 win, 7 pts) that year. And the rest is history!     Her first recorded tournament was the 1982 NSC in the high score days.     The first time she travelled out of London to play, was for the P S C weekend in Cambridge in December 1982.     Member of LSL committee from 1991 to 1994, and edited the League Newsletter for some of that time.       Member of ABSP committee 2002-05, first as Sponsorship Officer, subsequently as Publicity Officer, in which role I initiated National Scrabble Week in 2003.     Her tournament wins over the years include:     Milton Keynes Winter Matchplay 1998     Stoke Rochford Xmas 2005     Nottingham Nomads 2006     NSC London/SE regional 2006.     NSC runner up in 1997, after which was (but only very briefly) the highest rated woman player in the UK.     I have also played in two successful NSC Teams: London Enterprise (with Terry Kirk and Hartley Moorhouse) and London Pride (with Di Dennis and Barry Grossman). return to top | Article unique to this website - 2006 Lis Shepheard Lis Shepheard has been playing Scrabble for over half a century!     From amusing her grandmother in the fifties to belonging to the Rugby Scrabble Club from 1980-2000, approximately, and joining the London League last year when she moved to Buckinghamshire to be near one of her two children and grandchildren.     Now 69 years young, Lis used to teach French, Spanish and Portuguese. She has long been divorced and finds time to play Scrabble one to three times a week and hardly ever studies OSWI. She prefers to learn words by playing.     Lis says "I am just a retired person who enjoys Scrabble very much, but I am not very competitive." Having played her first tournament at Leicester in 1980, indeed she rarely frequents tournaments.     Although receiving a London League bronze scroll for 490, last season, she has scored 608 on September 1992 and has the scroll from the Rugby Club to prove it.     She also had the honour of beating ex-newsletter editor and ex-League member Phil Appleby when he came to the Rugby Club. Apparently Phil had rotten letters ­ which proves rotten racks happen to us all! return to top | Article unique to this website - 2006 Ian Gucklhorn Ian Gucklhorn has been playing Scrabble for over 45 years. The former London Scrabble League chairman joined the club in 1978. His first match was at a Sunday Drive which was held at Lane's Loft Games Room in Finchley.     Ian recalls, "In those days Scrabble was played to high-scoring methods, clocks were a distant thought and the base dictionary was the Oxford".     Ian was born in Willesden Green 63 years ago. He has four children and seven grand-children. His son Zak and late mother, Nora, were also members of the League.     Ian lists his job as an odd-job man with interests in gardening and Science-fiction. He plays Bridge, Chess and Othello. Ian played in the very first Othello Championships where he got to the final eight.     He appeared on Countdown in the very first series and also the You Bet! challenge programme hosted by Matthew Kelly broadcast during the first World Scrabble Championships in 1991 where he adjudicated Darryl Francis and Di Dennis attempting to create a scoring record.     He spends 4-6 hours per week studying OSWI and Chambers. He practises on a Scrabble computer programme for the PC over 50 times per week.     His many honours include being 4 times winner of the National Scrabble Teams event.     His play of WAKENED on the front of HODJA against Bob Violett won him the Romford Matchplay in 1998.     Of the many words he has played his highest has been SQUIFFER for 293.     He sees the future of Scrabble being played using chess clocks with the introduction of penalty challenges.     Salvador Dali is the person he would have liked to meet. "A person madder than me" he says. return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 220 - 2003 Philippa Morris 'ARE YOU AGED 9-90 AND GOOD WITH WORDS?'     This was the notice Philippa Morris saw in her local library which made her join the London Scrabble League in the autumn of 1985. Philippa had been studying with the Open University for six years and needed to rejuvenate her life. "Bridge was not for me. Then I saw this notice in the local library and decided to try," she says. Her first match could not have been harder, facing Les Nyman and Philip Nelkon at Liz Wilmott's. "So much for thinking I was good with words! They were very kind, but I failed miserably and nearly decided to forget it, but as I had paid for the season I stuck it out. By then I was hooked."     Since her first tournament in Hanwell in 1991 where she won the highest game score trophy for scoring 746, which included two nine timers and three other bonuses, she has won various trophies in the C divisions, and more recently winning the B Division at Southend. She won the Handicap Pairs trophy in 1995 with Doreen Marsh.     Philippa is 72 years young and hails from Bradford in Yorkshire. Retired from being a secretary in Marks and Spencer she keeps herself busy with voluntary work for charity shops, a welfare officer for her local M&S Retired Staff Association and Meals on Wheels. Most importantly she stuffs the envelopes from which we receive the monthly mailings. Philippa enjoys reading, television and music and most of all cuddling her cat called Annabel. Her pastimes include all board games, crosswords and keep fit. She enjoys TV quizzes. She would like to have met the late Alfred Butts, inventor of the game of Scrabble, " would like to ask him why he put so many I's in the set." return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 203 - 2002 David Shenkin "Sorry I was late Moira!" says David, fondly remembering his first League match in 1995 at Moira Conway's. Liverpool born David plays on average three times a week including Burgh House in Hampstead now he has retired working for H.M. Customs and Excise. David, 65, was brought up in Newport Shropshire and learned his trade from Ron Hendra 15 years ago. With Ron and Gertie Roberts he played his first tournament at Crowthorne in the late 80's. David rarely studies OSW. Of the many words he has learned include his favourites: DIACONATE, BEBEERU and ALFALFAS. At the 1999 Mind Sports Olympiad he scored his highest word score to date, QUETHING for 116. David gained an Easter Matchplay trophy at Sheffield this year (2000)winning the Division C Shield.     David also enjoys tournaments at Nottingham, Chester and Jersey as he has family connections there but has not been married. David owns several types of Scrabble boards as well as the original tape version for the Sinclair Spectrum. David enjoys crosswords, amateur operatics and choral singing and piano playing. He can play Bridge providing it is Rubber Bridge for a penny a hundred and has retired from playing tennis.     David also lists anything historical in his lists of favourite television programmes alongside football, cricket, Formula One and the quiz programmes 15-1 and University Challenge. He appeared on Supermind in 1977 and 15-1 in 2000 where he reached the final three. David went to Cambridge where he coxed his College 11th boat very badly and deservedly was thrown in the river afterwards. "I would like to have met Dr Johnson who besides being a formidable sage sought a post at the school I went to." return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 189 - 2000 Pamela Kikumu Pamela Kikumu may have joined the London League as recently as October 2001, but she has etched herself on the Scrabble World by running The Kenya Amateur Scrabble Association virtually single-handed from 1998-2000. She also served on their committee for many years right up to the time she left Kenya to return to the UK last year.     Playing for Nairobi Central Scrabble Club since 1991, she was taught to play by her sister, a violinist, who had been playing Travel Scrabble in orchestra pits! Her first tournaments were in 1991 when the association organised eliminators for that year's World Championships, although she failed to make the team then or in later years!     A widow with several step-daughters she rarely studies OSWI or Chambers, but likes to play Scrabble at least three times a week and has joined the Richmond Scrabble Club, planning to take part in her first British Matchplay Championships in August.     Starting out as a dancer and travelling throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East, she finally married and settled in Nairobi in 1965, later becoming a top advertising sales executive and organiser of exhibitions and conferences throughout East Africa on  behalf of British companies.     Swimming and computers are listed as her hobbies and she also enjoys a game of backgammon, learnt years back in Turkey.     In the late 40's and early 50's she held a number of swimming titles and records, including champion of London, Surrey and the South of England and had the privilege of swimming for London against Berlin in 1950 in the 1936 Olympic pool.     Her Scrabble achievements in the UK up to now have included winning the Eastbourne Easter 2001 tournament with total points of 4307 over 10 games, plus winning her club's end of season tourney last April. She has also earned a certificate for scoring over 450 in the London League and aims for one for scoring 550 soon.     Her most memorable match was one played after a tournament and into the early hours of the morning against four of Kenya's top male players, together with Cecilia Ruto ­ the two of them taking all the men's money! Her favourite Scrabble words are HIC & JUN, both of which only take a K ending. Her main weakness in Scrabble is that, although she tends to score highly throughout, she is not so hot on anagrams.     She would like to see the government encourage Scrabble in schools, as it is a healthy way of occupying the mind of both young and old, besides being a very educative sport.     Sammy Davis Junior is the person she would most like to have met, feeling that his soul came through in all his performances and much regrets missing his concerts when he was in the UK around 1950.     Although Pamela has been on both radio and TV, it is unlikely that anyone would have seen her, as it was in Nairobi. Perhaps she might like to audition for Countdown, because it is one of her favourite programmes. return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 210 - 2002 Vivienne Bishop Vivienne Bishop has taken up the post as London League Administrator, she will be dealing with all sorts of members' playing requirements and other queries of that nature.     Vivienne comes from Manchester is widowed and has two daughters.     She use to play many years ago with her late husband but got "fed up with his unique ways of spelling and the invented words that he KNEW existed".     She recently joined in January 2005 with her first match at Philip Moleman's where she admits to not having a clue and was lucky to come away with 1 point.     Vivienne has only played the one tournament at New Malden but is improving her word knowledge all the time with weekly matches with friends, fortnightly at the U3A, regular League matches and occasionally on-line.     Vivienne used to be a radiographer but now her interests include being a reluctant gardener, the Internet, travel and has recently caught the Soduku craze. return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 240 - 2005 Neil Stein Neil Stein lives in Purley, Surrey with his super partner Gloria, who also plays Scrabble.     He is 75 years young and an accountancy lecturer/examiner/writer.     Neil has always had an interest in words and reckons he has been playing Scrabble for over 25 years.     He cannot remember when or where his first League match was but he has represented England. But not for Scrabble. He played GO in international tournaments in Japan in 1963 and 1964.     He rarely enters tournaments these days although his first tournament was in Doncaster in the 1980s. He plays 3-4 times a week but almost never studies his OSWI for learning words: "I like to play Scrabble for pleasure rather than for business', he says "so I don't tile-track and tend not to think too much before playing - sometimes leaving openings for opponents to exploit".     It certainly worked in his favour in May 2005 when PRATIQUE scored him 203 and won him a gold scroll. He has scored 293 for ANTIQUES but this was not in a League match. His highest single game score stands at 668, which was scored in September 1993. He has been on TV word programmes like 15-1 and Countdown and was on BBC2's Crossword on Two for 11 weeks. return to top | Article unique to this website - 2005

Some of the players that once played in the London Scrabble League Ablitt-Jones, Steve Ajibade, Naomi Anstey, Jonathon Appleby, Gilli Apostolou, Joanne Appleby, Phil Austin, Maureen Berlin, Barbara Black, Phil Bloomberg, Martin Boehm, Judith Byrne, Kathy Camp, Nick Cohen, Sybil Cruickshank, Erica Daly, Johnathan Darbyshire, Neil Edberg, Shirley Elam, Kathy Fleming, Barbara Francis, Darryl Freeman, Harvey French, Christina Crocker, Gloria Gipson, Helen Goldberg, Shirley Golder, Paul Golder, Sharron Graham, Malcolm Greene, Ruth Gregory, Jessica Grippo, Joe Gunton, Lesley Howard, Paul Howell, John Jameson, Jean Jones, Indra Kaur, Baldip Keeley, Chris Kinder, Gillian Knox, Barrie  Kotewicz, Georgina Lander, Angela Lear, Victoria Leverton, Martin Lindsay-Hogg, Marie Little, Violette Locke, Tony MacBean, Pat Malde, Vipul Marsden, Brenda Mehta, Viraf Moorhouse, Hartley Moss, Judy Nelkon, Myra Nelkon, Philip   Nyman, Mark  Obey, David Ofole, Marian Palmer, Janet Payne, Diana Payne, Gordon Pender, Deanna  Perry, Andrew Perry, Steve Quarshie, Ken Ranthe, Samuel Reed, Martin Reynolds, Maureen Rockman, Carolyn Saldanha, Allan Saldanha, Margarita Saldanha Roland Shah, Bijal Simmons, Allan Simons, Mei-Ling Simpson, Evan Stevenson, Louise Sugar, Brian Tarlow, Ben Thomas, Martin Trace, David  Tunkell, Daniel Turovski, Janis Violett, Bob Vittachi, Harianti Warren, Len Webb, Rob Webber, Aaron Whiteman, Gayle Willis, Mike Woolley, Irene Wooster, Val Yonance, Adrian Jenny Albon Jenny Albon was born in Hammersmith. She is a music teacher who can perform, play piano, play the cello and sing. She has appeared on TV as a soloist on 'Morning Worship' many years ago.     She would have like to have met Mozart, who was such a 'stroppy little lout, yet wrote wrote sublime music'. Her words not mine.     One of Jenny's piano students got her to join Mensa from which fellow members encouraged her to join the League in 1984.     Her first League match was memorable for the wrong reasons because she ended up in hospital for 2 months following an accident on her motorbike on the way home.     Her highest score stands at 601 against an elderly French lady who only stayed in the League for a few months in 1995.     She was a Mensa games semi-finalist in the 80's at Knock-out Scrabble. Jenny lost to Joyce Cansfield 2-1 who went on to win the tournament.     Commitments limit Jenny to playing three times a month and very rarely studies OSWI and Chambers but learns by seeing words played against her.     Jenny with her partner, Alan, have a musical website www.amms.org.uk where they "fix" others as well as undertaking engagements themselves. All kinds of music are catered for here.     She and Alan try to go and support Manchester City football team whenever they play locally. return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 189 - 2000 Kathy Byrne Kathy Byrne was born on the banks of the River Slaney in Co. Wexford, Republic of Ireland. She is a retired nursing sister, a widow with four children, none of whom play Scrabble.     Frank and Tilly Moss introduced her to the game. Her first game was with Graeme Thomas in a Hatfield library.     Kathy cannot remember exactly when she joined the London League but remembers playing the profiles co-ordinator/webmaster Mauro Pratesi at the late Ivy Edmunds' St. Albans home back in 1986. (Mauro lost all three games, 414-455 to Kathy and to Ivy Edmunds and Eileen Anderson who scored 568 and 567 against him).     Kathy plays once a week but does not study her OSW/Chambers. She has not gained any honours in Scrabble but has scored 600 points once and had FUNSTER as her highest word score.     She likes crosswords and watches Countdown but does not have any other pastimes or been featured on television.     Kathy has travelled all over the world including places like America, Palestine, Zambia, Italy, Romania, Moscow and Yugoslavia to name but a few. Unfortunately she cannot play in any of the languages of the countries visited.     She lists Al Gore as the person she would most like to meet because he has relatives near Kathy's home village in Ireland. return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 197 - 2001 Elie Dangoor 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.     Also during this time he has gained "Expert" status in the ABSP rankings. He had played the game for fun until he found out his friend, Danny Bekhor, played the game more seriously. They played a few friendly games before Elie joined the London League in 1989. His first game was at Jean Hammond's in Shepherds Bush. Elie attends many tournaments across the country having had success at Stoke Rochford on two occasions.     His most recent success is winning the main Sunday Drive Cup for 2004 and the two cups for best performer at the New Malden and Hendon venues.     Elie works as a commercial property manager when he is not playing Scrabble once a week and every other weekend and in between studying OSWI and Chambers whenever the opportunity arises.     His interests include tennis, volleyball, travel and listening to music and he can also play Bridge and Backgammon. His favourite programme on TV is A Question of Sport and he has made television appearances on Channel 5's BrainTeaser and Channel 4's Countdown where he came up against Daniel Simonis in a the middle of Daniel's six game winning run. It is no wonder, with Elie's love for tennis and sport, the person he would like most to meet is Swedish tennis legend Bjorn Borg.     His highest single-move word score has been HARPINGS for 176 and dearly loves to break the 200 barrier. He has had some memorable wins during his Scrabble career, one of these was against Jenni Chan in November 1997 when he scored 726 and Jenni still scored a respectable nearly 400 in a London League Game. Another time was in Stoke Rochford a few years back against a player called Waiyapot who was well ahead and was attempting to close off an M on a triple word line, by playing MONG. Having the right letters to extend this to MONGOLISM he managed to claw his way back to win.     Elie concludes by saying about the future of Scrabble;  "I really see the international scene gaining momentum, with fantastic players already in many non-English speaking countries" return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 240 - 2005 Darryl Francis Darryl Francis comes from Isleworth in Middlesex. He is married and has two daughters and has been playing Scrabble for 34 years, having joined the London League in 1973/4.     He has held many honours in Scrabble and written books on the subject and also appeared on television with Alan Coren and competed in quiz programmes such as Countdown, Turnabout and Brainteaser.     His best win stands at 806 at a high-score Letchworth tournament and his highest scoring word was QUETZALS for 374 against the late Ron Jerome in the early 1970's. He can't be that bad, then, considering he only plays once a week and hardly ever studies his OSWI/Chambers. He admits to owning an extensive range or dictionaries and books.     Darryl works as a Computer Manager and has rarely time to play other games although has been known to play Bridge occasionally.     Darryl owns 12 different sets of Scrabble and cannot play in another language although has played in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. He cites the Penang Golf resort in Malaysia as a super venue, excellent value and super entertainment.     He is well qualified to drive as he has been a Gold Class member of the Advanced Driving Association since 1975 which happens to be the highest civilian driving qualification in the UK. He is also a member of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents!     "I recall joining the LSL in 1973/4, and it was already well-established at that time. In those early days, its members not only met in each other's homes. There was a regular club night, Thursdays, held at the Grand Slam Bridge Club, pretty much in the centre of London. The big downside was the bridge players, who all smoked like chimneys. I swear that each and every bridge player must have got through a couple of packs of 20 in an evening!! The LSL then moved to a cafe just off Tottenham Court Road. The cafe was closed on Thursday evenings, and we had the run of the place for Scrabble and refreshments!" return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 214 - 2002 Barry Grossman Barry Grossman comes from Glasgow in Scotland. He is 49, unmarried and has been playing Scrabble for 33 years, having joined the London League in July of 1981.     He started playing with family before being introduced to the League by Ron Hendra. His first match was in the week of Prince Charles and Lady Diana's wedding at Billie Gray's with Andrew Gould and Ron Hendra.     Barry has won various one day tournaments and came third at the BMSC in 1996. One particular game in that BMSC was against David Acton. David went ahead with FOVEOLA and Barry came back to win the game:  "I enjoy the BMSC because the event is over three days. You can start badly but still come through and do well."     Barry tends to revise before a big tournament but like most players who study words they never seem to crop up in the tournament.     He is an author and scriptwriter and you might have one of his books in your Scrabble book library or heard his works on the radio. Other than the occasional dabble in a Poker game he does like a DAIQUIRI.     At least it was his favourite drink in 1990 when against Marion Ofole he slotted the word in as a 9-timer around a floating Q for lots of points.     You might have seen Barry on television too. He has been on various quiz and game shows which included Countdown where he beat Jackie McLeod in the series final of 1991.     He has also appeared in an early 15-1 programme. The odd thing was that he was a substitute for a friend of his that could not make the show so Barry stood in under his friend's name!     I am sure if current Prime Minister Tony Blair can make it onto the American cartoon series The Simpsons then perhaps someone could persuade Simpson's creator Matt Groening to feature Barry too, as it is his favourite TV show.     He owns about five different sets of Scrabble in his home but can only play in English, which at times can be 'hard enough'.     Barry offers these comforting words on the future of Scrabble. "There are lots of potential players out there, if we only can find them." return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 197 - 2001 Rael Hayman Rael Hayman comes from Cape Town, South Africa. His aunt was influential in making him pick up Scrabble and has been playing for eight years with the last two actually playing in tournaments having started with the Exeter weekend in 2005. He has had double successes at the Cardiff weekend, winning the C division on Saturday and the B division on Sunday. More recently he won the B Division at January's West Sussex Tournament.     He is 33 years-old and although sells sunglasses for a living he has appeared on television soaps such as The Bill, Eastenders and Holby City. He is interested in all outdoor sports including springboard diving. He lists 'Grand Designs' and 'reality shows' as the television he likes watching.     Rael studies OSWI weekly and plays twice a week having started his League career in mid 2005 at Marina Mehta's. His highest word score is 167 and highest game score stands at 617. NAUPLII is his favourite word and could possibly play in the czech or turkish languages. return to top | Article unique to this website - 2006

London League members who are no longer with us and are not forgotten Adkins, David Anstey, Jonathan Carter, Simon, Cox, Nellie Crane, Edelle Dalton, Kathy Dean, Peter Edmunds, Ivy Faulkner, Tom Finley, Pete Freedman, Ivor Freedman, Nita Freeman, Alan Gibbins, Brian Goldman, Michael Gray, Billie Greenyer, Margaret Gross, Edith Harris Ros Harrison, Marjorie Hendra, Ron Hill, Susan Honig, Marian Hudson, Sheila Hunt, Stephen Kay, Elsie Kay, Norman Keeble, David Khoshnaw, Karl Lever, Reg Marsh, Doreen Meade, Nathan Meikle, John Moss, Frank Moss, Tilly Nyman, Les North, Betty Roberts, Gertie Sear, Kay Silver, Molly Snell, Peggy Stanton, Sheila Sturdy, Amber Thomas, Graeme Wasserman, Steve Watson, Julie Peggy Snell Tributes which appeared on the LSL Scrabble mailing list...     Viv Bishop: "Barbara Allen rang me to give me the sad news that Peggy Snell passed away yesterday morning (23rd May) after a brief illness. Peggy was 94 years old and was quite frail and very deaf. Nonetheless with Barbara's help enjoyed a regular Scrabble League match.."     Mike Lott: "Meeting Peggy was always a great pleasure, not only because she was a canny Scrabble player, but also because she came from a bygone age and would regale us with tales of the rigours of growing up in service and later, when married, running an "open all hours" corner shop where goods were counted out or weighed, and well before the age of BOGOF (buy one get one free) or shrink wrapping. The practice of working out 5 packets at tuppence three farthing and all of the other awkward sums from the past gave her a quick brain that stayed with her 'til the end. It was her body that gave way to arthritis which she bore with characteristic fortitude. She will be much missed." return to top | Article featured on website - May 2010 Nita Freedman Tributes which appeared on the LSL Scrabble mailing list from members...     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 2010 Ron 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."     Ron's profile from LSL Newsletter 183 - 2000 "About twenty years ago my wife and I were visiting an uncle who had a new game we would enjoy. I did, she didn't!!"    This was Ron's first dabble in a game which he enjoyed greatly yet neither his wife nor three children rarely played.    He joined the London League about 18 years ago and remembered staggering home after his first match against Pat MacBean, Shelley Hyams and host Mike Goldman.    Ron played once or twice a week. His best result was coming second in the National Scrabble Championships before the standards shot through the roof!    His highest ever game score was 765 against Mike Willis. Ron admited to never studying OSW yet knew enough about words to have appeared on Channel 4's Countdown. (Series 3, 1983 lost 40-42 to Harry Venet in the middle of Harry's 7 game winning run).    Ron prefered one day tournaments and said: "The problem with weekend tournaments is that words and moves keep floating in my head for up to 48 hours, night or day. Unwanted information is such a nuisance!"    Ron, then 81, worked in a long established family laundry business. His interests included music, literature and ecology.    If Ron could go back in time he would have liked to meet Richard the Third: "I often wonder whether he was unjustly vilified in perpetuity by Shakespeare." Tributes which appeared on both UK and LSL Scrabble mailing lists for Ron from members and former members of the London Scrabble League included...     Robert Richland: "Ron would've turned 92 on April 30th this year. He shared exactly the same birthday as another recently departed LSL member, Les Nyman... who was four years younger than Ron. I can certainly empathise with Ron's clumsiness and forgetfulness... so much so that perhaps I'm the pretender to such an attributive title? He certainly kept his brain sharp to the end... I last saw him at one of the New Malden tourneys a year or so ago and he was quite likely tackling a cryptic crossword during the lunch break. The London Scrabble League, and indeed the parish of Wimbledon is a sadder place without him. RIP Ron and thanks for a near 26-year acquaintance."     Elie Dangoor: " Indeed, Ron was a charming man and a tough opponent. I spent quite a number of pleasant LSL evenings at his flat overlooking the Wimbledon tennis, some during the fortnight. RIP Ron."     Philip Nelkon: "So sorry to hear that. Ron had been a member for some while when I joined the LSL in 1978. He was one of the top players in what was, by streets, the strongest club in the country in the 1970's. I think I'm right in saying that he was the first player to score over 700 in a competitve game, at an LSL club evening. That made the Guinness Book of Records in 1978 or 1979. In the 1982 National Championships, he finished runner-up to Russell Byers. I propose a minute's worth of remote applause."     Ed Martin: "That's extremely sad news. I knew Ron well from when I played in the London Scrabble League and we played many London matches. He was very much one of the godfathers of the game back in the late 80s / early 90s and was always keen to encourage younger players. As Elie says - RIP Ron."     Allan Simmons: "Like others, I have many memories of LSL matches at Ron's house in Wimbledon in the 70's-80's with his trademark butterfingers. He was also a member of the London South Team for the very first National Club KO Tournament (1979) with myself, David Stirling, and Edwin Fernando, which we proudly went on to win. You could always rely on Ron to play an astute matchplay game to frustrate his opponents. Last time I played Ron was around 1995 or 96, I think, at an event somewhere in North London - he won! ."     Calum Edwards: "This is sad news. It may sound silly to say this given Ron's age but it was quite a shock to see that he had died. He seemed to be in good health when I last saw him and good form too. (I remember him playing ACIERATE through a floating T whilst sitting next to me). He also gave me this compliment. "I used to be one of the better players at this game til young b**tards like you started to catch me up." this quote may not be entirely accuarate as it was a couple of years ago. (New Malden Tournament 2008 possibly) but I am pretty sure the "young b**tards" bit is correct. I will miss playing Ron at the New Malden drives he was always a challenging opponent."     Mike Willis: "Sad news, Ron was a very generous and humorous man and I had the great honour of being invited to his exclusive 'Mensa' Scrabble evenings in his grand house in Wimbledon Hill back in the early 1980s. I know that he ran a laundry business and he worked well beyond the normal retirement age. Yet another sad loss of one of the old originals."     Mike Lott: "As a long term player of Ron and also one of the last to play him at the end of January (where he beat me soundly), I am very sorry to hear the news. Ron was gifted with a wonderful sense of humour and in most respects was a perfect gentleman. The one exception was across the Scrabble board, where, with a glint in his eye he would demolish your 50 point lead by going out with the most arcane of bonuses. Only if he had 6 letters on his rack and you were 100 points ahead was it safe to relax. It didn't surprise me that he used to run a laundry. He took me, and many others to the cleaners often enough at Scrabble, and Ron, you will be missed. The one consolation is that the burghers of South London will now be safe to travel around at night now that the thundering Volvo estate will no longer be charting a somewhat haphazard course along its street."     Jim Blackler: "Ron was one of my favourite League players, because as Mike says he had a tremendous sense of humour. I will remember his angry cries of "come here" when ever a tile escaped his grasp. Most of all his outrageoups bluffing and fake modesty. Whenever I challenged an arcane word he'd played, he would assure everyone that the play was nothing more than a wild guess. They always came back valid. Ron normally thrashed me but sometimes if towards the end of the game I was 20-30 ahead he would repeatedly assure me the win was surley mine; I should relax as it was in the bag. Oh, and he often claimed to be able to infer my rack from my plays, "I know what you've got there, young man". I always finished playing Ron laughing. Soundly thrashed, but laughing.."     Jancis Smith, nee Hendra: " I was so moved by all your comments about dad - especially his clumsiness! How he got to 91 without any broken bones is a mystery to all his family! I just hope I inherit his bones. Just to say that I did in fact love Scrabble - it just rather puts you off if your dad plays you and your boyfriend (now husband) and does his weekly ledger at the same time - and wins both games!! He always poo poo'd his entry in the Guinness Book of Records (biggest difference between winner and loser) as just flim flam, and a bad hand for his very good opponent. But he was a genuine all rounder - Countdown contestant and Mensa level IQ. I was very proud of him." return to top | Article featured on website - February 2010 Doreen Marsh Sandie Simonis: "I'm afraid more sad news from the London Scrabble League. We heard today from her brother Peter, that Doreen Marsh, one of our long-time members and occasional tournament player has died suddenly. I'm not sure of her age but think she would have been in her late 70s. I hadn't seen Doreen for some time but remember her as a strong player, though not highly competitive. She didn't keep records about her scrabble achievements, she just enjoyed playing the game. She had many other interests including reading, theatre and games such as chess and Trivial Pursuit. Doreen was always welcoming and cheerful in spite of health problems. She will be much missed by her many friends in the London Scrabble League."     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 2010 Jonathan Anstey Older League members may remember former member Jonathan Anstey. Sad news has been received from his friend, Sharon Bealing that he recently passed away at the age of 48, having battled bravely against cancer for around 16 months. Jonathan was an accomplished Scrabble player. He joined the League in 1985 and won the John Meikle Cup in the season April-September 1997. He was one of a few League members past or present to have scored over 700 in a League or tournament game. He also appeared on Countdown in 1989 where he won eight games in a row to become an Octochamp and reached the series semi-finals.     Jonathan's profile from LSL Newsletter 194 - 2001 Chichester born Jonathan Anstey has been playing Scrabble since being taught by his father when he was only eight. Single and 31 years later could Jonathan be the League member that has played Scrabble the longest?     His first match was at Darryl Francis' back in 1984 having entered the National Scrabble Championships in 1983 when still at University.     Civil Servant, Jonathan plays Scrabble three times a month having retired from the tournament scene at the time Scrabble made the tran-sition from high-score to matchplay.     He won tournaments in the late eighties at Aylesbury and the South East Regional Final plus one or two other placings. During this time his highest game score was 825 against a nameless lady at Aylesbury. His many nine-timers, scoring over 200, includes 221 for BRISKEST at one of Glo Stein's Scrabble parties.     Other interests include classical music, cooking, gar-dening and travel.     In 1985 he won a tasteful silver Scrabble set in the final of TV Scrabble.     Along with Richard Evans, they were losing semi-finalists in series 18 of Countdown in 1989. Jonathan losing to quiz guru Mandi Hale. Tributes which appeared on the UK Scrabble mailing list for Jonathan from former members of the London Scrabble League...     Ed Martin: "That's shocking news - awful that he died so young. I remember Jonathan well from my own time in the London League during the early 90s. He was a regular visitor to my parents' house in Barnes and he was always enormously kind and encouraging to me."     Darryl Francis: "What sad news! Jonathan and I played each other frequently during the 1980s and early 1990s, as we lived not far from each in South London. And we often met up at Ron Hendra's and other local players' homes. I remember giving Jonathan a lift to a tournament (Aylesbury or Bristol, maybe?), and I recall we went home with the top two trophies."     Elisabeth Jardine: "Jonathan was one of the first people I met on the Scrabble scene, and as my maiden name is Anstey and my brother's name was John, we had a long discussion about ancestry from which it would appear that he was my father! I remember him fondly."     Robert Richland: "I can only echo what's already been said about Jonathan. The last time I saw/played him was way back in 1996... soon after that he disappeared from the Scrabble scene. I'll always remember him for his very dry sense of humour, as well as his ability to score very highly (in the high-score era)... he had a game of around 825 at Aylesbury in 1988." return to top | Article featured on website - December 2009 Nellie Cox Nellie Cox was a member of the London League until three years ago, making her the oldest player to have currently played in the League at 93. In her profile (Newsletter #180, 2000) she wanted to reach the magic 100. Sadly, early in July following a stroke, she died. She would have been 99 on 2nd October this year.     Born in Wivenhoe, Essex, Nellie played a lot of Bridge with her husband. When he died in 1976 she decided to take up Scrabble. During the 80s and 90s she was a member of the Redbridge Scrabble Club. When it closed she joined the London Scrabble League. Nellie also attended the Romford Scrabble Club. Nellie is survived by two sons and two daughters. She fondly remembers her highest scoring word QUAGMIRE for 140 at Redbridge.     A lovely lady, intelligent and kind, and always so well turned out. The funeral took place on Tuesday 14th July at the City of London Crematorium.     The picture above was taken the last time she attended the Chigwell Sunday Drive aged 92 in 2005 Original profile reprinted: Born in Wivenhoe, Essex, Nellie Cox is our oldest playing member at 89. She confesses to be a run-of-the-mill player who has no luck playing Scrabble.     "I used to play a lot of Bridge with my husband, but when he died in 1976 I decided to take up Scrabble". Nellie says. Although plays Scrabble 4-5 times a week still plays the odd game of Bridge.     Nellie was a member of the Redbridge Scrabble Club. When it closed decided to join the London League. Nellie also attends the Romford Club, providing someone kindly gives her a lift.     Nellie is also a member of the Postal Scrabble Club which helps her learn words. Her computer is also a main source for learning words. Nellie has four children but only the eldest plays Scrabble. She has gained improvement prizes in the London League and won various trophies throughout her Scrabble career but nothing major. She fondly remembers her highest scoring word QUAGMIRE for 140 at Redbridge. "I could not get used to playing the open game. It didn't seem right to set up your opponent. So I was very happy when we changed to the play-to-win format." she admits.     Nellie's other interests include crosswords, travelling and being with her family. She is also a member of the Townswomen's Guild.     Do you have any noteworthy achievements? "When I get to 100!" return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 180 - 2000. Obituary featured in LSL Newsletter 293 - 2009 Stephen Hunt (18th May 1939 - 2nd June 2009) Paul Howard (ex London Scrabble League): Stephen was a character, a man of few yet very chosen words. Stephen was retired, not married and had no children. He was a hard working and loyal individual, and from 1961-2000 Stephen worked for British Aerospace. He was a longstanding West Ham United fan, who despite the tell tell signs of their league position, believed their players were the best around! Playing Scrabble originated from his lifelong desire to glean knowledge, through reading a variety of books. His love for Scrabble, whilst confined to the London Scrabble League and friendlies was evident for many a year and enjoyed many LSL nights over the last 10 years.     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. Amended profile from the London Scrabble League Newsletter issue 218/2003: Stephen Hunt was born in Ilford, Essex. He had not been married and did not have any children. He was a practising Christian and an active member of a Baptist Church near his home.     His general interest in words and logically associated puzzles led to Stephen playing Scrabble with a friend until taking up the game seriously four years ago by joining the London League in August 1999. His first match was at the webmaster's household. He has also introduced youngsters Paul Howard, Samuel Ranthe and Bjorn Soderstrom to the League.     He had yet to play in tournaments but had a scroll for scoring 507 in June 2002. He did not play in another language and owned only one Scrabble set. He played once a week and occasionally looked inside OSWI for inspiration.     He is now retired from his job as a storekeeper. His interests include reading, driving, touring and studying history. Stephen was a great admirer of Oliver Cromwell, a great British statesman who can best be described as a firm leader with Christian principles and was fair and compassionate.     Although had not appeared on TV he did like watching the news, current affairs programmes and films especially starring Peter Cushing. return to top | Article originally featured in LSL Newsletter 292 - 2009. Les Nyman 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. return to top | Article also featured in LSL Newsletter 290 - 2009 Gertie Roberts (1931-2009) 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) 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.     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 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! 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 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. 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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