Nigel was the national Scrabble champion in 1987 when he was a member of the Mapperley Scrabble Club in Nottingham, but since moving to Shropshire in 2000 he has not been a member of any club or society dedicated to gaming – although there are 4,000 worldwide.
He is aiming to fix that at Longden Village Hall later this month when he launches a new club aimed at players of all skill levels.
Nigel, who runs his own energy assessment business from his home near City Hall, hopes to attract a dozen regular players of all ages.
The 63-year-old started playing at school in North Yorkshire and with his brother during school holidays before he really caught the virus and took it to national level.
Since living in Shropshire he has only experienced two informal groups playing the game and he is keen to provide coaching and guidance to new and experienced players, with a view to possibly playing at a competitive level at some point.
The club’s formation is also part of a drive to make more use of the venue as it approaches its centenary in 2023.
Nigel said: “I’ve always enjoyed the game, of course, and although a lot of people are playing it online against people all over the world, I think the face-to-face approach is the most enjoyable.
“The club will welcome all comers who have a common interest in the game and it will also be social, so hopefully we can attract a wide range of ages and abilities.”
It will launch on Thursday, June 23 and run weekly after from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
For more details email Nigel at [email protected]
