THIRTY-five years ago on January 14, 1980, the Club held its fist meeting in the St. Lawrence Church Hall, with 30 members attending.

A steering committee was formed, and since then the Club has met fortnightly on Monday afternoons until 1999.

Dennis Mason was editor of the Stroud News & Journal, and he agreed to sponsor the Club, and he kindly provided a shield which he presented to the winner of he Knockout Tournament, every year at at their Prize Giving, until he retired in 1990.

After that Alison Fawcett, Robert Hardie, Jeremy Griffin and Skip Walker took his place, awarding members with trophies, badges scrolls etc, for their Scrabble achievements.

The Stroud Scrabble Club was the first in Gloucestershire, and soon after, other clubs were formed in Gloucester, Cirencester, Stonehouse and Nailsworth.

During the year some members (the more competitive) entered tournaments, played matches against other clubs all round the country and went away on Scrabble holidays, while others enjoyed making new friends and playing friendly games.

Also during the year Scrabble variations - (Duplicate, Binary, Theme, progressive etc) were played and a Christmas Lunch and Summer Supper organised.

On two occasions a 'Teach-in' was arranged, when two experts - Philip Nelkon and Alan Simmonds came to give Scrabble demonstrations on the Club's giant board.

In May 1999 the Club held their last meeting in the St Lawrence Church Hall, when Jill Fisher (who originally started the Club) explained that cuts in bus services, rising costs and parking difficulties contributed to the decision to end meetings in its present form.

Since then those members wishing to continue, meet on a rotary basis, in members' homes.

The growth and success of the Club would not have been possible without the committees' hard work, and the assistance given by the SN&J, who helped with their publicity, printing match reports and presenting prizes.

The aims of the Club have always been to encourage new members, make them feel welcome, to cater for all tastes whether competitive or non-competitive, to help people make new friends and mainly to enjoy their Scrabble.

J Fisher (the only surviving founder member)

S Socially

C Challenging

R Recreational

A Activity

B Bringing

B Brilliant

L Lifelong

E Enjoyment