Scrabble has army of fans

It is a game of tactics and wit. Or you could say manoeuvres and ingenuity, to earn a few more points.

In its 60th year Scrabble has undergone a resurgence in the popularity stakes; trendy young things play online, America is shipping out customised boards for £250, and it even turned rebellious when Facebook had its version, Scrabulous, banned.

But for the members of Sandwell Scrabble Club, it is their long standing hobby and a lot of fun for a Thursday night.

It is the only club dedicated to the word game in the area, and people travel from as far as Bromsgrove and Solihull to meet up at West Bromwich's Gayton Road Community Centre for their weekly face-off.

"It's so much fun and it's interesting," said Pauline Francis, 57, who last week won a game with Overgrown – a 57 pointer stretching across two double points squares.

"I've been here since the first night which was 28 years ago. We spent the first two weeks at Holyhedge School, then we came here where we've been ever since."

The group, which currently has 10 members, started when one lonely scrabble enthusiast put an advert in the newspaper for like-minded wordsmiths.

While they say they do still have a few low scoring embarrassments – AND – for example, the scorecard proves their literary mettle.

Currently riding high is lecturer Tim Badger, 52, from Bournville. His HEJIRAS, meaning flight, is the highest scoring word of 2009 so far and has made him the one to beat.

Andrew Jackson, 44, from Solihull, is boasting a points total of 611 for one game, though in the past he has been known to exceed 800. Muriel George, 66, originally from West Bromwich but now living in Birmingham, is in charge of keeping the scores.

"When I tell people I'm in a Scrabble club they usually ask if we use any rude words," said the former teacher.

"Of course we do, though I remember one time when I was playing against a lady and I had the word fart but I just couldn't bring myself to put down the F. I lost the game because of it."

For more on Sandwell Scrabble Club call Muriel on 0121 444 5938.