I am collecting a New Black Renaul Master van this week , and will book it in for a special sign wrap to celebrate my 50 years in the Billiards fitting Trade .
Not all 50 years as GCL Billiards though .
Trent Valley Leisure ltd = 4 years
I first started working part time for my Uncle in 1976 , and then full time by Early 1977 . This was for a Firm Called Trent Valley Leisure .
My apprenticeship was under Mick Robb an Established Billiards fitter who once worked for Elston & Hopkin , and he set up a Frim called Belvoir billiards and subcontracted to my Uncle a couple of days a week for a few years , where both myself and my Cousin Gary was taught the art of fitting Full size Snooker Tables , Billiard Tables is the correct term Mick informed me , there is no such thing as a Snooker Table , Snooker is a Game you play on a Billiard Table .
For 4 years I remained under Micks supervision . He took a liking to me , as I learned very quick and was very keen . Even helping him on Saturdays on his own jobs .
Elston & Hopkin Ltd = 24 Years
In 1980 , I left Trent Valley Leisure under Mick Rob’s Advise , and joined Elston & Hopkin Billiards , a firm well known in Nottingham , dateing from 1938 as an algimation of two Firms , Elston’s of Broad Street Nottingham and J S Hopkin of Burnaby Hall Hyson Green , Nottingham .
John Elston took over John Gents Billiards , around the late 1920s , Gents being Established from around 1880’s I think ?.
John Hopkin was my New Boss at Elston & Hopkin , Christian Man who lived comfortable life and was well respected in the billiards Industry , a family tradition of offspring in the Hopkin Family , was to have the Christian name of John or Stuart .
I was employed by John Hopkin until he sold the firm in 2004 , he named his Son Stuart .
Still …Elston & Hopkin ( Universal Logic ) = for next 8 Years
John sold Elston & Hopkin to Universal Logic .
My next Employer was a Firm Called Universal Logic trading as Elston & Hopkin .
I stayed with them for a further 8 years when I left in May 2012
GCL Billiards ( Self Employed ) = 14 Years
I Established GCL Billiards , A name that came from my Cherished Number Plate , I had Owned for many years GCL 13 on my car , which I bought for very little money in 1988 , GCL = Geoff & Carol Large 13 is the B . 13 was just the lowest number and an unlucky number which is why it was low cost .
I have Built up GCL billiards into a nice little Family Firm , with the help of a few People ( they know who they are ) , and I do not wish to go much larger . I am very Happy to remain at this level of size of Firm .
Having seen the changes for 50 years in the billiards industry , there is always work for a good Fitter , but I have seen many firms trying to get too big and fall by the wayside .
Billiard fitting to some firms is , get as much done in a day or week or Month and as much money coming in as possible .
Billiard fitting is like the Game , it cannot be rushed , one thing I liked about John hopkin , was he allowed us plenty of time to do the work , He never cracked the whip so to speak .
So This Month I have been Working in the billiards fitting trade for 50 Years .
I am not unique to be still working and loving this trade at my age , there have been many working well into Later life .
and some not that far behind me in their 40 years period .
I would rather be out there working on Cue sports Tables of all sizes .
than sitting on a Sofa half falling to sleep with Cricket or Football or a half watched film on TV .
Billiard fitting keeps me Active , and young .
So lets see how far this Journey is taking me , I have set a Target of another 4 to 5 years at least .
50 years have gone fast , maybe the next 10 will also , and I will be writing a piece on 60 Years in the Trade in 10 years time .
I know of Old Billaird Fitters working well into their 80s , I am a lot younger than that in age and in mind and body .
