hello from the UK

[fatfreddy]

Hello all.
I've joined this forum as I've recently purchased a snooker table and am getting back into snooker as my 11 year old son has become obsessed by the game.
Photo of my new setup below.
I look forward to contributing where I can.
Eliot

https://i.imgur.com/VIFB3Cb.jpg

[ludwellwill]

Hi Eliot,
welcome to the forum.
getting back into the game seems to be common theme on here...me included ....after a 30 year break
where abouts in UK are you?

[Cue crafty]

Nice looking set up, is that an Orme & Sons table?

Great thing to do with your lad, hope you enjoy it. 👍

[fatfreddy]

Hi Eliot,
welcome to the forum.
getting back into the game seems to be common theme on here...me included ....after a 30 year break
where abouts in UK are you?

Many thanks for the welcome. I'm in Cambridgeshire. My own 30 odd year break has not been good for my game, but as they say practice makes perfect.

[fatfreddy]

Nice looking set up, is that an Orme & Sons table?

Great thing to do with your lad, hope you enjoy it. 👍

It's a Burnley Billiard Works 'Classic' table, manufactured in 1922 (I think).

It's a great way of getting him away from the TV. The problem is, having only been playing for a couple of months, he's already better than me !

[Cue crafty]

It's a Burnley Billiard Works 'Classic' table, manufactured in 1922 (I think).

It's a great way of getting him away from the TV. The problem is, having only been playing for a couple of months, he's already better than me !

kids eh lolz!!

Ahh yeh. Now I zoomed in I can see the square balloon leg, didn't notice that before. I think that was their top of the range model and apparently Rex Williams used to own one.

[snookerdad]

Does your son play in any junior leagues or competitions? What is his highest break?

Tim Dunkley (WPBSA coach)

[fatfreddy]

kids eh lolz!!

Ahh yeh. Now I zoomed in I can see the square balloon leg, didn't notice that before. I think that was their top of the range model and apparently Rex Williams used to own one.

Called a 'tulip leg' apparently. There were 3 iterations of this table, the 'original' produced in the early 20th century and definitely in production circa 1908 as there is an advert for it in Riso Levi's book 'the in off game' published in 1908. Then a 're-issued' version made by BBW in the late 80's / early 90's and then a version made by the Willie Holt Ireland company post BBW closure. I'm told that the two later version were slightly different to the original in that the later versions had shallower side panels and longer legs.

The 'Rex Williams table' is, I believe an 80/90's table. I'm also aware of 3 other tables, one being sold with a house currently on the market and which is an 80's/90's table and two others in Belgium that were manufactured by the Irish company.

I'm told that originally it would have been fully French polished however I think that judging by staining on the name plate someone has had a go at refinishing it at some point. Still, it is in remarkable condition for a 102 year old table. A few bumps and scrapes and came to me somewhat faded but a weekend with some polish reviver and a decent finishing wax and it has come up beautifully and is a joy to play on.

https://i.imgur.com/fDmVHkF.jpg

[fatfreddy]

Does your son play in any junior leagues or competitions? What is his highest break?

Tim Dunkley (WPBSA coach)

He doesn't as yet, but he would like to play in some competitions and would definitely benefit from some proper coaching. He learned all he knows to date from reading John Spencer's book 'teach yourself snooker', and watching the 'Cue tips' and 'break for life' youtube channels.

We are somewhat remote, so finding a coach has been a challenge, however a very good club has opened recently relatively close to us and the owner will be offering coaching soon. He has a good stance, action and cues well but suffers from playing shots too hard, too quickly and he struggles with his angles veering from long pots that a pro would be proud of to being too thick or thin on the following much easier shot. Something that frustrates him greatly.

His highest break is 18 but he has never potted more than 3 balls in succession. His target is a 50 break by end of this year and a century break by end of following year. Not sure how achievable this is, but he currently spends a couple of hours a day practicing the drills he see's on youtube and has gone from never having hit a ball to where he is now in a couple of months ,so I think there is hope !

[akofb]

We are somewhat remote, so finding a coach has been a challenge, however a very good club has opened recently relatively close to us and the owner will be offering coaching soon.

Must be JP's new place , looks like a nice club. Not that you'll need it now you have your own table.

[fatfreddy]

Must be JP's new place , looks like a nice club. Not that you'll need it now you have your own table.

Room for both think. He loves going to the club and they have been brilliant with him.

[fkhan]

Welcome to the forum.