Scrabble becomes couple's way of life

Rotorua's Tim Henneveld admits he has an addiction - to the word game Scrabble.
The 76-year-old and his wife Janny, 75, play the game three to four times a day.
The Dutch couple, who emigrated to New Zealand in 1974, said they started playing it to improve their English.
In 2000 they put an advertisement in the Daily Post calling for other Scrabble enthusiasts, which led to the formation of the club.
Members meet at the Hennevelds' house from about 9.15am every Thursday and normally play three to four games.
Members pay $2 towards morning tea and play each game with a time limit of 50 minutes.
Mr Henneveld said Thursday mornings were great social events.
"We've got to know each other over the years."
When the Post turned up on Thursday, nine people were scattered throughout the lounge and the kitchen playing Scrabble and frantically writing down scores.
The Hennevelds' home is easy to spot - it has a Rotorua Scrabble Club sign outside.
Mr Henneveld said he was one of a few men who belonged to the club. "To get male members and young members - that is the hardest part."
 The club had tried to attract some of the younger generation by holding the club at night but found that the same people who came during the day also came at night.
Asked why he liked Scrabble so much, Mr Henneveld said it was because of the competition but also the social side of the game.
There was a small element of gambling. "You never know what [letters] you are going to get."
The retired couple normally competes in four to five tournaments in Rotorua and throughout New Zealand each year.
 This year a tournament in Rotorua attracted 70 people from throughout the North Island.
They have also been to Norfolk Island twice to compete and next month will head to the national tournament in Hamilton.
As far as competition between the couple goes, Mr Henneveld said they were very even.
"I beat her once with 505. That was my highest score. She has beat me with 480 or 490."
Nationally Mrs Henneveld is ranked a little higher than her husband.
Mr Henneveld is ranked 161st in the country and Mrs Henneveld 154th.
One of the club's youngest members, Judith Kuchler, said she had been at the club for a year.
She said she loved the game, and playing Scrabble went well with her job as a teacher of English as a second language.
"I'm just a words person as opposed to a numbers person."
 The club's oldest member, 90-year-old Allison Maclean, said she had been playing Scrabble for about 33 years.
She said she enjoyed the "wonderful company" the club provided.
OUR CLUB - THE FACTS
Club: Rotorua Scrabble Club.
Members: 16.
Founded: 2000.
Meetings: Every Thursday from 9.15am at 25 Barraud Place, Rotorua.
Contacts: Club presidents Tim and Janny Henneveld, phone (07) 348 0697; or secretary Ruth Godwin, phone (07) 349 6954.