Sorry for not introducing myself sooner - if you watch the popular UK TV programme 'One foot in the Grave' you will understand why I am the 'Original' Grumpy Old man & my user name should really be Victor Meldrew!!

You wouldn't want to be my neighbour - just ask 3 who surround me! I can't understand why one wants to build 6' high walls & gates in front of my drive!! A second accuses me of flooding his garage when he lives at the bottom of our hill & we have had months of heavy rain!!! The third accuses me of ruining the environment when I have 'traditionally laid' and replanted an old & dying 20' high hedge in a Conservation Style in a Conservation Area!!! As of Sept 2010 another one (now 4) has confronted me about a rotten tree felling with Council permission!!!!

The years have been kind to me - however thickening around my midrift now earns me the name 'Jellybelly'. I am married to a georgeous wife - 'Cellulite' - look out for my contributions on the Trip Advsor forum!

My best friend (apart from a WBA football supporter down the road) is a Black & White 'English' not 'Welsh' Springer Spaniel dog that has a fantastic working nose & is available at stud for interested readers. He is Maximus Desmus Meridius 'Gladiator' or Max for short. He is as 'hard as nails' but an old softy like me with my 2 children & 3 grandchildren. Max is a handsome fellow as you can see from the attached image.
I live & work in Shropshire & am a Director of a UK manufacturing business - a very rare beast these days! See for yourself with a visit to:
www.full-of-beans.com - you will then understand my forum name 'greatbeanbags'

A picture attached gives you a flavour straight away.
Enough of this rubbish - thanks to the forum for helping me uncover so much about Stanley Vince my Manchester serving WW1 grandfather (picture attached) & his brothers who didn't survive the Somme & Ypres in other Regiments. It's great to be a part of such a fascinating forum & if I can help others through with my contributions or give enjoyment through stories etc. that would be great.