Just like most people, one of us bought a pinball machine to go in our 'gym' on the lane where we live. Then we bought another one, then another one then another one and it carried on like that for a while. Then the 'gym' got moved aside to make more space for more machines - while always being fondly referred to as the 'gym'. "Going down the gym love" translated to "going to play pinball" and it wasn't like they didn't know it!

So we sold a couple to make space for more, then bought some more and sold some more. Word got out that we bought and sold machines and in late 2003 - before we even had a 'brand' we had to register for VAT due to the turnover. Nick stepped up with a master plan. He'll travel to Europe, buy 10 machines, 9 will be sold and the profit used to keep the 10th one for free. A friend commented that our addiction deserved a visit to "Pinballers Anonymous" for rehab, and the brand was created!

Great idea, only it didn't work. Partly because we're not business men, partly because we're hopeless at bookwork (as anyone who has seen the 'office' will confirm!) but mostly because we love finding homes for the machines. Machines would come and go and at the best the numbers came back all square, and that's before we started doing ludicrously expensive things like organise pinball shows (and building workshops!). We supply machines to charitable events and we organise the UK Pinball Show and other meets during the year. The social side of the hobby has become very important to us and we play a large part in keeping it ticking along. Ask any other dealer in the UK what they bring to the enthusiasts community and we promise you - not one will get close! Of course we have to make a margin on some of the machines we sell, but nobody gets paid.

We moved from our original 'gym' into a derelict barn (after we'd done it up of course) and this became fondly known as Pins Anon HQ. It took us around 18 months to do the work. Then in 2008 we were told we were moving into the larger building next door. Fantastic? Well, nearly. It was a also a derelict building but this time the schedule was a mere THIRTY DAYS! But we did it and HQ2 was born.

We open the doors to HQ2 'officially' once a year over the 2nd bank holiday in May for the Monster Meet, but visitors are always welcome and we have a large weekly footfall. People looking for parts, maybe buying a new machine, or just popping in for a cuppa - everybody is always welcome (bringing pizza is highly recommended).

Here's some links to our recent activity.

Many thanks to the team at Pinball News who work tirelessly to cover the work we do in the UK - and of course the work done by others around the world!

Through pinball we have also raised over £10,000 for charities and good causes since 2004. These include £2800 Mencap, £1050 In Kind Direct, £800 National Fire Services Benevolent Fund, £550 Cancer Research/Ian Rennie Hospice at Home. Some of these are close to our heart and others were made possible by generous sponsorships of our events.

Special thanks to Monster Energy drink who keep us on our toes!

Nick is also a UK director for the International Flipper Pinball Association

If you're REALLY bored you can read Nick's Pinball Blog

http://www.pinballersanonymous.com/pinball.html