Totopoly Everyone likes a good, old-fashioned race and this one, based on horse racing, was invented by Messrs Lee and Palmer.

In fact it’s a variation of Monopoly, which has always been a big favourite with families and which now has hundreds of variations. There are even different versions of Totopoly, with horses ranging from cardboard horses in wooden stands, flat painted metal horses on circular stands and 3-d painted metal horses.

The idea is that racehorses are leased by players and trained by them for the race. Leasing at auction, temporary ownership of racing stables is undertaken. When all the horses and business have been sold, the training of the horses commences and trainer and veterinary reports have to be obtained etc. etc. Some horses will make more progress than others and therefore win the race.

Sorry! Nothing wrong with instilling some manners into the proceedings ... even if you are out to get your fellow players.

Sorry! was registered by Parker Brothers of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1934, but it was also registered and copyrighted in Great Britain with a different design and logo.

The object of the game is for each player to move the four pieces under their control from Start into Home by moves governed by the cards drawn from the pack. Naturally, if you cause a rival to fall back, you need to say sorry.

Many old board games are still in production today, but for true collectors items Donay Games specialises in original games in their original boxes. You can contact them at www.donaygames.com.

How about this for a special present for someone you know who loves a dice game?

The Pernis Bottle Dice is a replica collectable. It’s a French, wooden bottle dice based on one made in the 1930s. The two parts unscrew to reveal three dice. These items were a useful, portable gambling item carried around by men who would retrieve them from their pocket whenever a bet was required. For example, it could be used in the bar to decide who would buy the next round. Nice little gift for stocking filler, or Christmas present. It costs £32 from www.donaygames.com.

For a reminders about games you enjoyed as a youngster visit www.donaygames.com, a website that was founded in January 2000 as a resource for the board gaming hobby The database holds reviews, articles, and session reports for over 30,000 different games, including tabletop games.