Flackley Ash Hotel near Rye was an excellent choice for the Allingham autumn bridge weekend.  Easy to find, with convenient parking, comfortable rooms, good food and friendly service it ticked all the boxes.  Fifty club members enjoyed four entertaining bridge sessions, a hilarious quiz and the opportunity to explore Rye and the surrounding area in perfect autumnal weather.
We arrived on Friday afternoon and were able to check in before our first session.  The bridge room was an ideal size although the refreshment corridor was a touch cosy.  We finished in time to freshen up and investigate the well-stocked bar before dinner.  The four large tables helped make dinner a sociable occasion.  We had pre-selected our menu choices, and service was very efficient.  As on all three days we had a birthday to celebrate; first was Phil, to be followed by Jane and then Norma.
Liz (ably assisted by Margaret) had devised a tricky quiz for us after dinner, challenging our memories for the names of long forgotten words, facts and TV stars.  It proved a real test, and after a close contest the Famous Five emerged victorious.
There was a good choice again at breakfast and suitably fuelled we returned to the bridge tables for another duplicate session.  The weather was gorgeous and we appreciated the French windows leading into the garden at coffee time.  Finishing just before lunch time we had nearly four hours to explore.  Some enjoyed the historic streets and shops in Rye, others the Rye Harbour nature reserve, while a few simply relaxed at base.
The third duplicate bridge session was split either side of dinner, which provided an extra challenge for those of us who had enjoyed a glass or two of wine over dinner.  Seasoned campaigners carried on with trivial pursuit in the bar afterwards.
After packing and checking out on Sunday the final session was a team's competition.  Again fiercely contested, there were some dramatic scores to explain to team mates in the final scoring.  Prize giving was followed by the opportunity to express our appreciation for our host, Chris, for her faultless organisation, and for the directors, scorers and quiz master who had done their very best to keep us all in order.
As newcomers to Allingham weekends we were really impressed by the excellent organisation of the weekend, and by the friendliness and sociability of our fellow club members.  We will be back!
Gail Sperrin

Winners:
Fri pm - N/S Margaret & Liz E/W Tony & Gail
Sat am - N/S Audrey & Karen E/W Tony & Gail
Sat pm - N/S Dawn & Ann E/W Phil & Helen
Sun team - Jim & Freda and Ron & Rosemary
 

Bridge players skills are not only with cards as our now annual Skittles evening held at Limpsfield British Legion proved.  27 members and friends turned up to show off their skills but maybe we all need a little more practice as there were no strikes during the evening!!  Divided into three teams, Spades, Hearts and Diamonds led by Gerri, Hazel and Jim all were anxious to show off their expertise.  There were 3 rounds, the middle round using your other hand.  Half way through the proceedings a delicious supper of sausages, 'to die for' chips, ham, salad bowl and cheese and biscuits was served - nobody went hungry!  Diamonds were victorious and divided up their winnings of chocolates.  Three prizes of a bottle of wine were awarded to the top player of each team, namely Chris D for Hearts, Gerri for Spades and Ann for Diamonds.  Another excellent evening with thanks to Kathy for organising and all those who helped score and set up the skittles.  We all look forward to next year.

Another very successful summer social took place on Monday 11 July.  After being greeted with a glass of wine 70+ members sat down at beautifully decorated tables to a sumptuous buffet prepared by the members.  There was whole salmon, ham, chicken, quiches, cheeses, bread and a lovely variety of salads.  After the meal and while enjoying a cup of coffee and mini cakes the tables were cleared and the serious business of bridge commenced.  Perhaps a few adventurous bids fuelled by a glass or two of wine?
These events can only take place with a lot of effort and organisation and our thanks go to Hazel and her team for an excellent evening.

It was with some trepidation that our small (20 of us), brave band of Allinghamites set off for our flight to Larnaca with Norwegian Air (what were they doing flying from the UK to Cyprus, we wondered?).  What were we doing going to a European destination in the heart of winter?
All went without incident on the flight and we were met by Andy, our Saga rep, who was to look after us impeccably for the week.  The Princess Beach Hotel proved to be a success - generally comfortable rooms (especially if overlooking the sea), excellent and varied food, friendly and efficient staff, an excellent Bridge Room and situated right on the beach.  The appeal of the hotel did much to compensate for the rather tawdry surrounding area, although what seaside place looks attractive in winter and out of season?
Eve had looked into her crystall ball or waved her magic wand to good effect, with the result that we enjoyed a week of superb sunny weather.  Except for Saturday, the temperatures reached the low 20s, feeling even hotter in the strong Cypriot sun.
Those who could drag themselves away from sun-bathing enrolled upon some of the excursions on offer, with trips to the old town of Larnaca, the red soil villages, close proximity to the Border near the 'ghost town' of Famagusta, and Ayia Napa - almost a ghost town in its own right, with no sign yet of the hordes of summer visitors that will descend later in the year.  The excusion to the Troodos mountains was the most exciting, with two foot of snow as one got higher and two ski-runs open despite the glorious sunshine and warmth at lower levels.  If only the minibus to get there had been more comfortable .........
The bridge was organised to good effect by Kathy, varying the format to continue stimulating our interest, and a band of willing Directors.  Such was the standard of play that not once was the dreaded call of "Director!" heard at any time during the week.
The week concluded with a prize-giving ceremony at which it transpired that the prize-winners were very widely spread, such was the high, consistent quality of the bridge.  The Allingham Holiday Cup was deservedly won by Jill, who had attained top place in three of the competitions.  A list of prize-winners is shown below.
Fervent thanks were expressed to Eve, for her chjoice and organisation of the holiday, to Kathy for her general management of the bridge, to the Directors and to all the other people who had helped to make the holiday the resouding success that it was adjudged to be!
Results
Weds N/S Angela & Roger E/W Phil & Rosemary
Thurs N/S Pam & Jill E/W Gwyn & Ron
Fri Howell - 1st Cynthia & Phil, 2nd Jill & Norma
Sat N/S Jill & Liz E/W Val & Sheila
Sun N/S Cynthia & Jill E/W Kathy & Rosemary
Mon Chicago - Top Betty & Margaret Bottom Audrey & Eve
Holiday Championship: Jill

Roger Davies

Having been asked to prepare a commentary on the bridge weekend I secretly hoped for some small disaster or embarrassing moment to spice up the narrative but nothing of that nature occurred.  A testament to the superb organisation of the event by Audrey and the excellent management of the bridge sessions by the directors.  Everything worked like clockwork.
34 of us arrived during the late morning, early afternoon at the Chatsworth Hotel now a familiar and well liked location.  Almost home from home as for many of us this was not our first visit.  In our case the third, consecutive January weekend, though the previous ones were blessed with far better weather.  The anticipation of a fun weekend of bridge was clearly on everyone's mind as we greeted those already before us at the desk and those arriving behind us.
Promptly at 3pm we gathered for the first bridge session in the refurbished Devonshire Room with tables now supplied by the hotel.  The 8 1/2 tables chatted excitedly and we were brought to order and soon started.  The first session was briefly interrupted by coffee, tea and biscuits and then continued until 24 boards were played.  Enough time followed to allow us to freshen up and have a drink or two before dinner.
Our dinner was served in a private dining room, though to access it we had to pass through another weekend group as they sat down to their own dinner!  The quality of the meal ranked amongst the best I have enjoyed for this type of group event and I certainly did not hear of any complaints.  The staff were courteous, efficient and attentive. After dinner tradition has it that a quiz is organised.  This weekend was no exception and a large group returned to the bridge room where an excellent quiz run by Hazel, assisted by Jane, had been set up.  The winning team was 'The 4 Old Queens' made up by Muriel, Helen, Richard and Chris.  For the non participants the games room offered table tennis, snooker, pool and skittles.
Saturday saw 2 more sessions of bridge.  The first followed a hearty breakfast and led up to lunch.  Both served in our dining room and again requiring a stroll through the other weekend party.  With sandwiches, baked potatoes with toppings and salads on offer there was more than enough to sate the hungriest of players.  After lunch we had a free period allowing walks on the promenade, shopping trips in Worthing or just whiling away the time in the hotel with some playing poker!  The second bridge session was, as always, in 2 parts either side of another enjoyable dinner.
And so on to Sunday.  The customary team play where you endeavour to not let your team down.  This is a fun session of bridge but with a prize for the highest socring team to be grabbed no less serious.
And so we reached the end. To loud applause the winners of all sessions were called to collect their prizes:
Fri afternoon: N/S Jill & Kathy E/W Keith & Val
Sat morning: N/S Kathy & Gerri E/W Ron & Robin
Sat afternoon: N/S Chris & Audrey and Richard & Nina (tie) E/W Phil & Jane
Sun teams: Phil, Jane, Sheila & Robin
Well earned rewards went also to the directors for managing the sessions, the quiz organisers for the evening entertainment, the scorer and especially to Audrey the organiser for a weekend that ran so smoothly from start to finish.  Thanks also must go to the Chatsworth Hotel from the front desk, through the kitchen staff, the bar staff and the cleaning staff who kept our rooms clean and tidy.
We all had another enjoyable weekend and I, for one, was impressed by the extraordinary value for money this weekend represented.
Kris Czarnecki

We were all greeted with mulled wine and an excellent display of Christmas jumpers - congratulations to Andy and Karen our competition winners.

We then settled down to some serious bridge (always better after a few glasses of wine!) and enjoyed some delicious mince pies during the coffee/tea break.  A good start to Christmas.