Tony Smith took the club's new chairlift on its maiden voyage last week. This will be a great asset to the club for those members who find the stairs a challenge.

Congratulations to the Biggar team for succeeding another year to maintain their place in the 1st Division. This is their 4th year in this competitive league. The Tinto team had a modest campaign, coming 5th, but as some members played league matches for the first time, overall this was a satisfactory performance.

During this year's successful AGM, Tony Smith the Chairman paid special thanks to Roma Crone who, after five years' excellent service as club treasurer, is standing down. He then welcomed David Tedaman who is replacing Roma as treasurer, and Wallace Leadbitter who is joining the committee.

And a big thankyou to Maura Hales and the ladies of the committee for their delicious home baking at the end of the meeting, during which we all sang happy birthday to May Robinson. Sixteen members stayed on afterwards and made up four tables for a session of fun bridge, after which some rounded off the day with supper at the Elphinstone Hotel.

Unfortunately the Bridgemate scoring of both sessions (afternoon and evening) on Monday March 14 were disrupted by the club computer unilaterally upgrading to Windows 10. This resulted in some of the hands not being registered. So regrettably these events are null-and-void and have been removed from the web-site. They shall not be registered for Master Points.

The workshop on Howell Movements and Slam Bidding held at the club on Sunday Feb. 21st was well attended and an enjoyable afternoon was had by all, fiollowed by a lovely meal at the "Elph". The club would like to thank Tony Smith and Cathy Cursiter for running this. A further workshop on cue bidding will be held at a later date (to be confirmed)

Fifty members turned up for a highly enjoyable Christmas lunch at the Cornhill Hotel. The festivities got off to a great start with two renditions from Mike McKenzie with a little help from a certain Mr. W. Shakespeare. After an excellent meal we all settled down to what we all enjoy doing, playing Bridge. Once again a big thanks to the Committee for arranging it all and making sure it all ran like clockwork. The photograph shows the Committee ready to greet their guests.

Mike McKenzie entertaining us at the Xmas lunch with his Thespian skills.

Congratulations to Brian McKenzie and Philip Hudson who were the second Bronze winners at the Bridge Congress in the Peebles Hydro in October 2015. Russell Frame, President of the SBU, awarded the prize to the two worthy winners.

A big thank you to all those members who took part in the Ecats Simultaneous Pairs for Children in Need on Monday November 9 and Thursday November 12. Despite a disappointing turn out for the Monday evening, the club still managed to raise £102 so maintaining our long standing tradition of supporting this charity.

Congratulations to Cathy Cursiter and Maggie Dunbar who succeeded in retaining the Mike Turnbull Cup on Sunday November 1. Like last year, this was a highly enjoyable occasion with ten tables expertly directed by Tony Smith. A big thanks to the committee for the lovely baking we all enjoyed as we congratulated the winners.

The club turned out in good numberts to toast Grace's 95th birthday. The club wish Grace all the very best and we look forward to the "century".
 

To celebrate the recent 95th birthday of the club's oldest member, Grace Steele, members toasted Grace with some bubbly at the evening session of Tuesday June 2nd where Tony Smith, our chairman, presented the birthday girl with a cake.

Congratulations to Biggar who amassed a respectable 38 points to secure 5th place and retain their position in this very competitive league for the 4th season running. Tinto did not fare so well in its 1st season in Division 1, amassing 26 points, the same as East Kilbride. As both teams had won/lost the same number of matches, the League had to examine aggregate match points. Unfortunately East Kilbride had 50 more points which is equivalent to 2/3 tricks which over 144 hands in 6 matches, it could hardly have been closer.

Congratulations to the Biggar team who have made it to the semi final of the Lanarkshire Bridge Association Knock-out Competition. On Tuesday January 6, the team comprising Cathy Cursiter, Maggie Dunbar, Gavin Lambie and May Cameron defeated Blackwood and so go marching on.

Sixty five mmbers attended another highly enjoyable Christmas lunch at the Cornhill Hotel on Sunday December 14. After the meal and the usual party games we settled down to play 16 hands of bridge, members pairing up by drawing names out of a hat (Pinky and Parky, Adam and Eve etc. etc.). Bottles of wine were presented to the winning pairs and to the losing pairs as "booby" prizes. The photograph shows the committee lined up waiting for their guests.

Once again many thanks to all those who competed in the two Simultaneous Pairs competitions for Children in Need on November 10 and 13. This year the club raised £140.00 for thr charity.

On Sunday October 26, the club held the Mike Turnbull Pairs Competition. With 8 tables and using a Howell movement under the skilful direction of Tony Smith, Cathy Cursiter and Maggie Dunbar prevailed as worthy winners. As this was the first time the competition was held, the club were delighted to welcome Mike's widow, Mary, and his daughter Rosemary. Mary donated this magnificent new trophy to the club in Mike's memory and presented it to Cathy and Maggie. This successful and very enjoyable event was rounded off with some bubbly and cake as we toasted the worthy winners.

Congratulations to the Biggar team of four under the captaincy of Cathy Cursiter who won their first round match against Triple C Plus on Tuesday September 30. Cathy's team now joins the Tinto team captained by Archie Hunter in the second round (Archie's team drew the lucky straw and got a by for the first round). Second round matches to be played by January 14.

After the bubbly and cake, the club lined up with Steve for a photograph before returning to the cards.

On Tuesday June 29, the club said farwell to Steve Whiteford as he and Chris, who unfortunately couldn't be present, are about to embark on their new life in the Black Isle. Cathy Cursiter got the ball rolling by presenting a cake to Steve who did the honours and made the first cut. Archie Hunter then, on behalf of the club, thanked Steve and Chris for all their help and participation in club activities and presented Steve with a framed photograph of Tinto Hill. After Steve's reply, the presentation was concluded withh bubbly and cake all round. Despite the festivities the club still managed to fit in 21 hands of bridge!

On Sunday 15th June, Duncan Cursiter with Beth Wilson ran a successful workshop on tournament direction in the club. Eight members from the club attended, of whom three sat and passed the examination. So hearty congratulations to Cathy Cursiter, Tony Smith and Wallace Leadbitter who have been awarded their certificates and are now qualified Tournament Directors. This is significant progress for the club since hitherto, Beth Wilson was the only qualified Tournament Director in the club.

At the Lanarkshire Bridge Association AGM in Hamilton Bridge Club on Thursday June 26, the President John Kelly awarded the Division Two Champions Cup to Archie Hunter, captain of Tinto. The photograph shows Archie with Cathy Cursiter, who also attended in her capacity as captain of the Biggar league team, holding the cup.

After a disappointing campaign in the previous season, Biggar Bridge Club came good and won the league this season.  They succeeded in winning all their five matches against clubs from Hamilton, Strathaven and Lanark.  This means that the Club will be promoted to the first division next season where it is hoped that it can maintain it's good form.

Pictured left to right are Archie Hunter (Vice Chairman), Marion MacMillan (League Secretary) and Steve Whiteford (Chairman) holding the Lanarkshire Bridge Association Second Division Championship Cup