When Vanu attended the club on 21 July 2016, tt was a pleasure to give him a present and a card signed by club members to celebrate his 90th birthday. Vanu was a founding member of the club and he has been a regular member since 1972. As some of our members grow in wisdom and in years it is reassuring to see that bridge continues to play a part in their lives.

At the AGM on 26 April 2016 the following officers were elected: Peter Sykes (Chair), Ann Squires (Secretary), Susan Penswick (Treasurer), Margaret McCabe (Club Captain), John McCourt (Tournament Director),  Roger Hancock (NEBA representative) and committee members David Thompson, Glenda Hope and Den Kerry.

The table money collected raised £213.50 for the Alzheimer's Society.

Summary of the first 5 years from 1972 to 1977

• The club was started in 1972.
• Committee: there are some familiar names amongst the committee from those early years and some players who are no longer with us.  Muriel Carpenter (who was a ladies bridge International) was President for four years.  Ian Macpherson (3 years) and Bob Bowers (2 years) had been Chairman of the club over the initial five years.  Peter Sykes (3 years) had been Secretary and John Amos (4 years) was Treasurer for most of the time (note that Ann Squires, Mike Ferguson and Margaret McCabe also held these posts).  John Bagshaw was the official scorer (a more demanding job in the pre computer days) and Brian Smith was club captain and later Tournament Director.  So the inaugural officers of the club were Ian Macpherson (Chair), Peter Sykes (Secretary) and Ann Squires (Treasurer).  Bob Robson (still doing the job even now) was the club Auditor. The club had a Social Secretary who was responsible for “stocking the drinks bar” and dealing with alcoholic drinks which were prevalent at that time (currently tea/coffee/orange make up our refreshments at the club).  Other committee members and team selectors were Olive Kinsley, Ian Bell, John Crouch, Geoff Endean, John McCourt, Dave Wardill, Mike Ferguson, Vanu Datta and Terry Robinson.  In 1975 Peter Sykes became NEBA Assistant Secretary (and later NEBA Secretary and Chair).
• An initial constitution had been agreed and amended (at an Extraordinary General Meeting convened for the purpose). The first AGM had taken one and a half hours (there was a lot to ‘agree’ and everything was read out – minutes recorded full the discussions which took place).
• The club had decided to join the EBU and was able to issue master points (yellow paper ones in those days).
• Originally there were insufficient NEBA members to have representation on the NEBA Council (a minimum of 50 members was needed).  Club teams had been entered in the NEBA Inter Area competition as it was then called (now called the Inter club competition).  Initially one team was entered (the A team was in the first division) and it came third in its second year.  Then the club entered a B team and they came second in their division (three?).  Subsequently the club entered a third team.  In those days teams were selected by a club selection committee.
• The club held its first one day congress.  At the congress, the winners were presented with the Durham Cup.  Two congresses were run in early years to raise funds for the club.  In one year the congress self-catering had to cope with a national bread strike (which made making sandwiches interesting).
• The club had several changes of venues.  The club initially met at Elvet Riverside before moving to Fountains Hall, Grey College (as Sidney Holgate, Master of Grey College, had been a member and supporter of the club) then to Belmont Community Centre and for one year to the Redhills Hotel in Durham.  Whilst at Fountains Hall it wasn’t unusual to have up to 20 tables playing at an evening session. Tuesday became the established club night.
• The club built up a reserve balance to buy card tables and possibly purchase their own premises, as having to move from ‘rented’ accommodation was a problem.
• At first the AGM was held in September and after four years changed to April (to come into line with NEBA and EBU years).
• In 1975, Peter and Sue Sykes presented the club with a trophy (the Sykes Cup) to use for a club pairs event – this trophy is still used today. The first winners of the Sykes Cup were Mrs Olive & Ms K Kinsley.
• The club introduced bridge lessons (run by Peter Sykes) to cater for the increased interest in learning to play the game. The club was publicised widely and a weekly bridge column was written in the local Durham Advertiser by Peter Sykes and later by Mike Ferguson.
• Membership fees rose from £1 to £1.50 and table money rose from 15p to 25p.
• Players could choose any table at which to sit, but cut for direction (N-S or E-W) – in those days cards were always dealt at the table.

Apologies for any misinterpretation, omission or errors (Peter Sykes)

Summary of the next 5 years from 1977-82

• Committee: again there are some familiar names on the committee from those early years.  Ian Macpherson was Chairman of the club for two years and Geoff Endean for three years. Following Muriel Carpenter’s decision to stand down as President the position was left vacant for three years. When Ian Macpherson stood down as Chair he was nominated as President.  A new role of Vice Chair was introduced. Laurence (or Leonard as both name appear) Robson was appointed for two years to be replaced by Brian Smith.  Margaret McCabe acted as Secretary for 2 years followed by Nigel Martin for 3 years during that period.  John McCourt was Treasurer for most of the time (Colin Craig was Treasurer for 1 year).  The official Scorer role morphed into being the Tournament Director and Brian Smith took on this role in addition to being club Captain.  Bob Robson was again recorded as the club Auditor for most of that period.  Geoff Endean was the Social Secretary for two years prior to becoming Chair.  Other committee members and team selectors were Eleanor Potts, Margaret Patterson, Bill March, Mike Ferguson, John Stobart, Vanu Datta, Colin Craig, Barbara Taylor and Bob Barrie.  The team selection committee was a regular topic for discussion at AGMs.  In 1980 Peter Sykes was elected Chair of NEBA.
• A Teams evening was added to the calendar and a Summer teams championship was held for Durham Cup (which had formerly been awarded to the Congress winners, an event which was abandoned).
• In the NEBA Inter Area competition the Durham A team had mixed fortunes. The team had to forfeit a match; the team was obviously relegated (not recorded) but next year won the second division and was promoted. In the first division they finished 3^rd and 2^nd in the last two years of this period.  The club’s B team also had mixed fortunes in the third division as the team finished 4th and then 1^st, to be promoted to the second division. After one year the team was relegated to the third division where they finished 3^rd. The club C team was only mentioned once “had a fair season” (1978-79).  Teams were selected by the club selection committee.
• The club venue remained as Dunelm House (Durham University) using the SRC hall downstairs in the venue – members had honorary ‘University’ cards to allow them access.
• Members of the club had various successes.  A team from Durham won the NEBA Kempson Vases (Brian Smith, Peter Sykes, Mike Ferguson & Bill March) in successive years (1980, 1981 and 1982).  Durham players won the Teesside Open Teams (Dave Wardill, Geoff Endean, Brian Smith & Margaret McCabe), the Cleveland Swiss teams and pairs events (in 1981); the North Eastern Premier League, the Newcastle Congress pairs and the King Cup (all in 1982 but players were not named).
• Sykes Cup winners were: Peter Sykes & Brian Smith (twice); Duncan Lee & Ernie Richardson; Ian MacPherson & Nigel Martin (not recorded in 1977).
• In 1979, the club purchased the Durham Salver (still used today for our pairs champion) to be used for the winner of the team’s competition. Winners were Ernie Richardson, Duncan Lee, Nigel Martin & Ian MacPherson; Geoff Endean, Wojtek Zakrzewski, Robert Clark & Geoff Ellis.
• The Club champion, was decided over two-thirds of the available weeks, was Bill March (three times) and Brian Smith (twice).
• In one year, the club had to use interest on its capital invested to allow it to remain solvent (we wish interest rates would allow us to do that now!).
• Recurrent matters (still mentioned today) such as playing cards need replacing, making a prompt start to each session, keeping to eight boards per hour and fines for misboarding  /misrecording were all an issue at times.

Apologies for any misinterpretation, omission or errors (Peter Sykes)

Summary of the 5 years from 1982 to 1987

• Committee: Bob Barrie became Chairman of the club for these five years.  For the next five years, no president was recorded and following 1983 neither was a Vice Chair recorded (Brian Smith was Vice Chair in 1982-83).  Mike Ferguson acted as Secretary for three years and Iain Gordon for two years during that period.  Peter Ransom was Treasurer for four years (and Gavin Bolton for one year). The Tournament Director was Brian Smith for one year, Peter Sykes for two years and then Geoff Endean for the final two years.  Brian Smith was also club captain.  Bob Robson was again the club Auditor for all of that period. The role of Social Secretary was not recorded in 1983.  Other committee members and team selectors during those five years were Colin Craig, Barbara Taylor, Geoff Endean, Peter Sykes, Dave Wardill, Mike Pitt, Peter Lisle and Harry Davison. The team selection committee was a regular topic for discussion at the AGM.
• Constitutional amendments were agreed in 1984, amongst which were to replace the office of Social Secretary with Tournament Director and provide the committee with powers of co-option.
• Teams’ evenings were reinstated and a Summer teams’ championship was held for the Durham Cup (formerly awarded to the Durham Congress winners, an event which was subsequently abandoned).
• In the NEBA Inter Area (from 1985 it was renamed as the Inter Club) competition Durham A team had more success.  In the first division they finished 2nd in 1982 and then for two successive seasons the team were 1st and for the final two years they were in the ‘middle’ of the first division.  The club’s B team also had better results as they finished 2nd and then 1st in the third division when the team were promoted to the second division. After one year in the second division the B team were relegated to the third division where they finished 3rd. The club C team finished third and in the ‘middle’ of their division but it was withdrawn in 1986.  It is of note that in 1984 Durham A and B teams finished in first place in their respective divisions.
• The club moved its venue to Durham University Employees Sports & Social Club for two and a half years and then in 1984 to Maiden Castle University Sports Centre (using the upstairs coffee bar).
• Members of the club had various successes. In 1983-4 club members (Brian Smith, Peter Sykes, Mike Ferguson & Bill March) represented the NEBA ‘A’ team in the Pachabo Cup. In 1983-4 club members had won several NEBA competitions (Gazette Cups: Peter Sykes and Brian Smith, Summer pairs: Mike Ferguson and Haydon Dando, Summer Teams: D Wardill, Miss M McCabe, V G Endean, Mrs P Barton, Niman Israel: Mrs P Barton, Dr G Endean, Miss M McCabe, D Wardill, Kempson Cup: W March, P Sykes, B Smith, A Westrop, NEBA Congress teams: Mrs M McCabe, H Dando, PA Sykes, D Wardill).   A team from Durham won the NEBA Kempson Vases in 1982-3.
• Sykes Cup winners were: Peter Sykes & Brian Smith (twice); Peter Ransom & J Smith; Wojtek Zakrzewski & J Foster; Harry Gilbert & Margaret Liddell.
• The Club champions were Brian Smith (three times), Hayden Dando and Margaret McCabe.
• Durham Salver (a trophy which was stolen and replaced by the club in 1986) teams’ winners were Ray Milne, Bill Dixon, Brian Smith & Mike Ferguson; Colin Craig, Bill Robinson, John Lawson & Bob Robson; Ray Milne, Ernie Richardson, Stan Kingston & Bob Willis; Ray Milne, Ernie Richardson, John & J B Portwood; Vanu Datta, Iain Gordon, Harry Davison & Mr Williamson.
• Summer champions (a new competition) were Bill March & Steve Whittleton.
• The club membership grew from 56 to 81 members over the five years).  Membership fees increased from £4 to £7.50 and table money from £0.50 to £0.75 (and then back to £0.50).
• In 1987 the start time following the AGM was moved to 6:30pm.
• Recurrent matters (still mentioned today) such as slow play, possible alternative venues were being investigated were all an issue at times.

Apologies for any misinterpretation, omission or errors (Peter Sykes)

Summary of the 5 years from 1987 to 1992

• Committee: Peter Lisle became Chairman of the club for these five years.  The offices of President and Vice Chair are not recorded (abandoned?).  Iain Gordon acted as Secretary for all five years during that period.  Gavin Bolton was Treasurer for one year, Ann Dunnachie for three successive years and Jim Johnston for one year.   The Tournament Director was John McCourt for two years, then Geoff Endean for three years (supported by Bill March for one year).  The role of club Captain was not recorded.  Bob Robson was again the club Auditor for all of that period.  Other committee members and team selectors during those five years were Mike Pitt, Harry Davison, Bill March, John Portwood, Geoff Endean, Gavin Bolton and Steve Rayner.
• In the NEBA Inter Club competition the A team had even more success.In division A the team finished in mid table twice and then for three seasons the team finished first.The club’s B team was promoted to division B and then subsequently demoted to division C where they finished in mid table twice before being relegated to division D.It is of note that in 1988, 1989 and 1991 Durham A team represented NEBA in the EBU Garden City Trophy event.
• The club venue was Maiden Castle for all five years (using the upstairs coffee bar as a venue).
• Members of the club had various successes. In 1987 a pair won the NEBA green pointed event. In 1988-9 a club pair won the National Pairs regional final (Brian Smith & Bill March); a club pair (W. Dixon & H. Dando) won Gazette Shield; a club pair (Peter Sykes & Don Reid) won NEBA Swiss pairs and a club team won Newcastle Swiss teams. In 1990 a club pair (Brian Smith & Bill March) again won the National pair regional final and Gazette Cup, club pairs won NEBA Simultaneous Pairs, NEBA Congress team’s (Don Reid, Peter Sykes and others). From 1987 to 1991 club members (Bill March & Brian Smith and others) won Kempson Cup, Newcastle Swiss teams, Kempson Vases and Scarborough Teams; a club team won NEBA Wightman Cup and Ogilvie Teams.
• Sykes Cup winners were: Peter Lisle & John McCourt (twice); Barbara Taylor & M Fletcher; John Portwood & JB Portwood; Mike Pitt & R Ward.
• The Club champions were Bill March & Brian Smith (jointly); Bill March (four times).
• Durham Salver winners were John & J B Portwood, Harry Davison &, Ann Dunnachie; Vanu Datta, Iain Gordon, Peter Hagger & Ray Matthews; J Smith, Peter Ransom, Bob Willis & Stan Kingston; David Mills, F Kay, M McPherson & J Mercer; John Dobson, A Trotter, Mr & Mrs Elliott.
• Summer champion Bill March in 1987 (not recorded subsequently).
• The club membership was recorded as 74 in 1987. Membership fees increased from £8.50 to £12 and table money increased from £0.50 to £0.60.
• Other issues mentioned were: playing cards needed replacing (a familiar theme); players were reminded to welcome new players and exercise patience when playing against them; the level of noise when announcements were being made was considered discourteous; a slow play rule was introduced (when the move is called, if no card is placed face down on the table, it means the hand can’t be played); any players with discourteous attitudes to TD rulings would be placed before the committee; a Christmas party was to be introduced.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Apologies for any misinterpretation, omission or errors (Peter Sykes)

Since January 2015 the children in Year 2 classes (6-7 year olds) at St. Margaret’s CE Primary School in Durham have received a weekly bridge lesson of about 45 minutes. In the period of time almost all of the 58 children involved are ready to begin partnership 'bidding' in the mini bridge way. The children thoroughly enjoy playing bridge and are very excited when they see the bridge teacher arrive!  

One of the main difficulties young children have when handling cards is the smallness of their hands and fingers, so support boards for assembling the cards are essential equipment (provided by Nordstroms of Sunderland). In the lessons children learn several mathematical skills in a fun way, including counting, adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, ordering, sorting and predicting. They learn that four times 13 makes 52 and that accuracy in following suit is essential when playing bridge. They are very quick to correct each other’s errors. They learn to add up points and divide by 3 to estimate how many tricks they are likely to make. They learn to make decisions based on mathematical logic. Their personal development flourishes as they increase their understanding of turn taking, playing fairly, collaborating and accepting success as well as defeat. They also begin to understand the four main positions of the compass. Their skills and hand/eye coordination improve rapidly.

Gianna Ulyatt