We are sorry to announce the death on Sunday 12th June of Vernon Madge. Vernon was aged 81 and had been a member of "The Good Guys" - a team that has played in the West Essex League for many years - and was also a regular at Loughton Bridge Club, though he had moved away to Bath where he also played bridge. Anyone with more information might like to let the ECBA webmaster know. 

We are sad to report that Dick Green died on Friday 22nd January 2016.

Dick joined the Association in 1958 and soon made his mark at the table and on the administrative side. With Keith Stanley, Gerard Faulkner and Mike Hall, county competitions were won as well as national events – the Field Cup, The Committee Cup and an international competition in Holland.

Dick became auditor to the EBU through his work, and an Essex county delegate. Dick served as Chairman of the ECBA from 1984 - 2010 and at the time of his death was the Vice President of the ECBA.

The funeral took place at 12:45 on Friday 5th February at Saint Laurence Church, St. Mary's Lane, Corbets Tey Road, Upminster, RM14 2BB. The service was followed by a celebration of Dick's life at The Cranleigh, 84 Station Road, Hornchurch RM12 6LX. 

A full In Memoriam is being prepared.   

Our thoughts are with Dick's wife Margaret and his family.

The arrangements for saying a last "goodbye" to Sue on Monday 6th July 2015 were as follows:-

• Funeral Service at St Andrews Church, Rochford 10.45am
• Committal at Hall Road Cemetery, Rochford
• Celebration of Sue's life at The Lawn, Hall Road, Rochford

Friends might like to make a donation to Cancer Research UK, which may be sent c/o S. Stibbards & Sons, 74 Ness Road, Shoeburyness, Essex SS3 9DG. Tel: 01702-293400

Sue's final blog

• It was a perfect day. Weather - raining Sunday, windy Tuesday, just right Monday.
• Packed church with most of my family and friends able to attend.
• Order of service as I would have liked it ( well I did choose it all myself !! )
• Sadness, but fun and humour throughout the service - how appropriate.
• Although he only saw me once, I think I made a lasting impression on the vicar !!
• Celebration at The Lawn - the perfect setting. Food, drink and good company and above all lovely memories.
• Thanks everyone and goodbye.

It is with great sadness that we have to announce death of Po Shing Lee at the age of 44. Although Po has not played bridge in Essex for several years due to illness and only moved to Essex around 15 years ago, in that time he had good results in county and national competitions, played in the county team and served on the committee as 'School Liaison Officer' for a number of years. He was also involved in online bridge, working with ‘Bridge Club Live’. Po was a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge. Our sympathies go to his widow and son.

The ECBA is sad to announce the death of Tony Judge. In recent years Tony played in Hertfordshire but in his younger years he played in and for Essex with some success. He was a member of the team when Essex won the Pachabo Cup in 1980 and in 1984 his team won through to the semi-final of the Gold Cup.

The funeral was held at St. Thomas More RC Church, Hodings Road, Harlow, CM20 1NW, at 11:30 on Wednesday 11th March 2015.