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Obituaries
Les Carver

We are sad to report the death of Les Carver

Only the older members will remember Les Carver as he has not played Club bridge for some time.  Blessed with a powerful memory he was a regular player for many years and was one of a very strong group of N&N players who dominated Club and County bridge from the 1970's onwards.  His regular partner was Kitty Houston and they often represented Norfolk, playing in the A Team.

Les was an Honorary Member having served as a Committee Member during the 1970's and as Club Treasurer during the early 80's.

At the table Les was calmness personified, accepting triumph and disaster with equal equanimity.  Always polite and friendly to partners and opponents alike.  A role model for us all.

Les was a partner at a local engraving company and engraved Club and County trophies free of charge for many years.

Thanks to Richard Thornley for the above tribute

The Funeral has been booked for 1200 on 22nd March at St Mary & Margaret (parish church in Sprowston, adjacent to cemetery)  The wake will be at the Blue Boar on Wroxham Road.  Bridge friends of Dad will be very welcome and I look forward to meeting you if you are able to attend.  Regards  Stephen Carver
Alan Hourd

We were very sad to hear that Alan passed away in Hospital on August 15th 2022, Aged 87 years. 

Alan's funeral service was held at Woodland Hall, Colney Wood, on Saturday September 10th. 

Alan was a tower of strength in the Norfolk bridge scene. 

He had been on our committee for many years and was always willing to assist with the scoring and sorting out computer problems. 

He was an extremely able bridge player, playing in the Norfolk County team on numerous occasions and a feisty opponent.

Alan is greatly missed by us all.

Harry Fox

We were sad to report that Harry Fox died in June 2022 and is sadly missed..

Harry was born in London in the 1930s. After his father was killed in WW2, he lived with his grandmother in Tottenham. He was drafted into the Royal Navy and later followed a career as a risk assessor for submarines and warships. He took an active interest in cycling and rugby.  On retirement he and his wife moved to East Anglia and he was able to concentrate on bridge with the twin purpose of inventing the perfect system simultaneously hounding the EBU for refusing to endorse his more outlandish suggestions. His catalogue of correspondence with the EBU was massive.

Harry moved to Norwich after the sudden death of his wife and lived on his own in various flats in the city, Just before Covid struck he moved into a self contained flat attached to a care home. From then on played mainly online bridge rather than F2F.

Harry was well known at the N&N and other local clubs, where he always acted with polite even handed courtesy to partners and opponents alike.

We are not aware that he had any living relations.

With thanks to Nigel Block for this information.

John Pyner

With his wife, Maggs, and sister, Anne, at his side, John passed away peacefully on Saturday 2 April 2022.  John will be known to many for his decades of loyal service to Bridge, particularly to Warwickshire CBA, Coventry Bridge Club, and in his role as a National Tournament Director for the English Bridge Union. 

As well being a keen player and tournament director, John also led tournament directing training course locally and for the EBU.  It is likely that the majority of our current club and county tournament directors will have benefited from John’s tuition, guidance, patience, and support at some point over the years.  John, until his recent move to Norfolk, was also an active member of both Warwickshire Executive Committee and the Committee of Coventry Bridge Club. 

John will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him and we send our sincere condolences to John’s wife, Maggs, his sister, Anne, his family, friends and bridge partners.

With thanks to the Warwickshire County Bridge

Michael  Whiting

                                              Norfolk CBA (and Norfolk & Norwich BC) is saddened to report the death of Michael Whiting after a short term in a Care Home.

 Michael represented Norfolk many times in his distinguished Bridge career and won various County events over several years.  He had considerable success at his main Club in Kings Lynn. Michael’s keen analytical mind was ideally suited to Bridge and Chess and was amply demonstrated in the numerous articles he produced for Talking Bridge.

 Michael was the County President and while he held that office he spent many hours visiting Clubs throughout the County and this was much appreciated.

 Whilst good Bridge players can be admired for their skill Michael was also admired for his impeccable behaviour at the Bridge table and his encouragement to lesser gifted players. Criticism of others was not part of his game and for that he will be missed. 

 Michael would have been sorry to hear of the loss of his Club at Kings Lynn, just as we are sorry to hear of the loss of a friend and Bridge player who enriched our events.

 Our thoughts go to Michael’s family.

Robert Smith--Chairman (Norfolk Contract Bridge Association)

Nawal Fenwick

We were sad to announce that Nawal died on 20th September 2020. 

Nawal was a good player and a dangerous opponent.  She was well-liked and played at our club over many years - we will miss her.  

Please see the tribute to her from her daughters below.

*****

Dear all, We wanted to let you know that our amazing mum passed away peacefully at home this morning, surrounded by love.  

She was our everything - so much more than a mother to us and a great friend to many. She showed us every day what selfless, unconditional love was. 

She was a force to be reckoned with and so full of life. As hard as it is now to bear, we feel so grateful for the wonderfully close relationship we had and for everything she gave and taught us which has set us up for life. We’re especially thankful for all the laughter. So much of it. 

She has been so brave throughout. In the end, she made peace with what was ahead - a few days ago she said her goodbyes to us and said she was ready to go. And whilst we will miss her so much, we know that she will always be with us.   

We will carry on her fearlessness, fun, curiosity, courage, kindness, strength and, most of all, her love.   

Please do not send flowers. Mum will be cremated and we plan to scatter her ashes in Iraq, in North Carolina USA, close to her beloved late brother, and in Norwich - to reflect the places close to her heart. We will hold a memorial service for her in due course when restrictions are lifted and for anyone who wishes to, charity donations can be made at that time. 

Thank you to you all on behalf of mum, John, dad and ourselves, for your friendship and support. It is so appreciated. We don’t have everyone’s email addresses so please do forward to anyone who you feel should know. 

Mum lived such a full life and we take great comfort knowing she is now at peace. She wouldn’t want anyone to feel sad, so think instead of the lovely times you had with her. 

All our love, Treeva and Vyan x

 

Michael Harnden

We are sad to report the sudden death of Mike Harnden on 18 June: he had just reached his 83rd birthday.

Mike was on the N and N Committee for many years and gave generously of his time to the good running of the Club. He was a regular Director who was directing sessions right up to the recent shut down. His directing was always clear and he had the useful knack of moving the room on promptly, as a self-avowedly rapid player of the cards.

Mike, partnered by Barbara, won many trophies in both the N and N and the County and there is many a trophy that lists M and B Harnden as repeat winners.

They teamed up with others such as Brian and Myra Overy and John and Julie Aspinall to be equally successful in teams events. Mike (with Barbara) was a stalwart of the Norfolk County team for many years and although less so in recent years, was known throughout the Eastern Counties- maybe in part because of the ‘Harndens’ System Card -which reflected the era when bridge was in its infancy and included a 16-18 NT opener as well as seven and a half trick jump overcalls.

Mike, after a  competitive session of bridge, and before heading home, was always willing to go for a pint at the local,  and showed kindness and an understanding of human nature, as well as a willingness to defend his bids and card plays.

He leaves his dearly loved wife Barbara and an extended family of children and grandchildren.

The private cremation will take place on 10 July. 

Adrian la Chapelle 25 June 2020

Roger Amey
Roger Amey

We are sad to report that Roger Amey died peacefully at home with his family on Saturday 28 September 2019.

Roger was an outstanding player and was heavily involved in the Norfolk County Bridge community, being awarded the prestigious EBU's Silver Award for services to bridge in 2017.  Roger was a member of three bridge clubs, including this club where he had been a member and committee member for many years. 

There will be a memorial service at 2.30pm in Gresham's Chapel, Holt on Tuesday 29 October. David Hitcham, a long time friend of the Amey family, will be saying a few words on behalf of all bridge players.

.

Elizabeth Brown

We are sad to report that Elizabeth Brown passed away in the middle of January 2019. 

Elizabeth was well known in bridge circles.  In the late 80's she formed a formidable partnership with Bubbles Rundle, playing in many clubs.  She only played with her husband Arthur once a year.  Many clubs in Norfolk, including this one, have a Brown Trophy competition.  She was a leader in whatever she did.  Elizabeth was a great supporter of charity bridge and belonged to a number of U3A groups.

Alan Hourd's most striking memory is of playing in the Eastern Counties Cup (knock-out in the 80s) at Arthur and Elizabeth's house in North Walsham. The meals that Elizabeth prepared at such events were renowned (or notorious) for their variety and scale. We used to joke that the meals were so generous because they were part of a plot to incapacitate the opposition. Their flock of geese honking outside didn't help either!  

Elizabeth was still playing just before Christmas, even though receiving treatment for cancer.

(Thanks to Maureen Dewhurst for much of this information)

OBITUARY - JOHN BRISTER

JOHN BRISTER died peacefully at home from lymphoma on 18 November 2018.

 

JOHN was a  longstanding and much respected member of the Norfolk & Norwich Bridge Club, and a sportsman with wide interests. He was a season ticket supporter of the CANARIES and played rugby until an injured back forced him to retire. He was a regular golfer at Eaton Golf Club where I played with him once; approaching the 11th par three John summoned his 4 iron and smote the ball  - sweet as a nut - straight and true. On our arrival on the green we discovered his ball resting at the bottom of the hole. At bridge he was always polite to all members. Once, Nawal Fenwick stood-in in the league opposite him . He had opened one no trump only to see six no trumps hitting the table. I suspect this was a considerable shock for John but, true to form, he brought it home without a flicker of concern.  John served as President of the Norfolk & Norwich from 1994-95 and thereafter as Chairman until 1998. 

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

John Harrison,  4th December 2018

Jean Harrowven

We have been informed of the death of Jean Harrowven on 23 September. Jean hadn't played bridge for several years and is probably best known for her name on the Harrowven Salvers. Jean was an author of several books but not on bridge: the best known included "Origins of Rhymes, Songs and Sayings" and "The Limerick Makers"

ROBBIE

It is with deep regret that we must report the passing of our old friend Robbie Roberson, on 10 September 2018.

Robbie played at the Norfolk and Norwich Club over many years. In various events he represented the Club, County and, in the Corn Cairdis, England. Above all, though, Robbie was a very active member of Club and County committees and contributed a great deal to the smooth running of those organisations - even though he had little time for committees in general.

Going back more than 20 years, Robbie also organised the League for the N & N: scoring by hand, initially, and even coping with 7 divisions of 7 teams in the early days. No small task. He also operated the first dealing machines purchased by the County, from about 2000 through to 2016, and organised the transport of the boards around the clubs.

In 2006 Robbie was awarded the Dimmie Fleming award for services to bridge by the EBU.

A service celebratiing his life will be held at All Saints Church, Catfield (near Stalham), on Monday 1 October at 2:00 PM. Family flowers only please but donations may be made to the East Anglian Air Ambulance Trust or to the East Anglian Children's Hospice Trust at the service or sent to Murrell Cork Funerals of 32 - 34 High Street, Stalham, NR12 9AN. Afterwards at the Wayford Bridge Inn, on the A149 just South of Stalham.

We'll miss him - particularly that slow, deep, laugh that used to reverberate around any venue he was playing in.

   

Kevin Norman
Kevin Norman

We we very sad to report that Kevin Norman passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in his sleep at home in the early hours of 28th February 2017 from acute bacterial meningitis.

 

The service to celebrate Kevin's life was held on Thursday 23rd March at St. Faith's Crematorium (75 Manor Road, Horsham St Faith, Norwich, NR10 3LF), starting at 9.30am.

 

The family expressed these wishes:

 

"Our only request is that nobody wears black as we would like it to be a celebration of Kevin's life.

 

"Kevin wouldn't have wanted lots of money spent on flowers and so if you would like to make a donation in his memory, we would love you to donate to our chosen charity, Asthma UK. Asthma is an illness that has affected several members of our family, including Kevin, and so this seems a fitting charity for us to support at this time. We have now set up a justgiving page in Kevin's memory. The link is: In Memory of Kevin Norman

 

Malcolm Connolly: Obituary

Malcolm peacefully passed away in the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on 24th November.  He was 83 years old and left a son and two daughters.

For several months he had suffered with poor health, which made life very difficult for him and prevented him from playing his beloved bridge, but he always coped with his characteristic cheerfulness.

Malcolm has been a stalwart of local bridge for almost half a century and was a member of N&N, Noverre and Wymondham, serving on various committees for lengthy periods.  He learned to play bridge while in the RAF during National Service and returning to civvy street ran garages for a time before going into local government.  He retired as Secretary to the Lord Mayor.

 Like many of us, Malcolm was a bridge addict and would gladly play every day of the week if he could.  He never tired of it and during his long playing career won many trophies at Club and County competitions.

He firmly believed in straightforward natural bidding with a bold style and partnering Malcolm was never boring.  The glass was always half full for Malcolm, which together with him being very much a “people’s person”, made him a popular member and partner.

Malcolm’s great ambition was for Norfolk to have its own dedicated bridge premises owned by the members and he had a talent for seeking out potential venues, which he proposed to various committees, but without being supported.  The nearest he came to achieving this ambition was when a small Hall situated off Thorn Lane came up for auction and Malcolm succeeded in quickly raising sufficient funds from interested members to participate in the bidding.  However, the bids soon exceeded the amount he had available and the opportunity was lost.

He will be greatly missed.

Richard Thornley, 26 November 2015.

Leslie Rowe: Obituary

Les Rowe who died on 3rd November joined the Club in 1978 and had given valuable service in his time as a member. Les was Treasurer from 1989 to 1997 and President in 2002/3. This impressive contribution was recognised with his being elected an Honorary Member in the following year.

As a partner or opponent Les was ever courteous evincing the same competence and forbearance as was evident when carrying out his duties as Treasurer. In his time as an active player, Les joined in formidable partnerships particularly with Philip Cozens and Ron Binks winning trophies and representing the Club in both the Allwood Wharton and the Committee Cup. On the very rare occasions that Les had taken an overly optimistic view of a hand which he was about to table as dummy he would say “partner you may be a trifle disappointed with this”. This remark was typical of his dry but ever kindly wit.

Les was never a man to push himself forward but was always ready to lend a hand and when asked always gave sound advice. Someone as dependable and generous as Les will be greatly missed.

John Brister, 8th November 2015.

John Massey Obituary

John Massey, who died on Sunday 18 October after a long, stubborn fight against cancer, was a long-standing and active member of the Club.  As a player, John was very competent, easy to play with, and at all times courteous to both partner and opponents.  He had a lovely gentle wit and could usually make even the most dour of opponents smile.

On two occasions, John represented the Club in the team which won the Allwood-Wharton Trophy – the County Inter-Club Teams Championship.  He also played regularly in the County B/C teams over a number of years.

As well as being an active player, John served on the Committee for several years, including terms as Chairman and Treasurer.  As Chairman, he provided sensible and efficient leadership at a tricky time for the Club.  It was during his chairmanship that exchange visits were arranged with a Bridge Club in Koblenz, one of Norwich’s twin cities.  John and his wife May led the intrepid travellers.  Teams matches were played, much fun was had but, alas, success in the matches was missing!

At county level, John was elected President and, during his year of office, managed to visit all EBU-affiliated clubs in Norfolk, playing with whoever each club provided as a partner for his visit.

John was a good friend to many, ever ready to provide help and support when needed.  He was a somewhat private man, self-deprecating but so friendly and reliable – a true gentleman.  He will be much missed.

Gillian Hall 22 October 2015