The average age of the Oxford Bridge Club attendee was lowered dramatically on the afternoon of Sunday 22^nd November when thirty children, aged 8 – 18 years descended upon the balloon decorated premises generating laughter and good will. See more photos (all taken by David Bygott) and read Holly Kilpatrick's report Oxford Junior Bridge Club Competition report.

As you may be aware this week saw the Judicial Review take place to consider Sport England's position that bridge is not a sport.

The hearing concluded on Wednesday.  To read the press release which summarises the EBU's position and some of the points which were raised click here - Press release - Judicial Review of Bridge as a Sport.

Congratulations to Carol Benzie and Lorraine Jones and John Cecil and Peter Stephenson!

Please note that BridgeWebs will be doing essential maintenance on the club website.  As a result, you will be unable to access the OBC website from 22:00 hours on Wednesday 29th July to 06:00 hours on Thursday 30th July.  If you want to check your results for the John or Doreen Simpson Trophies, you can still log in and access your results on Pianola, since that operates via a different site.  The results should appear on our club website once Marion has had a chance to upload them; hopefully on Thursday afternoon 30th.

Congratulations to Claire MacDonagh and Peter Sherry, winners of the Winnie Ling Trophy by a large margin.  Runners-up were Diana Nettleton and Dave Dobson, fractionally ahead of Cathy Rowland and Christopher Whitehouse.

Morrie Marsh Trophy
The contest for the Morrie Marsh trophy for novice pairs was held on 15th April. Congratulations to Rosemary Young and Joan Bailes who won the trophy this year.

Beck Salver
The annual club pairs championship was held on Sunday 7th April this year. Congratulations to Denis & Kathy Talbot, who won by a considerable margin. Krys Kazmierczak & Sandra Nicholson came 2nd, followed closely by Cathy Rowland & Aleksandar Lishkov. Well done to all!

The week of November 9th - 13th is Children In Need week.  We will be selling cake at each session and holding a raffle which will be drawn on Friday night.  Join in the fun please!

Congratulations to David Tuohy and Mike Scott-Tennant, winners of the John Simpson Trophy; and to Humaira Erfan-Ahmed and Sue Smith, winners of the Doreen Simpson Trophy.

The photo shows the presentation by members of John and Doreen's family.

Congratulations to OBC member Freddie Illingworth who was named the English Bridge Union's Young Player of the Year.  Well done Freddie.

Division 1            
The A team have made a disappointing start to the season.  They had a good first half against Oxford B, but fell behind in the second half, losing by 3-17.  In their match against Menagerie B they were edged out in all four quarters of the match, losing by 6-14. The C team lost 6-14 to Wallingford A – a respectable result against strong opposition. Oxford B, C & A are currently lying 1st, 5th & 6th respectively in the division.

Division 2            
The D team, promoted two seasons running, found stiffer competition in division 2.  A poor first half against Wantage A saw them 40 IMPs down at half time.  They did much better to draw the second half, resulting in a final deficit of 40 IMPs and a VPs score of 4-16.  They are currently propping up the division.

Division 4            
The E team enjoyed greater success against Frilford  B.  Well down at half time, they staged a second half comeback to finish on level terms at 10-10. The F team lost their first match by 4-16, against Aylesbury Vale; but defeated Bicester B by 16-4.  It is not many years since Oxford D lost to Bicester C – illustrating a significant change of fortunes. Oxford F & E are currently lying 2nd & 3rd respectively in the division.

Division 5            
The G team recorded an excellent win over Abingdon C, by 18-2; and another over Wallingford D by 12-8. The newly created H team were disappointed to lose narrowly 9-11 to Wallingford D.  However, considering that this was the first match for most of the team – and that Wallingford D were in the same division as Oxford D only two seasons ago – this was a very encouraging start to their campaign. Oxford G are lying 2nd in the division, with Oxford H lying 4th out of 7 teams.

Richard Sills, Acting Match Secretary

I am pleased to let you know that at the EGM held on 15th January 2014, members resolved that the club would apply to the Charity Commission to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.  One change was made to the draft proposed OBC CIO Constitution after a proposal from the floor to increase the quorum for a general meeting from twenty to thirty members. 

This main resolution involved making a constitutional change under the current governing document of the OBC and thus required 75% of members present to support the resolution - the resolution was approved nem con.  The club has thus committed itself to becoming a Charitable Incorporated Organisation subject to approval of the Charity Commission.  When such approval is granted there will be a further general meeting of members to formally adopt the new OBC CIO Constitution and the accompanying OBC CIO Articles of Association, and to elect a new set of Trustees and Officers under the revised governing documents.

Some background details on CIOs can be found in our December 2013 Newsletter.

John Fleming, Secretary

Match update
Having been filling in as Acting Match Secretary for the past few months, I am delighted to say that James Anderson has agreed to be co-opted to the post.  As my swansong, here’s an update of the state of play at the end of January 2014.

NICKO
We entered four teams of four in the National Inter-Club Knockout competition.  The A, B & C teams all won their 1^st round matches and got a bye through the 2^nd round.  The C team won their 3^rd round match vs West Midlands; the others have yet to play.  The D team lost in the 1^st round proper, then lost in the 1^st round of the Plate competition.

Wessex League
Division 1 is very tight, with few points separating Oxford B in 2^nd place, Oxford C (3^rd) and Oxford A (6^th).  Congratulations to the C team on a splendid 18-2 win over Menagerie A!

Oxford D team lie 6^th in division 2, with survival in this division depending on results in the last two matches – both against Summertown teams.

Oxford E lie comfortably in mid-table in division 4, with Oxford F in 7^th place, at risk of relegation.

Oxford G lie 3^rd in division 5, narrowly out of contention for promotion.  Oxford H have performed with credit in their first season, lying in 4^th place, just ahead of three teams with longer Wessex League experience.

Recruitment
Any members who’d like to consider playing for a team next season are welcome to approach James Anderson – or Claire MacDonagh, who looks after the teams in divisions 4 & 5.

Richard Sills

Following the EGM held on 15th January 2014, a formal application by the club to form a charity was submitted to the Charity Commission.  The application has been approved and the Oxford Bridge Club CIO has now been registered as charity number 1155820.  CIO is short for Charitable Incorporated Organisation – this is a relatively new type of charity that incorporates characteristics similar to a limited liability company including the ability to own property.

The committee is now working on the next stages:  making ready to transfer the assets and everyday operation of the club to the Trustees of the OBC CIO.  The transfer will be completed when we have a general meeting of members when amongst other things we will hold elections for all the roles in the club. 

Under the CIO regime, the management of the club will be in the hands of Trustees.  Trustees are members who are either directly elected as Trustees or those who become Trustees as a result of being elected to certain Officer posts of the club.

More news will follow as we develop the details.  

John Fleming, Secretary

The club's Individual Competition for the Thompson Trophy was held on the afternoon of Sunday 9th March.  Congratulations to Krys Kazmierczak who won the event; second was Christina Hardyment; Robert Gasser and Claire MacDonagh tied for third place.

OBC members had great success in the OBA County Pairs Final played on Sunday 30^th March.

Congratulations to the winners Cathy Rowland and Aleksander Lishkov.  There were 4 pairs from OBC in the first 6 places.  Dave Dobson and Brian Wright were 3^rd, Lisa Furnival and Nigel Birks were 5^th and Claire MacDonagh and Brenda MacDonagh were 6^th.

Click here for the full results.

Whilst OBC plays no part in running the activities that take place at 147 Banbury Road on Tuesday evenings, some members do attend some of these sessions.  The county organisation (OBA) have announced changes which take effect from 1st May 2014.  The details may be found on the OBA website by clicking here.  The sessions all start at 7.15pm.

It's time to nominate members for election at the AGM.  We have published a Newsletter (2014-1) which provides some background information about the transition of the club to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.  

The nomination form with explanatory notes is also now available and explains how we will elect our trustees at the AGM.  Please take time to consider how you can help to run the club during the coming year.

The AGM will take place on Wednesday 21st May 2014 starting at 6.00pm.  The job of the secretary will be easier if nominations are received by 4th May but this does not preclude other nominations right up to the meeting itself.

The club pairs competition for the Beck Salver will now be played on Sunday 11th May.  Please sign up at the club or email the Tournament Secretary to book your place. All members of the club are eligible to play.

The club accounts have now been completed and examined.  They will be presented to members at the AGM on 21 May 2014. You can see a copy of the accounts by clicking here.  And you can see a copy of the Communal fund statement by clicking here.

Congratulations to the Oxford C team (Nigel Birks & Liza Furnival, James Anderson & James Dow) for successfully winning their 5th round NICKO match against Petersfield B. This puts them through to the final 16 teams in the competition, from a field of over 250 teams-- a notable achievement. Best of luck in round 6!

The club celebrated significant milestones in its history on Wednesday 25th June 2014.  A party was held to celebrate the transition to become a Charity in the form of Oxford Bridge Club CIO.

Presentations were made to Sandy Constable the president of the members' club,

and to Esme Alden, latterly catering officer.

Both had served the club in many different roles over a very long period.

The Social Committee organised an informal afternoon session followed by a social hour before the normal evening bridge. Richard Sills, the chairman, outlined the history of the club, thanked the many who had brought the club to its present position, and made the presentations . . .

. . . while the members enjoyed the the warm sun and a glass of wine between the sessions.

The formal transition of all club operations to the CIO happens at midnight on 30th June 2014.

Congratulations to Chris Dawe and Peter Briggs, winners of the John Simpson trophy, and to runners-up David Bygott and Steven Bliss.  Congratulations also to Julie Anderson and Geraldine Krall, winners of the Doreen Simpson trophy and to runners-up Wendy Claye and Marion Sheppard.

The Laws and Ethics committee recently decided to change the way seating is randomised.  This will make it fairer for all. 

Anyone who, for medical reasons, needs a stationary seat can still inform the director and, where possible, they will be allowed one.  Everyone else will simply take a place where they like.  Before the start of play, the director will draw a random card from a shuffled pack.  If it is an odd black card, all those sitting at odd-numbered tables change direction.  If it is an even black card, all those sitting at even-numbered tables change direction. If it is an odd red card, players at all tables change direction.  If it is an even red card, no one changes. 

Along with this, we will continue to apply the principle that if there is an odd number of tables, there is an EW sit-out and if there is an even number of tables, there is an NS sit-out (there are some exceptions dictated by the movement).

Kathy Talbot (Chief TD)

Bar prices have not been increased for several years (certainly not since I became Treasurer in 2009) but costs continue to rise.  The profit on bar sales has fallen dramatically in the last year, and as a fundraising activity of the charity, we are required to ensure we make a reasonable return on this activity.  I am sorry to have to tell you, therefore, that prices will increase on Wednesday 1^st October 2014.  A new price list will be posted behind the bar, but you can also see the new prices by clicking HERE.

Chris Kerr (Treasurer OBC-CIO)

The Social Committee organised a Macmillan coffee morning on Friday 26th September 2014 in conjunction with the morning session.  Members enjoyed the bridge . . .  

and the cakes.

Members contributed generously during the event. The club donated the table money from the session.  The event raised a total of £700 for Macmillan Cancer Support.  Many thanks to Pat Lewis and her team.

John Fleming, Secretary

We had a MOST successful week raisIng money for Children in Need.  The raffle was a spectacular array of varied items all donated by Club members and at most sessions during the week the Social committee provided cake for members.  We raised a grand total of £1160.00 for Children in Need and that is all thanks to the enormous generosity of the committee and ALL our Members who so generously supported us. Our donation is the second highest donation on ecatsbridge at the moment!

The final accounts for the three months to 30 June 2014 of the old members' club are now available to view.  They will be presented to the final general meeting of old OBC next Wednesday, 17 December.

To view a copy, click HERE.

You enjoyed or missed ‘Christmas Drinks and bridge’ at our Christmas event this year on Wednesday 10^th December.

We enjoyed a short entertainment by Harmony Inspires (Barbershop chorus) Ladies Accapella Chorus and mulled wine provided by Pat Lewis and her team.

Your premises committee has reviewed all the tasks that have to be completed before any building work on the premises can start.  The major items are: completing the conversion of the club to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation; receipt of an affordable quote for the work to be done; ensuring financing is in place; the availability of a temporary location that can be used for club operation while 147 Banbury Road is closed; and a builder ready to start work.

The result of this review is that the earliest date at which building will start is now 14th July 2014.  A further update will be available after the next scheduled Management Meeting on 14th April 2014.  The AGM of the club will be on Wednesday 21st May 2014 at 6.00pm.

Play in the afternoon session

 1NT - What happens next?

Oxford Harmony sings . . .

. . .  to an appreciative audience

Then the raffle is drawn.

We had a very successful day and the amount raised for the Rosy charity will be published in the near future.  The two winners were Juliet Johnson and Claire McGlashan as North/South and Kevin and Ruth Carter as East/West.  They each received a bottle of Champagne and a very generous voucher from The Oxford Kitchen for their seven course taster menu!

Many thanks also to Pat Lewis for organising a succesful and enjoyable event!

We made £1200 for the Rosy charity which was a fantastic result!  Thank you again to the Social Committee and to the support we received from those who played. We hope to present a cheque to Rosy within the next few weeks.