Club Pairs - Thursday October 27th

Have you arranged your partner for this event yet?  Signed up?

Arthur Bloxham Trophy - Wednesday November 9th, 1:15 for 1:30 The Arthur Bloxham Trophy is to be played on Wednesday 9th November and is restricted to regular Wednesday afternoon players.  Others may take part but they cannot win the trophy!

Children in Need Sim Pairs - Tuesday November 15th Stafford is entered in the Children in Need Sim Pairs on Tuesday 15th November - more details to follow.

Shelley teams of 4 -  Round 1 played Thursday 13th October

The results of round 1 including the handicaps are:  1. Davies 35 (89 imps, -54 handicap), =2. Ullmer  17 (7, +10),  =2 Laughlin 17 (52,  -35) , 4. Metcalf  7 (17, -10),   5. Clarke  -9 (26, -35),  6. Drinkwater -19 (13, -32),  7. Sleightholme  -46 (-71, +25),   8. Eaves  -65(-60 -5),  9. Jones -68 (-73, +5).  The handicaps are such that each month the totals will be -131 so anyone with a positive score has done really well!  Often, through holidays or illness, stand by players are needed so if you are not in a team please contact Mike if you are willing to be a stand by. Meanwhile, as it took until 10:30 to sort all the scores at the tables on the first round, it has been decided to keep the early start time at 6:45 for 7 p.m.

At all club sessions please arrive at least 15 minutes before play is due to start, 7 for 7:15 start, 1:15 for 1:30 start.

With the electronic scorers the scorer has to set up the system after knowing the number of tables and before play can start.  If you are running late please ring the club, 01785 246611, to let the scorer know you are on your way so that they can factor you in when setting up the system.

Away Weekend 2017 - 7th/10th April 2017 

Following the success of this year's weekend at the Wyndham Garden Hotel it has been decided to go ahead with an away weekend again in 2017 at the same hotel. 

Edgar Foster Cups - Sunday 18th September at Derby 

Laurence Haynes & Keith Shuttleworth (Shrewsbury) were the overall winners with Celia Day & David Clarke (Wolverhampton) the runners up.  With the third pair in the team, Marion Jordan & Kevin Sullivan (Newcastle) coming 9th, the team event was easily won by Staffs and Shrops retaining their 2015 title.  This is an event where teams of 8 are entered from Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Hereford, Staffs & Shrops, Warwickshire & Worcestershire.  The fourth Staffs and Shrops pair contained a Stafford player who greatly enjoyed the once in a lifetime experience but in no way contributed to the team win!

SSCBA AGM - Held on Sunday 4th September at Wolverhampton

Three Stafford members were present at the AGM to hear the report that SSCBA was in a healthy financial position with increased membership. Some popular events had been held during the year, particularly the No Fear and Sim Pairs.  Two divisions were running in the league, more teams had been hoped for to create a third division. John Withers has stepped down from the committee as membership secretary, Terry May has taken this role on,  Pamela Booth-Jones has taken on John’s EBU shareholder role.  The AGM was followed by the Pheonix Trophy competiton with a tie for first place that brought the rule book out and much head scratching to determine the winner, eventually Jane Stirton and Celia Day were declared the winners although their overall score tied with Dominic Wilson and Jeffrey Jones.  A rather surprised Stafford player came third!!!

League and Staffs Cup teams

New teams were invited to play in the County League during the coming season, September until April, at Wolverhampton.  It had been hoped to have a third division this coming season so that players of all standards could take part; in the end two new teams came forward to replace the two teams that had withdrawn so the situation is as last year, 7 teams in the first division and 6 in the second.

Dawes (Inter County Teams League Event)

Each month, from September until April, 24 Staffs and Shrops members represent the County against 7 other Midlands Counties.  If you would like to be considered for selection to play for the County please contact the team Captain, Paul Cutler (you will have seen Paul at the Shelley sessions).

Shrewsbury Swiss Pairs - Sunday 5th March 2017

An afternoon/evening bridge event not to be missed, blue points and a wonderful tea!

Please keep your contact details, including email address, up to date.  Also, if you do not need a diary or printed version of English Bridge magazine please opt out to help reduce costs and waste. Go to www.ebu.co.uk/members, log-in and use the 'my details' tab to update your details and preferences.

EBED

The charity English Bridge Education & Development (EBED), set up in 2014, now manages educational programmes and support for teachers, and also provides Tournament Director training for Clubs and Counties.  Please check their web site for information on TD and Club Teacher training courses. 

EBU change to the magazine, English Bridge.

Members will have noticed the change to the EBU magazine. The new style EBU magazine, English Bridge, can be read on line if you do not receive a paper copy.  There is also an extra section for County news only available on-line.

EBU change to Announcing and Alerting

On August 1st 2013 changes were made to the EBU Announcing and Alerting rules.  There is a copy of the new rules on the club notice board.  There is also a notice on the board regarding permitted agreements (level 4 amplified) that  are now the SBC standard.

No Fear Bridge

Should Stafford play host for a County No Fear event?  Following the successful No Fear Events at Wolverhampton the County is anxious to encourage these events to be held at other venues around the County.

Electronic Scorers

Try the red ones out at home! http://www.bridge-scorer.com/Instructions/tbs.swf is an interactive website, click the green "on" button to get started.  When you have tried that you may like to move on to the help for the blue tablets, items 11 to 23 in http://www.bridgetab.com/Instructions/BT_demo_instruction.pdf.

Duplicate Bridge Round Timer

Webmaster and son's duplicate bridge round timer available.
Email webmaster@staffordbridgeclub.co.uk with feedback please.