A decision was taken (7/9/16) that more of the up market tablet be purchased and that the club will stick with BridgeTabs for the moment. The decision was made on the clarity of the display but the down side is the need to put all devices on charge at the end of every session. The new devices were in use for the first time on Friday 16th September 2016, generally the feedback was positive from the users.

The newly structured Bearn took place at Newcastle on Sunday 24th April, 4 Stafford players took part, Geoff playing with Paul Cutler came second behind Keith Shuttleworth and Laurence Haynes.  The Ladies'  and Men's Championship Pairs both had to be cancelled.  The Mixed/Flitch Championship Pairs are to be held on Thursday 9th June,  at Wolverhampton. 

County League

Congratulations to Stafford Bridge Club members for their successes in this year's County League.
Geoff Davies, partnering Paul Cutler, with teammates David Beavon and Roger Keane, won the First Division. Third place went to the team of new Stafford members,Kath Adams and Graham Link and Anne and John Seymour. Joint winners of the Second Division, now promoted to the First Division, were David Alderson and Mike Sherriff, playing with teammates Judy Mitchell and James Vickers.  New teams are invited to join next year, time to be getting a team together.
 

A new regional event for improvers is taking place on July 3rd aimed at those who have been playing bridge for less than 5 years.

The Shropshire Congress took place 16th (Swiss Pairs) & 17th April (Swiss Teams) at the Park Inn, Telford.  Numbers were up a little this year and Stafford was represented thanks to some of the new Stafford members.

A new event was organised in 2016 for the Midlands Region for "improvers" with less than 5 or 6 years bridge playing experience.  Six Stafford members, five of whom attend Robin's lessons, took part either at Derby or Solihull.  Best placed Stafford pair were Sandy and Frank Townsend playing at Spondon (Derby), sadly not amongst the prize winners though.  Pictured above are the winners, Steve Smith & Jason Webb, receiving their trophies from Dan Evetts of the EBU with Linda Curtis SSCBA chairman. Click here for the hand commentary. Jason's mother, Tracy, a one time member of Stafford Bridge Club.

The club annual dinner was held at Ingestre Golf Club on Saturday 14th May. David was in action as club chairman with the announcements of the winners and quickly changing to club photographer mode when the winners received their prizes from Sheila. More pictures can be seen by clicking the link.

The club "away weekend" on 8th - 10th April 2016 at the Wyndham Garden Hotel near Grantham attracted a group of 29,  25 of whom were bridge players. More pictures on the club notice board. The results of the sessions were:
Friday  pairs 6 tables 1st Rachael & Alan, 2nd Beryl & Michael,
Saturday six teams, 1st Anne & Peter Collier, Mike & Janet, 2nd Pat & John Andrews, Ernie & Sandra
Sunday pairs 1st Adrienne & Harry, 2nd= Pat & John, Beryl & Michael

Congratulations to those achieving promotions in the master point rankings during 2015, particularly Mike, Ivor and Pat A who reached, or passed, the giddy heights of 40,000+ master points and 10+ green points.

Success for Stafford member Geoff Davies and the rest of his team Paul Cutler, Rod Ewan and Roger Keane for their success in the Winter Teams at Wolverhampton.