A great evening was had by all at the 2024 New Year Party, Some difficult hands but obviously not for Pamela and Dennis who won the main ranking and Linda and Lizzie who won the handicap, and as a result were the evenings prize-winners.. Congratulations to both pairs!  Sadly Linda had left before the prizegiving so no picture! 

Well done to Directors Jackie and Paddy who kept us all in line, and in spite of the fiendishly complicated movement the evening seemed to go very smoothly. 

A very close match with two teams in a tie at the top and little to split the rest of the field. Joan Keith Paddy & Peter along with Penny Shoshana Mo and Fred all scored 45. Sadly Peter was so convinced that he would not win he had departed the scene before the results were announced so the photo leaves something to be desired..

Good fun and thanks to Paddy and Richard for organising it.

7 Tables for the club Teams event. Congratulations to the winning team of Nancy, Andy, Dave & Paul who won by a " country mile"  - (the words of the tournament director). A very respectable second from Elizabeth, Linda, Rosie, and Richard, and very close third to Mary, Penny Michael and Bridget.

Thank you to Paddy for setting up and directing the session, and to Pauline for preparing the tea, and thanks to everyone who played and helped with set up and clearing away. Results can be seen HERE and in the usual spot.

The ECATS charity SIMS pairs held on Thursday 9th November  was very successful and made a total of £200 which has now been paid to Children in Need. Thanks to all who took part and generously supported this nationwide initiative.

The club AGM will be held just prior to the club evening on 11th January and will start at 6,30PM , all members are encouraged to attend.

Any items you would like raised at the meeting please notify Pauline in advance. The minutes of the last AGM in January 2023 can be found HERE

The agenda for the meeting in January is available HERE

A hole in one is any golfer's dream - but what about scoring a hole in zero?

That was the remarkable - unique? - achievement of Duncan Smith & Ann Kelza Smith in the annual Stansfield bridge club golf day at Newton Green on Monday.

At the second hole, a par three, Duncan hit a wonderful tee shot to about 20 feet from the pin and Ann holed the putt. However, a combination of their handicaps meant they were in receipt of two strokes, so their nett score was zero! They went on to score an amazing 51 stableford points (36 is a good score!) and while their bridge did not quite reach such dizzy heights they ran out comfortable winners.

The popular event followed the usual format of 18 holes, a fish and chips lunch, and 18 boards of bridge. A cunning scoring system converts the stableford scores to a percentage which is then combined with the bridge results.

A very big thank you to Paddy and Richard (Langridge) for all their work in organising a highly successful day.

Online sessions resume on Tuesday 31 October

Following a summer break, the club's Tuesday afternoon online sessions will resume on Tuesday 31 October at the usual time of 4pm.

Several members have been in touch about when the weekly gathering on RealBridge would start up again - and the club committee has swiftly given an answer!

The format involves playing about 20 boards and one of the benefits of online is that the session usually finishes by 6.30pm, in time for supper and a well earned refreshment.

It also offers an opportunity for some of our members who live a distance away from the club to play.

To join the session, click on Real Bridge in the menu on the left and follow the instructions.

A huge thank you to Richard and Paddy who beat the technology into submission and delivered a faultless teams night for us all. A deathly hush fell over the village hall, with levels of concentration rarely seen in a club night. Of course we were allowed a break for some well deserved drinks and a chat and then was back to the serious stuff for two more rounds..  Many Congratulations to the the victorious team of  John, Jackie Celia and Elizabeth. 

So, how has your bridge been in 2023?

Brilliant? So-so? Rubbish? Haven't got a clue?

Well, now you can find out.

Unbeknown to most players, a rather clever set of analytical tools installed in this website enables you to discover, for better or worse, how you have been playing...on Thursdays, Tuesdays, as an individual or a partnership, with gross or handicap scores. If you are a very sad person, you can even see how many Master points you have or have not earned.

To give an example, as of a week ago, the top four individual players in the Thursday handicap during 2023 are Rani, Nancy, Christine and Tony.

To find out more all you have to do is click on 'Results Stats' in the left hand menu and then take your pick from the drop down menu (see image above).

The club is staging a Teams event - as opposed to the usual Pairs - on Tuesday 3 October.(6.45 for 7pm start)

If you have not played Teams before fear not; it is still bridge and, in the view of many, a more exciting format.

No experience of playing  teams events is necessary. This is a chance to try it out and for our directors and scorers to practice this format as well. In order for the event to run smoothly we do need everyone who is coming to sign up along with their partner. Normal table money will be charged. To sign up please click HERE - (please ensure you have a partner before signing up)

Click on ST to read 'Young women bid their way back to the bridge table'

Thank you Emily and Gerry for a delicious lunch and thanks to everyone for coming along and making it a great afternoon.  The lunch was followed by competitive play. Overall Winners were Richard and Mary, with Pauline and Tisha winning the Handicap. Well done everyone and special thanks to all who helped with the organisation.

Bridge Lunch Results HERE

Sunday 26th March saw 9½ tables compete for The Bell Trophy,  and this is effectively the Club Championship event of the year!  The trophy is made from the bell that was previously used to signal the end of a round in Club Sessions. Congratulations to Sue and Crispin who were overall winners and now take charge of the coveted trophy.  Handicap winners and runners-up in the main ranking were Sheila and Peter.  Thanks to all of those who set up the room,  and attended and played,  and to Paddy for directing a busy 28 board session,  with an interesting ¾Howell Movement !.  

A great time was had by all at the 2023 Stansfield Bridge Club Summer Party. 70 attended and the weather kindly allowed for al fresco dining on the delicious supper of beef and salmon prepared by Gerry, Jackie and Elizabeth and contributions  of salads and desserts by many of the members.

Bridge followed 17½ tables is this a record? Congratulations to Helen and Linda who topped the handicap and John and Joyce who won the main ranking. See results in the usual spot.  Thank you to Pauline for organising the evening which went off without a hitch and both Richard and Jackie who directed.

We will be playing a Charity SIMS event on Thursday 6th July with proceeds going to The British Heart Foundation and Kidney Research UK. Table money will be £5 which will be collected from your account in the normal way. No need to sign up, please arrive promptly at 6.45 for a 7.00pm start as usual.

ECats are running this charity event for the week commencing 3rd July but different boards will be played each day so you can attend more than one event. for more information see the ECats Website HERE

The AGM Pairs is the traditional curtain raiser to a new bridge year and will take place Face 2 Face for the first time since 2019 at Elmswell on Sunday 14 May.

The Annual General Meeting of the Suffolk Contract Bridge Association, which precedes the bridge and has been conducted online for the last three years, will begin at 2.00pm at the Blackbourne community centre (IP30 9GY) - with the bridge starting at around 2.30pm.

The AGM Pairs entry fee is £5 per player and includes a catered tea.

To enter, please click on AGM PAIRS

Due to elections in the village hall, bridge this Thursday (4 May) will be online at RealBridge and for club members only.

If you have not played on RealBridge don't worry!

To play, click on PLAY BRIDGE - any time after 6.30pm

We will still have a break in the online play but sadly you will have to pour your own drinks and provide your own nibbles!

If you are unfamiliar with RealBridge you can see a test site to set up your camera and microphone HERE . There is also more information on the RealBridge menu tab at the left hand side of this  website , however the playing link there is for the Tuesday Play. A special link will be provided for the 4th May session.

If you experience any problems logging in, call Richard on 01284 789546 or Paddy on 07884 313898

Emily and Gerry will be preparing and serving a delicious lunch for us, followed by an afternoon of Bridge at the Village Hall.

Cost will be £15 per person and the event is strictly open to Members Only. The cost will be added to your account in April, no need to send a separate payment.

Lunch will be served at 1.00pm  with the pay bar open from 12.30pm  please arrive in plenty of time to grab a drink and be seated. Bridge will follow with a short break during the afternoon.

Pre-Booking is essential click on LUNCH to book for yourself and your partner.

Calling all members attending face to face Bridge at the village hall over the next few weeks  if you come through DENSTON please note that the road into Denston (Wickham St Road) is closed from the A143 to the bridge in Denston. Coming from Bury take the next left off the A143 Water Lane which will bring you in to  Denston  after the closure, where you can turn right and continue as normal. Hope to see you soon!

This closure is scheduled to be in place until 12th April but we will update when it is cleared.

Please note that there are "Road Closed" signs up in Poslingford these refer to the Denston Closure, so you will not be affected if you are coming to the club from the Clare direction.

Stansfield Bridge Club was celebrating on Thursday 9th February when A New Year Party was held for the first time in a while!. 52 Members were welcomed with a glass of Champagne and delicious savoury nibbles, to a village hall looking festive, thanks to the hard work of Joan and Keith, Jackie and Pauline.  More delicious food an drink was served in the interval, and our new Life President, and retiring chairman  Richard received a delightful surprise. Bridge member and talented artist Nany Sudbury presented him with a superb portrait which she has created to celebrate his long and distinguished service to the club. 

In spite of the extra opportunities to eat and drink and the generally festive air, the bridge was highly competitive, with 13 tables the top spots were fiercely contested. Congratulations to Mary and Rachael who won the handicap , and to Mary and Richard who won the overall ranking, but only by a very small margin of 0.25% above Joan and Keith who were second - more photos in  results panel to the right .CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS

A well attended evening in spite of the best efforts of the council with their road closures. A great top spot on the handicap for Tessa and Sue, and well done to Mary and Penny for winning the overall ranking - good to see these two ladies playing together again.

Next Bridge here is Tuesday 4pm on RealBridge

Dont forget to sign up for the Bell Trophy Competition on Sunday 26th March a few places still available. Click BELL to enter.

A high scoring night with Paddy and Susan topping the main ranking and the handicap with 71.2% and Tony and Rani coming second. Well done everyone.!

Next action here is on Sunday for the Bell Trophy 1.45pm for 2.00pm. Still time to sign up if you wish to play - members only  Click on BELL to register.

The Bell Trophy is the unofficial club championship and takes place on Sunday 26 March starting at 2pm.

In addition to the main prize - a bell that was used many years ago to signify the end of a round - there will be a Handicap prize in which every pair has an equal chance of success. The event is for club members only. To enter please click on BELL. Entry fee is £5 per person. Players will be invoiced at the end of March.,

Coffee and tea will be available on the day and the barman has promised to open the bar. However, please bring your own tea to eat during the half time break.

Tonights top spot was shared between Tisha and Pauline, and Tony and Rani, with a dead heat but Tisha and Pauline topped the handicap. Well done all!

Next action in Tuesday 4pm on RealBridge

Congratulations to handicap winners Rachael and Mary and Overall winners Richard and Mary - well done all for playing such excellent bridge especially after all the extra refreshment on offer!

Full results table HERE

Next Action Tuesday 4pm on RealBridge

Another good contest tonight with Pauline and Jo topping the Handicap and Marcus and Caelia overall winners by quite a margin

Well done to all the winners.

Next Action Tuesday 4pm on RealBridge

At the AGM on Thursday night Richard Evans Chairman of the club since its inception in 2007 stepped down from his role. The club which started with around 12 people has grown into one of the largest and most vibrant Bridge Clubs in Suffolk and Richard has been the mainstay of the club throughout this time, taking on huge amounts of work behind the scenes.  He taught many players who went on to become members, and we now boast over 170 members many of whom drive large distances to be part of this exciting and very enjoyable club. 

At the beginning the club was just meeting on a Thursday evening and eventually expanded to open on a Tuesday as well.  Learn and Play started with Richard, Jackie and Pauline about six years ago and that was at Richard's suggestion as he felt the club needed somewhere for beginners to hone their skills before moving on to become members.  The break at half time on a Thursday started right at the formation of the club as he and his wife Mary thought the social side of the club was really important.  Mary would provide the nibbles each week and it was baked goats cheese on French bread - delicious it was too.  Bridge teas, bridge lunches, club competitions and of course parties have all been part of the activities of the club.  We all owe Richard a huge debt of gratitude, and as a mark of this he was unanimously elected Life President of the club, he was also presented with a gift  of a liquid nature as a mark of our thanks. Richard is now very much looking forward to relaxing and playing bridge along with the rest of us.

 We are fortunate enough to be a club with a wealth of talent, and Club Treasurer David Unwin has kindly agreed to take on the role of club Chairman and was also elected unanimously.  David has been a long-time member of the club and has been working as treasurer since 2019, we are confident that the welcoming friendly and enjoyable club will go from strength to strength under David's leadership.

Paddy Lockwood, who has served the club in many roles including setting up online payments, and RealBridge, bridge director, and scorer, has kindly agreed to take on the role of treasurer from David, and so the all important club coffers are in good hands.

We all realise how lucky we are to have such a club, and very much look forward to a future of many enjoyable hours playing bridge in the friendly, fun and inclusive environment. The village hall might be chilly but the welcome is always warm!

A Thanksgiving Mass for Howard Sumner-Fergusson will take place in Bury St Edmunds on Friday 17 February - followed by a 'Dutch lunch' - to which all members are welcome.

The service will be at St Edmund King & Martyr RC church, 21 Westgate Street (IP33 1QG) starting at 12 noon.

Howard was one of the club's more colourful members in the pre lockdown era. Once met, never forgotten!

All club members are invited to the Stansfield Bridge Club New Year Party, which will kick off with bubbly and savoury snacks at 6pm.

Normal bridge from 7 with a break for something sweet, and normal bar service - what's not to like?

Free for members £5 for visiting non-members.

Triple congratulations to Mo and Fred Harris, who celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on 1st November, and also topped the main rankings in the Thursday Bridge this week, as well as the Handicap table. Paddy and Chris came second overall, with Mary and Racheal second in the handicap.

Mo and Fred were married in St. Dominic's Church Homerton in 1962, and have played cards together since they first met, although for many years it was whist, they began playing bridge fifteen years ago.

They were excited to receive a card from His Majesty King Charles III and his wife Camilla, and brought it along to show us at the club tonight.

They certainly make a diamond pair on and off the bridge table and we wish them many happy years to come.!

David Unwin was the star turn in the club's annual bridge-golf day at Newton Green on Monday - although he was quick to pay tribute to the different players he partnered in the two disciplines.

For the golf, he partnered Jackie Over and at lunchtime they led in the clubhouse with 40 stableford points (converted to 58%). In the afternoon, Mary Evans joined him at the bridge table and their 57% handicap score enabled them to win overall from Conrad & Alison Simons.

On a glorious day, 24 players took part and much credit must go the club's barman, Richard Langridge, who organisational skills were tested to the limit by unforeseen cancellations and hiccups, which prompted David having different partners.

While David & Mary won overall, Jackie won the golf prize and Nancy Williams & Paddy Lockwood won the bridge.

Stansfield members filled three of the first four places in the 9-High Pairs staged by Suffolk at the weekend.

Will & Angie won, Tony & Rani were runners-up and Angela & Jacques were fourth.

Cheers all round!

A challenging set of boards ended with Richard & David finishing ahead of Alison & Conrad with Marcus & Susan in third spot.

Next action: Thursday in the village hall (6.45 for 7pm)

Congratulations to Phil and Bridget who won the handicap, with Will and Angie topping the main ranking with a huge 69.97% Well done and thank you to Gordon who directed the session for the first time tonight.

Next action for club bridge is on RealBridge on Tuesday 17th at 3.45 for 4.00pm.

Next Thursday 19th is club AGM at 6.30pm  prior to Bridge at 7.00pm all welcome please arrive promptly.

The club's AGM will take place before bridge on Thursday 19 January at 6.30pm.

With a new chairman up for election, members are very much encouraged to attend.

Click AGENDA to see it. Click on CONSTITUTION to see proposed amendments

A great start to the New Year Thursday evenings saw twelve full tables with David and Bridget winning by a clear margin of over 6% points,  and also topping the handicap rankings.  Mark and Nany came second in both the overall ranking and in the Handicap.  A big thank you to everyone for turning out in force and giving us a great start to the Thursday sessions for 2023 ! 

You may be fed up already hearing about the 'Spare' but big thanks to Paddy who turned up to host last evening and went home quietly when no host was needed!!.

Next Bridge is Tuesday Online at 16h00

Champion Susan celebrates with a remarkable score of 82%

The EBU produces an EBU Masterpoint annual leaderboard every year and the latest list published this week includes club champions up and down the country. 

The Stansfield club champion is Susan Nisbett who finished just ahead of John Bloomfield and David Unwin.

And to emphasise her status as a consistently good player at the club she recorded a score of 82% when partnering Jackie Chester on Thursday - almost certainly the highestd score in the club's 15 year history.

To see the master point achievements of other players in the county click on SUFFOLK

Five founder members join the celebrations

The club celebrated its 15th anniversary with champagne and a special cake recently.

Five players who attended the first night of bridge in 2007 at what was to become Stansfield bridge club helped cut the cake. Pictured are Richard, Mary, Gordon, Wendy & Jo.

The club's first gathering (right photo) could not be more different to the bridge sessions of today. The village hall was cold and draughty, had next to no insulation, poor heating and hard, uncomfortable chairs. Most of the players on that first evening had completed only one term of lessons for beginners. Bridgemates and computer scoring were a distant dream.

However, those attending did stop for a quarter of an hour midway during the evening to enjoy some goats cheese toasties and several bottles of wine. Some things never change!

Club to give £1,000 towards Ukraine relief

A number of members have suggested the club should contribute to the Ukraine relief effort being organised in this country.

As a result, the club committee has agreed to forward £1,000 to the humanitarian appeal. With gift aid, the donation should reach £1,250.

Also, if possible, the committee would like to organise an event to help further. Ideas as to the best way to proceed would be welcomed from any member.

Over fifty members enjoy first Club lunch for four years

Wednesday 16th November saw the return of a Club favourite - Gerry's Bridge Lunch - after a gap of several years, with over fifty people attending.

An excellent lunch of baked Suffolk Ham, Dauphinois potatoes, and vegetables, was followed by Marmalade Sponge Pudding and Custard !! Great !!

A massive thank you to Gerry and Rachel for all of their hard work and preparation, and to the Club members who helped serve.

A special Thank You to Richard and Pauline for organising the event.

Following lunch, an afternoon of twenty boards of Bridge was enjoyed by all including a table who played Chicago Bridge.

Winners overall were Mary and Richard, with Paul and David playing together for the first time and coming in second.

The handicap was topped by Mary and Jean.  Well done to all the winners and thanks to everyone for making it such an enjoyable afternoon.

Results are available HERE

Christine & Paul pipped Kathy & Jan with third placed Elizabeth & Sue topping the Handicap

Next Action at Stansfield Bridge is the online pairs on Tuesday at 4pm on RealBridge

Nine and a half tables on this frosty night in Stansfield. Well done to Nancy and Dave who topped both the main ranking and the handicap with a pretty impressive 69.58% and a good 9 percentage points ahead of the rest of the field. Paddy and Gerry were second in the main rankings and Wendie and Peter second in the handicap. 

Next Action Tuesday13th December 4pm on RealBridge

The last face to face session before Christmas was enjoyed by 42 Club members,  after bad weather forced last week's Thursday evening to switch to online.  Dave and Nancy came top with 71.9%,  and also topped the handicap.  Congratulations to Dave and Nancy!  Second were Jan and Kathy with 66%.  Thank you to Mother Christmas who provided excellent festive catering for us all.  Next action will be online on Tuesday 27th at 4pm on Real Bridge,  with Face to Face Bridge at The Village Hall on Thursday 29th December. 

The outside temperature in Stansfield was minus 7  but the bridge was hot.. hot.. hot!  The inclement conditions meant that Real Bridge was probably the safest and most comfortable option for this evening's club session, and a good time was had by all, even if we did have to make our own nibbles and pour our own wine.  Congratulations to Nany and Mark who were top of the rankings and Dulce and Nigel a very close second. No handicap ranking on tonight's play. Thank you to Richard for setting up and directing the session. It was strange for some of us to be back on RealBridge, but lets be thankful for the technological developments made during lockdown, which are invaluable when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Hopefully back in the village hall next week for Thursday's club session.

Next Action at Stansfield is Tuesday at 4pm on RealBridge

With snow having arrived at Stansfield and temperatures forecast to plummet to -11°C this week, bridge on Thursday will take place online at RealBridge instead of at the village hall.

All members have been sent the link required to play on RealBridge (please log in by 6.45 for a 7pm start). If you have not received the link please contact Richard.

The  6th  Stansfield Handicap Pairs a competition which gives every player - from the least experienced to the expert - an equal chance of success, took place at Stansfield Village Hall on 23rd October.

The winners of the handicap were Wendie and Peter who just pipped Jan and Kathy to the top spot with the help of their handicap.

Jan and Kathy won the overall ranking with an impressive 69.32% 

The event was very well supported with 15 pairs taking part on a very wet and dismal afternoon.

A big thank you to Richard and Pauline for organising the event.

Handicap Winners Wendie and Peter receiving the coveted trophy from Richard above right, with Overall Ranking winners Jan and Kathy below right

Handicap Pairs Results Click Here

Top marks to Patricia who used her persuasive charms to encourage a large number of members to sponsor her participation in the annual Lidgate bike, ride and stride. Not only did Lidgate raise £800, but Patricia raised more money than anyone else.

What a night!

Perhaps it was the two year enforced absence. Or, maybe, the sensational array of food and wines which would have graced any top restaurant. And, of course, there was the weather...

But more likely it was a combination of all three, plus the magical ingredient of a great turn out by club members which made the summer party go with such a swing.

17 tables

And in typical Stansfield style, there was the unexpected. A generous offer of £20 from a member to go to the pair who bid and made the first slam, soon became £60 and the club agreed to match it....and the resulting £120 (well done John & Elizabeth for making 6♣ )  will now go to a fund to help people in Ukraine. 

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to the evening: the many members who prepared wonderful food, those who helped to set up, the bar team of David & Richard, Marcus for providing pre supper croquet - and Pauline for organising the whole event.

NOT TO BE MISSED

especially at this price!

The success of Stansfield bridge club down the years has little to do with bridge - and much more to do with good food and company + quality refreshment.

And the person who has done more than anyone on that score is Gerry Ford, a retired restauranteur who is as passionate about bridge as he is food.

The good news is that Gerry will be hosting another of his wonderful bridge lunches for club members on Wednesday 16 November.

The two course lunch will consist of sugar baked Suffolk ham, dauphinoise potatoes and vegetables, followed by marmalade sponge pudding and custard. The cost: £10 per person. Players will be invoiced after the event.

A selection of excellent wines and beer will be available at £2.50p a glass. A suitable number of boards of bridge will follow the lunch, which will start at 1pm. To reserve your place, please click on GERRY'S LUNCH

Howard: anyone for tea?

Members will be saddened to hear that Howard Sumner-Fergusson, a larger than life regular in the pre pandemic era, died recently.

Howard was very much a one off who never did things by halves. Although the mists of time obscure the precise details, on one occasion when the club was running out of tea, he volunteered to replenish stocks and muttered something about relations having owned a plantation out in Ceylon.

The following Thursday he duly arrived at the club with the promised tea and as you can see from the photograph on the right, he appeared to have brought half the annual harvest from the aforementioned plantation. Some of it is still being drunk today. Typical Howard: generous to a fault.

Although Howard's health had been frail for some years, he continued to play at the club when he could and never lost his sense of humour.

His bridge was as colourful as his attire and he held very definite views about the game. He once regained us with how he had pointed out to Andrew Robson the error of his ways!

And then, of course, there was his surname. Was it Summer Ferguson, Sumner Fergusson, Sumner-Fergussen, Summer-Fergguson etc etc?

Hopefully, St Peter will do better than the EBU database in getting it right.

The 'Two Pauls' followed up last week's success at the main expense of Michael & Paddy and John & Mike

Next action: in Stansfield village hall on Thursday at 7pm

Gerry & Chris finished clear of Angie & Will, and topped the Handicap. Nancy & Dave were third.

Next action on Tuesday on RealBridge, starting at 4pm.

A golf-bridge day for Suffolk Contract Bridge Association members will be staged at Aldeburgh golf course on Monday 17 October 2022.

Aldeburgh is the oustanding golf course in Suffolk and is ranked in the top 100 in the country.

The day will comprise 18 holes of foursomes, a two course lunch, 18 boards of bridge and tea. Prizes will be awarded to the overall winners of the golf and bridge. 

Aldeburgh is able to accomodate up to 48 players. The cost will be £80 per player. To enter click GOLF BRIDGE DAY

Caelia & Marcus first. 

The rest nowhere!

The Stansfield Handicap Pairs, billed as an event where everyone has an equal chance of success, proved to be a one horse race at the weekend.

Caelia Chandler & Marcus Hopkins showed a clean pair of heels to a hybrid field consisting of 7 tables playing online via RealBridge and 5 tables meeting Face2Face in Stansfield village hall.

In theory, handicap events should result in close finishes because the difference in ability between different pairs is supposedly negated by the handicap. In practice, Caelia & Marcus (pictured above with club chairman Richard Evans) grabbed an early lead and ended up winning by 10% overall and by 8 % in the Handicap.

Runners up in the Handicap were Christine & Sekhar, with Angela & Jaques in third and last year's winners, Pam & Heather in fourth spot.

All the results are available in the left hand column below the menu, including separate scores for the F2F and RealBridge sections. Click on the Handicap tab to see the Handicap results.

A number of bridge events catering for all tastes and standards are being organised by Suffolk over the next couple of months.

Of particular interest to club members is the National Handicap Pairs on Sunday 4 September (11am). The club had hoped to run a F2F heat but the village hall is being used by the cricket club that day.

However, the county is running an online heat on BBO. As you know Handicaps means every pair has an equal chance of success. There will be two sessions of c16 boards with a break for lunch. Please give this a go. You can enter online by clicking on HANDICAP PAIRS

The following Sunday (11 September - 11am) the Suffolk Autumn Festival is an event for evereyone with five categories: Men's Pairs, Ladies' Pairs, Mixed Pairs, Veterans (70+) - and a Handicap pirze.

This will be F2F at the Blackbourne Centre in Elmswell with again two sessions of c16 boards and a quality snack lunch provided. Enter by clicking on AUTUMN

The Suffolk Congress on Sunday 2 October (11am) will also be F2F at Elmswell and is the county's flagship event. To enter the Swiss Pairs click on CONGRESS

And lastly, but by no means least, a Golf-Bridge day at Aldeburgh's wonderful course is booked for Monday 17 October, with 18 holes of foursomes, a two course lunch and 18 boards of bridge. Click on GOLF to enter.

Was it the glorious weather? Was it the new wines on offer at half time? Or, perhaps, has everyone finally had enough of computer bridge and not seeing their friends?

Whatever the reason, 48 players turned up for what proved a great night at the club on Thursday - almost twice the number the previous week.

As spring moves to summer, let's hope the the new normal continues. There is certainly much to look forward to with a summer party for club members booked for Thursday 14 July and a golf day in the sutumn.

Hoorah!

Bridge life returns to 'normal'

With fingers very much crossed, life iappears to be returning to something like normal at the club.

Face to Face bridge has resumed on Thursday evening for the past fortniight with around 10 tables on each occasion. Learn & Play, an essential part of the club's offering which is run by Pauline and Jackie on Wendesday afternoons, is back in full swing.

And for good measure, the beginners class which started in the autumn is back in action with 16 keen students now learning the arts of card play. Some are already joining the Learn & Play sessions and look destined to make their presence felt on Thursdays in due course.

In the fullness of time, the club committee will start thinking about arranging a long overdue party...

The Tuesday afternoon sessions (4pm) remain online at RealBridge.

The four sessions on RealBridge with Andrew Robson have been completed but Andrew's bridgdecasts and an explanation of the four topics are still available.

Here are the links fir the sessions, which offer an explanation of each topic and anlysis of all four hands:  WEAKS TWO   SPLINTERS   FOURTH SUIT FORCING   COUNTNG & CARD PLACEMENT

Stansfield bridge club is ploughing back some of the money it has made during the pandemic into free lessons for people wishing to learn bridge.

Four 90 minute taster sessions will be offered for free to anyone wishing to take up the game.

The lessons will be on Monday mornings (10.30am) starting on 11 October and take place in the village hall.

IF YOU KNOW ANYONE WISHING TO LEARN BRIDGE PLEASE LET THEM KNOW and ask them to email stansfieldbridgeclub@googlemail.com

(34 people have registered so far)

After missing 2020 (no prizes for guessing why) the club staged its annual golf-bridge day at Newton Green recently.

It was the first time for 18 months that many players had seen each other in the flesh, as opposed to online via RealBridge.

A maximum field of 24 tackled 18 holes of golf, followed by a fish and chip lunch and then played 18 boards of bridge face to face. A most unusual experience!

Richard Langridge, the club's inestimable chief barman, and Paddy did a sterling job as the organisers and even arranged wonderful weather for the day.

The way ahead for Stansfield

The large response by members to the survey on the shape of bridge at the club post-pandemic has enabled the committee to reach some key decisions on the way ahead.

Members made it very clear the club's traditional evening on Thursday - complete with delicious nibbles and wine - should remain unchanged. 'Face-to-Face' will only give way to online in the event of bad weather.

The committee has also taken on board the clear desire by a slim majority of members to have an on-line offering during the day time - while accepting many prefer F2F.

As a result, Tuesday afternoon sessions starting at 4pm will continue and they will offer opportunities for both groups. F2F bridge will take place in the village hall and be run alongside an on-line session on RealBridge, with all players playing the same boards. The scores from both F2F and on-line will be merged to produce an overall result.

The success or otherwise of this hybrid session will help determine what should happen in the longer term on Tuesdays. Learn & Play on Wednesday afternoons will be F2F.

Although some bridge clubs are considering meeting later this month, the committee believes strongly that Stansfield should not resume F2F until given the go ahead by the powers that be.

Lastly, a very big thank you to everyone who took part in the survey. It made the job of the committee much easier.

Stansfield bridge club is now virtual with 'normal' Tuesday (4pm) and Thursday (7pm) sessions on Bridge Base Online (BBO)

Click on INSTRUCTIONS  to see how you join either event.

An increasing number of club members have set up an account with BBO, have a Username and have provided it to us.

Once you have given your BBO Username to us, there is no need to do it again.

The key BBO bits you need to know

For those who haven't set up an account and obtained  BBO Username, click on BBO for a YouTube clip explaining what to do. Click on TOUR to see how BBO works.

Click on $$$ to see how you deposit BB$s into your BBO account. Click on SELF-ALERTING to see who alerts a conventional bid and how to do it.

If you need any help at all, contact Richard who will point you in the right direction.

Pam Pope & Heather Catling (above) pipped Kate Chapman & Sue Bentley

Heather Catling and Pam Pope who are regulars at Abbeygate won the third running of the Stansfield Handicap Pairs on Sunday from the mother and daugher combination of Sue Bentley & Kate Chapman of Heritage bridge club.

The outcome was a testament to the skills of the EBU handicapping system with 'top wieght' pair of Andre Gray and David Willson finishing with the highest overall score - but they were giving the best part of a 10% start to the pairs immediately behind them and up to 16% to some other partnerhships.

The event attrtacted 18 tables with entries from far away as Berkshire. To see the Handicap results, click on SCORES and then click on the Handicap Tab at the top to see the full handicap order

A hand played at Stansfield featured in the Andrew Robson bridge column in The Times recently.

Dave Walker submitted Board 14, played back in August, and asked the country's top player and teacher to check it out. "I’m very glad I did — fun and games were had by all," commented Andrew.

North-South had a combined tally of 19pts but, in theory, 7♥ was 'cold'. Several members bid 6♥. To read Andrew's column in full click on ROBSON

Stansfield goes international!

Steve Johnson has been a familair presence at the club over the past year - partnering his cousin, Pam Pope, who landed the Stansfield Handicap Pairs last year.

However, what members may not know is that Steve lives 2,895 miles away... in Nova Scotia.

Now he has become a member to give the club an international flavour.

Brought up in England, he moved to Canada when he was 20. 

Some 'Reserves'!

Four club regulars who dubbed themselves the 'Stansfield Reserves' proved to be anything but when winning the Suffolk Club Teams of Four on Sunday.

Jayne & Susan and Caelia & Paddy saw off the best in the county to finish first ahead of sides from Bury St Edmunds and Colchester.

The event on RealBridge attracted 12 teams. A cracking result...and congratulations all round. Another reason to celebrate when 'normal times' return.

Club survey: your views

More than 100 members respond

Responses from members to the club's future post pandemic are in and provide plenty of food for thought.

The questions focused on what type of bridge the club should offer when 'normal times' return, Face to Face, online or a mixture of both, and when the club should meet - during the day and/or evening.

The survey was sent to 'established' members who played at the club prior to last March and, separately, to newer members who have joined in recent months and played online. A total of 109 replied out of a membership of 198.

The club's committee will study and discuss the findings in the forthcoming days.

Click on SURVEY to see the answers provided by 'established' members, and RESULT to see the responses from 'newer' members. Then Click on "Responses" at the top of the page.

Fiona Rose has become the 200th member of Stansfield bridge club.

Prior to the pandemic, the club had about 130 members. The availability of online bridge twice a week since last April has attracted the new players and swelled table numbers. Most of the new players live in Suffolk or north-east Essex but a handful are from further afield, including Steve Johnson from Nova Scotia.

Robots go on strike!

The robots used by BridgeBaseOnline to help make up pairs or complete a table have started to go 'on strike.'

Suddenly, for no apparent reason, some have taken it upon themselves to down tools and stop playing during online sessions.

Jacks Morcombe, Suffolk's chief tournament director, highlighed three instances in recent days while she was directing an event when robots stopped functioning.

She raised the issue at a regular meeting of the SCBA committee and said there was clearly a glitch in the BBO system. If confronted with the problem during club evenings, Jacks said directors should ask any human player parterning a robot to log off and then log back in again. In the case of a pair of robots playing together, one should be temporarily replaced with a human BBO Username before putting back in a robot.

Malcolm Pryor, chairman of the SCBA, joked: "This is clearly a breach of the EBUs Best Behaviour at Bridge."

Survey findings: An afternoon session, 20 boards and a half time break

An excellent and swift response to the members' survey on 'virtual' bridge has identified three clear messages.

Members want an afternoon session; they like the 20 board format - and would appreciate a half-time break (two-thirds in favour).

As a result, Stansfield bridge will trial meeting on a Tuesday afternoon while retaining the traditional 7pm starting time on Thursdays. Each will consist of about 20 boards and there will be a 10 minute half time interval.

Tuesdays will start at 4pm.

In time, it may be desirable to fine tune again, but let's see what happens.

Cheers to Helen & David and Mary & Dennis!

The 'Best 7 from 10 Scores' wine competitions have finished - and new ones will start next week.

Helen Mason & David Mathews (top photo) led from the off in the Tuesday competition and a string of excellent results saw them quickly pull clear of their rivals, headed by Mike O'Reilly & Phil Mathews and Jayne Hunnable & Susan Nisbett.

The Thursday competition, which was based on Handicap socres, was a closer affair. Jackie Chester & Susan Nisbett led for much of the competition but only narrowly and they were overhauled in the final week by Mary & Dennis Deeks whose scores included one of 74.5%! Caelia Chandler & Marcus Hopkins were third.

Each of the winners will receive a bottle of La Chenade 2013. To see all the scores click on TUESDAY or THURSDAY HANDICAP

A brilliant idea from English Bridge Educatiuon & Development (EBED) - and a must for many Stansfield bridge club players who want to improve their game.

EBED has launched relaxed supported play sessions - 12 boards taken from their hand banks together with commentary.

Play is 10 mins per board and players can ask questions. There is a Zoom meeting afterwards for students to ask questions on the hands or BBO.

Restricted to NGS 6 and below - all students welcome. Wednesdays and Fridays 2pm. $3 per session. If you want to know more click on LEARN

Sekhar was a member of the African side which won the EBU Inter-National at the weekend.

14 nations took part and in a slam-strewn final Africa defeated Scotland.

What made the triumph all the more remarkable is that Sekhar had not played before with his partner, Julia Davies, and they only agreed a system shortly before play started. To read the full story on the Suffolk website click on SEKHAR

Brilliant performance by Paddy & Chris at the weekend when they topped the EastWest division of players in the Suffolk AGM Pairs. The NS division was headed by David & Jenny Price. 30 pairs took part.

Members will be saddned to know that Sue Aldous died in West Suffolk hospital on Wednesday. She had been seriously ill.

Although she had not been in good health for a while, Sue remained characteristically cheerful. "She was elegant in death as well as in life," Tony said.

Tony has requested that he not be contacted by telephone at this time.

Sue and Tony are photographed above with The Bell, the club's unofficial club championship, which they won last year.

Stormin' Den celebrates in style

As Storm Dennis raged outside Stansfield village hall on Sunday, players inside were toasting another Dennis.

'Den' Bishop is the oldest member of the club and celebrated his 91^st birthday by partnering his son-in-law, Dave, in the second Winter Sunday bridge afternoon.

A special chocolate cake was baked in his honour and Den very kindly provided wine and beer for the half-time break.

The Sunday attracted a number of less experienced pairs who played at a crackiing pace. Tessa & Alan, who were partnering each other for the first time, deserve special mention for finishing runners-up in the Handicap - while Angela & Paul were the only pair to bid and make a grand slam. To see all the results click on SUNDAY

Many thanks to those who baked wonderful cakes and to Denise and Mary for organisig the tea. Sunday bridge takes place on the third Sunday of the month so the next one is on 15 March.

The Laws of Bridge are anything but an easy read. And some of them are mind blowingly complicated, even for more experienced players.

However, help is now at hand thanks to an excellent ABC guide produced by Suffolk player Peter Bushby in which he offers an easy to understand explanation for the most common laws. Spare a few minutes, if you can, to read his guide by clicking on any of these links:

Hesitation, Use of Bidding Boxes, Changing Your Bid, Insufficient Bids,  Misleading Explanation, Penalty Cards, When to Alert, When to Announce.

Stansfield village hall takes incoming calls on 01284 789427. So just phone if you are running late...

Table numbers at Stansfield bridge club have swelled by 25% over the past three years. And that excludes additional numbers which attend Learn & Play every Wednesday afternoon

Twice weekly and occasional weekend duplicate sessions attracted 880 tables in 2019, an average of 17 a week, the club's AGM heard on Thursday.  Learn & Play, introduced two years ago to encourage beginners and improvers, draws in about eight tables a week. So on average, Stansfield hosts about 25 tables a week.

Sue & Jean	Christine & Paul

The bridge afternoon in aid of the Stansfield defibrillator appeal surpassed all expectations and raised £1,640.

That means the village now has the money to buy the life saving piece of equipment and install it at the village hall, home of Stansfield bridge club.

Sixty two players from far and wide supported the event. A raffle rasied £540 and a number of members made donations.

Richard Evans, chairman of the club, said: "The sum raised by a bridge club which, let's face it, is in the middle of nowhere was remarkable. A huge thank you is owed to members and visitors who made it happen and together with local businesses provided some fabulous raffle prizes."

The winners of the afternoon, based on handicap scores, were Sue & Jean, while Christine & Paul recorded the top overall score. Hugh & Sue Sandle, playing in their first ever duplicate, deserve a special mention for finishing runners-up in the Handicap. To see all the scores click on DEFIB

Paul & Dave pulled off a tremendous triumph on the opening day of the Felixstowe Congress.

The Stansfield regulars saw off all the opposition to win the Championship Pairs final, the prestige pairs event at Suffolk's flagship event.

After finishing 10th in the afternoon qualifying round to make the final, they led for most of the way in the final. However, their lead was whittled down in the closing stages only for them the get their heads back in front where it mattered - at the final board.

A cheque for £1218 was presented to Stansfield Parish Council by the bridge club on Thursday and will enable the village to buy a defibrillator which will be kept at the village hall.

Sarah Hopkins, chairman of the parish council, thanked members of the bridge club for the fund raiser they held a couple of months ago which, together with donations made by villagers, ensured sufficient money was available to buy the life saving piece of equipment. She is pictured receiving the cheque from David Unwin, the club treasurer.

Sue & Dave win Stansfield's flagship event in style

A maximum field of 68 players contested the Stansfield Handicap Pairs on Sunday - despite all kinds of problems with roadworks which hampered their journey.

Players from all over Suffolk and as far away as Hitchin enjoyed an unexpected trip down winding country lanes due to the closure of the main road in the village, but made it to the club on time.

After 36 boards, Sue Smith & Dave Walker not only produced the best overall score but also came out top in Handicap to claim the winners' trophy and £100 prizemoney.

Runners-up were Angela & John Jeffries who finished ahead of two club pairs, Wendie & Peter Summers and Penny Easting & Mary Rix. Andre Gray and his daugher Sarah collected the prize for the next best gross score.

To see all the scores, click on the Latest Result tab in the right hand column, and then click on Handicap to see the handicap results.

Officially, Thursday was the annual charity night when money is donated to a good cause. In practice, it was the evening when Stansfield bridge club remembered Hazel.

The end result - in addition to being a fun evening with 50 players enjoying themselves - was £550 which will go to St Nicholas hospice in nearby Bury St Edmunds, having been nominated by Hazel's family.

Thank you to everyone who supported the evening and the raffle, and to Denise for organising it. 

Paul, Bridget and Elizabeth x 2

On a night when the club ran out of bidding boxes and table cloths, the champagne kept flowing during a New Year party which attracted 17 tables.

There was sufficient ‘sparkling’ to enable the top pair - Paul & Bridget  - and the Handicap winners - the two Elizabeths - to take home a bottle.

The idea of having a celebration in January rather than during the hectic run up to Christmas seems to work well. A wonderful array of dishes prepared by members and a hall decked in bunting made out of playing cards contributed to a great evening. There were several highlights, including a bidding sequence which started Pass - Pass - Double! Blame it on the champagne.

The Bell tolls for Tony & Sue

The Bell, the unofficial club championship, has a new pair of winners - Tony & Sue.

They won in convincing style from John & Richard in second and Cleopatra & David in third spot. The Handicap prize went to Jackie & Jane.

The Sunday gathering, complete with tea, attracted nine full tables and promoted a discussion afterwards about the potential interest in more Sunday afternoon bridge, perhaps once a month between November and March. The committee would be very interested to hear the views, for or against, of as many members as possible.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it...

The club’s summer party is remarkably similar each year: Gerry’s delicious roast beef, poached salmon and salads, followed by summer fruits and yummie puds - and (always) sunny skies which permits that rare English treat of eating outside.

It seemed to hit the spot once again for 56 members on Thursday, so why change it?

Thanks to everyone who contributed, helped set up the tables outside; particulalry committee members headed by Pauline. 

It was fun.

Celebrating...and on the winners rostrum

Stunning show by Chris & Gerry in Clare Swiss Pairs

Chris & Gerry produced a career best effort to finish third in the Clare Swiss Pairs at Lavenahm on Sunday.

Facing quality opposition from all over East Anglia, the Stansfield duo were undefeated in five of their six eight-board matches - which included an early thrashing of Richard and his partner, Andre 

After four rounds, the pair found themselves on Table 1 (and took a photo to prove it!) Although they lost their match against the eventual winners, they bounced back to win their final match to claim third spot...before celebrating in the local hostelry.

Fifty two pairs took part. Bridget & Paul finished fifth equal while Richard & Andre recovered from their drubbing to finish ninth. The other highlight of the day was the excellent sandwich lunch prepared by Clare members - far and away the best of its kind at any local bridge event.

To see all the scores, click on CLARE

Den at 90: 'I'm learning all the time'

Den Bishop, one of the most popular players in the area, started his birthday celebrations early at Stansfield bridge club on Tuesday.

A card signed by many of the club's 130 members was presented to him and a special chocolate cake was baked in his honour. Den, who is 90 on Saturday, has been a Tuesday and Thursday evening regular for many years, together with Dave, his son-in-law. After bidding a particularly adventurous 6NT, he quipped: "I am learning all the time!"

Conor & Jo finished top ahead of Paul & Susan, with Mo & Fred on third spot.

To see the national scores click on SIMS and click on COMMENTARY to see how the boards should have been bid and played.

After four hours of golf - lunch - and a couple of hours of bridge, the two teams in the annual Stansfield bridge club golf day were separated by by the narrowest margin: one hole/board!

Many thanks to our club's very own barman, Richard L (does any other bridge club have a dedicated barman?) for organising a delightful day.

John & Richard finished clear of Joan & Keith with John & Denise in third spot. The brace of Elizabeths topped the handicap.

All four pairs qualified for the semi-final of the Suffolk event together with Rani & Tony, Jo & Pauline, Susan & Jayne, Paul & Bridget. To enter the semi-finals (at Elmswell on Friday 14 February) click on SEMI-FINAL

To see all the scores, click on the Latest Result tab above or scroll down this column to Results and click on the relevant date.

The club opted for the relative cool of the great outdoors recently rather than the stifling heat inside a village hall. Members ventured on to the playing field outside the hall on Tuesday and came prepared so that when light started to fade torches, iPhones and, in the case of one pair, head lamps were produced to provide the necessary illumination. For Thursday, Marcus and Jackie provided some serious lighting kit, and despite rumbles of thunder managed to play most of the session outside.

Not for the first time, Gerry did not allow the pressure of producing a fabulous lunch for a room full of players to get in the way of what matters...winning the bridge!

After cooking a superb meal for 42 people - with the choice of beef or salmon, followed by a scrummy pudding - he teamed up with Jan to finish just ahead of Will and Angie in the duplicate that followed. A brief scan of previous results suggests it is the fourth time he and Jan have prevailed at ‘Gerry’s bridge lunch.’

Although he now plans to step down from all the work involved with cooking at the twice a year event, ‘Gerry’s lunch’ will continue. More details to follow in due course.

In the meantime, a huge thank you to Gerry, who not only came up with the idea of a bridge lunch almost a decade ago, but has enabled Stansfield bridge club members and visitors to savour his culinary delights on numerous occasions. * Click on LUNCH to see all the results

Following his recent visit to Stansfield, Gordon Rainsford, chief executive of the EBU, has written about the club in his latest on-line blog. You can read it by clicking on HE LOVED THE SAUSAGE ROLLS...

Richard & David won the Stansfield heat of the Suffolk Sims Pairs from Paul & Bridget, with Conor & Howard in third spot.

Click on the Latest Result tab above to see all the scores and boards, or scroll down this column to Results and click on the relevant date.

To see the latest county wide results click on SUFFOLK For an overview of the hands click on COMMENTARY

* Richard & David finished second out of 138 pairs from nine participating clubs.

A team representing Stansfield finished a highly creditable third in the Suffolk Teams of 8.

The event, contested by a dozen clubs across the county, was won conclusively by Ipswich & Kesgrave. Near neighbours Clare were runners-up ahead of Stansfield. Bury St Edmunds were third and Colchester A fourth. To see results in full click on TEAMS8.

"It doesn't matter how many times you shake the bottle, the cream will always rise to the top," is a favourite saying of one Stansfield player - and so it proved in the Handicap Pairs on Sunday.

Despite having to give a percentage start - double figures in some cases - to most of the field, Roger Timmins & Sue Wilcox from Balsham bridge club underlined they are a class act as they strolled to victory in the second running of the competition.

The pair (picutred left) finished with the best gross score 12 months ago but went one better this time by also landing the handicap prize.. Their gross score was 10% ahead David & Maura Green (centre photo) in second, and Chris & Paul Rickard (right photo). And after the handicap calculations, they were still top , ahead of Babs Bacon & Christine Cooke, the Rickards and Lorna Ward & Mary Rix, from the home club. Click on RESULTS to see all the scores.

The winners won a new Handicap Pairs trophy, very kindly donated by last year's winners, Kathy Rose & Penny Easting, an I Would Rather Be Playing Bridge At Stansfield mug, and £50 each.

The handicap format of the competition not only resulted in 17 tables from far and wide, but it attracted numerous players who normally sidestep competition bridge outisde their home clubs.

Next year's renewal of the Stansfield Handicap Pairs will be on Sunday 27 October 2019 (11am start).

Gordon Rainsford (left) and Jerry Cope (right), the General Manager and Treasurer of the EBU, were winners in more ways than one when they visited Stansfield bridge club.

In addition to receiving a cheque for the proceeds from the sale of Dr Double prints, they ran out handsome winners of the bridge with a 70%+ score.

With 14 tables and half-time nibbles prepared by Gerry, it was a cracking Stansfield evening, which left the visitors suitably impressed.

Gordon thanked the club - and Rui in particular - for the £1,300 raised from the sale of Dr Double prints. The money will go towards the £60,000 required to send four England junior teams to the World Youth Championships later this year.

Click on EBU to read more

Brian Field made a farewell appearance at the club last Thursday before moving to Sussex this week - and he signed off in characteristic style by partnering Marcus to a ‘double’ victory.

Not only did they win overall, but they also finished top of the handicap.

In many ways, Brian is a classic example of the Stansfield 'system', having learnt the game at courses run by Richard before quickly proving himself a decent player. He represented Stansfield in the first and second teams; he was a regular in the club's golf-bridge matches - and very much part of the social side of the club.

He enjoyed success on club nights with a wide variety of partners, including those in the photos on the right. We wish him and his wife, Jennifer, very best wishes for the future.

To see the scores and boards played, click on the Latest Result tab at the top of the right hand column, or scroll down to Results.

The Stansfield quartet of Paddy, Gerry, Kathy and Penny excelled in the Swiss Teams at the Felixstowe Congress over the weekend.

They won the 'Non-Expert' prize which is awarded to the top placed team whose members are all below the rank of National Master.

Also deserving of a mention are Dave (Allen) & Paul (Maclachlan) who were runners-up in the Open Pairs on Saturday, and Maggie and Elizabeth, who were third equal in the Really Easy Pairs.

To see all the results for the weekend click on FELIXSTOWE which will take you to the Suffolk bridge website

AMENDED

RESULT

Two pairs forgot to arrowswitch for three boards (please report to the head teachers study immediately!) so the scores changed slightly. Gerry & Hazel still pipped Paddy & Richard, but Dave & Paul are now third.

However, as invariably happens, the finishing positions altered when the scores went into the national pool. Click on SIMS to see the overall results. Click on COMMENTARY to see how the boards should have been bid and played.

Click on the Latest Result tab above to see the club scores and boards or scroll down this column to Results and click on the relevant date.

Kathy & Penny landed the EBED Sims heat and thereby won for the second week running. Dave & Den were runners-up ahead of Paul & Bridget.

However, it was a VERY different outcome when the results went into the national pool! To find out click on SIMS

Click on COMMENTARY to see how the boards should have been played.

Click on the Latest Result tab above to see all the scores and boards played, or scroll down this column to Results and click on the relevant date.

Back in March, the club hosted a Charity Challenge Pairs evening in aid of the RNLI - and this is the result.

The event was organised by Anna Gudge & Mark Newton who run the ECatsBridge Team (they arrange the popular 'China Sims' events) and on Tuesday they handed over a sizeable cheque.

Anna said: "We went across to the Kirkwall Lifeboat Station and presented them with a cheque for £5,659.45 to go to the main RNLI funds. I am sure you will recall that this was in memory of Mark’s brother Geof who died so suddenly and unexpectedly last year. We were very touched that the crew turned out in force for us to present them with the cheque as you can see from the attached picture, and they have sent out a press release about it which you can find if you click here

"The crew had already been out in the morning, to bring a sailing boat that had got into trouble safely back to harbour and were heading out on exercise shortly after our visit. Lovely people, incredibly brave … it made it all very personal if you know what I mean. 

"So – it is now to us to thank you, your committee and all of your members who donated – please thank them for us. We are doing it all over again next year – again for RNLI – and do hope that you will join us again.”

Computer fails to dampen Suffolk Day spirit

A great turn-out for Suffolk Day bridge with the theme of locally produced food during the half time break and wines and beers made in the county.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves apart from the computer who threw a hissy fit (during the break, funnily enough) and spent the rest of the evening and the early hours uploading software updates...

However, all's well that ends well and the laptop recovered the missing scores from the Bridgemate server on Friday morning and produced two sets of winners, of whom more in  a moment.

But first a word about the Handicap, which came into its own for this event. As most of you know, each player has a handicap (rather like golf or horse racing) based on their playing record, expressed by their EBU national grade. That means every pair has a genuine chance of success, as the weaker or less experienced pairs receive a percentage start from the stronger combinations. 

So, many congratulations to Lesley & Carolynn, who topped the Handicap ahead of Dulce & Hazel and Peter & Martyn who were third.

And very well done to John & Jackie who won overall from Tony & Sue, with Hazel & Dulce in third. Both winning Pairs will receive a bottle of top of  the range sparkling wine made by the Gifford Hall vineyard at Hartest.

Lastly, a huge thank you to Patricia & Richard L for all their work producing the nibbles (and who finished an excellent fifth in the handicap)

To see all the scores and boards click on the Latest Result tab above - then click on Handicap to see the handicap result - or scroll down the right hand column to Results and click on the relevant date. 

Tony & Sue won from Bridget & Richard, with John & Celia in third spot.

However, the handicap scores told a very different story with Jilly & Fi, two original members of the club, taking the honours from Peter & Mary and, following an overnight amendment to a score, Jean & Sue in third place.

Click on the Latest Result tab above to see all the scores and boards played, or scroll down this column to Results and click on the relevant date.

A friendly teams of eight match between Stansfield and Clare for the Poslingford Plate is set to become an annual fixture following the inaugural match on Thursday.

John Symons came up with idea of the contest, with both teams consisting of players who had not represented their club in the Suffolk Summer League teams of eight last year.

At half time, Clare led narrowly by 54 IMPs to 49 and in the second half they extended their advantage to 119-108.

Congratulations to Paddy & Tony (plus Gerry and Rosemarie Mascall) who won the Huy Teams Trophy down the road at Clare bridge club.

• 

  By popular demand: Beef a la Gerry
• 

  English summer scene
• 

  Who is this style icon?
• 

  Pauline, Jane, Jo & Jackie
• 

  Trevor, Tony, Paul & Sheila
• 

  Founder members: Jo, Jilly & Wendy
• 

  Pauline, Liz & Nancy
• 

  Sue, Susan & Jean
• 

  Peter & Tony
• 

  Den & Dave
• 

  Martyn, Peter, John & Peter
• 

  Chris & Paul
• 

  Bar team: Richard & Keith
• 

  Ian & Peter
• 

  Eyes down!
• 

  The serious stuff...
• 

  Elizabeth & Will
• 

  Tony & Mo
• 

  The 66..give or take
• 

  In your dreams

The annual summer party on Thursday lived up to expectations with a fabulous outdoor supper followed by bridge. The event attracted 66 members who tucked into Gerry’s famous roast beef, poached salmon, a host of salads, followed by pudding and cheese.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed and helped make the party such a fun occasion.

A team captained by Chris has won the 2018 Suffolk Winter League division two title - somewhat fortuitously

After winning three and drawing another of their five matches, they qualified for the semi-final play-offs which they won...when Lady Luck showed her hand.

The other semi-final failed to take place when one team withdrew and due to a host of reasons, including illness, the 'winners' of that semi-final graciously conceded the final to Team Hollingsworth. In 2019 they will play in the Premier Division.

The teams of four event is open to any group of players. Matches are usually played in the home of one of the participants. There are currently three divisions - Premier, Division 2 South and Division 2 North. Why not get a team together for 2019?

Why club needs your personal data

New data protection regulations coming into force on May 25 will impact on bridge clubs.

In order to comply with the new law, Stansfield has drawn up a Privacy Notice which explains what personal data the club collects, how it is stored, what we do with it and much more besides  – including what to do if you wish to have some or all of your data removed.

In essence, Stansfield collects the data because it is in the club’s ‘legitimate interest’ to do so - in order to enable the club to function effectively.

If you click on Privacy Notice you can read the full document which will remain on the club website. A hard copy is also available on the club notice board.

Many thanks to Keith, the club’s membership secretary, and Gordon Rainsford at the EBU for helping to steer the club through this regulatory minefield.

£1,200 raised by 'Dr Double' - so far

'Dr Double' has raised £1,200 for the England junior teams who are competing at the World Youth Championships in China later this year.

Demand for the evocative print by Stansfield bridge club member Rui Paes has soared since 'Dr Double' featured on the front cover of English Bridge and the EBUs offical magazine urged members to support this 'great initiative.'

A raffle at the Stansfield's New Year party raised £200. A further £100 has been contributed from club funds and all the profits from the sale of prints are going to support the junior teams who need to raise £60,000 to cover the costs of the China trip.

MONEY RAISED: £1,289

(excluding £200 of SCBA matched funding)

To order a copy of the print (£25 + p&p) click on DR DOUBLE

Keith has agreed to become the club's membership secretary. Many thanks to Paul who has been doing the job and is now stepping down from the committee.

The full committee is Pauline, Sheila, Denise, Tony, Keith and the two Richards (Langridge & Evans).

Paul & Dave recorded the highest score in the Suffolk Pairs championship semi-final on Friday and will now take part in the final contested by 24 pairs in April - when they will be joined by Bridget & Paul and John & Richard.

More than 40 members and visitors enjoyed another of Gerry's spectacular lunches - the main course of coq au vin was voted his best ever dish by some connoisseurs - before settling down to bridge. A seven table duplicate in the main room and even more players at Learn & Play in the Green Room next door.

Many thanks, once again, to Gerry for one of the highlights in the club calendar.

The duplicate was won in emphatic style by Dulce & Nigel from Paddy & Richard and Claire & Sarah in third spot.

To see all the scores and boards played click on the Latest Result tab above or scroll down this column to Results and click on the relevant date.

For the second year running, Stansfield's first team has avoided relegation from division one of the Suffolk Summer League - this time by the narrowest possible margin.

The escape from demotion came after Stansfield scored 161 Victory Points during their five matches - while Woodbridge scored 160 VPs and therefore will be in division two in 2018.

All of which means Stansfield surivies to play for the third consecutive season against the best clubs in the county next summer. Doubtless it will be involved in another titantic Houdini style battle to avoid relegation

Three pairs of Stansfield members were in the limelight at the Felixstowe Congress, Suffolk's signature event of the year.

Taking pride of place were Bridget & Paul in the pairs events on the Saturday. After qualifying for the Pairs Championship final, they finished an excellent seventh and won the prize for the best performance by a pair below the rank of National Master.

Richard & John did not cover themselves in glory in the Pairs qualifier but they made up for their inauspicious start by winning one of the two consolation events, the Felixstowe Congress Pairs Shield, for the second time in three years.

And on the Sunday, fresh from a week's bridge course in Scotland, Jackie & Jane finished an excellent fourth in the Really Easy Pairs, which is contested by Improvers.

Players from Hitchin, Cambridge, Saffron Walden, Woodbridge, Felixstowe, Colchester, Bury St Edmunds and Framlingham joined a strong local contingent for the Stansfield bridge club 10th Anniversary Handicap Pairs.

In total, 68 players enjoyed 34 boards and were done and dusted by 4.30pm following an 11am kick off.

Handicap events, which give all participants a theoretically equal chance of winning, are rare in the bridge world. Each pair either receives or gives a percentage start to other partnerships with handicaps based on their EBU playing record. Some players were receiving - or giving - an 8.5% start.

In a tight finish, Roger Timmins and Sue Willcox recorded the best gross percentage of 62.41% but Kathy Rose and Penny Easting, who became Stansfield members recently and had a gross score of 61.12%, leapfrogged them to take the main Handicap 1st prize of £100 because of the 1.5% handicap difference between the two pairs.

Pictured (top) are all the winners who shared £300 in prize money. The photo below shows Roger & Sue and Kathy & Penny in the foreground, with their 'I Would Rather Play Bridge at Stansfield' china mugs.

The event appears to have been well received and the club committee will consider a repeat in 2018. To see all the scores and boards played please click on RESULTS   (To see the Handicap result click on the Handicap tab)

The annual Stansfield golf-bridge day took place at Newton Green and 'I Would Rather Play Bridge at Stansfield' mugs were presented to the winners - Richard, Sheila, Martyn & Peter.

A dozen players took part and after a rain curtailed round of 15 holes, they enjoyed a fish & chip lunch before settling down to some far from serious bridge. Many thanks to Paul for arranging the event.

Richard & Mary prevailed from Sue & Tony, while Jason and Jo shared third spot with Jackie & Jane (below) who were the handicap winners.

To see all the scores click on the Latest Result tab and then click on Handicap to see the handicapped result

With great sadness, we must report that Annette Hynd, a long standing club member who loved social bridge, died on Monday afternoon.

Annette did not take up the game until her mid 70s but true to character she threw herself into the task of learning the ins and outs of bidding and playing (at the same time as she was learning German!) More recently, she was among the first to join the Learn & Play sessions on Wednesday afternoons.

In the 1950s and 60s Annette (Page) was a leading ballerina who danced all the great classical and romantic roles, ususally partnered by her husband, Ronald Hynd, to whom we extend our sympathies.

'Hermann,' as the dastardly duplimate machine is affectionately called by some members, surpassed himself recently with a hand that defies description - not to mention bidding.

Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say 'Son of Hermann'...because the machine which produces all the boards for club nights had its first ever software upload only days ago which changed the all-important hand generating process. And if Thursday is anything to go by, 'Son of Hermann' could prove even more of a handful than his predecessor.

Needless to say, Board 1 confused and amused in equal measure and ended up with Declarer playing some impossible (doubled) contracts, none of which made!

I guess it's pretty well known that I'm not often lost for words but your amazing generosity left me speechless!  

Thank you all for your very kind contributions to our lovely presents: vouchers for The Crown and Castle, Orford - our favourite haunt - and garden tokens. Who knew I am planning to plant the back border?

Richard and I were so proud of Stansfield bridge club and its members last night. The club is what we wanted it to be: a welcoming place of fun and laughter, where lasting friendships could be made, and bridge played.

A huge thank you from us to you.

Mary x
PS The enormous bouquet of flowers is gorgeous and perfectly chosen for our sitting room.

It was a night of laughter, kicked off by The Great Ode.* A fitting way, perhaps, for a bridge club which does not take life too seriously to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

A total of 76 players overcame traffic delays caused by an unexpected road closure in neighbourning Denston and a white van going into a ditch elsewhere to attend the special event,  - including a dozen intrepid souls who attended the club's first night back on 6 September 2007.

A spectacular supper of salmon, Gerry's trademark roast beef and a host of salads, followed by scrumptious puddings were the precurser to The Great Ode. Created specially for the occasion and delivered with masterful aplomb by the club's very own Pam Ayres (well, sort of) - Richard Langridge - it brought the house down.

The Secret Is Out: How To Cook Gerry's Beef - click on COOK

The other Richard recalled how the club started and thanked those who had been influential in developing Stansfield so it now met three times a week and offered bridge to cater for all tastes.  

Above all, the success of Stansfield was down to its members.  But he said there was a thin line between a thriving and a struggling bridge club. "Use it - let's not lose it."

And then it was bridge - 18 tables of duplicate and one of Chicago - and a rising level of chatter and laughter... 

Quite a night (which ended with everyone receiving an 'I Would Rather Play Bridge at Stansfield' mug) - and a huge thank you to Pauline and everyone who made it such a success.

* The Ode, together with other photos from the evening, can be seen by clicking on party

'Nibbles' money up to £15

The boost to the club's finance from Learn & Play has resulted in the money given to club members for providing 'nibbles' on a Thursday evening being raised to £15.

The increase follows the decision to reduce Table money on Tuesdays from £2.50p to £2 and so come into line with the charge on Thursdays.

In addition, the cost of Simultaneous Pairs has been cut. The EBU currently charges about £2.70p per player. Add on table money and the club has been charging £5 per person. That will come down to £4.

The committee very much hopes these changes will be permanent but it does depend on the level of support from members, particularly on Tuesday evenings...

Learn & Play every Wednesday afternoon has been going for 22 weeks now and its positive impact is boosting the club in a number of ways.

The sessions have atttracted more than 100 different players during that time and there has been a consistent average of between eight and nine tables each week.

Learn & Play is achieving its objective of reaching out to three distinct groups: Beginners who are understandably nervous about steppping into a bridge club but discover their fears are unfounded as they practice and receive help from the three or four teachers who are present: Social players who have no wish to play duplicate but thoroughly enjoy bridge with their friends and receiving supervision where required - and Improvers who are using the afternoons as a stepping stone to playing at the club on Thursday evenings.

Half a dozen Improvers have already dipped their toe into Thursday evenings - including two pairs who finished second and fifith on their first appearance - and vowed to return. These players, and other Improvers, are hugely important for any bridge club and should help to underpin Stansfield's future.

In addition, there have been two unintended consequences. The first is financial with the £5 a head helping to swell the club coffers, which in turn (as you can see below) is benefitting all members.

Secondly, the afternoon has unearthed some spectacularly good bakers of cakes whose scrumptious offerings have to be tasted to be believed!

Pauline and Jackie have completed the EBU teachers course so they, together with Brian, can help those who attend. A very big thank you to all three of them - and Jacque who masterminds the teas.

'Really Easy' winners at the seaside

Peter and Andy pulled off a remarkable triumph at Suffolk's flagship bridge competition in Felixstowe.

The Stansfield duo won the Really Easy event, which is aimed at less experienced players in the county - but it was anything but 'really easy.' After 18 boards, they finished less than a percentage point ahead of their nearest rivals, with Sue Cooper and Carol Durston back in third.

The winners deserve huge credit for their performance, less than three years after they started learning the basics of the game and achieved in the highly competitive - and probably rather nerve wracking - atmosphere of a room filled with more than 100 of the region's leading players.

To see the results please click on PETER&ANDY

Pipped by the narrowest margin!

Not for the first time, Stansfield punched well above its weight when finishing runners-up in the Suffolk Teams of Four at Colchester over the weekend.

After playing eight five-board matches against other clubs around the county, a gnat's whisker (one Victory Point) separated Woodbridge, the winners, and the Stansfield quartet of Bridget & Paul and Celia & Richard. Colchester were just 1 VP back in third.

To see the full results please click on SUFFOLK TEAMS OF 4

At the club's Annual General Meeting, the following were elected to the committee: Pauline, Sheila, Tony, Paul, Denise and two Richards. (Langridge and Evans). To see a report of the meeting please click on AGM

STANSFIELD posted another fine performance in the Suffollk Club Teams of 8 - finishing fourth out of 10 teams who took part in the event at Colchester on Sunday.

The club side - Joan & Keith, Gerry & Paul (MacLachlan), Celia & John, Richard & Paul (Flavell) - were fourth half way through the 36 boards and maintained that position at the end, behind Colchester, Ipswich & Kesgrave and Ipswich Hospitals. To see the full results please click on TEAMS OF 8

Richard won the Bob Lawton Trophy for the Friday Teams at the Norfolk Congress over the weekend together with Peter Bushby, Karen Blacklock and Trish Foster. He and Peter were also runners-up in the Men's Pairs and third in the Consolation Pairs - won by Jan H-D and Rosemarie Mascall.

Cheers, Gerry!

Bridge's master chef signs off - but daughter Emily is set to take over winter lunches

Gerry cooked his final bridge lunch at Stansfield recently - and was rewarded with a record turnout of 49 players who enjoyed his delicious two course meal.

His inspired idea back in 2013 to offer a couple of professionally prepared lunches with wine each winter before bridge in the afternoon has been one of the highlights of Stansfield bridge club. 

Although he is stepping down, Gerry has suggested that his daughter, Emily, also a professional cook could take over.

In addition to a nine table duplicate, there were six tables in the Learn & Play section.

'The Bell' - Stansfield's unofficial club championship - was won on Sunday by David & Cleo. In a tight finish, they pipped Mary & Richard and Joan & Keith, while John & Celia and Nancy & Paul shared fourth spot.

The 26-board event was the first of the club's 10th anniversary celebrations and included a fabulous tea produced by Esme. To see the scores and boards played click on the 'Latest Result' tab at the top of the right hand column.

Helen, chairman of Bury St Edmunds bridge club, partnered Maria to victory. They finished ahead of Gerry & Jan who just pipped Will & Angie in third. To see all the scores and boards click on the Latest Result tab above or scroll down this column to Results and click on the relevant date.

And Marcus continued the excellent run by Stansfield players, when he finished runner-up in the Jyl Marsh Individual competition staged at Framlingham on Sunday.

Bridget & Paul scored a terrific victory on Friday when they won the Suffolk Championship Pairs semi-final, which was contested by 88 players from across the county. They will now take part in the final in April, together with Joan & Keith who qualified after finishing an excellent 11th=

David & Cleo recorded an excellent score in the first heat of the 'China Sims' - the World Wide Bridge Contest - on Tuesday but sadly it will not be sufficient to emulate Joan & Keith and get them to China. Paul & Bridget were second and John & Joyce were third.

To see where you finished worldwide, click on SIMS.

There is another chance to book your ticket to Beijing when the club hosts a second heat on Thursday 27 April.

To see all the scores and boards, please click on the Latest Result tab above or scroll down this column to Results and click on the relevant date.

WOW! 14 tables for Learn & Play

The first Learn & Play afternoon exceeded all expectations when 56 players descended on Stansfield village hall on Wednesday.

They came from far and wide and included members of the target groups for which the new sessions were designed - beginners & improvers, players who prefer a social game of bridge to duplicate and those for whom afternoon bridge holds more appeal.

Learn & Play will take place every Wednesday afternoon starting at 2pm and, following a break for tea finish about 4.30pm. Some of the afternoons will be themed to cover special topics - including this Wednesday which will concentrate on No-Trump bidding and play. Many thanks to Jackie, Pauline and Brian who assisted Richard with the supervision.

A great turn out for the Christmas party and some crazy bridge followed a wonderful feast. On four hands the dealer had to bid 1NT, no-one could bid spades, the bidding and play were anti-clockwise - and dummy played his hand!

The winners of the handicap event were Irene & Peter from John & Denise in second and Richard & Lorna in third.

To see all the results and boards played, please click on the Latest Result tab above or scroll down to the results column below and click on the relevant date

Weather fails to dampen party spirit

Although the sun failed for once to shine on the club's annual summer party, more than 60 members enjoyed a cracking evening.

A welcoming glass of Pimms was followed by a fabulous supper, spearheaded by poached salmon and Gerry's trademark rare beef, delicious salads, and a wonderful array of puddings and cheese and biscuits.

After Richard outlined plans for the club's 10th anniversary celebrations next year, the 'serious' business began with a 14 table, two section duplicate, and a table playing Chicago.

Hot on the heels of leading the club's second team to victory the previous evening, Joan & Keith showed they are in fine form ahead of their forthcoming bridge adventure in China by coming out top.

A huge thank you to everyone who made the evening such a success, particularly Pauline and Sheila.

Stansfield pair win prizemoney in World Wide Bridge final but they had to play a different system - on computers!

Keith and Joan arrived safely in China and played in the final of the World Wide Bridge Contest at the weekend for prizemoney of $20,000.

Despite having to play an unfamiliar system - 5-card Majors, a strong No Trump and Transfers - in addition to playing online rather than at a bridge table, they did incredibly well to end the first day in seventh spot. However, Sunday proved something of a 'disaster' according to Joan and at the end of 95 boards they slipped to 19th place.

"The top was 54% and we got 45%, so we did not feel that we were below the standard despite having to change our bidding system," Joan added.

For good measure, they also featured live on Bridge Base Online view graph in real time.

Bridget & Paul recorded a cracking 73%+ score in the local heat of the Suffolk Sims to win handsomely from Gerry & Paul, with Susan & Hazel in third spot.

They finished third overall in the county wide event while Pauline & Sheila were seventh and Paul & Gerry were eighth. A great effort!

Other clubs taking part included Abbeygate, Clare, Deben, Framlingam, Frinton, Ipswich Hosptials and Woodbridge. To see the county wide results please click on SIMS 

To see how the hands should have been bid and played please click on COMMENTARY

To see all the scores and boards played please click on the Latest Result tab above right or scroll down the right hand column to the results section and click on the relevant date.

Paul & Richard teamed up on Sunday to win the first county event of the new season, the AGM pairs.

Stansfield players excel in EBU Master Point ranking lists for last year

Every year the English Bridge Union produces a ranking list of Master Points accumulated by players of all abilities - and Stansfield members were among the standout performers in Suffolk during 2015.

Players are ranked in about two dozen different categories ranging from local master all the way up to premier grand master, and a breakdown is produced for every county. Suffolk has more than 1000 players affiliated to the EBU. Among the club's top performers were:

District Master: Bridget 1st with 4302 MPs; Susan 3rd with 2106 MPs. County Master: Jackie 1st with 2894 MPs. Master: Cleopatra 1st with 4302 MPs; John 2nd with 3996 MPs; Chris 4th with 2970 MPs. Area Master: Brian 2nd with 673 MPs. Star Master: Paul 2nd with 4177 MPs. Star Regional Master: Richard 1st with 7018 MPs.

To see your ranking and those for all Suffolk players please click on EBU MPs

Night of the Stars produces Stars of the Night in abundance

Stansfield members surpassed themselves at - and away from - the bridge table during the Night of the Stars charity evening held recently.

The annual event was supported by 50 members who supplied a wonderful array of prizes for a raffle which raised £285. In addition table money of £100 will go to four charities supported by evening - the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, Alzeimer's Research UK and React. The club has rounded up the total and sent £400 to the charity organisers.

The evening produced a fairytale finish with Bridget & Paul somehow amassing a score of 81%! Imagine how Mo & Fred must have felt. They scored 70% - to finish second...

A huge thank you is also due to Rani & Tony who produced the most delicious spread of nibbles - and generously donated their nibbles money to the total which will be sent to the national organisers of Night of the Stars.

The event is bridge's big charity fund raiser with the stars of the game in London playing a set of boards distributed to Stansfield and other clubs.

You can see how the boards should have been bid and played by clicking on NIGHT OF THE STARS but Bridget & Paul may not learn too much...

To see how the 'Stars' and their partners fared in London click on NATIONAL LEADER BOARD and then click on 'Results' in the right hand column.

Will 70+% score get Joan & Keith to China?

YES IT WILL!!

Joan & Keith have been invited to take part in the final of the 2016 World Wide Bridge Contest in Beijing, where US$20,000 prize money will be on offer.

The Stansfield stalwarts won the chance to play in China when they recorded a fantastic 70%+ score at a qualifying heat staged by the club on a regular Thursday night in April. The entry fee was £1.50p!

Thousands of pairs around the globe took part in six qualifying heats staged in April, May and June, with players in each heat tackling the same set of boards.

Only British pair to qualify

Although Joan & Keith finished second out of 555 pairs from 18 different countries who took part in the heat arranged by the club, they qualified for the final by virtue of having one of the highest runners-up scores during the competition.

They are the only pair from Britain to qualify for the final.

Thirteen pairs outside China have qualified for the three day event in September. They will be joined in Beijing by seven pairs from the host country.

To read more about their fantastic achievement please click on JOAN & KEITH 

Their success is also featured on the EBU website. Click on EBU to read.

* Population of Stansfield: 221. Population of Beijing: 21,000,000.

Stansfield (once famously described as being '14 miles from anywhere') is 5,003 miles from Beijing.

AFTER months of studying and preparation, Jackie qualified recently as a county Director.

She passed a rigorous examination run by the English Bridge Union in Coventry and is now one of only a small handful of county Directors in Suffolk.

Richard, the club chairman, said: "The amount of work Jackie had to put in to prepare for the examination at the weekend was phenomenal. Stansfield - and Suffolk - is fortunate to have such a well qualified and charming Director to run events."

The bridge club's finances are in robust order and membership is at a record level, the AGM was told last week.

The chairman also outlined the vital importance of encouraging improvers and inexperienced players on a Thursday night - and offered to partner any member on those evenings throughout 2016.

For more details and to read the minutes, please click on AGM

The concluding Bridge & Tea of the winter was won in emphatic style by Jacque & Hazel from Rosie & Penny and Pauline & Sheila who shared the runners-up spot.

To see the scores and boards played, please click on the Latest Result tab above or scroll down this column to Results and click on the relevant date.

Another fantastic lunch prepared by Gerry was enjoyed by 38 people, including members of the Suffolk Contract Bridge Association who earlier held a committee meeting at the club.

Following lunch, there were nine tables of bridge: seven playing a 24-board duplicate and two of Chicago, overseen by top county player Chris Chambers, who offered Improvers expert advice and supervision.The duplicate was won by Richard & Susan, ahead of Angie & Will and, following a correction due to a set of three boards played the wrong way round, Bridget & Stella were third.

Researchers at the University of Queensland have published a study in the online medical journal BMJ which concludes that being a member of clubs and social groups - such as a bridge club - after retirement reduces your risk of premature death. To read more click on TRUMP THE GRIM REAPER

The organiser of Night of the Stars, bridge's big charity fundraiser, has written to the club thanking it for raising £400. To read the letter please click on NIGHTOFTHESTARS

Three pairs from Stansfield filled the top six places in the Suffolk Sims Pairs played recently by clubs across the county.

At Stansfield, Cleopatra & Gerry posted a terrific 70%+ score to finish ahead of Richard & Mary and Paul & Bridget. However, as often happens, that all changed when the results went into the Suffolk wide pool. Paul & Bridget finished third, Cleopatra & Gerry were fifth and Richard & Mary were sixth out of the 126 pairs who took part.

To see the club results and the boards played, please click on STANSFIELD RESULT.  To see the county wide results please click on SUFFOLK SIMS

GERRY produced a fabulous lunch for 36 players recently - and then proceeded to win the bridge that followed in partnership with Jan.

It is the second successive time the masterchef has landed the spoils after cooking a superb two course lunch for club members.

Delicious melt-in-your-mouth baked ham, Dauphinoise potatoes, red cabbage and carrots were followed by scrummy ginger and pear pudding and cream. Half way through the afternoon bridge players stopped for tea and biscuits.

To see the bridge results and boards played, scroll down the right hand column and click on the relevant date under Results.

To reserve your place for his next lunch on Wednesday 17 February please click on GERRY'S FEBRUARY LUNCH

Sixty two members enjoyed a Christmas party which lived up to its sparkling billing in December.

A sensational spread of savoury and dessert canapés prepared by the master chefs within the club proved a terrific hit - thank you Carolynn, Gerry, Lesley, Peter, (Dave's wife) Sarah, John, Pauline and Mary. And being Stansfield, members availed themselves of the sparkling refreshment on offer.

However, when it came to the bridge it was two 'visitors' who caused the fireworks in the shape of James Bond and Andrew Robson.

A (fixed!) hand played by 007 against the evil villain Drax in Moonraker in which Bond made a grand slam with just 8 points appeared as Board 11. Not to be outdone by the man from MI6, a grand slam hand with just 5 points devised by Andrew Robson featured in board 2! To see how you can make the slams please click on 007

If they were not sufficient to cause a few palpitations, a particularly nasty 1NT hand in which the opposition held a majority of the points and all the right cards in the right places tested the best! And then there were prizes galore for 'bingo' bridge, winning a trick with a 2, finishing top of the handicap at full time....

A huge thank you to Pauline who was the mastermind behind the revamped Christmas party and to Sheila and other members of the committee who helped her make it a sparkling reality.

The bridge was won by Fred & Mo. To see all the scores and boards please click on the Latest Result tab at the top of right hand column.

A similar comparison of average individual percentages achieved on Thursday evenings duriung 2015, compared to 12 months earlier, reveals those whose game is very much on the upgrade.

Topping the list is Sheila whose average percentage increased by a 6.93%. What makes her achivement all the more remarkable is that she played on 47 Thursdays.  Next best indivdual improver was Simon (+5.71%) followed by Paddy (+4.9%). Others who did particularly well are Nigel (+3.65%), Brian (+3.3%), and Penny (+3.23%).

Of course, it takes two to tango, and Penny & Patricia clicked as a partnership in 2015.They were the most improved pair - up 9.1%! - ahead of Bridget & Paul (+6.14%) who have developed into a formidable partnership. Other pairs to show improved form included Chris & Richard (+5.36%), Doris & Paddy (+4.32%) and Brian & Jackie (+3.92%)

Gerry's recipe for success in 2015

Gerry served up some delights in 2015 - including at the bridge table.

The club's renowned master chef showed he is not just a whizz in the kitchen by being the most improved individual player on Tuesday evenings in 2015.

His average percentage increased by a whopping 6.65% compared to the previous 12 months. Bridget (+5.35%) and Tony (+3.52%) were the other two big improvers and they both enjoyed higher placings with their partners.

Tony & Peter were the most improved pair (+3.78%) while Bridget & Paul were 2.80% up on 2014. As with the analysis for Thursday evenings (see below), a minimum of 10 appearances during the year was required.

Everything is relative - even in bridge.

Celia, Richard, Cleo and Conor played at the weekend in the Hertfordshire and Essex congress and such was the exalted level of player ability on show they were deemed to be 'non-experts'

The event took place in the wonderful surroundings of Haileybury School and the Stansfield four were the leading 'non-expert' team in the Swiss Teams on Sunday.

John & Richard were among the prizes at the Felixstowe Congress over the weekend. The Stansfield duo won the Suffolk Coastal Shield with a score of 61% on Saturday at the county's premier event.

'THE BEAST' - otherwise known as our beloved duplimate machine - has produced more than its fair share of 'interesting' hands over the last few years.

But it excelled itself on Thursday with board 6, whose North hand included two voids.

I am not sure if there is a scientific way of reaching a small slam, but three pairs managed to get there - with a top going to the couple who ended up in 6♠ redoubled, and proceeded to make 12 tricks! Funny old game....

Sun smiles on party once again...

The bridge club has staged a summer party every year since 2008 and all bar one have been blessed with the most fantastic weather.

This year was no exception as clear skies and warm temperatures meant 58 members could enjoy the fabulous food on offer outside in the sunshine, before tackling the challenge offered by 21 boards.

Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the wonderful spread and the team, led by Pauline, who helped make the evening such a success - including Louis, son of Dave, who did so much of the setting up and clearing away.

Easy as 1-2-3...

A remarkable week for Stansfield ended with three pairs from the club finishing 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd in the Suffolk Club Players Championship on Sunday.

Bridget & Paul were the victors and had plenty to spare over Cleopatra & Marcus in second, with Jackie & Susan in third.

Following the success of the club's first team against Ipswich 72 hours earlier, the clean sweep in the county event proved we must be doing something right...To see the full results and boards played please click on CPC

Richard and his team mates finished third in the Senior Swiss Teams at the Brighton Congress.

The event, played over two days, attracted 42 teams and included a number of players who have represented their country.

Richard, partnering Suzanne Gill, chairman of the Norfolk bridge association, put their names on a list for those wishing to take part in the competition and teamed up with Sue Lane and Marian Wilcox from Worcestershire. They won six of their eight matches.

To see the full result please click on BRIGHTON

Conor & Paul pulled off a great triumph on Sunday when winning the Ipswich Swiss Pairs.

The Stansfield pair did it the hard way - leading after the first of seven 6-board matches and staying out in front for the rest of the day.

They won six of their seven matches and halved the other one with the runners-up. A tremendous performance in an event which attracted 32 pairs, including a host of county players.

To see the full results please click on SWISS PAIRS

STANSFIELD'S FINEST HOUR

A Stansfield team produced the best performance in the seven year history of the club recently when finishing runners-up in the Suffolk Club Teams of 8.

Playing against sides packed with county players, Stansfield punched far above its weight to split Colchester, the winners, and third placed Ipswich - with Clare equal fourth. Nine teams, representing clubs across the county, took part.

Heartiest congratulations to Cleo and Marcus (who was making his debut in such exalted company), Paul and Allyn, Susan and Jackie, and Celia and Richard.

GORDON had every reason to celebrate at the bridge club on a recent Thursday.

Not only was it his 50th birthday, but he also stepped down from the club committee after four years as membership secretary during which time numbers doubled to about 130.

After a hearty rendition of Happy Birthday at the start of proceedings, Wendy produced a surprise chocolate birthday cake at the half time interval.

Earlier the club AGM passed off smoothly. Click on AGM minutes to see what was discussed. Andy has joined the committee and will take over the membership responsibilities. 

Afternoon bridge attracts large numbers

THE decision to 'trial' afternoon bridge has exceeded all expectations with 44 and 48 players attending the first two gatherings.

Some chose to play Rubber or Chicago; others opted for duplicate pairs. Everyone tucked in to a delicious selection of home made cakes and tea at half-time - including Peta, Angela and Lynda, pictured above.

What was particularly pleasing was the presence of a large number of players from Bury St Edmunds and local villages for whom evening bridge at the club on Tuesday or Thursday is inconvenient or not an option. Not having to drive in the dark at night is particularly appealing to some. 

Afternoon bridge takes place on the fourth Wednesday of the month and will resume in the autumn.

Joan & Keith are the real Stars as £400 is raised

ANDREW Robson, Zia, David Price et al - eat your heart out!

With a stunning score of 71%, Joan & Keith showed how it should be done as Stansfield joined the world's best players in A Night of the Stars on Thursday.

Playing the same hands as the cream of the bridge world faced in London, the club stalwarts powered to a famous success - finishing seven per cent clear of their nearest rivals. Their score was way better than the winning 65% tally achieved by the top players assembled in the capital.

The evening was particularly well supported with 13½ tables. A raffle with 20 prizes donated by members raised £221 and with table money of £3 per head, a total of £383 has been transferred to Night of the Stars and the four charities supported by the event - Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, Maggie's, Mencap and React.

Club president David Price produced a fascinating article about the Rule of 11, a copy of which went to every player on the night.

Club raises £250 for Nepal

THE generous spirit of Stansfield bridge club members resulted in £250 being raised for the Nepal earthquake appeal on Thursday night. Gift aiding the sum should mean more than £300 will go to victims of the disaster.

Elizabeth A-B suggested the club should contribute table money from the evening and members gave far more than £2 a head.

Contributions totalled just over £200 and that was rounded up to £250 from club funds. Thank you to everyone.

To see acknowledgement of the payment, sent to the Disasters Emergency Committee by Howard, please click on DEC

THE Stansfield Striders, including three local bridge players, completed the 100 kilometre walk from London to Brighton recently - and raised almost £4,500 for charity in the process.

Thirty one hours, 45 minutes and four seconds after Mary, Lucie, Leigh and Jane set off from the Old Deer Park in Richmond at day break on Saturday they reached their 'finishing line' at Brighton racecourse...exhausted but elated. Almost half of the 2000+ participants called it a day before the finish.

The final dozen kilometres included a steep climb up Ditchling Beacon, 600 feet above sea level, before descending to Brighton. No wonder they dubbed themselves 'Team Bonkers'.

STANSFIELD BEATS IPSWICH

No, you don't need to visit Specsavers...

The club's first team got off to an impossible-to-dream start in the first division of Suffolk's Summer League when they beat Ipswich & Kesgrave on Thursday evening.

The most unlikely of away victories on the club's return to the top flight was achieved by the narrow margin of 41-39. Congratulations to everyone - particularly Brian who was making his debut in such exalted company and rose to the occasion in partnership with Jackie.

Richard & Marion finished runners-up in the Suffolk Seniors Pairs which was contested by 27 pairs at Clare on Wednesday.

SUFFOLK CHAMPIONS!

STANSFIELD has won its first Suffolk inter-club league competition - at the first attempt.

Following a chance remark by John Symons in the spring, the club entered a team of eight for the Suffolk Summer League and after victories against Clare II, Stowmarket, Frinton and Framlingham opened up a handsome lead at the top of division two.

In theory, Woodbridge and Frinton could have caught Stansfield by beating Framlingham by a hefty margin, but after the final match on Tuesday, the club remained top.

Players who represented the club were John (Symons) and Tony, Cleo and Chris, Richard and Celia, Ian and Karen, Jackie and John (Bloomfield) Susan and Mary.

It is hoped the club will field two teams in the Summer League next year.

Jackie did not let a significant birthday stop her from enjoying bridge on Thursday when the club marked the occasion with a surprise cake and flowers. The Stansfield stalwart has contributed so much to the club since it was formed - as a secretary, director and leading player.

Jackie tops 2014 county league table

THE annual tables of Master Points awards have just been published and Jackie has received top billing!

She collected 2635 Master Points in 2014 - way more than anyone else in her grade, which includes club and district masters, in Suffolk.

To see a breakdown for Suffolk clubs click on MASTER POINTS

Organisers of the Night of the Stars have written to the club thanking us for the club's 'most impressive' contribution to the charity event.

To read the letter, click on THANK YOU

Jayne & Bridget won the duplicate from Tony & Howard, with Jacque & Hazel in third.

Afternoon bridge with tea takes place on the fourth Wednesday of the month. The next one is on June 24.

Please click on the Latest Result tab above to see all the scores and boards played, or scroll down to the Results section.

Cleopatra & Chris finished an excellent fifth in the Suffolk Pairs Championship Final staged at the weekend.

Congratulations to Paddy who finished an excellent fifth in the Suffolk Individual championship at Framlingham on Sunday. To see the full results click on INDIVIDUAL.

STANSFIELD regulars figured prominently in the semi-final of the Suffolk Championship Pairs staged at Kesgrave - filling three of the top 10 places.

Richard & Kevin were seventh, just ahead of Susan & Jackie in eighth and Chris & Cleo in 10th place. The event was won by club president David Price, partnered by his wife, Jenny.

Forty two pairs took part and the top 24 qualify for the final in April.

To see the full results click on SUFFOLK CHAMPIONSHIP