Summertown Bridge Club celebrated its 20 year anniversary in 2012, and we now reflect on how this initiative to have a friendly bridge club for younger players in Oxford has become the large, still friendly, successful club of which we all enjoy membership today!

Few of our current members will be acquainted with Chris and Doreen Onslow, who had 'played a bit of bridge at university' and wanted to improve upon this in a relaxed environment. At the time, Chris was the Manager of the former Douglas Bader Sports Centre and also the Head of Sport at St Edward's School, so the venue for a new club was no problem!

Eight people convened in the large exercise hall on the first floor of the sports centre in January 1992. They bought two tables and some playing cards and the only person at that first session, who is still a member of the club, was Sue Campbell (then Sue Anslow.) Sue played then, and for many years, with Stuart Coltman and other founder members who were present were Phil Blanchard, Henry (?) and an unusual French woman called Monique of "didn't I play zat well!" fame. Sue was appointed 'Chairman', Chris Onslow 'Treasurer' and Doreen 'Secretary!' None of them had much idea about bridge but all returned home full of good cheer and with no concept of what they had started.