Congratulations to Bogdan Drobny and Paul Darby who won the Wendy Gee Charity Pairs in aid of Myeloma UK and took home the coveted rosebowl presented to the club by Wendy's husband Ron. Photo L-R ABC Chair Jane Scarfe, Bogdan and Paul.

There were six and a half tables - plus generous gifts from members unavailable to play - bringing the total donation to Myeloma UK to just over £150. All monies are going to the charity without deductions. Players included several welcome guests to the club and we look forward to seeing them again on future Thursday afternoons.

Thank you to everyone who supported the event in aid of a form of lesser known blood cancer. The charity was suggested by Jan Wells whose husband Alan is being treated for Myeloma.

The hunt is on for a gourmet thief who not only stole food from the Stafford Hall fridge last Thursday afternoon during the Wendy Gee charity bridge match but picked upon a delectable treat which Val Bobbins had stashed away to enjoy later.

It was one of Sainsbury's scrumptious millefeuille pastries which she almost tearfully described in mouthwatering detail. "There are layers of puff pastry and custard with icing sugar on top," she said. "I can't even go and buy another one as it was the last one there. I was looking forward to enjoying it when I got home."

The heinous crime took place between 1.30 and 4.30pm on Thursday 15 August. The pastry had disappeared leaving only the empty carton behind. Scotland Yard has been alerted and CCTV is being scrutinised. If you spotted anyone with custard round their mouth or a satisfied smirk on their face please notify the club immediately.

Steve Dannell and Paul Darby triumphed overall when ABC rounded up 11 full tables for its first blue-pointed face-to-face all day extravaganza since BC – Before Covid.

“What a really pleasant day it was,” said Paul. “It was lovely to see so many people supporting the event!”

Congratulations are also due to runners-up Mervyn Scutter and Bryony Seppings - and an extremely honorable mention for third-placed Val Bobbins and Jan Pooley.

Val fitted in playing bridge between organising a little light  lunchtime catering, grace of Mr Waitrose’s finest offerings and willing assistance on the day from daughter-in-law Amy.

“ It was just so lovely to see the room buzzing again and we had a great day”, said Val.

Amy recently suffered from breast cancer and, now she is in remission, gave a short talk about her fundraising for the charity Little Lifts, which provides boxes of morale-boosting treats for patients undergoing treatment.

Big thank you also to Graham Ware for directing and keeping the day running so smoothly and to Neil Tracey for sorting out the movement and keeping score.

And, she was far too modest to mention it, but biggest thank you of all to the usually unsung hero Barbara Baker who was the inspiration behind the event and, as all too often, did more than her fair share to make it happen!

They tried to cancel our Election Day bridge because the Costessey Centre Stafford Hall was needed as a polling station. No chance!

Martin and Jan Pooley galloped to the rescue and volunteered to host us at their beautiful home in Eaton. A big thank you from ABC for their hospitality. As you can see, it's smiling faces all round.

But let us just hope that everyone still remembered to vote!

It can all feel rather daunting.

Some of us, for whatever reason, didn't take to playing bridge online. With lockdown and shielding that might mean you haven't picked up a card for two years. 

We understand. And we hope we've come up with a solution to ease you back gently into the game we love. The ABC committee has members on standby to partner you and help you get your confidence back up again. It's like riding a bike. Give it a try and it will all come back to you - and we promise not to get impatient if it's a slow process!

Just go to the bottom right Find a Partner item on this page and say you need a Back to Bridge partner.