| Coming up - forthcoming events |
British Summer SIM Pairs
Wednesday 24 July
Table money for members £5.00
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| President Sue |
 Boosting attendances at bridge clubs county-wide is the declared mission of Norfolk's new NCBA president Sue Hutchings. And, as you can see from the photo, she's enjoying every minute of it.
"I think they picked me because they thought I wouldn't be worried about standing up and talking," said Sue. "And I wouldn't need a megaphone!" (We couldn't possibly comment).
She's loving going round all the Norfolk clubs, affiliated or not, spreading the word and catching up with people she hasn't bumped into for a while. "And I particularly want to encourage more players who are new to club bridge."
Sue stressed how lucky we are in this area to have so many bridge teachers and sessions for learners, plus lots of county events at local clubs open to all EBU members.
Click here to view the Play Bridge in Norfolk section of the NCBA website for all the ways to get involved.
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| By Royal Command |
 Congratulations to ABC member David Hitcham whom the Queen has honoured with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to Aylsham Show and Holt Rugby Club.
David himself is typically self-deprecating about the recognition: "I am delighted, honoured and humbled," he said. "I know that there are so many other people out there who do just as much."
Apologies that the only photo I could lay my hands on in the club annals is this rather old one of him facing the camera at the bridge table. A testament, perhaps, to a man who says little but does a lot.
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| Make it to Worcester for Bridgefest 2020 |
 Remember you've heard how much fun ABC Away had on this year's weekend in Newbury? And how you are determined not to miss out next year?
Well Uber Party Planner Val Bobbins has just arranged our 2020 Bridgefest with Bridge Overseas. We will be staying at the Whitehouse Hotel, Worcester for three nights from 17 April 2020.
The cost is £254 per person for a double or twin room or £324 for single occupancy. These prices include a £15 group discount.
The hotel is right in the middle of the Cathedral city of Worcester, so all its delights are within walking distance. These apparently include Worcester Cathedral, the Tudor House, Worcester Porcelain Museum and Worcester Museum and Art Gallery. Not to mention good retail therapy, always an essential element of ABC Away. Click here to take a look at their website.
Not only that, you probably think you know other ABC members but get them away on holiday and you may be surprised!
I'm happy to do a FAPS for anyone who might like to go but needs a partner. Just let me know. Plus get in touch with Val. These holidays book up extremely quickly so act now to avoid disappointment.
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| Triumph in the Open Pairs Trophy |
 Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 ABC Open Pairs Trophy Val Bobbins and John Copson. They are pictured here - with Chris Cunnington on the left - being presented with the trophy and engaged glasses by NCBA President Sue Hutchings.
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| What happens in Newbury Stays in Newbury |
 Team ABC Away took on all comers at our annual jaunt which took place this year at the Doubletree by Hilton in Newbury North.
To say we covered ourselves in bridge glory would be a slight exaggeration, but Val Bobbins and John Copson managed a second place and Peter and Jan Pennington-Smith a third. The gossip won the trophy - but what happens on tour stays on tour. Val is already planning our 2020 extravaganza so you'll have to go if you want to know ...
Our star performance was reserved for the retail therapy when all ABC female followers of fashion swerved the Saturday seminar and headed into Newbury in a six-seater taxi. Word swiftly swept round the retail emporia that Norfolk was in town and Norfolk was spending and we were welcomed everywhere with wild enthusiasm.
If everyone looks jolly in the photo it might be because one particular hotel barman got a trifle confused and seemed to think that wine is served in glasses holding at least half a pint. Surprisingly no-one sought to disabuse him. (I confess by the time on Sunday night when I took that photo I was on the decaff tea instead but I'm a shocking lightweight).
Huge thanks as ever to Val for organising the bunfight and looking forward to next year.
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| ABC reigns supreme in Committee Cup |
 We are in celebratory mode after our A team scooped the NCBA's Committee Cup - triumphing against Norfolk's finest!
As Neil renamed the teams, here is a reminder of the victorious players:
A Team :
- Karen Blacklock and Bhadrinath Bindumadhava (Bhadri)
- Margaret Motch and Alan Hourd
- Val Bobbins and Dave Macro
- Masume Knevitt and Peter Walters
Congratulations to our A Team!
Our B team came second - but sadly that was second from bottom, despite putting up a good fight in the second half. Next year ...
But thanks are still due to the B team (below) for taking part, further raising ABC's profile and helping to make it such an enjoyable day.
B Team :
- Susan Falgate and Jane Scarfe
- Louise Ball and Sue Smith
- David Earl and Paul Gilbertson
- Myself and Carol Lippert
(And thank you to Barbara who took the photo and sorted out all the team names, so I hardly had to write any of this at all - Jane).
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| Play Bridge in Norfolk - or PBIN for short |
There's now one website where you can find all you need to know about playing bridge in Norfolk.
It's got info on everything from teaching in schools, U3A, fast track learning, individual tuition and clubs from easy starters to county level. Plus links to the EBU, NCBA and EBED and the low-down on the county's affiliated and non-affiliated clubs.
So, if you've just moved to Norfolk and are interested in learning bridge from scratch or improving or awakening your skills, you know where to go. PBIN's primary aim is to get more people playing in clubs - but their secondary objective is just encouraging more people to learn and play wherever! Tea and cake in the kitchen anyone?
Click here to find out all about it.
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| Team ABC in Allwood-Wharton Trophy Triumph |
Congratulations to our magnificent eight-strong team who were runners-up in the prestigious Allwood-Wharton trophy event by a considerable margin.
Our star performers were Christine Buchanan and Chris Cunnington, Lena Taylor and Nigel Block, Suzanne Gill and Bindumadhava Bhadrinath and Alan Hourd and Margaret Motch.
These impressive ABC performances are turning into a bit of a habit, following on the heels of our Committee Cup team's sucess in April, where we were also runners up.
Well done to one and all!
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| Teaming up for Wendy Gee and Cancer Research UK |
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Congratulations to Gillian Hall, Gary Putman, Eileen Townsend and Roger Amey who won the first ever Wendy Gee Memorial Bowl Teams event in aid of Cancer Research UK. The bdautiful cut glass bowl was a generous gift from Wendy's husband Ron, pictured presenting it to the winning team - who also received ABC glass paperweights to keep. Club Chairman Sarah Chamberlin is on the left.
Ron has himself recently learned to play bridge and observed with great interest at different tables during the afternoon - and promised that before too long he would himself be up to playing at ABC!
The Teams competition raised £160 for Cancer Research UK. The charity raises money to fund research, and also to support people with cancer through literature and a help-line and education to help prevent the evil collection of diseases with C in their names. Cancer Research UK also works to influence Government policy. Click anywhere to go to their website for more information.
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