 Secretary's Report 2019-2020, 2020-2021
It’s hard to believe our last AGM was held on the 7th May 2019. In one sense it seems our lives have stood still for the last 14 months but yet we have come a long way and learned so much. Who would have thought a year ago that playing on-line bridge in a virtual club would be so easy!!
But lets not forget all that has happened in Ashbourne Bridge Club since our last AGM:
August 2019 the club participated in a Bridge Promotion Campaign over two weekends. This exercise resulted in a big increase in the numbers of people taking bridge lessons in September 2019.
October 2019 the club signed an agreement with Ratoath Bridge Club to share the electronic scoring devices. The move to electronic scoring has improved the accuracy of recording game results, done away with the Traveller sheets and has enabled the results to be made available on the night.
December 2019 the club organised a TD’s refresher course which was well attended.
40th Anniversary
On the 11th February 2020 we celebrated the club's 40th Anniversary with a Gala Dinner. The evening began with a champagne reception followed by a wonderful evening with fine food great music and dancing. The venue was decorated with curtains of lights and candelabras on the tables! During the evening photographs of former and current members were shown scrolling on a projector screen.
A wonderful evening was had by all. Memories of the evening was captured on camera and the photo's are available for all to view on our website.
Major Competition Winners for 2019/20 were:
Bobbett Cup: Eileen Gray & Kay Brady
President’s Prize: Pat Moyles
Player of the Year: Adam Murphy
Novice of the Year: Dan O’Sullivan
Club Membership 2019/20: 79 members
March 2020
In March 2020 a year like no other begun, a Worldwide Pandemic is declared and our lives changed completely. But the Bridge club survives!
Virtual Bridge:
The club is very grateful to Pat Moyles who set up an on-line virtual club for Ashbourne in August 2020. He has kept the online game running and has provided continuous support to members. Also a big thank you to Barry Leahy for running the game for a number of months.
Club Membership 2020/21 is 76. (Ashbourne members 50, Virtual club members 26)
Sadly we lost four of dear bridge friends over the past two years: Louis Murray, Maura Ryan, Mary Corcoran and Betty O'Connell Jones. May they rest in peace.
Summer Bridge Virtual
It is intended that the on-line game will continue throughout the summer.
Income:
Members will be glad to know that the club receives a portion of the payment paid by them every time they play in the Ashbourne Virtual game on the BBO platform. The income is paid to the CBAI and forwarded to the club’s bank account.
Meath Co Co Grant
The club was delighted to receive a grant of €450 from Meath Co Co Council towards the club’s 40th Anniversary celebrations.
The club also received confirmation that a grant of €152 will be provided to assist with the purchase of a new laptop for the club this year.
Return to face to face Bridge.
The date for a return to face to face bridge is still unclear. The main concern is of course the health and safety of members. The Committee will follow Government regulations and take advice from the CBAI on this matter. It is likely that any decisions on opening up again will not be made until late summer when the vaccine has been rolled out and the level of Covid 19 cases is under control.
Members will be advised of the situation through the club's website.
The Committee
Because of the Covid 19 pandemic it was not possible to hold a club AGM and elect people to the Committee. Thankfully all those who were elected in 2019 agreed to stay on a second year. Bridge business continued to be dealt with via e-mail and when permitted, in person.
Some of the current Committee members, have served for a long number of years and don't intend to remain on the Committee.
We are now calling for members to join the committee, do your bit and share the responsibility of running our club.
If you are interested helping out, please contact the incoming President, Liz Mc Keown at 086 -8251659
Miriam Moyles
Club Secretary.
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