An undated , anonymous, pen portrait of The Beccles Bridge Club discovered amongst the papers left by the the late Mr. Ralph Tipler which may be of interest. Perhaps somebody is aware of the authors name.

BECCLES BRIDGE CLUB

(A Pen Portrait)

Fourteen years ago (it seems only yesterday) I had the enthusiasm and good fortune to teach Basic Acol at the Sir John Leman School, Beccles under the auspices of the Adult Education Service. From that unlikely beginning Beccles Bridge Club was formed.

Denis Devereux, himself a Bridge player, thought that my enthusiasm rather than his strictly academic approach might persuade his wife to learn to play Bridge, and, having succeeded, he had no trouble in enthusing all seventeen of us to start our own Bridge Club.

The club started in November, 1971 and was chaired by Mr. Devereux. After some weeks at the Sir John Leman School we found our first home at the King’s Head Hotel, Beccles and in three months we had a membership of twenty-four and had applied for affiliation to the English Bridge Union.

In 1972 Mr. Devereux left Beccles on promotion leaving us with our first Trophy and an assured future. Since 1978 Mr. Ralph Tipler has been our inspired Chairman. Mr. Tipler is a man with exceptional organising ability he has steered the club along splendid lines and in the right direction.

Two of the clubs highlights are our Bridge week-ends held at the Manor Hotel, Mundesley, (two per annum). These marvellous week-ends were inaugurated through the good offices of Mrs. P. Croucher and are always eagerly anticipated by members.

In 1981 we were fortunate in securing a move to the Caxton Social Club for our meetings where we remain to this day. Beccles Bridge Club was and is a friendly, warm club with an average of 48 members playing some 14 matches every year in addition to our regular Tuesday evenings. Mr. Devereux would be undoubtedly pleased to know where such humble beginnings have led.