Bookham Afternoon Bridge Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special anniversary tea taken during their duplicate bridge session on April 15th 2019. Chairman Neil Higgins welcomed 96 members ensuring that everyone had received their engraved gold coloured anniversary pen and a sparkling drink whilst proposing a toast to celebrate the club’s Golden Anniversary. He then invited all past Chairmen present to join him at the cake cutting ceremony with founder member and previous Chairman Jean Suckling being invited to cut the cake which was iced with playing cards and an anniversary message. Whilst giving a brief history of the club, which has grown from an initial membership of 19 to a flourishing 210 with a waiting list for new members, Neil also made an announcement that the committee had decided to award Honorary Life Membership to Jean Suckling in recognition of her 50 years of unbroken membership.
Thanking the existing committee and other members for their help with providing the sumptuous tea, Neil also paid credit and gave thanks to all those who have contributed to the success and smooth running of the club throughout the last 50 years.
An extended tea interval, with tables bedecked on gold cloths and napkins, enabled members to enjoy tasty sandwiches and a golden array of cakes and chocolates served by the committee. Members were delighted that the committee had baked Hokey Pokey biscuits, so long a favourite at the club, with sufficient numbers being left over to also be enjoyed, along with the anniversary cake, at the next session.
Further events, including an Andrew Robson Masterclass being held on December 5th, will be held throughout the year whilst members will also be raising funds towards an anniversary charity account which will be shared between three charities and also a contribution towards youth bridge development in Surrey.
> Chairman's speech
|