Minutes of the Chipping Norton Bridge Club AGM
held on Thursday 6th November 2025
___________________________________
Meeting opened at 12.45 p.m.
1. Apologies: Apologies were received from Anthea Robinson, Hugh Simmonds,
Mary-Rose Goodwin, David Wigley, David Clay, Margaret Hartley,
Pat Perry and Audrey Pick.
2. Chairman’s Report: Copy attached.
3. Treasurer’s Report: Philip Shaw presented an up-to-date account of the Club finances, copies of
which were distributed to members and accepted. The Club account remains in a very healthy
position after purchasing 9 tables, a further Bridgemate handset and using pre-dealt boards. Also
included on this are the club’s bank account details, should anyone wish to pay either their subs
(£10) or Xmas lunch (£20) by BACS.
4. Election of Officers and Committee, including ‘find a partner’.
Hugh Simmonds and Anthea Robinson have expressed their wish to stand down from the
Committee. Margaret Hartley and Simon Hamilton were nominated to fill these two positions and
were accepted by a show of hands. Rita Finch offered to take over the ‘partner scheme’ from
Anthony Benn who has decided to take a break from the Club. Thanks were expressed for all of the
work put in by Hugh, Anthea and Anthony.
Committee:
Chairman: Peter Branson
Treasurer: Philip Shaw
Secretary: Ann Bunker
Website Controller: Liz Spencer
Bridgemate Controller: Simon Hamilton
Member: Rupert Tmpson
Member: Margaret Harley
Partner Scheme: Rita Finch
5. Presentation of Prizes for 2025 competitions:
Edwards Shield: Rupert Timpson & Bruno Pacini
(Team event) Philip Shaw and Dot Evans
Pam Wigley Trophy: Richard & Margaret Caley
(Team event) Paul & Liz Spencer
Bailey Cup: Diane Coe and Linda Edwards.
Bill Reynolds Cup: Linda Lewis & Rita Finch
(Second Place in Bailey Cup)

6. Programme for 2026:

The following events will take place in 2026
Bailey Cup: First Thursday of every month from February to August (same partner throughout

- best 5 of 7 scores to count)

SIM Pairs: British Spring SIM Pairs - 16th April 2026
Edwards Shield: Teams of 4 23rd April 2026
Pam Wigley Trophy: Teams of 4 17th September 2026
SIM Pairs: British Autumn SIM Pairs - 8th October 2026

7. A.O.B. A reminder of the Xmas Lunch was given. This will take place at Chadlington Memorial
Hall on Thursday 4th December, 12.00 p.m. for 12.30 p.m. £20.00 for a 2-course meal including
wine, soft drinks and tea/coffee, with Duplicate Bridge to follow.
Bruno thanked, on behalf of everyone, all who are involved with the running of the Club.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 1.00 p.m.

Minutes of the Chipping Norton Bridge Club AGM
held on Thursday 6th November 2025
___________________________________
Meeting opened at 12.45 p.m. ..........

CHIPPING NORTON BRIDGE CLUB
Chairman’s Report, Peter Branson 2025 AGM

 This year has seen:
o Move from Chipping Norton Bowls Club to Chadlington
Village Memorial Hall
 Thank you to Rupert for facilitating this.
o Introduction of predealt hands
 Organised by Ann to be collected from Oxford every 6
weeks

o Purchase of more tables
 Again, thank you Ann
o Started short break for refreshments
 Would be good to have more helpers and a proper rota
o 1:00 p.m. start for the winter months
o Tuesday starter sessions continued at Chadlington Bowls club
with Rupert and Ann, thank you both.
o Continued use of the Bridgemate system, mostly went well,
still a few “funnies” occasionally.
o Sadly the passing of some, but happily the welcoming of new
members
o Adverts/reports have been in the Chipping Norton News,
difficulties were had with both Chadlington and Charlbury.

We will send articles in to Hook Norton and Shipton-U-
Wychwood. Leaflets have also been circulated for display on

any applicable notice boards etc., Ann has more.

 My thanks to:
o The committee, the running of this club is a team effort
o Ann for all her hard work and organising us, Philip for
looking after the finances and Liz for keeping the website in
order, please do use this.
o The directors, Ann, Hugh, Diane, Paul, Chris and Richard,
sometimes seems like a thankless task, but it is very
appreciated
o The scorers, Simon, Ann and myself, and now also Liz
o Anthony for running the “find-a-partner” system, a very
useful feature.
o I especially appreciated having Hugh with us, he and Anthea
are stepping down today, thank you both.
o I look forward to the official welcoming of the new members
to the committee.

 Member information, please ensure that we, that is Ann, has the
correct information of your contact details so we can easily
communicate with you to either send out information or find you a
partner.
And finally, to all the members, this is your club, please do talk to myself
or any of the committee if you have any constructive ideas, we do discuss

them. And thanks to all of you who help with the setting up and putting
away and then play in a competitive, but friendly way.
Thank you
Peter

CHIPPING NORTON BRIDGE CLUB
Chairman’s Report, Peter Branson 2025 AGM

 This year has seen:
o Move from Chipping Norton Bowls Club to Chadlington
Village Memorial Hall
 Thank you to Rupert for facilitating this.
o Introduction of predealt hands
 Organised by Ann to be collected from Oxford every 6
weeks

o Purchase of more tables
 Again, thank you Ann
o Started short break for refreshments
 Would be good to have more helpers and a proper rota
o 1:00 p.m. ..........

Minutes of the Chipping Norton Bridge Club AGM
held on Thursday 14th November 2024
_________________________________
Meeting opened at 1.00 p.m.

1. Apologies:
Apologies were received from Simon Hamilton, David Wigley, Marie Shepherd, Jill Megson
Rupert Timpson, Diane Coe and Linda Edwards.
2. Chairman’s Report:
Hugh Simmonds reported on the activity of the Club for the year ending 30th September
2024, as follows:
‘It has been a good year for the Bridge Club with table numbers consistent and able to
cover our costs. Most of the organisation has been undertaken by Ann Bunker, our
Secretary and Sakine Faulkner, our Treasurer. Our grateful thanks to them both for their
hard work, also to the directors who have kept the sessions moving and to Anthony Benn
for finding partners.
The Bridgemates were introduced at the end of last year and we have had quite a lot of
teething troubles, many of which would seem to be associated with the computer that came
with the package. Again it has meant more work for Ann and also Peter Branson and
Simon Hamilton, but on the good side, it has saved me a lot of work as scorer.
This season has seen the Tuesday starter sessions developing with regular attendances
and providing a great boost to our finances. Much effort from Rupert Timpson and the
indefatigable Ann.
Some changes need to be made to the Committee. Sakine wishes to retire, perhaps to
spend more time on her allotment, and I also wish to retire and make room for a more
youthful and energetic Chairman. To cover the positions the Committee wish to nominate
the following people whom I hope you will support.
Chairman: Peter Branson Treasurer: Philip Shaw Website Controller: Liz Spencer
The remaining members of the Committee will be Ann Bunker, Secretary, Rupert Timpson,
Anthea Robinson and myself.
Finally, I would like to thank you all for being so helpful in arriving in good time, assisting in
setting up the hall and clearing up afterwards. It is a great help.
I look forward to seeing you each week for a long time to come’
3. Treasurer’s Report:
Sakine Faulkner presented an up-to-date report on the Club finances of which copies of the
accounts were distributed to members and accepted. The Club’s account remains in a very
healthy position, helped by the continuing ‘assisted play’ sessions held at Chadlington on a
Tuesday.

Cont./-

4. Election of Officers and Committee, including ‘find a partner’ scheme:
As in the Chairman’s Report, Hugh Simmonds has expressed his wish to retire from this
role and Sakine Faulkner has also expressed her wish to retire as Treasurer.
The following Committee members were nominated and were accepted by a show of hands
Chairman: Peter Branson
Treasurer: Philip Shaw
Secretary: Ann Bunker
Website Controller: Liz Spencer
Member: Hugh Simmonds
Member: Rupert Timpson
Member: Anthea Robinson
Partner Scheme: Anthony Benn
5. Presentation of Prizes for 2024 competitions:
Edwards Shield: Hugh Simmonds and Mary Rose Goodwin
(Team event) Anthony Benn and Rupert Timpson
Bailey Cup: Diane Coe and Linda Edwards
Bill Reynolds Cup: Anthony Benn and Rupert Timpson
(Bailey Cup runners-up)
Pam Wigley Trophy: Simon Hamilton and Noreen Cassidy
(Team event) Philip Shaw and Dot Evans

6. Programme for 2025:
The following events will take place in 2025:
Bailey Cup: First Thursday every month from February to August
(same partner throughout - best 5 of 7 scores to count)

SIM Pairs: 10th April
Edwards Shield: 24th April - Teams of 4 (decided by draw)
Pam Wigley Trophy: 18th September Teams of 4 (decided by draw)
SIM Pairs: 9th October

7. SIM Pairs:
The two events held in 2024 proved popular and have therefore been included in the
programme for 2025 above.

Cont./-

8. AOB.
It was suggested, by Jenny Meredith, that we should, maybe, have a tea/coffee break
during our Thursday afternoon bridge play. Several points were made:
It would prolong the session which would mean driving home in the dark in the winter.
Someone would need to be i.c. of tea/coffee etc.
Washing-up would need to be done.
We do not have use of the kitchen at the moment and it would probably incur an extra
charge.
We could maybe bring our own refreshments.
It was decided that it would be discussed by the Committee at the next meeting.
The question of starting time in the winter months was also mentioned and again it was
decided that it would be discussed by the Committee at the next meeting.
Philp Shaw thanked, on behalf of everyone, Hugh and Sakine for their work as Chairman
and Treasurer respectively.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 1.13 p.m.

Minutes of the Chipping Norton Bridge Club AGM
held on Thursday 14th November 2024
_________________________________
Meeting opened at 1.00 p.m. ..........

Minutes of the Chipping Norton Bridge Club AGM held on Thursday 9th November at 13.00 p.m.

1. Apologies:

Apologies were received from Anthea Robinson and Jenny Haviland.

2. Chairman’s Report:

David Wigley reported on the activity of the Club for the year ending 30th September 2023. A copy of his report is available on request.

3. Treasurer’s Report:

Sakine Faulkner presented an up-to date report on the Club finances of which copies of the audited accounts were distributed to members and accepted. Considering the expense of the recently purchased Bridgemate system, the Club’s account remains in a healthy position. Liz Spencer suggested that there may be some help from the EBU with regard to such a purchase which will be looked into by the Committee.

4. Election of Officers and Committee including Partner Scheme:

David Wigley expressed his wish to step-down as Chairman. Hugh Simmonds kindly offered to take on the role as Chairman which was accepted by a show of Hands.

Ann Bunker has agreed to step in to continue the work of Chris Franklin as Secretary - Chris being unable at present to fulfill this role.

Peter Branson offered to join the Committee and was accepted by a show of hands as were the other members.

Anthony Benn kindly offered to continue to run the Partner scheme, which was gratefully accepted.

Committee: Chairman: Hugh Simmonds Treasurer: Sakine Faulkner Secretary: Ann Bunker Member: Rupert Timpson Member: Anthea Robinson Member: Peter Branson

Directors: Hugh Simmonds David Wigley Ann Bunker 

5. Presentation of Prizes for 2023 Competitions:

Edwards Shield: Linda Edwards & Diane Coe with Paul Spencer and Ian Sidgwick.

Bailey Cup: Linda Edwards and Diane Coe.

Second Place: Ina Merriman and Chris Franklin.

Pam Wigley Trophy: David Wigley & Liz Spencer with Paul Spencer and Ian Sidgwick.

6. Programme for 2024: The following events will take place in 2024:

Bailey Cup: 1st Thursday every month from February to August (Same partner)

Edwards Shield: 18th April - teams of 4.

Pam Wigley Trophy:12th September - teams of 4

7. SIM Pairs: It has been decided to take part in some of these events and dates will be confirmed later.

8. A.O.B.

Teams Events: It was suggested by Mauveen Ball that it would be a good idea for the teams to be decided by drawing names from a hat. This was put to a vote and accepted. This will need to be done at least a week before the event in order to prevent a ½ table.

Xmas Party; It was suggested by Noreen Cassidy that the invitations to our Xmas Party be extended to the players at our Tuesday Sessions. This was agreed and will be announced at the next Tuesday Session.

Heating: Ina Merriman voiced the concern of many members who find that as winter approaches the room is not heated to a satisfactory temperature. It was decided that the heating should be turned on at least ½ hour before start of play, possibly longer. Rupert Timpson, who ensures that the heating is operating stated that we have been informed not to adjust the thermostat. Measures will be taken to Improve the situation. There being no other business, the Meeting closed at 1.22 p.m.

Minutes of the Chipping Norton Bridge Club AGM held on Thursday 9th November at 13.00 p.m. ..........