Farnborough provided many of the team that competed in the Home Counties League for Kent.  Having won their Division Kent proceeded to comprehensively beat Middlesex (the winners of the other Division on countback) in the final.

Many congratulations to all who represented Kent in the competition.  And in particular to Bill Charlwood & Jon Chapman, Stefan Syplywczak & Phil Jones, Stephen Brown & Michael Collins who were three quarters of the team that represented Kent in the final.

Well done to the team of John Amor, Jon Chapman, Bill Charlwood and John Hemington who have won the Arnold Cup (the Kent Team of Four Competition).  In the final they beat the team led by Peter Law that contained Joe Sivayogan by 14 IMPs.  

In the Plate competition the team led by Peter Bibb was victorious.

Many congratulations to all the above from the Club.

Well done to Farnborough members Kay Preddy & Norman Selway, John Amor & John Hemington who were members of the Kent team that were victorious in the National Inter-County A league Finals on 21st May, winning 4 of their 5 matches.  John & John finished second in the cross-Imp rankings on the day.  Many congratulations to them and to the rest of the Kent team

The Hopper Cup (competition for cut-in teams) was held on 18th May and was won by the team of Roy Lambert & Hilary Powell and Richard Creamer and Colin Game, who finished narrowly ahead of Graham Clements & Jan Johnson and Helen Gibbons & Richard Gibbons.

Well done to all who took part.  Full results are available here

Congratulations to Frances Connell who, playing with Gerald Soper, won the George Griffiths Cup in the Kent tournament.  They finished a board ahead of Christine Kempton and Norman Inniss who were second.  Well done to all of them

Full results are available here

A very strong showing by Farnborough members in the final of the Larsky Cup which is the Kent Championship Pairs event.

Congratulations to Frances Connell who triumphed playing with Gerald Soper. They have therefore qualified to play in the Corwen Trophy later in the year.

Stephen Brown and Michael Collins finished in second place, John Gibbons and Jennie Cain were third, and Norman Inniss and Christine Kempton finished fourth.  All these pairs have also qualified for the Corwen Trophy.

Congratulations to Norman Selway and Kay Preddy who won the Kent Green Pointed Swiss Teams convincingly in a field of 64 pairs.  Well done!

Full results are available here

Congratulations to the team of Jan Johnson & Graham Clements and Helen Gibbons & Richard Gibbons who triumphed in the Smith Cup.  Full results are available here

Kent/Surrey/Sussex County Bridge Associations are holding a joint Green Pointed Swiss Pairs event to raise money for the Ukraine Refugee Appeal.  All proceeds will be used towards this.

It will be held on RealBridge on 2nd April starting at 11am.  The format will be 7*7 board rounds.  

Please see the KCBA website for more details here or to enter click here

Thank you to all of you who completed our member (and non-member) survey.  We had 34 responses in total, and the results can be found here.  We asked for responses by the end of January, but we will keep the survey open here in case anyone wants to add anything.  Alternatively you can email us at FarnboroughBridge@gmail.com with your thoughts.  Your committee will now be considering the results and what they tell us.

The Committee has decided, in light of the limited number of tables currently being filled, that it will not be appropriate to hold the Burton-Pryor Cup this year.  It will consider whether the format of the competition should be altered in future.  Members who wish to express views about the shape of the competition in future should contact the Secretary at FarnboroughBridge@gmail.com before Easter 2022.

The next club competitions are for the deWinter Cup (Ladies' Pairs) and Hitch Cup (Men's Pairs) which take place on 16th March and are for members only (no visitors).

We would like to thank all of our friends at Farnborough Bridge Club for their many cards and good wishes.  Our recovery is slow but we are making steady progress on our return to good health.  Kindest regards Barbara and Mark.

The committee is delighted to report that the proposed changes to the constitution that were discussed at the special general meeting on 3 December 2021 were unanimously approved by those present at the special general meeting on 19 January 2022.  Many thanks to all of you who came to support your club.  The new constitution comes into effect on 20 January 2022, and can be found under the Information section.  Minutes of the SGM of 19 January 2022 are now available in the General Meetings section.

Following the change in the law it is no longer compulsory to wear face coverings whilst in the village hall.  However, if anyone feels they may be contagious with Covid, 'flu or the like (with or without having taken a lateral flow test) please do not attend.  If any member wishes to wear a face covering we would encourage them to do so.

Farnborough was represented in this tournament by the following:

Michael Collins & Stephen Brown
Stefan Syplywczak & Mike Hampton
John Amor & John Hemington
Richard Creamer & Norman Inniss

Farnborough finished second losing only one match which was against the overall winners,  Tunbridge Wells, who qualified for the next stage of the competition.  

Results can be found here

Thank you to everyone who took part in the friendly match against Neuwied Bridge Club on 10th January.  Farnborough fielded 5 teams and ran out convincing winners on a combined basis.  

Particular congratulations to Robin & Keith George and to Jenny Kerr & Ian Galletti who filled the top two places on the cross-imps.

It was a very enjoyable session, and we will discuss with Neuwied whether to continue with this event - and if so in what format

Many congratulations to Kay Preddy and Norman Selway for winning the KCBA Swiss pairs on 30 October 2021.  Full results can be found here.

Following the Prime Minister's announcement on 8th December 2021 about the changes in the rules around the wearing of face coverings, it will be compulsory for these to be worn by everyone - unless exempt - when playing face to face in the Village Hall from Friday 10th December 2021 until further notice.  

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#when-to-wear-a-face-covering

Some people have questionned whether it is OK not to wear a face covering at the club because we provide (limited) food and drink.  The exemption around eating and drinking is 'Face coverings are' 'not required in premises or part of a premises where the main activity is eating, drinking...'  It is the committee's view that our club does not fall within this exemption.

We will continue with face to face bridge whilst members still wish to come and the rules allow us to play.  As the situation is (once again) changing rapidly, the committee will be keeping up to date with developments and will let you know if anything changes.

Just a reminder that we are holding a special general meeting on Friday 3rd December, starting at 7pm, to discuss the proposed changes to the constitution, followed by ♥ party bridge with prizes ♥ .  There will be no table money payable on that evening, and the results will not count towards your NGS.

Drinks will be provided (alcoholic and soft), as well as cakes and mince pies and all members are welcome.  No partner is needed, as a host will be provided.  Depending upon numbers we will either be doing an individual movement, or a 'normal' movement, with surprise prizes.

All members are welcome.  To help with planning - if you haven't already done so - can you please email FarnboroughBridge@gmail.com to let us know if you are able to come?  Christmas jumpers are optional....

Many congratulations to Richard Gibbons and Helen Gibbons for winning the Boxwell cup 2021/22 with Bob Kendall and Mary Kendall hot on their heels

We were delighted to welcome Ian Payn, Chairman of the EBU, to the club on Wednesday 27th October.  He is pictured discussing the evening's bridge with our Chairman, Mike Rafferty.

Thank you for supporting Farnborough Bridge Club by playing in our BBO sessions.

We can look forward to 'RealBridge' in the New Year alongside BBO, and hopefully resume proper bridge in the Village Hall before Easter

Very best wishes - Stay Safe

The Larsky Cup is Kent's Premier Pairs event and the qualifier for the Corwen Cup.  Initial heats are held in clubs, from which pairs can qualify for 4 semi-finals run by the county, and a 13 table final.

All events held by Farnborough in the week of 10 January will act as heats for the Larsky Cup and any pair scoring 50% or more will qualify to play in the semi-final of their choice.  As yet no decision has been taken on the dates of these or whether they will be held face-to-face or on-line.

Until Wednesday 11th August 2021 we are holding duplicates on BBO on Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:30pm. The cost of entry is $3 (around £2.50), and you have to pre-buy your $ on the BBO website. Please read our Guidelines for playing at Farnborough on BBO.

Congratulations to Jan Johnson and Graham Clements who were joint July Online Players of the Month, and to Marian Hunt who came third.

July Online Pair of the Month was Jackie & Neil Wotherspoon. In second place were Jan Johnson & Graham Clements, with Christine Kempton & Marian Hunt and Lesley & Roger Pechey in equal third.

Unfortunately due to the unavailability of Farnborough Village Hall to host the required number of members, the committee have agreed to postpone the AGM until the end of October.

The format and venue of the AGM might need to change due to the current restrictions, we hope to make a decision on the AGM as soon as possible.

Face-to-face bridge returned to the Village Hall on August 13th with 5 full tables enjoying a successful and very pleasant evening. We look forward to more of you joining us in the future on Wednesday and Friday nights.

Congratulations to Norman Selway and Kay Preddy on winning the Phillimore Cup (Kent Blue Point Swiss Pairs)

Congratulations to Michael Collins, Phil Jones, Stefan Syplywczak, Stephen Brown who beat Mike Hampton, Michael Prior, Norman Selway & Kay Preddy by 18 IMPs in the Arnold Cup

Also congratulations to John Amor, John Hemington, Jon Chapman & Bill Charlwood who beat Sue Parkins & Frances Connell playing with Jennie Cain & Angela Treen by 11 IMPs in the Arnold Plate

Congratulations to Mike Hampton, Michael Prior, Norman Selway and Kay Preddy on winning the Hubert Phillips Bowl (2020). The Hubert Philips Bowl is the national EBU mixed teams of 4 event.

Also congratulations to the Kent team on winning the Tollemache Cup, the team was represented by the following Farnborough members Mike Hampton, Phil Bailey, Norman Selway and Kay Preddy and also included our online friends of Ian Draper, Jeremy Willans and Gerald Tredinnick.

Congratulations to Michael Collins and Stephen Brown on finishing equal 1st in the Bedfordshire Swiss pairs event

The Kent Mens (Hunter Homines) and Ladies (Fleming Femina) Pairs are being held on Saturday January 10th using RealBridge - online entry forms via link KCBA

Congratulations to Sue Parkins and David Stern on winning the Cambridge Swiss pairs event.

Congratulations to Christine Kempton and Norman Inniss on winning the Kent Senior Pairs (George Griffiths Cup), also Kay Preddy playing with Jeremy Willans on finishing second and in third place Frances Connell playing with Gerald Soper.

Congratulations to David Stern, Susan Parkins, Norman Inniss and Konrad Mau on winning the Dorset Green Point Swiss Teams event

Congratulations to Frances Connell on winning the Kent Swiss Pairs with Gerald Soper. Robin George and Hugh Llewellyn-Jones came third.

Well done to Helen Houston & Steve Webb, Kay Preddy & Norman Selway on winning the Swiss Teams event on Sunday. Well done also to runners-up - Matthew Beddow & David Hudson, Tom Smith & Mike Penney - and 3rd place team - Phil Jones & Christine Kempton, Stefan Syplywczak & Lindsey Clark. Thanks to all who who took part!

Farnborough players were in the first four places of the Swiss Pairs, with Kay Preddy & Norman Selway winning, Stephen Brown and Stefan Syplywczak second, and Michael Collins and John Hemington third.

Many congratualtions to Farnborough C for winning the Corbett Plate by a huge margin of 27 VPs. The C Team was represented by Chris Wall & Bob Kendall, Mark & Barbara Howarth, Neil & Jackie Wotherspoon and Tony Price & Marian Hunt.

Well done to the other Farnborough Teams. The A and B Teams were 2nd and 3rd in the Corbett Cup, whilst the D Team came from behind to finish 4th in the Plate and thus avoid relegation.

I would like to thank everyone who took part, in particular those who helped me out enormously by being on standby, changing partner, stepping in at the last moment, etc. As a result we will now have 3 teams from Farnborough eligible to play in the Corbett Cup next season (in a top division comprising of only 5 teams) and another team eligible to play in the Corbett Plate.

Mike Hampton, Match Captain

Congratulations to Stefan Syplywczak & Bill Hirst on winning the Kent Men's Pairs (Hunter Homines) with Michael Prior and Mike Hampton 3rd; and John Amor and Phil Jones 4th.

Also Lesley Pechey on finishing 2nd with Jenny Kirby in the Kent Ladies Pairs (Fleming Femina)

Double congratulations go to Bill Hirst who with his partner won The Championship Pairs at The Seniors Congress and he was also part of the team who won The Swiss Teams event.

Congratulations to Michael Prior and Mike Hampton who have won The Kent Congress Swiss Pairs.

Congratulations to Mike Hampton & Michael Prior, Kay Preddy & Norman Selway who won the Surrey green pointed Swiss Teams by a clear margin of 13 VPS.