Thanks to all of you who supported the All About Bridge event in Frome Library on Saturday 5 September, either by attending on the day or with your excellent Reasons to Play Bridge suggestions. John Perry, event organiser, said he was delighted with the response of the public to the event: 'Our aim was to recruit people for our Beginners' class in October. More than 10 people showed interest so it was a very successful day. I would like to thank all the club members who generously gave their time to support the event.'

The first round of the Somerset County League season got underway on Friday 4 September, with three Frome teams competing: Ray Nicholson’s Frome Butterflies are in the First Division and David Clayton’s Frome Fruit Bats and John Perry’s Frome Tricksters in the Second Division. The opening match in the Second Division saw a clash between the two Frome teams. John Perry writes: ‘The first half, 12 boards, was close with the Clayton team slightly ahead at the break. In the second half, the Clayton team pulled away from the Perry team to record a 15-5 victory. The Perry team were left to lick our wounds after we failed to bid and make two 4 Spade contracts. Our opponents bid and made one of these as 6 Spades, and the other as 4 Spades. Back to the drawing board for the Perry Team!

In the First Division the Butterflies got off to their usual rocky start, with a 17-3 loss, writes Ray Nicholson. The normal pairings in half the team could not be used due to team members being away or ill, but a valiant effort was put up against a team (Clevedon) who were almost faultless. As someone once said, the only way is up, (if we don't implode).'

Onwards and upwards to all concerned!

Some 71 Frome members turned out for the AGM on Thursday 21 May, with John Perry standing down as Club Secretary after many years; Jessica Slater was elected onto the Committee as the new Secretary. The Chairman Ray Nicholson reported that membership had risen from just over 100 to 160 in the past year. The Club Pairs Championship winners for 2025-26 were David Clayton & Richard King; Bill Blakie and Diane Price were announced as Frome Bridge Club Members of the Year, and thanked for their tireless help. The AGM Minutes can now be viewed under AGM Minutes in LH column; likewise the Annual Accounts and updated Club Constitution. 

John Perry's retirement as Club Secretary after many years' sterling service was marked with the gifting of lifelong Honorary Club Membership, a meal for 2 voucher at the luxury Homewood Spa Hotel, a bottle of John's favourite Rioja and a tribute from the FBC Committee:

John Perry has been a mainstay in the running of Frome Bridge Club for more than 35 years. Without his hard work and dedication, the Club would not be in the excellent state it is in now. John was, and still is, a driving force behind the development of the Club. At one point, the membership declined to just 12 members. As one long-serving member recalls, there were evenings where only eight players attended, just enough for a simple teams competition. A discussion took place about what to do. No-one wanted the club to close, but the income would not sustain paying for room hire. John set about organising a recruitment campaign by promoting lessons which he took himself. This was the catalyst for a steady expansion of the membership. Every year since then, John has run lessons and encouraged others club members to do likewise. His remarkable patience and ability as a teacher has shone through and been an example to us all – he has always been prepared to sit down and spend time with any player, regardless of their aptitude for the game. In recent months, even though his health has not been good, John has carried on with no noticeable reduction in his commitment and effort. It is no exaggeration to say that the success of Frome Bridge Club, now one of the largest in the South West, is largely due to the effort and dedication of, John Perry. We owe him our collective gratitude and thanks.

Following on from John Perry’s retirement as Club Secretary, another icon, Marianne Lewin, has stepped down from Frome Bridge Club Committee to allow younger members to take the helm and continue the modernisation and growth of the club. Marianne was part of the duo with John Perry who brought the Club back from near extinction, 15 years ago, to its now healthy thriving part in Frome’s social community. The pair worked as a team inspiring all with their enthusiasm and knowledge. As Club Captain, Marianne has been tireless in the effort she has put into her teaching and organisation over the past 15 years and she will continue teaching and directing. To mark her retirement from the committee, she has been made an honorary life member of Frome Bridge Club and was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a meal for two at Bistro Lotte.