8 teams took part in the Pivot Teams of Four held on Friday 23rd October and congratulations go to the winners who were:-
 
David Murray
Andrea O'Rafferty
Peter & Brenda Greaves

Fun – this is the word that leaps into my mind when I think about Ron. He was fun, and he enjoyed fun. Jenny and I have known him ever since we first started playing duplicate at Knutsford Bridge Club. In those days Ron was in charge of the Christmas party entertainments. He would dress up in his evening suit, embellished with a large red cummerbund, and he would organise the games and make sure we all had a really good time.

We got to know him better when we went to the Jersey Congress where he and Reg were regular attendees. So regular in fact that a couple of years ago they were awarded a decanter each to commemorate their 25 years of continued attendance. Each year on the last evening of this Congress, the hotel organised a special dinner and Ron and Reg joined us and other Bramhall Village Bridge Club (BVBC) members, for the after-dinner quiz organised by the Jersey bridge clan. We never won any of the quizzes, we weren’t in a fit state to compete seriously, but had there been a prize for laughter, our team would have won, hands down.

It was in Jersey, over a period of two years, that I finally persuaded Ron to take over the chairmanship of BVBC from me. I was not wrong to persevere, because not only was Ron an excellent chairman, but he was a pleasure to work with.

Ron was a very good bridge player and a knowledgeable and most fair director.  He represented the county and was a Life Master. But he was modest about his bridge, and very patient. He would partner anyone, be they good players or less experienced. He initiated the ‘Chairman’s Cup’, an event in which any member of the club could partner him, and whichever of his partners gained the highest score with him, they won the cup. Ron played with over 80 different partners in this competition.

Talking to Ron I was amazed to hear he had been a Trade Unionist. He just didn’t seem to fit the bill. Instead of a loud aggressive person, Ron was gentle, the soul of discretion and diplomacy. These were the qualities he brought to being chairman of BVBC.  He never said it, but we realised that his work in dealing with Union Members and Management, was a brilliant training ground for dealing with the members of BVBC and for re-writing the constitution at Cheadle Hulme Bridge Club to ensure that it was democratic and fair!

Ron took a lot of stick. He bent over backwards to be fair over the introduction of duplimated boards.  He offered the club members countless occasions to vote on the issue but still he had complaints. He, along with the committee, steered BVBC into our new room upstairs, not an easy ride, and this year he has also had to guide the club over the introduction of the new English Bridge Union policy of Pay to Play. It’s been a heavy year.

Ron was a gentleman; a conscientious, enthusiastic, energetic and popular personality. He was involved in so many things with so many people. He has touched so many lives that I feel most privileged to deliver this eulogy. We are very, very sad to lose him and we are all going to miss him enormously.

Jenny & Jim Morris

Would any members be interested in a Christmas Dinner followed by Bridge at The Hunting Lodge, Adlington Hall?  We would meet at 6pm for a drink followed by a meal and then Bridge in the adjoining room.  Those who have been to the Hunting Lodge will know how attractive the venue and how good the food is. This really is a friendly way to end the year.

The menu is on the noticeboard for your perusal and the majority rules regarding 2 or 3 courses.  Fantastic prizes would be supplied by the club.  Please enter your names and choice of 2 or 3 courses ( food will be chosen later) on the noticeboard upstairs.  Limited to 40.

Move Upstairs. This provided a lengthy, heated and noisy debate. Basically, members liked the move upstairs (28 members for and 10 against) but would like the committee to explore the possibility of:

1. Getting the radiators under control.
2. Air conditioning.
3. Speeding up play.
4. Reducing the noise levels.

Pay 2 Play. The Chairman explained the EBU’s proposal of pay to play and stated that it would affect our club by having to pay the EBU 36p per person per bridge session (7p of which will go to Manchester County Bridge Association).  If we did not wish to pay this levy then we would have to disaffiliate from the EBU when it became compulsory in 2010. On a practical level, if we accept, it would mean that all future sessions (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) would have to pay £2 table money per person starting in April 2010. Pauline Lang stated that as a long-term member of the club she fully supported the work of the EBU and all that it did for clubs such as providing the Laws, training and teaching. There was no strong opposition to this and a vote to support the EBU and P2P was carried with 3 votes against and 2 abstentions.

Election of Committee. The Chairman announced that two long serving members, Marjorie Warren and Daphne Youles were standing down from the committee and praised their many varied and useful contributions to the running of the club. He asked for nominations for the committee - Joyce White and Wanda Zuckerman were elected. The rest of the current committee were also re-elected on bloc.

A.O.B.

1. Christine Barton proposed a vote of thanks to all the Directors of the club and this was warmly approved.
2. There was discussion about filling kettles and it was agreed that the boiler should be tried.

All bridge nights will now be held in the room upstairs.  The first night will be Friday 27th March.