We are very sorry to learn of Michael Bett's death. He battled Parkinsons with huge determination for many years and he will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Very sadly we have learned that Barbara passed away at a Swaffham nursing home yesterday evening, 14 April.

Barbara will be remembered for her her sense of humour, her travels, her love of bridge and chiefly for her great determination. Apart from King's Lynn she was a member of Hunstanton, The Woottons and Leziate bridge clubs and also played regularly at Fakenham.

She will be sorely missed by her family and many friends.

The club raised a total of £250 which is to be donated to the Breast Cancer Nurses of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Development and Training.

A very big thank you goes to all those who contibuted.

With great sadness we have learned that Roger passed away peacefully at home with his family on Saturday 28 September.

Roger was, of course, not only an outstanding player but also a leading  county administrator for many years and he will be sorely missed. Our condolences go out to his family and many friends throughout the county.

A memorial service is to be held at Gresham's Chapel, Holt on Tuesday 29 October at 2.30 p.m.

We are sorry to hear of the passing of Gerald Pizzey, for many years a stalwart of our club. He and his regular partner Bernard Tuttle had many local successes including  a victory in the Annual Norfolk Congress Teams Championship in partnership with David Loasby and Margaret Wood.

The Funeral service is at Mintlyn Crematorium on Tuesday 2 July at 1.45 p.m. Family flowers only please. Donations , if desired, for the Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House may be made online via www.tfs.co.uk/obituary or direct to Thornalley Funeral Services, Austin Street, King's Lynn PE30 1QH 

It is with great sadness we have learned that Carol has passed away. Although unable to come to the club for a while, she was a very popular member for many years and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Funeral Service at St. Faith's Church, Gaywood on Friday 29 March,2019 at 2.30 pm followed by PRIVATE Cremation at Mintlyn Crematorium. Family flowers only, please. Donations, if deired, for Altzheimer's Society, may be made at the service or online via www.tfs.co.uk/obituary. Thornalley Funeral Services, Austin Street, King's Lynn PE30 1QH

We have learnt with sadness that Robbie passed away on 10 September.  A stalwart of Norfolk bridge for many years, he will be greatly missed by his many friends.

A full obituary may be accessed  on the Afternoon Bridge Club and Norfolk C.B.A. websites.

It is with much sadness that we have learned of the passing of Bill Massey. Our condolences go to all his family.

Wg.Cdr. Bill Massey was based at RAF Marham and played at a high standard at both King's Lynn and Swaffham Bridge Clubs and was always cheerful and courteous. He was largely responsible for building up the club at Swaffham. When ill health reduced his mobility Bill became a leading member of the online Bridge Club Live where there have been many tributes paid.

The funeral service is at 2.30 p.m. on 7 March at Mintlyn Crematorium. Bill's son Kevin would be delighted if you could join the family for refreshments afterwards at the Conservative Club at 7 Gayton Road, Gaywood PE30 4EA. In order to estimate the number to be catered for, please contact Alistair Sutherland by email asuth57@gmail.com or by telephone 01485 528965 if you will be attending.

It was with great sadness we learned that Sheila passed away in the early hours of Monday morning after a long illness. Our condolences go to Tony and all her family.

Sheila played bridge with Tony at King's Lynn from the 1960s. She played at a very good level competitively but in a friendly way and always with a warm welcome to those coming to her table. She won most of the club's trophy events several times and played regularly for Norfolk including the first team occasionally.

She was a very good administrator borne out by her many years as Club Secretary. However, she will be most remembered for her excellent organisation of the Norfolk Congress over nearly 50 years mostly as Congress Secretary. It was predominantly for this that she was the recipient of the E.B.U.s prestigeous Dimmie Fleming Award in 2004.

Sheila will be sorely missed not only by our members but the entire Norfolk bridge-playing community.

THE FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE AT MINTLYN CREMATORIUM ON FRIDAY 9 MARCH AT 4.OO P.M. Family flowers only. Donations for The Norfolk Hospice, Tapping House may be made at the service or online via the website of Thornley Funeral Services. Austin Street, King's Lynn, PE30 1QH.

A personal view by Brian Barrett

Suzanne Gill, the County Chair, has prepared both a prospectus and initial business plan for the development of a county bridge centre. She does emphasise that its purpose is to invite discussion and that it does not contain any specific recommendations by the Management Committee. However, I do believe that the NCBA are right to focus their attention on such a proposition which I believe passionately is necessary for the long term future of the game in Norfolk.

Suzanne is to be congratulated for the thought and effort that has gone into these documents which may be viewed by clicking on the three items below..

It is possible that a few may ask what is in it for the clubs outside the Norwich area: We should be asking will there be bridge in the not too distant future if something is not done to promote this wonderful game. I urge all members to read the documents and I know that Suzanne will be pleased to answer any questions you may have if you e-mail her at suegill@btinternet.com. The club will need to make a decision whether to support the proposal at the NCBA Annual General Meeting on 18 October 2015.

The Charity evening was a great success and enjoyed by all. Many thanks to everybody who supported the event which raised £200 Quidenham Children's Hospice.

A teams of four event was played for the June Scotting Trophy andwas won by the team of Michael Whiting, David Loasby, Trish Foster and Tony Graham Congratulations to them and to the committee for providing a very pleasant evening.

£270 was generously raised by club members for Cat Welfare, a charity founded by June Scotting who was so tragically killed in a road accident towards the end of last year.

June's husband, Colin, has taken over the running of this charity and he visited the club to be presented with a cheque by Mary Kingdon. Colin has also donated a trophy in June's memory for the winners of the event held annually on the Club's charity evening. Our picture shows Colin presenting the trophy to the first winners, Rosemary Howell and Trish Foster.

Capitulation (Author unknown)

I'm giving up bridge - Tonight's my last night

It's Amen to Staymen, I give up the fight

The insults and muddles are giving me troubles

And I can't sleep at night for thinking of doubles.

My cards are all rotten and I have forgotten

Who's played and what's trumps and what's gone on my right!

So for now its all over - I'm off to the backwood

I'm bidding goodbye to Gerber and Blackwood.

I can't stand the hassle, I can't stand the pain

I'm getting bad cards again and again

So I'm giving up bridge - Tonight's a bad night

Declarer is horrid and nothing's gone right.

My partner's a dope and I'm losing all hope

And when he says 'double' I know we're in trouble.

My points are not high and I'm wondering why

He kept on bidding right up to the sky.

We're in seven spades and all my hope fades

When surprise, surprise, the high bidding pays!

We're winning all tricks; the defenders feel sick

And I have to admit my partner's a brick.

But I'm giving up bridge - Tonight's my last night.

Farewell to conventions - I give up the fight!

So I leave with few words but some that are true

Bridge is a game - not for me but for you.

So be kind to your partners and don't mind their cheek

For its only a game - Oh! yes. I'll see you next week.