Valerie Barrett passed away on Friday 3 October in a local hospice after a long battle with cancer. Valerie, with husband Brian who died only a few weeks ago, were regular players at Rainham and Maidstone Bridge Clubs until moving to Norfolk some 15 years ago. Whilst Valerie did not play as much bridge as Brian her face will be familiar to many current Maidstone players as they both played regularly in our on-line bridge competitions. Private funeral arrangements are in place.

It was with sadness we learned of the death on Tuesday of Brian Barrett a long-time member of the Club. Brian, who also played at Rainham, was a very keen bridge player, helping out the Committee from time-to-time and also organising the Medway Congress in later years. He moved away to Norfolk some 12 years ago where he continued to play Bridge and make more friends across the table. He started playing on-line Bridge when Covid struck and became well-known amongst our members introducing us to his Norfolk colleagues. He leaves his wife Valerie, son Mark and daughter Helen. 

We are advised that the funeral will take place on Monday 25 April at 1330 hours at Guildford Crematorium. A wake will be held afterwards at Liphook Golf Club and the family have asked that as many of his former friends and acquaintances come along.

It is with great sadness we have to report the death of Mary Foreman after a short illness.

Mary together with her husband Martin have been very loyal supporters of face to face Bridge since we restarted after the Covid shutdown. Although having mobility issues in recent months she and Martin have always supported the Club well and she will be sadly missed. Funeral arrangements will be advised in due course.

Mary is pictured playing bridge at the Ashford invitation pairs last year with husband Martin and playing against Pauline and Steve Davis. 

It is with great sadness we have to report the death of our Club Secretary and bridge teacher Jacquie Day who died today after a brief illness. Jacquie will be known to most members of the Club either through the length of time they have been playing or as recent newcomers who Jacquie had taught to play. Jacquie had been playing at Maidstone for the last 40 plus years and struck up partnerships with amongst others Margaret Thom and Pauline Ballard. She had since covid found a number of different partners on-line and had recently returned to face-to-face bridge on Monday afternoons with Barry Quinnell. Jacquie could always be relied on to take on a job if no-one else wanted to and she has been a rock in running the Club for many years. She will be missed. 

It is with great personal sadness I have to report the passing of Dick Payne in the early hours of this morning, Saturday 11 May 2024. Dick first appeared at Maidstone Bridge Club in the early 1970's and went on to have successful bridge partnerships with Freda Wilding, Kathy Stratten and John Cullingworth. He played in many National Competitions reaching finals and semi finals and partnered Peter Law on many occasions. He had just celebrated his diamond wedding with his wife Wendy and their two children Andrew and Ruth. He was a keen games player of all sorts and in his younger days was a tennis player and in later life a good  golfer. He will be sadly missed. Friends and family will be celebrating his life at  a private function at the end of the month.

Richard  Sissons - Chairman