TURKEY COMPETITION., CHRISTMAS PARTY AND HOLIDAY BREAK
This year’s Christmas Party will be held on Friday 15th December. There will be playing sessions for all grades followed by a party including live entertainment with lots of prizes. Entry €15 per person. Numbers will be restricted so please indicate your interest by signing the Sign-up sheet in the main hall.
Turkey competitions will be held from December 8th to 14th inclusive (6 in total, entry €8).
Regular play will continue until Wed 20th December and will resume on Tuesday 2nd January.
CELTIC SIMULTANEOUS PAIRS.
The next series of the ever-popular Simultaneous Pairs will be held the week commencing 4th December (4 nights only). This will additionally involve clubs in Scotland and Wales so be prepared to wear the green with pride, (entry €8).
VOUCHER REDEMPTION.
Veronica McKenna has graciously agreed to head up a team comprising Yvonne Coughlan, Moira Lonergan and Nora Weafer to manage Prize Voucher generation and redemption. This is to relieve some of the burden on our Captain’s and address issues identified during recent audits and also address some member's frustration. It will take a little time to iron out the new process and we count on members' patience as improvement is underway. If a member has a query regarding a voucher, you can contact Veronica at: veronicamck@gmail.com. A separate communication is in preparation for Captains and assistants.
TROPHY POLICY.
Tournament Officer, Tom Gilligan, is leading a review of policy relating to the competition format of major events and the awarding of prizes for these. We expect to publish an updated policy in January.
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
There was a great take up by members in the recent courses involving both in-house teachers Ann Doyle, Eamon Galligan, Fran Ronan, Sean Whelan, as well as Seamus Costello. The completion of Ann’s classes is deferred until January and we wish Ann a speedy recovery. It is planned to run follow up training in the new year. Feedback forms were circulated for the in-house sessions. These are being used to help inform the design of the next courses. If you attended but did not return a form and still wish to do so, please contact Tournament Officer, Tom Gilligan tournaments@mrbc.ie (Ann’s students excepted until course is complete).
CHANGES ON COUNCIL.
For those of you who may have missed the recently reconvened AGM, due to work commitments Patric Black has stepped down as Treasurer. Maureen Costello has been co-opted onto Council, as Treasurer, to the end of the season. We are looking for a new Treasurer for the 2024/25 season and beyond. Please get in touch with the Nominations Committee (Joe Caulfield , Irene Tyrell - see website).
The Council now comprises:
President; Donat O’Brien, Hon Sec: Catherine Deegan, Hon Treas: Maureen Costello, Tournament Officer: Tom Gilligan, Facilities & Safety: Declan Cahill, Technology: Anthony McMackin, Social Affairs: Loreto O’Byrne, Bar: Pat Cassidy, Ordinary Council Member Jean Carberry. See website for contact details.
SPECIAL APPEAL FOR ON TIME START OF SESSIONS.
To help our captains get sessions started on time we urgently appeal to members to be seated 10 minutes before scheduled start of play. Captain’s assistants have worked hard to eliminate the table money collection bottle-neck. We also recognise that there is a parking issue. Late arrivals have necessitated re-programming of movements and re-distribution of boards and this is both complex and prone to error, especially when done under pressure. It has also resulted in some sessions having to be cut short before all rounds have been completed, thus undermining the competition. Thank you for your understanding.
COMMUNICATION.
Council plans to shortly introduce a Broadcast WhatsApp group which will facilitate urgent short messages to members who choose to opt in to this facility. It will be used for important messages and may refer to the website or to email if more substance is required. This will comply with GDPR legislation and will be one way communication only. Please watch out for a message from Anthony McMackin -Technology.
MONDAY NIGHT BRIDGE.
Following an appeal earlier in the season we are pleased to report that attendance on Monday evenings has increased although recently there has been a recent levelling off. At the moment, there are two sessions, one comprising mainly masters and A players and a few intrepid Bs. The second comprises mainly novices and B2s. This is a relatively relaxed night without the, sometimes manic air of other nights. Please give it a try.
LOST PROPERTY.
There are now six pairs of glasses in a box just inside the door to the main hall. Please retrieve them or stop wondering why you are not making your contracts! Additionally, there is a selection of clothing items/umbrellas hanging on the hooks to the left as you enter the hall. Any left at the end of December are going to the clothes bank.
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