We have had several successes over the last few months for Newbury players and our congratulations go to the following:

Team Barratt won the 2025 Chiltern League Spring Cup. This was an especially poignant win with David playing in their first winning heat and others stepping in to help in subsequent matches. 
Congratulations to Eileen Barratt, Nicola Foster, Ann McMahon and John Foster who played in the final beating Team Sayer 63-50.

Laura Chisholm and Frans Vas Nunes played in the E Cats Charity Sims at Chieveley on 10^th July and finished 5^th nationally out of 297 pairs with 67.45%. This was a particularly impressive result as Laura has not long completed the beginners course and has been playing less than 2 years.  

Liz Madeley and Gill Weeks played in the Wednesday EBED Autumn Sim Pairs at Hungerford on 3^rd September and finished 1st out of 269 pairs.

Several Newbury members played in the Henley Café Bridge event organised by Oxfordshire CBA on 16^th September. 59 pairs took part in a very enjoyable day, with lunch and pleasant bridge included. As a bonus, Alan and Sue Oliver finished first East West with 70.88% and Ann McMahon and Eileen Barratt finished 6^th the same way.

Thanks to everyone who attended our Charity Evening Dinner on Friday 19th September. 

It was a very enjoyable event which featured a talk from Tracy Underwood from our Charity of the year - Bridge for young people - followed by some great food, rubber bridge with prizes, and an excellent raffle with John Harland’s creative number generator!
We all had a lot of fun, and most importantly, raised money for a great cause. 
Thanks so much to everyone who helped with generous donations of prizes, food, cash and their time. It was a real team effort, but special thanks to Clare who co-ordinated the food, Yvonne who sorted and wrapped the raffle prizes, John who ran the raffle, and Sue who looked after the bar. Thanks to Ann for directing so well too.
We will count up the numbers and let you know how much we’ve raised for the charity once we know for sure. 

Thanks again,

Alan Oliver
Chairman   07548 220615      ChairNewburyBC@gmail.com

And of course our thanks go to Alan for  hosting the evening and his part in its organisation.

Photo of Wessex House

We have just heard the sad news that Marcelline Herald died on 14th August. She has been playing at Chieveley during the last year or so and we will miss her there. Our commiserations go to her family and friends. Her funeral has been arranged for 1st September at 11 a.m. at St Mark's, Englefield, The Street, RG7 5EL

More sad news. Liz Recaldin died after a long illness on 1st July. Many of our members will remember her but she has been restricted to online play in recent years. Our commiserations go to her relatives and friends. Liz's funeral will be at West Berks Crematorium on July 31st at 12noon.

It is with great sadness that I must tell you that our dear friend David Barratt passed away on 22nd June. As many of you will know, David has been very unwell recently, fighting a particularly aggressive form of cancer.  We are all shocked and saddened by this, and his passing is an extremely sad loss to David's wife Eileen and their family.  Our hearts go out to them all.

David has been an integral part of our club for many years, as a former chairman, secretary and current committee member, and generally someone who knows virtually everyone and always knows what to do and how to get things done. David encouraged and supported everyone in their bridge, whatever their level of experience and he did so with a smile and good humour.  A truly lovely man who we will miss more than words can say.

Eileen wanted me to pass on the following comment from her to their many friends in the club: "Thanks so much to everyone for your messages of support and friendship to David and I in recent weeks.  It means a lot to know what David meant to you and will give me some consolation at this difficult time.  I hope to see you again in person in the future."

While David's wish was not to have a formal memorial service, if anyone would like to make a donation in memory of David, the family have suggested Newbury Cancer Care which is a cause close to their hearts.

Alan Oliver Chairman of Newbury Bridge Club

We have just learned that Wendy died on 8th May. She was only a member of the club for a short while but she got on well with people and was a popular lady. Our commiserations go to her family and friends.

This went very well, the bridge being played in a  friendly and enjoyable fashion and the tea being delicious. Special thanks need to go to David Barratt for organising, Ann McMahon for directing, Clare Reseigh, Eileen Barratt and all members of the catering team, to Yvonne Bell for organising the raffle and to all other helpers. The event was won by Judy McCulloch. Well done Judy!
Ann McMahon was 2nd, Brian Medhurst 3rd, Andrew Ferguson 4th, Judy Bungey 5th, Yvonne Bell 6th.

Due to health reasons, John Hawkins has decided to step back from his involvement with our club.  Our Chairman Alan Oliver  would like  to put on record his and the Committee’s thanks for all the work he has done for the club over 20 years, including running the website and setting up the Improvers group which is still such an important part of the lifeblood of the club.  We are sorry to see him go.

Click/Touch small picture to view larger

Newbury Bridge Club held their first New Year's party for five years on Friday 10^th January at The Bowlers Arms and it was a great success. A lot of work was put in by a select few as usual and our thanks go out to them. Various trophies were awarded and some of the winners are shown here.
Photos by David Barratt