| Hand of the Week 15th June |
Show Detail |
David is on holiday and I have been left to do Hand of the Week. David likes to award HotW to a slam when possible but I thought I would look at other top boards. Obviously, I must congratulate Bill and Ginny for being the only pair to make a slam. This was on board 3 with just 29 points. Well done.
I then noticed board 26. The only board where everyone was in the same contract, 3NT by North. 11 tricks should be possible but this can so often depend on leads and finesses. So 9 pairs just made 10 tricks, so well done to Christine and Joyce, David and Murray for making the eleventh trick.
I also noticed that on board 7, if played by South, 3NT is makeable but not if played by North. Most pairs are in clubs as North has an opening hand and six clubs. They always say that NT is better than playing in a minor suit, and in this case, it certainly was. Well Done to Lesley and Carol.
Mary.
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| FREE ONLINE INFORMAL TEAMS |
Wednesday 16th September This will be the first teams on RealBridge. Please email Mary Baker for seats.
From Wednesday 16th September we will be playing on RealBridge. We hope all our regulars will happily switch and that we will see some new faces too. If you have never played on RealBridge, please go to https://realbridge.online/try-realbridge.html to try it out and to test your microphone and camera. The camera is not essential but the microphone is! There is also a contact phone number for RealBridge for technical help. Full instructions for the RealBridge session will be sent out nearer the time but feel free to email me, David, for more information.
Log in to RealBridge by 7:10pm and wait in the Lobby
Please do not wander off into other areas as you may become invisible to the organiser.
Please take your assigned seat at the table as soon as possible.
Play will usually start around 7:15pm, but may be earlier if everyone is ready.
Explaining bids
If you do not understand an opponent's bid, or want further explanation, simply ask the opponent's partner to explain what they understand by the bid. This is the same as face-to-face bridge when played at the club.
If you are asked to explain your bid, please do so promptly; if you do not remember or don't have an agreement, simply say that you have no agreement.
Online play with RealBridge uses Partner-alerting - as with face-to-face bridge
If your partner makes a bid that is not a natural (or well-known) bid, promptly click the alert button. This can be found near the bottom of the screen, to the right of the playing area.
Online play with RealBridge uses auto-Stop cards
If you make a jump bid, RealBridge will automatically display the Stop card, and prevent the next player from bidding straight away. There is no Stop card for you to display before you bid.
Using Undos
During bidding, if you genuinely mis-click a bid, you can immediately request an undo, which should normally be granted by your opponents.
Undos are not normally allowed during card play, so be careful when playing.
 Chris provides an automated email notification service for updates to this section - the service runs from 7am to 10:55pm - if you would like to subscribe, please email Chris
If you would like general information about our weekly online Teams events, please email David Barker
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| NEWSLETTER |
Hi All,
Finally, we have had some rain in the last few weeks and now the grass is looking green again. Autumn will soon be here and before we know it, Christmas will be happening!!
I have lots to mention in this newsletter.
- Annual membership. £10 This is now due from all members, whether playing live, online or both.
- Quarterly payment for live play £25 (or you can pay £3 per session).
- Quarterly payment for teams online £5 (or you can pay £1 per session) If you only play online, you do not need to pay the fee for live play.
Here are the bank details. Cash on a Monday evening is acceptable as well.
NatWest Sort Code 60-01-31
Account Number 59862181
Stoke Mandeville Bridge Club
Please put your name as reference on the payment.
On Wednesday 16th September, we trialled our first team event using Realbridge. We had five teams of four. As with anything new, there were a few hiccups with camera and microphone issues. A movement that I was unfamiliar with, but you just have to trust the computer to know best!. It all worked fine and we played 24 boards in less than 2½ hours. I enjoyed being able to see and chat to the other players. I hope those that took part, felt the same. Well done to the winning team of Rod, Lew, Janet and Joanna.
Wednesday 7th October will be the start of our regular weekly team events using Realbridge. Nearer the time, David will be asking for names of who would like to play. I hope those that played in the trial session, that had problems, will have another go. It will only get easier.
The first RealBridge evening was free but we will need to charge everyone who plays in the future, and have decided that £5 a quarter for our regular players will cover our costs to Realbridge. If you don't play regularly on a Wednesday evening, then we will ask for £1 every time you play. Please use the same bank details as above and add your name and RB to the reference. Note that this is in addition to your annual membership fee of £10.
We have had a very good response to our third bridge weekend. We have 40 people attending so far with some thinking about joining us. Last year, we were able to add names and rooms at the beginning of January. Obviously, there is no guarantee that there will be rooms available, so if you are thinking about coming along, please let Lesley know asap.
We held this on Monday 6th July for Motor Neurone Disease in memory of Maria. Thank you very much for your kind donations and we were able to send £621.
Finally, they are now in this country, and we should be receiving all our new equipment sometime next week. We are hoping to use them for the first time on Monday 28th September. I hope this will all run smoothly but please be patient with us on that first evening.
Monday 9th November is Children in Need sim pairs and I will be asking for donations on the night to boost our contribution to Children in Need. Thank you for supporting this every year.
Monday 14th December is our Christmas party. This will start at 6.30 with drinks and nibbles. It will be a host evening, so please come along with or without a partner.
Monday 28th December - NO BRIDGE as it is a bank holiday and very close to Christmas.
Monday 4th January. Bridge as normal.
I think that has covered everything, so I will just thank you all for supporting our club and helping in many ways during our club nights.
Best Wishes
Mary.
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| Bridge Weekend |
2 nights stay, buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, offer of 5 sessions of Bridge, prizes and full use of all the leisure facilities, with plenty of parking on site.
Single £270, Double £200 with Bridge fee per person of £20
£50 deposit required by 31st July 2026. Balance for the room required by 21st November 2026 which is also to include the £20 per person Bridge fee.
Neither the deposit nor the balance is refundable but the committee will do everything possible to promote your place to others should you have to pull out of the weekend
Non-playing partners, spouses and singles welcome. Host system offered
This is not an EBU event and therefore no Master Points will be awarded or no NGS ratings affected
| Timetable |
| Friday |
Access to the conference room from 1pm with Bridge 2pm – 4pm
Check-in to rooms after 4pm
Buffet dinner at 6pm
Bridge 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start (24 boards) and finish by 10.30pm |
| Saturday |
Buffet breakfast
Bridge 9.30am – 12.30pm
Buffet lunch
Afternoon at leisure
5pm drinks party
Buffet dinner at 6pm
Bridge 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start (24 boards) and finish by 10.30pm |
| Sunday |
Buffet breakfast
Bridge 9.30am – 12.30pm
Prizes, awards
Buffet lunch
Depart |
If you are interested, please register using the registration form found here
Any queries please contact Lesley Wright lesleyebwright@yahoo.co.uk / 07933 608512 or Mary Baker mary.baker12@btinternet.com / 07970 320600
  
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| Charity Bridge Evening - Donation |
Following the charity evening on Monday 6th July, thanks to your generosity, we have been able to donate £621 to Motor Neurone Disease Association in Maria's memory.
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| SAD NEWS |
MARIA IBOS
It is with great sadness that I need to let you all know that
Maria died on Wednesday 3rd June.
Maria had been a member of our club for many years.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.
Please see the details of how we can remember Maria.
David McAleavey asks that people indicate if they are likely to attend. Probably best to email David (contact details are in the WhatsApp group)
Rest in Peace.
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| Swiss Pairs in memory of Jean Ingham-Johnson |
A Swiss Pairs bridge event is being held on Sunday 21st September 2025 at Wallingford Bridge Club, in memory of Jean Ingham-Johnson who sadly passed away recently and to raise money for The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust.
Full details are shown on the attached poster. As there are restrictions on the number of tables at the village hall that Wallingford uses, players are encouraged to book early, using an online entry form on the Wallingford website.
The event is open to all players, there will be a scrumptious tea as well as a raffle. Members of Jean's family will also be present.
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| Announcing |
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Updated 29th July 2024 – Effective 1st August 2024
Announcements:
- only apply on the first round of bidding i.e. the first (non-Pass) bid and the next three calls
- apply equally over intervention and to advancer’s bids i.e. partner of overcaller
- never apply to overcalls
- do not apply to opening bids above 2NT – transfer pre-empts are alerted not announced
- always extend with fuller description where appropriate
Please be tolerant if opponents alert when they should announce or announce when they shouldn’t.
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Opening Bid
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Description
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Announcement
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1♣ / 1♦
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Non-forcing,
may be fewer than 3 cards
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“May be X” where X is 0, 1 or 2.
Extend e.g. “May be X and may have up to 5♦ ”
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1NT
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Natural, non-forcing
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“12 to 14” (or appropriate range) and extend e.g. “may contain a low singleton”
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2 suit
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Natural, may or will have just one suit
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“Weak”, “Intermediate”, “Strong, non-forcing”,
“Strong, forcing”
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2NT/3NT
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Natural, strong, non-forcing
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No Announcement (or Alert)
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Response
to 1 suit
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Description
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Announcement
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New suit
(including jumps below game)
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Natural, forcing (not a jump bid)
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No announcement or alert
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Natural, non-forcing (not passed hand, not over 1NT overcall)
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“Natural, non-forcing”
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Natural, game forcing
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“Natural, game-forcing”
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Jump bid: natural, (game-) forcing
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“Natural, game-forcing” or “Natural, forcing”
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Artificial or natural, with support
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ALERT
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Artificial, showing another single suit
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Announce: name the suit shown
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1♣ – 1♠ : denying a major
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“No major”
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1NT
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Non-forcing, up to 10 HCP
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No announcement or alert
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Non-forcing, may be > 10 HCP
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“Up to 11”, “Up to a bad 12”, etc.
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Forcing – does not show specific suit or suits
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“Forcing”
Extend e.g. ”may have weak raise”
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Artificial, showing another suit
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Announce: name the suit shown
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Response to 1NT / 2NT
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Description
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Announcement
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2♣ / 3♣
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Asking for 4-card majors
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“Stayman” Extend e.g. “at least invitational”
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New suit
(including jumps below game)
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Natural, non-forcing
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“Natural, non-forcing”
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Natural, forcing
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“Natural, forcing”
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Artificial, showing another suit
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Announce: name the suit shown
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DOUBLES
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Bid that is doubled
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Meaning of double
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Announcement / Alert
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ONLY ON THE 1ST ROUND OF BIDDING:
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Natural 1NT opening bid
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Not penalties
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ALERT
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Penalties, but may be based on a balanced hand with less than 15HCP
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ALERT
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Suit bid showing the suit
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Penalties
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ALERT
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1NT response
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Penalties
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ALERT
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ANY
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Shows a single suit
(different from the suit bid i.e. a Proxy)
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Announce: name the suit shown
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AFTER THE 1ST ROUND OF BIDDING:
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ANY
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Takeout or Penalty
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No announcement or alert
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AT ALL STAGES OF THE AUCTION:
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ANY
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An unexpected specific message e.g. number of controls; relates to another suit; shows weakness in bid suit; Lightner
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ALERT
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REDOUBLES
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Bid that is redoubled
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Meaning of Redouble
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Announcement / Alert
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ONLY ON THE 1ST ROUND OF BIDDING:
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ANY
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Shows a single suit
(different from the suit bid i.e. a Proxy)
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Announce: name the suit shown
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AT ALL STAGES OF THE AUCTION:
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ANY
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General strength or desire to play
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No announcement or alert
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Other
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ALERT
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ALERTS
Unless mentioned above, below 3NT continue to alert artificial calls and those with a specific unexpected meaning. In addition alert:
- Natural opening bids, or responses in a new suit, that have a second suit or support for partner
- Lead-directing Passes above 3NT
© The English Bridge Union 2024.
Updated 29th July 2024 – Effective 1st August 2024
Click here to visit the EBU site for the original PDF
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| Christmas Party - 9th December |
 This year, our Christmas Party event will be held on the evening of Monday 9 th December
This will be a hosted event, so, if you turn up without a partner, one will be found for you.
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| CHILDREN IN NEED - 11th November |
 This year, our BBC Children in Need charity event will be held on the evening of Tuesday 11 th November
As usual, we will be donating table money and any additional voluntary donations collected on the night to Children in Need
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| EBU Ranking |
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Grand Master
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Mike Webley
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Premier Life Master
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Hugh Thomson
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Paula Hopkinson
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Premier National Master
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Gill Walker
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6* + Premier Regional Master
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Maureen Summersgill
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Sheila Smith
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Regional Master
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Robert Last
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1* Premier Tournament Master
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Mary Baker
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Premier Tournament Master
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Paul Morris
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2* Premier Master
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Richard Devas
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1* Tournament Master
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Ted Crump
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5* Master
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Richard Plummer
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Sue Mercer
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4* Master
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Jenny Miller
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Kathy Gray
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Martin Wright
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3* Master
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Jean Carter
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Ralph Holliday
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Raymond Connew
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2* Master
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Beryl Atkins
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Charles Miller
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David Barker
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Fiona Scriven
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Janet Joynson
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John Rogers
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Mike Francis
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Richard Clark
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1* Master
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Angela Manders
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Chris Kaye
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David Mcaleavey
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Dot O'Gorman
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Pauline Shelton
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Stephen Marshall
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Vivien Suttie
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Advanced Master
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Andy Melville-Jackson
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Anwar Choudhury
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Jean Thompson
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Jean Woodman
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Marilyn Plummer
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Peter Wright
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William Astles
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Master
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Carol Harris
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Danny Gritz
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Jacqui Last
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Jonathan Seabrook
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Lesley Wright
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Peter Rowling
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Peter Weisner
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Richard Wood
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Shirley Crowe
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County Master
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Anne Stokes
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Christine Dawtrey
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Diane Spiers
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Gill Grigg
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Ginny Weisner
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Jennifer Mann
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John Gover
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Mike Arrowsmith
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Molly Butler
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Quentin Hartley
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Rab Morrison
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Stephen Bishop
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Yvonne Benz
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District Master
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Alan Pierce
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Erika Stride
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Liz Perrottet
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Murray Cooke
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Nikki Smith
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Steve Elms
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Area Master
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Brenda Alsagoff
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Carole Syms
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Joyce Lecomber
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Zosia Bedford
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Club Master
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John Osborne
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Sue Wilson
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Local Master
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Andrew Simms
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Chloe Lewis
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Clive Turner
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| STOKE MANDEVILLE BRIDGE CLUB at ASTON CLINTON PARK - Bootstrap |
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