1. Dates for your diary
-Tuesday 11 November:PAIRS event with Table Money donated to Children in Need
-Thursday 11 December:TEAMS event
-Thursday 8 January:New Year Party with information as to menu, menu choices, etc to follow c. 27 November
Please note that Tuesday 23 December will be our last session of 2025 and that we will resume on Tuesday 6 January 2026.
2. SHBC to go cashless
In common with other bridge clubs, your committee has decided to go cashless with an implementation target date of 1 April 2026. The new system is still being researched by your committee.
3. Session management
Scoring is a key element of every session and, as such, we strive continuously to refine and improve our procedures in this respect so that all involved in the process have a clear understanding of what is required.
There is an ever-present need for volunteers to assist in the set-up of sessions as there is an over-reliance on David Buckley and Brian Shiels in this respect; likewise, vis-a-vis clearing-up after both the tea interval and at the session-end.
Henceforth, tea-drinkers will have a dedicated pot at their disposal, thus reducing long queues for members who prefer coffee.
4. SHBC management
I informed the committee last week that I would stand down as chairman of SHBC with effect from 31 December 2025 but, for the moment, would remain as a member of the committee. In the meantime, the committee approved the appointment of Mark Elliott as Interim Chair of SHBC through to the AGM in say June 2026, when elections to the committee will be subject to the approval of the members.
Alan R Middleton, Chairman SHBC
4 November 2025
News Update - Yvonne Buss Trophy
Yesterday’s event was a great success, commencing with a gracious speech of welcome by Bill Buss and the ‘lucky dip’ award by him of a bottle of wine to Annie-France.
With 10 tables, there was a keenly fought competition for the trophy with David Spencer & Stewart Pennycuick (69%) emerging victorious ahead of James Carrie-Wilson & Viv Morris (65%) and Winnie Perry & Caroline Kemp (61%). Once the results had been posted, despite the erratic behaviour of Bridgemates, the trophy was presented to the winners by Bill (with a picture duly posted on WhatsApp).
As a result of our efforts and with thanks to:
- Caroline, Christine, Hilary and Viv for their fund-raising and organisational skills
- Master Chef aspirants in providing delicious cakes and
- members’ generous contributions to the raffle (bottles of various shapes and sizes)
the committee has approved the payment of £500 to Lupus UK.
Congratulations all round and with many thanks to you all for your generous support in both cash and kind.
Alan R Middleton, Chairman SHBC
News Update - September 17th 2025
1. Membership
In recent weeks, we have welcomed both Sally Clark and Alastair Dunbar as members.
2. Yvonne Buss Trophy
On Thursday, 9 October, members will compete once again for the Yvonne Buss Trophy in aid of Lupus UK - holders: Caroline and Mark. The event will be limited to 24 pairs playing 26 boards with an arrow switch, thus producing an outright winner. Therefore in order to prevent the event being oversubscribed those wishing to participate will need to book their place in advance, a sign up sheet will be available at the session on Thursday October 2nd and Tuesday October 7th.
Raffle tickets will also be on sale on those days as well as at the event courtesy of Caroline and her team.
On the day, there will be the opportunity to donate:
- cake(s) to the usual tea interval fare and
- bottles to the raffle to be conducted during the tea interval. ( could be liquid refreshments, toiletries, fairy liquid etc).
3. Christmas/New Year Party
Arrangements have been made to hold the event on the evening of Thursday, 8 January, 2026 at SHYC’s Royal Sovereign Suite.
4. Lift at SHYC
Apologies to all our members vis-a-vis the ongoing saga of the lift. Hopefully, normal service will be resumed next week - so, stay alert as to messages in this respect on WhatsApp and email.
5. Scoring
Thank you to Norman, Robin and Hilary for producing the results of Tuesday’s session by hand in double quick time. It’s good to know that members have not forgotten the ‘art’ of using travellers (E&OE!) and to realise how much we have come to appreciate the benefits of technology (again, E&OE!). Let’s hope the glitch is fixed for this Thursday’s session).
Alan R Middleton, Chairman SHBC
17 September, 2025
News Update – 20 June 2025
- Annual General Meeting – Thursday, 12 June 2025
The AGM was attended by 33 members – a good turnout – and a further 27 members offered their apologies.
Resolutions put to the members were approved:
- The minutes of the AGM held on 30 May 2024
- Annual Subscriptions and Table Money at current levels
- Financial Statement as of 31 March 2025
- The re-election of the committee
The Chairman thanked the members for their ongoing support and, in turn, expressed his appreciation of the extensive and often unseen support of members volunteering their time in running The Club – as Directors (primarily Hilary) and Scorers (Mark and Norman), as well as maintaining the Duty Officer Rota (Viv), collecting and banking Table Money (Caroline and Christine), monitoring our finances (Mark), maintaining the website (Robin) and setting-up the tables (Dave Buckley and Brian Shiels).
In response to issues raised by members, it was confirmed that:
-the committee is willing to support members wishing to expand their skills as Directors via EBU programmes, as well as Scorers via on-the-job training
-the number of occasions on which visitors might play at The Club is not limited, although it is widely understood that, if a session is oversubscribed, members will have priority over visitors (as per our website)
-the stock of bidding boxes and insets will be reviewed immediately with a view to discarding or replacing the said items as necessary and
-our involvement in SCCBA’s inter club league team event will continue (under Mark’s leadership), but not the parallel social event as there are too many other demands on members’ time.
In addition, it was noted that our relationship with Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club remains excellent.
B. Peter Wraight Trophy
A stalwart member of SHBC, Peter Wraight was one of 16 members who funded the resurrection of The Club in August 2017. Sadly, he died just as his loan was to be repaid and, at the suggestion of his family, a trophy was purchased in his memory.
Open to members with an NGS rating not exceeding 7, this year’s competition on Thursday, 12 June was won by Simon and Maggie Buller – to much acclaim (see picture of the presentation of the trophy) with George Jaklinski and Di Lyndsell runners-up and Janet Harper and Jane Allen in third place.
- Summer Party at Wellshurst Golf Club on Tuesday, 17 June
Hilary presided over the proceedings with 44 members in attendance, ably assisted on the day by Mark, Norman and Robin.
Judging by the remarks posted on WhatsApp and elsewhere, the event was a huge success with the venue, the weather and the fare provided by our hosts all earning top marks! No doubt, the winners too were pleased with their efforts - Viv Morris & Chris Imison, closely followed by Debbie Dunstall & Norman Stutters and Gill Collins & Colin Clark.
- Membership
Of late, we have welcomed David Benjamin, Diane Paterson and Paul & Sue Hutchings – in effect, bringing membership numbers via SHYC to full capacity (100, as per our agreement with SHYC). For the record:
-12 members who enrolled in 2024-25 have left The Club, including 2 who have suspended their membership while living away from Eastbourne temporarily
-17 would-be members are on the waiting list!
- Eastbourne Welcome Pairs
There is still time to register for this event which is to be held at Eastbourne Bridge Club on Sunday 29 June – it is essentially for less-experienced players. Further information is to be found on the SCCBA website www.sccba.co.uk
Alan R Middleton, Chairman SHBC
20 June 2025
P.S. Yesterday’s session was attended by 56 players/14 tables - a record turnout for Sovereign Harbour Bridge Club - with 11 visitors from as far afield as Brighton (England) and Perth (Australia).
News Update 24th May 2025
1. Membership
In recent weeks, we have welcomed Mary Bennett, Pam Blackman, Gill Cowan, Nigel Dent, Anji Fellows, Sue Lison, Roger Poulter and Anthony Sayers as new members and, yet, there are still some 10 others whom we are unable to accommodate at present.
New members, of course, enjoy Social Membership of Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club and will receive their membership cards (and SHYC’s weekly newsletter) any day soon. Further information about SHYC and its activities is available on SHYC’s website.
Please note that all members of SHBC are expected to carry their SHYC membership cards when visiting SHYC’s Club House.
2. AGM - 12 June 2025
The meeting will take place at 12.15. on Thursday, 12 June 2025 at SHYC, i.e. ahead of our regular session that day. Notice of the meeting, etc will be emailed to all members on Thursday, 29 May 2025.
3. Summer Party at Wellshurst Golf Club BN27 4EE - Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Duplicate bridge directed by Hilary who will also be the host. Tea comprising of a selection of sandwiches, home made sausage rolls and cakes is included.
Reservations for this event must be made via Christine Till or Caroline Kemp by Tuesday, 3 June - members £10/visitors £20 (including Table Money). To date, 35 members and guests have committed to this event.
Given ample free parking, check-in at the Golf Club will be at 12. 30. with play commencing at 13.00. and finishing by 17.00.
Needless to say, perhaps, is that there will not be any bridge at SHYC on 17 June.
4. Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club
We continue to enjoy an excellent working relationship with SHYC although concern has been expressed of late as to our members:
- arriving at SHYC well in advance of check-in time of 13.00. and
- helping themselves to tea/coffee which is to be served mid-session.
It is generally accepted that members should not arrive any sooner than 12.30. except to set-up tables or, via advance notice, to attend the AGM or committee/book club meetings; nor, in line with our Room Hire arrangements with SHYC, should members avail themselves of tea/coffee before play commences.
Alan R Middleton, Chairman SHBC
24 May 2025
News update 4th April 2025
1. Membership
We welcome both Angela Inwood and Jim Sawyer as new members of SHBC with others to follow once the subscription renewal process is complete. To date, we have received 80 subscriptions, all of which have been acknowledged today by email. Thank you members for your ongoing support!
2. Teams event
In the build-up to Easter, a very successful teams event was held yesterday with 11 tables. Given the pairings thrown up by the draw, it was inevitable that the winners would be Liz B & Raquel and David Benjamin & David Lampert - and so it proved! Many thanks are due to Hilary for both directing us throughout the afternoon in her inimitable style and in presenting the prizes, including a special award for the member contributing to the overall well-being of SHBC - on this occasion, Di Lyndsell. Congratulations to all concerned
3. Summer Party
By way of an experiment, the committee has arranged for a summer party with bridge to be held at Wellshurst Golf Club on the afternoon of Tuesday, 17 June - only 12 miles/30 minutes from Eastbourne on the A267 near Horam. The cost to members will be £10 inclusive of table money, a lovely afternoon tea and free parking! Please note the occasion in your diary.
Alan R Middleton, Chairman SHBC
4 April 2025
News Update - 18 February 2025
Sovereign Harbour Bridge Club
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO MEMBERS
1. Membership
As members are aware, we have been at full capacity in recent months in terms of numbers and tables per session. However, come 1 April 2025, there will be an opportunity to enrol new members as age, relocation and other priorities take their toll on our current membership. Accordingly, if you intend to resign your membership of SHBC, please let Membership Secretary Christine Till or me know as soon as possible.
Effective 1 April 2025, the annual subscription will remain at £20 (and Table Money at £3.50 per session/Visitors £4.50). Please make arrangements to pay your subscription, ideally via BACs to Metro Bank, Eastbourne, Sort Code 23-05-80, Account Number 34877173 in the name of Sovereign Harbour Bridge Club; alternatively, payment may be made in cash when attending at SHYC. Payment receipts will be issued in due course.
Membership will lapse if payment is not made by 15 May 2025.
2. Competitions
Given the success of team events introduced in 2024, arrangements are in hand to repeat the process via:
- an on-line SCCBA inter club tournament (see Mark Elliott) and
- an in-house league tournament to be held in members’ homes (see Hilary Levett).
Further, there will be a series of events through the end of this calendar year:
- Easter Teams on Thursday, 3 April
- Peter Wraight trophy in June (open to members with NGS less than 8)
- Yvonne Buss trophy in September (in support of Lupus)
- simultaneous pairs in November in aid of Children in Need
as well as our ongoing pairs and Improver of the Year competitions.
3. Social events
Consideration is being given, by way of change, to ‘away day’ events at Beauport or Wellshurst comprising bridge with say afternoon tea or a barbecue - to supplement our usual round of get-togethers.
Alan R Middleton, Chairman
Update: 21st January 2025
On 9 January, after an afternoon session with 27 boards/12 tables, 55 members and their guests gathered in SHYC's Royal Sovereign Suite for a belated Christmas and New Year Party celebration although, sadly, 5 members had to withdraw.
Ahead of the meal, David Spencer presented a fiendish quiz for members and guests alike to digest - a mixture of bridge-related oddities, together with what might loosely be called current affairs covering the life span of those present. David resumed the floor after the meal providing the answers to his brain teasers with an amusing narrative including his rendition of Arthur Askey's 'busy as a busy, busy bee'! With a score of 23 points, Caroline Kemp, Peter Kemp, Di Lyndsell and Norman Stutters were duly rewarded for their efforts with prizes of unparalleled generosity. Thank you, David, we all appreciated the quiz.
Courtesy of our webmaster and ‘statistician extraordinaire’, some really important and/or completely useless statistics as to what had happened at the SHBC bridge table in 2024 were announced to members:
-we had 101 sessions (with 93 attended by Chris Hebson)
-we averaged very nearly 10 tables per session (remarkably high given our membership)
-we improved our NGS rating for the 7th year in succession, from 44 in 2018 to 49.77
-the pairs event (requiring attendance at 26 sessions) was won by Liz & Raquel with 57.62%, followed by Viv & James with 55.03% and Kathleen & Mary with 53.22% (although one pair scored marginally better than Liz & Raquel, but put in only 25 appearances!)
-the individual performance champion with 57.01% was Raquel and
-the slams 'competition' was won by Norman & Debbie with 20 slams bid and made successfully.
As to the SHBC trophies for calendar 2024:
-the Yvonne Buss trophy was won by Caroline & Mark
-the Peter Wraight trophy was won by Yvonne & Bill and
-the Harry Shirley Improver of the Year was won by Di Lyndsell - to much acclaim!
All in all, members were appreciative of the occasion for which thanks are due to Christine for organising the event (from start to finish!), David for the quiz and SHYC staff for their excellent service.
Alan R Middleton
News Update 4th January 2025
1. Happy New Year and a big thank you to all our members for continuing to support Sovereign Harbour Bridge Club.
2. On Thursday, 9 January, a big turnout is expected at our afternoon session (it’s full!) ahead of our New Year Party at SHYC’s Royal Sovereign Suite. On the day:
- space will be available all day to hang coats, etc outside SHYC’s Royal Sovereign Suite rather than overload the racks in the SHYC Bar/Chart Room
- a soft drink alternative will be available to members preferring not to drink wine as a preamble to the festive meal and
- please refrain from ‘amending’ the table/seating plan as it is geared to SHYC’s service schedule.
3. If you have symptoms of a cold, flu, etc., please consider other members/guests who may be at risk - and stay home.
Alan R Middleton
4 January, 2025
News Update 5th December 2024
1. New Year Party on Thursday, 9 January 2025
Reservations must be made by 19 December - but, the sooner the better, please.
For the moment, please note that:
- reservations/menu choices (see SHBC website) should be notified to Christine Till
- payment should be made via BACs (Sort Code 23 05 80/Account 34877173)
- payment may be made in cash when attending SHBC bridge sessions.
Action, please.
2. Bridge session preceding New Year Party on 9 January 2025
Given the demand for places at the New Year Party itself, the bridge session will be extremely busy that day and, accordingly, priority will be given:
- initially, to members (and their guests) with New Year Party reservations
- and then to members without reservations and, in turn, visitors.
Given the numbers already registered for the New Year Party the afternoon bridge session will be limited to 56 players (i.e. The absolute limit of our capacity) – further news update to follow by 17 December.
The format of the session will be decided on the day itself.
3. Commencement of bridge sessions
Members are reminded that it is necessary to arrive at SHYC by 1 pm, thus enabling the director:
- to determine the numbers available to play (and the role of the host, if any)
- to instruct the scorer as to the tables required, movement to be played, etc. and
- to announce the movement and other instructions to the members,
thus allowing play to commence at 1.15. p.m.
Regrettably, there have been occasions recently when latecomers have been accommodated and chaos has ensued (with Bridgemates, seating arrangements and/or movements between tables in varying degrees of disarray). In future, members and visitors who arrive after 1 p.m. will NOT be accommodated unless advance warning of their late check-in has been communicated to the director.
4. Christmas/New Year holidays
The session on Thursday, 12 December will be a festive occasion with mince pies, etc.
The last session of 2024 will be on Thursday, 19 December.
The first session of 2025 will be on Thursday, 2 January.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Alan R Middleton
Chairman, SHBC
Sovereign Harbour Bridge Club News update
Friday 25 October 2024
1. Lupus Charity Day
The event was very well attended with 12 tables and a closely fought contest in which Caroline Kemp and Mark Elliott emerged victorious ahead of Susan Sinsbury and David Lampert. Pictures of the presentation of the Yvonne Buss trophy are to be found on the SHBC website.
Happily, members were very generous in their support of Lupus UK, such that we were able to send £400 to the charity. Thank you to all concerned, especially Bill Buss.
2. Dates for your diary
Nothing new to report except that the SHBC New Year Party will be held on Thursday, 9 January 2025 at SHYC’s Royal Sovereign Suite - very much along the lines of previous years with precise information to follow in say late November.
Please remember that the EBU’s Children in Need event scheduled for 12 November will be Simultaneous Pairs - any questions, please contact Norman Stutters.
3. Membership
We welcomed Susan Sinsbury and David Lampert as new members this month and were pleased to have Gill Brown resume her membership after her accident.
There is no shortage of would-be members. Accordingly, your committee is of the view that any member who has not played since April 2024 should reflect on their position and let me know their intentions.
4. Christmas Newsletter
Robin Levett has volunteered to mastermind the production of such a letter - yet again! However, he needs contributions from members - so, thinking caps on please and let Robin know what you have in mind as soon as possible…..something you would wish to share with other members, not necessarily related to bridge. Robin’s deadline is 25 November with a view to ‘publication’ in early December. Need I say more?
Sovereign Harbour Bridge Club - News Update
Monday 16th September
1. EBU Festival of Bridge
In recent days, members have given great support to Bridge - it’s a Big Deal in support of Cancer Research UK. To this end:
- 12 members travelled to East Sussex National on Wednesday, 11 September to play Chicago Bridge in three 2-hour slots starting at 8 o’clock in the morning (somewhat beyond the call of duty!) and
- raffles held on 5 and 10 September yielded £350 withupwards of 50 prizes donated by members (primarily bottles ranging from Prosecco to Fairy Liquid, as well as an array of cakes).
Consequently, the committee has approved the immediate payment of £200 to Cancer Research UK via the EBU and will put the remaining £150 towards our contribution to Lupus UK next month.
A very big thank you is due to Caroline Kemp who organised both our representation at East Sussex National (together with 4 other bridge clubs) and our two raffles. Well done, Caroline and her team. Photos of our members supporting the event are to be seen on the front page of the club web site. I 👀
2. SHBC Website
Members might recall that a huge effort was made in the last twelve months to revamp our dedicated website. Accordingly, it was very gratifying to have a member of another bridge club express her appreciation of our efforts in this respect!
3. Dates for your diary
26 September - Peter Wraight Trophy
24 October - Yvonne Buss Trophy
12 November - Children in Need
Further details of these bridge tournaments are to be found on the website.
Arrangements for our Christmas/New Year party at SHYC in early January 2025 are under discussion.
In closing, let me express my appreciation of your support of SHBC which continues to prosper with membership full (and 19 applications to join), a record number of tables per session, sound finances and an active social life.
Alan R Middleton, Chairman
A. The AGM held on Thursday, 30 May 2024 was attended by 38 members - an excellent turnout. The minutes of the meeting have been placed on the SHBC website - Members Only section.
B. Discussions held subsequent to the AGM have focused on the need to vary sessions from time to time, such that the following programme has been agreed/confirmed through end-2024:
- 26 September: Peter Wraight Trophy event for players with an ngs of 8 or less. (everybody is welcome to play in the session)
- 24 October: Yvonne Buss Trophy/Lupus UK event - handicap format
- 21 November: Children in Need event - sims pairs requiring the designated dealers and scorers to liaise with the EBU well ahead of time
- 19 December: Teams event
as well as special ‘off-site’ team events organised by Hilary and Mark.
Where appropriate, events will be enhanced with festive fare, raffles, etc.
In addition, each month the sit-out direction will alternate - where possible, which is not always the case.
C. Members were invited at the AGM to give their ideas as to how SHBC funds should best be used given that, to date, a modest surplus has been accumulated despite the ravages of the pandemic and the significant outlay of late on dealing machines, Bridgemates, etc. Should the need to relocate SHBC arise, the establishment of a contingency or rainy day fund was raised, whereas others were keen to see:
- charitable donations extended beyond Lupus UK (agreed in principle some time ago)
- social functions further subsided by SHBC (another barbecue) and/or
- playing equipment upgraded.
These suggestions and other ideas will be discussed by the committee this month.
Alan R Middleton, Chairman
4 June 2024
News Update 6th May 2024 - Sovereign Harbour Bridge Club
1. Membership
New members welcomed to SHBC - Bruce Armstrong, Russell Calderwood, Mary Davidson, Paul Williams, Shizuko Bell, Chimi Notenboom, George Jaklinski and Jeanne Boydell.
2. EBU Summer Meeting in Glorious Eastbourne in August 2024
Fame at last! Members will be delighted to read that the May 2024 edition of the EBU’s English Bridge magazine gives national recognition to SHBC! It tells all EBU members attending the meeting that ‘Eastbourne has two thriving bridge clubs - Eastbourne and Sovereign Harbour - should they want to extend their holiday but not forego the pleasures of a simple card game’.
3. Session set-up and direction
Members are required to arrive by 1 p.m. for a 1.15 p.m. start, but there are occasions when circumstances prevent arrival on time - breakdown, traffic delays, etc. If so, every effort should be made to inform Viv Morris (Mobile 07984 957 649) or Sarah Sanders, SHYC Office Administrator (Tel 01323 470888) that you will be late or just can’t make it.
Every effort is made to accommodate would-be bridge players and, accordingly, shortly after 1 p.m. decisions have to be made by the session director as to:
- the number of tables required (taking account of those present and ‘latecomers’ who are known to be en route) and
- the movement to be played.
Then, the director will instruct the designated scorer to proceed following which the session movement is announced and the Bridgemates, boards, etc. are distributed for action.
If a session has started, but latecomers can be accommodated, the session director will consider whether:
- to suspend play pending a decision to resume the session ‘as is’ or exceptionally
- to abandon the session and issue fresh instructions.
In these matters, it is the session director who decides how to proceed and to instruct latecomers, scorers, etc. accordingly.
4. Committee meeting on 2 May, 2024
At its meeting, the committee:
- approved the financial statements as of 31 March, 2024 for presentation to the members at the AGM on 28 May, 2024
- approved the extension of our agreement with SHYC as from 1 July, 2024
- approved the guidelines governing dealing, set-up and scoring processes
- noted the progress of the teams events launched recently by Hilary and Mark
- noted that membership is at full capacity with a waiting list.
As always, the committee appreciates the ongoing support of the members. Thank you.
Alan R. Middleton, Chairman SHBC
News Update 12 March 2024
1. SHBC Website
The long-promised revamp of our website has been completed thanks to the sterling efforts of Mark Elliott and Robin Levett. Members are invited to have a look-see and advise Robin of any further changes or improvements which might be made.
Further, it would be helpful if members could check their personal data (included in Members Only) and effect any changes which might be required (then, inform Christine Till, Membership Secretary, as appropriate viz email, telephone data).
2. Automation
It is now more than six months since Bridge Sorter (dealing machine) and Bridgemates were introduced. These innovations have proved very popular although, inevitably, there have been glitches from time to time. Documentation of the dealing and scoring processes (undertaken by Emma Whybrow and Mark Elliott) now needs to be refined in order to clarify the precise roles of the key persons involved in the management of each and every session viz. the dealer, the scorer and, most importantly, the director. The committee will oversee the refinement process now underway.
3. Host
At present, the schedule is full through end-April except for 18 April. Members should be alert as to when their turn to host is due and to advise Viv Morris accordingly - see Duty Officer Rota.
4. Dates for your Diary
28 Mar Easter Teams
30 May Annual General Meeting
26 Sep Peter Wraight Trophy
24 Oct Lupus Charity Day
28 Nov EBU Children in Need Simultaneous Pairs
In addition, please remember that the due date for membership subscriptions of £20 is 1 April 2024. The receipt to date of some 50 subscriptions is much appreciated.
Alan R Middleton, Chairman SHBC
News Update 15 February 2024
Sovereign Harbour Bridge Club
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO MEMBERS
1. Membership
As members are aware, we have been at virtually full capacity in recent months in terms of numbers and tables per session. However, come 1 April 2024, there will be an opportunity to enrol new members as age, relocation and other priorities take their toll on our current numbers. Accordingly, if you intend to resign your membership of SHBC, please let Membership Secretary Christine Till or me know as soon as possible.
Effective 1 April 2024, the annual subscription will remain at £20 (and Table Money at £3.50 per session). Please make arrangements to pay your subscription, ideally via BACs to Metro Bank, Eastbourne, Sort Code 23-05-80, Account Number 34877173 in the name of Sovereign Harbour Bridge Club; alternatively, payment may be made in cash or by cheque (if absolutely necessary) when attending at SHYC. Payment receipts will be issued in due course. Membership will lapse if payment is not made by 14 May, 2024.
2. Hosting
While the system works very well, gaps in the schedule need to be filled from time to time. As of today, volunteers are required for hosts on 11 April, 18 April, 7 May and 21 May. Please contact Viv Morris if you are in a position to assist.
3. Competitions
As you will know from recent circulars, teams events are being organised by:
-Mark Elliott - an on-line SCCBA inter club tournament and
-Hilary Levett - an in-house league tournament to be held in members’ homes.
For further information, etc., please contact Mark or Hilary.
Further, there will be:
- a pairs event on Thursday, 27 March
- an as-yet-to-be determined event in September for the Peter Wraight trophy and
- a simultaneous pairs event in November in support of the EBU’s Children in Need campaign.
The Harry Shirley trophy (Improvers Award) and Yvonne Buss trophy will continue as previously.
Any questions you may have vis-a-vis competitions should be referred to Hilary Levett.
4. Please note that:
- a huge review of SHBC’s website is in progress (please bear with us as it proceeds)
- members are required by SHYC to carry their membership cards while at SHYC and
- the new dealing machine is fully operational although, as is to be expected, challenging as our teams of dealers come to terms with what it has to offer.
Alan R Middleton
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