7 for 7:15 p.m. 

Stafford members Paul and Linda were the winners out of 78 pairs last time it was possible to run a SSCBA sim pairs competition back in January 2020. Please arrive in good time for this event, that is before 7 p.m.

It is with sadness that the club has heard of the death of Anne Edwards. Anne played bridge at Stafford Bridge Club in the late 1990s and early 2000s, partnering Deirdre and Michael Seavers on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, until she left with her husband to rear sheep in Wales. She was always cheerful and friendly and very chatty. She enjoyed playing at Bridge Congresses and she and Deirdre played, for quite a few years after she left, at Llandudno and other venues. Pam Allen and her partner Jill (Rachel) sometimes joined Anne and Deirdre to make up a foursome. She continued to play bridge regularly in Wales. Her husband, John, said they had been married for 62 years and she suffered 2 small strokes last year which left her unable to play bridge. Her funeral will be held in Wales.

Some sixty of Janet Woodward’s family, friends and bridge players attended the celebration of her life that her son Mark had arranged with Beryl, wife of SBC chairman Michael, on Saturday 13th August. A prayer of commendation was made by Michael. A bridge club member and her husband kindly hosted Mark, his wife and family, at their house, as they were visiting from New Zealand. Janet moved to Ascot Road, Stafford in the 1960s with her three children and her mother, starting teaching at various primary schools in Stafford. Transforming the garden and winning local and regional awards for her allotment, became a key interest in Janet’s busy life. Such was Janet’s interest in plants, that, with her gardening friend Sally, she became involved in the recording of plant life in Staffordshire. The results of the survey were published in “The Flora of Staffordshire 2011”,where Janet was a named contributor. At some point Janet took up bridge, never one to do anything half-heartedly she rose to the top and her name appeared on the club trophy board. Many happy memories of Janet's wonderful sense of humour and love of ice cream were recalled.

Plans are afoot to restart the Shelley handicapped teams competition.  The competition will take place over seven monthly sessions, each being held on the third Thursday of the month commencing on 20th October & with the final round taking place on 20th April.  Be prepared - get your teams sorted now.

SSCBA League - Entries for the 22-23 season close August 24th

This season the League will be held on line on BBO, which is the most popular platform in our County.  Click here for more information.

Stafford members Anne and Geoff were members of the runners up team, Paul Culter's team, in the 2021/22 season. 

MCC No Fears Pairs (Dates for your diary)

Three No Fear RealBridge events are planned over the autumn, full details not yet posted watch this space.  If you are interested in playing please contact Paul Cutler who will be sending the entries from SSCBA players to MMC (Midland Counties Congress).  SSCBA will be paying the fees so this is free for Stafford members to play in.  Fun sociable events, well worth going to, no travelling either..  Usually entry is limited according to NGS grade eg no higher than 9 but grade not so far specified.  All events commence at 2 p.m. and will play about 25 boards

• Saturday 24th September - Swiss Pairs
• Saturday 29th October -Swiss Teams
• Saturday 26th November - Swiss Pairs

Midland Counties Congress Friday 6th January - Sunday 8th January 2023

Blue pointed events on the Friday and Sunday Saturday event Green pointed.   Click here for the brochure.

SSCBA Mixed Pairs, Thursday 9^th June 2022

Congratulations to Stafford members Anne and Geoff on your win in the SSCBA mixed pairs that took place in person at Wolverhampton Bridge Club. A first SSCBA in person event since the Covid shut down in March 2020. 15 pairs took part in this inaugural event.

SSCBA virtual BBO county on line group at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays 

If you would like to be a member of this “Club” please email the Membership Secretary –  John Withers on jwithersx@gmail.com, with your real name, your BBO user name (exactly as you print it), EBU number (if you have one), contact telephone number and email address.  (This has to be done also by those players already registered with BBO.)  Only those that have registered with John will be able to take part in the SSCBA Virtual Club Events, please give him a day or two to organise this prior to the event you wish to join and get some practice games on BBO.   Click for information on BBO See also how to indicate your basic system to your oppo through the chat manager, Using Chat Manager in BBO - Bing video. Please also take time to read Paul's comments on Announcing and Alerting on BBO.

Summer Recess (July-August)

Robin's Thursday morning popular lessons for intermediates will restart Thursday1st September (please contact Robin if you would like to attend) as are Terry's Friday morning lessons will restart Friday 2nd September for improvers (please contact Terry if you would like to attend). The Thursday lessons often take the form of playing hands from a recent club session. 

Hand show is Hand 5 from Robin's lesson  16th June 2022 with a prize on offer for the first correct sollution as to how North can make 10 tricks but South only 9! 

Have you a hand to send to Robin for his "Agony Uncle" page!  

Robin has produced plenty of material for the website, including one on Splinter bids, Gambling 3NT, CRO, Redoubles, Trial Bids, Jacoby and his all time most read page on McKenny signals and Discards.

Summary of his latest lessons along with some of Steve and Jan's pictures can be seen here with links to the individual lessons.

Beginner's Lessons.

A beginner's course is running, very few pupils so timing to suit pupils.  Please contact Ann (01785 822233) if you would like to join the group,