| May 2019 News |
 EBED sim pairs.
The AGM took place on Tuesday 14th May followed by EBED sim pairs (click for the local results). 30 clubs with 460 pairs took part in the event, the positions of the top two pairs at Stafford were reversed in the overall results such is sometimes the way of things in sim pairs events. Indeed the pair who were ninth at Stafford were the third placed Stafford pair in the overall results. Thanks are due to Terry for organising and directing the event.
The dinner and prize giving took place at the Chase Golf Club as last year. Janet presented the prizes and David acted as club photographer. If anyone would like a full size copy of one of the pictures please contact David meanwhile the full set of pictures can be seen by clicking here. If viewed on a tablet rather than a computer best to enlarge the screen view itself rather than "touching" the individual thumbnails.
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| Congratulations - New Directors |
Following the recent club TD training course at the club the results have finally come through, 11th February, (assessment done on January 12th) 2019 and it is good news we now have 5 new directors. Please give them a warm welcome.
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| April 2019 News |
 Stone Match - Friday 26th April 2019
2 teams of 8 together with a team of 4 from the lessons took part in this most enjoyable friendly match laid on by Stone bridge club. The scoring and movement along the lines of the County Dawes events, new to most of those taking part, thanks to Kath, John and Nigel everything went very smoothly (Stafford players had the easy option sitting still throughout). Each pair in each team were to play 6 boards against each pair in the opposing team and score up against both opposite numbers. Sadly the final 6 boards had to be abandonned as time ran out. Honours about even, one Stafford team won and one lost with the group from the lessons being won by the Stone team. Perfectly timed to coincide with the motor bike event in Stafford. Matches against Stone were a regular event until about three years ago when a mutually convenient date could not be found. Stafford has a lot to live up to in 2020, a wonderful "light supper" was laid on by Stone. Many thanks to Kath and Stone members for their hospitalilty and organisation.
A good time was had by all at Crabwall Manor Hotel near Chester. Very comfortable hotel (with interesting layout), great organisation for the bridge sessions (what a lot of work David puts in), many thanks to Pat and John for the initial effort in finding the hotel, and so much to see in the surrounding area. Click here for the pictures.
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| Christmas/New Year Opening |
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All bridge sessions are now running following a show of hands for the New Year's Eve and New Year's Day sessions to go ahead. Lessons restart on Thursday 3rd January.
Christmas events
A number of festive events were held at the club, in particular the club Christmas party on Tuesday 18th December where Janet and her helpers, Pat A, Pat M, Pam and Adrienne, provided an excellent meal. David organised a teams event with Ivor & Liz and Ann & John coming first, Garry & Terry, Mike & Robin second and Alan & Rachael and Sandra & Ernie third. Picture shows the club party in full swing with players from all sessions present.  Other parties have been the Wednesday afternoon party on the 12th, Thursday morning lessons on the 13th and the Friday evening party (picture shows the winning team) on the 14th. The Wednesday players produced a great spread for the occasion and wished Malcolm bon voyage to his new home in Yorkshire. Robin's lesson group on the 13th were a full 5 tables, played a movement with specially selected hands to reflect the lessons covered over the term, pupils laid on some lovely "eats" and a good time was had by all. On the 14th David organised a fun teams event with 9 teams for experienced masters, regular Friday players and new players moving up from the classes to a club session for the first time.
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| Extraordinary General Meeting |
 An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Club was held on Wednesday 28th November, whose sole purpose was to alter the Club's financial year from April-March (as specified in our current Constitution) to January-December. 31 members were present, with several others having their apologies recorded. 29 of those present voted in favour of the change, thus clearly satisfying the condition that a two-thirds majority was required to allow an element of the Constitution to be altered. This technical change will make life easier for the Treasurer and the Committee, but will have no effect whatsoever on the regular activities of the Club.
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| Children in Need Sim Pairs - 9th , 13th and 14th November 2018 |
 I sent £361.52 to ECats for Children in Need – with love from Stafford Bridge Club . This is the reply: “And our love to you Adrienne – that’s a marvellous amount isn’t it ! Wow Thank you very much – you will thank your members for turning up and support all so brilliantly won’t you? They are just amazing – give them all a metaphorical hug from us! With warmest best wishes Anna & Mark The ECatsBridge Team” Adrienne Jones (Treasurer)
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| Geoff Thomas |
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The late Geoff Thomas made the club a generous donation in his will. This has been used to purchase a trophy for the winners of the 65 club competition and Adrienne has had the cup engraved with the names of the past winners.
Geoff played primarily at Wolverhampton but also at Stafford on Wednesday afternoons, with Peter Tallon, Audrey Clarke, Sylvia Hilton, Polly Green and Peggie McCombie. Geoff also played in the SSCBA league and came occasionally to the Stafford American Suppers.
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| Pat's Birthday - 19th September 2018 |
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Pat’s presentation for her 80th birthday celebration. Wednesday afternoon players enjoyed a very merry afternoon helped by Pat’s generous hospitality of cake and sherry.
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| Friday events in the silly season - July 2018 |
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The director wanted to get to grips with scoring a teams event on the tablets - did not go according to plan but was quite enjoyed none the less. More scoring practice needed! Players popped out at odd intervals to see if the eclipse was visible, would you believe that clouds obscured it from start to finish!
Two weeks earlier Friday night players said goodbye to Gordon, a very popular member, who has moved away after several years as a regular Friday player.
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| Dinner and Prize Giving 2018 |
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The Dinner and Prize Giving 2018 was held on 6th April 2018 at The Chase Golf Club. A very successful event attended by many club members. Michael hosted the dinner for the first time as Chairman. David and his camera were there of course and you can click here for the pictures. Anne Smith kindly presented the prizes. Presentations were made to President Ivor and to David Alderson, David is moving away and leaving the club after 50 years!
The booking for 2019 has already been made for the same venue on 12th May 2019!
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| Away Weekend 13th - 16th April 2018 |
26 attended the away weekend at the Samlesbury Hotel in Preston and were joined by a local for the evenings. Aside from the most enjoyable bridge sessions players took advantage of visiting many local attractions, some just walking distance from the hotel. Click here for photos. David has already investigated going back to the same area next year, maybe even to the same hotel.
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| County News - Feb/Mar 2018 |
Another very enjoyable blue pointed event at Radbrook Community Centre, SY3 6DZ with a superb afternoon tea. For pictures and results click here.
Championship Pairs (Previously known as the Bearn) - Sunday 18th March.
This event at Wolverhampton, previously known as the Bearn, was badly affected by the weather, snow and ice mid-March would you believe! The winners are eligible to play in the national competition, The Corwen Trophy on 2nd and 3rd June, and well placed pairs to play in the Edgar Foster cups in September. Two SBC members took part despite the weather.
9 Stafford players, 8 from Robin's lessons, took part in the No Fear Pairs on Thursday 22nd February with Ann and Rose winning EW.
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