This Bulletin looks forward to the new season 1970-71 detailing a full calendar of events and looks back on the final outcome of the past season. The Editor wishes all bridge players in Staffordshire a "Happy and Prosperous New Bridge Year".

We now have yet another Secretary. John Day found that the duties of County Secretary were too onerous to combine with a full business life and the calls of his family, so he regretfully tended his resignation at the A.G.M. Jean Edwards (you could also call her "Mrs. Editor") volunteered to take over from John Day if no other nominations were received and her offer was snapped up by the Management Committee before she had second thoughts. Pam Lloyd, who did the job so successfully until she had to resign for family reasons has offered to assist Jean and this will undoubtedly prove a great help to her. For those wishing to get into touch with the Secretary her full name and address are
Mrs J.B. Edwards,
31, The Wold,
Claverley,
(Near) Wolverhampton. WV5 78D
Telephone : Claverley 381.

Last year's Vice-Chairman was Edmund Madenski and he would normally have become this year's Chairman. We have seen very little of him in Staffordshire recently, as his work demanded that he should spend most of his time in Liverpool. Recently he and Rhoda decided to move house to the North West and, alas, we shall see even less of them in future. We all wish them happiness in their new home and hope that they will often come and play in Staffs competitions, so that we can keep in touch with them. Hugo Dash valiantly stepped into the breach in Edmund's absence and is a most vigorous and thoughtful Chairman. We look forward to a successful season under his lively direction.

A new event in the Midlands Bridge calendar has got off to a most successful start - The Midlands Open Teams Championship. It is organised by the Warwickshire C.B.A. and was held for the first time at the Mayfair Suite in the Bull Ring, Birmingham, on Sunday, July 12th, attracting a large entry (56 teams). The winning all-male team came from Worcestershire - W.S. Andrews, C. Rosser, J.W. Dalman and J. Turner. This is to be an annual event and in addition to the winners holding silver tankards, they and all section winners receive souvenir tankards presented by Ansell's Brewery.

Annual General Meeting.

The 24th A.G.M. was held at the Sherriden Hall, Stafford, on May 15th. There was quite a good attendance and, as is now customary, the proceedings were followed by a enjoyable short duplicate session for which the teams of four are determined by cutting the cards. George Charlish was elected as the new Vice-Chairman. The Treasurer (Fred Dumbleton), Captain (Philip Topley) and Vice-Captain (Ken Slyde) were all re-elected and Geoff Davies volunteered to take over as "Master Points Secretary" from Dr. Franklin. As membership has increased and last year's county competitions were better supported, it was agreed that the county membership subscription should remain at its previous level. The Treasurer has asked me to remind you that subscriptions are now due and it will help him greatly if they are promptly paid to the club representatives. The cups and prizes were presented by Mrs. Bigham, the retiring Chairman. Names of winners are shown against the list of events which follows the programme for 1970/71, see below.

Coronation Cup.

Invitations for October 25th have been sent to the 7 Midland Counties which normally send representative teams and in addition this year to Shropshire. The Secretary will shortly be sending, to the affiliated clubs, a notice inviting Staffordshire teams to enter. If the entry proves to be unduly largo, there may have to be a qualifying session on October 4 th.

Dawes Trophy

Recent matches have been at home against Warwickshire, Northants and Derby. Warwickshire as usual nowadays, fielded two powerful teams and although both the 1st and 2nd Staffs teams were doing reasonably well at half-time, they faltered and finally lost by ½ - 2½ and 1 - 2 respectively. Players sitting North were faced by two marginal decisions in quick succession on the following hands. I guessed right on one and wrong on the other

First Hand N/S Vulnerable

Second Hand. E/W Vulnerable

Six Clubs was right or the first hand and No Bid on the second. I shot 5 Diamonds on the second which was doubled and went two light - a bad result. Against Northants the 1st Team did much better winning by 2½-½ and against Derby returned to top form, with a 3 - 0 win. The 2nd Team disappointed with 1 - 2 losses in both cases. This year they are captained by Fred Dumbleton who is determined to get his team back into winning form. Having tried kindness like his predecessor he has now got his whip out.

The following hand against Northants was of some interest

3 No Trumps proved a better contract than 5 Clubs or 5 Diamonds and hinged on the way the Diamonds were played. In cases where the clubs were cashed after North's Ace of Spades had won, the 5 - 0 break was revealed and it was fair inference that East rather than West would be short of Diamonds, suggesting the subsequent play of the King from Dummy rather than the Ace from declarer - the key play.

The following have represented the County so far this season :
1st Team Ballham, Beganski Mrs.Dash, Day, Mr & Mrs F.W.Edwards, Mallett, Monckton, Robinson, Salwey, Slyde, Speedman, Steele, Thompson, Topley, Tottenham and Twine.
2nd Team Codling, Davies, Dooley, Downes, Dumbleton, Mrs.Edwards, Kean, Link, MacAlister, Dr. Mielweski and Stubbs.

edited by F.W.Edwards

STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY BRIDGE ASSOCIATION

CALENDAR FOR 1970-1971

Bearn Trophy

There will be heats for the Bearn on the 1^st, 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of the month from September to March (except December) at Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Stone in that order.

S.C.B A. LIST OF EVENTS AND HOLDERS.

STAFFORDSHIRE PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP ( BEARN TROPHY)

Holders: Mrs. Dash and A. Ballham.

Heats will be played at Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Stone Bridge Clubs on the first, second and fourth Tuesdays every month from September to March. (December excepted). Qualification for the Final is based on the best five results of registered pairs. The Final of 14 qualifying pairs to be played on May 2nd, 1971. Entry fee 6/- per pair, to be paid at first qualifying session attended.

STAFFORDSHIRE TEAMS-OF-FOUR CHAMPIONSHIP (STAFFORDSHIRE CUP)

Holders ; Mr & Mrs.Dash, A. Ballham and A.J.W. Benn.

A knockout Teams-of-Four contest (with two reserves if desired). No player con be nominated for more then one team. Preliminary rounds and semi-finals to consist of 32 boards. Final of 48 boards. The winners of this competition qualify to play as representatives of Staffordshire in the Pachabo Cup in 1971. Entry fee £2 per team. Closing date Oct. 25th 1970. Draw will take place at Pattingham Village Hall after the Coronation Cup. The draw and dates by which heats are to be completed will be posted on Club notice boards. Entry fees must be paid with entry to Secretary.

STAFFORDSHIRE INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP (LITTLEFORD CUP)

Holder ; F.W. Edwards.

Dates of qualifying rounds will be fixed by Clubs not later than April 2nd. Final on April 25th. Entry fee 2/6d per player.

STAFFORDSHIRE MUGS (MENS PAIRS) AND HALLETT BAILEY CUP (LADIES PAIRS)

Holders : F.W. Edwards and J.B. Parker. No competition last year for Ladies Pairs.

Qualifying heats will be played at local venues and the Finals will be played simultaneously on December 6th. Entry fees 2/6d per player.

STAFFORDSHIRE MIXED PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP

Holders ; Mrs J. Charlish and G. Link.

Qualifying heats will be played at local venues not later than end of February. Final March 28th, 1971. Entry fees 5/-d per pair.

INVITATION TEAMS-OF-FOUR (CORONATION CUP)

Holders ; Warwickshire. (M. Airey, D.N. Collins, Dr. & Mrs. Best).

Teams from eight neighbouring Counties have been invited to play and the number of teams is limited to n maximum of 17. Therefore the number of Staffordshire terms able to compete will be limited. See your Club notice board regarding possible qualifying round at reduced fee on October 4th. Entry fees. £3. per team. Pattingham Village Hall, October 25th at 2.30 pm.

STAFFORDSHIRE TEAMS OF FOUR LEAGUE

The management committee has approved the foundation of a Teams of Four League to start this season. Details will be circulated to affiliated clubs during August. Closing date for entries is September 7^th, 1970. Prizes will be awarded annually to top team in each division.