With the first bulletin of the season, it serves a, useful opportunity to advise members that at the Annual General Meeting in May the following were elected to office:-

A small address from the President, Secretary and Captain appears later in this bulletin, Unfortunately, at the time of going to press, the Treasurer is on holiday, but he will arrange to give a financial report in the next issue. Meanwhile, may I make a plea on his behalf for anyone who hasn't yet paid their 1975/76 subscription to pay their County Representative as soon as possible.

With the many enclosures in this issue, I do not believe that this particular bulletin needs a lengthy preamble from myself. Suffice to say that the new Committee is most enthusiastic, and is doing all in its power to lift the game of bridge in Staffordshire. However, for all, their efforts, they can only be successful if the rank and file give their full support, And the most positive way of doing this is by entering as many of the 1975/76 competitions as possible.

It is hoped that future bulletins will include full news and information on the local bridge scene. Anyone who wishes to include an item, make any comments, (under a pseudonym if you must ), give details of an interesting hand, etc. is invited to write to me at 270 Sandon Road, Stafford. (Telephone 3869).

Finally, at the beginning of a new season, it is useful to remind members of the more significant changes in the Laws recently announced by the E.B.U.

1. Opening Lead. The opening lead is to be made face down in the table. The other defender may ask questions about the auction without any suggestion that the lead has been influenced by the questions. When the partner of the player on opening lead has no question nor further question to ask, he then indicates that the lead should be turned over. Dummy is then exposed as usual. An opening lead out of turn can be corrected without penalty whilst the card is face down.
2. Inspection of Trick. Until his side plays to the next trick a player may, providing that he has not turned his own card face down on the table, require all cards just played to the trick to be faced for inspection. Thereafter quitted tricks cannot be inspected until play ceases or upon the Director's instruction.
3. Established Revoke. One trick is transferred if at least one trick was won after the revoke together with the transfer of the trick on which the revoke occurred if won by the offending side. However, if the non-offending side is insufficiently compensated by the law, the director should assign an adjusted score.
4. Claim by Declarer. If it is at all likely that declarer was unaware of an outstanding trump at the time of the claim, then a trick is awarded to the defenders if it could be lost by normal (including inferior or careless) as distinct from irrational play.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Dear Member,

On behalf of the S.C.B.A. Committee may I take this opportunity of welcoming you to another season of contract bridge. The new Committee have met twice since its formation in May, and is making strenuous endeavours to try to re-vitalise the game in Staffordshire. You will appreciate from the information in this bulletin that a number of the competitions organised by us have been re-styled, and some new ones, particularly for unranked players, are being introduced.

We will all feel rewarded if a greater number of you enter these competitions than did last year, so please make the effort. To all those who do, may I wish enjoyment and success at the table.

Yours sincerely,

D. Davies
President

CAPTAIN'S REPORT

The Bridge season will shortly be starting to get into full swing again. Since the Annual General Meeting three Dawes matches have been played and all three first team matches have been lost, while the second team won one match and lost two. This is very disappointing start, although we have played the three strongest counties. I hope that we shall make up points from the remaining four matches. A different form of scoring has been taking place this year based on victory points up to 12:0. Both the first and second teams have so far scored 12 out of a possible 36 points.

H.P. Dash
County Captain.