I have been asked to edit the first bulletin of the new bridge year at comparatively short notice. For this reason (and others of which some of you will be aware), there has been little time to make the usual editorial comments.

Briefly, I would exhort you all to enter as many County competitions as possible. Secondly, the playing venue at Stafford attracts the usual comments in this bulletin. From my knowledge of Committee members of Stafford Bridge Club and the County, there is every confidence that the playing rooms will show a great improvement for the 1978/79 season.

Geoff Davies

1. Chairman's Report.
2. From the Secretary's Desk.
3. Treasurer's Report.
4. Captain's Report.
5. Master Points Secretary's Report.
6. Events in 1978/79 The usual summary of County events for the next season follows. A separate sheet setting out the events in calendar form is also attached. Whilst the Committee hope you will enter as many competitions as possible, may I make an editorial comment that you will all make an extra effort to attend the first event of the 1978/79 year - the Swiss Teams event on Sunday 10th September 1978. Let's make it a bumper start to the new season by giving your entry to your County rep. now. Alternatively, enter your name on the notice board at the County Show Ground. You can, in fact, enter for all events this way. For all events, the table money is 50p and the cost of refreshments. There will also be an entrance fee, which varies dependant upon the competition.
7. Calendar of Events.
8. Telephone Directory.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

I should like to thank all the members of S.C.B.A. for giving me such support during the last year. It is indeed heartening to be given your confidence for another year in office as Chairman of your Association.

At last all the members of the Committee feel that things are beginning to move in the right direction. Committee meetings are almost getting a pleasure to attend. As I am becoming a bit more well known at various Bridge tables in Staffordshire helpful criticism is passed on to me. This I welcome. Every point will be raised in Committee at the first available opportunity. If you feel you have a valid criticism give me a ring or drop me a line.

If, during the next year, you would like me to visit your Club, give me a shout.

The Summer Pairs started last month and it was most pleasing to see such a well-attended event. I feel that such an event can only prosper and help keep us sharp in the Bridge closed season.

Some one suggested that if the Summer Pairs was a success we may be able to run a Summer League next year. Your Committee would welcome any thoughts on this matter.

May I make one plea to you all? Please join the E.B.U. and County Association. We need the support of as many of you as possible. If you are member try and recruit a friend or colleague. Please enter County competitions. Please enter a team in the League. We need your support for a County Association to be viable and successful.

Enjoy your Bridge.

Jim Riley Foxcroft Close, Chasetown. Walsall, WS7 8ST

FROM THE SECRETARY'S DESK

The August Bulletin gives warning that a new Bridge season is approaching In it you will find details of all the events arranged for you and a County Calendar. It only remains for me to re-state the objectives that I as County Secretary feel that a County Association should have - Firstly, to generate a County spirit and create conditions in which a strong County side can be built and supported; Secondly, in co-operation with its affiliated Clubs, to produce a programme of Bridge which is both interesting and stimulating.

It is the County's objective to give all its members a chance to play against pairs from other Clubs. In this respect I draw your attention to the two Leagues - the Teams of Four League and the Trials Pairs League. Leagues allow players of all abilities to take part; by their very nature you will find a level at which you will play against members of other Clubs of about your own standard. The County Championship events are by nature more for the top 25%of each Club. One event which has been specifically formulated to allow every one to take part is the "Bearn Cups" event. It is the Staffordshire Championship Pairs event; it is also designed to try and persuade the top flight pairs to play at their Clubs at least once month - giving average Club pairs a chance to improve their Bridge by playing against them. I therefore earnestly hope all Clubs will promote and run qualifying heats for the Bearn Cup. Should your Club not do so, Stafford B.C. Bearn heats are open to any players who want to play in their event. The County Association would welcome any other Clubs who would like to make their Bearn Qualifying heats open to all players.

I am able to tell you that the Committee have been working hard to ensure a successful 1978/79 programme; none harder than the Committee members on the playing room Sub-Committee - and it is hoped you will find a further marked improvement to the rooms we us. I don't think it is generally known that we own 30% of the furniture in these rooms and that we are committed with Stafford Bridge Club to try and create a really good venue, at which to play Bridge; a club room of our own, so to speak. The room Committee is composed of five members elected by Stafford B.C. and four by the S.C.B.A. This Committee has its own separate account and reserve fund and manage these room on behalf of Stafford B.C. and the SCBA who are effectively tenants. The Treasurer really didn't give a very clear picture of our financial state at the A.G.M. On top of whatever money reserves you can deduce that we possess from the account presented (which may prove to be quite a different figure anyway, as the account has yet to be audited), he failed to mention that we have assets of around £500 invested in the rooms at Stafford Show Ground. I estimate our total assets to be around the £900mark from a starting point three years ago of £400. It has been no mean feat to achieve this.

We are joining with Stafford B.C. in injecting a substantial sum of money into room improvements. Therefore we hope by September that there will be:

1. extra space between the tables;
2. improved facilities for ladies toiletry;
3. slightly improved heating;
4. better ventilation;
5. better décor

And I hope more SCBA members use the facilities.

You will note from the personal column that Geoff got married on 24th June 1978. It was thought that this happy occasion gave our Association the opportunity to show our appreciation of his constant support and hard work over many years. The Chairman therefore presented him with a small present at the last Pairs Event before the wedding. I have received a kind letter of thanks from Geoff and Stella.

John Hudson

TREASURER'S REPORT

As in coming Treasurer I regret to announce that there are not as yet any audited accounts available for the years 1976/77 and 1977/78. I cannot therefore make a true statement of our financial position at present. I am endeavouring to get matters resolved as quickly as possible.

Sheila Green, Hon. County Treasurer.

CAPTAIN'S REPORT

1978 Dawes Results

The first team are having a good season in the Midlands League and with two home matches against Northants and Oxford to play we should maintain our second position.

Arthur Bloxham

MASTER POINTS SECRETARY'S REPORT

THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS

Oh! To be a Master
(I've played for twenty year)
I've collected many yellow slips
And hold them very dear

But better than the yellow ones
(Better far away)
Are the glorious green ones
I hope to get someday.

For as a Local Master
(One thousand do you need)
More wouldn't be disaster
I can't contain my greed.

The County, Ah! the County
(Their competitions run)
To supply me with aplenty
All adding to the sum

And if you wish to struggle -
(In battle long and hard)
My contract I'll redouble
Making mincemeat of your card!

If you saw my previous report (15 lines of deathless prose) you will realize that there is not a vast amount to be written about Master Points. Hence this time I decided to start with a little culture - very little culture!

The Master Points scheme has three objectives:-

1. to stimulate interest;
2. to provide a means of measuring and recording the achievements of players;
3. to provide a source of revenue for the E.B.U.

• Objective (1) is obviously working - start conversation with any Bridge player about Master Points and you automatically start an argument;
• Objective (2) Your viewpoint often depends on how many you've got. With none or millions you're likely to flatly deny they measure anything. With any number inbetween you'll argue it all day
• Objective (3) See any E.B.U. yearly accounts sheet - sales add up to roughly a third of all the E.B.U.'s income.

So what's in these, little yellow slips for me? I see two reasons for their continuing existence:-

• They tend to be a measure of your interest in competitive Bridge. You are unlikely to have collected 15,000 local points by playing once a week at your Club - you must have played in County competitions and/or Congresses with some measure of success. When I play against a Grand Master I realize there is a faint chance of my losing since his/her experience is obviously greater than mine - whether this knowledge helps me or not is debatable but at least I can watch closely and see where he/she goes right.
• I'm interested in the survival of the E.B.U. as a viable organisation. While they do not, in my opinion, do enough for the average Bridge player at County level, they do organise and sponsor Bridge at the top levels. The improvement in skills and experience of our best players must filter down to the benefit of the rest of us, (via newspapers and magazines in my case), and while I can't guarantee that the reporting of the fortunes of our internationals will improve my Bridge, it can't do it any harm can it?

The Master Point rankings are:-

I refuse to tabulate the higher ranks since my electronic calculator tells me that, at my present rate of accumulation, I shall be 147 years old when I attain five Star Master rank!

R.W. Martin

EVENTS IN 1978/79

THE STAFFS. Cup Holders: Monckton - Bieganski - Morley - Zychlinski
Teams of Four Knockout with four seeded teams. Winning team to represent Staffordshire in the Pachabo Cup. There will be repecharge event for losing teams so that all teams will play at least two 32 board matches. Entries to the Secretary before the date of the Coronation Cup on 15th October. Draw for first round will take place at that event. Entrance £4 per team. This event gives players the chance to play against the very top players in the County; a great chance to improve your bridge. However, if you are well end truly beaten, then you have a second chance against teams more your strength in the repecharge.

THE BEARN CUPS Holders; The Chairman and Mr Pickering
Staffordshire Pairs Championship event. Affiliated clubs are invited to run qualifying series events. 28 pairs to qualify for the semi-final Reducing to a 14 pair final. The number of qualifiers from each club will be a percentage of the numbers entering from that Club - approximately one-third. master point award to the winner between 500 and 700 according to entry. Clubs are asked to choose one of two formulas for their qualifying series.

Format A. A one session a month to be played on the same day each month (e.g. first Monday) during the months of September to March - concurrent with a normal Club night event. All pairs playing take part and table money for that night is increased by 10p. Series scoring is by the low point count. Five results out of seven to count. It is not necessary to be an E.B.U. member to play in these qualifying series. However if a pair qualify for a place in the semi-final and wish to play they must enrol as members of the EBU. The extra table money is allocated in this way. 40% to provide series prizes at the Club. 60% to the Bearn prize pool. Because all pairs playing are taking part these sessions count as County events and the County issues points on County issues local master points on the County scale.

Format B. A one session a month to be played on the same day each month (e.g. first Monday) during the months of September to March - concurrent with a normal Club night event. Only pairs who express a wish to compete in the Bearn qualifying series pay to play in this event - they enter by paying 70p per player on the first occasion they play to their Club County representative. The scores of all the pairs playing in the Bearn qualifying series are converted to a percentage and places awarded accordingly. Low point count system for the series. The extra table money is allocated in this way. 40% to provide series prizes at the Club. 60% to the Bearn prize pool. As all pairs playing are not included in the event, the County is unable to issue Local Master Points.

Stafford BC play a Bearn heat on the second Thursday of each month starting at 7.15 pm. This heat is open to any pair whose Club do not run a heat or who have difficulty playing on the night allocated for the Bearn at their club. Any other affiliated club who wish to make their Bearn heats open to members from other Clubs, should write to the Secretary and inform him. They are encouraged to do so.

The committee of the SCBA are anxious to encourage Clubs to play Format A. This way Clubs obtain a higher percentage of places for their members in the semi-final and a better allocation of Local Master Points This assists players who want to compete for the Local Master Point prizes allocated to County's by the E.B.U.

THE CORONATION CUP Date: Sunday, 15th October 1978
Holders: A Staffordshire team, P. Topley - Mrs.P.Topley, G. Shaw - R. Keene
The multiple Teams of Four event in which seven teams invited from our neighbouring Counties take part with teams entered by Staffordshire County members. To be played at Wolverhampton B. C. on 15th October 1978 under the very excellent direction of Peter Tottenham. SCBA members wishing to enter a team please contact Peter Tottenham, Wolverhampton B. C. Tele: Wol 20927 for full details - Peter has kindly offered to organize and run this event for us.

NEWCASTLE COUNTY PAIRS
Run by Freddie Dumbleton at Newcastle B.C. on the second Friday of each month, start at 7.15pm If you want to play you just turn up. To add further interest we run an inter-club competition between Stafford, Chasetown (it's a long way to come, but much to this Club's credit they have pledged support and never let Freddie down), Newcastle and Alsager. This ensures at least six pairs playing who not from Newcastle B.C. and therefore adds variety to their evenings bridge. Would Stafford and Alsager members please note this event and try to support it. Playing different opponents will improve your Bridge.

THE MEN'S PAIRS EVENT FOR THE BRUCE MUGS
Holders: L. Hipkiss and B. Marsh
A single session event to played on Sunday, 21st January 1979

THE LADIES PAIRS EVENT FOR THE HALLETT-BAILEY CUP
Holders: Mrs. Sadler and Mrs. Lemming
A single session event to be played on Sunday, 21st January 1979.

THE MIXED PAIRS FOR THE DAVIES CUP
Holders: G. Feltbower and Mrs. B. Gane
A single session event to be played on Sunday, 1st April 1979

THE COUNTY INDIVIDUAL EVENT FOR THE LITTLEFORD CUP
A single session event to be played on Sunday 12th November 1978.

THE COUNTY FLITCH
Winners 1977/78: Mr. and Mrs. Brandon.
A single session event to be played on Sunday 26th November 1978. First, second and third are invited to take part in the Final of the Midland Counties Flitch run by Warwickshire. This takes place on Sunday, 4th February at the Coventry B.C. Start 2.30 p.m.

COUNTY LEAGUE TEAMS OF FOUR
Holders: G.C. Davies/ D.W. Downs /R.G. Beech/D. Beavon.
The premier County event starts again this September and your assistance is needed to make up the entries to the optimum of 32 teams in 4 Divisions. We want at least six new teams-the more the merrier. For those of you unfamiliar with this event, have no fears as to your ability - the four Divisions cover all levels and will give you a most satisfying and enjoyable evenings bridge. Prize money is generous, local points are awarded, last years third Division winners collected 37 points for each match won.
The competition is held on the second and third Wednesdays in each month from September, dependent upon which League your team is in. It starts at 7.15pm. at Stafford BC. Entries are wanted by 31/7/78 and should be given to your Club County representative or telephone Arthur Bloxham at Sandon 434 or David McDonald at Crewe 67373
If anyone wishing to enter has transport problems which may deter them we will do our best to make arrangements for you. We need your support. If each can enter one new team we will have achieved our object.
Editorial Comment Whilst for administration convenience, a closing date of 31st July 1978 has been set, teams will still be accommodated after this date, if possible. Please do not hesitate, therefore, to make your entry even if it is after the official closing date.

COUNTY PAIRS LEAGUE
Holders: Mr and Mrs K. Slyde
This popular event is held on the first Wednesday each month from September to April inclusive. Ideally we would like to see more than one division, and we hope for as many entries as possible. Please turn up on the first night, 27th September to enter. Many people reckon this is the best pairs bridge in the County, so why not give it a try?

SWISS TEAMS
A one session event to be held at Stafford on Sunday, 10th September 1978. The start of the 1978/79 season, so let us see a bumper entry.