The Bridge and Barbecue afternoon on 12 Sep was another great SBC event!  Tim and his team worked so hard over the preceding days to menu plan, buy the food, set up the tables, sort out the plates, cutlery, glasses, provide the drinks, and then do all the food prep.  Brian Churchill and his team set up the barbecue and awning, prepped the meat, made sure that every single salmonella molecule was banished from the area for the entire afternoon - and then set about cooking the food to perfection.

Meanwhile, Trevor was studying the bridge playing list, adding up pair NGS scores, subtracting from 93, multiplying by the number he first though of and finally adding 42 to ensure that the prizes were distributed as fairly as possible irrespective of how you played the hands!  (That is not all actually true - it just seemed like it.)  Doreen and Gerry helped out with boards and movements and all the other things that happen before play actually begins.

Expectant bridge players and sausage eaters started to arrive well before the session was due and Bob and Karen even managed to provide teas and coffees ahead of play despite the kitchen being rammed with food-preppers and cutlery jugglers.  Eventually we all settled down, Doreen finished handing out boards and settled down to do what she does best - winning at bridge.  There were ooohs and ahhhs around the room as we realised that Cliff had chosen the ‘Burger’ option on the dealing machine for the afternoon boards.  At least I think that’s what he said…..  We all enjoyed not having to worry about our NGS (some more than others) and it was a hugely enjoyable session of bridge.

Tables were then cleared of bidding boxes and extra layers of cloth were added to mitigate the inevitable spills and greasy spots on the bridge tables and then the food….   After waiting patiently (not!) for Trevor to call us up by randomly selected table numbers, which now one could remember by this stage anyway, we queued for meat at the barbecue, served with a knowing smile by Brian, assisted by Chris and with Sara running around with trays of goodies.  I still haven’t found out what Brian knew….  Then on to the salads and rolls and French bread and more salad - which I was accused of dodging!  (Not true - I did have a tiny delicious tomato.)  Then there were seconds, which I didn’t dodge and oh, that hot-smoked salmon!  Ruth had been chatting up her favourite market fish stall man and he did us proud - it was delicious.         No one anticipated that the pudding could match the meat and fish, but it did - Maggie’s chocolate brownies were absolutely wonderful, paired with some lovely ice cream and just enough of a taster of raspberry to persuade you that it was all healthy.  There was cheeseboard on offer too, with certain cultured members of the club adopting the French routine of cheese then sweet.  (We are still looking for a lead project officer for the French twinning offer.)

Chairman John proposed a vote of thanks to all involved in the preparation and execution of the event and I have included everyone below.  Trevor then awarded the prizes as follows:

NS:  Sue and Liz, Bob and Karen, Nick and Natasha

EW:  Doreen and Maggie, Val and Steve, Vivien and Peter

Congratulations to you all!  That concluded a brilliant day for most of us, but for some the work continued with tidying and washing up.  Thank you all.

Roll call of honour:  Tim Burley, Julie Burley, Maggie Knight, Karen Southwell, Geoff Jones, Bob Ambrose, Ruth Few, Claire Wilson, Lesley Ferrow, Anne Jackson, Sue Westcott, Brian Harrison, Brian Churchill, Sara Harris, Chris Ellis, Trevor Thrower, Doreen Simpson, Gerry Kingston.  Which all goes to prove that SBC really is a team effort!   Thanks to you all and anyone else I’ve missed for your contribution to a fantastic event.

There are lots of photos on the Facebook page (let me know if you want to join) and there will be page of them with the next newsletter.

SBC has two different entities on Facebook.  The Stamford Bridge Club page is outward facing and we use it to communicate with the general public.  We advertise such events as Open Days and beginners lessons, with details of how to attend.  We do not generally feature club activities on this page, although we may reflect a media story such as Cafe Bridge which is already in the public domain.

We also have a members only private FB group, 90 strong at the time of writing (heading pictured at top of this item).  This is where you can join in discussions, start posts, view photos and keep in touch with other members.  We use it as addition to our website and email communications suite.  We also use this medium to showcase events such as quizzes, barbecue, Christmas parties and the like.  We will use photos on the page unless you have advised David, our comms man and newsletter editor, that you don’t wish to feature on social media.  We hope you will choose to join this SBC FB community - it’s great fun.  Please contact David if you want to join - reply to any newsletter email, see him at the club, or have a look at the Committee mugshots in the small bridge room where you will find his contact details.