Stourbridge Institute Bridge Association

Minutes of Committee Meeting 8th July 2026

Present: Linda Wright, Georgina Lineker, James Taylor, Gavin Tringham, Sheila Williams, Glo Jackson

Apologies: Margaret Hanson

Election of Chairman: Linda Wright was proposed by Georgina Lineker and seconded by James Taylor and unanimously re-elected as Chairman

The minutes of the committee meeting of May 6^th 2026 were approved on line.

The minutes of the AGMs of June 16^th 2026 were accepted.                        

Matters Arising

• Barry Brice suggested that our Christmas Party could sometimes be held on a Tuesday rather than always being held on a Friday. The committee agreed to give this a try.
• David Horton suggested a return to a more buffet style of meal at our Christmas Party rather than just drinks, cake and nibbles. This will be considered closer to the time.
• Barry Brice suggested a Pro-Am style of bridge session where an experienced player plays with a less experienced player. The committee decided to take a poll at Tuesday, Friday and Monday sessions to assess support for this.

Chairman’s Report

• Our next Social Bridge event will be on Saturday October 3^rd
• Fortunately, the wi-fi problem in the Function Room has been sorted out.
• There was a complaint about furniture in the Function Room after Bridge sessions on Tuesday and Friday evenings. In fact, the Bridge Section have an agreement that on those evenings the side tables are to be moved out of the room but other tables and chairs do not have to be moved at all.
• Thanks to Peter Adams for solving the problem with the tablet that would not connect to ArcScorer

Secretary’s Report

EBU

• Diane Parkin has been promoted to Area Master
• Updates from Aylesbury
• The online magazine – Destiny – is now available
• Workshop on marketing bridge clubs
• Fun Camps for Families (EBED) Residential weekend Friday 28/8/26

WCBA

• AGM notice
• Chairman’s Appeal

Treasurer’s Report

• Everything is up to date
• On-line banking is working well
• Honoraria to be paid as usual

Media Co-ordinator’s Report

• Social Bridge details to be emailed to members and the dates put on the website
• Roy Withers is teaching again

Rota Co-ordinator’s Report

• Rotas are up to date to the end of August
• GL will be back on the Friday Directors rota at the end of August. MH then to be asked to switch to Tuesday

Any Other Business

• Sheila Williams was concerned about some attitudes to Directors where players are arguing rather than calling the Director.

The committee agreed that calling the Director should not be seen as a punishment

• It was also pointed out that any player disagreeing with the ruling can ask for a second opinion at the end of the evening.
• GT was concerned that JT is the only person with access to the whole website.  It was agreed that a second person is needed and Sheila Williams agreed to take on this role                                        

Diary

Committee Meetings

Wednesday September 9^th

                   November 11^th

                   January 13^th

                   March 10^th +meal

                    May 12^th

                    June 8^th     AGM

                    July 14^th

Events

Christmas Party:  Tuesday December 15^th

Socials:  Saturday October 3^rd, 2026 and Saturday March 13^th 2027

Teams:  Tuesday February 9^th