Release 2.19q
GOLF-BRIDGE: 16 OCTOBER

The second Suffolk golf-bridge takes place on Monday 16 October (8.30 for 9am start) at Aldeburgh golf course.

The day comprises 18 holes of foursomes, a two course lunch with bridge and afternoon tea to follow. The cost - reduced from last year - is £55 (£25 for golf club members).

To enter please click on GOLF-BRIDGE

ESSEX SWISS PAIRS
Essex is staging a green pointed Swiss Pairs event on 24 September at Barleylands, Billericay CM11 2UD (11am start). For all the details and how to enter, click on ESSEX
PRIZES GALORE

The Autumn Festival, which attracted 14 tables at Elmswell on Sunday, is an amalgam of several smaller events which used to fill the calendar, but all the trophies remain - and there is even an extra one.

The prize winners were: Rod & Sue Oakford (Festival winners), Simon Riley & Jaroslaw Grochowski (Mens Pairs) Jan Wynne & Gill Newton (Ladies Pairs), Alaric & Dorothy Cundy (Veterans) Tim Evans & Chris Park (top of the Handicap).

LEARNING BRIDGE

Suffolk bridge is offering an unprecedented number of venues and sessions where players new to bridge can learn the game or improve their skills this autumn. Click on LEARN to see the range of courses and sessions on offer across the county.

If you - or a friend - is interested in attending any of the courses and requires more information click on ENQUIRIES and let us have your details.

RAISING THE BAR

Paul Whetton has been appointed Suffolk captain elect and is using his new role to offer a series of articles aimed at players who represent the county, or aspire to do so.

Paul's aim is to raise the level of performance by Suffolk players and he explains the thinking behind his approach in his first article. Click on BAR to read it.

All Paul's columns are available by clicking on Raising the Bar in the menu above. The latest ones include The 1NT device, the Strong Double, Trumps are Valuable Coin and Declarer Play.

MID ANGLIA WINNERS
MID ANGLIA WINNERS

Rod & Sue Oakford, who play for Cambs & Hunts and live in Lowestoft, won the Woodbridge Mid Anglia Pairs on Sunday.

They finished ahead of Andre Gray & David Willson, with Paul & Wendy Lefort in third.  22 pairs took part.

To see all the results click on MIDANGLIA

MARMITE

No trump contracts are like Marmite. You either love or hate them.

Players who fall into the latter (not to mention former) category might just wish to have a look at a fascinating article packed with loads of different hands produced by Marc Chawner, one of Essex’s very best players, on their county website. It kicks off with some relatively straight forward examples before featuring some crackers which will test the best.

Click on NO TRUMPS to read.

ONLINE TEAMS WINNERS

The old adage about cream always rises to the top seems applicable to the 2023 winners of the Malcolm Pryor Trophy for the Online Teams of 4 League.

The competition, the brainchild of Malcolm, was won by...a team captained by Malcolm! The consistency the team have shown is illustrated by the fact they are the only ones to have played in each of the 13 seasons in division one.

Given the effort Malcolm put into getting the league started during the dark days of lockdown, and increasing the number of teams taking part, victory is a just reward.

The core of the team has been Malcolm, Peter Sutcliffe, Rick Hanley and Mike Sherer. Karen Pryor played in the first five seasons,Chris Chambers and Chris Green in the last three.

The annual trophy is based on Placing Points awarded for each season's rankings in the top three divisions. Click on 2023 PLACINGS to see the full table.

LEARNING BRIDGE
LEARNING BRIDGE

If you have friends who would like to learn bridge but are not sure how to go about it or where to go, ask them to email learnbridge@suffolkbridge.co.uk

To find a teacher in your area click on BRIDGE TEACHERS

LOCAL BRIDGE

With more clubs opening their doors, and some also offering teaching and learn & play classes, click on BRIDGE IN SUFFOLK to find out what is available.

While every attempt has been made to ensure the information is accurate, please let us know of any omissions or corrections by clicking EmailSuffolk

FACEBOOK

HERE - AT LAST!

It's been long overdue, but Suffolk Bridge now has its own Facebook  page.

The social networking site offers another way to advertise events and, in particullar, to reach non-bridge players who might be interested in learning the game.

To find the page, go to Facebook and search for Suffolk Bridge.

GOLF & BRIDGE

Despite the odd shower of rain, the inaugural golf-bridge day at Aldeburgh lived up to expectations, with 18 holes of golf followed by lunch and 18 boards of bridge. A repeat has been booked for next year at the same venue for Monday 16 October 2023.

BRIDGE ARCHIVE

Suffolk Bridge now has a dedicated website for archive mateiral collected over more than 40 years, including winners of the county's main competitions.

Many thanks to Jill Tattersfield for compiling all the material and to Peter Bushby for makiing it publicly available by setting up the website. Click on ARCHIVE to see everything.

WEBMASTERS

Richard Evans & Paul Rickard are the webmasters running Suffolk's dedicated bridge website.

If you would like to publicise a forthcoming event or submit a news item for this website click Richard or Paul

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WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE…
DELICIOUS FOOD & FREE GLASS OF WINE
Gerry & Emily

Reserve your place now for Bridge Lunch of the Year

Reservations are being taken now for Suffolk's bridge lunch at Elmswell on Wednesday 15 November (12.30 for 1pm) - and this is definitely an occasion not to miss.

Gerry Ford, a retired restaurateur whose passion for food is matched only by that for bridge, and his daughter, Emily, will be producing a fabulous two course lunch and Suffolk bridge is providing a free glass of wine. The whole day, including bridge to follow, will cost just £22.50p per person.

If you have not sampled one of Gerry & Emily's bridge lunches before, you are in for a treat.

They are offering a choice of main courses - baked Suffolk ham, spiced red cabbage, Boulangere potatoes & vegetables or a vegetarian option of aubergine parmigiana - and two puddings: chocolate bread and butter pudding or fruit salad.

The lunch will be in the Blackbourne community centre, Blackbourne Road, Elmswell IP30 9UH. To book click on BRIDGE LUNCH

SUFFOLK RUNNERS-UP IN PACHABO CUP
SUFFOLK RUNNERS-UP IN PACHABO CUP

The Suffolk team of Mike Sherer, Chris Chambers, Chris Green & Rick Hanley (pictured above) produced an outstanding performance to finish runners up in the prestigious Pachabo Cup at the weekend.

The national event is contested by winners of championship teams events organised by individual counties (see item in right hand column) and the Suffolk quartet faced quality opposition from 22 other counties.

At the end of two days play, Gloucestershire topped the leaderboard ahead of Suffolk, with the powerful Yorkshire team in third spot. For good measure, the two Chris’s topped the Cross IMPs table for the event.

Click on PACHABO  to see more details.

‘BOXING FOR THE BOURGEOISIE’
‘BOXING FOR THE BOURGEOISIE’

Click on ST to read 'Young women bid their way back to the bridge table'

2023 AGM
Caro Hunt & John Heath, winners of the Handicap prize, and Penny Easting & Mary Rix, winners of the AGM Pairs

The Deben Project has exceeded all expectations and is being copied by other counties to encourage people to take up bridge, Suffolk bridge's AGM heard on Sunday.

An estimated 200 people have taken advantage of the joint project involving Suffolk Libraries and the county bridge association to learn bridge for free and some of those students are already playing at clubs.

"Rolling out the Deben project in numerous libraries would not have succeeded without an amazing amount of time given freely by a number of key people," Richard Evans, the association chairman said. To read his report click on CHAIRMAN Following the meeting, there were 10 tables for the AGM pairs, won by Mary Rix & Penny Easting. To see the scores click on RESULT Click on 2023 to see winners of county run events over the past 12 months

SUFFOLK CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS FINAL

David & Helen are Suffolk's finest

The Suffolk Championship Pairs on Sunday was won by the Bury St Edmunds pair of David Mathews and Helen Mason.

At the end of two sessions, they were clear of Dave Allen & Nancy Williams, with Jeff Orton & David Morran back in third.

Click on RESULT to see all their scores

 

David Mathews & Helen Mason with runners-up Nancy Williams & Dave Allen - and a drone who 'bombed' the celebrations!
STOWMARKET SUCCESS
STOWMARKET SUCCESS

The well supported Club Teams of 4 was won by a  Stowmarket side on Sunday 5 March. Jan Wynne & Jim Sawyer and Alaric & Dorothy Cundy (photographed by Peter Bushby) made up the victorious quartet.

The Bury Babes (Jo Harpur & Dennis Valtisiaris and Chris Park & Tim Evans) were second ahead of Ipswich A (Bill Bethell & Stephen Parker and Conrad & Alison Simons) in third and Woodbridge W (Sue Smith & Dave Walker and Sue Bentley & Gill Newton) in fourth. The event attracted 16 teams which would suggest F2F bridge is alive and well despite the attractions of online.

SUFFOLK'S YOUNGEST 'STUDENT'

Charlie, aged 12 DAYS, attends his first bridge lesson

It is never too early to start learning bridge - just ask Charlie.

Born on 21 February, he enjoyed his first taste of the game on Sunday 5 March when he joined his proud parents, Zoe Clarke and Julian Bickerton, at a regular Sunday bridge lesson in Haverhill library.

The baby boy, beautifully behaved throughout the 90 minute session, even produced his own dummy!

Zoe & Julian, who live in Great Sampford, are among the 200 plus students who signed up to learn bridge for free under the Deben project, which is being run by Suffolk bridge in numerous libraries around the county.

The lessons started in the autumn and have proved very popular. Felixstowe library will join the list of venues in September while beginners are also being taught at a golf club in Essex. New courses for beginners are also being planned. If you know of anyone keen to learn please ask them to email learnbridge@suffolkbridge.co.uk

FESTIVE CLOSING TO 2022

A year which saw encouraging numbers returning to Face to Face events in Suffolk ended with 12½ tables at the Bah Humbug Pairs at Elmswell on Friday.

While Eric Newman and Diane Whitley ran out convincing winners, prizes also went to three pairs who did best in the Handicap.

Pictured (l-r):Eric Newman, Diane Whitley, Bim Wilson, Christine Bickerstaff, Sam Wilson, Christine Cooke, Lucette Smith and Stephen Bickerstaff

AMAZING RESPONSE TO DEBEN PROJECT

200+ sign up for lessons in libraries

The Deben Project, involving teaching bridge in libraries across Suffolk, has surpassed all expectations with more than 190 people having signed up - and applications stlll coming in.

Courses to suit all abilities have been taking place throughout the county with new dates planned for the autumn. Its a great opportunity to form friendships and learn new skills in a welcoming environment, see LINK for details. 

Richard Evans, the Suffolk chairman, said: "The response has exceeded the most optimistic expectations. Despite the woes confronting bridge at the moment, there is no shortage of people wishing to learn the game."

If you know of anyone wishing to take up bridge please ask them to email learnbridge@suffolkbridge.co.uk

 

BORING...BUT 'IMPORTANT'

All bridge players who are members of an affiliated club have their own EBU page - which may come as a surprise to some.

'My EBU' is a place where, if you are so minded, you can check your masterpoints and NGS records, book events, modify your account details and carry out other bits of bridgey administration.

"It is important that members can access the My EBU area," says the EBU, "and we are aware that some cannot, either because we do not have the right email address, or it is blank. We would like to encourage you to contact your members to make sure they can access My EBU"

So that's what we are doing. To access your EBU page click on MY EBU.

EVEN THE DARKEST CLOUD...

Deben's generous parting gift

Sadly, Deben bridge club is no more due to a dwindling attendance exacerbated by the pandemic. However, their name will very much live on thanks to a generous parting gift to Suffolk bridge.

The club has handed over the money it held in the bank plus the proceeds from the sale of equipment - a total of £2,964 - to the SCBA with the intention it should be used constructively to encourage more people to play the game.

Bim Wilson, Michael Bizzey, the club treasurer, and Sam Wilson (pictured above) presented the cheque recently to Richard Evans, the association vice chairman,

"Obviously it is sad when a club has to close but the generosity of Deben means something very positive can emerge," Richard said. "The Suffolk committee will be discussing the 'Deben Project' next month to see the best way to generate more bridge players in the county and thereby support smaller clubs who are struggling."

DIMMIE FLEMING AWARD

First Suffolk player to be honoured by the English Bridge Union

Malcolm Carey, a founding father of the Suffolk Contract Bridge Association, has been honoured by the English Bridge Union for his outstanding contribution to the game in the county and beyond.

The Dimmie Fleming Award is reserved for a select band of players and administrators, and is a public recognition of all they have done for bridge over a number of decades. The award was announced at the EBU's online annual general meeting.

Malcolm suggested the creation of a Suffolk association in 1978 and following its formation a few months later he has been a key member for more than 40 years, most notably as the county's chief tournament director, a position he held for 32 years.

As well as directing in Suffolk, his talents were regularly in demand in other counties, Jersey and Guernsey, and abroad - including Kenya, Tobago, Spain, Malta, Israel and Egypt.

Malcolm Pryor, the chairman of the SCBA, said: "Malcolm is the first person on the SCBA committee to have received this award and it is thoroughly deserved. Malcolm has been a driving force behind the development of Suffolk bridge from the county's foundation in 1979 through to the present day and the county owes him a huge debt of gratitude for his many years of dedicated service."

Click on MALCOLM to read a tribute by Phillip Edwards, and a report in the Ipswich Evening Star.

IN THE PAST...

To see older items please click on

NEWS ARCHIVE

FLAGSHIP EVENT
FLAGSHIP EVENT

The Suffolk Congress at Elmswell on Sunday 8 October (11am) is going back to its traditional format with a qualifying heat of 24 boards followed by a pairs final and consolation heats.

Click CONGRESS PAIRS for the entry form..

SUFFOLK ONLINE TEAMS OF 4 - AUTUMN 2023

Season 15 - yes,15! - of the Suffolk Online Teams League is underway, with 28 teams playing in six divisions.

Results will be available by clicking on AUTUMN. Final results from Season 14 can be viewed by clicking on PREVIOUS RESULTS

Results
Autumn Festival
ECL v Essex home
Woodbridge MAP session 1
Woodbridge MAP session 2
Woodbridge MAP Overall
ECL v Cambs & Hunts away
AGM Pairs
Championship Pairs
Club Teams of Four
ECL away v Norfolk
ECL home v Herts
Bah Humbug
NGS 9-High Pairs
Club Teams of 8
ECL away v Cambridge University
Suffolk Congress Swiss Pairs
Autumn Festival
EBU Handicap Pairs
ECL home v Cambs & Hunts
Woodbridge Mid Anglia Pairs
Calendar
Sun 1st Oct 2023
ECL v Beds home
Online RealBridge 2.00 pm
Sun 8th Oct 2023
Suffolk Congress Pairs
Elmswell 11 am
Thu 2nd Nov 2023
Andrew Robson
Assington
Wed 15th Nov 2023
Bridge with Lunch
Elmswell 12.30pm
Sat 18th Nov 2023
Club Teams of 8
Colchester 2 pm
Sun 26th Nov 2023
ECL v Herts away
Online RealBridge 2.00 pm
Fri 29th Dec 2023
"Bah Humbug" Pairs
Elmswell 11 am
Sun 14th Jan 2024
ECL v Norfolk home
Online RealBridge 2.00 pm
Sun 4th Feb 2024
Bury Swiss Pairs
Sun 3rd Mar 2024
Club Teams of Four
Elmswell 11.00 am
Sun 17th Mar 2024
ECL v Northants away
Online RealBridge 2.00 pm
Sun 7th Apr 2024
NGS 9-High Pairs
Nayland 11.00 am
Sun 21st Apr 2024
Championship Pairs Final
Elmswell 11.00 am
Sun 12th May 2024
AGM Pairs
Elmswell
Following 2.00 pm AGM
Wed 5th Jun 2024
Bridge with Lunch
Elmswell 12.30 pm
Sun 23rd Jun 2024
Woodbridge Mid Anglia Pairs
Woodbridge 11.00 am
Sun 8th Sep 2024
Autumn Festival
Elmswell 11.00 am
Sat 5th Oct 2024
Suffolk Congress Pairs
Elmswell
12.00 noon
Sun 6th Oct 2024
Suffolk Congress Swiss Teams
Elmswell 11.00 am
Wed 23rd Oct 2024
Golf+Bridge
Aldeburgh
timing to be advised