Sussex Candles at Henfield

Sunday June 18th at 11am

Summer is approaching and with it comes the Sussex Candles, our popular face-to-face Blue-pointed Swiss Teams.  We are again playing at Henfield Hall and the order of the day is fun, a good lunch and a few hands of bridge.  We will start at 11 a.m. and play 6 or 7 matches (depending on the number of teams entered), ending at about 6 p.m.  It's a Blue-pointed event so every win is worth a few more Master Points than a standard Swiss Teams.  All players are welcome!

A splendid buffet lunch will be provided as well as a plentiful supply of tea, cake and biscuits.  Your director for the day will be David Galpin.

Please submit your entry as soon as possible.  If you have any questions, please email me or call me on 0751 533 3539.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Peter Clinch (Organiser)

SCCBA Stepping Stone Pairs at Horsham

Saturday June 17th, 2023 at 11am

This is an event for those who have learned to play in the last 6 years and who have an NGS of 5 or less.  Approximately 18 boards will be played with a break for sandwiches and cake at half-way.

Venue – Horsham Bridge Club, 22a East Street, Horsham, RH12 1HL (in the alley between Wagamamma and the Amici Coffee shop).

Playing fees are £8 per player - pay on the day.

Please complete your entry early to allow time for the finalisation of catering arrangements.

The 2023 Autumn Junior Bridge Camp 

October 21st and 22nd

The 2023 Autumn Junior Bridge Camp will take place at Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club on 21st and 22nd October and is for juniors of all ability levels!  Bring your parents or grandparents too!  See Information and Registration for details.

 EBU National Pairs Final

Well done to Julian Mitchell and Peter Clinch who finished 6th in the National Pairs Final played on April 15th/16th - see results.

SCCBA Mixed Pairs

Sunday July 16th, 2023 at 11am

After a year’s absence, we are pleased to have arranged the return of this Championship to the County Calendar.  The event is also returning to Face-to Face-play.  Here are the details:-

• Venue – Patcham Community Centre Brighton BN1 8TA ( Patcham Bridge Club)
• Date – Sunday 16^th July, starting at 11:00,
• Play – approximately 40 boards, probably 2-board rounds, with a break for a plated tea at half way,
• Table money, including refreshments, is £12/player.

Please complete your entry by the beginning of July to allow time for the finalisation of catering arrangements.

Gerry Stanford (Organiser)

2022/23 Gladys Hakki Trophy Winner

 Richard Jameson

The Gladys Hakki Trophy is awarded annually to a Sussex member who has given outstanding service to county and/or club over a number of years.  This year's very deserving winner is Richard Jameson who is pictured receiving the trophy from SCCBA President Martin Pool at the Crawley BC AGM on May 5th.

Richard has been a key contributor to the success of Crawley Bridge Club for many years.  As well as being Secretary for twelve years, he has spent many hours each week in preparing and teaching beginner and improver classes, directing club duplicate sessions and publicising club and county competitions.  His contributions to the success of bridge in the County have also included organising teams for the West Sussex Inter Club League, the Sussex League and the Mid-Sussex Inter Club Challenge.

Richard's efforts in introducing Crawley to online Bridge helped the club to survive and even thrive during the Covid lockdown period.  His communication and diplomatic skills have enabled the club to establish and maintain their reputation as a friendly club and to double their membership in the last seven years.  Richard has also liaised on countless occasions with the indoor bowling club in whose premises Crawley play.  He even finds time to play bridge, often partnering the club's less experienced members.

Sussex Pairs Final

First, a big thank-you to the Sussex clubs Chichester, Avenue, Bexhill, Eastbourne and Horsham for running heats for this competition.  The original pairs were reduced via two semi-finals to 17 pairs who played in a 39-board final on Sunday 19^th March on BBO.  Leading pairs from this final qualify to play in the EBU’s Corwen Trophy which is to be held on Realbridge on the 3^rd / 4^th June.

Congratulations to the winners Peter Clinch & Julian Mitchell (pictured with myself).  The runners up were David Nastaszczuk and Phil Roxburgh and in third place were Mary Lawrenson and David Park.

Finally, a thank-you to the Director, Stephen Kennedy and to Mervyn Wotton for setting up the website files for the event.

Please join us again next year.

Gerry Stanford (Organiser)

SCCBA Inter-Club Teams of Eight

Seven SCCBA clubs played in this year's Inter-Club Teams of Eight, which acts as a qualifier for the Garden Cities Trophy, at Eastbourne Bridge Club on Sunday March 12th.

Congratulations to the winners who were Avenue Bridge Club, with last year's winners Horsham coming second.

Thank-you to the Eastbourne Bridge Club, particularly the catering team, for hosting the event.  Also thank-you to our director Stephen Kennedy.

Gerry Stanford (Organiser)

Other County News