2025 New Year Swiss Teams

19 teams participated in a close-fought New Year Swiss Teams on Sunday 19th January in the intimate surroundings of Patcham Bridge Club.

When the smoke had settled, two teams had tied for first place with 83 VPs.  The trophy went to Mike Keeping, Matts Smith and Read and David Benjamin (pictured) as they won the head-to-head match with Andy Ryder, Mike Allen, David Dickson and Philip Hunt.

In third-equal place were the teams of Nick Goddard (Dudley Edwards, Peter Rowell, Francis Kelly) and Richard Fedrick (Andrew Southwell, Liz Hoskins, Peter Clinch).  The "jack-high" prize was scooped by Andy Osborn, Paul Turton, Rosemary McKinnel and Susan Cook.  Congratulations to them all.

Many thanks to those involved in making the day a success: Joy Mayall (organiser, assisted by Peter Clinch), Stephen Kennedy (director), Mervyn Wotton (various), Martin Pool and John Hardy (boards and finances), Charlotte Setahul and Colette Starr (catering), and Peter Langston (room set-up).

To benefit worthy causes nominated by SCCBA members, why not play in :-

the SCCBA Charity Simultaneous Pairs in aid of :-

 Eastbourne & District Samaritans and

Sage House Dementia Support at Tangmere

Heats of the this year's event will be held in the week beginning Monday February 17th.  The current list of participating clubs is Worthing, Chichester, Crawley, Patcham, West Sussex and Eastbourne - see Calendar for start times.  Please note that individual players may only play in one heat.

If any other SCCBA club would like to hold a heat, they should email organiser Peter Clinch or ring him on 07515 333539.

For less-experienced players, there's :-

the David Pavey Pairs at Worthing on 26th January for those at NGS level 7 and below or

the Welcome Pairs at Horsham on 2nd March for those at NGS level 8 and below.

Both events are easy-paced and accented towards maximising the enjoyment experienced by those who are likely to be relatively new to county competitions. See how to enter and who to contact if you have any questions.

Train to be a Bridge Teacher 

Have you ever thought about becoming a bridge teacher?  If so, why not join one of the upcoming Club Teacher Training courses run by English Bridge Education & Development (EBED)?  For 2025, the course dates are:-

Eastbourne - 1st & 2nd March,
Horsham - 26th & 27th April.

The 2-day courses give aspiring bridge teachers the skills to teach bridge effectively.  EBU-affiliated clubs are eligible for discounts or concessionary places.  If you're interested, please contact Lisa Miller on 01296 317 217 (lisa@ebedcio.org.uk ) or Clive Turner on 01296 317 212 (clive@ebedcio.org.uk).

If you've any questions, please email Douglas Wright or ring him on 07801 989630.

Gladys Hakki Trophy 2024/25

Affiliated clubs and members of the county management committee have been invited to make nominations (via the attached form) by end of February, 2025 for the Gladys Hakki Trophy.  The intent of the trophy is annually to recognise a member of the County who has given unstintingly of their time and service, and contributed exceptionally to the success of contract bridge in the County.  If you know of someone whom you believe meets these criteria, please contact one of your local club officers or a member of the county management committee to convey your views.

Other County News