Norman Hardy

It is with great sadness that we inform you that Norman Hardy passed away on 27th April.  Norman was a great supporter of Sussex bridge and was Chairman of the Tournament Committee from 2006 until 2011, a very successful period for competitions and tournaments in Sussex.  Norman had the foresight to support many competitions for newcomers and novices, opening up Sussex bridge to many less experienced players.  He was also a qualified county tournament director for numerous Sussex competitions. 

Norman loved to play bridge, especially at West Sussex Bridge Club, of which he was a founding member.  He was a kind and affable presence at the bridge table and often played a system called Blue Club, developed and played by the famous Italian Blue Team in the 1960s with which he had some success.  He played with many partners and teams over the decades including Heather Barker, Tim Greenhill, Joy Mayall and Carol Watson.  Norman’s contribution to the SCCBA was extensive and transformative.  He was held in great affection and will be missed by many, especially by those of us who counted him as a friend.  His family are in our thoughts - details of the funeral arrangements, when known, will be posted here.

Sally Bugden
Chair

2026 SCCBA AGM - Appointments and Thanks

I just wanted to let you know of the organisational changes approved at the county AGM on Sunday April 26th and the special thanks earned by :-

• Dick Wheeler, retiring from various roles (including Honorary Secretary) and being appointed Vice President of SCCBA in recognition of his sterling efforts over many years, and
• Peter Clinch, stepping down after 5 years of immeasurable contributions as Chairman, but remaining as Tournament Manager.

See attached for details.

Sally Bugden,
Chair

2025/26 Gladys Hakki Trophy Winner - Thea Sydenham

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.

Hearty congratulations are due to this year's winner, Thea Sydenham.  Thea's outstanding service as Secretary, Teacher, Director and Dealer over more than ten years illustrates the huge contribution she has made not only to the success of Chichester BC but also more widely, including her support for a flourishing Minibridge club at a local junior school, regular card sessions at a local nursing home and a cafe bridge event highlighting the social benefits of bridge.

SCCBA Management Committee

2026 SCCBA Teams of Eight

aka EBU Garden Cities Trophy Heat

Seven SCCBA clubs played in this year's Inter-Club Teams of 8 at Patcham Community Centre on 28th March in their attempts to qualify for the Garden Cities Regional Final on 9th May with West Sussex BC and Eastbourne BC joining the five clubs who played last year.

Congratulations to the winners who were the Avenue Bridge Club - Julian Mitchell & Peter Clinch, Andy Ryder & Mike Allen, Gunnar Hallberg & Sally Clark, Matthew Read & David Dickson.  There were joint runners-up in Patcham and Horsham.

Thank-you to our playing Directors, Peter Clinch, Andy Osborn and Julian Mitchell.

I also have to thank our President Martin Pool for preparing the boards and the hand copies and also Mervyn Wotton for dealing with the website and technical issues.

Gerry Stanford (Organiser)

2025/26 Sussex Pairs Final

Congratulations to this year's winners of the Sussex Pairs on Sunday March 15th, Peter Clinch and Julian Mitchell (pictured).

Mike Allen and Andy Ryder finished second with Katie Duncanson and Tom Eckersley-Waites completing the podium in third place.

Up to five pairs have now qualified to represent Sussex in the Corwen Trophy in Telford on the weekend of 30th-31st May. Good luck to those who go forward.

Many thanks to Stephen Kennedy who directed and scored*, Charlotte Setahul who catered and to Mervyn Wotton and Martin Pool who provided extra technical assistance and additional dealing as we had a couple of withdrawals on the day.

Peter Clinch (Organiser)

* Note to competitors: Because the results were uploaded to the EBU with the final session percentages on both sessions, we have had some queries.  Having consulted with the EBU, we can confirm that the NGS adjustments are correct.

Horsham Welcome Pairs

Everybody had an enjoyable time at the SCCBA Welcome Pairs event held at Horsham Bridge Club on Sunday 1st March.

Very well done to the winners of the 3 categories.  On the right Mark Tresler & Jacqueline Goel; on the left Adrian Kernot & Richard Brinley Codd; in the middle Stella Blackburn and Suzie Byrne: accompanied on the extreme right by fellow-Organiser Sarah Little.

Denise Lincoln (Organiser)

Other County News