The prestigious Championship Teams competition for 2023/2024 has recently been completed.  Congratulations to the winning team captained by Christine Jepson (Neil Watts, Andrew Southwell, Ian Lancaster, David Clifton) who defeated Dave Franklin's team in the Final played in mid-June.  The Plate Final, for first-match losers in the main competition, was held recently and the Plate was retained by the current holders, Peter Rowell's team (Francis Kelly, Terry Fishlock, David Cairns), who defeated Peter Langston's team in a very close match.

The  competition will start again in a few weeks time and the entry form will be on the County Website in early October.  New teams are always welcome to join the competition and if you require any more information please contact the organiser, David Galpin.

The SCCBA has been working with affiliated clubs to develop plans for the Sussex contributions to the festival.  Currently, we have a total of 19 activities and events with 2 taking place centrally and 17 in clubs or elsewhere.  Details of those activities and events which are open to all are now included in the SCCBA Calendar.

I am referring you to this information for two reasons.  First, it is to make you aware of the opportunities for you to participate in one or more events to play your part in making the festival a great success, particularly in terms of the sums collected in support of Cancer Research UK.

The second reason relates to the other primary objective of the festival, i.e. to spread awareness of the enjoyment we all get from playing bridge and the opportunities there are for newcomers to join our community.  In that context, I seek your help in encouraging any of your family and friends who might be interested in finding out about our wonderful game to consider attending one of the Open Day/Taster Session events being organised by the clubs at Crawley, Patcham and Seaford.

I recognise that the locations of those events will not be convenient for many and I would encourage them to pursue their interest through one of the bridge teachers listed on the Teachers in Sussex page. They will be delighted to tell you about the learning opportunities available.

Many thanks.

Dick Wheeler
SCCBA Hon Sec (tel. 07786 187297)

I would like to thank all those who replied to my email on 'Rekindling Bridge in Schools' sent last month.  We have identified a number of potential schools and interested bridge teachers and our next step is to invite those who are interested to be educated in How to Teach Bridge in Schools.

There will be three sessions (subject to demand), each starting at 9.30 for 10 a.m.  They will be led by Douglas Wright of 3 Counties Bridge and will be at :-

• Eastbourne Bridge Club (18th August),
• Rottingdean Whiteway Centre (17th September),
• Chichester Bridge Club (21st September).

To register for these events, please contact Douglas Wright or go directly to the registration area.

There is more to come here so watch this space!

Peter Clinch.
SCCBA Chairman

The 2024 Sussex Green-Pointed Swiss Pairs on Sunday July 28th at Patcham was very close at the top and was won in sweltering conditions by David Norman and David Dawson of Surrey.  Congratulations and commiserations go to John Austin and Roger Bill who finished second after originally being declared winners - a last-minute scoring alteration reversed the standings . David Benjamin and Mike Keeping finished third.

Many thanks to the director Stephen Kennedy who had to overcome some unwelcome Bridgemate difficulties and did so calmly and with cool.  Thanks are also due to Martin Pool and John Hardy for dealing the boards, to Charlotte Setahul for providing refreshments and to Mervyn Wotton for assisting in diagnosis of some technical issues.  Finally, many thanks to Joy Mayall and Gerry Stanford for their unselfish support to enable the event to run smoothly.

Peter Clinch,
Tournament Organiser

Worthing BC held the 2024 SCCBA Venture Pairs on Sunday 21st July.  We had nine full tables and it produced a competitive session. My thanks go to Alexa Baxter for directing which involved an unusual movement to generate a single winner.

Also, thanks to Eileen Perrigo for organising and to Eileen and helpers for excellent food platters at the half-way break.

Ernie Rivett

Congratulations to winners Chris Robbins and David McLenahan and ..........

...... well done to runners-up Paul Wilson and Richard Earl.

The 2024 Sussex Mixed Pairs Championship for the Eddie Williams Trophy was held at the Patcham Community Centre on Sunday 14^th July.  Congratulations to the winners who were :-

Gunnar Hallberg & Sally Clark.

Well done also to the runners-up who were Oliver Powell and Liz Hoskins (pictured) with Peter Harbott and Gill Southern finishing 3rd.

Many thanks to director Stephen Kennedy and our caterer Charlotte Setahul.  Thanks also to those working unseen - Martin Pool for preparing the boards and Mervyn Wotton for running the web-site.

Gerry Stanford,
Organiser

Once again a great time was had by all at the Blue-Pointed Sussex Candles at Henfield on Sunday 16th June.  The winners were Liz Hoskins, Andrew Southwell, Richard Fedrick and Peter Clinch.  They were six Victory Points clear of second-placed Mike Keeping, David Benjamin, Matt Read and David Dickson.  Surprisingly, the top two teams never faced one another.  One more round....  The Queen-high trophy was captured by sixth-placed Duncan McSorland, Sue Peters, Graham and Rose Walker.

Lunch and cake were again splendidly-provided by Charlotte Setahul and team.  Many thanks are due to the excellent director Stephen Kennedy, Martin Pool and John Hardy (who dealt and transported the boards), to our webmaster Mervyn Wotton and to Peter Bates who coordinated logistics in the Hall.  Our next Henfield event will be the Blue-Pointed Midweek Swiss Pairs on Wednesday 21st August.

Peter Clinch, Tournament Organiser

Sussex had quite a good Teams of 8 weekend.  Unfortunately, the most memorable hand in the Garden Cities Final on Saturday June 1st was when Stephen Kennedy came back to the table having brought home a vulnerable 3NT with an overtrick (it should have gone down).  His joy was short-lived as his teammates had conceded 1960 in 1NT redoubled with three overtricks so that was 16 IMPs away!  The Avenue team was Julian Mitchell (capt) and Peter Clinch, Matt Read and Mike Allen, Stephen Kennedy and Oliver Powell, Gunnar Hallberg and Sally Clark.  We were, in truth, a distant second to Cambridge.

On the following day, the Sussex team came second to Yorkshire in the National Intercounty Teams of 8 (division A) Final by just 2 VPs. This was much closer than the previous day and, for a while (pre-appeal), it seemed that Sussex were the joint-winners with Kent. The Sussex team was Christine Jepson (capt) and Neil Watts, Oliver Powell and Stephen Kennedy, Alan and James Hobden and Peter Clinch and Julian Mitchell.

Peter Clinch

Thank-you to everyone who participated in the Spring Congress over the weekend of April 20th and 21st.  I think everyone will agree that this is a Congress for all!

The Swiss Pairs was won by Julian Mitchell and Peter Clinch who finished 15 VPs clear of Sally Clark and Gunnar Hallberg in second place.  Will Adler and Mike Keeping were a little further back in third place.  The Jack-high prize was won by Sue Howley and Lynne Spooner.  Gunnar Hallberg won the bidding competition, despite failing to answer one of the questions!  All the prizewinners are pictured here.

On Sunday, the Swiss Teams was captured by David Benjamin, Matt Read, Mike Keeping and Matt Smith (pictured).  Second were Peter and Marit Langston, Will Adler and Robert Lowe.  The Jack-high winners were Keith and Maureen Norman, Sue Peters and Sylvia Clark.  Liz Bornecrantz scooped the bidding competition.

Many thanks to Stephen Kennedy for his excellent directing, Charlotte Setahul for her overstuffed Ploughman's lunches, Martin Pool and John Hardy for dealing the boards and Mervyn Wotton for helping with results uploads.

Peter Clinch,
Tournament Organiser

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 Peter Langston who was presented with the award by SCCBA Chairman Peter Clinch at the SCCBA Spring Congress.  Peter L's nomination by Patcham Bridge Club was as follows :-

Peter has been a stalwart of Sussex bridge for well over 20 years, previously serving on the County committee.  He has directed many county events and is still doing a few now.

With many other clubs floundering during the pandemic, Peter worked tirelessly to ensure that Patcham not only survived as a club but thrived.  He set up many online sessions on BBO, often attracting over 30 tables and he has arranged and run many online matches against other clubs to ensure members maintained their interest and contact with other members.

His unstinting work has ensured that Patcham Bridge Club has not only survived but has come back stronger after the pandemic.  Among his many other roles, he serves on the Club Committee, maintains and improves the club website, is a regular director and is one of the club's IT experts.

Patcham BC is now, not only the busiest in the County, but it is also the 18th busiest club in the Country and this is in no small part due to Peter's unstinting and excellent work.

We believe Peter Langston would be a worthy winner of the Gladys Hakki award for 2023/24.  To the best of our knowledge, Patcham BC has never had a previous winner of the award.

Seven SCCBA clubs played in this year's Inter-Club Teams of Eight at Patcham Community Centre on 23rd March in their attempts to qualify for the Garden Cities Regional Final on 11th May.

Congratulations to the winners who were the Avenue Bridge Club - Stephen Kennedy & Peter Clinch, Andy Ryder & Mike Allen, Gunnar Hallberg & Sally Clark and Matthew Read & David Dickson.  The home club, Patcham, were the runners up.

Thank-you to our event Director, Keith Norman.

Gerry Stanford (Organiser)

First, a big thank-you to the Sussex clubs Chichester, The Avenue, Thakeham, Worthing, Eastbourne and Horsham for running heats for this competition.  22 pairs qualified for the final on Sunday 17^th March, playing at the Patcham Community Centre.  Leading pairs from this final qualify to play in the EBU’s Corwen Trophy which is to be held at Stone, Staffordshire on the 15th/16^th June.

Congratulations to the winners Alan and James Hobden  (pictured).  The runners-up were Roger Poulter and Mark Denny and in third place were David Nastaszczuk and Phil Roxburgh.

Finally, a thank-you to the Director, your County Chairman, Peter Clinch, your County President, Martin Pool, for preparing the hands and to Mervyn Wotton for setting up the web-site files for the event.

Please join us again next year.

Gerry Stanford (Organiser)

113 pairs took part in this year's Charity Simultaneous Pairs which was played between Monday February 19th and Saturday February 24th.  A total of £2,100 will be shared equally between this year's three charities which are:-

• Guildcare,
• Demelza Hospice,
• Crawley Open House.

Congratulations to David and Andrea Galpin who played in the Patcham heat and are the confirmed winners.  The runners-up are Nick Goddard and Milli Fawssett who also played in the Patcham heat and in 3rd place are Gill Gallagher and Ron Munro who played in the Crawley heat.

Congratulations also to Alan and Carol Hughes who played in the Seaford heat and who are the winners of the Eric Seldon Salver for being the top pair, both of whom are at least 70 years old.

Many thanks to all the clubs who took part in this event.  Many thanks also to Neil Watts who selected the hands and wrote the commentary and to organiser Peter Clinch.

Many congratulations to Sussex members Alan & James Hobden and Ros Wolfarth who formed three-quarters of the team who won the EBU Online Swiss Teams on Sunday January 28th.

20 pairs competed for the 2024 David Pavey Trophy which was held at Worthing Bridge Club on Sunday January 28th.    It was a relaxed and very friendly day enjoyed by everyone.  Thanks must go to Alexa Baxter who directed and the ladies at Worthing Bridge Club for providing a delicious afternoon tea.

Congratulations to winners Robert Turvey and Jenny Redman from Horsham Bridge Club and .....

...... well done to runners-up Annamarie Beresford and Ann Mackown from Worthing Bridge Club.

Eileen Perrigo (Organiser)

Congratulations to winners David Ould, David Dickson, Andy Ryder and Mike Allen and well done to ......

...... runners-up David Benjamin, Mike Keeping, Matthew Read and Matthew Smith and to ......

...... Jack-High winning team Tilly Hennings, John Hardy, Laurence Chiswell and David Hughes.

Affiliated clubs and members of the county management committee have been invited to make nominations (via the attached form) by Wednesday February 28th 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.

The ever-popular Sussex League competition has now been completed.

Congratulations to the winning team in Division 1 captained by Mike Allen (Andy Ryder, David Dickson, Matt Read, Ian Swanson, and David Ould).  Also well done to the winning teams in the other 3 Divisions, captained by David Galpin, Martin Greeley, and Richard Jameson.

The Hill's trophy, in attracting 20 teams (a total not seen for many years), was successfully held at the spacious Angmering Community Centre on Sunday November 26th.  The winners, Neil Watts, Christine Jepson, David Telfer and Peter Burns, finished comfortably ahead of the runners-up.

It's worth mentioning that Neil Watts, part of this year's winning team, has now won this event five times in 1988, 2004, 2005, 2018 and 2023 - a 37-year span.  Well done, Neil.

My thanks go to Kathy & Eddie Williams who directed the event, U3A for the use of their tables and to all the other helpers whose efforts before and after the event went towards making it a success.

The runners-up were Nigel Utting, Denise Ireland, Jean Meneely and Avril Strong.

See full results on the Worthing BC web-site.

Ernie Rivett
(Worthing BC)

We recently were saddened to lose one of the EBU's best-loved directors, Jim Proctor.  David Dickson writes:- 

Following his retirement from the EBU, Jim frequently boarded a train from Scarborough to Brighton.  Invariably, a woolly hat, sweater and Covid mask (worn round the chin) would arrive at The Avenue Bridge Club in Hove and underneath was Jim - a polite likeable friendly gentleman, ready for action at the rubber bridge table. 

Jim will be remembered for a few of his bridge eccentricities – he invariably led a trump at trick 1; he invariably commented after a failure to protect ‘no protection’ in a broad Scarborough accent; latterly he frequently ‘made a claim’ by throwing all 13 of his cards on the table and left it to others to gauge the validity of the claim.

Following the rubber bridge, Jim would eat the same dish, at the same Curry house, at the same table.

For as long as we play Rubber Bridge, Jim will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all his friends at The Avenue Bridge Club.

On October 28th and 29th, Sussex and Kent again combined to hold a Green-Pointed weekend at Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club.

Congratulations to Frances Connell & Gerald Soper who won the Swiss Pairs on the Saturday.

The runners-up were Susan Parkins & David Stern.

Congratulations also to the Sussex team of Matthew Smith, Mike Keeping, David Benjamin and Matthew Read who won the Swiss Teams on the Sunday.

The runners-up were David Norman, Peter Lee, Mike Scoltock and Richard Fedrick.

Many thanks to directors Stephen Brown, Rob Sassoon and John Oakland and to Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club for hosting the event.

The Autumn JBC was held at Tunbridge Wells BC on 21st and 22nd October with 36 juniors aged 8 to 17 attending.  The winners of the Priday Cup were junior internationals Lucy Norman and Tom Furness.  Tom also won the Saturday Pairs with Nia Hencken.   A special mention to Lottie Sutton of the Bronze group, who came 2nd in the Saturday Pairs.  Thank you to TWBC and all who helped make the event successful.

See more pictures.

William Bourne

Congratulations to overall winners Andrea Galpin & Joan Hootman pictured with the coveted SCCBA Ladies’ Pairs Trophy at Patcham Bridge Club on Sunday October 15th.  After a break of a couple of years, this friendly event was once again very efficiently directed by Peter Langston.

The runners-up were Vivian Priday & Rosemary McKinnel, ......

..... the Stratification Level B winners (the highest-ranked pair below Premier Master) were Lesley Clark and Audrey Stallard and .....

..... the Stratification Level C winners (the highest-ranked pair below Master) were Judith Cooper & Joanna Norcross.

A delicious tea was provided by Charlotte Setahul.   Many thanks to organiser Joy Mayall.

Congratulations to Ann Field & Carol Duckett who won the EBU National Handicap Pairs Championship on September 10th.  Ann and Carol played in this event at Worthing Bridge Club which was one of 15 clubs to hold a heat.

The Swiss Pairs at the Sussex Autumn Congress (September 23rd and 24th) at Patcham was won by a decent margin by the brother-and-sister pair of Brenda Linfield and Brian Gould, pictured trying to hold the impressive Noel Mobbs trophy.

Brenda and Brian were eight VPs clear of two pairs in second place - Jill Hassan & Ken Ford and Mike Keeping & David Benjamin (all pictured).

Kevin McGrath and Nic Misoulis won the 10-high prize and Giles Faulkner scored an impressive 54 out of 60 in the bidding competition.

We have no photos of the Sunday Swiss teams but the shy and retiring winners were David Dickson & Matt Read, Christine Jepson & Peter Clinch.  They headed the second-placed team of Nick Goddard & Millie Fawssett, Ollie Powell & Charlie Bucknell by seven VPs.  Two players (Christine Jepson and Matt Read) managed to score full marks on the bidding competition which may help explain their overall win.

Many thanks to Charlotte Setahul for the catering, Eddie Williams for directing on Sunday, Martin Pool for dealing the boards, Peter Langston and Andy Osborn for helping with the venue logistics and Mervyn Wotton and John Hardy for managing the finances and the website uploads.

I hope to see you back at Patcham next year for the Spring Congress!

Peter Clinch.
Tournament Organiser