The weekend away was popular again this year with 34 players and one non playing guest.  As always, to make things go with a swing a good deal of preparation is done behind the scenes, sometimes weeks ahead of time.  So, our special thanks go to Nigel who managed the bridge component of the weekend virtually single handed.  To Lesley D who dealt and delivered all the cards.  To Scott, David, Drew and Karen who were instrumental in getting the equipment there and back again.  Karen (again) for keeping the tablets charged and ready for use each session and to Christine who helped with the pre-event admin and got the prizes sorted (very important job!) 

And the biggest thank you of all, must go to all the members who continue to support their bridge club so whole-heartedly.  For example Mark Churchill travelled over 2 hours to get there and Chris Sharp travelled a similar distance.  But that was nothing compared to how far Ingrid and Gordon travelled - from Yorkshire!  Scott and Michelle gave lifts to members who had no transport and Jacky stepped up at the last moment to help with numbers.  A big thank you to you all for making it such a successful event.

The Saturday afternoon quiz this year was won by Jacky, Allison and Diane - with a perfect 100% score.  

Friday 6th March

Check into your room from 3 p.m. and enjoy the facilities until we are all on site and the fun really starts.

• 17.00 - 18.00 meet in the conservatory for complimentary drinks courtesy of Tudor Bridge Club.  Don't forget you can order your post match drinks - save any queuing at the bar later!
• 18.00 - 19.00 move into the dining room for dinner
• 19.00 - to the playing room for the first session of bridge.  Complimentary coffee, tea and water will be available 
• 22.00 approx, play finishes.  Why not meet up in the bar for a post match analysis?

Saturday 7th March 

• 8.00 - 9.30 breakfast served in the dining room 
• 10.30  - 13.00 bridge in the playing room.  Tea, coffee and water will be available 
• 13.00- 14.00 a light lunch will be served in the dining room
  The afternoon has been left free for you to spend as you wish.  There are a couple of things going on which you are welcome to try, the choice is yours
• 14.00 - the fun quiz, with rather some nefarious connections to bridge!  Honestly, this is just for fun (although prizes will be available!).  Karen and Christine will distribute the quiz to all who want them over lunch.  Please feel free to have a go on your own, or in a  group of up to 4 people.  Answer sheets will be collected before play starts in the evening.  The answers will be made available during the evening and the results will be announced on Sunday.
• 15.00 - 16.00 'Playing Analysis'  a session hosted by Nigel, looking at some of the trickier hands in terms of bidding and play, from the Friday night session, in the playing room.  Tea, coffee and water will be available 
• 18.00 - 19.30 3 course dinner will be served in the dining room.  Don't forget to order your post play drinks at the bar before you go in to the playing room!
• 19.30 a little more bridge in the playing room.  Tea, coffee and water will be available 
• 22.30 approx play will end.  Back to the bar!
   

Sunday 8th March 

• 8.00 until 9.30 breakfast will be served in the dining room.
• 10.00 check out of your room, please
• 10.20 - please meet in the playing room for the 'official group photograph'
• 10.30 - 12.30 first rounds of teams/pairs event will be played in the playing room
• 12.30 - 13.30 a roast lunch will be served in the dining room
• 13.30 - 15.30 - final rounds of the teams/pairs match to be played 
• 15.30 approx tea/coffee served whilst the prizes for the entire weekend are given out and the directors finalise the scores from the Sunday competition
• 15.50  Final words from Nigel
• 16.00 cheerios and departure

Another big thank you to Andrew for giving the seminar on our big weekend away.  To get to the notes from the seminar please click here.  If you have any trouble accessing them please call Christine on 07876 334 921.

Thank you Viv for forwarding this evocative picture of the hotel grounds before the sun broke through on Sunday morning. 

At the end of his words of welcome on Friday evening, Nigel presented Maureen with a badge reading 'Founder Member' in recognition that she has been with the club for the full 40 years.  Maureen very gamely wore the badge all evening - and all the weekend too.  Great sport Maureen.  Well done.

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  club/Peter Willoughby Cup 1

What a weekend that was!  We managed to take loads of pics, but didn't make a big song and dance of the bridge successes over the playing sessions, so here is a synopsis of the successes. 

On Friday evening the pairs competition was won by Andrew and Sue (north/south), Paul and Christine (east/west).  Saturday afternoon was the 2024 official Peter Willoughby competition which was won by Andrew and Sue.  Saturday evening was a standard pairs event won by Elaine and Lesley P (north/south), Paul and Mark C (east/west).  The Swiss teams event on the Sunday was a very closely fought competition, all decided on the last match.  Well done Paul, Karen, Doug and John H for winning, David L, Jane F, Scott and Gill for coming second and Lesley D, Chris, Dean and Hillary for third position. 

Over and above all these specific prizes there were bottles of champagne too.  Two for the overall winning pair of the entire weekend - well done Sue and Andrew.  And one for the most successful individual player - well done Paul.  When giving out this latter prize Nigel commented that with the exception of the Peter Willoughby competition (when he came second) Paul had been on the winning side in every other event over the entire weekend.  Phew, that's going some.

Well done to all of you.

Just click this link to see the final results from our final weekend bridge event.  40th_Swiss_teams_results.pdf