TWYFORD BRIDGE CLUB CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 2022-2023

We played on-line and Face-to Face bridge for the complete financial Bridge year. Fortunately Meena reduced her director charges and we increased table money so we could continue on-line even with just 3 tables. Into this year, numbers have further dropped and On-line is now suspended with a possibility of review in the autumn.

I would like to thank all the committee for their hard work in keeping things going, particularly John for dealing with the bank and chasing payments and John and Jen for help with set up and scoring. We do need more people who know how to set up bridgemates and to score. Theresa and David should soon be able to do this. Tony is stepping down from the committee this year but will still act as our "go to" maintenance man. Sue E is also stepping down. Our thanks to both for their contribution to our club.

I would also like to thank our dealer Ed Turner for taking on dealing and then sorting out the problems caused when out of date dealing software met Windows 10 and it's upgrades. Currently the new software seems to be working well and Ian and John are dealing. We hope other past dealers will join the group but we need more people to take a turn with dealing we had six dealers before Covid and now just 2. Please volunteer. Training will be given!

We have 93 listed members although 12 have been on-line only and about 15 have played very rarely or not at all.

Face to Face play has survived. We were able to keep the room much warmer this year. Thanks to everyone for remembering to wear warm things! However, increased energy costs resulted in increased rent, now £120 per evening. We need 10 1/2 Tables to cover rent and refreshments and other expenses. We averaged 9 tables from May 1st 2022 to April 30th 2023.

The Host system is now working well. Many thanks to Mali for taking on this organisational task which enables more people to play when regular partners are unavailable.

We are not planning a Christmas Party in December this year but we will do a trophy presentation sometime in September or October for this year's Pairs Winners.

We hope to get a director rota started again this coming year also a dealing rota to spread the load.

Finally I want to thank you all for playing at the Twyford Bridge Club and for contributing to a very pleasant and friendly atmosphere in which to play bridge.

Lesley and Ian Haigh 2022