It is with great sadness we note the death of Ros Tulloch who passed away on 9th April; just two months short of her 95th birthday.  Ros was a long-standing, and active, member of the Club and was even booked to attend the Club's Away Weekend later this month at Crewe Hall.

Ros had been the headmistress at Swanshurst School and on her retirement, besides playing bridge, was a keen golfer.  She was known by many in the West Midlands community and she will be sorely missed.  We send our utmost condolences to her family and friends.

Ros' funeral will take place on Monday 16th May 2022 at 3pm at the United Reformed Church, Chantry Road, Moseley, and afterwards at the Moseley Golf Club.

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Alan Bailey who passed away peacefully in hospital on Tuesday 28 December.

Alan was a long-standing and active member of the Club and he shared his love and joy for the game of bridge with all who knew him.  He is remembered as being instrumental in setting up Practice Play, which first started on Thursday mornings, as well as teaching and latterly assisting Ann in her lessons.  Alan also ran Bridge Holidays which many of our members participated in. 

A notable raconteur, Alan always had a story for every occasion, often followed by a poem, naturally on the subject of bridge!  His great sense of humour, enthusiasm, support and friendliness will be missed.  We send our utmost condolences and thoughts to Ann and his family at this sad time.

It is with deepest sadness that we announce the death of our President and Chairman, Margaret Wort.  After suffering a short illness, Margaret passed peacefully away at home on Thursday 10 September 2020.

Margaret spent many hours working on behalf of the Club, joining the Board of Directors in 2003 and becoming Chairman in 2008, a post she held until her death.  In 2015 the Board unanimously agreed to appoint Margaret to the position of President of the Club.  She will be greatly missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing her.

It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved steward, Jayne, who passed away peacefully at the Marie Curie Hospice on 15th June 2023.

Jayne has been Steward at the Club for well over thirty years and through her catering business, Bridge Catering, and with the support of her family and helpers, has constantly provided a warm, welcoming and friendly environment for members and visitors.  Her personal contribution to the Club has been immeasurable and she will be hugely missed. Many will have anecdotes and stories to share so Jayne will be remembered and held within our hearts always. 

Our heartfelt condolences go out to her husband Aiden, her daughters Rebecca and Hannah and to all her family and friends.   Below is a message from the family.....(and please take note of dress code)

...........................

Hey all,

Jayne was so special to so many people. We would like to welcome you to join us to celebrate her wonderful life.

Please see details below.

https://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/funeral-notices/15-06-2023-lisa-jayne-crump/

Thanks,

Aiden, Hannah and Rebecca x

The members of West Midlands Bridge Club would like to remember our Queen.  She will be sorely missed.

Long Live the King

We are sad to report the unexpected death of Richard Bowdery, at the young age of just 58.   A Country Member of WMBC as he lived in London, meant he couldn't play often at the club, but was very involved within Warwickshire teams and the WPL.   As well as being a top player, recently winning a major Spanish tournament with Jason Hackett just two weeks ago, he would give lots of time to the less experienced player.  A real gentleman at the table - he will be greatly missed.

Our condolences to his family and friends.

It is with regret that we report that John Miller passed away on 4th January 2023.  John was a long standing member of the club who played regularly up until the pandemic.  Condolences to all his family and friends.

John's funeral will be held on Tuesday 7th February at 1.15pm at Redditch Crematorium B79 6RR.   Could those wishing to attend please let Rachel know at rachelsteel5@gmail.com

It is with sadness that we report that Albert Bayley passed away on 26/12/2022 after being ill for a few months.  Albert was a long standing member of the club and is remembered with great fondness.  Our condolences to all his family and friends.

Funeral Arrangements: 

Albert's funeral will be held on 14th February 2023 at 11.30am at Robin Hood Crematorium.  Members and friends are invited to join the family afterwards at West Midlands Bridge Club for refreshments.

Barbara Neale

It is with sadness we report the passing of Barbara Neale who had been an active member of the Bridge Club for many years. 

Barbara's funeral will be held at Robin Hood Crematorium on Wednesday 29th June at 10.30am and afterwards at West Midlands Bridge Club.  

Many condolences to Barbara's family and friends.

Ian had been fighting his pancreatic cancer with great fortitude for some time but finally succumbed on 20^th August.  He had been a generous and hard-working member of Worcestershire CBA since resuming playing the game around the turn of the century.  His work as Education Officer extended into delivering a variety of teaching experiences both in Worcestershire and beyond, mainly in Warwickshire. 

Ian’s first bridge success in Worcestershire was in winning the Championship Teams in 1967/68 and one of his most recent was winning the same event in 2018/2019 – having won it a further ten times in between.  He also won the Phillipps Heats in 2018/2019 and was in the team leading the First Division of the League in 2019/2020 before Lockdown intervened.  His other successes in the County are too numerous to mention here but can be found on the County Honours Board.  His successes were not confined to Worcestershire, having won the Goodman Cup (Warwickshire’s Championship Teams event) in 1970/71 and 1974/75.  In 1971, partnering John Greenhalgh and representing Warwickshire, he won the Pachabo Cup.  More recently, he won the Warwickshire Pairs League Division A in 2016.  He was a member of the Worcestershire team that won the National Counties Teams of Eight in 2013/14, having won the Dawes Trophy that same year.  He won the Gerard Faulkner Salver in 2005 and, as a result, going on to represent England in the European Seniors Teams Championship in 2006.

Outside of bridge, Ian worked for IBM for many years and, on his “retirement”, turned his considerable talents to IT consultancy work for the NHS.  He was also Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Parenting Project charity. 

Ian had lived in Alcester with Loraine, his wife, for many years.  Our thoughts are with Loraine, his wife, and his daughters, Shona, Hannah and Joanna.  He was a generous and kind friend as well as an excellent and enthusiastic bridge player.   We will miss him.

Source: Worcestershire CBA Website.

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Philip Jones.  Phil passed away on Saturday 1 February 2020 following a period of poor health.

A regular Wednesday afternoon player, and a strong supporter of the Club, Phil was a regular Tournament Director, a member of the Duplimating team and attended regular Bridge Committee meetings.  His sad loss will be felt throughout the Club.

We send our sincere condolences to Phil’s wife, Jean, his son, family, and friends; he will be sorely missed.

Terry Meaney
We regret to announce Terry's death.
He died on Easter Sunday but due to the lockdown we have only just
received the sad news.
Terry was a long-standing member of the club and ran the popular
Thursday Evening Chicago session for many years
 

I write to tell you that my husband Brian Kensit, died peacefully at Heartlands Hospital on June 14th.

He had struggled with dementia, becoming more and more confused.

His cremation service will be held at Robin Hood Cemetery, on July 25th at 3.00pm. 

Wear whatever you choose, not necessarily black.  Please, no flowers. There will be a collection at the service, with donations going to Alzheimer’s Society.

Anyone who remembers him, will be most welcome to join his family and friends.

Diana Swann