It is with great sadness that we report the sudden death of George Ellis on Sunday 9th June 2024, at the age of 92.  George had been Treasurer of Swansea Bridge Club for many years and was well liked both as a player and a regular Director.  He will be dearly missed.

We send our condolences to Barbara and the family.

We were sad to learn of the recent death of Wendy Thornton. Wendy was well known in the Tenby, Merlin and Haverfordwest clubs and also played in West Wales and National events. We extend our sympathy to her family and friends.

We were saddened to learn that Brian Griffiths died on Mon 25th September.

Brian was a founder member of Haverfordwest Bridge Club, which has been going for over 64 years.  He took over as President about 20 years ago and rarely missed a session of bridge,  He was a loyal and fully committed club member who will be dearly missed.

For those who knew him and would like to attend, his funeral will be at 1pm on Friday 20th October at St Martin's Church Haverfordwest.

We were saddened to hear that Mags Davies from Pembroke Bridge Club passed away on Sunday 12th February. 

She was a huge part of Welsh bridge over the last  35 years and will be remembered by so many. 

Mags was a huge character in the bridge world, and was truly a ‘one off!’ 

She died peacefully in her sleep aged 96.

Mags' funeral will be on March 1st, 1pm at Narberth Crematorium.

Judith was Chair of Haverfordwest Bridge Club numerous times as well as Chair of the Western Area on two occasions.
She also served twice as President of the Welsh Bridge Union.

She was well respected and liked throughout the principality and will be missed by her many friends.

We were saddened to learn that Pat Haworth, President of Porthcawl Bridge Club, died peacefully in hospital on Friday 24th June 2022,

Our condolences to Tony and all the family.

Pat's funeral is at 12:45pm on Tuesday 12th July 2022 at Margam Crematorium and afterwards at Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club

We were saddened to hear that Colette Davies died on 6th December 2021 at Prince Philip Hospital, following a stroke.  She was 76, had been suffering from dementia and had been in care homes for her last few years. She was a retired secondary school PE teacher with hockey as her speciality.  A former member of  Llanelli, Llandybie and Carmarthen Bridge clubs, many will remember Colette as a staunch supporter of Western Area events and indeed Welsh bridge in general.

Her funeral service has been scheduled for 3pm on 21st December at Llanelli Crematorium. (wear a mask and don’t sing) and afterwards at the Diplomat Hotel in Felinfoel provided no further Covid restrictions prevent this gathering.

We extend our sympathy to Colette's relatives and friends.

We are sad to announce that Colin Heard died on 1st September 2021, aged 85, having suffered from cancer for the past few years.  Colin was a regular Camrose player between 1969 and 1980, playing in a total of 14 matches.

His funeral is on 11^th September, 11am at Llanelli Crematorium, with the wake at the Diplomat hotel.

We send our condolences to his wife Hazel.

Sadly the popular Pembrokeshire player Eric Hartland died on 15th May 2021 aged 78, following a brave fight against cardiovascular problems.

Eric was born and bred in the Dudley area and pursued a career in research at Aston University, helping to develop the amazing technology that subsequently took the medical world by storm, Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

He became a distinguished County standard bridge player in the Midlands but eventually, in 2001, retired to Pembrokeshire. Having joined Haverfordwest Bridge Club soon after, he was complimented by John Isaacs (of the West Wales annual competition fame) who said “the club hasn’t seen a player of this calibre before”.

He brought with him his version of the five card major and two-over-one system, previously fine-tuned with his Midlands friends, by his own account, “over many a pint of beer”.  He 
taught it to several of his new friends in the club, generously buying three of them each a book on the topic, and soon we were using the methods in local and national competitions, often with success.  His system, diligently typed out over many pages, and his name live on. His pupils (of whom I was one) frequently recall his advice.  “Don’t bid your hand twice” was one of his favourites.  Probably a good lesson for life too!

Eric was a passionate supporter of Wolverhampton Wanderers and he frequently took trips with his old friends to see them play.  An entertaining raconteur and quipster (“I Camembert it” is one of many) he brightened up many a gathering.

We offer sincere condolences to his dear wife Ann, daughter Suzanne, son in law Shaun, and his grandchildren Macey and Jacob.

Peter Milewski
20th May 2021

Mary passed away on July 6th 2013, just a couple of days before her 73rd birthday.

Mary played at nearly all our Western Area events and regularly represented the Area in the Spickett Bowl Competition.  She was very well known and respected as a bridge player throughout Wales.  She was immensely proud of becoming a Grand Master, following her team's outstanding performance in the Webber in April this year.

Mary was also a seasoned International player, representing Wales several times in the Lady Milne, in the Ladies event in the Olympiad in Istanbul and the Seniors Olympiad in Beijing.

Her contribution to Welsh Bridge was not just in playing.  For the last six years she taught beginners and improvers in Cowbridge and started assisted play sessions.

In the words of her friend and bridge partner, Diana 'There is no question that Mary will be missed at tournaments, in clubs, on holidays and at her classes.  Whoever said no-one is irreplacable, never met Mary.'

Our thoughts are with Mary's husband, John, and children Karen and Paul.