Michael Wellby, on 18 September 2023.  Michael played often on Tuesday evenings, with Mario Sanvitale and was always kind and considerate at the bridge table.  We send our condolences to his daughter, Kate, and his family.
 

Pat Gowers, in June 2023.  Pat was a member and played for many years at Wimbledon.  Pat served on the committee for several years and helped at supervised play sessions.
 

James Spencer, on 27 May 2023.  James enjoyed being a member of the club and although he didn’t really return after lockdown, it gave him a lot of pleasure for many years.
 

Barbara Humphrey, on 5th June.  Barbara was a member of the club for many years until she had two strokes in 2016. Since that time she was unable to play in the club, although she did play socially.  Many members will remember her.  Our thoughts are with her husband, Eric and her family and friends.
 

Peter Exworthy, on 4th June 2023.  Peter was Chairman of Leatherhead Bridge Club and joined Wimbledon in order to play online during lockdown.  Once the club reopened, he continued to attend the Ploughman's sessions regularly.  We send our condolences to his friends and family. 
 

Noel Frankham, on 3rd June 2023,  Noel was a loyal and long-time member of Wimbledon Bridge Club and, living locally, played most days of the week.  Many of the members will remember that he was also a qualified Bridge Director and often took on this role at the Club, happy to be called to any table that needed his help.  A fine bridge player, never short of partners, always polite and kind.  Our wishes and thoughts are with his two daughters,  Marcella and Tina, at this moment in time. (From Margaret Harold - long time companion and bridge partner of Noel).
 

Franklin To, on 27 May 2023.  Franklin was well known on the tournament circuit and played at Wimbledon on Tuesday evenings with Eiko Michalski before lockdown and more recently in the Blue Pointed Swiss Pairs. 
 

Gill Raynor, February 2023.  Gill had been a member at the Club since 2011. She was a regular partner of James Spencer pre-Covid and, on her return to the Club had played mainly on Saturday afternoons, and at the occasional Ploughman’s with a variety of partners until the end of 2022. We send our condolences to her friends and family. 

We are very sorry to let members know that Carol Matthews suffered a heart attack two weeks ago out of blue, and never recovered.  She passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday 30th September.  Carol had been a member of the bridge club since the early 2000’s and bridge was one of her many passions.  Our thoughts and sympathy are with her partner, Alan, and her family and friends.

The funeral service will be at Mortlake Crematorium on 6th November at 11:20am.  Please visit the tribute page for updates about the service, photographs and donations to the British Heart Foundation: carolmatthews.muchloved.com/

Long time Wimbledon Bridge Club member Gaynor Lewis passed away on 15th November 2023.  The funeral will be at 12:00pm on Tuesday 19th December at Putney Vale Crematorium, Stag Lane, London, SW15 3DZ followed by the reception at 12:45 at Richmond Park Golf Course, Norstead Place, London, SW15 3SA.  Please click "see more" for further details and obituary.
https://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/funeral-notices/15-11-2023-gaynor-lewis/

Gaynor was once a regular at the WBC until more recently when she was struggling to get to the club.  She was generous, wise and witty, and supported the club in more ways than just playing bridge, serving on the committee for many years.  She always enjoyed playing and took great pleasure in her achievements at the bridge table.  Away from the table Gaynor was supportive and encouraging of others (especially beginners) to come along to lessons and seminars at the club.  

Gaynor was born on 4 August 1944 to parents Cliff and Mary Lewis who lived at 16 Seaview Place Llantwit Major, Glamorgan. She was a war baby with Cliff being in the RAF and stationed out in the Middle East.  Gaynor was brought up in Llantwit Major and attended the village school until 1955.  In 1953 she missed the Queen's Coronation street party as she had chicken pox and at the age of 11 she moved to Cowbridge High School for Girls.  In 1960 the family moved to Gloucester on Cliff’s (her fathers) promotion within the MOD. Gaynor finished her education in Denmark Road School and joined the Court Service in 1962.  She started out in Cheltenham County Court and then moved on to Gloucester County Court. In 1968 she moved to London on promotion. She worked in several different courts ending her service in Southwark Crown Court on her retirement in 2003.

Gaynor shared flats with various friends until she finally purchased 10 Martin Court Wimbledon in the 1970s and there she remained until she passed away.  Gaynor made many friends in Wimbledon and the London area . Gaynor loved to travel and lived a life that enabled her to tell great stories.

After retiring Gaynor did a lot of charity fund raising including Tarot card reading & organising culprits for 10k runs etc for Breast Cancer Hope,  which at the time she was very passionate about and it was her baby. Gaynor was a keen Bridge player and enjoyed spending her time in Wimbledon Bridge Club, creating some wonderful friendships along the way.

Gaynor was unforgettable.  She will be sorely missed and we send our deepest condolences to all her family and friends. 

I’m very sorry to tell you that my dear friend Scott passed away early today, 30th October 2023, at the age of 89 from heart problems.  At the beginning of October he came with me on a river cruise down the Rhine and although he had been unwell a couple of weeks before the holiday was fit enough to travel and enjoyed the food, wine and cocktails on board,  where he met a former partner, John Bentley with whom he had successfully played in teams events 25 years ago.

Scott was a very fine bridge player, winning prestigious events over the years, and was a long-standing and well loved member of Wimbledon bridge club where he had lots of friends.  He was a regular at Wednesday Ploughman's as well as other sessions.  Scott was very kind, always had a ready smile, loved the opera, film and musical theatre and his daily crossword, and I will miss my dear friend more than I can say.

Billie Stephens