Ashby Bridge Club 

Newsletter - April 2009

Club Members

It is with sadness that we report the loss of two of our long standing members since our December Newsletter. Fred Tomlin died on January 17^th at the age of 96 and Jesse Mitchinson died on February 13^th at the age of 91.  Our condolences go out to Joan Mitchinson and to all of Jesse’s and Fred’s families and friends.

Bob Sneddon left this area in March to return to his native Chester.  Bob was a member of our club for many years and enjoyed considerable success at the bridge table.  Bob’s name appears no less than 14 times in the lists of our trophy winners for the last nine years and in most instances he was paired with Robert Missenden.  They were a formidable partnership.  Bob served on the club’s committee and was Chairman from 2004 to2007.  On behalf of the membership I would like to thank Bob for his work for the club and to wish him well for the future.   

Membership

At the time of writing our paid-up membership has risen to 95.  The increase is mainly a result of the success of the beginner’s and improver’s courses.

Team Matters

The team are now playing in Division 2 of the Leicestershire League and after 12 matches have won 4, drawn 3 and lost 5 which puts them in 3rd place with 2 matches still to play.

EBU

A new contract incorporating the pay to play scheme is scheduled to be circulated to all affiliated clubs during April. A committee meeting will be held as soon as possible after receipt of the contract and the committee’s recommendation will be put to the membership at the AGM in July.  Should the committee’s recommendation be rejected by the membership an EGM will be arranged to take place before the September deadline.

Web Site

Members are reminded of the Club’s website, www.ashbybridgeclub.co.uk/ which is maintained by George Strang and is a source of very useful information.

Improver’s Courses

There was a surplus of £150 from the two courses which has been donated to the club. 

Simultaneous Pairs 

The next simultaneous pairs event will take place on Thursday 16th April.

Monday Night Attendance

The changes proposed at the special committee meeting on November 25th were implemented from the start of the year and have proved very successful with average attendances now more than double what they were last Autumn.  The host scheme is working well but more volunteers are required (see below).

Chairs 

Since our last newsletter we have purchased a further 12 green stacking chairs and we now have as many chairs as the cottage will hold when set out for bridge.

Host Scheme

The host scheme which we are operating on Monday evenings is working well but more volunteers are required.  If you would like to take part in the host scheme would you please add your name to the list on the notice board.  It was agreed at the committee meeting on March 24th the host will be exempt from table money.

Member’s Complaint.

Improved attendances mean that the bridge tables have to be placed closer together which results in there being less space for walking between tables.  It has been drawn to the attention of the committee that the straps of carelessly placed handbags on the floor present a potential hazard which could result in an unfortunate accident.  Members are requested to be aware of this and to ensure that their handbags are safely placed.

Ron Barker. 

01.04.09