The Annual General Meeting was held last Wednesday with over half of our 65 members attending, writes Ann Dassen.

Flowers were given to out-going Chairperson Nicky Hancock and massive thanks for her generosity with home-made cakes and donated eats.

A second large round of applause for Jill O’Sullivan assisted by Brenda Badham for their excellent lessons for beginners.

Jill was also elected as our new Chairperson, with Brenda remaining as our Secretary. Kath Jenkins has taken over as Treasurer and Alan Hassall is our new Tournament Director. Dave Sweeney is a new member of the Committee.

Cups or salvers were presented to Jill and John O’Sullivan (Championship Pairs), Julie Muckleston and Paul Varello (Novice pairs) and Barry Thorne (Summer Salver) and John O’Sullivan (Christmas Salver).

Our year has been very successful, with many new Members. We have also purchased new computer equipment with help from a grant from the Welsh Bridge Union.

Thanks were given to all the Committee who donated the excellent buffet , enjoyed by all at the end of the meeting.

The most success has come from the excellent and very popular lessons given by Jill O’Sullivan. She is the most experienced tutor west of Swansea, having given lessons for years at the Greenhill Centre in Tenby.

Her clear and kind approach is much enjoyed by all.

Our beginners have now moved up a level to improvers and we run a computerised assisted bridge game on a Tuesday afternoon at 1pm, any one returning to the game is most welcome to join us.

Jill will be running a new set of lessons for beginners soon, so please call her, as soon as possible, on 01834 812976 to have a chat.

Results:

March 26 - Winners were Brenda Badham and Ann Dassen (65 per cent), second were Doug Silcox and Richard Fanus (56.25 per cent) and third were Judy Bagley and Duds Arnold close behind with 55 per cent.

Only Board 9 produced a slam with Judy and Duds and Brenda and Ann both making 6Hearts +1 and Kath Jenkins and Julie Muckleston made 6 Hearts. Very well done to the three improvers!

March 27: Joint winners were Alan Hassall and Brenda Badham and Judith Graham-Jones and Beryl Warner both with 63.7 per cent, third were Wendy Heaton and Mike Read with 59.26 per cent and fourth Jill and John O’Sullivan on 54.44 per cent.

Five slams were bid and made. Board 4 results were 7NT made by Judith and Beryl (well done), 7 Hearts made by Peter Oeppen and Nicky Hancock, C Hearts by Jill and John and 6 Diamonds+1 by Alan and Brenda. Judith and Beryl made a second slam on Board 23 making 6NT.

March 2: Top on Friday were Jill and John with 62.5 per cent but second place went to one of Jill’s Improvers Karen Rees partnering Ann Dassen with 57.74 per cent. She played some lovely hands and I am sure will be featured many more times in the results. Well done Karen.

Third place went to Jean Pollard and Dave Sweeney on the first time they have played together and fourth place to Alan an Brenda.

Only one slam was bid, but unfortunately not made.