CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2012

My year as Chairman seems to have passed quickly – without, I hope, too many problems!

The main initiatives undertaken by the Committee have been the trialling of the use of machine-dealt hands, and asking for members’ views about the way the club is organised.  Please see the January Newsletter for more information on these two issues.

The Committee recommends that machine-dealt hands continue to be used and a motion to this effect will be put to members at the forthcoming AGM.  There are no plans at present to purchase our own dealing machine; we would continue to buy in the hands.  Any proposal to purchase a machine would be made only after very serious consideration in view of the cost involved, and would be put to the membership at a future AGM.

As far as I am aware, the competitions went smoothly.  However, the Committee will be looking again at the format of the Norman Cup (our Pairs Championship). 

In February the hall authorities finally solved the heating problem and we can now play in winter in comfort.

Sadly we lost Loraine Murphy and Jean Davies.  Loraine was one of our younger members and it was a great shock to hear of her untimely death.  Her cheerfulness and love of life made her many friends.  Jean was a Life Member of the club and had played at the club for some 30 years until health issues curtailed her attendance in recent years.  As one of our members, who had been taught bridge by Jean, succinctly put it ‘she was a lovely lady’.  Condolences were sent on our behalf to Loraine’s daughters and Jean’s daughters.

I am sorry to report that four stalwarts will be leaving the Committee – Ron Maclaren (12 years as Membership Secretary), Peter Lee (9 years as Captain), Chris Pullan (8 years, of which 7 as Treasurer) and Ann Madden (4 years as editor of our Newsletter).  Their contributions to the club have been immense and their knowledge and experience will be sorely missed.  I would like to thank all Committee members for the hard work they have put in and the support they have given me.  Also many thanks go to those other members who have helped the club by directing, inputting scores, etc.

Finally I hope members will continue to bear in mind my requests to play fairly quickly so you do not reduce the enjoyment of fellow members, and to ask for ‘Director please’.

Keith Jackson