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The Sobell Bridge Club |  |
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The Sobell Bridge Club | |
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Sobell Bridge Club
Newsletter
Issue
No.6 - October 2003
Club President
Following a proposal made by Moira Wishart and seconded by everyone to whom it was referred, the Committee has appointed Len Turner as President of the Club, subject to ratification at the AGM. The post has been vacant since Charles Buszard died in 1998.
The title is purely honorary and has no formal duties. To quote the constitution, it is to recognize outstanding service to the Club, and Len is eminently qualified for the post. This is in recognition of all the work that Len has done and continues to do for the Club, long after his so-called retirement from committee work. Len has accepted the honour, with some bemusement.
Club Chairman
It was agreed at the last committee meeting that Ken Short would be the acting Chairman of the Club, up to the next AGM. He will take on the duties on top of his own work as Treasurer. Michael Tucker will do more of the day-to-day tasks of the Treasurer, easing Ken’s workload.
Although this is ok for the time being, we will need to elect a Chairman at the AGM. Ken is willing to stand, and the committee feels he is probably the right person for the job. There is a lot of popular support for Kevin Colling, rightly recognizing his efforts on behalf of the Club, but Kevin is only willing to stand if no one else is available.
This still leaves us with the problem of finding a new Treasurer. If anyone is willing to stand, please get in contact with Geoff Gray.
Accommodation
There was a committee meeting on Saturday 25th October at which a number of decisions were made affecting the future of the Club.
It was agreed that we could no longer continue with the project of a shared building with Northwood Cricket Club. At an earlier meeting with the Cricket Club’s representatives, we had mutually decided that we could not go on. The costs were rising faster than our income could keep pace.
Instead, there are some long-term possibilities which are being examined.
Firstly, there is a proposal to develop accommodation on the Mount Vernon site with the Friends, to be shared between ourselves and staff of the Hospice. The accommodation would consist of offices and other rooms for the use of the Michael Sobell staff, storage and a function room, whose prime purpose would be for our use. Our building fund would contribute to the development of this accommodation.
Secondly, the Cricket Club is coming forward with alternative ideas, but it should be stressed that negotiations have not yet started with either the Friends or the Cricket Club.
However, in all cases, the aim is clearly to ensure as much security of tenure as possible. These proposals leave us dependent on others, and Stan’s whole purpose in working for our own accommodation was to ensure we would not come second to the requirements of other organizations.
Fortunately, our short-term accommodation problem on Friday evenings is now resolved and from 7th November we shall be back in the Annexe. Many thanks to Kevin for all the work he has done in the last few weeks to set up in the Enterprise room.
Finally, it is a pity that arrangements with the Cricket Club have fallen through, but we should pay tribute to all the efforts of Bill Graham and his team for negotiating on our behalf.
The Building Fund
The Building Fund will remain in place until we know the outcome of the various negotiations. However, no more club income will go into the Fund. Instead, we are giving £15,000 from the Fund, together with £10,000 which was about to be deposited, to the Friends. All net income for the rest of the year will also go to the Friends.
Reservation of Tables
A bone of contention for some members is that tables are being reserved for late arrivals. It can be very irritating to turn up early, only to find that all the North-South’s have been taken. There is no real reason for this, and the committee has ruled that tables will not be booked, except for the club ‘workers’ for that session and for those who have impaired movement.
One reason why people like to play North-South is to avoid the East-West sit-out. However, for some bridge movements, there is no reason why we cannot have a North-South sit-out, and it is planned to introduce this practice where appropriate.
Bridge Marathon
Our annual January Bridge Marathon will not take place next year due to the difficulties we are having with accommodation.
Bridge Supper
Don’t forget that our Christmas Bridge Supper will be on Saturday, 6th December in the Olwen Bettesworth Hall. There will be mulled wine on arrival and a salmon supper with wine in the middle of an evening of Chicago bridge. Tickets are available at all bridge sessions at £10 each.
Bridge Weekend
If anyone is interested in joining the Bridge Weekend on 14th-17th November, at the Marriott Hotel in Peterborough, please contact Joan Prior as she would like two more to make up another table.
The first 2004 weekend has been booked for 19th-21st March. For further details please contact Joan Prior on 01923 822939.
Level Two Duplicate
There have been many requests to run a second tier duplicate session where less experienced members can play duplicate without being confronted by intimidating opponents using complicated bidding systems.
The main requirement for this is that it should be confined to basic ACOL or Standard English and would not be subject to the same time pressures as our normal sessions.
Both Kevin and Geoff would be willing to act as non-playing TD’s as long as there are volunteers to help set up and organise the coffee and tea. Depending on the response, this will probably be run alongside the duplicate sessions on Monday or Thursday.
To decide how to go forward on this we need a response from members, so those who are interested please contact Geoff Gray.
This newsletter is now available by e-mail. Please contact g_gray@btconnect. com
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