Friday 26 March 2010

Peter Thompson


Sadly Peter Thompson died early this week, following a long period of being unwell.

He was a co-founder of Tewkesbury Bridge Club nearly fifty years ago, and during that time had been Treasurer, Scorer, Secretary, Chairman, Chief Tournament Director and finally President.

He had also been an active member of Cheltenham Bridge Club and virtually single-handedly formed the Gloucestershire Teams of Four League in 1977; there are now over forty teams playing in five divisions. He also started the U3A group in Tewkesbury in 1993, which now plays twice a week with an average of eleven tables.

Peter received the Dimmie Fleming Award in 2007 in recognition of his services to bridge over many years.

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Dr John Carter - Funeral Arrangements

John's funeral will be taking place this Saturday, 3pm at St Denys Church, Chilworth.

Donation can either be for St Denys Church or Countess Mountbatten Hospice.

Monies can either be given to the undertakers J Lawrence and Son 023 8055 4801 or to the family.

St Denys Church, Dundee Road, Southampton, SO17 2ND

Dr John Carter

The EBU is extremely sad to announce the death of John Carter, a long standing and hard working member of its Board who has been a key supporter of universal membership and the modernisation of the EBU. John initiated the ground breaking National Grading Scheme Project. His skills and insight will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family at this time.


Obituary

Dr John Mervyn Carter, who died on 8 March aged 67, was a technical strategy, design and planning consultant to one of IBM’s major software products and later an administrator and board member for the English Bridge Union.

John Carter was born on 6 December 1942 in Staines, Middlesex. John won a place at University College of North Wales and gained a BSC in Physics and Mathematics in Autumn 1964, and then a PhD in Theoretical Physics in 1967.

In his working life, John had over 15 years of management experience at IBM, working as Customer Advocate for one of IBM’s largest clients, Wal*Mart. He was also Development Manager in many of IBM’s major software products. In later years he was a technical strategy, design and planning consultant to one of IBM’s major software products.

In his private life John took a great interest in the card game bridge, and from 1985 until recently he was the Hampshire and Isle of Wight delegate to the EBU council. He was also chairman of the local county bridge association twice from 1987 – 1992 and from 2005 until this year. At the English Bridge Union he was Board member from 1992 – 2000, 2001 – 2002, and 2004 until his death.

The English Bridge Union is currently heading towards Universal Membership from 1 April 2010 and John had been heavily involved in a number of the development projects, especially as a member of the Universal Membership Project Board and leader of the National Grading Scheme Project. His great work in these projects will be seen for many years to come.

Tuesday 9 March 2010

Tournament Focus - Issue IV

Our fourth Tournament Focus, written especially for our Tournament players, is now available. Our last edition was the first on-line version, and proved very popular — thank you for everyone's feedback.

Sunday 7 March 2010

Congratulations to...

Tony Forrester and Artur Malinowski who came second against many great bridge players in the recent Slava Cup.

Monday 1 March 2010

Lords versus Commons Match 2010

by Jeremy Dhondy

The 2010 House of Lords vs House of Commons Match was held early in the year because of the forthcoming General Election. It was, as usual, sponsored by Stephen Perry of London Export Corporation Ltd in memory of his father Jack whose name is on the match trophy. The hospitality organised at the venue, the Portland Club was up to its usual high standard.


The Lords built up an sizeable early lead and hung on to win by a comfortable margin to make the overall score 19-17 to the Lords. It is likely that whatever the result of the election the Commons are going to have to look for some new blood if they are to challenge the Lord’s in 2011.


An excellent set of hands together with commentary was produced by Paul Bowyer.


The Sir Anthony Berry Trophy for the best bid or played hand of the day went to Evan Harris MP (Liberal Democrat, Oxford West and Abingdon) for his play to make 3NT when the slightest slip in technique would have led to defeat.


In the photo (below), left to right, the winners: Lord May, Lord Skelmersdale, Baroness Billingham, Lord Baker, Baroness Henig (captain), last-minute substitute Jack Johnstone (Lady Henig’s husband), the Earl of Caithnesss and Lord Harrison.