75th Anniversary Minibridge Day, London

Children as young as 6 and 7 are being encouraged to play Minibridge in class to help them improve their Mathematics and English.

As part of the EBU’s 75th Anniversary celebrations, three primary schools were invited to demonstrate Minibridge. Pembury School, near Tunbridge Wells; St Christina’s School, Camden; and St Peter’s Eaton Square, London all brought pupils to play. All the children taught and played Minibridge with a number of journalists and other special guests on Wednesday 25 January at the famous Young Chelsea Bridge Club.

Sally Bugden, Chairman of the EBU said: "The English Bridge Union through its Youth and Education Trust has been quietly demonstrating since 2008, how the game of Minibridge can help young people to learn maths and other skills. This work is undertaken with the strong belief that bridge has the most positive effect on society’s health and wealth, as well as being great fun too..”

Thank you to all our guests, and the Young Chelsea bridge club for hosting our event.

• Photos


• Youth and Education Trust


• More information on Minibridge initiative

Masters’ Pairs 2012

If you were recently promoted to Master over the last year, you will be able to enter the Masters’ Pairs on Sunday, 4th March, free of charge. Why not give it a go?

The Ranked Masters is a group of pairs championships for players of similar ranks.

The Masters Pairs section is open only to players below the rank of Regional Master on 1 Jan 2012. It is now a 1-day event in these four regional venues starting at 11.30am, and NOT 1pm as announced in the diary, and finishing by 7pm :-

• Daventry (Barcelo Hotel)


• Richmond Bridge Club


• Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club


• Welwyn Garden City Bridge Club

Unless your partner was also promoted to Master in 2011 too, their entry fee will be £24, less than half the 2011 cost.

• View further details

England win Camrose Trophy

England have won the 2012 Camrose Trophy after a convincing second weekend in East Kilbride. They finished 21VPs ahead of Wales, winning every match. Congratulations to all the team: Frances Hinden, Graham Osborne, Chris Jagger, Ian Pagan, Jeffrey Allerton and Tom Townsend with NPC David Burn.

• Results page and information

England win silver at World Mind Games

The England ladies won a silver medal at the World Mind Games invitational event in Beijing, losing to USA in the final. Well done to Sally Brock, Nicola Smith, Heather Dhondy, Nevena Senior, Susan Stockdale and Fiona Brown.

Nicola Smith also won silver in the Individual event.

Free EBU Sims - December 11

Last month was our trial of the new Sim Pairs software. We were very pleased to have 100 clubs sign up and hope that this will put the system through its paces! Results and commentary booklets are available at the links below. Players are also welcome to share stories of the evening and make comments on our Google+ page or on Facebook.

• Results
• Commentary: A4 - booklet form
• Google+ thread or Facebook (requires account to comment)
• List of participating clubs
• Instructions for club scorers

Gold Cup - 2011

Congratulations to the Peter Lee team, who have won the 2011 BGB Gold Cup. Peter Lee, Frances Hinden, Jeffrey Allerton, Graham Osborne, John Howard and Andy Bowles beat Alexander Allfrey, Andrew Robson, David Gold, Tony Forrester, Peter Crouch and Derek Patterson by 126-100 IMPs.

Photo: Shireen Mohandes

NICKO winners 2011

Congratulations to David Jones, Steve Green, Garry Watson and Martin Jones for winning the 2010/11 National Inter Club Knockout at the weekend. They beat Manchester in the final. This is the fifth time that the team has won the NICKO.

Lords V Commons 2011

"The 37th match between the House of Commons and the House of Lords for the Jack Perry Trophy was held at the Portland Club, London last Friday. The Commons were depleted as the last general election had seen retirements and defeats for several MPs, but they came out fighting and had a useful lead at the halfway stage.

A second half revival saw the Lords run out winners and increase their lead in the series to 20-17.

The match, sponsored each year by Stephen Perry and London Export features a trophy for the best bid, played or defended hand. The Anthony Berry Trophy, judged by EBU Vice-President Tony Priday. who attended the very first match, was won by Baroness Byford for her bidding to an excellent 6D, played with skill."

Lords Team: Lord Skelmersdale, Baroness Oppenheim-Barnes, Lord Harrison, Baroness Billingham, Lord May of Oxford, Baroness Henig (Captain), Earl of Caithness, and Baroness Byford. Well done to them.

Report by Jeremy Dhondy. The match was sponsored by Stephen Perry of London Export Ltd in memory of his father Jack whose name is on the match trophy.

• Photos

AGM 2011 results

The Annual General Meeting of the English Bridge Union took place on 5 October in London.

Election of directors

Two candidates were nominated and have agreed to stand. As such, there was no need for an election for the eight positions available.

Directors elected:

Sally Bugden

Heather Dhondy

Jeremy Dhondy

Val Gibson (newly elected)

Michael Hill

Graham Jepson

Ian Payn (newly elected)

Andrew Petrie

There being no other candidates for the roles, the following remained in their positions:

Officers:

Sally Bugden - Chairman

Andrew Petrie - Vice-Chairman

Michael Hill - Treasurer

Laws & Ethics Committee

Three nominations were received for the two vacancies, so an election was required.

Congratulations to David Burn and Martin Pool who serve for a three year term of office, expiring in 2014.

Tournament Committee

Three nominations were received, for three places, so no election required:

Brian Crack (re-elected)

Paul Hackett (re-elected)

Ian Payn (newly elected)

Mr Hackett and Mr Payn serve for a three year term of office, expiring in 2014, and Mr Crack for two years, expiring in 2013.

Selection Committee

Five nominations were received, for four places, so an election was required.

Congratulations to Tom Townsend, Simon Cochemé and Nick Smith who serve for a three year term of office, expiring in 2014, and Heather Bakhshi who serves for a one year term of office, expiring in 2012.

Nominations for AGM

Nominations for the AGM on the 5th October 2011

Nominations received as at 14th September 2011 (closing date)

Board
Two candidates have been nominated and have agreed to stand. As such, there will be no need for an election for the eight positions available.

Sally Bugden
Heather Dhondy
Jeremy Dhondy
Val Gibson (newly elected)
Michael Hill
Graham Jepson
Ian Payn (newly elected)
Andrew Petrie

Officers
Sally Bugden – Chairman
Andrew Petrie – Vice-Chairman
Michael Hill – Treasurer

Tournament Committee – 3 positions

Three nominations have been received for the three vacancies. Although there is no requirement for an election, a vote is required to ascertain the term of office for each nominee. Two are required for a three year term of office expiring in 2014, and one for a two year term of office expiring in 2013.
Brian Crack (re-elected)
Paul Hackett (re-elected)
Ian Payn (newly elected)

Selection Committee – 4 positions

Five nominations have been received for the four vacancies therefore an election will take place. The top three successful candidates will be elected for a three year term of office expiring in 2014; with the fourth successful candidate being elected for a one year term of office expiring in 2012.

Heather Bakhshi
Richard Bowdery
Simon Cochemé
Nick Smith
Tom Townsend

Laws & Ethics Committee - 2 positions

Three nominations have been received for the two vacancies therefore an election will take place. The top two successful candidates will be elected for a three year term of office expiring in 2014;

David Burn
Martin Pool
David Stevenson