Members Corner Edition #2

Welcome to 2007 we hope the year has been good to you so far.

The Coffs Harbour Bridge Club got a very unusual welcome to the New Year. On January 5th the Club premises were broken into. Although the intruders left some damage to doors and windows, very little was stolen. They seemed to content with a small quantity of wine, which was taken from the fridge.

On the evening of Tuesday, 6th February the club held its first social event. It was a barbeque held before play. About 30 attended the evening. It was a glorious evening and the car park made a great venue; steaks and sausages were on the menu, which was accompanied by home made salads and fresh fruit. Congratulations must be given to Robyn for organising the event and her band of helpers. A new Year Barbeque

In mid February a few members travelled to the Gold Coast for the annual Congress. This is a popular event as gold points are awarded. There were some outstanding successes this year. In the Open Teams, David Johnson's team consisting of John Watson, Mandy Johnson, Ian Doland and himself came 51st of 100 and were 1st out of the Coffs Harbour Teams. But it was the in the Pairs event that the biggest victory came. Nigel McIvor & David Featherstone made it to final of the Restricted Pairs event. Unfortunately they lost in the play off; but 2nd out of 180 is a great achievement.

It is during March that the BC holds two championships; they are the Isabel Wallace Intermediate & George Vermont Restricted. These are held 3 consecutive Fridays and it is the 'best of three'. Congratulations go to Tony Heffernan & Liza Marlin; winners of the Intermediate and Graham Stubbington & Eve Colley; winners of the Restricted.

	Graham Stubbington & Eve Colley; winners of the George Vermont Restricted Championships for 2007
	Tony Heffernan & Liza Marlin; winners of the Isabel Wallace Intermediate Championship for 2007

On March 25 there was the ever-popular "Handicap Sunday". This is a social event held on a Sunday. Bidding boxes are used and the score of the day is 'handicapped' to the pair's month's scores, percentage wise. There were 8 tables that afternoom. This time there was a "sausage sizzle" held before play. The day was cool & wet but this didn't damper the players' enthusiasm. It was a lovely afternoon, Jim Herring made a great chef and the afternoon tea was scrumptious. The winners of the "handicapped session" were Tony Heffernan & Liza Marlin and Joyce White and Dulcie Pitman. Handicap Sunday

Two Bridge stalwarts died recently. Oscar Featherstone on the 28th December. He was 2 weeks from his 97th birthday, and Lilly Sercombe. Lilly died on February 23rd and she was a 100. Our condolences go to both their families. Our condolences also go to Pam & Roly Coombes whose son Stephen died late January.

The club also welcomes Brenda & Dave Carter; they have escaped the English winter and have made Coffs Harbour their home for 3 months. We hope you enjoy your time with us.

We farewell Merle Dyer for a short while; Merle is going to the Northern Territory to work on a 3 month contract. We will miss you Merle and hope you enjoy your experience there and look forward to seeing you back at the club in July.

The committee of the CHBC did not want to let Easter pass by without a celebration. Good Fridays play was a Friday with a difference. Half way through the event there was a break for morning tea. The players appreciated the deviation and enjoyed a chat and a hot cross bun. We hope you all had a safe and happy Easter. Good Friday

Easter has now passed us and it is hard to believe we will soon be going into the 5th month of the year. The Bridge Club is busy organising its yearly Swiss Teams Congress, which is being held on the weekend of 19/20th May. The entries are now coming in and it seems the event will be as big and as popular as ever. It really is a great congress to attend; its well organised and friendly. If there are any 'outsiders' reading this think seriously about attending. Coffs Harbour boasts magnificent winters and this together with a great venue we can guarantee you a fun filled, professionally run congress. Applications can be obtained by e-mailing us for entries at chbridge@midcoast.com.au.

So that's it for this 2nd edition of the Members Corner. Until August, take care.