PRESIDENT'S VIEW
Autumn is on its way, and attendance at all our sessions is accordingly increasing, as holiday-makers return and bad weather spoils some competing outdoor activities. The switch to Monday nights (from Tuesday nights) also appears to have worked well.
Recently the Club has had the sad but proud experience of hosting not one but two funerals at the premises. The deaths of, first, our past Vice-President and then our past President, so soon after leaving office, coupled with the wishes of both families to share the ceremonies with us instead of going to one of the recognised funeral venues, were the factors which led your Committee to make such an unprecedented decision. I do not envisage that such special circumstances will arise again, but I believe that in both cases our decision was the right and proper thing to do. The ceremonies were warm and moving, and both families have expressed their gratitude to the Club for allowing their farewells to be made in such friendly surroundings.
I have just returned from a short visit to Gisborne, during which time I played one evening session at the Gisborne bridge club. It is always instructive to go to a different club and see how they do things; how they greet guests, how they manage their room, what problems they are experiencing. In Gisborne's case they made me feel very welcome. They were amazed at our membership (over 280 now – I'm very pleased) and the number of sessions we ran; and they didn't offer players any biscuits! They did use a dealing machine. It didn't give me any better cards, though...
There was a small crisis going on, as committee members staying late on the previous Thursday night had been bailed up in the clubrooms by drunken louts banging on the doors and trying to get in. It made me aware of how lucky we have been so far, even though we are in a park and presumably open to such incidents. Please everyone do be security-conscious, lock the doors during play and go in pairs to your cars after evening sessions.
On that cautionary note, I wish you all Good Bridging until the next newsletter. May your cards be interesting, may your partners be forgiving, and may your opponents always lead the card they are supposed to lead!
by Diana Moorhead
OBITUARIES
John Ryan
John Ryan passed away peacefully on the 15th of February. His Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving, held in our clubrooms, was filled to capacity with his proud family, many friends and fellow club members. The recessional music of Massed Pipe and Drums provided a lasting impression of this fine Scotsman with a wry sense of humour.
About 30 years ago, when the Ryans joined our club no-one (including the Ryans) knew the positive impact and tremendous contribution this “team” would be making in the future!
In the early years they played only occasionally as they found the competition “a bit daunting”. However, as they gained confidence they became regular Tuesday night players and played in teams when the competition began on Wednesday evenings.
In 1999, John joined the Committee as an active participant committed to modernizing and enhancing many aspects of our club. The following year he became a Vice President and in 2007 was very proud to be elected President.
John's computer knowledge led to his involvement with scoring and eventually the Scoring Programme being developed by the NZCBA using our session scores. As Head Scorer, John's dedication and determination (working late nights and weekends) assisted the completion of the project and gave our club the early advantage of a superior scoring and record- keeping package.
Perhaps John's greatest (and most visible) contribution was to devise methods of communication. At Anne's suggestion, John composed and produced the quarterly Newsletter which keeps everyone “in the loop” about club members, current events, and bridge related information. John also established and maintained the club's website enabling players to view their results at home and advertising our club to the wider world.
Another of John's legacies is the “Over 70%” Honour Roll which is displayed in the foyer.
John Ryan, this quietly spoken gentleman with a charming grin, always looked for the humour to calm stressful situations. He spoke his mind on important matters and found equitable compromises for difficult problems.
We are grateful to Anne, his daughters Moira and Lesley, and his three delightful grandsons, for sharing John with us.
by Liz New
Fred Oosterheert
I first met Fred about 30 years ago when he was playing at the Auckland Club. He was the big Dutchman, always smiling, always immaculately dressed and always an opponent to be wary of. If it came down to the last cards, Fred's quiet “mine
I think” was the end of the matter – no need to look.
I remember being surprised and pleased when he suddenly began playing at our Club. Obviously he had moved to the Shore and he was very welcome.
He became a regular and popular player here and it wasn't long before we had him on the committee. He moved up to Vice-President. Only his growing health problems prevented Fred from becoming our President – an honour he so well deserved.
We had a lot of use for his engineering knowledge. He took pleasure in investigating tough problems and always came up with a sensible solution. I well remember when some members said they were sick of a dripping tap and wanted us to get a plumber. Fred's quiet comment “you can get a lot of drips for the cost of a plumber” was the end of the matter.
How will I remember him? In lots of ways; his cheerful face, twinkling eyes, good humour and keen mind, but one that comes readily to mind: both hands up, palms out, a wry grin and “please, no” when we suggested he could deal with an awkward club member.
Eveline, Marjan and Peter have every reason to be proud of their father – he was a big man in every way.
by John Pinder
Edmund (Ted) Burrows
Ted's peaceful passing on Tuesday, 4 March was a shock to all who knew him at the Club. Though Ted had been unwell over the preceding months he returned to bridge achieving good percentages and places, winning the 2007 Summer Ladder and Thursday AM Championship Pairs with Ming Huang.
Once again Ted became unwell but with his usual determination rescheduled his bridge games for 2008 and was planning to return just a few days before his death.
Ted had a very successful and distinguished naval career, joining the Navy in England at aged 16 years. In 1949 he joined the Royal New Zealand Navy and was promoted to Commander before his retirement.
On 4 November, 2006 there was an article and photo of Ted and his Siamese cat, Joe, in the North Shore Times Advertiser. Joe had spent the last two months bringing home 120 socks (all designer labels) and other oddments. Ted commented at the time that he hoped someone would recognise their belongings before he took them to the Hospice Shop in Link Drive where he was a volunteer.
Ted will be remembered as a warm, charming and intelligent kindly gentleman with a twinkle in his eye that will not be forgotten by his fellow players at the club. From my own perspective it was a pleasure having Ted as my bridge partner.
by Elly Posthouwer
END OF YEAR RESULTS (2007)
(Those that were not finalised before the last newsletter)
Championship Pairs - Tuesday AM:
Doreen Hunter and Denis Mcmahon - average 59.05%
Championship Pairs - Thursday AM:
Edmund Burrows and Ming Huang - average 63.36%
Championship Pairs - Friday AM:
Vernon Duncum and Judy Patton - average 60.24%
Most Improved Player:
Tuesday and Friday AM: Alex Gorobets
Tuesday PM: Stewart Bowmar
Thursday AM: Betty Snelling
Friday PM: Henry Sun
OVER 70% HONOUR ROLL
2008 has started well for these players who have scored over 70%:
Brian Winsor and Harry Young - 78.00%
Adriana Ferraro and Henry Sun - 76.04%
Judy Patton and Marjorie Strathern - 72.50%
Allan and Beverley Morris - 72.22%
Pat Chessum and Fred Kinley - 70.83%
Mavis Flowers and Hugh Warner - 70.43%
TOURNAMENT
North Shore's first tournament of the year, a Combined 3A/5B, was held on 1 March. There was a good field of 20 tables, 11 pairs playing in the 5B and 9 in the 3A.
Congratulations to Norm Ogier and Brian Winsor who won a session prize in the morning session.
GOLD COAST CONGRESS
Allan and Beverley Morris have just returned from playing in the restricted (intermediate) section of this tournament.
Beverley continues: What an experience! There were 2,400 players at 600 tables. Over the 5 days, we played about 347 boards of the 77,000 that the organisers had to pre-deal for the competition and then we probably played them all over again in the post mortems.
Unfortunately, we didn't come home with any prizes but we put in a strong effort for New Zealand: 4th in the plate of the Restricted Pairs, 18th in the Restricted Teams and 9th = in the Swiss Pairs. In the Teams and Swiss pairs I think we were the top New Zealanders – certainly the top Aucklanders in our grade.
There was a large number of top International Players. Their skill is awesome – if I could have about one/sixth of their ability I'd be thrilled. The Open Pairs was won by Tim Hanlon and Hugh McCann (Ireland) and the teams by Paul Marston (Oz), Kate MacCullum (USA), Tim Hanlon and Hugh McCann.
Kate MacCullum's tips for the improving player:
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Bid more aggressively.
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Be a good partner – understand your partner's point of view when there's a mistake.
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Talk bridge with better players whenever possible and LISTEN.
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When you bid, have what your partner expects you to have every time. Don't have solo flights of fancy.
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Enjoy bridge – it's only a game.
Here is a hand from the Teams event:
The result was that Allan and Beverley took the opposition 1 off while their team-mates at the other table (Chris and Harvey Kerr) made 4
- a swing of 12 IMPS. Well done Allan and Beverley.
TABLE TALK
One of the most common occurences at the bridge table is the 'Lead out of Turn'. It is hard, in a brief moment, to take in all the options the Director gives you so here is an opportunity to become familiar with them so that the next time this situation happens at your table you will know what to do.
Here is the gen from Rona Browett, our chief director.
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If Declarer has tabled any cards he/she is deemed to have accepted the lead and becomes Dummy.
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If no cards have yet been tabled. Declarer has two choices: to accept the lead and play the hand or to accept the lead but choose to become Dummy.
When Declarer does not accept the lead the options are as follows:
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Declarer can DEMAND the lead of the suit already tabled. The card is restored to the defender's hand and must be led from the correct hand unless it contains a void in that suit. Once led, any suit may be led to subsequent tricks. BUT any information gained from the lead is unauthorised unless obtained from the play or the auction.
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Declarer may ALLOW the Defender to make any lead in which case the card 'led out of turn' becomes a major penalty card. The lead from the correct hand must be one that would have been made if there hadn't been a lead out of turn, EXCEPT the leader is entitled to know that partner has to play the penalty card.
As long as the penalty card remains on the table Declarer has all these choices whenever the defender's partner is on lead.
PROGRESS REPORTS
Corrie Keating has made a miraculous recovery from her stroke. She now comes to the club regularly on a Wednesday morning and plans to extend her session play in the not too distant future. She is hoping that her husband, Tom, will rejoin the club as well.
June Rea has turned the corner after the major injuries she received when knocked off her motor scooter on a pedestrian crossing. At the beginning she was told that she might never be able to walk again but, at last report, had her badly injured leg on the ground and with the aid of a walker is beginning to take a few steps. She is now in Ward 14 at North Shore Hospital for extensive physiotherapy.
Lilian Furnival fell over and fractured her femur in a couple of places After a spell in North Shore Hospital she transferred to the hospital at Northbridge. Her visitors tell me she will be there for some time but is looking rather perky.
Don Cole was bending over in his washhouse when a sudden gust of wind slammed the door into his back breaking his ribs in three places. After a spell at North Shore Hospital he is now up and about at home, only to be on the move again as he and Marie shifted into an apartment at the Lady Allum Home on Saturday.
Graham Delamore is at home now and enjoying watching rugby and cricket on television. He and Ailsa are taking a day at a time and going out on small outings when Graham feels up to it.
FINAL REMINDER
If your subscription is not paid by 31 March 2008 you will not be eligible to win any competitions; neither will your partner nor your team. If you are unsure as to whether you have paid contact Anne Ryan at home.
NEW MEMBERS
Please welcome the following new members to the club. Their telephone numbers are on the noticeboard if you are looking for a partner:
Alex Barshai, Mary Box, Virginia Brayne, Lorraine Fletcher, Lorna Haslam, Heather Holloway, Frances Holm, Muriel Jones, Suniti Lobo (rejoined), Shirley Moffitt, Neville Thomas and Sue Thomas.
BIRTHDAY - Pim Steemers
A very youthful looking Pim Steemers celebrated her 80th birthday recently by para-gliding in Queenstown. It was an unforgettable experience for Pim high above the lake, city and mountain range. Not even having a bad fall two days later dampened her enthusiasm for Qtown She continued going out and about with her family especially enjoying the trips they made to local vineyards.
Beth Campbell
Editor
