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E-mail Mike with your comments or feedback on any issue, or if you would like him to send you the Newsletter by e-mail each month: mbaron@narob.fsnet.co.uk.
13 February 2012
The new Guide for Tournament Directors is now in place: there is a copy in each card room. TDs have been asked to ensure that no pair plays less than 24 boards in a session; where there is a half-table, there should be a cut to determine whether EW or NS sit out; and pre-dealt boards should be used wherever possible.
One of the issues discussed is slow play. The Guidelines say that TDs should penalise slow play. Members are reminded of the following points, which will speed up play:
New boards have been purchased, and pre-dealt boards should soon be available for all tournaments. We now have two volunteer teams for pre-dealing boards, and we are training more. More volunteers would be welcome!
The Carlton Congress will be held on 14 October this year — so keep the date free.
A Tuesday afternoon tournament was started in the Autumn, but numbers were disappointing and it has been discontinued for the time being.
A guide to all the Club competitions has been prepared to help the organisation of these events.
Bridge in a Day was held in September last year. There were 34 participants plus a number of members helping out. A very successful day.
Classes continue to be well attended — thanks to all our teachers. A number of new members are coming through; more would be welcome.
The Board is looking into the format and content of the member’s calendar and booklet produced each year and is looking into providing a pocket guide to tournaments and club competitions.
The contract with Craigleith Catering has been formally agreed. This should ensure that the current excellent standard of catering is maintained for the foreseeable future.
The creosoting of the fence remains still an unresolved issue.
Ian Macaulay has decided to give up the post of Treasurer. Ian has done an immense amount of work for the club and was one of the people responsible for the new premises. The board expressed their thanks for Ian’s contribution and a presentation was made at the last meeting.
The role of Treasurer is being reviewed and, in the meantime, the work has been shared between Maurice Brady who will look after the book-keeping, and Michael Baron who will take on the other duties.
Ian has left the finances of the Club in an excellent state. There is a healthy bank balance and excellent attendances at tournaments.
17 January 2012
The next major Club event is the Porteous Cup, the club's Teams Championship, which is open to all members. There are two trophies, one for the winners and one for the Handicap winners (with a generous handicap scale!). Each team can have up to six members, with four playing on each evening. There is a sign up sheet in the Club, and a sheet for pairs looking for team-mates.
The four rounds of the Porteous will be held at 7.00 pm on the following four Tuesdays:
Cost of play for each evening is £4 including table money.
All play all on each evening. The event is scored by VPs over aggregate IMPs, scored over the four rounds.
The Bobby Allan will be held on Thursday 26 January at 7.00 pm. This is a simultaneous tournament run by the SBU for MIXED PAIRS, and this will be the only tournament held on that Thursday.
As this is an SBU event, it is open to both members and non-members. Local Master Points will be awarded to the top third of the field, scored Scotland-wide. The top twenty pairs will receive part of their award in National (RED) Master Points, with a top award of FIVE Red points.
The Dennis Wallace is also running—this trophy is awarded to the player who wins the most Master Points in the first ten Thursday evening tournaments of the year.
Thanks to everyone who made the Christmas Party such a success, and particularly to Julie and her team for the catering, and to Geraldine Girvan for the classy decorations. All 96 tickets were sold well before the event, so we advise early booking for next year's party! The 2011 party raised £274 for the Myeloma UK charity.
As the Tuesday afternoon tournament has not attracted the numbers we expected, it has been discontinued for the time being. We welcome feedback on this or any other issues.
5 December 2011
The Carlton Christmas Party will take place on Wednesday 14 December at 6.00 p.m. for a 6.30 p.m. start. Buffet supper, wine, and bridge. Tickets cost £15, and are still available but are going fast—hurry, or you may be disappointed! A raffle in aid of charity will be held: all raffle prize donations will be gratefully received.
The Min Thomas mixed pairs championship is the next club event, on Tuesday 3 January and Tuesday 10 January 2012. Pairs must play on BOTH nights to be eligible.
Also running in the New Year is the Dennis Wallace—a trophy awarded to the player who wins the most Master Points in the first ten Thursday evenings in the year.
The next Simultaneous Pairs will be held on Monday 9 January 2012, as part of the afternoon tournament. It is run by BGB (Bridge Great Britain) and the proceeds are distributed to the Home Unions, where they are used to support the National Teams when they represent their country in World and European events. Table money for this event will be £6.50, with £3 of this going to BGB.
Don’t forget about the new Tuesday afternoon tournament. Come along: you do not need a partner.
Finally, thanks to everybody who helped raise money for Children in Need. The total we raised was £512. Congratulations to quiz winners Rosemary Steers, Helen Maitland, and Jack Allan, who were the only three entrants to get all the answers correct: well done!
24 September 2011
This report covers three meetings. My apologies for this. Holidays, festivals and visitors have kept me busy.
6 June 2011
This report covers the last two meetings, as I was out of town for one meeting.