Sandy Smith
I started learning at evening classes in the autumn of 1996 doing one year at Moulsham Lodge and one year at Bishop’s Hill. The first club I went to was The Heron at Writtle, a small welcoming club, and I gradually moved further afield as my interest and experience grew, My first national congress, in Jersey in 1998, was a baptism of fire as on the very first board our opponents called the tournament director to me as I had doubled my own partner (not allowed!) and on the third round we found ourselves playing two Dutch internationals. Nowadays I regularly go to congresses in England and Wales and abroad often incorporating a holiday around the event. My most recent success was coming fifth in the Swiss Pairs EBU Overseas congress in Andalucia this year playing with my husband. Despite what people say it is possible to play with your spouse!!! In June 1999 I set up the Writtle Bridge Circle which meets on Fridays at 1.15 at the Christian Centre in Writtle. We welcome early learners as well as the more experienced looking for a relaxed game. I also do private bridge tuition. Bridge has enriched my life in many ways and
has brought me many new friends and a fuller social life. It’s an activity my
husband and I can do both separately and together and taken us to some nice
places home and abroad. Bridge keeps the grey matter going (I think!) and I
find it rewarding when my students make progress and get hooked on this
splendid game, too. George Vede We play around the Billericay,
Brentwood and Mountnessing area. As to successes we are the
'Bridesmaids' we have been 2nd, 3rd etc in congresses, can't recollect
every being 1st. Have won local Essex competitions. Being asked to play
for Essex was a big honour and I am now the 'C' team captain. What I
love about the game its a different challenge every hand - I know I will
never get it right all the time but I live in
hope. |
Gad Chadha
Introduced to bridge at University Gad fell in love at first sight and has never looked back at the game that has given him much pleasure and excitement. One of his triumphs was playing an automatic double squeeze bidding and making 6N at 2am. What makes it remarkable is that it was during a continuous 3-day marathon - an achievement which got him into the Guinness book of Records! He now plays most of his bridge in London for modest stakes, occasionally you’ll see him at MountNessing on a Thursday evening. "The beauty of the Bridge is that it is one of those rare sports that even beginners can come up against the current world champions and beat them over a couple of boards"Nicole Cook - Often seen around the County as a Director, Nicole is an international triallist for NZ and England. Look out for her on Bridgebase at the 2010 Lady Milne Trials! Based in Braintree, plays in Chelmsford and Mountnessing. "For me this game is like being a CSI - every 7 minutes you get a whole new set of clues and red herrings to work through"
Alaric Cundy Alaric has played bridge since he was 9 years old. A very active member of the ECBA, he is the Teachers Liaison Officer for the county and runs Mountnessing Bridge Club. He can be seen playing at his club and in most Green Pointed and county events. Alaric's greatest achievement is in coaching and developing his son to Univerity World Championship level.
"Bridge is a wonderful combination of teamwork, mental challenge, logical thinking, with more than a dash of psychology, all set in a competitive but sociable environment. It is also a game where even the most experienced of players still have things to learn and new challenges to face" Maureen Vede We play around the Billericay, Brentwood and Mountnessing area. As to successes we are the 'Bridesmaids' we have been 2nd, 3rd etc in congresses, can't recollect every being 1st. Have won local Essex competitions. Being asked to play for Essex was a big honour and I am now the 'C' team captain. What I love about the game its a different challenge every hand - I know I will never get it right all the time but I live in hope Richard Perryman Richard started playing at 16. He has a deep love and enthusiasm for the game. and has been teaching bridge for more than 10 years. A regular player on tournament circuit with some measure of success(mainly due to excellent partners and team mates), Richard's home club is Thorpe Bay. Richard notes a highlight of his playing career as 6th place in '4 stars' A final at Brighton Congress. He is honoured to be a current member of the Essex County squad. |
Tony Philpott Tony started playing bridge in the Essex 1st Team at the age of 18, now he has been playing for the County for over 40 years. At the age of 20 he played International trials for the World Championships in the days of the legendary Terrence Reece, Jeremy Flint, Nico Gardner, Tony Priday and Harrison-Gray. Tony has won the National Pairs, Brighton Pairs and Pachabo. His one regret is never winning the Gold Cup, managing a semi and quarter-final finish. "Most of my success is a while ago - with marriage and a family I realised there was more to life than Bridge and to compete at the highest level you need to devote a considerable amount of time and effort to the game. I now play only about once a week on average with my local club being Chelmsford. My ranking is Grand Master."
Wendy Coldham Life Master, County player 20+ years, main bridge club: Loughton. John Sutcliffe I learned to play bridge when I was 13 as my
parents and brother needed a 4th. We always had to play for money as
otherwise my Father played every hand! Played, and really enjoyed, rubber
bridge for the next 15 years or so. Broke off for a time when the children
were young but came back to duplicate and teaching bridge as soon as I
could. Dennis Valtisiaris Dennis was taught to play bridge by Rhoda Lederer in the early 1970's and attended her teachers classes, passing the written and practical exams. His best result to date was finishing ahead of 95% of the field at the Brighton summer pairs in 2002. Current holder of the Essex Team of 4 KO cup and also the Fletcher. A member of the County organising committee and former County League Secretary, Dennis is a keen Club Director |
