1. OUR CLUB COMMITTEE.

The last newsletter was published before the committee meeting at which the Chairperson was elected. Peter Dawson had made it clear that, after a six year spell, he did not intend to stand again for Chairperson. Jim Morris volunteered and was duly elected. The committee membership for this season, until the October 2002 AGM, is as follows: -

Chairperson : Jim Morris- Secretary: Norman Killey

Treasurer: Steve Hoffman

Competition Secretary: Amanda Cohen

Committee Members :-

Terry Wild -- Barbara Taylor --Peter Dawson

Liz Halstead -- Lindsey Barnes -- Joan Lewis

2. Simultaneous Pairs - Wednesday 9th January, 2002.

I am glad to be able to report that we had a very respectable 8 tables at this heat. This is the best attendance that we have had for a Wednesday evening for 2 years. Wednesday evening is not a normal club night but, if we can get players to turn up, then it is the best night on which to hold Sim Pairs. We are already using one Monday and one Thursday per year for two of the Sim Pairs, even though all Monday and Thursday players do not want a Sim Pairs competition. The committee is reluctant to encroach more on these evenings.

3. MCBA Congress - Saturday / Sunday, 5/6th January, 2002.

This yearly event, held by the County, was again held in the main hall of the Renaissance hotel on Deansgate. The numbers were ever so slightly up on the previous year, with about 42 tables on each day. Quite a few of our members participated and I was invited to be one of the Directors.

4. Trudy Cantor Competition - Sunday 24th March, 2002 at our Club.

This is a County Competition and to enter, you and your partner should not be an experienced pair. Those who have recently finished a beginners' course or are improvers and not consistently above say 48% on a Monday/Thursday evening, or who only go on a Tuesday evening are welcome to enter..

The competition consists of about 24 boards from about 1.30pm to 5.30pm and only very simple bidding is allowed. It is a "no fear" competition and no one need worry about doing something wrong because it will be dealt with in a most friendly manner. How do I know? I know because the County have asked me to Direct the Competition !!

Find a partner & enter via Norman Killey or write your names in the spaces provided at the bottom of the circular on the main central notice board. 3 years ago, we had 9 pairs entered from our Club. Do not leave it to the last minute; enter now!

5. A Message from the Chairperson, Jim Morris:

We are coming up to our first anniversary at St Peter's church hall and it is probably time to take stock of our position. There are pros and cons to our new location just as there were with the Hale Conservative Club - I can think of a few on either side!! However, it is your views as club members that matter. Therefore please would you provide some input either verbally or preferably written, outlining what you think are the advantages of our new premises as well as the disadvantages. If you consider there are disadvantages please tell me what you would like to be done about them!

Last year we did not hold an annual Christmas Party. Did you miss this? Should we try to have some small celebration in the future, or just not bother at all? Again I would appreciate your views verbally or written down!

6. A SIMPLE DIRECTORS' COURSE.

I am quite sure that they are now all capable of directing at the duplicate we hold on a Tuesday evening. Hopefully, you will see some of them Directing on a Monday/Thursday – first ensuring that, to begin with, they have the back-up available of a more senior Director, in case they need assistance.

The EBU run Directors' courses (over a single full day) & I hope that, after gaining experience, some of the new Directors will go on the EBU courses. The Club pays the tuition fee for approved entrants.

7. It is with regret that I have to mention that another member of our Club has died since the November newsletter. Gerald Lockwood has passed away and we sent our condolences to Betty, his wife.

8. MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS.

Our Club always suffers a drop in numbers at the end of each season and the drop this November was somewhat larger than usual, probably because of the move from Hale Conservative club.

Even so, we are not exactly short of members and at the time of writing this newsletter we have 245 paid up members. What we are short of is members not attending very regularly. If you are not a regular attender, then please try and make a commitment to come more often. The lowest evening attendance is on a Tuesday evening & I would urge all attending Tuesday evening players to act as ambassadors to our Club & try and increase the Tuesday numbers.

9. FINDING A PARTNER.

There is on the main notice board a sheet where you can insert your name if you are looking for a partner on a Monday/Tuesday/Thursday evening. As members look at the notice board, they can then telephone you.

Should you find yourself without a partner only a day or so before a particular evening, then please phone Jean Dawson (0161 282 1754) and she will offer your phone number to the next person phoning her.

10. DIRECTORS QUIZ CORNER.

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