Paraparaumu

I received the following message - which I've edited slightly - from Bob Jennings (President, Paraparaumu Bridge Club) on Sunday 14th December:

Hi Hugh,

All going well yesterday will have been our club's last use of your facilities to play Bridge and socialise. We had a very enjoyable afternoon.

We can't thank you enough for allowing us to carry on our session play very seamlessly and successfully.

Attached is a simple thank you notice on behalf of our club which I pinned under your "Club News".

Progress on our building continues to go well. Painters are working on the inside and once that is completed will move on to the outside. All going well we hope to re-carpet the floor early in the New Year following which we will hold an "grand" opening for members to attend.

We will present our trophies to this year's competition winners and also distribute the 2026 programme books.

Seasons Greetings and kind regards 

Bob

"In Brief"

Congratulations to Helen and Kevin Walker, who finished in 6th place (in a field of 45 pairs) in the Wellington Region Christmas Cheer event held at the Wellington Bridge Club on Saturday 13th December.  Murray Lobb and Craig Jackson were in 14th place.

2025 Prizes

 Congratulations to all our trophy and cup winners:

Thursday
                                                                                               
Mary Fairey Trophy - Sue Legat
Ilca Evans Trophy - Jo Anson & Maureen Pratchett 
Glory Wilson Trophy - Vicky Young & John Donbavand
Ferrier Trophy - Murray Lobb & John Donbavand

Friday

Agnes Richards Cup - Jeanne Wardill & Isobel Ross
Bob Reid Cup - John Donbavand & Kevin Walker
John Mautner Trophy - Angela Gattsche & Pryor Rowland

Monday

Norma Bridges Trophy - Di Andrews
Joan Welsh Cup - Ann Verboeket & Liesbet Gavey
Kay Wallis Trophy - Di Andrews & Nina Netherclift
Beverley Ferrier Trophy - Ernie Davis (not shown)

Tuesday

Harry Fairey Trophy - Graham Cheater & Derek Snelling
B L Jones Trophy - Graham Cheater
Algie Trophy - Lorraine Gaffaney & Eileen Queree
Ord Trophy - Eileen Queree

2025 Christmas Function

Our very well-attended and enjoyable Christmas function took place on Thursday 11th December.

An online album of selected photos from the evening is available here (with thanks to Rae Lutman and Fiona McDonald-Bates).

For a list of the Premium Trophy winners please see separate post here.

Certificates were also presented to Murray Lobb and Craig Jackson, marking their success in the 2025 Wellington Region Junior League  - see separate post here.

Very many thanks to -

• Margaret Gordon for her overall organisation of the evening
• Roz King and the kitchen team (Vicky Young, Jo Anson, Steph Cheeseman, Anne Ricketts, Evita McGuire) for the delicious nibbles with pre-dinner drinks and a splendid meal
• Graham Cheater and Derek Snelling for running the bar
• Marg Gott for the cake/dessert
  
• Everyone who helped setting up the room and clearing up afterwards

Farewells

We say farewell and "haere rā" to the following long-term members:

• Michael Gaffaney

• Jennifer Hall

• Keith Naisbitt

• John Plimmer

• Adrienne Mandel

• Alice Stevenson

• Angela Gattsche

On your behalf, I would like to thank them all for everything they have done for the club and wish them well in the future.

2025 "Thank You's"

As what I believe has been a very successful year  draws to a close, I would like to thank those who have contributed so much of their time and expertise for the benefit of our club:

The Conveners:

• Dealing Convenor - Eileen Queree
• Directing Convenor - Graham Cheater
• Duty Officer Convenor/Flowers - Ann Verboeket
• Scoring Convenor - Chris Farrow
• Table Money Convenor - Sue Legat
• Tournament Convenor - Margaret Gordon/Anne Ricketts

 
The "Workers":

• Almoner - Sue Crichton
• Recorder - Graeme Norman
• Art works - Chris Carlyon
• Garden/Room hire - Steph Cheeseman
• IT Manager/tablets/programme book - Maureen Pratchett
• Learner Lessons - Adrienne Dale
• Maintenance - Viv Gray
• Website - Sally Weatherley, Judi Vernau and Shelley Ross
• Bar - Derek Snelling/Chris Farrow/Steve Ricketts/Richie Rama
• Kitchen Supplies /Recycling - Nicky Bradley
• Raffles - Fiona McDonald-Bates

 
The Bridge Advisory Group:

• Graham Cheater
• Graeme Norman
• Pryor Rowland
• Vicky Young

I would also like to offer my special personal thanks to the Committee for all their hard work, and in particular acknowledge Margaret Gordon and Rae Lutman, without both of whom we would quite simply not function in the way we do.

Thank you everyone.

2025 Premium Trophies

Monday Pairs Penny Ormerod Cup Margaret Gordon and Jim Gordon (not present) Tuesday Pairs: Open Doug McLeod Trophy  Derek Snelling & Pryor Rowland Intermediate Launder Cup Miriam Lewin & Karen Hutchins Junior Des Ellis Cup Viv Gray & Murray Lobb Thursday Pairs Celia Bowker Trophy Jeanne Wardill & Graham Cheater Friday Pairs Pat Sutton Trophy Naciye Bagci & Jeanne Wardill Most Grand Slams Agnes Richards Salver Adrienne Dale Most Improved Junior Joan Allard Trophy  Murray Lobb