June/July 2008

52 for 31 against 2 abstentions 1 absentee

These figures will go down in Bridge history, for better or for worse!
By now you will all know that the resolution of the EBU Board to replace Annual subscription and Master Points income by a Pay to Play fee, with effect from April 2010, was carried.

I know that many of you will be disappointed at this outcome, given the strength of feeling expressed throughout our County, during months of consultation.  I can only assure you that all 3 Warwickshire shareholders voted against.
A full breakdown of how each County voted can be found on the EBU website. Of our immediate neighbours, Gloucester, Hereford, Northants, Leics. Oxfordshire and Worcestershire all voted in favour.  Only Staffs/Shrops and Derbyshire voted with us. 

During the discussion which took place prior to the vote on 4 June, I can tell you that even those Counties which voted in favour,expressed serious reservations. Costs, budgeting, overheads, cash flow, IT and disaffiliations were concerns repeatedly mentioned.

Following the vote, the EBU Chairman assured shareholders that account would be taken of the above.  A Project Board would be set up in overall charge of implementation, and with appropriate IT and business skills. 

I am sure that there will be close scrutiny of its work, especially having regard to assurances previously given by Peter Stocken that “we will conscientiously review the EBU operations, systems, processes and structures.”

In about 1 year from now, the EBU will distribute a ‘package’ to all Clubs inviting them to sign up to the new regime.  I am sure that many Clubs will wish to use this period to review the position, now that the decision nationally has been taken.  There is certainly no need to rush into any urgent action.

It is most unfortunate that the burden of this vote falls primarily on our Clubs, but I must suggest that non - affiliation would be a drastic step.  In particular, the County will be hard pressed to offer the same level of activity as at present, without your continued support.   

It cannot be denied that the result of the vote (at 62%) was a surprisingly convincing win for those in favour of P2P.  Despite the many reservations and risks involved, it is clear that many Counties and their Clubs, took a different view from ourselves.  

Regards to all

Colin Lang

May 2008

Please come to the County AGM on Sunday 1st June at  WMBC at 5.15 pm.

Better still, come and play in our Cock O’County event starting at 1.45 pm!

For those who do not aspire to be Cock, we offer prizes for lower ranking chicks  -  below Life master, and below Regional master, which should mean that  everyone can be in contention for something.
I will be standing for re-election as Chairman, assuming no nominations are received for this post – don’t all rush at once !  

The AGM is an opportunity for you to tell me whether you think that I have made a hash of it.  Please do so. 
When I was elected last year, I made it clear that I would take a pro-active role, and try to stem the obvious decline in Bridge. 

To take one extreme example, did you know that 30 years ago there were so many who wanted to play in Cock O’County that the ballroom of the Grand Hotel was the only venue large enough?  Today, not even a national Bridge event could fill that room!

I do not pretend to know the answers, but I have initiated and supported change, which I have referred to in my previous ‘Corner’, and can be seen elsewhere on this website.  Only time will tell whether such changes work, and I ask you to give them a chance.  Come and tell me what you think.
One of our most popular events is the County Simultaneous, which attracted nearly 150 pairs this year, at several venues.  The proceeds of this event are donated to a local Charity.  We have a corresponding Charity Swiss Teams event on 19 July - why not give it a try?  

At the last count we have some 850 members who pay subs to the County with their EBU membership.  My guess is that at least half of you do not take advantage of playing in County events. Come and tell us why not and whether there is anything we can do for you! 
The County exists for all members, whatever level of expertise.  If p2p comes in, all members of affiliated Clubs will automatically become members of the County. I hope you would regard this as one of the advantages of the proposed system.

Either way, our AGM will be your last opportunity to let us have your views on this subject.  The final vote on p2p by EBU shareholders will take place 3 days later on 4 June.

Regards to all

Colin Lang

April 2008

It was a great pleasure to see so many new faces at our Council Meeting on 27 February, and I do hope this indicates a resurgence of interest in the wider issues facing Bridge.

The response to my request to Club Secretaries to update their Council representation has been very encouraging. In any event, Warwickshire welcomes all members who wish to take part in discussion, or just listen, and we circulate detailed minutes to all affiliated Clubs, for their members.

A summary of our own County Strategy proposals, which I presented as a consultation paper, was a major item on the agenda for 27 February. A copy appears elsewhere on this website, and is set out in full in our minutes. Please take a look.

Darren is entitled to much credit for this initiative, and advice was also obtained from the County working party, comprising some of our most experienced players and TDs. We believe it is forward looking, and hope it will attract renewed interest.

The proposals are the result of a root and branch review of our activities, during the past year. Some changes are already in progress, such as the transformation of the Warwickshire Pairs League (comprising some 88 pairs) into a Swiss style event with Butler scoring.

Our main Pairs and Teams Trophy events have suffered from a lack of entry at conventional heats. This year we experimented with a 2 session qualifying and final Pairs championship which proved enjoyable to all who entered.

We now hope to offer a monthly County night where Pairs and Teams competitions will be played throughout the year at WMBC, following their successful refurbishment. We have introduced parallel Introductory competitions, and will continue to do so.

As you can see from our Website, we have (modest) sponsorship and I am now negotiating for the 2008-09 season. Additional funds have enabled us to experiment with prize structure, in particular with a view to additional prizes for lower ranking players.

Lastly I would mention that we are discussing with neighbouring Counties the possibility of new combined events on the lines of the successful Midland Counties Congress. The response is positive. Watch this space!

All changes in the Bridge world (if only night or date or venue) bring problems for some. I hope that those who have raised problems will agree that their concerns have been conscientiously addressed.

I usually try to end on a light note, but I cannot do so today. Some of you will be aware that John Birch died recently. He was a much loved and respected player in his day, and County Membership Secretary for some years. On behalf of all our members, I have sent sincere condolences to his widow.

Regards to all

Colin Lang

December 2007

What is Butler?  Who is he?  He she or it appears to be causing some complications in Division 1 Warwickshire Pairs League, and perhaps others. Can I put it in this rather unusual way  -  Mr Butler and his partner are your partners in a Team !    

Thie WPL is described as a pairs competition, and you attend as a pair. You might therefore have concluded that you are playing “tops and bottoms” as you would normally do as a pair.   Wrong!

When you sit down to play in this event, your scores on each hand are compared as if in Teams, and you receive a number of plus or minus Imps according to the official scale in your Convention card.   

Mr Butler is not of course present, and his score is known as the “datum”, calculated as an average on the board, excluding the 2 most extreme results.  Some even say this is a more accurate way of scoring.  Why has the County inflicted this on those who do not seem to like it   

Because  -  If you want to represent your County, you will have to play in Teams, with Imp scoring.  If you wish to be promoted to the Premier Division, that is what Premier players want to play.  It is difficult selecting County Teams from those who have shown ability at Pairs only.  Numbers in the old Invitation Pairs were falling, and the County took the opportunity to encourage Teams play. 

Some Clubs have in fact a regular evening with Butler scoring as an alternative to a Teams night.  This goes a long way to simulate Teams when playing as a pair.  Each hand no longer carries equal weight.  There is added value on games and slams, and the value of overtricks is reduced,  but that is how matches are won and lost.    

And so to my “commercial”!  The number of Teams in the League is dropping.  Only 6 teams from Warwickshire competed in the Midland Circle this year. Only 3 Clubs have put in teams for the Garden Cities.  Only 4 teams have this year entered the Goodman Cup! 

These events offer excellent opportunities for enjoyable Bridge, and Teams play can produce unexpected results, so that everyone has a chance. Surely we can reverse this trend!

May all your finesses be right, unless you are playing against me!

Regards to all

Colin Lang

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October 2007

Welcome to my corner of the website.  As I announced the appearance of this “corner” at the AGM in June, I must apologise for some delay, but I think you all know by now what has been occupying everyone’s time and attention since then. 

Whether you are a member of the County or not, I hope you will look in from time to time.  I could not think of a better name, and did not want to be a “blogger”.  So a Warwickshire pen is on offer to the best (polite!) suggestion for an alternative. 

What is a Warwickshire pen?  Those 50 or so of you who attended our AGM and played in the Cock O’ County will know what they are.  They each received one as a gift from our Sponsors for the 2007-08 season.   I am hoping they will surprise us with a similar gift next year.

There are a few left, and I propose to distribute them to all who attend Council meetings, if they do not already have one.  I know it is not much of a bribe, but the truth is we need your input on County issues.  All County members are welcome, whether in a representative capacity or not.  So why not come to WMBC on 28 November and let us have your views?

Meanwhile I want to use this first “Corner” to thank all those who gave up time to consider and respond to the EBU Strategy proposals  -  and in particular,  those who attended the meeting on 12 September.  The result as a whole was mainly negative, as the proposals stand.  

About two thirds of all Clubs throughout the County were represented, with good contributions.  I hope that those who came from further a field than usual will give us the benefit of their opinions on other matters closer to home.

One query raised by some players was as to the structure of the EBU.  Let me tell you - it belongs to YOU!   It is a Limited Company, run by Directors, who must stand for re-election by the shareholders each year.  The shares are held by each County, according to the number of affiliated members. 

Warwickshire has 3 shares currently in the names of John Pyner, Leslie Reece and myself.  Shareholders meet formally only 3 or 4 times a year, but there are other ways in which we can raise matters on your behalf.   

I will write another “corner” soon, and hope to focus on more local issues.  Meanwhile, look after your partners.  You may need them again! 

Regards to all

Colin Lang