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As usual, the western area started the year with three Picnic Tournaments, at New Plymouth, Hawera and Wanganui. The overall winner, and winner of the Upson Cup, was New Plymouth’s Pushpa and Ravi Modgill with the respective heat winners being John Lambert and Kevin Moore at New Plymouth, Alister Stuck and Russell Wilson at Hawera with a booming 70.83% second session (Theresa Needham and Sandie Howard were the handicap winners) and Paul Whittle and Wendy Walker at Wanganui.

 

Paul Whittle and Wendy Walker

Over on the other coast, Napier held a successful Multigrade with the best score of the day going to Lyn Bocock and Kyoko Hashizume, including a 68.84% first session. Evelyn and Bob Hurley beat that with a 69.78% second session to win the Feilding Open.

Ann Buckley is a stalwart of the Wanganui Bridge Club and one of the most successful players in the 75-year history of the Club.

 

Ann at the Wanganui Club's 75th anniversary last April.

Born in Wellington, she attended Wellington Girls College before moving to Wanganui to join the Wanganui Girls College.  Intending to have a career as a dental nurse, Ann left College after sixth form and worked as a clerk at the Department of Maori Affairs, pending the next intake of dental nurse enrol lees. Ann's good progress with Maori Affairs ruled out the planned move and she continued with her clerical position until marrying.

 

Ann took bridge lessons in 1972 and speaks highly of her tutor, Bill Bird, who told her in the early stages that she would become a good player "if you concentrate." Ann's concentration has stood her in good stead because she enjoyed many highlights during her bridge career. She has formed highly successful partnerships over the years...Beryl Langston, Robyn Nightingale and Anita Thirtle had all figured prominently.  She has attended many national congresses at Rotorua prior to them shifting to Hamilton and has fully supported those since the changed venue. 

 

Ann is one of those valuable souls who will play with any partner who asks. She is encouraging of all those who want to improve their game and often gives helpful advice when it's needed. Her enthusiasm for the game is obvious and she has been blessed with a mild countenance that remains the same, win lose or draw.

 

Having contributed as committee member, president and director, Ann is now a life member of the Club and has been the Club Patron for several years.  Her many bridge successes have included inter-provincial and rubber bridge competitions, many regional tournaments and numerous club competitions.  One of her favourite recent memories is the winning of the Cormack Cup at the National Congress 2011.. International women's player Jan Cormack donated an impressive cup for the best all-women's team in the New Zealand Teams.  Ann's team included Levin's Dorothy Mackay / Margaret Clark and her partner, Anita Thirtle.  Coming into the final stanza, Ann's team appeared to be down and out... but came with a withering finish to win easily.

 

Ann Buckley was the first member of the Wanganui Club to achieve the rank of grand master.  Five more members have reached this highlight subsequently:  Les Gould, Don and Robyn Nightingale, Anita Thirtle and Val Gardiner.

 

It's said that anybody can play bridge so long as they can sit up in a chair and can tell one card from another....on that basis, Ann will be around for many years yet.  Congratulations Ann...  Good luck.

 

Good news around the region with some good numbers attending this year’s Beginners’ Lessons at clubs. It’s great to get them. We must also make a great effort to retain them and integrate them in our clubs.

 

Finally, I hope all of you have entered all or part of the three day Taranaki Congress, coming up on March 12-14^th at New Plymouth. Hurry with those last minute entries..just press the link below and you are on your way.

http://www.new-plymouth.bridge-club.org/calendar_club

 

 

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