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Manchester
County Bridge Association |
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Latest News and Upcoming Events
Deal of the WeekSuit CombinationsWhile there is no live bridge I will try to provide a suit combination problem daily. Assume there are plenty of entries to both hands and no problems with control and no inferences from the auction or previous play. Solutions the next day.
Playing OnlineFor those suffering withdrawal symptoms because of the lack of live bridge, you can always play online. The main site is Bridge Base Online. Adam Wiseberg recommends the Berwick Bridge Club web site for a good introduction on how to play on BBO. Michael Newman FuneralMichael Newman's funeral service at Howe Bridge crematorium took place on Thursday 26th March. A few close friends attended (well separated) and a large number of other friends watched it online. If you missed the funeral and wish to see it, then the service will be back online with the same login details within 2 working days for a period of 28 days. The website is www.obitus.com username howe1344 password 900240 It is hoped that a celebration of Michael's life will take place in the Autumn that everyone will be welcome to go to. At the MCBA council meeting on Tuesday it was agreed to buy a new trophy for the first division of the Manchester League in honour of Michael.
Michael Newman
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Michael Newman (MJN) who was one of Manchester's best bridge players, winner of many local and national events who also worked and taught at Manchester Bridge Club for many years. Michael was born in Beaconsfield in 1960 the younger of two sons in his family. He was brought up in Kent and arrived in the Manchester area when his parents moved up to Bolton in the late 1970s. He showed early promise as a bridge player winning the England Junior Pairs in 1984 with Martin Braid and in 1985 with Joe Fawcett. He enjoyed success in the Manchester league in partnership with Tom Middleton in the 1980s and with Kath Nelson in the 1990s. His results blossomed after forming a partnership with Michael Byrne in the early 2000s. Among his numerous wins* in county competitions were seven league titles and the Ben Franks pairs six times with three different partners. He won the Manchester congress teams twice, once in 1984 as a junior playing with three adults and once in 2011 as an adult playing with three juniors. At national level he was a key member of Manchester's team when winning the Pachabo three times. In particular in 2015, the first time that Manchester won the Pachabo, he and Alan Mould were Manchester's best pair by far. He won the Garden Cities trophy and the inter-county league finals, both three times, as well as a single success in the NICKO. He was a fierce competitor, keen to do his best and always greatly pleased at winning competitions. Even when victory was no longer possible he always strived to achieve a place on the podium, fighting until the last board for a top three finish. He was a staunch supporter of bridge in Manchester, turning out frequently for Northern league matches and playing for the Tollemache team. He was proud of Manchester's good record in that event, though disappointed that he never won the event. He worked for nearly forty years at Manchester Bridge Club on Palatine Road playing in the rubber bridge games as a host. He ran the successful beginners duplicate on Tuesday nights as well as the Swiss pairs on Thursday nights, often playing with some of the beginners who came without partners. He would tell the story of when another bridge player (Rita Jordan) said to him "You never seem to get any older - do you have a painting in the attic?". Though not initially understanding the reference to Oscar Wilde's story he came to adopt the name Dorian Gray when he wanted to play under an assumed name. He served as secretary of the Manchester County Bridge Association for ten years from 2007 to 2017 and worked hard in helping to write Manchester's new constitution. Away from the bridge table Michael's other great love was karaoke. He used to perform regularly in several pubs in the Bolton area. His favourite songs, amongst many others, were "Sound of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel and "I want to hold your hand" by the Beatles . Sadly in 2019 his health deteriorated and in early 2020 he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He continued playing as long as his health allowed. He was delighted to win a league match by over 100 IMPs at the beginning of March telling everyone that it was the fewest IMPs (four) that he had ever conceded in 35 years of playing in the league. He will be fondly remembered for his love of bridge and his loyalty to his team and friends. Michael John Newman born 24th October 1960 died 12th March 2020. Click here for Michael's self written obituary. * See the county and national honours pages for events won by Michael. Thanks to Michael Byrne for contributions to this obituary.
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