At the end of February The North Devon Congress returned as a face to face weekend at The Barnstaple Hotel, for many the first Face-to-Face Congress since playing in North Devon just before lockdown in March 2020.

Although the numbers playing were understandably only about half of the pre-covid norm the congress has proved most successful, with players appreciating the bridge, quiz and facilities in the hotel.

The ten rounds of Swiss Pairs on Friday and Saturday were keenly contested with the wine round prizes going to a particularly wide range of players. Particular congratulations go to the final winners Sheila and Eva Ferguson.

On the Sunday the Congress Blue Pointed Swiss Teams were played. Particular congratulations go to the winning team of Ruth, Brigid, Ann and Alison. North Devon owes a real debt of gratitude to Ruth for her long-standing technical support, initially writing her own Swiss Scoring computer programmes well before they were in common use.

Prizes were presented by Jacqui Munns, Chair of the North Section of the DBA. She also made a presentation to Carol who, after helping with the congress for some 14 years has organised and directed for the last 12. She is now retiring and hoping to be able to play again. Once again thanks also go to Mike for presenting a most testing quiz after the Saturday congress dinner.

In 2023, the congress is already booked for the weekend of Friday 24th to Sunday 26th February 2023 at the Barnstaple Hotel.

Click HERE for the Swiss Pairs Results, HERE for the Swiss Teams Results

NORTH DEVON CONGRESS 2022
In February 2020 in one of the last events before the dreaded Coronavirus caused F2F bridge to cease, 33 tables played over ten rounds on Friday evening and Saturday at The Barnstaple Hotel.  With the hotel full and no sign of the virus the welcoming Wine Reception and Dinner on the Friday and Congress Dinner and Quiz on Saturday evening were very popular. 

In February 2022 the F2F North Devon Congress returned. Although numbers were as expected only A good time was had by all. Congratulations to all the prize winners especially to Sheila Ferguson & Eva Ferguson who won the Swiss Pairs and to Ruth Edmondson & Brigid McElroy, Ann Slee & Alison Pollok who won the Swiss Teams. Thanks to Mike Fletcher who once again gave us a most amusing and challenging Saturday Evening Quiz, to all the hotel staff and of course to Carol Ritzen and her team for all their hard work. Carol is retiring this year and Jackie Munns, who is taking over the running of the congress, presented Carol with some flowers and wine..