It is with much sadness that we learned of the recent passing of Brian Place, a regular and popular player in the Galway, and wider, bridge-playing communities. Brian hailed from Eastbourne and graduated as a Chemist initially working in the Pharmaceutical Industry with GSK and Pfizer before crossing the Irish Sea and taking up the position of Head of Science at the newly opened Galway RTC in 1972 where he remained until his retirement. Brian was also a founder member of the RTC Bridge Club which used to meet in the Corrib Great Southern Hotel. In the early days he played with his then wife Susan. In later years he established a regular partnership with his daughter Fiona. With the advent of Covid-19 Brian played regularly online under his BBO name Avogadro1. [I have often thought of the BBO pseudonym that Brian chose and wondered if it was related to Amadeo Avogadro (1786-1856), the Italian scientist who, according to Wikipedia, was 'most noted for his contribution to molecular theory now known as Avogadro's law, which states that equal volumes of gases under the same conditions of temperature and pressure will contain equal numbers of molecule.' It strikes me as an appropriate choice of BBO pseudonym by an erudite man who also had a wonderful, even sometimes wicked, sense of humour, who was simply taking the opportunity to pay homage to his scientific background!  And was Brian piqued, but pleased, that an Australian bridge player had beaten him to the use of Avogadro in 2007 leaving Brian to append '1' for his choice of BBO pseudonym when he first joined the BBO bridge army in 2020.]

In addition to playing regularly, Brian also gave bridge lessons in Claregalway where he introduced his daughter Fiona, amongst many others, to the game. Photo below shows Brian in full flow with Fiona in the forefront listening attentively!

Brian of course was an absolute 'charmer' in the fine old tradtional sense of the word. Gentlemanly and courtoeus to an extreme, he always had a pleasant word for partners and opponents alike. And as a BBO TD, I became used to receiving, without fail, a private 'Thank You' from Brian towards the end of each online session. But not for Brian a simple 'Thank You'....he always expressed himself in lengthier sentences of a more flattering, but genuine, nature.

Our sympathy to Fiona and the extended Place family in particular his wife Annette and former wife Susan.

May he Rest in Peace.

Click this link for details of funeral arrangements as per rip.ie

Paul J Scannell, 16th November 2021

LATEST!...As of 3rd October 2022... we hope to give Afternoon Bridge another try in a couple of weeks or thereabouts...once Winter takes hold and people may be more inclined to enjoying a game of bridge in the afternoon.

NOTE: If you would like to be notified in advance when Afternoon Bridge @ Galway Virtual will resume please send an email to galwayvirtual@bridgewebsemail.com and we will send you an email in advance to let you know when Afternoon Bridge will re-start.

NEWEST!...We tried...in vain! Our fourth attempt at Afternoon Bridge resulted in having to cancel the Thursday competition...only one registered pair! As a consequence we are suspending our planned Afternoon Bridge sessions and will review the situation at some time in the future. 

EVEN NEWER!...We ran a small 3 table Howell on Tuesday afternoon...BUT had to cancel today's (Wednesday) event which attracted just two registered pairs. We will try again on Thursday (tomorrow) and then review the situation re afternoon bridge!

NEWER!...We had to cancel Monday's (26th September) afternoon session due to lack of numbers! We will try again today and also on Wednesday and Thursday and will then review the situation!

NEW...We are pleased to announce that, starting Monday, 26th September @ 2.30 pm, Galway Virtual Bridge will offer an AFTERNOON session of Pairs bridge.

These sessions will be available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

Each session will consist of 21 boards with a time allowance of 7 minutes per board and will be played in sets of 3 boards.  Entry Fee is 3BB$.

Pre-entry is not required.

N.B. Movement subject to change depending on number of participating pairs.

All welcome.

Paul J Scannell, 12th September 2022