We are sad to announce that David Briggs passed away on 30th May 2024. He had been in a care home for many months. David was a regular player for many years at Club & County Level and a member at Blackburn BC and Brierfield BC. Further details may follow.

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Des King died on 2^nd June 2023.  Des had played a significant role at Wigan and Bolton Club for a large number of years.    He acted as a Tournament Director and also represented Lancashire in matches at a high level - both County and Nationally.   For many though he will be remembered for his teaching skills.   He created the Friendly Online Club when Covid started and ran Beginners Lessons at all his clubs for a number of years and many of our current Members went through his classes. He was a larger than life character and a great ambassador and advocate for the game of bridge - he will be very sadly missed by his many friends.  

The funeral will take place on Friday 30th June 2023 at 1pm at Howe Bridge Crematorium followed by a wake at West Houghton Cricket Club.

It is with sadness that we have to advise you of the death of Brian Ripley. Brian had been a member and regular player at Blackburn abd Bolton Clubs for over 40 years before he passed away this Tuesday 9th November 2021.  Brian was a great supporter of bridge in competitions across Lancashire, as well as at Blackburn and Bolton Clubs. He could count many notable successes in other outside competitions, as well as in many club events. In the last two years MrBeeJay was often seen playing online games, particularly following his move to be nearer family in the South West. An accomplished bridge player, extremely pleasant man and wonderful character, Brian would offer helpful suggestions to opponents, but was always more critical of himself than of others.  Our thoughts and sincere condolences go to all his family and friends.

It is with great regret that I announce the death of Jeremy Stanforth on the 25^th October.

Jeremy learned bridge at school and continued to play at university but then life and work got in the way of bridge and he stopped playing for many years.

Despite only returning to the game in the last few years Jeremy won several county events including the year end congress and the LCBA knockout teams.

Jeremy gave a lot to bridge he was secretary at Lytham Bridge club but was much more than that he ran the website, did all the I.T. and set up online bridge for Lytham

He was part of the team that set up LOTL, was part of the LOP team and was part of the Lancashire Executive committee.

As someone who has played against him and in teams with him I can say that he was one of the most pleasant people to be at bridge table with. I never heard an angry word from him.

He will be missed our sympathies go to his family and friends

Bill Alston

The funeral will take place on Friday November 12th at 2 p.m. It will be at Lytham Park Crematorium anyone attending is asked to let Jeremy's brother know beforehand.

Contact details are chris@stanforth.net 07540 781324

We are very sad to report that after a period of ill health in recent years, Austin Barnes passed away this morning Friday 25th June 2021. Austin had been playing bridge in Lancashire since 1972 and had served the county in various capacities from 2005 until 2018. He was Chairman of Selectors from 2005-2010 and again from 2013-2015. He was Vice Chairman prior to serving as Chairman from 2007-2010. With vast experience as a top county player and, indeed, a national one (he represented Wales in the Camrose), as a tournament director and a club administrator he was an invaluable member of the Executive Committee, taking responsibility for putting together the LCBA Handbook each year. He was an excellent Honorary Tournament Director in several LCBA competitions over the years when the occasion demanded. He has been a long standing member of Bolton Bridge Club where he assumed a lot of responsibility particularly for the 10 years from 2007 when he was both President (CEO) and Club Tournament Director.

We are sorry to report the sudden death on 9th June of Val Robson at the age of 84. Val was married to Denis Robson in 1959.  They set up home in the Bury area and had five children, Alison, Jacqui, Nicole, Robert and John of whom only John plays bridge.  Denis was a top player in the North West Bridge  area for many years and former chairman of the EBU.  Val was a keen player, but only played more seriously when Denis gave up top class bridge.  After that they competed in the Manchester and Lancashire leagues, initially in a team with Maurice and Anne Super.  They sometimes played in the first division of the Fylde league.

Our condolences to Denis and family.

We are sorry to report the passing of John Buck. He was 76 and had been suffering from Parklinsons for some years. John in the mid 1960’s played a lot of bridge for Southport when he was partnering George McConkey. From the late sixties through to the early eighties the Manchester team of Bernard Goldenfield, Denis Robson, John Buck and Raymond Semp were one of the finest in the North.  They reached the Gold Cup final in 1983 after which John Buck retired from competitive bridge. Click here for an obituary written by his long time partner and friend Raymond Semp.

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Ken Renno, a longstanding and popular member of the Blackburn Bridge club, who twice held office as treasurer and was also the A-team captain for many years. Our sincere condolences to his family. The funeral will be on Wednesday 21st August at 12 noon at Sacred Heart Church, 313 Preston New Road, BB2 6PL, and 1.30pm at Pleasington Crematorium.

We are sorry to report the death of Bernard Goldenfield, one of Manchester's strongest and best known and loved bridge players and a constant presence at bridge events both locally and nationally for around six decades. An obituary can be found on the Manchester County Bridge site

We are sad to learn of the death of Ewart Evans. He was a member of many bridge clubs including Blackburn and Bolton over the years and had many successes in local Lancashire and other events. Despite longstanding health problems, he was the most kind, cheerful, courteous, good humoured and friendly player at the table always ready to acknowledge a good play by the opponents and always helpful to other players where needed. He will be sadly missed. The funeral is 2:30pm Wednesday 1st February at Howe Bridge Crematorium, Lovers Lane, Manchester M46 0PZ.