Summer holidays are a distant memory for some and the new County bridge programme is now under way. The calendar and details of events are outlined elsewhere in this newsletter but I would like to highlight a few matters here.
The County Teams Knockout was particularly exciting last year with a large entry and many of the fancied teams being knocked out in early rounds. Entry is only £10 per team and you are guaranteed at least two matchesas those knocked out in the first round get free entry to the plate. All rounds of the Knockout proper are greem pointed. Please send entries in by 20th October at the latest. If you need teammates, let me know and I will try to put you in touch with someone similarly seeking.
We are planning a number of changes which we think will improve the County programme. As an experiment we are enlarging the County Pairs Final so that a greater proportion of each club heat will qualify. The Jubilee Pairs will now be played as a Swiss Pairs. This is an exciting new departure for the County. Those of you who have played in a Swiss pairs will know how enjoyable and interesting these events are and for those of you who haven't, this is your opportunity to find out.
We are also hoping to reinstate the Swiss Teams Club Challenge which lapsed last year, and the Garden Cities club teams of eight will revert to a knockout format.
If you have any comments on these ideas, or any other suggestions for improvements you would like to see in the County programme, I should be delighted to hear from you. You can write to me at 51 Glisson Rd, Cambridge, CB1 2HG; telephone 01223-526210; or email at philipwraight@ntlworld.com.