January 2021 Meeting Minutes
Published January 2021Minutes of the Committee Meeting of the DBA held online via Zoom on 13 January 2021.
The meeting opened at 5pm.
1. Present: (Chair) Geoff Clements; (Secretary) Doug Dunn; (North) Neil Marsden; (North) Elizabeth Nunn; (East) Jean Harrison; (online sub-committee) Jacqui Munns.
2. Previous Minutes
Minutes were accepted. Approved EN, seconded JH.
Matters arising – none.
3. Section Reports
North Section – The North Devon Congress is set up online using BBO for 27-28 Feb.
We are looking at how to restart face-to-face when Corona has gone. Starting with a general discussion in March. NM and JM are putting a paper together.
Wed afternoon online sessions continue to be enjoyable and are covering costs.
East Section JH - John Woolcott was successfully completed using the RealBridge platform. Thanks to all involved with setting up the event. Numbers were down from last year (9 teams, 22 pairs) possibly due to the West Midlands green pointed event being on the same weekend. Something to consider when scheduling the event next year.
Exeter online is thriving: Mondays on BBO, Fridays on RealBridge.
The Tunbridge Wells online teams results: Congratulations to Devon for winning 11 out of the 14 matches.
DD - The Exeter Online-Teams League are about to restart for Jan-Mar. Thank you Nigel Richardson and Tony Rusbridge for the work put in to setting up the two leagues.
South Section – Torquay no longer operating. Newton Abbot run regular online sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6.45pm.
4. Online Sub-Committee
The previous online-bridge sub-committee meeting included discussion around setting up teams for the inter-county Spring Teams to be run by the Western League. Thank you JM for taking this on. Instructions are to appear on the DBA website before the first match on Sat 16 Jan.
At the meeting it was agreed to hold the Devon Pairs (Julia Chadwick) online on 13 Feb with no qualification club heats. The top 4 pairs will be invited to play at the Corwen on 5-6 June.
This year the sub-committee will focus on online issues rather than with directly creating and scheduling competitions.
5. Competitions
The Devon Congress 2021 – Thanks GC for arranging with Tony Russ to direct and set up the Devon Congress online to take place on 10-11 April (Pairs and Teams). This will be a green pointed event with an entry set at £15 per person for the Pairs and £15 per person for the Teams including prizes depending on numbers booked.
The Devon Congress 2022 is booked at the Livermead House Hotel on 8-10 April 2022.
Congratulations were given to Ian Walsh, Stefan Lindfors, Peter Bowles and Michael Orriel for finishing 3rd in the Midland Counties Swiss Teams and with Ian and Stefan receiving the highest x-Imps.
6. Inter-County Teams
Thanks given to JM for finalizing the pairings and setting up 2 A teams, 5 B reams and 4 C teams for Devon. Plenty of opportunities for members to play in the Spring inter-county matches. Match joining instructions will be emailed to team players a few days before their match which will be held on Saturdays at 2pm. (See DBA website for dates).
7. DBA Website
DD to liaise with Ruth to update the Officials contact list menu on the website.
Meeting ended 6pm.
Next meetings
Date of next DBA meeting: Wed 24 February 2021, 5pm
Date of next online bridge sub-committee meeting: Thurs 21 Jan 2021, 5pm
Both via zoom.