Hello

I have just been looking at Newcastle BC file by Bill Brumby in the
archive site and it stirred memories. As a PhD student at King's College my partner Dave Walker and I used to play most Wednesdays at the Chronicle Hall in the early 50s. I well remember the Esthers and the spectacular blow ups that occurred sometimes. Capt Ewart Kempson, that great gentleman - ever courteous, was usually there playing his fiendish to play against natural system with his long time partner Selby Raith/Wraith? - who incidentally does not seem to be mentioned by Bill Brumby. I also played rubber bridge at the Haymarket at 3d a 100 - a lot of money to a student then.

Another connection - I was taught Maths and Physics up to School
Certificate by "Ginger Morgan" who must be the "Mr Morgan" mentioned.
At school I only knew Culbertson honour tricks but Ginger tried to get me to take up the losing trick count which I did about 40 years too late!
For 2 years in Canada on a post doc my wife Julia and I played in some huge pairs tournaments in Ottawa (mp unlike the aggregate scoring at Newcastle then) and did fairly well with Acol against American style Culbertson and Goren. When we returned we were only in Newcastle a short while. Just as we returned' sadly Mr Morgan died. He was well loved.
At his funeral I was approached to do his job temporarily for the autumn term so this allowed Julia and I to play at Bentinck Road in the west end but only for a short while, as we moved to Hertfordshire after Christmas.

We now live in Liverpool and play in the league and Northern League.
We were at Darlington recently. In 2005 we went to the NEBA congress and enjoyed it. Couldn't make it this year as our elder daughter had a stopover with us en route to Canada back from a conference in Delhi.

You have a great site and I visit it regularly. Please give my regards
to Bill Brumby for his most interesting piece.
All good wishes to you and your organisers

Godric (Ric) Dearing