IIn many ways, 2006 was an exciting year. It was the diamond jubilee year of the Association and we celebrated this with anniversary mugs, which we offered as additional prizes in all our competitions, and with a special simultaneous pairs event for all clubs who wished to participate. It was also the year in which the Lederer Memorial Trophy was contested for the 60th time. This was made even more noteworthy by the fact that the winning “All Stars” team included Zia Mahmood who was recording his seventh win in the event, a record, and Thomas Bessis who, at twenty-two, was the youngest ever winner.
There was also a further anniversary to celebrate. 2006 was the 50th anniversary of Cecil Leighton joining the London committee, which he has continued to serve ever since. In recognition of this, the committee presented him with two framed bridge cartoons.
It was also an exciting year at national level. The EBU appointed a new general manager and, at its Annual General Meeting in October, Peter Stocken was elected chairman, with a brief to re-vitalise what was perceived by many to be an ailing organisation. Subsequently, David Harris resigned his EBU directorship and I was co-opted onto the Board in his stead.
Less welcome was the failure of our team even to qualify for the final weekend of the Tollemache Cup. This was rather a comedown for the team that had won the event for the last four years. Continuing a losing vein, we also allowed Surrey to retain the Committee Cup by losing the annual teams-of-twelve match for the second year in succession (and only the third time since it began in the mid-1990s).

People
Christine Duckworth has, as always, continued to shoulder the bulk of work for the Association as county secretary, editor of the newsletter and organiser of our junior events, to name but three of her roles. Simon Cochemé has continued to do sterling work organising the Lederer Memorial Trophy and the “play with the stars” event that runs in parallel with it, as well as organising the anniversary simultaneous pairs and selecting and writing up the hands (from earlier years) to use in it. Finally, as well as running the web-site, Roger Morton has made major strides in getting our membership records integrated with those held by the EBU to mutual benefit, since he took on the additional role of membership secretary. For the second year running, a London member has received a Dimmie Fleming award from the EBU for services to bridge. Following the award to Christine Duckworth in 2005, I was the fortunate recipient in 2006.

Finance
The underlying financial position remains stable and the success of the anniversary event enhanced our reserves slightly. However, we remain exposed to any material change in the financing of or support for our events and to changes that may emanate from the EBU. In the short term, we have a further exposure in that, in 2006, Steve Eginton handed over the role of London treasurer to Stefanie Rohan. As with any handover, there remain some loose ends to clear, so we do not as yet have any approved accounts for 2006.
Sponsorship remains a critical part of the Association’s finances. The Lederer could not take place without generous sponsorship from our President, Bernard Teltscher, and the Young Chelsea Bridge Club. Similarly, the Fox Shammon Trophy and the finals of the London Trophy and the Della-Porta Plate continue to benefit from venues being provided by Queen’s Club and the Royal Automobile Club. Our thanks are due to them all.

The Future
This year, the EBU has already circulated its first firm proposals aimed at re-vitalising and developing EBU membership and has set in motion a consultation process. We are endeavouring to assess the long-term implications for our members so as to play a full part in that. That is perhaps our single most important activity this year. We shall continue to try to provide positive input at all levels, recognising that, for the EBU now, “status quo” is not an option.

M. R. D. Hill
July, 2007