The EBU’s proposals to introduce “Pay to Play” continued to generate activity in 2008, although perhaps not as much as in 2007. There was still a need to keep individual members and member clubs fully informed and receive their feedback – and the latter eventually led to one of the very rare cases of the committee mandating its shareholders voting, splitting the LMBA’s votes on the final proposals into one for, one against, and one abstention.
Perhaps the focus on such matters affected the ability of London members actually to play the game! There was nothing positive to report on our performance in the Home Counties League and Metropolitan Cup and our team in the Tollemache Cup failed to qualify for the third successive year. However, we did manage to retain the Committee Cup in our annual match against the Surrey committee, although it was reduced from teams-of-twelve to teams-of-eight and this does rather detract from its original purpose of individual exchanges to share ideas and practices for mutual benefit, as well as playing bridge.

People
Christine Duckworth has, as always, continued to shoulder the bulk of work for the Association as county secretary and editor of the newsletter. Roger Morton has done sterling work on membership (including ensuring that all our competition organisers are in a position to establish that all participants are paid up members of London and/or the EBU as appropriate) and has continued to develop the Association’s website. Stephanie Rohan took over responsibility for organising the Lederer Memorial Trophy, helped by Paul Lamford handling the “play with the stars” event that runs in parallel with it, but Simon Cocheme remained involved to provide the experience needed. Almost in the background, Sati McKenzie continues to do sterling work running the leagues, the Champions Cup and the London Championship teams of four, whilst also acting as the committee’s minutes secretary.
Sadly, shortly after taking on the task of treasurer in the middle of the year, Marijke van Beesten was taken ill and, after due consideration, felt she was unable to continue in the role and resigned from the committee. Our hopes go out to her for a full recovery.

Finance
The underlying financial position seemingly remains stable. However, we remain somewhat exposed as a result of the several handovers of the role of treasurer over the last three years. During 2006, Steve Eginton handed over the role to Stefanie Rohan and, during 2008, she handed it on to Marijke van Beesten. Following the latter’s resignation through ill-health, the county was without a treasurer for several months (a situation rectified early in 2009 when Ian Payn volunteered to take it on) but the handovers and gaps have left a number of loose ends and we do not as yet have final accounts for any of the last three years. This is not satisfactory and, although the individual competition reports and the LMBA’s bank balances indicate that we remain financially sound, we do need action from the new treasurer to rectify matters.
The impact of the EBU’s “Pay to Play” implementation remains a longer-term concern. The Association’s unique position tends to give it a significant membership to service but few clubs within its aegis to generate its income. In the short term, the committee has decided to implement a number of cost-reducing measures in order to set a competitive rate for its “county element” of “Pay to Play” whilst maintaining overall financial stability. This may not be best in the longer term and we shall need to keep the matter under constant review for several years.
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, the finals of the London Trophy and the Della-Porta Plate and the London Trophy Pairs 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
Now that the “Pay to Play” proposal, the first step in a strategy for a complete review and overhaul of the EBU’s activities and practices aimed at revitalising the game in England, has been approved, there will need to be a lot of activity at county level to help to make it work. The Association is committed to being part of the ongoing process, but will need the full support of its members, both individuals and clubs, and their willingness to put forward positive, practical suggestions for further ways in which the Association can help them in the process of developing the game.
There is a danger that concerns about the current recession in the UK economy will have a negative impact on plans for the growth of bridge. No-one can be sure of the short-term impact (views that people will be short of money and so less able to afford to play bridge are finely balanced against views that bridge may gain at the expense of more costly pastimes and that early retirees may need bridge to fill their time) but, at both national and county levels, it is vital that we do not lose sight of, and motivation for the longer-term aims. Expanding participation in the game of bridge is a desirable aim for all players, whether “social” or highly competitive, and we should all continue to put effort into it.

M. R. D. Hill
July, 2000