Jean Forester

Jean Forrester died aged 90 after a short illness on Thursday 13 June 2013. She had been playing regularly until just a month before her death and was a stalwart member of Wakefield Bridge Club for many years. She had also enjoyed playing as a member at Dewsbury, Ossett and Barnsley clubs, especially since the death of her husband in 1991. From that time on she devoted herself to the game, and spent many happy holidays playing at locations across the British Isles (including the Channel Islands!) right to the end.

A Premier National Master, she represented Dewsbury ‘A’ team in the Yorkshire League until Dewsbury left the League, and then she played for Wakefield ‘B’ team up to and including her 90th year. Her enthusiasm for and expertise at the game continued undiminished: in September 2012 she won the YCBA Kath Grimoldby Sim pairs with a score of 67.2%; and after three events she stood in second place in the 2012-13 Victor Ludorum listings. In that same September she won the Club evening event yet again, and had a report of her outstanding declarer play published in the Yorkshire Post.

Jean played with a range of partners, and was unfailingly courteous and generous to them all, and of course to her opponents – it was a pleasure to play at her table. She will be sorely missed not only at Wakefield but also at those other clubs and holiday events where she took such pleasure in the game.

Peggy Boocock

Sad to say one of the founder members of Halifax Bridge Club, Peggy Boocock, passed away on 22nd February 2013.

She had been a member of the club for over 60 years.

David Colley

Yorkshire has lost one of its most respected and longest serving tournament players. The death on 15th January 2013 of David Colley at his home in Beverley has brought to an end a remarkable bridge playing career which began when he first represented the county in the 1952/3 season.

David was taught to play bridge in Hull in the late 1940’s by his father, John, who was himself one of Yorkshire’s leading players of that era. They regularly played together in the annual ‘Roses’ match against Lancashire until 1961 when David formed a partnership with the late Eric Pudsey and they continued to represent the county until 1977.
David, by this time, had already formed another partnership with Andrew Petrie and this continued for many years during which time they played regularly for Yorkshire in the Tollemache trophy, reaching the final on a number of occasions.

Due to ill-health, David played his last match in the Yorkshire League in November, 2011. He had played for Hull continuously for 60 years – a remarkable achievement.
He played regularly at Hull bridge club right up to the end, winning a duplicate session with his friend, David Wilson, less than a week before his death.
David will, I know, be remembered affectionately by all who knew him and we are very grateful for his major contribution to the bridge scene in Yorkshire over such a long period of time. Philip Mason.

John Payne

Many people will be saddened to learn of the death of John Payne, long associated with Brighouse Bridge Club. Latterly, John was their match secretary and captain of the A team. He died of a heart attack on 23rd October 2012 and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.