Words from Hilary Hepburn

Bridge

Robert asked me to write about bridge and the very word evokes such happy memories going back over so many years. Iris and I decided to go to bridge classes as soon as Simon and Caroline joined Guy and Fiona at Mrs Dainty’s.

We went to our first bridge class to be met by a sea of flower- pot hats. Somewhat subdued we scuttled to the back of the class. We need not have worried. Within a few minutes we were joined by Jum (Australia), Erika (Switzerland) and Joan (Japan). We had our first bridge circle.

Over the years people came and went but a bridge four was a cherished part of our routine. However I know that Iris would agree with me that the ones we looked forward to most were in the early days when Joan and/or Noriko gave their legendary lunches. Bridge was secondary to the delicious Japanese food washed down by copious amounts of sake. We drove back to pick up the children feeling that not just us but the wheels were oiled with sake - happy pre-breath analyser days!

As we lived next door we also had jolly week-ends. I remember a lot of dancing --.once again dating us! On a Monday, Mrs Dainty had a class called 'News' when all the children were to learn how to express themselves about what had been happening at home. No fear of that from our lot who were only too willing to oblige relating the sake bridge and other exploits from their parents. We always felt Mrs Dainty was only too willing to listen!

What happy days and never to be forgotten memories.