Bridge club member retires after three decades

The secretary of Frome Bridge Club has retired after more than 35 years of service, during which he helped grow membership and teach new players.

John Perry stepped down as club secretary at the club’s annual general meeting in May.

He was presented with an honorary life membership in recognition of his service.

A member of the club, Sarah Miller, said, “Without John’s hard work and dedication, the club would not be in the excellent state it is in now. John was, and still is, a driving force behind the development of the club.

“At one point, the membership declined to just 12 members. As one long-serving member recalls, there were evenings where only eight players attended, just enough for a simple teams’ competition. No one wanted the club to close but the income would not sustain paying for room hire. John set about organising a recruitment campaign by promoting lessons which he took himself. This was the catalyst for a steady expansion of the membership.

“Every year since then, John has run lessons and encouraged other club members to do likewise. His remarkable patience and ability as a teacher have shone through and been an example to us all. He has always been prepared to sit down and spend time with any player, regardless of their aptitude for the game. In recent months, even though his health has not been good, John has carried on with no noticeable reduction in his commitment and effort. It is no exaggeration to say that the success of Frome Bridge Club, now one of the largest in the South West, is largely due to the effort and dedication of John Perry. We owe him our collective gratitude and thanks.”

At the club’s AGM, chairman Ray Nicholson reported that membership had risen from just over 100 to 160 in the past year.

The Club Pairs Championship winners for 2025 to 2026 were David Clayton and Richard King, while Bill Blakie and Diane Price were named Frome Bridge Club Members of the Year, both thanked for their tireless help.

Pictured left: John Perry with Chair Ray Nicholson. Below: Club Member of the Year Diane Price