MEMBERS of Chandler’s Ford Bridge Club made a “thank you” presentation to Dick Binns who, with his wife Pam, have run the club for 30 years.

They are stepping back from the day-to-day running of the club which will now be in the hands of a members’ committee.

Dick and Pam learned the game in 1976 when they received a letter from their son’s school offering lessons. Dick has since run five bridge clubs – three in north Hampshire, one in Fair Oak in addition to Chandler’s Ford.

Pam has taught the game to evening classes and together they have contributed significantly to developing the game in the area. The couple both lived through the war as children in Folkestone. Dick’s house was bombed and they both remember seeing doodlebugs overhead. They married in 1958, which was also the year that Dick joined the RAF, serving at Biggin Hill and in Germany, Cyprus and Borneo. On leaving the service, he managed Flyaway car storage at Heathrow Airport.

Pam and Dick moved to Southampton in 1986 and have lived in Bitterne for the last 22 years. Their interests include DIY, gardening, reading and coin collecting. Dick has also had an HGV licence and could drive cranes. Pam is an outstanding cook and supplied dozens of delicious cakes for the club’s Christmas parties. Members are determined that the club will thrive and build on all Dick and Pam’s hard work over the years.

They will continue to meet on Thursday afternoons at Fryern Community Centre a warm welcome is guaranteed to anyone interested in joining. For further information telephone Jerry Metherell on 07787 565400.