Dimmie Fleming Award citation - 2018 (nomination from Sussex)
Andrea has served the Sussex County Contract Bridge Association (SCCBA) for very many years in multiple roles, particularly:
Member of SCCBA Management Committee since 2000 and Member of SCCBA Tournament Committee from 2002 to date. Organiser of one of SCCBA’s premier competitions (Invitation Pairs) since 2004 and from 2002 onwards and has organised a number of other SCCBA competitions, including No Fears at Chichester, Green Point Teams and Pairs. Has acted regularly as scorer at a number of SCCBA competitions.
Working alongside her husband, a previous recipient of the Dimmie Fleming, she provided considerable assistance to him in his capacity of SCCBA Treasurer for a period of approximately 14 years, completing all the data entries before a decent computer programme became available and producing draft accounts each year. Also provided assistance to him with the running of the Sussex League in its earlier years.
Andrea was the county’s Trophies Officer for a period of 5 years, liaising with Organisers and competition winners to ensure a smooth presentation of Trophies at both the County’s Spring and Autumn Congresses.
Andrea’s services to Sussex bridge extend more widely than this, particularly through her contributions to the management of the Avenue BC, one of the county’s premier clubs, and her overall contributions were recognised in 2010 when she became joint recipient of the SCCBA Gladys Hakki Award.
As will be evident from the length and breadth of service indicated above, Andrea has made an enormous contribution to the success of Sussex bridge over a period of time which is now exceeding 18 years.
However, it would be wrong to measure her service simplistically just in terms of time. Rather we should look at the personal input she has provided and reflect on the level of commitment, determination and sheer effort involved, often under testing circumstances.