Dimmie Fleming Award citation - 2017
The 2017 AGM marked the end of an era in Essex Bridge with Audrey Hartley retiring as a member of the Committee as she enters her ninth decade. Aside from her administrative work, Audrey also represented England in the Lady Milne Trophy in 2008. Outside of Essex she has been instrumental in setting up two new clubs in London, based at the Young Chelsea.
On the ECBA Committee, she served a number of roles including Tournament Secretary and Secretary. The latter of these meant taking over from Margaret Curtis who had been Secretary for 55 years. She put her own stamp on the role including amendments to the constitution and setting up the disciplinary committee.
She has been an EBU shareholder and an Essex delegate since 2011, always attending the meetings and never afraid to speak up on behalf of the County.
Whist teaching mathematics at the King Edwards Grammar School, she set up the school Bridge club and is also a County Director, directing many county events over the years. She is the longest serving member at the Chelmsford Bridge Club.
The Essex Committee would like to see Audrey’s contribution to Bridge honoured by the EBU and wish to propose her for the Dimmie Fleming award in recognition of all the selfless work that she has put in over many years for Bridge in our County.
Biography from the Lady Milne programme, 2008
Audrey lives in Chelmsford, and is married with 4 children and 5 grandchildren. She initially worked in industry before becoming a Mathematics teacher. After retiring from teaching she worked part-time as a statistician.
Once her children left home she was able to spend more time playing bridge. She regularly plays for Essex and in National competitions where she has had some success. She is a qualified County Director and directs at a number of different clubs and events.
Audrey has long been interested in taking her bridge further and she and Stefanie paired up at the Women’s Trials autumn initiative. They won the first weekend of the trials and were a very close second after the final weekend, earning a place in the 2008 Lady Milne team.
Lady Milne selection: 2008