EBU Awards: Dimmie Fleming Award 2025
Chris Bickerdike – Cornwall
Chris has acted as County Secretary, arranging and minuting meetings as required, and supporting and encouraging the committee over many years.
He organised the Cornwall Congress for a number of years as well as the John Perks pairs (qualifier for the Corwen Trophy) and the Cornwall Teams trophy (qualifier for the Pachabo). In addition, he has represented Cornwall in the management and arrangements for the Western League, which was Face to Face and has now moved to being online, as well as encouraging representatives of the County to play in all three divisions. He has on a number of occasions acted as host, or as part of a standby pair to ensure the success of County events, placing his own interests secondary. When necessary, he has also directed events. In many Counties his role would have been formally recognised as competitions manager.
He was also responsible for an active group in the Helston area teaching new members, and has been supportive of members and clubs throughout the County to enhance the experience and to further the objectives of the EBU and CCBA.
He has acted as the County's EBU Shareholder, taking an active role in bringing the issues to the County Committee and members, and registering support and proposals as appropriate.
Despite the effects of the Covid crisis on bridge in Cornwall, Chris has supported the County events moving online, and has been the prime mover within the County to further and develop events in a diverse County with modest membership. Despite his approaching 80th year, and appeals for others to assist in shouldering some of these tasks, Chris has always put the CCBA's interests first and the county believe that it is time for his dedication to be recognised.