Chris learnt to play bridge as a teenager and enjoyed playing very badly for some years before she was obliged to improve in order to be able to communicate sensibly with her first husband, the original Chris Duckworth, and her second husband, Brian Callaghan.
After a career in computing and training with BT and a short period of self-employed bridge teaching she joined the EBU for a 10-year stint as Education Services Manager, where she particularly enjoyed working on the development of young players.
Chris introduced the EBUTA (now EBTA) Professional Scheme and trained and assessed many bridge teachers as well as teaching bridge herself both to improvers and, a particular interest, to young people. Now retired from full-time employment, she helps to run the Young Chelsea Bridge Club, on a voluntary basis – which often feels like a full-time job in itself! Amongst other responsibilities, she organises all the club’s teaching, providing beginner and improver courses and seminars, along with supervised play sessions.
Chris is also a long-term member of the committee of the London County Association, fulfilling a variety of roles over the years, and is a member of the EBU Tournament Directors Development Group. She is very proud to have been awarded both a Dimmie Fleming Award and an EBU Silver Award in recognition of her efforts.
Chris and Brian have enjoyed travelling the world playing bridge, meeting old friends and making new ones from within the great international bridge community, with a few successes along the way. Her achievements at home include wins in the National Women’s Pairs and Teams, the Portland Pairs, the Brighton Bowl and the Two Stars Pairs. She has represented England in six Lady Milne’s, winning 4 times, and was coach to the England Women from 2004 to 2006. Apart from bridge, Chris is always happy cooking and is addicted to puzzles of all kinds.
Last updated: April 2026
Lady Milne selections: 1988 1993 1996 2000 2010 (EBU team) and 2012
Brighton Four Stars Teams Winner: 1985
Autumn Congress Two Stars Pairs Winner: 2006
Tollemache Cup winner: 1983 1984 and 1985