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.
She now runs the Young Chelsea Bridge Club, which currently provides both beginner and improver courses, along with supervised play sessions. Chris is also available for a limited amount of private tuition.
Now retired from full-time employment, Chris and Brian enjoy travelling the world playing bridge, meeting friends and being part of the great international bridge community. Achievements at home include wins in the National Women’s Pairs and Teams, the Brighton Bowl and the Two Stars Pairs. She has represented England in six Lady Milne’s and was coach to the England Women from 2004 to 2006.
Chris still keeps very busy on bridge administration, something she has been involved with since the early 1970s. She is currently Secretary, Newsletter Editor, Youth Officer and Tournament Organiser for the London County Association and helps to run the Young Chelsea Bridge Club. She is very proud to have been awarded both a Dimmie Fleming Award and an EBU Silver Award in recognition of her efforts.
Apart from bridge, Chris is always happy cooking and being in the company of her two beautiful cats, and is addicted to puzzles of all kinds.
October 2013
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