Dimmie Fleming 2023 Award Citation (from Devon):
Ruth Edmondson has been an enthusiastic and hard-working champion of bridge in Devon since she moved to the area more than thirty years ago. Her special area of expertise is in computer technology, and it is in this field that she has made the greatest contribution.
Ruth wrote a computer programme to run Swiss Pairs events and developed other scoring programmes for use by Plymouth and Plymstock Bridge clubs as well as the county, and she was instrumental in introducing Bridgemates to both these clubs when they became available.
For more than 25 years, she has continued trouble shooting the technology and supporting the running of the NDC, as well as providing technical assistance to many club and county events.
Ruth was responsible for setting up and running the websites of the Devon Bridge Association (DBA) and the Plymouth Bridge Club websites, and she has continued to develop them over the last twenty years. She has recently finished uploading a complete online archive for the DBA website including all the DBA official paper documents dating back to 1955.
However, Ruth’s contribution to Bridge in Devon extends beyond providing and supporting technology.
She was on the committee of the West section of the DBA and represented the section on the central committee, as well as serving on several other sub-committees.
She took on the role of County Treasurer in 2017 and, despite standing down a few years later, she agreed to continue doing the accounts until a replacement was finally found in 2021.
In addition, she taught Beginner and Improver classes at Plymouth Bridge Club for many years, including online during the pandemic, and has also helped to run ‘supported play’ sessions at the club.
After 30 years of involvement in so many areas, the Devon Bridge Association Committee feel that she richly deserves to be formally acknowledged for her significant contribution to Bridge in Devon.