Kath Nelson

Born and bred in Manchester, I crossed the Pennines to study at Sheffield University, where I met Alan, husband and bridge partner of many years at the bridge table. Whilst supposedly studying for an Arts degree, (it was the Swinging Sixties after all…) I caught the bridge bug and have been an addict ever since. Now settled in Cheshire we have 3 children and grandchildren.

I first became a teacher of French, but switched to Special Needs where I taught extremely challenging Autistic children, which I managed to survive in spite of near strangulation and other scary moments. Since retiring, my other interests include tennis and bridge teaching, especially on Cruise ships.

I play mostly with Alan but some years ago, in a first time partnership with Steve Eginton, we won the Brighton Pairs which gave us free entry to the European Pairs in Sorrento. There we reached the Open final but then fell away. However the experience was useful and the next year we won a silver medal at Ostend. In 2003 I played in the English Ladies team with Sally Brock at Menton and still ruefully remember the cold 5CX I played off in the first hand of the knock-out (nerves). Later on, with Tracy Capal I won the National Women's Pairs, performed well in the trials and we were selected to play in the Lady Milne.

My favourite bridge event was the annual Killarney congress. Every May we used to trundle across  Ireland to the wonderful Lake Hotel and play surrounded by magnificent mountains. One year I managed to win 4 trophies: Mixed teams, Mixed pairs, Championship pairs and Ladies teams. Sadly that event has now finished so my Bridge playing is mostly restricted to internet play. This year I won the Premier Grand Masters with Steve Auchterlonie. Steve and I have played in the Ranked Masters for over 25 years together, starting off in the Life Masters and gradually rising through the ranks. We have been 2nd a few times so were pleased to have a win at last.

Kath Nelson,  May 2023

Major International Appearances

European Mixed Championships: 2002

European Transnational Championships: 2007

Lady Milne selections: 2009

Brighton Pairs, Harold Poster Cup Winner: 1999

Spring Fours Winner: 2013