Chairman’s Report 2024/25
HIWCBA has continued to offer some F2F weekend events, but as in previous years since Covid, take up has been limited.
We have had more success with on-line events, particularly in running joint Blue Point events with Berks & Bucks and Essex.
The annual Hampshire Congress GP congress was disappointing in 2025: Swiss Pairs on Saturday, with 13 tables. But the Sunday teams had only 5 entrants. A number of factors have been suggested for the low turnout including congestion in the calendar. The GP congress will move (back) to June in 2026.
The County Leagues have been reasonably well supported, 22 teams over three leagues. Mainly these have been played on-line: and we will continue with this format for next year. The Cahalan Cup was reasonably well supported, as was the HICKO. However the Basingstoke Cup was not played as only Basingstoke raised a team!
Our two charity simultaneous events raised a total over £1000 for the Hampshire & IoW Air Ambulance.
County representative teams have done well.
In 2024 we won the Pachabo, and the ‘B’ Division of the Metropolitan Cup. A split-tie meant we narrowly missed out on a place in the Tollemache Final. HIW Club Petersfield won the NICKO.
The most significant matter this last year has been the enhancement of the Basingstoke Bridge Club. Last year this was a prospective project, but it became reality in 2024.
At an EGM in March 2024 the membership gave overwhelming backing for the Committee to loan up to £75,000 to help Basingstoke Bridge Club improve their facilities.
In the event the project ran over budget (sic!!) and the Committee unanimously agreed to increase the amount ‘loaned’ to £90,000.
No interest is payable on the loan, however HIWCBA has become a ‘shareholder’ in Maydene, owning 12% of the freehold. This was considered the best way of maintaining the value of our investment.
The new facilities at Basingstoke were opened in January 2025. There is now an expanded playing area capable of holding 20 tables. It is expected that HIWCBA will use these facilities for larger events (Pottage Semi-final, GP Weekend,…)
As ever I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone on the committee for their efforts throughout the year.
Mike Kinsey
Chairman HIWCBA
HIWCBA Income & Expenditure account for year to 31 December 2024
| 2023 | Income | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,072 | EBU - P2P | 1,836 |
| 1,060 | HIWCBA Standard Events | 1,485 |
| 1,218 | HIWCBA Ongoing Comps - Leagues | 480 |
| 1,892 | HIWCBA Green Point | 1,813 |
| 9,221 | Bank interest | 9,338 |
| 1 | Sundry | 1 |
| 14,464 | Total Income | 14,952 |
| Expenditure | ||
| 509 | HIWCBA Standard Events / Leagues | 326 |
| 1,199 | HIWCBA Green Point | 1,478 |
| 864 | Rent of halls | 860 |
| 1,197 | EBU Competition Entries | 968 |
| 1,207 | EBU licences | 807 |
| 120 | Prizes (exc GP) | 60 |
| 224 | Website/duplimate repairs | 251 |
| 102 | Bank charges | 103 |
| Sundry | ||
| 5,423 | Total Expenditure | 4,854 |
| 9,041 | Surplus | 10,098 |
| HIWCBA Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024 | ||
| Current Assets | ||
| 79,515 | Current Account | 6,090 |
| 317,144 | Savings Accounts | 326,482 |
| Loan | 75,000 | |
| 396,659 | 407,573 | |
| Current Liabilities | ||
| 438 | Charity account | 1,254 |
| 396,221 | Total Net Assets | 406,319 |
| Reserves | ||
| HIWCBA Account | ||
| 387,180 | Profit/Loss account b/fwd | 396,221 |
| 9,041 | Profit/Loss for current year | 10,098 |
| 396,221 | Profit/Loss account c/fwd | 406,319 |