THE FOUNDER of a Herefordshire bridge club has received a prestigious award for services to the game.

The Birches Bridge Club has announced that founder of the club, Sarah Mathews, has been awarded the prestigious Dimmie Fleming Award by the English Bridge Union for services to the game of bridge.

This award publicly recognises the long, distinguished and significant service that Matthews has given to bridge in the county and she is the first person in Herefordshire to win this award since it began in 1985.

Matthews has been closely involved with bridge in Herefordshire for the last 25 years as a county player and director; a teacher of hundreds of new bridge players; founder of The Birches Bridge Club and as the organiser and administrator of many significant county events from the early 1990’s into the 2010’s.

One of her many students said: ‘What a wonderful achievement for our amazing teacher. I doubt she fully appreciates the importance of her role in our lives. I will always be so grateful to her for her teaching and encouragement.’

The Birches Bridge Club have congratulated Matthews on this tremendous achievement and look forward to continuing to bring new players into the game.

In a statement the club said: "Are you looking for a new challenge, with the chance of making new, life-long friends?

"The Birches Bridge Club is looking to start regular teaching groups and would love to hear from you.

"The club was originally set up 20 years ago for early-stage bridge players and it is a thriving, friendly club, retaining the ethos of welcoming new players."

For more information you can contact the club on 01981 540749 or email: manchester.house@btinternet.com