Fiske Warren

WABC is indeed fortunate that Fiske chose to holiday in Perth in 2003 and whilst here he met his future wife, Suzette. The first 30 years of Fiske’s working life were as an Administrator of the Anglican Church in London until he took early retirement in 2002. In 2004, Fiske and Suzette returned to the UK where Fiske worked as a Property Manager for one of the Colleges at Oxford University and together, they lived in a picture postcard village in the Cotswolds. In England, Fiske a keen bridge player, had successfully represented London and his county in numerous team events and achieved the status of Grand Master. Fiske gained his card play sense from the age of six when his grandmother tutored him whilst playing “double dummy bridge”. At school bridge was a popular activity with the boys and here he learnt the ACOL system.

 Fiske mentioned that in London in the 70’s bridge gained great popularity with young adults, and he gained his competitive edge at an early age. Fiske reminded me that the ACOL system was developed in North London in Acol Road, where a group of “bright young things ” including Jack Marx, SJ Simon and Terence Reese devised the strategy for the game.

 Although Acol is the system Fiske teaches to beginners, he actually now prefers playing either Two Over One or Precision Club if he can find a willing partner!

 During his 2003 holiday here, Fiske was keen for a game and phoned WABC. Peter Smith who answered the phone, suggested they play together the following day in a Congress at the Dalkeith club rooms. A fortuitous moment and one that cemented Fiske’s loyalty to WABC when he returned with Suzette in 2008 to live here permanently.

 His first game coincided with the first week the club operated from Swanbourne and Fiske has been an active player at the club ever since. He has twice won the Western Seniors Pairs with John Ashworth and twice won the WA Open Teams event. Fiske is impressed with the vibrant bridge scene in Perth and continues his love of teaching the game, conducting many classes at all levels and private tutoring sessions at several clubs. Like his friend Peter Smith, his philosophy is “teaching as many people as possible is good for the game”.

Fiske has a quiet demeanour and a patient approach with his pupils but above all his gentlemanly manner has endeared him to many in the Perth bridge scene

 Published in March 2013 Edition of Trumps Plus