Ross Harper CBE
My mother and father - a Church of England Minister - played rubber bridge at home with another elderly couple - at least elderly to me. All four were compulsive smokers and the petrol lighter struck in unison time after time.
When my mother, a widow, played regularly at her bridge club in Glasgow, my wife Ursula, vowed she would never ever play bridge, but, we were on holidays in Europe with my brother and his wife - the evenings were tedious so we started playing cards - snap, rummy, and whist and we agreed that it was a pity trumps were dictated to us - could we not choose trumps? My brother joined the ‘prank’, bidding in whist. Ursula enjoyed this and we quickly explained that she was actually playing bridge. She was a natural player, and after some few years was playing for Scotland in the international women’s teams - and regularly winning.
At our club, I was first adopted by a man called O’Leary - a good card player with no real systems or conventions. I purchased a bridge book on Acol, and together we learned, after he adjusted what the book said. Later I was adopted by Willie Loyle - a first class international player partnered by Victor Silverstone - an outstanding international pair. Willie taught me bridge and I taught him salmon fishing on the banks of the river Tay where I have a lease for early September - with 30 years still to go! I go back each September - at 88 years of age - and keen as mustard - along with my son Robin who lives in Sydney.
I came across a bridge professional - we did not have any in Scotland - Paul Hackett - but after a series of trials my bidding and play must have caused him a degree of agony. We qualified to play for England Seniors in Europe and our team came one place short of qualifying to play in the World Championships. However, fortune smiled on us - Holland pulled out and we were propelled to Sao Paolo, Brazil, in 2009. We ended up in the final against Portugal. I was allowed to play in the first two sets - presumably to allow the others to repair any ‘damage’. In the first set we were hammered by 70 IMPS. In the second match I landed in a most fortunate slam - unbid by 137 opponents. Shoulders to the wheel we continued diligently and ended up world champions. Who would ever have thought that? Meanwhile back in the ranch, I ended up at Buckingham Palace to receive a CBE and a university recognition - I’m still surprised how all this happened.
My son in law David, was a successful lawyer in London. When he retired, he wanted to return to his city of origin - Perth - with wife Susan and the family. She would not go without her mother who would not go without me - so here we are in Perth and thoroughly enjoying it. I live next door to the family. Granddaughter Nisha has just commenced university and plays bridge - you may have seen her at the club. She has been acquitting herself well with Ursula. Perhaps one day I’ll be allowed to play with her, but I suspect I’m not trusted yet.
I play bridge at WABC with Peter Holloway, and my favourite partner, Susan Broad. What is so special about WABC is not only the great facilities and surroundings, but also the great people and special company. We are so lucky to have a club like this; thanks, and here’s to you all.
Published in May 2023 edition of Trumps Plus
