The first session of the 2026 Elsie Strickland Memorial Pairs was played in the Thursday morning session on 17 September 2026. This is a pairs event over two sessions for players with fewer than 150 Masterpoints. The results from the first session are here. The second session will be held on Thursday 24 September 2026.
Past winners of the event are listed on the TBA Honour Board.
Many current members may not know who Elsie Strickland was. Thanks to Elsie's daughter for providing the following short précis of her life.
Elsie Strickland- a short précis of her life
Elsie Strickland nee Chandler was born in the English Cotswolds. Her father was a farm manager, and Elsie was one of eight girls. They were brought up on the farm and as money was tight neither Elsie nor any of her seven siblings went on to further education, being educated at the local village school. After her marriage to Frank Strickland Elsie spent many years living overseas with her husband and daughter. Persia (now Iran), Peru and Malta were where the family lived, as Frank worked for oil companies in Persia and Peru and the dockyard in Malta.
On their return to England Elsie worked with her husband running a public house near Bristol. She took in borders and was famous for her wonderful sandwiches and cooking skills.
When the marriage finally failed Elsie returned to her family rootsCheltenham in Gloucestershire where she ran an off- licence bottle shop for many years.
Following her retirement at age 65 Elsie emigrated to Tasmania to be with her daughter and young granddaughter. Ever the entrepreneur Elsie ran a B and B and afternoon tea emporium in Battery Point, called Barton Cottage for many years.
When Elsie arrived in Tasmania she knew no one apart from her immediate family. The colonial life she had lived overseas in Persia and Peru paid off however, as she had learnt to play bridge. She joined the bridge club in Hobart, made many friends and settled into a new life, playing bridge at every opportunity.
As a bridge player Elsie was a force to reckon with. A canny and extremely competitive player who loved the game. As her years advanced Elsie continued to play bridge despite her physical problems. She remained ‘sharp as a tack’ eventually succumbing to ‘big bridge house in the sky’ at age 89. Her daughter felt that such a brave and addicted bridge player should be remembered by those who followed. Hence the plaque.
So, please remember Elsie as you play your hand as she may be watching you and chide you strongly for playing the wrong card!
Christine Needham. Daughter
September 15 2026.