Winter 2013 - Parishes Online

Winter2013 Les Nouvelles 13
Whist thrives in St Martin
By Michel Le Troquer
Anyone interested in playing whist will probably be aware of the weekly whist-drives that take place in St
Martin every Tuesday evening. Parish stalwarts Ted and Betty Tadier have organised the whist drives at St
Martin's Public Hall for very many years and attract players from around the Island. However, you don’t have
to be an expert to play and even the Parish Connétable has joined the group several times and managed to
reach a respectable score, although he thought many of the participants were gentry when he saw the word
“Lady” at the top of their score cards! We fear our Connétable has much of the game to learn yet. The group
enjoy the evening and each other's company and actually travel around the Island on other nights, knowing
when and where other whist drives take place.
At a recent whist drive, the Connétable said he was
delighted that the Public Hall was used by the group and
added: ‘Betty and Ted have been holding Parish whist
drives for many, many years. My grandparents used to run
a whist drive every week at the Sacré Coeur Orphanage
when I was younger and I know the hard work they used to
put into it in order to raise funds for the orphans’ picnics
and parties. Betty and Ted work tirelessly and also hold two
special events each year: a bumper event for the Poppy
Appeal that recently raised £1,116 and a large whist drive
for their regulars at Christmas when they again dazzle the
Hall with a fine array of prizes for the winners as well as a
huge bumper raffle. I would like to thank them both, all
their helpers and all those who attend’. At the end of the
evening, Ted and Betty presented the Connétable with a
cheque for £900 towards the Connétable’s Charity
Account.
The whist drives start at 8pm on a Tuesday evening and
are normally completed by 10pm. Betty and Ted welcome
everyone. A small raffle is also held during the evening and
there is ample free parking outside the Hall or in the large
car park opposite the Public Hall.
Main image: Betty and Ted
with the Connétable
Right:
Christmas raffle prizes
Above:
Whist Drive in full swing