Don Smedley is presented with the Dimmie Flemming Award for Services to Bridge by Grattan Endicott at the EBU AGM in October, 2004

Don has lived and played bridge in Derbyshire all his life. His first love was chess - he was a Derbyshire youth player - but while doing his National Service, he could not find enough opponents to keep him occupied. Most of his comrades played bridge, so he learned the basics and never looked back.

Although he taught English in schools and colleges in Derbyshire and Leicestershire Don has always demonstrated an aptitude for mathematical analysis. This ability, together with his knowledge and love of bridge, has led him to achieve the national status of both regular and Double Dummy Grandmaster. His interest in solving problems led him to become a setter of problems. These, and many of his articles, have been published in bridge magazines over the years.

There is not a competition at club or county level (with the exception of Ladies Pairs) that Don has not won. He has been and still is a formidable player at the National level. His regular appearance at, and his consistent performance in, the National Pairs allied to his contribution to many "lion-killing" matches in national team competitions belie his benign appearance and shy smile. Derbyshire presented him with his County tie on their introduction in 1985. Derbyshire is fortunate to have Don Smedley.

Since joining Derby Bridge Club in the 1960s he has worked tirelessly for the club in his preferred place - behind the scenes. He has, in his unassuming manner, organised events, run competitions, scored results, handled disputes, and for several years, up to 1999, was the club team captain. From the early 1970s he has been a regular DCBA committee member serving in a number of capacities. Most recently he has served as the Vice-Chairman from 1997 to 2000 and the chief Tournament Director from 2000 to the present. In the current year he sits on the Rules and Ethics Committee, the Competitions Committee and the Selectors' Committee, all of which he has done for many years. Following each county match he does the analysis of performance presenting his findings with his own unique mixture of politeness, honesty and whimsy. The words "Must do better" hover above the text. Don is the ideal role model for any aspiring bridge player. He demonstrates qualities that we all believe fondly we possess. He is not elitist - he partners experts and beginners with equal enthusiasm. He does not belittle anyone - neither partner nor opposition. Under pressure he displays the temperament of a saint. He offers advice only when asked for it. Add to these qualities his brilliant card play, his automatic calculation of percentages and his bidding skills and this may explain why he has been described as 'the best bridge player Derbyshire has ever seen' and 'my favourite partner'.