Gloucestershire TTA is sad to announce the sudden death of County Treasurer and Tournament Organiser Ken Bridle.
Disbelief has spread throughout the county as Ken was always active and had been his usual self at our County Committee Meeting just two days before his passing.
Ken had been County Treasurer for 25 years and had been heavily involved in organising and running many tournaments, including the Cotswold 4*, Gloucestershire 2*, Cirencester 1* and many local events. He was a quiet man but everyone listened when he spoke.
Andrew Jarvis (Cirencester TTL Chairman) said: “Ken was perhaps the most helpful, quiet and considerate person I have come across, with a great dry sense of humour. His only annoying habit was beating me at table tennis! He was never flustered, always helpful, a good mentor and had the ability to correct and offer suggestions to those around him. I always thought being corrected by Ken on some of my hasty emails more embarrassing then if he had shouted at me.
“He played table tennis in the Cirencester and Stroud leagues for many years and had a very good all round game. Ken also had other duties in the Cirencester League – he was the Treasurer, Vice Chairman, Tournament Organiser and Booking Officer – many hats which he wore well.
“Ken’s other great accomplishment in the table tennis arena was in running National Cadet competitions as well as 1 and 2 star competitions at weekends in the Deer Park School Hall and other venues.
“We had players as young as eight competing in the events. Some have gone on to play for England. He accepted the entries, monies, did the draw for the competitions, managed and reorganised on the day any changes that were needed. Everyone attending and helping on the day was grateful for all the effort put in by Ken before and during the competition day. In addition to all this he was a qualified umpire.
“I am pleased to say he was my friend and I will miss him greatly.”
Peter Cruwys (Gloucestershire TTA Life Member) said: “I have been involved in TT in Cheltenham and Gloucestershire since 1946 ,and have worked with a lot of good TT organisers and treasurers, but no one surpasses Ken , who was so efficient and good at everything he did.
He became so proficient with the computer, and in dealing with the numerous entry forms he received for the 1*opens , the NCL, the County Closed, the Cotswold Junior Open , and the Cirencester leagues and championships over so many years. He ran the tournaments so efficiently and with sensitivity and was respected by all competitors, and particularly by the parents of the numerous juniors who came.”
Gloucestershire TTA and Cirencester TTL now have the near impossible job of replacing a man who was irreplaceable.
Our sympathy goes out to Ken’s widow Margaret and her family.”
Graham Slack (Gloucestershire TTC Chairman)
May 20, 2015