Fran and Graham live in the New Forest and are both active members of their local bridge club, being qualified directors and teachers.
Fran learnt to play as a teenager when her parents, Ken and Sheila Barker started bridge lessons. She then played infrequently while studying to be a physiotherapist but started lessons again after having her first child.
Fran subsequently played once a week when able, until her children grew up, and with more time available, she has played much more, taking part in local and county events. She has also played in the Lady Milne trials.
Currently Fran runs the Education Programme at the local club, running both year one and year two lessons, as well as helping on Bernard Magee Bridge events.
Despite appearances to the contrary, Graham has been an avid bridge player for over 40 years!! Graham has extensive bridge experience at a high level, a county A team player for over 30 years with a number of significant successes in National and European competitions over that period.
Graham is particularly enthusiastic in helping others to improve and, especially, to help people really enjoy their bridge and has provided free tutorials and workshops at his several bridge clubs for over 20 years. For the last few years, Graham has been delighted to work with and support BMB in its ambition to promote and extend the widest possible enjoyment of bridge.