Now these days it’s not unusual to hear reports of athletes, and others in the sporting world, found to have been caught taking performance enhancing drugs, but this must surely be a first.

Amazingly the world’s number one bridge player has just been banned after failing a drugs test.

Yes, Norwegian Geir Helgemo, who represents Monaco in bridge events has been handed a one-year ban after testing positive for synthetic testosterone and a female fertility drug at a competition last year.

And what’s more he’s also had all his titles and medal points from the 2018 World Bridge Series revoked.

The president of the Norwegian Bridge Federation, Kari-Anne Opsal, said that whilst the drugs were “not performance-enhancing,” The World Bridge Federation is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and must follow World Anti-Doping Agency rules. In spite of this it is the responsibility of all players not to take substances that are on the doping list.

It has since emerged that  in 2015 3.6% of bridge players were caught with prohibited substances in their body, along with 1.1% of billiards players and 10.6% of anglers – now that really does sound “fishy.”

Well I never!

Being a Tuesday, Margaret Mills joined me once more.

Her subject today was Eastbury Manor House in Barking which dates back to 1573.

There have been unsubstantiated reports that Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plotters met at the Manor just ahead of their unsuccessful bid to blow up the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament in 1605.

You can listen again here to what Margaret had to say on this subject today:-

See you again next week,
Scott