A RENOWNED bridge player, who played his last hand on January 11, has died at the age of 84.

Born in a Bristol suburb on March 16, 1928, Terry Udall began his working life as a rope and binder twine salesman.

He was very successful but not amused when the company halved his territory twice, because he was doing so well. It was then Terry realised that life as an employee was not for him.

So he went into mink farming, starting with just a few animals and building his business until he owned the largest mink farm in England and was the recipient of numerous prizes. However tragedy struck in 1962 when many of Terry’s mink died due to toxins found in their food.

He initiated a lawsuit against the suppliers in 1963 which lasted for eight years with Terry risking personal bankruptcy to appeal, right up to the House of Lords. The lawsuit eventually changed the basis of the Sale of Goods Act 1898 from “caveat emptor” (buyer beware) to “caveat vendor” (seller beware) and had a huge impact on Consumer Rights. The “Fur Farms” case is still cited in law lectures today.

After the court proceedings, Terry decided to change tack again, buying the Wessex Bridge Club in 1963 and transforming it into a thriving enterprise.

Over the next 33 years, he became the cornerstone of bridge in Dorset. With his wife, Gigi he ran a club with over 1,000 members boasting a national and international reputation.

Terry was a fantastic host at the Wessex where many lasting friendships were forged and he made everyone feel welcome. He did what he could to popularise bridge, holding classes at the club and writing a weekly column in the Echo for more than 20 years.

Terry was also a member of the English Bridge Union Council and served on the EBU Laws and Ethics committee for 21 years.

A month after finally retiring in August 2005, he was given the ‘Dimmie Fleming Award’ for outstanding services to bridge, granted to only a select few.

Terry passed away peacefully on January 11, leaving Gigi and a large family with many happy memories. His funeral service was held at Poole Crematorium on January 23.