August 2009
Developing the Game
Bridge needs new players. It needs them of all ages but to provide the game with a future, it needs young players.
"Perhaps if a few more of your readers took the trouble to play cards with their grandchildren, we might be able to encourage some of them to play bridge"
Fleur Waters, writing in the August edition of 'Bridge', the magazine of Mr Bridge
Yes, we can all do something. The Suffolk association has begun a number of projects; chairs a sub-committee devoted to developing and monitoring bridge in Suffolk and the committee has always had a member with responsibility for those new to duplicate.
Minibridge Initiative
Alan Green has taken over the role of Bridge Development officer in Suffolk and his first action has been to find out about the EBU's Minibridge Initiative.
For those of you unaware of Minibridge, it's a great way to learn bridge through card-play and a decent card-game in its own right. It's fun for young people and there are educational benefits for maths, language and social skills. The initiative is to get more schools to put the game on the curriculum.
Alan attended a meeting at a school in Norwich and a demonstration of how Minibridge can be used as an educational tool. It was attended by the local school (six teachers) and two other county bridge educational officers from Norfolk and Essex.
Alan now needs help in developing this in Suffolk Schools: so if you are a school teacher or have a child at school, get in touch with he will be delighted to hear from you. Alan has resources but is also offering to teach as well.
Summer Days
Now that the met Office has come clean on what the weather is really like this summer, I expect you'll be leaving the barbecue in the shed and instead be looking for a bridge event. Fortunately there are a couple of good ones:
Brighton Summer Meeting
This is always a great experience, the large field and the Swiss format of both weekends (Pairs 14th-16th August, Teams 21st-23rd) make it approachable for players of any standard. And, if your bridge doesn't live up to your hopes, there are always the attractions of Brighton itself.
There are also events in the weekdays between the two above, including a Seniors' Pairs and Teams and a 'Really Easy' schedule for those new to duplicate.
Full details are on the EBU site including a brochure [PDF].
Women's Teams
The 2009 Women's Bridge Teams is on the 5th/6th September and this year includes a special award for teams completely comprised of players from the same county. So, Ladies! Why not put together a team and fly the flag for Suffolk?
This year the organisers have done everything to make the event special – they've taken care of food, goodies and activities for all – so are really hoping lots of players will come and join them for a great weekend of bridge, relaxation and personal challenge.
The event website is www.womensbridge.co.uk. Take a look. There is plenty to do there – players can even hire a coach to get them in bridge shape for the weekend if they'd like to!
Bridge in the Cupboard
At school we always thought that the Queen of Spades was 'Black Maria' but we didn't have a classical education — unlike Mike Chanter for whom she is Diotima, Greek Priestess and philosopher…
Forthcoming Events
Ipswich Swiss Pairs
Sunday 13th September 2009, 2:00pm at Kesgrave Community Centre. A two session Swiss pairs event entry for which is £12.00 per pair. This year the event will be scored by BridgeMate and assignments will be done on current round scores.
This is a popular event and run along the same lines as in the past; there will be a modest interval during which competitors may consume their own refreshments but:
- Tea and coffee will be served during the interval
- Soft drinks will be provided throughout the Event
Entries and queries to Ipswich chairman more details on the Ipswich & Kesgrave website.
You can download an entry-form from the Suffolk website [PDF] – to enter, send an email with relevant details to
Suffolk Men's and Women's Pairs
Tuesday 22nd September 2009, 7:15pm at Kesgrave Community Centre. A one session pairs event for unmixed partnerships entry for which is £6.00 per person. Entries to SCBA tournament secretary .
Results
Married Pairs - Lang Cup
Andrew and Jane Moore recaptured the Lang Cup (they had won in 2007) and pushed last year's winners down to third; 17 Pairs took part.
| 1. | Andrew & Jane Moore | 64.58% |
| 2. | Will & Angela Pavry | 55.65% |
| 3= | Alan & Elaine Green | 54.67% |
| 3= | Bim & Sam Wilson | 54.67% |
Full results are on the website.
Seniors' Pairs - Stokes Cup
Andrew Moore is obviously enjoying a run of form and he and David Price again echoed the results of 2007 when they took the Stokes Cup in a high-scoring event; 29 Pairs took part.
| 1. | David Price & Andrew Moore | 68.39% |
| 2. | Adele Wayman & Jan Havard Davies | 62.50% |
| 3. | Claude Stokes & Din Gudka | 61.57% |
Full results are on the website.