Guernsey Bridge Congress

9th – 15th September 2024, St Peter Port, Guernsey, Channel Islands

The 2024 Guernsey Bridge Congress is run by the CICBA Guernsey. This year the Bridge programme has been expanded to include a Pre-Congress Festival Pairs event that is part of the EBU's national 'Bridge - It's a Big Deal!' festival of bridge. This new event has a discount for players  with an NGS grading of 8 or below, which we hope will encourage more club players to try out the competition for the first time. Plus the Swiss Pairs now has four sessions rather than three sessions as in 2023. We have also introduced a maximum cap to the entry fees (more details below). And we have allowed a free evening in the programme on Saturday 14th September so visitors and locals can have an evening at leisure. We hope this will add to your enjoyment of the Congress and Guernsey.

In 2024 the Guernsey Congress will take place again at Les Cotils, L'Hyvreuse, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1UU.  Les Cotils is an elegant Victorian house on the edge of St Peter Port. It is in a tranquil setting in 12 acres of spacious gardens with glorious views of the islands of Herm, Jethou and Sark. It has comfortable bedroom accommodation, a restaurant, a coffee shop, and free on-site parking, as well as conference facilities. It is a short walk to the centre of St Peter Port with its cafes, shops, bars, clubs and restaurants. 

Event flyer

To enter

By entering an EBU congress or event you agree to abide by the terms and conditions set out in the Terms and Conditions document.

Entry forms (please click this link) should be sent to cicbacongress@gmail.com. This email is monitored by volunteers so it may take a couple of days to get back to you. The entry form is in Word so you should be able to complete it online. If you have any difficulties filling it in electronically you can also print it off, fill it in by hand, and then scan or photograph it and email it in.

Online payments should be made to the following account:

  • Account Name: Channel Islands Contract Bridge Association (Guernsey)
  • Account Number: 01275497  Sort Code: 30 93 73
  • Payment reference: 'First Name  Surname',  e.g. ‘Jane Smith’

For overseas payments the following information may be required:

  • BIC: LOYDGGS 1001
  • IBAN: GB26LOYD30937301275497
     

Holders

Current 2023 Guernsey Congress Winners

Championship Pairs (Ian Monachan Trophy): John Honey & Graham Boxall.
Championship Pairs Non-Expert (Guernsey Tourist Board Trophy): Julie Evemy & Annie Johnson.
Seniors Pairs: Pauline Cohen & Elizabeth Barnard

Multiple Teams (Hougue du Pommier Cup): Tim Gauld, Solvi Remen, Fred Moen, Reidar Laland

Swiss Pairs (Scotch Video Tape Cup): Jan Svendsen & Rune Hauge
Best Channel Island Swiss Pairs (Elizabeth Austin Cup): Hugh Bacon & Martin Jones
Best Non-Expert Swiss Pairs (Confiance Trophy): Phil Stevenson & Keith Roy
Swiss Teams (EBU Championship): Paula Leslie, Solvi Remen, Fred Moen, Reidar Laland
Best Channel Island Swiss Team (Hougue du Pommier Cup): John Honey, Graham Boxall, Rod Goldsbrough & Marilyn Robilliard
Best Non-Expert Swiss Team (Le Lievre trophy): Ken Tucknott, John Mauger, Phil Stevenson & Keith Roy
Best Channel Island Pair overall in Swiss Teams and Swiss Pairs combined (Shell Trophy – Fred Austin): John Honey, Graham Boxall

2024 Timetable
Day Start Time End Time (Approx.) Event
MON 9 13:45 17:30 PRE-CONGRESS FESTIVAL PAIRS
19:45 23:00 CHAMPIONSHIP (Open) PAIRS (Session 1 of 2)
TUE 10 13:45 17:30 SENIORS PAIRS (Session 1 of 2)
19:45 23:00 CHAMPIONSHIP (Open) PAIRS (Session 2 of 2)
WED 11 13:45 17:30 SENIORS PAIRS (Session 2 of 2)
19:45 23:00 MULTIPLE TEAMS (Single Session)
THU 12 13:45 17:30 SWISS PAIRS (Session 1 of 4 (3 X 8 board matches))
19:45 23:00 SWISS PAIRS (Session 2 of 4 (3 X 8 board matches))
FRI 13 13:45 17:30 SWISS PAIRS (Session 3 of 4 (3 X 8 board matches))
19:45 23:00 SWISS PAIRS (Session 4 of 4 (3 X 8 board matches))
SAT 14 10:00 13:00 SWISS TEAMS (Session 1 of 4 (2 X 8 board matches))
14:00 17:00 SWISS TEAMS (Session 2 of 4 (2 X 8 board matches))
SUN 15 10:00 12:00 SWISS TEAMS (Session 3 of 4 (2 X 8 board matches))
13:00 15:00 SWISS TEAMS (Session 4 of 4 (2 X 8 board matches))
15:00 Prize Giving

All finish times are estimates.

2024 Entry Fees
Entry Fee per person# Prize Money
Whole Congress £160
Whole Congress Without Seniors Pairs £140
Pre-Congress Festival Pairs £10 (or £5 for NGS 8 or below) Winner £10 x 2, Non-Expert £5 x 2
Championship (Open) Pairs £30 Overall Winner £20 x 2, Non-Expert £10 x 2
Seniors Pairs* £30 Overall Winner £20 x 2, Second £10 x 2
Multiple Teams £15 Winner £20 x 4
Swiss Pairs £65@ Overall Winner £75 x 2, Non-Expert £20 x 2
Swiss Teams £65@ Overall Winner £75 x 4, Non-Expert £10 x 4
Both Swiss (Pairs & Teams) £110

Master Points

Seniors Pairs, Swiss Pairs and Swiss Teams are green pointed. Championship Pairs and Multiple Teams are blue pointed. 

Agreements

Level 4 agreements are permitted in all events. The EBU has a page where system card templates can be downloaded and completed. 

#     Entry fees per person are capped at £160 for the whole congress or at £140 if not doing seniors. This is a significant discount over the maximum entry fee of £215. NB The maximum caps include entry to the Pre-Congress Festival Pairs event on the Monday afternoon.

@     The entry fee for both Swiss events is discounted to £110 per person (a £20 discount).

+     In the event that a competition is drawn the winners’ prize money is shared equally.

*     To be eligible for a Seniors prize, both players in a pair must have their 63rd birthday (or higher) during the calendar year (January-December 2024). For example, a player can win a Seniors prize at the age of 62 provided their 63rd birthday falls later that year.

Venue and Tariff

Guernsey – how to find out more

We look forward to seeing you on the lovely island of Guernsey. We have stunning beaches, cliff walks, historic sites (ranging from the pre-historic to our occupation by the Germans in WW2), and plenty of choices for memorable meals. We have included a free evening in the Congress schedule on the Saturday so you may wish to take advantage of it by eating out. NB Many restaurants – including Les Cotils - may need to be pre-booked.

Please visit www.visitguernsey.com for information about accommodation, how to get to Guernsey, and things to do in Guernsey. You will also find information on all the usual booking platforms such as TripAdvisor, Booking.com and Airbnb. 

N.B. Special 2024 Guernsey Bridge Congress agreements/discounts for accommodation are only available by contacting the hotels direct. More details below.

 Accommodation in Guernsey

Visitors to the Guernsey Congress have a free choice of accommodation arrangements including  self-catering and B&B. If you book online just double check that you book rooms in the right island – not Herm, Sark or Alderney!

Within a mile radius of Les Cotils the local hotels include: the Duke of Richmond, the Old Government House (known as the OGH), La Collinette Hotel and apartments, and the Premier Inn. 

The following hotels are also offering special accommodation arrangement for the 2024 Guernsey Bridge Congress competitors and their parties. NB You will need to contact each hotel direct to get the special deals/arrangements – the 2024 Guernsey Bridge Congress deals are not available online or through any booking platform. Early reservation of accommodation is recommended.

Les Cotils (3* hotel at GY1 1UU) – is our base for the Congress. Les Cotils accommodation is very reasonably priced and it is holding all the bedrooms during the 2024 Guernsey Bridge Congress for competitors and their parties – so mention that you are in the Guernsey Bridge Congress if you are checking availability/booking there. NB Early booking is recommended. Telephone: 01481 727 793. www.lescotils.com 

Duke of Richmond Hotel (4* hotel at GY1 1UY) is a larger nearby hotel some 150 yards from Les Cotils.  It is offering a generous discount rate with full English breakfast included. Prices range from a classic double room down to £212 from £290 per night going up to the Junior suite at £402 rather than £545. Just remember to mention that you are in the Guernsey Bridge Congress when you contact them to check price/availability/make a booking and ask for the Bridge Congress/special States of Guernsey discount rates. Telephone: 01481 726 221 or email reservations@dukeofrichmond.com  www.dukeofrichmond.com

Old Government House (OGH) Hotel (5* hotel at GY1 2NU) is about 10 minute walk from Les Cotils but is closer to all the facilities of the Town centre. The OGH is a sister hotel to the Duke of Richmond. It is offering a range of discounts – such as a Classic room at  £225 (rather than £295) up to a Seaview King /Balcony room at £363 (rather than £575). Remember to mention that you are in the 2024 Guernsey Bridge Congress when you contact them to check price/availability/make a booking and ask for the Bridge Congress/special States of Guernsey discount rates. Telephone: 01481 724 921 or email reservations@theoghhotel.com www.theoghhotel.com

For the first time the La Collinette Hotel, Cottages and Apartments (GY1 1SN) has joined the venues offering discounts to the Guernsey Bridge Congress’s competitors and parties. La Collinette is about 10-minute walk from Les Cotils or a 1-2 minute taxi ride away. It offers single rooms, doubles/twins, suites and 4* cottages and apartments. The special offer is for a double or twin room: £70 per person per night including breakfast, based on twin occupancy (normal £80) or £98 per night for single occupancy  including breakfast (normal rate £112). Self-catering accommodation (maximum 4 guests per unit) is £870.00 per unit per week.  Contact  La Collinette direct to check prices/terms/availability/make a booking. Remember to mention that you are in the 2024 Guernsey Bridge Congress to get the discounts. Telephone: 01481 710 331 or email reservations@lacollinette.com www.lacollinette.com

 Travel to Guernsey

Being an island comes with some travel issues you may not have thought about if you live on the mainland. Bad weather can affect both boat and plane travel so allow yourself sufficient time to get to the Congress. Early bookings of flights usually come with the most generous discounts, whereas late bookings are likely to cost more. 

There are regular (fast and slow) ferries with Condor and frequent plane flights with Aurigny (pronounced Or-Ee-Knee) and Blue Islands airlines flying from Manchester, Gatwick, London City, Paris, Dublin and many UK regional airports. 

www.visitguernsey.com also provides information about how to get to Guernsey.

Healthcare in Guernsey

Please be aware that Guernsey is not part of the UK’s National Health Service. All treatment – including A&E - is chargeable, so local residents pay for GP and emergency healthcare. It is therefore sensible to ensure that you have appropriate travel insurance.

There is a Reciprocal Health Agreement (RHA) with the UK which covers medically necessary healthcare that cannot wait until a UK resident returns home to the UK. UK visitors to the Bailiwick should bring their GHIC/EHIC card with them in order to prove their eligibility. More information about the RHA is available on the following link gov.gg/rha

UK RHA does not cover emergency repatriation to the UK, non-emergency health issues, and non-medical issues (such as missing a flight due to illness or poor weather, or loss of luggage). Travellers are therefore still strongly advised to purchase travel insurance well before travel.

Things to do in Guernsey

We like to think we have it all. Great restaurants, natural beauty, glorious beaches, a unique history with intriguing sites to visit, and a quaint town with plenty of unusual shops.  Our Norman heritage is shown in our French place names and our system of government, and we have been a stopping off place for boats travelling along the English Channel since before the Romans. The sea is important to Guernsey – we have one of the largest tidal ranges in the world – it makes for a constantly changing vista. All this crammed into an island which is only 30 square miles but has almost 30 miles of coastline.

If you have a few hours to spare then visit St Peter Port’s medieval Castle Cornet and its museums (GY1 1AU), or join a guided walk to explore bits of the island that even locals may not be aware of, or perhaps do your own self-guided walk along the cliffs and coves of Guernsey’s south coast. Sea swimming is very popular year-round at the sea water bathing pools in St Peter Port (GY1 1AX) or at any one of the many beaches around the island. 

If you have longer then then you can book a ferry for a day trip to the nearby islands of Herm or Sark. Or maybe just potter - wander around Candie Gardens (GY1 1UG - just around the corner from the Congress venue at Les Cotils), enjoy the view over the harbour out towards Herm and pop into the Guernsey Museum for a cup of coffee and to find out more about Guernsey’s unique history.  

  • TripAdvisor’s list of things to do in Guernsey 
  • Hauteville House - St Peter Port (GY1 1DG.) - Victor wrote Les Misérables and Toilers of the Sea when he lived in Guernsey during his years of exile from France. He redecorated his five-storey house to his amazing, unique, and very peculiar taste. Ticketed tours only of the house. Free access to garden.
  • The Little Chapel - St Andrews (GY6 8XY) – this miniature chapel is a beautiful gem and open daily for free. 
  • There is a wealth of WW2 sites built during the German occupation of Guernsey. The many WW2 museums include the Occupation Museum, Forest (GY8 0BG) and the German Naval Signals HQ (GY1 1SN). They can keep you busy for days. Many sites are free to visit but remember to check if there are opening times or if it is a cash only site. Find out more about this period of history from Festung Guernsey - a group of volunteers who preserve sites of the era, and offer tours of the sites. 

Previous Winners

2023 results
2022 results
2021 - Not held
2020 - Not held
2019 results
2018 results
2017 results
2016 results
2015 results
2014 results
2013 results
2012 results
2011 results
2010 results
2009 results
2008 results
2007 results
2006 results
2005 results

Find a partner/team mates

If you are looking for a partner or team mates for this competition, please use the new Partnership forum