Welcome to our fourth Events Focus; keeping you up to date with forthcoming events and providing news on changes that we hope will improve your enjoyment of our varied calendar with less travel for many, no hotel bills, earlier start and finish times. We'll be releasing this each month, so you can keep fully up-to-date with what's going on.
Lots of exciting and unique events this winter, including the two Year End congresses and the Overseas Congress to Fuerteventura.
Looking further ahead, please note that the 2013 Midweek Congress that was scheduled for Cheltenham in June has been moved to, The Oxford Belfry Hotel, and will take place on 28 - 30 May 2013. The bridge programme for this event outlined in the diary remains unaltered. There is also a new Midweek Congress for 2013 which will be at the Telford Hotel & Golf Resort, Shropshire on 27 - 29 August 2013.
Finally, please dont forget to occasionally have a look at our diary changes page, here: http://www.ebu.co.uk/diary-changes
***Before we run through some of the highlights coming up, we include below a quick note from Gordon Rainsford on Standby Players:
"Nobody likes to sit out when playing bridge, and all the more so when its for seven or eight boards in a Swiss event. At some of our events we have standby pairs who come along prepared to play (for free) if they are needed to make up a full table in a Swiss Pairs, or to make up a team in a Swiss Teams.
We would like to have more such pairs, so that we can minimise the chance of anyone sitting out or failing to find team-mates. If you think you might be able to help in this way for any of our forthcoming congresses where there is a Swiss Pairs or a Swiss Teams (or both), please send an email to Gordon@ebu.co.uk.
The arrangement is that you are expected to come for the beginning of each event, and if you are needed you play for free. However, in certain circumstances (if another pair drops out due to illness for example), you might occasionally not be needed to play in the whole event. If you earn master points, they are yours to keep. If you are not needed, you can claim modest travelling expenses so that you are not out of pocket."
***Its easy to enter any of the events below, or read all about the competitions, or choose the events you want to attend, by simply visiting https://www.ebu.co.uk/members/ and booking online through your personal members area. You can also contact Peter or Dawn during office hours on 01296 317203/219 or by emailing comps@ebu.co.uk to enter or get further information.
In London, the Royal National hotel provides good playing conditions, and most players will travel daily or stay in other accommodation. The congress takes place over four days, and the Swiss Teams event is now a one-day two-session stratified event. Please click here for details on Stratification.
In Blackpool, the congress is held over three days, and has earned the reputation of being relaxed and friendly. Its ideal for players entering a national congress for the first time and the Blackpool Hilton is probably the best value of all congress hotels.
Both events finish at around 8pm on the Sunday, which gives you the time to dine, or get home at a good time.
Book here: https://www.ebu.co.uk/members/
The February overseas congress is taking place at the Barcelo Fuerteventura Thalasso Spa, Caleta de Fuste, and is sponsored by Bridge Overseas. Attendance at the congress is exclusive to delegates booking their accommodation with Bridge Overseas.
Why not take the opportunity to get some sunshine and warmth next February!
Book here: https://www.ebu.co.uk/members/
Book here: https://www.ebu.co.uk/members/
Players who receive a landmark promotion, qualifying them to a free entry for the Ranked Masters, can play with any partner of their choice and will therefore play at the level of the highest player in the partnership. This would mean that in order to play in the Masters Pairs both players need to be a Premier Master or below.
If you are competing in the Masters Pairs then this will be a one day event on the Sunday (March 3rd) and there is a choice of five venues:-
Bradford Bridge Club
Richmond Bridge Club
Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club
Welwyn Garden City Bridge Club
West Midlands Bridge Club, Solihull
NB: Please note that we are sending this to you because you have attended an EBU Tournament in the past three years. If you would not like to receive this email again, please let us know by clicking here. Apologies if we missed your email request the first time.
Best regards,
EBU Competitions Department
English Bridge Union
Tel: 01296 317 203/219
Email: comps@ebu.co.uk
English Bridge Union Limited.
Tel. 01296 317200; Fax. 01296 317220
Registered Office: Broadfields, Bicester Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8AZ
Registered in England No. 358588