On Saturday 1st June Aylesbury Aces Bridge Club had a stand at the inaugural Aylesbury Clubs and Games Exhibition in the main Aylesbury Shopping Centre. This was organised by the Buckinghamshire Council Community Board for Aylesbury and representatives from local clubs. The Community Board is an online register of local clubs and societies run by the Council as part of the Bucks Online Directory. Seven local clubs participated in the Exhibition - wargamers, canoeing, U3A, sewing and wheelchair basketball. It was intended as a way of attracting new members but it was also useful to talk to other clubs and find out how they attracted new members.
We had a stand with handouts etc. and we also had a bridge table with four members playing. Actually seeing the game being played attracted the most interest. There was a steady flow of people to the stall and as well as handing out leaflets and other information we had seven firm enquiries from people interested in lessons or joining the club.
It was a good way to raise our profile and meet people interested in bridge who were not known to us.