Below is your monthly update from the EBU. Please note there are a lot of important topics covered this month. All previous updates are available on the EBU Updates page.
Next County Chairs Meeting
The next County Chairs meeting will take place on 20th September via Zoom. The meeting will be run by EBU Board Member, Tony Russ. If you have any suggestions for agenda items, please email Tony.
Calling clubs and teachers: take advantage of the EBU’s new Find a Bridge Course service
The EBU has introduced a service to match potential bridge students with clubs or teachers, which is now live. This unique service, delivered via our web site, makes it as easy as possible for people interested in learning the game. They do not need to trawl through lists or make endless phone calls; rather they just complete a simple form and we do the rest, notifying them of teaching offers from clubs or teachers. Potential course providers are contacted automatically by email – and your club or club teacher can be on the list. Clubs just need to state that they offer teaching, while teachers must complete the relevant section in My EBU. Clubs and teachers are contacted according to distance from the enquirer.
We have been pleased with the response so far, with regular enquiries from potential students. This also means that every club can offer a “learn bridge” link on their web site, even if no teaching is provided by the club itself. If you need any more information or help setting this up, contact tim@ebu.co.uk.
Nominations for Awards
Nominations can now be made for both a Silver Award and a Dimmie Fleming Award. The Silver Award is given for outstanding contribution and recognition of long service as a volunteer at national and/or County level. The Dimmie Fleming Award recognises those who have made a significant contribution to county bridge through voluntary work over a long period.
All members can put forward suitable candidates, however the nominations should be submitted to the EBU by a County official, to confirm that it has the approval of the County Committee. Nominations should be made using Dimmie Fleming Form or Silver Award Form by Friday 25th August. Nomination forms can be found on the EBU awards page.
Members Data
We will shortly be contacting clubs asking you to update the records for any members for whom we do not currently hold an email address or Date of Birth. If you could please check your members' records are up to date.
Bridge Warehouse Club Offer
Summer Offer for Affiliated Clubs Only: FREE postage on all orders over £100.00. Use code AFFILIATED online or click on the link below:
Please put the club name in ‘Company’ on delivery address online. Valid until 31st August 2023. Please note, teachers discount cannot be used with the free postage offer for clubs.
The Blue Book is currently being updated and the new printed version will be available to purchase from The Bridge Warehouse in August.
As a reminder, the Bridge Warehouse price match where possible and by choosing to shop with the Bridge Warehouse you are supporting your national organisation.
How to set up or improve Gentle Duplicate sessions – free club seminar September 5th 10.00am
We are running an online club seminar on September 5th at 10.00am, on the subject of gentle duplicate sessions. These are sessions suitable for those emerging from bridge lessons and form an essential stage in the journey to taking full part in club bridge, as well as being fun for existing club members. We will hear from clubs with successful initiatives and consider issues including:
- Face to face vs Online for Gentle Duplicate
- Involving experienced club members in novice sessions
- Running Gentle Duplicate alongside a club session
- Marketing Gentle Duplicate
- What makes the perfect beginner bridge session: length? Master points? NGS? What kind of help is allowed?
Can you contribute to this seminar? We are keen to hear from clubs about what has worked best for them – please contact tim@ebu.co.uk if you have an experience to share, or burning questions on the topic which you would love to see addressed.
The most recent club seminar, discussing charity status for clubs, is now available to view on the EBU YouTube channel.
Club Director Training – new dates for autumn
EBED offers training to help you become a club director. New courses this autumn are scheduled in Manchester, Sutton Coldfield and Canterbury. See the director training calendar for details. For more about these courses visit the EBED website or contact mark@ebedcio.org.uk.
Directing Courses – delivered online
For those wishing to gain an introduction to face-to-face directing at their club EBED is offering the “How to run a club duplicate” session delivered over Zoom, 21/22 September.
Also, you can be trained to use the EBUScore scoring program via an online session on 29 September details of EBUScore Training.
For any queries related to director training courses, please contact Mark on 01296 317218 (mark@ebedcio.org.uk). All our current dates are listed on the TD Course Calendar and are bookable through My EBU, or by phone (call Lisa on 01296 317217).
Test your directing knowledge – Free Online Quiz
Test your knowledge of common situations facing a Club Director by taking EBED’s new club director training quiz.
This free quiz is ideal for those wanting to prepare for an assessment as part of the EBED’s club director training programme, or for existing directors wanting to refresh their knowledge.
Train to become a bridge teacher
Have you or any of your club members ever thought about becoming a bridge teacher? Why not join one of the upcoming Club Teacher Training courses run by English Bridge Education & Development (EBED). For 2023 the course dates are:
- Cheltenham BC: 8-9 July
- Exeter: 16-17 September
- Aylesbury: 5-6 October
New autumn dates will be available soon.
The 2-day courses give aspiring bridge teachers the skills to teach bridge effectively. As an EBU affiliated club, you are eligible for discounts or concessionary places. If you are interested, please contact Mark on 01296 317218 (mark@ebedcio.org.uk).
Second Hand Equipment – Free apart from postage
Second hand tablecloths:
32 Green tablecloths (picture)
32 Red tablecloths (picture)
12 Blue corded tablecloths (picture)
They have the old EBU logo on one side, but you can turn them over, 86cm x 90cm.
They are not as big as the newer cloths but do cover the top of a standard club table. Email Karen Durrell Karend@ebu.co.uk if you are interested.
Club Celebrations
If your club is celebrating an anniversary or special occasion, let us know, email sam@ebu.co.uk.
Social Media and Blogs
Please let us know if you would like to suggest a blog article that can then be shared across social media. There is no cost for this, and we welcome your ideas.
If you would like to write a blog, please email sam@ebu.co.uk.
Join us on social media:
EBU Facebook; 
EBU Twitter; 
EBU LinkedIn; 
EBU Instagram