Northern Midweek Congress

26th - 28th August 2025, Cairn Hotel, Harrogate

 

Northern Midweek Congress

- a mid-week bridge competition in Yorkshire!

Cairn Hotel, Harrogate, 26th - 28th August 2025

The Northern Midweek Congress is a lovely mid-week bridge competition, this year we will be returning to the Cairn Hotel in Harrogate. Historically a very popular congress held in Harrogate in late Summer, the event is again being run by Oliver Cowan in partnership with the EBU. 

Jack-High Swiss Pairs (5 x 5 board matches)

Aimed at players with an NGS of no higher than 56.99% and run over 2 sessions in the afternoon, the entry fee for this event includes a fantastic afternoon tea for all competitors in the break.

Open Pairs (24-26 boards subject to movement)

A Blue Pointed duplicate session open to everyone, being played on the Tuesday evening and suitable for all.

Swiss Pairs (6 x 8 board matches)

Starting at 12:30pm, there will be 3 matches before the break, where players will have the option to pre-order afternoon tea to be taken in the hotel restaurant or players are free to go out into Harrogate if they prefer. There will be 3 more matches after the break with play aiming to finish by 7:30pm, allowing people to go into Harrogate for the evening or travel home.

Swiss Teams (6 x 8 board matches)

Starting at 11am, there will be 2 matches before the break, with an optional meal, which is a 2-course sandwich lunch. This will be followed by 4 matches after lunch with a short coffee break after match 4, with a planned finish time of no later than 6:30pm, allowing plenty of time for trains back to London (and elsewhere!).

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.

This event is being run by Oliver Cowan on behalf of the EBU, entries should be made directly with Oliver at ocbridgecomps@gmail.com.

Payments should then be made to:
Sort Code: 20-76-92
Bank Account: 13206572
Bank Account Name: Oliver Cowan Events Ltd

Holders

2024

Swiss Pairs - James Thrower & Aleksandar Lishkov (picture)
Swiss Teams - Simon Cope, Richard Bowley, James Thrower & Aleksandar Lishkov (pictured)
Open Pairs - Kathy Talbot & Denis Talbot (picture)
Jack High Swiss Pairs - Roy Fey & Peter Jones (picture)

Timetable
Day Start Time End Time Description
TUE 26 13:30 18:00 JACK-HIGH SWISS PAIRS
19:30 22:30 OPEN PAIRS
WED 27 12:30 15:30 SWISS PAIRS (matches 1-3)
15:30 16:30 Break
16:30 19:30 SWISS PAIRS (matches 4-6)
THU 28 11:00 13:00 SWISS TEAMS (matches 1-2)
13:00 14:00 Lunch Break
14:00 18:30 SWISS TEAMS (matches 3-6)
Coffee Break after match 4
Details of the timetable may be subject to change
Entry Fees
Code Event Price
A Open Pairs & Both Green Point Events £75
B Green Point Swiss Pairs £35
C Green Point Swiss Teams £35
D Both Green Point Events £67.50
E Open Pairs £10
F Jack-High Swiss Pairs £30
Entry fees are per player and should be made in advance. All prices held at 2024 rates for bridge.
Entries close on Friday 22nd August

Master Points

Both Tuesday events are Blue Pointed.
Wednesday & Thursday events are Green Pointed.

Agreements

Level 4 agreements are permitted in all events.
Jack-High Swiss Pairs are Blue Pointed at Regional scale.

Venue and Tariff

2025

The venue in 2025 will be the Cairn Hotel in Harrogate.  There will be free tea, coffee, biscuits and sweets throughout.

Rooms should be booked with the venue. Call the hotel for prices. Hotel phone number: 01423 504005.

Please note: Most hotels cannot guarantee check-in times earlier than 3pm.

Previous Winners

2024 results
2023 results
2022 - event not held
2021 - event not held
2020 - event not held
2019 Northern Midweek Congress results
2018 Northern Midweek Congress results
2017 Northern Midweek Congress results
2016 Northern Midweek Congress results
2015 Northern Midweek Congress results
2014 Telford Midweek Congress results
2013 Telford Midweek Congress results
Previous winners at the congress

Find a partner/team mates

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