Below is your monthly update from the EBU. Please note there are a lot of important topics covered this month. This email is also available on the EBU website, along with all past EBU Updates.
Annual Master Point Certificates
Certificates for members with the highest number of Green, Blue, Local and Total master points per county have been sent to members via email. Certificates have also been sent to members with the most master points per club. Details can be found on the Club Champions master point report.
Update from the Competitions Working Group
The first of the new Online One-Day Green-Pointed events will take place on Saturday 25th March. These events will be two-session events of 48/49 boards. All games will be stratified based on master-point ranking, for prizes and for master point awards.
The Spring Bank Holiday Congress will be held in Reading this year, from the 27th - 29th May. This 3-day event will feature the prestigious Two Star Pairs for the first time, moving from its previous home at the Autumn Congress.
A poster showing the upcoming EBU events, is attached. Please consider adding this to your club/county website and encourage your members to enter online via My EBU.
County Membership Fees 2023/24
The counties have now finalised their county membership fees for the 2023/24 year, see the full membership fee list for EBU and Counites.
Please note, the Clubs Terms of Affiliation have been updated for the 2023/24 year.
Club Subscription and Insurance Renewals
Club Subscription and Club Insurance Renewals are due on the 1st April 2023. We have emailed the renewal information to Secretaries and Treasurers, please check your emails and contact Karen Durrell if you have a queries or changes.
Club Teaching Seminar
Thank you to all those who attended the most recent club seminar held this week titled "Running a Teaching Programme". The recording of the meeting is now available to view on the EBU YouTube channel and EBU website.
Club teaching survey results
Last month we conducted a survey of clubs asking about their teaching and the outcome of that teaching. There was an amazing response with over one third of our clubs completing the survey. We have summarised the results.
Club membership development
We have introduced a new section on our web site for developing new bridge players and attracting new members to your club. The section is at ebu.co.uk/development and replaces the old, separate membership development site. We are keen to add new material so please let tim@ebu.co.uk know if you have tips and success stories to contribute!
Short Free Tech Workshops
How to join: Just click this link. Please try to arrive 10 minutes before the start time. These sessions will not be recorded.
Bridge Warehouse
If you would like to purchase an EBU diary, there are still a few left in stock (Now only £2.50).
From April 2023, the Bridge Warehouse will have a new price list. We may unfortunately have to increase some of our prices. Get your orders in before then to avoid the price increase.
Promotional Material Still Available
If your club would like any posters, leaflets, postcards etc for the promotion of your club, we still have packs available to order from the Bridge Warehouse.
Club Director Training
EBED offers training to help you become a club director. Courses are scheduled in Richmond, Billericay, Pembury (Kent), Exeter, Chester, Darlington, Winchester and South Bucks. New dates for this spring will be announced soon. 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, 15/16 May.
Also, you can be trained to use the EBUScore scoring program via an online session on 27 March or 23 May 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).
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:
Horsham BC: 22-23 April
Solihull (West Midlands BC): 20-21 May
Cheltenham : 8-9 July
New summer dates will be planned for Aylesbury, Manchester and Yorkshire, details 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).
Clubs Celebrations
If your club is celebrating an anniversary or special occasion, let us know, email sam@ebu.co.uk.
Diary "Opt In" - Check with New Members
Please check with any new club members that they are aware of the EBU diary and that they will need to "opt in" to receive their copy in September. Members can do this by either logging in to My EBU or calling us on 01296 317200.
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