Festival Hub

Bradford Bridge Club held a charity event on Saturday 14th September.

Before the drive started, they had a talk from the local representative from Cancer Research UK - Gary Lowthian - who gave a great deal of very interesting background about the organisation. A lovely afternoon was enjoyed by all, with a very generous and appetising selection of home made cakes at the interval! On the day the club raised £550!

Hull Bridge Club held a charity duplicate “Bridge with Afternoon Tea” event on Wednesday 11th September which was attended by players from all over Hull and the East Riding. They raised £500 towards the EBU Cancer Research UK fundraiser!

For much of the afternoon they were visited by Kofi Smiles, the breakfast show presenter at BBC Radio Humberside, who came to interview members of the club and to try his hand at bridge. The club and the game are being featured twice every morning this week (from Monday 16th September) in the slot on his Show called “Class of the Week”. Great PR for the club and he was a lovely person too!

Hull Bridge Club also held an Open Day at the club on Saturday morning, inviting people to come and see “What’s behind the Green Door” and find out about the great game.

On Sunday afternoon (15th September) Brunton Bridge Club held a pairs event aimed at students and non-club players in particular, as part of the festival. The best beginner prize was won by students who have just complete the year one course, with a score of 50%!

As part of their festival weekend, Caroline from the club hosted a bridge lesson for beginners on the Saturday. Feedback from the event was that people welcome new activities on Sunday afternoon, which the club have shared as ideas for future. 

The club raised £471.35 for Cancer Research UK, a great achievement.

Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club held its final festival event on Sunday 15th September, which was a friendly "Curry and Bridge" teams event. This attracted many people who had not played teams before and some who had not entered events of this type before. The food was also a good incentive and there were a lot of raffle prizes! It was such a success they have been asked to do it again.

Ian Roach and Corsham Bridge Club held the first North Wiltshire Charity Pairs on Friday 13th September, as part of the Festival. Five clubs in the North Wiltshire area were involved. There was a mix of experience among players, with some people playing in their first county event. The event raised £700, a fantastic achievement.
The winning pair were Glenis Curtis and Margaret Hobson, with Eleanor Jones and Sue Evans runners-up.

Kings Sutton Bridge Club hosted a Chicago event on Thursday 12th September, Kings Sutton Memorial Hall, as part of the festival. 

The evening got off to a good start with wine sourced by Eileen to calm nerves of those not regular Thursday evening players. The fact that Chicago made it possible for everyone to mingle and talk to those who were new to the club or those otherwise met over serious combat of duplicate was appreciated by all and enhanced by coffee, teas and biscuits half the way through.

The victors were Patricia Humphris (North), Terry Hooley (East), Anthony Wagg (South) and Ann Jolly (West). Overall Patricia achieved the highest percentage of 62.30%. Special mention goes to Maureen Walkley and Margaret Odell who were alone in making a small slam.

All in all it was a most enjoyable evening and one which a number of players asked that is be repeated and perhaps made an annual event.

It was voted a grand evening with thanks to Evelyn Ledger, Eileen Nash and Ken Langdon.

As part of Worcestershire's "Bridge - Everywhere!" series of events for the Bridge - It's a Big Deal! Festival, Worcester Bridge Club held a Café Bridge event on Wednesday, which has raised so far £472, though more to come through donations. Well done to Lorna and Rufus, the winners!

Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme Bridge Centre have been running a number of events this week as part of the Bridge - It's a Big Deal! Festival. Earlier in the week they held a Beginner Bridge session, and on Wednesday they hosted an inter-club teams match against Altrincham Bridge Club. Ten pairs from each club participated, and the event was directed by Jeff Smith is his usual efficient and friendly manner. The evening was social as well as competitive, and deemed to be a great success - and an annual match was proposed. Thanks to all who participated and donated generously to Cancer Research UK. Further details are on the Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme Bridge Centre website. 

The Play Without the Experts Festival was run by Oliver Cowan Bridge Club in Preston from 8th-11th September. They raised £740 for Cancer Research UK, a fantastic achievement!

Barrow Bridge Club held a duplicate session on Monday night, with proceeds being donated to Cancer Research UK as part of the Bridge - It's a Big Deal! Barrow BC also held a taster session yesterday (Wednesday), which went very well. Eight new members are now looking to join this small club!

Towcester Bridge Club had a fab evening as part of the Bridge - It's a Big Deal! Festival of Bridge. Lynne Button club member said: "Our theme was Puddings and Pairs, lots of delicious puddings, the bridge was fun and we are looking forward to some new members next week - and of course some monies raised for Cancer Research UK too."

More photos from the event can be viewed in the photo gallery.

The Play Without Experts Festival of Bridge was held over the last few days in Preston, organised by Oliver Cowan. He said about the event: "A great, fun few days of bridge teaching and duplicates. Big thanks to Jake Milne and Adam Hickman for some great seminars and to Catherine Draper for leading a hand discussion. Well done to all who took part for embracing what this event was all about. Photo above of the winners of the David Page trophy for the Championship Pairs session - Colin and Carole Mackenzie from Darlington - and a special mention to the person who taught them Beverley Godfrey."

More photos from the event can be viewed in the photo gallery.

Twelve teams took part in Langport Bridge Club’s Swiss Teams last night raising money for Cancer Research UK as part of Bridge - It's A Big Deal! "The Aprons" (pictured) triumphed (Caroline McPherson, Simon Brooke, Charlie Sutton & Richard Holmes). In second place were "The Panama's" and third were "The Pinks". The evening included a short buffet with food provided by members. It was a very jolly occasion, raising around £460. 

More photos from the event can be viewed in the photo gallery.

Bridge Clubs in Worcestershire had 50+ people from across the county's clubs, playing in eight high-profile City locations on Saturday, across 6 hours. Events included a Speed event, with 3 tables playing 24 bds in approx. 1hr (the fastest was 57mins), and supervised play/master-classes for recent learners. They made lots of new contacts with potential members, there was a lot of interest and curiosity stirred up!

More photos from the event can be viewed in the photo gallery.

Plymouth Bridge Club has today (Monday) been appropriately decorated by three of it's members to support and participate in the EBU's festival of bridge, Bridge - It's A Big Deal! They made great use of the festival bunting and playing cards to decorate the space for the occasion.

Lesson 1 of Carol Smith's new Beginners Bridge course was held the delightful Ramsbury Memorial Hall. Carol says: "I am delighted that so many new people want to learn this beautiful game."

Listen to Mike & Yvette from Worcester Bridge Club on BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester, talking all about their "Bridge - Everywhere!" cafe bridge day which took place last Saturday (7th September) as part of the Bridge - It's a Big Deal! The interview starts at about 1hr 35 minutes in to the programme: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0jhkgxj

More photos from the event can be viewed in the photo gallery.

 East Sussex are holding a 5-day bridgeathon every day this week. They started at 8am this morning and will be playing every morning until next weekend at the East Sussex National Hotel. The clubs taking part are:
Cross in Hand Bridge Club (organisers), Buxted Park Bridge Club, Mila’s Bridge Club, Sovereign Harbour Bridge Club and Burwash Duplicate Bridge Club.

More photos from the event can be viewed in the photo gallery.

As part of the EBU's Bridge - It's a Big Deal! project Crawley Bridge Club had a playing table at Haskins Garden Centre all day on Sunday 7th September. The ‘open’ day at Haskins will be followed by a taster session at the club on 1st October.

Richard Jameson (club member) said: "It generated a steady stream of interest and we were able to promote the great game in general and our club and teaching activities in particular.

Many thanks to Dave and all the staff at Haskins for being so friendly and welcoming. Thanks also to all the Crawley BC members who volunteered for the play rota and to Helen and Gordon especially for making the arrangements."

Today is the first day of the Bridge - It's a Big Deal! Festival week proper. We have 31 events happening around the country today, from Beginner Bridge with Abbey Smith's Bridge Club in Buckinghamshire to a Bowls & Bridge event taking place in Leeds, Yorkshire. Check out the map of events to find what's happening near you.

If your club is running an event, please share on the Festival Facebook page or send us photos and details via email to festival@ebu.co.uk so we can celebrate your festivities.

Wimbledon Bridge Club was one of the 12 clubs to take part in the National Handicap Pairs Championship. In total 29 pairs competed in the Wimbledon BC heat, including members of the Cohen family (pictured, right). The winners of the heat before handicapping were N/S: Gianfranco Celani and Mumun Kilic with a score of 67.31% and E/W: Vaughan Bishop and Geoff Chapman with 63.46%.

More photos from the event can be viewed in the photo gallery.

The National Handicap Pairs Championship was held on Sunday 8th September, with 12 clubs hosting heats around the country. This year the event was run as part of the Bridge - It's a Big Deal! Festival.

The provisional results can be found on the results page. Congratulations to Catherine Thompson & Lesley Bridson from Harrogate Bridge Club, who finished in first place, with a handicapped score of 64.03.

In second place were Frank Jenkinson & John Sagar from Workington Bridge Club, with a handicapped score of 63.40. In third place were Barbara Adam & William Ewart Wakefield Bridge Club, with a handicapped score of 63.09.

Results
raw results without handicapping

Northallerton Bridge Club held an Open Day as part of the national "Bridge - It's a Big Deal!" initiative on Wednesday 4th September. Steve Wilson, Secretary of Northallerton Bridge Club shares the details from the day in the EBU blog.

One of the first clubs to sign up to join the Bridge - It's a Big Deal! Festival was Nettleham Bridge Club in Lincolnshire. Nettleham Bridge Club held a sellout charity day, which attracted a series of articles in the village magazine and donations from local firms, plus the list for the beginners’ class has grown! Another Lincolnshire club, Falconer Bridge Club held a very well attended coffee morning on Friday. Read a round up of events on the EBU Blog.

The Lou Hobhouse Bridge Summer League has come to a close. Some thirteen teams took part and played on the first Tuesday of each month from April to September. Well done to the captains who found four people for each game.

Congratulations to The Slammers (Julia Hailes, Sara Villiers, Alison Blom-Cooper, Gay Lewis, Bettina Pescod, Jamie MacDonald) who came first. They just pipped The Heartstoppers (Judy Fowlie, Karen McWilliam, Jane Ward, Claire Francis, Elma Lindsay, Anthea Phillips, Anne Carrier and David Wall). The Squirrellers came third.
A big shout-out to Top of the Shop who had been playing for less than three months when we started. They kept up and were full of beans - a template for how the game should be played.

This event was part of the Bridge - It's a Big Deal! Festival in aid of Cancer Research UK. So far the event has raised £1,060 with a little more to dribble in. Thank you to all the players.

Thursday's EBED Autumn Sim Pairs 2024 were held yesterday, with proceeds being donated to Cancer Research UK as part of the festival. 322 pairs from 21 clubs took part in this event.

Congratulations to Jackie Leaf and Phil Leaf from Wearside Bridge Club who topped the results with a score of 68.29. In second place were Roy Bassett and Sue Bassett from Caterham Bridge Club with a score of 67.53 and in third place were Leon Northeast and George Coomber from Crawley Bridge Club with a score of 66.59. Please note these results are provisional and may be subject to change. Full results Wednesday Sims.

We are delighted to announce that David Gold and Andrew Robson will be playing in the Festival Finale. Andrew and David played as a partnership representing England in the Open team at the European Championships in Denmark this summer where they qualified for the Bermuda Bowl next year.

The event is 20-boards, played on RealBridge, starting at 7pm on Sunday 15th September. Enter now via My EBU or email comps@ebu.co.uk or call 01296 317215. Entry is just £4, with proceeds going to Cancer Research UK. 

Wednesday's EBED Autumn Sim Pairs 2024 were held yesterday, with proceeds being donated to Cancer Research UK as part of the festival. 401 pairs from 24 clubs took part in this event.

Congratulations to Peter Spencer and Dave Price from Stamford Bridge Club who topped the results with a score of 74.05. In second place were Gareth Jones and Richard Wheen from Buckland Bridge Club with a score of 70.45 and in third place were Nat White and Robert Hunt from Oswestry Bridge Club with a score of 69.83. Please note these results are provisional and may be subject to change. Full results Thursday Sims.

 A cancer diagnosis did not stop Trevor from playing the game he has loved for almost 50 years. Read about his story here.

 As a round up to the Festival week, we invite you to take part in the Festival Finale, a national competition played on RealBridge. Starting at 7pm on Sunday 15th September, you will play 20-boards. The entry fee is just £4, with proceeds going to Cancer Research UK. Enter online via My EBU or email comps@ebu.co.uk.

Tuesday's EBED Autumn Sim Pairs 2024 were held yesterday, with proceeds being donated to Cancer Research UK as part of the festival. 321 pairs from 19 clubs took part in this event.

Congratulations to Graham Cox and Alleyn Erskine from Wearside Bridge Club who topped the results with a score of 69.71. In second place were Janet Wren and David Wren from Welwyn Garden City Bridge Club with a score of 68.94 and in third place were Tony Cherrett and Clara Cervera from Caterham Bridge Club with a score of 68.86. Please note these results are provisional and may be subject to change. Full results Tuesday Sims.

The first of the EBED Autumn Sim Pairs 2024 were held yesterday (Monday), with proceeds being donated to Cancer Research UK as part of the festival. 563 pairs from 36 clubs took part in this event.

Congratulations to Ralph Evers and Ron Wood from Roehampton Club who won with a score of 74.25. In second place were Andrew Moore and Tony Philpott from Swindon ridge Club with a score of 72.59, and in third place were Andrew Morris and Chris Phillips from Chichester Bridge Club with a score of 70.50. Please note these results are provisional and may be subject to change. Full results Monday Sims. 

Barrow club celebrates anniversary with national event - Barrow Bridge Club news article in The Mail

We are very sad to report the death on Wednesday of former EBU Vice-Chair, Tony Russ, following recent illness. 

It was Tony’s idea for the Bridge - It's a Big Deal! Festival, to bring bridge players old and new together to enjoy face to face games again after Covid kept so many people isolated, and to partner with Cancer Research UK to raise vital research funds. 

Tony Russ himself was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and sadly passed away this week. He will be greatly missed but his legacy will remain in the success of the festival for the whole bridge community.

Tony was recently presented with a Silver Award for his service to bridge. He was first elected to the EBU Board in 2021 and was then elected Vice-Chair of the EBU Board at the AGM in 2023. He stepped down from the Board earlier this year due to illness. 

Further details about Tony's Silver Award

Bridge at The Bridge - Horsham Bridge Club news article in Sussex World

 North East Bridge Association held their Summer Pairs competition recently (9th June) at Hexham Bridge Club. The annual competition is open to bridge clubs across the North East of England, and this year it was also part of the Bridge - It's a Big Deal! festival in aid of Cancer Research UK. More details.

 Thank you to Patricia Tooze and friends from Bramhall & Cheadle Hulme Bridge Club who recently raised money for Cancer Research UK as part of the Bridge - It's a Big Deal! Festival of bridge. More details.