Inspired and led by Sandra Landy - a previous British Ladies World Champion - a teaching scheme has been formulated by the English Bridge Union in order to standardise the content of teaching sessions for the benefit of all students.

Bridge For All is a series of lessons which presents the basics of our game through the medium of a simplified Acol system known as 'Standard English'. A comprehensive course book is available for participants. Sessions normally start with some instruction which is given by an EBU approved teacher. A break for tea, coffee and biscuits is followed by the opportunity to play a set of illustrative hands which reinforce the topic presented earlier. If students move house having started the course it is easy to find another teacher in a different part of the country who will be using the same materials and methods, thus assuring continuity. Students receive their own magazine and are offered the opportunity to play in competitions against others from different areas who are at the same stage of development.

Some establishments which are known as Learn and Play clubs provide the next step in the form of an Improvers section. Having completed a course of a year's sessions newcomers to the game can continue to receive help and instruction and to practise and consolidate what they have learnt. In a relaxed and genial atmosphere they will be assisted to make the transition to competing against more seasoned and experienced players.'Improvers'are introduced to pairs and teams sessions. They may play within this section for as long as they wish until the confidence to mix with more experienced players is achieved. EBU Master Points are distributed to the winners. Acquisition of these entitles players to rise through the EBU's ranking structure and in this way progress can berecognised.

Each year the EBU review the teaching materials in the light of reports sent back from the teachers themselves. This project representsa great advance inbridge teaching in this country and is one with which theKCBAis proud to be associated.

If you are a registered Bridge For All teacher please send your details to Alison Burt on alison@cherrytc.co.uk

'Bridge For All' Teaching available in Kent (for contact details see Teacher List on next page):

Beckenham and Bromley area: Beckenham Bridge Club is running a Beginners Class on Monday evenings, offering lessons and supervised play. An Improvers Group also meets each Monday evening at the club. More details at www.beckenhambc.co.uk
Tutor: David Hudson

Canterbury Area: Jack Reason runs two classes, beginners starting at 6pm and improvers (having done a year as a beginner) starting at 8.15. Both classes to run for 12 weeks and then for a further short term after the Easter break. He follow the standard Bridge for All syllabus for both courses. 01227 452796. http://www.bridgewebs.com/canterburyteachers/

Folkestone area: Chris Lohan on 01303 891162, oakrise@uwclub.net , runs 3 classes for beginners through to intermediate players.These are daytime classes held at the new Cheriton Sports Pavilion on a Thursday morning and Friday afternoon. Each session lasts for 2 hours.Folkestone DBC is also introducing a new movement on their Monday club night, “Gentle Duplicate”, to introduce students to duplicate bridge in a relaxed way. This movement will run alongside the main movement and participants will play the same boards and can accrue Master Points, but play at a slower pace. Less experienced players from other local clubs will be welcome to join in also.Print outs of the hands are available at end of play which can be discussed at following class.

Gravesend, Hartley, Meopham area: North Kent Bridge will offer beginners and intermediates lessons and opportunitues to practise.More details can be found at www.northkentbridge.org. Tutor: Chris Burton

Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks area: Bridge For Fun offers lessons for students of a variety of standards. Currently running on Mondays are Beginners' courses at Hildenborough (1 pm) and Tunbridge Wells (7.45 pm).Sessions for Intermediate standard are in progress on Wednesdays at Tunbridge Wells (7.45 pm) and on Thursdays atTunbridge Wells(10.00 am). On thesecond Thursday ofeach month there is a Novice Duplicate at Penshurst(7.30 pm) whichwelcomes all students. Hands of interest are discussed at the end. For more details see www.bridgeforfun.org.uk Tutors: Jean Paxton and Stephen Pierce