EBU Event Focus Issue 45: June 2016 Dear Sally Just when you thought summer was coming, the rain returns. So perhaps this is going to scupper your outdoor plans, and you would like to join us for a midweek congress later this month? The Southern Midweek Congress takes place in a new venue for the event, in Bournemouth - and of course if the sun does come out there is time in the schedule to head to the beach. We were asked to hold a congress on the south cost by many members in the southern counties, so we hope many of you will take part to support this move to the new venue. If you need a partner or team mates don't forget to use the message boards on our website. As always, if you have any questions please contact the Competitions Department on 01296 317203/219 or at comps@ebu.co.uk. Entries can be made by calling this number, or through the members area of the website - www.ebu.co.uk/members.  We would always like to hear from pairs who are willing to act as standby at our events, particularly for Swiss Pairs and Swiss Teams competitions. See here for more information, or to volunteer please contact Gordon@ebu.co.uk.

Southern Midweek Congress 14th - 16th June, Bournemouth A Green Pointed midweek congress on the south coast The congress includes a 3 session ‘all play through’ Championship Pairs event on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a one day Swiss Teams event on Thursday.  Both events will be ‘stratified’ into three categories with extra Master Points available. Entry fees are lower than for other congresses, although as a result there is no prize money. This is a new venue, following a move from Oxford, based on requests from members in counties on the south coast - please support this event. The event takes place at the Hallmark Hotel. Please book with Bridge Overseas on 0800 0346 246. The congress schedule gives time to enjoy Bournemouth - the pier and centre of the town is less than a mile from the hotel - or the hotel's spa, swimming pool and leisure facilities.  GERARD FAULKNER SALVER - FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES The deadline for entries for the Seniors Knockout for the Gerard Faulkner Salver has been extended so you have the weekend to sort your team.Please enter before 5pm on Monday 6th June. The event is open to those born in 1956 or earlier. A 'repechage system' is used, so every non-seeded team is guaranteed two matches. More details are on the event webpage. LOOKING FOR A PARTNER/TEAM MATES? If you want to find a partner, or team mates, for an EBU congress then try the message boards which we have added to the webpages of each congress. Scroll to the bottom of the event page, and you will find the message board. You can either leave a message to say you are looking, or reply to someone else who is seeking a partner or team mates.  The message boards use the same host as those for the Summer Meeting so some of you will already be familiar with how to use them. They are hopefully straightforward to use, but see here if you need any help. English Riviera Congress 1st - 3rd July, Torquay A three day congress amongst the palm trees of Torbay The congress features a one-day Swiss Teams event on the Friday, followed by a two-day Swiss Pairs event on the Saturday and Sunday. Both are fully Green Pointed. Away from the table there is time in the schedule to enjoy the beaches and harbours of the English Riviera, venture into Dartmoor, or visit some of the area's tourist attractions. For more information please visit the congress webpage. The venue is the Riviera Centre in Torquay, just minutes from the beaches and harbours of the Torbay towns. There are many accommodation options in the area. Some are available via the English Riviera website. Eastbourne Summer Seniors Congress 8th - 10th July, Eastbourne A long weekend of bridge in the popular resort for those born in 1956 or earlier There is a two-day Championship Pairs event with two qualifying sessions on Friday being followed by three sessions of finals on Saturday. There is a Swiss Pairs on the Saturday for those eliminated from the Championship Pairs on Friday, and for new entrants joining the event at this stage. On Sunday there is a Swiss Teams event. All events are fully Green Pointed, save for the Championship Pairs qualifying rounds (Blue Points, but all qualifiers are guaranteed a Green Point award). The event is supported by the Edith Kaplan Memorial Award of a £500 enhancement to the overall prize fund. There will be special category prizes for veterans pairs and teams (all members of the pair/team must be at least 70 years of age on the first day of play). To be eligible to play in the congress, players must be born on or before 31st December 1956. For more information on the congress please visit our website. The venue is the Winter Garden in the centre of Eastbourne. Discounted parking is available for £2 for 24 hours. For details of hotels, guesthouses and self-catering accommodation, visit any hotel booking website, or contact: Eastbourne Information Centre, Tel: 0871 663 0031 www.visiteastbourne.com or Eastbourne Hospitality Tel: 01323 726756 GOLD CUP 2016 Don't forget that entries for the 2017 Gold Cup close on 6th June. For more details, or to enter, visit the BGB website. SUMMER MEETING 2016 The Summer Meeting - in its new home in Eastbourne - is now under three months away. Be sure to start making your plans soon. Some information on travel, hotels, etc, can be found at www.ebu.co.uk/eastbourne-pre-congress The main congress programme is available online, and we are taking entries. The price list is available here - and don't forget that those who entered the full congress in 2015 can receive up to £50 off the full congress in 2016. Really Easy Congress: This will run from the Tuesday to Thursday, with a free 'introductory day' on Monday. The congress combines competitions and lessons and is aimed at all levels of 'less experienced' players. The group will split for most of the sessions, with the content of the lessons, and speed of play, geared towards the ability of the participants in each group. NEW FOR 2016 - GOLF & BRIDGE There will be a combined golf and bridge competition in Eastbourne on 22nd August. There will be a round of golf in the morning at Eastbourne Downs GC, and a bridge session in the afternoon. Entry is £35 including a light breakfast.   Please enter as soon as possible.  Exact details will be dependent on the number of entries.   Scarborough Summer Congress 28th - 31st July, Scarborough Join us on the Yorkshire coast for an extended weekend of bridge The event starts with a ‘Pre-Congress Pairs’ on Thursday evening, and continues with a multiple teams event on Friday. The highlight of the weekend is a three session Swiss Pairs event across Saturday and Sunday. All events are fully Green Pointed, except for the Pre-Congress Pairs in which Blue Points are awarded. The schedule includes time in the mornings for enjoying the wonderful North York Moors and coastal resorts.  For more information please visit the congress webpage. The venue is the Scarborough Spa. There are numerous accommodation options in the area. Some are available via the Discover Yorkshire website, or visit any hotel booking website. Other dates for your diary 18th - 19th June: Green Point weekend, various counties 25th June: Garden Cities Trophy, National Final  23rd - 24th July: Green Point weekend, various counties 25th - 28th July: British Summer Sim Pairs 5th - 9th September: EBED Autumn Sim Pairs 3rd - 13th August: World Youth Team Championships, Italy 9th - 11th August: Northern Midweek Congress, Wakefield 2nd - 17th September: World Bridge Games, Poland 9th - 18th September: Guernsey Congress 24th - 25th September: Green Point weekend, various counties EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS The European Championships take place in Budapest later this month.  England is hoping for medals in all three events, with all three teams having been on the podium in 2014. See the teams here. The Open teams starts on 16th June, the Senior and Women's teams start on Sunday 19th. Matches will be shown on Bridge Base Online. Check our website, Facebook and Twitter for updates during the event. Thanks for reading. We hope to see you at one of our events in the not too distant future.     EBU Competitions Department   Tel: 01296 317203/219  www.ebu.co.uk/competitions,  comps@ebu.co.uk   Broadfields, Bicester Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8AZ Copyright © English Bridge Union https://www.ebu.co.uk/dynamic/sendy/w/763KmS91zzKkltsmGdtohuaQ/Bbjo0u7cJqLoXFarPlpElQ/U2892892TVHzrJuBCKVzuTtY763Q

EBU Event Focus Issue 45: June 2016 Dear Sally Just when you thought summer was coming, the rain returns. So perhaps this is going to scupper your outdoor plans, and you would like to join us for a midweek congress later this month? The Southern Midweek Congress takes place in a new venue for the event, in Bournemouth - and of course if the sun does come out there is time in the schedule to head to the beach. We were asked to hold a congress on the south cost by many members in the southern counties, so we hope many of you will take part to support this move to the new venue. If you need a partner or team mates don't forget to use the message boards on our website. As always, if you have any questions please contact the Competitions Department on 01296 317203/219 or at comps@ebu.co.uk. Entries can be made by calling this number, or through the members area of the website - www.ebu.co.uk/members.  We would always like to hear from pairs who are willing to act as standby at our events, particularly for Swiss Pairs and Swiss Teams competitions. See here for more information, or to volunteer please contact Gordon@ebu.co.uk.

Southern Midweek Congress 14th - 16th June, Bournemouth A Green Pointed midweek congress on the south coast The congress includes a 3 session ‘all play through’ Championship Pairs event on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a one day Swiss Teams event on Thursday.  Both events will be ‘stratified’ into three categories with extra Master Points available. Entry fees are lower than for other congresses, although as a result there is no prize money. This is a new venue, following a move from Oxford, based on requests from members in counties on the south coast - please support this event. The event takes place at the Hallmark Hotel. Please book with Bridge Overseas on 0800 0346 246. The congress schedule gives time to enjoy Bournemouth - the pier and centre of the town is less than a mile from the hotel - or the hotel's spa, swimming pool and leisure facilities.  GERARD FAULKNER SALVER - FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES The deadline for entries for the Seniors Knockout for the Gerard Faulkner Salver has been extended so you have the weekend to sort your team.Please enter before 5pm on Monday 6th June. The event is open to those born in 1956 or earlier. A 'repechage system' is used, so every non-seeded team is guaranteed two matches. More details are on the event webpage. LOOKING FOR A PARTNER/TEAM MATES? If you want to find a partner, or team mates, for an EBU congress then try the message boards which we have added to the webpages of each congress. Scroll to the bottom of the event page, and you will find the message board. You can either leave a message to say you are looking, or reply to someone else who is seeking a partner or team mates.  The message boards use the same host as those for the Summer Meeting so some of you will already be familiar with how to use them. They are hopefully straightforward to use, but see here if you need any help. English Riviera Congress 1st - 3rd July, Torquay A three day congress amongst the palm trees of Torbay The congress features a one-day Swiss Teams event on the Friday, followed by a two-day Swiss Pairs event on the Saturday and Sunday. Both are fully Green Pointed. Away from the table there is time in the schedule to enjoy the beaches and harbours of the English Riviera, venture into Dartmoor, or visit some of the area's tourist attractions. For more information please visit the congress webpage. The venue is the Riviera Centre in Torquay, just minutes from the beaches and harbours of the Torbay towns. There are many accommodation options in the area. Some are available via the English Riviera website. Eastbourne Summer Seniors Congress 8th - 10th July, Eastbourne A long weekend of bridge in the popular resort for those born in 1956 or earlier There is a two-day Championship Pairs event with two qualifying sessions on Friday being followed by three sessions of finals on Saturday. There is a Swiss Pairs on the Saturday for those eliminated from the Championship Pairs on Friday, and for new entrants joining the event at this stage. On Sunday there is a Swiss Teams event. All events are fully Green Pointed, save for the Championship Pairs qualifying rounds (Blue Points, but all qualifiers are guaranteed a Green Point award). The event is supported by the Edith Kaplan Memorial Award of a £500 enhancement to the overall prize fund. There will be special category prizes for veterans pairs and teams (all members of the pair/team must be at least 70 years of age on the first day of play). To be eligible to play in the congress, players must be born on or before 31st December 1956. For more information on the congress please visit our website. The venue is the Winter Garden in the centre of Eastbourne. Discounted parking is available for £2 for 24 hours. For details of hotels, guesthouses and self-catering accommodation, visit any hotel booking website, or contact: Eastbourne Information Centre, Tel: 0871 663 0031 www.visiteastbourne.com or Eastbourne Hospitality Tel: 01323 726756 GOLD CUP 2016 Don't forget that entries for the 2017 Gold Cup close on 6th June. For more details, or to enter, visit the BGB website. SUMMER MEETING 2016 The Summer Meeting - in its new home in Eastbourne - is now under three months away. Be sure to start making your plans soon. Some information on travel, hotels, etc, can be found at www.ebu.co.uk/eastbourne-pre-congress The main congress programme is available online, and we are taking entries. The price list is available here - and don't forget that those who entered the full congress in 2015 can receive up to £50 off the full congress in 2016. Really Easy Congress: This will run from the Tuesday to Thursday, with a free 'introductory day' on Monday. The congress combines competitions and lessons and is aimed at all levels of 'less experienced' players. The group will split for most of the sessions, with the content of the lessons, and speed of play, geared towards the ability of the participants in each group. NEW FOR 2016 - GOLF & BRIDGE There will be a combined golf and bridge competition in Eastbourne on 22nd August. There will be a round of golf in the morning at Eastbourne Downs GC, and a bridge session in the afternoon. Entry is £35 including a light breakfast.   Please enter as soon as possible.  Exact details will be dependent on the number of entries.   Scarborough Summer Congress 28th - 31st July, Scarborough Join us on the Yorkshire coast for an extended weekend of bridge The event starts with a ‘Pre-Congress Pairs’ on Thursday evening, and continues with a multiple teams event on Friday. The highlight of the weekend is a three session Swiss Pairs event across Saturday and Sunday. All events are fully Green Pointed, except for the Pre-Congress Pairs in which Blue Points are awarded. The schedule includes time in the mornings for enjoying the wonderful North York Moors and coastal resorts.  For more information please visit the congress webpage. The venue is the Scarborough Spa. There are numerous accommodation options in the area. Some are available via the Discover Yorkshire website, or visit any hotel booking website. Other dates for your diary 18th - 19th June: Green Point weekend, various counties 25th June: Garden Cities Trophy, National Final  23rd - 24th July: Green Point weekend, various counties 25th - 28th July: British Summer Sim Pairs 5th - 9th September: EBED Autumn Sim Pairs 3rd - 13th August: World Youth Team Championships, Italy 9th - 11th August: Northern Midweek Congress, Wakefield 2nd - 17th September: World Bridge Games, Poland 9th - 18th September: Guernsey Congress 24th - 25th September: Green Point weekend, various counties EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS The European Championships take place in Budapest later this month.  England is hoping for medals in all three events, with all three teams having been on the podium in 2014. See the teams here. The Open teams starts on 16th June, the Senior and Women's teams start on Sunday 19th. Matches will be shown on Bridge Base Online. Check our website, Facebook and Twitter for updates during the event. Thanks for reading. We hope to see you at one of our events in the not too distant future.     EBU Competitions Department   Tel: 01296 317203/219  www.ebu.co.uk/competitions,  comps@ebu.co.uk   Broadfields, Bicester Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8AZ Copyright © English Bridge Union https://www.ebu.co.uk/dynamic/sendy/w/763KmS91zzKkltsmGdtohuaQ/Bbjo0u7cJqLoXFarPlpElQ/U2892892TVHzrJuBCKVzuTtY763Q