The Scunthorpe Bridge Club was established (originally as the Scunthorpe and District Bridge Association) in 1977 when all of the bridge playing factions in Scunthorpe got together as a single club.
It was decided to buy 2 Teale Street, (previously a wholesale newsagents) in the centre of Scunthorpe and convert it into a bridge club. This Club opened in 1979.
As a result of the local council's recent town improvement scheme the Teale Street premises were the subject of a negotiated sale to North Lincs. Council, as a result of which part of a disused factory was purchased and converted over an 18 month period, into our fine new premises at 55a Sunningdale Road on the South Park Estate, Bottesford, in the south of the town.
The new Club, which can accommodate over 30 tables, was officially opened in September 2009 thirty-two years after the Association's foundation. Currently we have over 170 members and duplicate is played on at least 3 nights every week as well as the odd afternoon.
Attendances at duplicate sessions vary between 7 and 16 tables and are generally very constant, with Mondays being the most popular session.
Table fees are very modest at £2.00 per session and the annual subscription is £15.00. The Club is managed by a very dedicated and enthusiastic committee, who all give their time freely. Luckily this Committee is a good mixture of experienced bridge players and those relatively new to the game and so any problems encountered by players wishing to start playing duplicate bridge can always be addressed.
Classes for all standards are taught on a Thursday night at 7.15 and are well attended by up to 50 students. The classes start in September and run throughout the winter months, with additional practice sessions during the summer. The fees are £3.00 per lesson (members) or £3.50 per lesson (non-members). There is an Open Evening in September when people can come and get a taste of the game at no cost. New students are very welcome as well as people wanting to attend the Improvers' classes.
We are always on the lookout for new members and anyone wishing to join the Club should contact one of the Officers of the Club (see Committee Webpage). Playing nights are Monday, Wednesday and Friday with play starting at 6.55pm and generally finishing at 10.15pm. Sessions are scored electronically with results available immediately after play, together with hand records (we have our own Duplimate Dealing Machine).
A Potted History by Alan Brown
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