We will once agin take part in the Children in Need Simultaneous Pairs competition on Monday 14 and Wednesday 16 November (different hands on each evening, so you can enter both if you choose). Entry will be by donation, with a suggested minimum of £3 per person. Barry will also provide a 'shrapnel bucket'. Start saving those annoying loose coins that clutter up your purses and pockets to tip into the bucket and help raise a healthy sum for this good cause. Dave has (been) volunteered to make up the hands in advance for the Monday evening. We need another kind volunteer to do the same for Wednesday, please.

Tollerton Bridge Group evolved from a series of beginner bridge lessons in 2004-5. We meet twice weekly in the Sports Pavilion, Newton Road on Monday and Wednesday evenings, and members are asked to be seated by 6.55pm for a prompt 7pm start. Sessions rarely finish later than 9.30pm.We play duplicate bridge and welcome improving as well as more experienced players. In general, fewer boards are played on Monday evenings, perhaps at a slower pace, but there is an encouraging, non-judgemental atmosphere on both evenings. Visitors are welcome on either evening without prior notice, if coming as a partnership.. A partner-finding service otherwise operates; contact Nicky or Kath, who will do their best to sort something out.

We plan to pilot a 'laugh and learn' Bridge for Fun session which will start on Thursday 20 October and continue on November 3rd, 17th and 24th and on 8th December, from 1.30 until 4pm. This is intended to be an afternoon of relaxed bridge with time to chat and review the hands played. There will be no scoring and no published results and you don't need a partner; just turn up and have fun! The cost is £2 per session, to include tea/coffee. The intention is to improve our bridge bidding and play through mutual support and unthreatening practice. If these sessions are well supported, they will continue in the New Year.