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This questionnaire is not intended to precipitate any changes to the style and nature of Addington Bridge Club – people like it as it is. It is more a review: a chance to gather members’ opinions and ideas and a good moment to make a few tweaks if they seem practical and appropriate.

Inevitably, there will be a variety of views and we’ll probably all have to compromise here and there. You’d expect that.

Thank you for taking the time to do this.  It is appreciated.

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There are five subject areas on the next three pages and a space at the end for you to add your thoughts and ideas.

The questionnaire will also be available on the website if you prefer to download it and fill in an electronic version.

Members who do not play on Tuesday 26^th March or Thursday 28^th March will receive a copy by e-mail.  

PLEASE:

• mark your answers clearly - X or circle or a coloured marker
• bring it with you on Tuesday 2^nd or 9^th or Thursday 4^th or 11^th OR scan it and return it via e-mail
• add your name if you choose    

WEBSITE

1. How often do you use / look at the club website?
   1. never
   2. once or twice a month
   3. at least once a week
   4. mostly every day

2. Which sections on the website do you use? (circle all you use)
   1. find a partner / make a booking
   2. results
   3. rankings
   4. home page
   5. another member’s contact details
   6. other – which?

3. Would you like to have two or three hands of interest from each session recorded on the website for you to study?  YES/NO

4. Are there other items you would like to see on the website?  YES/NO
   If YES, which?

5. Which devices do you use to access websites? (circle all you use)
   1. mobile phone
   2. tablet
   3. desktop / laptop

SOCIAL OCCASIONS

The function of Addington Bridge Club is to PLAY BRIDGE but we have also celebrated Summer and Christmas with more relaxed bridge sessions accompanied by food and drink.

Should we change this is any way?   YES/NO

If YES, should we?:

1. Have more social occasions. If YES, what?
2. Hold social occasions on a different day/time.
3. Hold social occasions which do not include playing bridge.
4. Combine the Tuesday and Thursday groups for social occasions.
5. Include our “other halves”. 
6. Hold parties in venues other than the Village Hall.  If YES, where? 
7. Move the Christmas party to after Christmas.
8. Don’t have any social occasions – stick to bridge.

OTHER THOUGHTS / IDEAS

NUMBER OF HANDS TO BE PLAYED

Members at both Tuesday and Thursday sessions have indicated that we should be playing more than 18 boards. It typically takes 6-7 minutes to play a single board and we should add a minute for each move and an allowance for issues to be resolved.

It has generally proved easier to play more boards on Tuesdays than on the more relaxed Thursdays.

In two experimental sessions last week, we were able to play 10 x 14-minute rounds of two boards each on Tuesday, but the attempt to play 7 x 20-minute rounds of three boards each on Thursday resulted in people being hurried, at least one hand not being played and a couple of mistakes recording scores.    

We can always play at least 20 boards BUT, depending on the number of tables, it might mean

• not all N/S pairs play all E/W pairs and everyone misses some boards OR
• we play a more complicated (and mistake-prone) movement OR
• we over-run the normal finish time OR
• we have to start earlier  AND/OR
• we have to be extra strict about keeping to the clock.

What are your preferences?  

TUESDAYS

FINISH TIME

1. Always finish by 10pm even if we don’t complete the movement.
2. Start earlier (7pm) - finish by 10pm.
3. Don’t start another round after 10pm but finish the round in play even if it runs past 10pm.
4. Complete the movement whatever time it finishes.
5. Play fewer than 20 boards if the projected end time is after 10pm.

PLAYING EVERYONE/ MOVEMENT

6. Play everyone even if it means a more complicated movement.
7. Keep the movement simple even if we don’t play every board and against everyone.

DISCIPLINE – SLOW PLAY

8. Enforce the clock (“don’t start any more boards” instruction MUST BE OBEYED) and keep the movement running on time even if some people feel hurried.
9. Use the clock only as a guide. Be prepared to wait for slower tables to finish.
10. Allow some latitude but the Director must warn persistently slow tables/players to adjust their tempo.

THURSDAYS

FINISH TIME

1. Always finish by 4:30pm even if we don’t complete the movement.
2. Start earlier (1:30pm) – finish by 4:30pm.
3. Don’t start another round after 4:30pm but finish the round in play even if it runs past 4:30pm.
4. Complete the movement whatever time it finishes.
5. Play fewer than 20 boards if the projected end time is after 4:30pm

PLAYING EVERYONE/ MOVEMENT

6. Play everyone even if it means a more complicated movement.
7. Keep the movement simple even if we don’t play every board and against everyone.

DISCIPLINE – SLOW PLAY

8. Enforce the clock (“don’t start any more boards” instruction MUST BE OBEYED) and keep the movement running on time even if some people feel hurried.
9. Use the clock only as a guide. Be prepared to wait for slower tables to finish.
10. Allow some latitude but the Director must warn persistently slow tables/players to adjust their tempo.

FINANCES

In 2023, club income matched club expenditure and we are forecast to repeat that pattern in 2024 or even make a small surplus. We need to allow for contigencies but, with current reserves approaching £5,000, there is some room for additional expenditure over the next two or three years.

How would you like this to be handled?

1. Keep the large reserve in an interest-bearing account?

2. Subsidise social events?

3. Acquire one or more capital items (for example, defibrilator, dealing machine)?  Other items?

4. Contribute more to charity?

5. Something else? (for example, start a bridge club for young people)

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OTHER SUGGESTIONS / IDEAS

HELP WANTED

Most people clear the tables at the end of the session and put away the table numbers, boards, tablecloths, bidding boxes and tablets. Thanks to those who do that (and if that’s not you, please do!) However, putting out the tables and chairs before the sessions and putting them away at the end is usually left to the same one or two.

Some of us have backs that won’t let us do this but, if you can and you’re prepared to commit to helping before or after the bridge, please join the “start-up and clear-up team”. Your help would be much appreciated.  

I will do this whenever I play – count me in.

Please select day/and before or after

TUESDAYS – before (arrive at 6:30pm) 

TUESDAYS – after (stay until all put away)

THURSDAYS – before (arrive at 1:15pm)

THURSDAYS – after (stay until all put away)

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COMMENTS