It is expected that all members will have been fully vaccinated unless a medical condition prevents this.

Do not attend any session if you have any Covid symptoms or are feeling unwell.

Bring your own drinks and glasses.

Please use the sanitisers that will be available.

The club would like to be cash free using contactless payment by credit or debit card.  Please be prepared.

Given the recent surge in Covid infections we have decided to temporarily close the club for two weeks. 

We will constantly review the situation and keep members informed via email and the website.

We wish you and your families a very Happy New Year and send our best wishes to you all.  

We hope to see you all again before too long

It is critical that members adhere strictly to these RULES in order to reduce the chances of either getting or transmitting Covid. Clearly no one will become infected if no one at a session has Covid. A huge responsibility therefore falls on each and every member to minimise their chances of introducing Covid. If they should suspect after playing that they may been infectious then they MUST immediately inform all Clubs (Chair or Secretary) which they have attended recently.

Had either Taw Vale or Barnstaple been informed suitably of a members infection (apparent from Nov 9th), then Barnstaple would have cancelled its session of Nov 11th and the consequent risk to those who played on the 11th would have been avoided. 

Members are reminded of BBC's RULES in this matter which are intended to be strictly observed and have now been revised to read: 

1. All players are expected to have been double [Covid] vaccinated or failing that have had a negative lateral flow or PCR test shortly before attending a BBC session.

2.  Members MUST NOT attend any session if they are displaying signs of illness which might be consistent with Covid infection. If a player has ANY symptom of illness, then they should not attend the club unless that symptom COULD NOT BE Covid related.

3. If following a session at which they have played a member realises that they may have introduced Covid then they MUST take a lateral and/or PCR test at the earliest opportunity and inform a club official IMMEDIATELY if the result is positive. 

4.  Members MUST sanitize their hands on each entry and re-entry to the bridge room. 

5. a)  Members should respect social distancing on entering & leaving the building, on moving between tables and particularly at the beginning and end of each session.  Session results will be made available as soon as possible but it is particularly IMPORTANT that 5b) players DO NOT APPROACH the TD & computer at the end of the session.

6. Club officials or delegates will distribute ALL stationery and apparatus. Moving players should take their bidding box to the next table at each round. Only North should touch the Bridgemate. The movement will be a Mitchell if possible 

7. a) The club will ensure the bridge room is well ventilated such that additional layers of clothing may be required. b) Members MUST not close or change the position of any open Window or close the inner doors.

8. The wearing of masks remains an individual's decision.

9. To restrict opportunities to ignore Social distancing, there will be no set refreshment break. Instead players may serve themselves at a suitable break in the play. Players should continue to observe 5) above. Wrapped biscuits only will be available from a table in the main hall. 

NB: The above rules form the core of our 'modus operandi' but may change - members will be advised through email, by phone or through this website

Members who choose to attend a bridge session must do so at their own risk and neither the Club nor its Committee accept any responsibility for any consequences of catching the virus. 

An End of Year Message

I don’t think anyone will be sorry to see the end of 2021. After weeks of concern about restarting face-to-face bridge we managed to get going again in July and it was good to see faces we hadn’t seen for around eighteen months. Some of our members have, for one reason or another, decided not to return but that is understandable given the present circumstances. Nevertheless, we have managed to retain a healthy membership of around sixty and we regularly get six to eight tables at our Friday sessions.

It’s also good to see that our standard of play hasn’t suffered during lockdown with Liz and Jean-Pierre gaining the highest overall average percentage of 59.34 for the year. A commendable highest individual percentage of 69.96 was also achieved by Angela and Andrew - targets for the coming year perhaps.

Our Christmas party went well with the red/white wine lubricating the brain cells to the extent that perhaps the six hearts was a little too ambitious! My thanks to those of you who gave a helping hand, particularly Kyoko and Geoff for making sure we had sandwiches to soak up the wine.

I would like to say a special welcome and thanks to our new members who have joined the club. It’s always good to see new faces at the bridge table. We are always looking for new players at ABCD and if you would like to spend a pleasant afternoon in the comfort of the Henfield Hall Garden Room then you are more than welcome. A friendly, welcoming atmosphere is guaranteed. Contact details are given elsewhere on this website.

Finally, we plan to continue our sessions into the New Year and we hope to see as many of you as possible. We will, of course, keep a close eye on government guidelines and should these change we will let you know immediately. I would also like to offer an end of year Seasons Greetings to you all and hope that you keep as safe as you possibly can during these strange times.

Take care, 

Your Chairman – Roger Brindley

   **Urgent Statement 23rd December**

We have received notice that a member who played on Tuesday morning (21st December ), has tested positive for Covid.  In light of this and for the safety of all members, we have decided to close the club over the christmas period and to reopen in club on Monday 3rd January.

Government guidance is that all members who played on Tuesday morning are required to take a lateral flow test for the next 7 days.

There is no need to quarantine as long as the tests are negative.

The procedures for playing face-to-face at the club have been revised, in line with the latest  government regulations and advice.

Updated Covid Procedures.pdf

In particular, please note that face masks must be worn at all times.

BRIDGE CANCELLATION

The Committee have decided to cancel Friday  Face to Face bridge.  This will be reviewed early in the new year.

We are temporarily suspending face-to face bridge

because of the current Covid situation.

Next Monday, 20 December, we will play on RealBridge instead.  

The following two Mondays, 27 December and 2 January, are Bank Holidays and there be no bridge. We will then review the situation.

Government guidelines require the compulsory wearing of face masks in public areas from 10th December.

we therefore ask you all to comply with this.  Face masks or visors are acceptable, unless you are exempt.

In consideration of all members, please do not attend, if you don't wish to comply.  This is a huge setback

for all of us and we know that wearing a mask for 3 hours, especially if you wear glasses, is not comfortable.

We can however go to a disco or nightclub and make whoopee without a mask!!  Perhaps if we start our bridge 

session with some disco dancing, that will be ok

13.12.21. Following guidance from the government given on 10th December Michael Terry & Carol (chair, captain and secretary) decided, in order to conform with the regulations, that  all members (unless they have an approved personal exemption) will have to wear a face mask in the club at all times. 

As at 9 p.m. 13/12/21 it is confirmed that the lesson on Thursday 16th December will be going ahead, Club Officers deem it to be well within the spirit of the latest requirements and guidelines.

Face-to-Face Bridge Suspended from 13th December until February

In the present uncertain situation, Regulations and Recommendations
affecting face-to-face Bridge are likely to change at short notice.
In view of the  latest Government advice, we are suspending
 all Face-to-Face events for the week commencing 13th December. 
They will not recommence before the beginning of February 2022. 

Unfortunately, because of concerns on the Omicron variant, it is now obligatory by law as of 10^th December to wear a face mask in certain indoor settings, including Members’ Clubs. Until further notice, members are advised to bring a face mask and wear it whenever practicable.

Our existing precautions, requiring everyone to be double-vaccinated plus booster (unless specifically exempt), to use the hand sanitisers provided, and to stay away if having any Covid-like symptoms, remain unchanged.  

CHORLEY BRIDGE CLUB - COVID REGULATIONS for MEMBERS and VISITORS

13th December 2021

Due to the governments revised COVID REGULATIONS the Committee

recommend that you wear face masks whilst in the club house at all

times, with the exception,  of taking a drink. Also please refresh yourselves

with the current regulations regarding COVID as shown on the club website 

Please note our Covid measures documents for Mill Green and King George V have changed to reflect the Government's mandatory requirement to wear face masks whilst indoors. A copy for each venue can be found below:

Would members and guests wishing to visit Clitheroe Bridge club please be aware that from the 10th December face masks or visors are mandatory.

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE CLUB WILL BE CLOSED

FOR AT LEAST 7 DAYS AS BERNIE HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID. 

THE ONLINE SESSIONS RUN AS NORMAL.

Face Masks Now Required at SCBC F2F Sessions

(Click on the Title Header above for all Club Restrictions and Measures)

From 10 December, face coverings are required by law in most indoor settings. Click here for more information.

It is clear that our club premises fall within the remit of this legislation.

In consequence everyone attending our F2F sessions MUST now wear a mask while on the premises AND while playing.

CHANGES TO COMPETITIONS AND PLAYING ARRANGEMENTS

 Due to changes in Government guidelines the committee have taken the decision to postpone the Christmas Cup and the Gordon Grimley Trophy competitions until next year. In addition ALL Duplicate Bridge will be held on line on BBO until further notice. Whilst this will please some of our members and not others it is necessary to ensure the well being of all our members.

As from Friday 10th December it will necessary for people to wear masks when playing at the club.

Welcome to Brighton Central Bridge club at Patching Lodge

Please feel free to contact us at any time,

LIFELINES HAS DECIDED TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND ALL ACTIVITIES AND ARE NOTFYING ALL BRIGHTON CENTRAL BRIDGE PLAYERS SO PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAILS ESPECIALLY FOR NEWS OF WHEN WE RE-START 

UNDER NEW GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES (PLAN B) FACE MASKS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO BE WORN AT THE BRIDGE CLUB FROM 10TH DECEMBER 2021.PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN MASKS AND ADHERE TO THIS REQUIREMENT.

The Government's Plan B Covid restrictions require mask wearing at the club. The directors believe this would be problematic for many of our members, including the directors, therefore we have decided not to run any further face to face sessions after Thursday 9th December until the end of the year.

This is a fast moving situation and we will review the situation as and when there is any change in the regulations.

Merry ( Bridgeless) Christmas

Bookham Afternoon Bridge Club celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019.  We normally play duplicate bridge on Monday and Thursday afternoons at the Old Barn Hall.  The Club is an affiliated member of the EBU. 

The club was closed for 18 months as a result of the pandemic but following a reopening on September 16th is currently running F2F sessions on Thursdays and online sessions on Monday afternoons.

Please Note: In view of the latest developments concerning the Covid pandemic we remind all members who are playing face to face at the Barn Hall that we would expect that they will have been double, ideally triple, jabbed and more importantly that they will have taken a lateral flow test, receiving a negative result, earlier on each Thursday that they are attending. ►More F2F information

Please note as a result of the latest government requirements face masks will be required when playing in this venue until further notice.

A new Club Face to Face session has been arranged for Friday afternoons at the St Ambrose Church Hall  72 West Cliff Road Westbourne BH4 8BE. The Hall is at the rear of the Church.

Non members welcome.

Please arrive at 2.10pm for a start at 2.30pm and finish by 5.00pm.

We are now playing bridge face-to-face on our club nights every Monday. While we do not intend to stop playing face-to-face, we are aware of the continued threat posed by Covid-19.   Should it ever be necessary we will revert to playing on line. If we have to play online we will advise you on this website.

The Committee has decided to cancel our Tuesday night sessions until the New Year.  We don't currently have the numbers to make the sessions viable, and the spread of the new Covid variant means it's unlikely many more members will be tempted back to F2F bridge in the coming weeks.

We will reassess the situation in the New Year. 

NO face-to-face bridge in December 2021

Due to the latest development and new guidelines re facemasks and social distancing, we have decided to NOT run our normal duplicate pairs and supervised sessions at the Polish Club the coming month.

Instead there will be an option to play bridge-on-line via RealBridge. Please send me an email, evawallen@btinternet.com, if you are interested in taking part.

The aim is to re-open the club again on 5 January 2022. Will keep you updated and in the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Monday 29 November 

After careful consideration your Committee have decided to hold Bridge at the Crewkerne BC starting usual time of 7pm. May I request that if you are planning to attend, please conduct a Lateral Flow test during the day and if there is any doubt on the result, do not turn up. Feel free to wear masks and we would ask that you sanitise your hands regularly during the evening. 

Regretfully, we have made the decision to suspend Face to Face Bridge at the Town Hall with immediate effect (28 October 2021). We have been subsidising the rent of the Community Hall from club funds since the beginning of August, but we can no longer afford to continue with only two or three tables. The Committee will review the situation at the end of February and we may be able to resume in March if we get enough support from the members.  In the meantime, you are invited to pay Online Bridge organised by our friends at Ashley Green Bridge Club, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Wednesday mornings.  Please see their website for more information.

I was a little dubious about returning to face-to-face bridge, not only because of covid issues, but also because I dislike playing in games with small fields where boards are only played four or five times. I was very pleasantly surprised therefore when I showed up at Richmond on a Friday afternoon, and found eleven tables in play, a very pleasant atmosphere, and excellent covid protocols in place. I congratulate Julia and the trustees on their efforts and hope that full confidence will soon return to those 'holding off' so that the club may return to full capacity.

I, for one, am looking for an excuse to make another trip to Richmond soon 😀. 

 All the best, Ed

This week, and for a few weeks, we are replacing f2f bridge with RealBridge sessions. The Bowls Club is reporting several cases of Covid and returning to on-line will give our members added protection.

Please log in through the website as we did before and join by 6.45pm for a 7pm start.

We hope that you will join us.

Any queries please don’t hestitate to reply. We will return in the flesh asap.

In recent months the Committee has worked very hard to try to restart Collier Row bridge club on a face to face basis. Unfortunately it has proved impossible to generate more than 2 tables, indeed sometimes fewer than 8 players are available meaning that the session has to be cancelled at short notice. Clearly it is not feasible to run a bridge club on this basis. However, rather than simply abandon all efforts, resulting in the permanent loss of one of the last bridge clubs in the Havering area, the Committee has decided instead to suspend activities with effect from 5^th November 2021 until the end of February 2022. In the meantime we will circulate the secretaries of all local bridge clubs to let them know that our premises remain available. We are aware that certain bridge clubs have been unable to restart on a face to face basis as they no longer have available venues. Taking over as the NRCA bridge section could be an attractive option for a club in this position. Being a section of the NRCA rather than a completely standalone Bridge Club means that the venue is cost free. To become members of the club, individuals simply join the NRCA. The table money of £3.50 per session is turned over in its entirety to the NRCA and any expenses of the club are met by the NRCA. Members benefit from free onsite parking and a subsidised licensed bar.

Good news, 

The café in the basement of the club is now available for players to take their breaks.  As a result of extraction fans running full time in the basement, the air exchange is now easily within the acceptable range.  Further tests are being run in the Derek Rue Training room and a separate extractor fan will be installed there around the 19^th of November.  

While Covid numbers in Cheltenham have decreased significantly over the past two weeks, the rates are still quite high.  Please continue to take personal responsibility to keep yourself and others safe.

What you can do to help the club and its members?  We encourage you to:

• Stay home if you are at all unwell. (colds, flu and Covid all threaten our members)
• Wash your hands often
• Wear a mask when you are not eating or drinking
• Get your booster jab as soon as you can

Please note that from now until sometime in March, all Tuesday evening F2F sessions are cancelled due to lack of support. Unfortunately, it is not possible to move this session to Tuesday afternoon as there isn't a big enough time slot available. Friday afternoon sessions will continue to run as they are at present, play starting at 2.15pm.          Committee, 7th November 2021.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

We have recently circulated an email message to all members for whom we have an email address, asking you to vote on our venue for future bridge sessions. If you have not received a copy and believe you should have, please contact Alan Grunwald before voting closes on November 13.

Wednesday evening face-to-face bridge will stop after November 10th.

For health reasons we do not have enough directors and scorers to run the Wednesday games so the committee has decided to suspend the evening face-to-face games until next year when we will reconsider.

We will restart playing online on Wednesday 10th November when the same boards will be played online and face-to-face and you will be able to see the scores of the separate sections and the scores combined which will be used to award the enhanced masterpoints.

Face to face sessions have continued successful. Many thanks to all - please keep it up. 

We have been asked by the library to observe certain conditions:

• The tables will be spaced as far apart as possible. 
• Entrance and exit to the hall will be via the French windows which will be kept open.
• Sanitiser, wipes, masks and gloves will be available. (The wearing of masks is optional but please be kind and wear them if asked by opponents)!
• At the break a tray of sandwiches/cakes will be served to the tables..
• Tea and coffee will be available all afternoon, but we will use sachets of coffee/tea, sugar/sweetener etc.
• We would be grateful if everyone could bring the correct money. £5 on Friday and £6 on Wednesday.
• The use of the library loos remains the same.

In order to organise the catering, it would be helpful if members could email/phone us to say they will be coming. Many thanks. Hopefully these restrictions will not last long.