29–30 August: Cheltenham Bridge Congress, Dean Close School, Cheltenham.
All information and booking form is available here

Tell us a little about you

​​I moved to Cheltenham for its festivals, theatre, rail links, and the reputation of Cheltenham Bridge Club. I began my career in the City, then spent over 20 years teaching before eyesight problems meant I had to stop. Since then, I’ve worked for charities supporting disabled and elderly people, and later for Insight Gloucestershire. My husband and I also fostered several children, which was incredibly rewarding. Now retired, I enjoy bridge, seeing friends and family, concerts, travel, sport, and the theatre. Before becoming Chair, I also did advocacy work for charities.

How long have you been playing bridge, and why do you enjoy it?

​​I first played as a teenager and at university, then returned in 2015 through the Club’s Training Programme. I love bridge because it’s social, fun, and mentally stimulating.

What is special about Cheltenham Bridge Club?

​​It’s a warm, friendly place with a great building, an excellent Manager, and a wide range of sessions for all levels. Our strong training programme is a big part of our success.

What are your priorities as Chair, and how can members help?

​​I’d like to grow membership and attendance. Members can help by displaying posters locally and encouraging friends to join our Training Programme or try a Gentle Session. We’ll keep exploring new session types, and we’d love more volunteers in areas like IT, finance, directing, and scoring.

Starting 3 June, our Wednesday afternoon pairs session will become “Bridge with a bite”!

The session will begin earlier, at 11am, and will break for lunch at 12.30. Phoenix will be offering a light lunch in the café for £5 (see sample menu here). Play will resume at 1.15pm and finish by 2.45pm. You can of course make your own arrangements for lunch if you prefer. Why not come and try out the session and Phoenix’s delicious (and good value) lunch?

Please pre-book the bridge session via the club calendar.

Over the last few months, we have trialled both mentored partnerships and Pro-Am sessions to see which format members prefer. It is clear that mentored partnerships are the more popular option for both mentors and mentees, so they will return on the first Friday of every month, starting on 5th June. As usual, they will run alongside the regular Friday duplicate pairs.

If you would like to sign up to be a mentor or to be mentored on 5th June, please complete this very short form.

Our members bring a wide range of talents and experience, and we hope some of you may be able to help with the following opportunities.

​Preparations are under way for the Congress which will take place at Dean Close School on 29th and 30th August. More information is available here. We are currently looking for Cheltenham-based companies who might be interested in sponsoring the event. If you know of a business that might be interested, please email Steve.

We are looking for someone who could help Phoenix run the café on an ad hoc basis. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please email Steve

We will be producing more flyers and posters to promote both playing at the club and the teaching programme. If you have an eye for graphic design, or would be willing to help distribute publicity material at your sports club, U3A, or another relevant venue, please email Deborah.

We will be holding an online session to give people a chance to understand what is involved. If you are interested in finding out more about this important role, please email Steve.

​The EBU is taking part in Loneliness Awareness Week (15–21 June), run by the Marmalade Trust. They are inviting bridge clubs to open their doors to new people during the week as a chance to start gentle conversations about connection and introduce more people to the wonderful game of bridge. One way to do this is  through setting up an outreach table, where a group of people play bridge in a local café or library, and answering questions from people who are interested. If that appeals to you, please email Deborah.

Starting on 26 May, some members will be visiting Whittington House Care Home on Tuesday afternoons from 2.15pm to 4.30pm to play cards and Scrabble with residents. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. If you are interested in helping, or if you have other skills you might like to share - such as music, singing or crafts – please email Jan.

Daphne Smith celebrated her 95th birthday on a bridge holiday in Kefalonia. On her special day she went on an island tour stopping for a tasty lunch. In the evening she was presented with a cake and the whole of the restaurant sang happy birthday to her.

Whether you are you new to Bridge or wish to refresh your game, Cheltenham Bridge Club offers a wide range of courses for beginners through to experienced players.

Please see our learning and development page  for more information and details of contacts who can help you choose the best path for you.

Do you ever play a hand, think you have done really well, and then when you see the results find you are in bottom place?  We know some of you like to study those hands at home, but still end up scratching your heads and wondering what you could have done differently. 

Help is now at hand with our "Ask the Experts" service.  Find it on the club's home page under the "Learn Bridge" menu item.  This will give you instructions on how to use the service.

Once you have sent in your query, an expert Bridge player will get back to you with some answers which will also be published in an Ask the Experts - Answers section (also on the club's home page under the "Learn Bridge" menu item)