We have a host on the 13th December -- Julie Minards has generously volunteered -- so don't let the lack of a partner stop you from coming to this event, which will start at 7.00pm.

We intend to have an evening of normal bridge starting at 7.30pm.

(I promise to change the cards straight afterwards, on the assumption that some of them will have become sticky or damp.)

Keep it coming! Here's what you've said so far:

General

Playing Online

• 'I have to admit that I am enjoying playing online as I can play with my granddaughter in Capetown!' <Ⓜ#18>
• 'Regardless of all the online alternatives—which are fine in themselves and really quite enjoyable—there is no substitute for playing together in person at the Club.' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'I really miss playing as I do not play online.' <Ⓜ#1>
• 'I haven’t been playing online so I shall probably have forgotten how to play anyway!!' <Ⓜ#6>
• 'I am extremely happy playing online until you feel sure things will be OK.' <Ⓜ#8>
• 'Online bridge is fine but it doesn’t compare with the face-to-face experience and a lot of the members rely on the club as a very important part of their social life.' <Ⓜ#9>
• 'I could suggest holding online Claygate Bridge Club tournaments but that would involve you in a lot of work!' <Ⓜ#9>
• 'I've been playing Swiss Pairs on line using RealBridge. It works really well, you can see people and chat. I've also formed a little syndicate of seven players where I send out a weekly WhatsApp for who is available and when for the following week. I draw up a matrix and when four people sync, I nominate one of them to book an EBU RealBridge table for £5. Usually gives a game each week sort of face-to-face.' <Ⓜ#13>

Overall Approach

• 'I think many people have missed the social side of the bridge so it would be great to get back and make it as safe as possible to do so.' <Ⓜ#25>
• 'I am with you and the Committee about not rushing into starting up again if it still involves many restrictions.' <Ⓜ#20>
• 'Both XXXX and I miss playing bridge at Claygate and all that it entailed.' <Ⓜ#19>
• 'It’s a very difficult decision for the committee but hopefully you’ll be able to find a way so we can meet up again.' <Ⓜ#9>
• 'Cautious approach is best. I suggest not yet—and this is going to be with us for years.' <Ⓜ#4>
• 'No economic argument to get back quickly and in reality caution may be best economic route.' <Ⓜ#3>
• 'You are wise to be cautious but it is good to think in the long term as Claygate was such a wonderful club in a wonderful location. It would be sad if its demise was a result of the dreaded Covid!' <Ⓜ#5>
• 'I am now 91 but I have recently had a new lease of life and I for one would return to play at Claygate once it is safe to do so.' <Ⓜ#5>
• 'With all those provisos [in the EBU Risk Assessment], I cannot see it being possible to return.' <Ⓜ#10>
• 'I would love to think that we might be able to get together to meet and play bridge.' <Ⓜ#9>
• 'I really miss seeing everyone; it’s has been too long.' <Ⓜ#10>
• 'Just had a quick look at the “Planning and Face to Face Bridge 2021” and it looks quite ominous to me!' <Ⓜ#12>
• 'Absolutely beggars belief. Who on earth could be bothered to go through all that palaver and still end up being accused of spreading the virus?' <Ⓜ#13>
• 'I'm of the "be sensible but don't end up like Howard Hughes" way of thinking. Life's for living, not living in a germ-free capsule.' <Ⓜ#13>
• 'Good to hear from you with the possibility of Claygate BC opening up again.' <Ⓜ#14>
• 'Happy to fit in with anything.' <Ⓜ#15>
• 'I am keen to get back to the table provided all care has been taken to protect us all.' <Ⓜ#24>
• 'If initially we don't get many takers, perhaps we could invite Oxshott members' <Ⓜ#26>

Timing of Re-opening

• 'I would be keen to return as soon as you think possible, for those who feel confident.' <Ⓜ#26>
• 'I fully agree with the committee. I am not in any rush to reopen.' <Ⓜ#21>
• 'I would agree with proceeding cautiously and seeing how things work out for clubs that do open as soon as they can! ' <Ⓜ#23>
• 'The way things are going at the moment I think the possibilities of opening up Claygate Bridge Club again in at least the foreseeable future are good and, as long as there are no further disasters, I don’t see why we shouldn’t have a go after the end of June.' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'I’d be in favour of opening asap.' <Ⓜ#1>
• 'I favour an early restart, being aware that some may be nervous and that attendance figures may be low initially. However, when people see that the survival rate is no worse than normal, more will feel comfortable to come.' <Ⓜ#2>
• 'Tricky set of decisions but I agree no sense in rushing back. Keen bridge players have option of online or other clubs they can go to.' <Ⓜ#3>
• 'Some members will be missing the social interplay so that may be a consideration.' <Ⓜ#3>
• 'If we leave too long, we may risk members moving to other clubs. It would be interesting to see what other clubs plan to do.' <Ⓜ#3>
• 'I am in no hurry to have a face-to-face bridge session. However when all of the nation have had their first vaccination, the risks should be minimal. That should be in the summer. (The risks are lower in the summer.)' <Ⓜ#6>
• 'We shall just have to wait until we can really resume normal service.' <Ⓜ#10>
• 'I would be happy for the club to re-open later this summer/autumn.' <Ⓜ#11>
• 'Luckily we don’t have to make an immediate decision until at least 21st June but if it involves all the points mentioned I wouldn’t be too quick at starting up.' <Ⓜ#12>
• 'I agree with most people that while I`d love to come back to the Club, it's not going to be possible for quite a time yet. There are just too many problems.' <Ⓜ#17>
• 'Having seen all the EBU requirements, I am in favour of not being in a hurry to return.' <Ⓜ#18>
• 'I am in the cautious camp and still have some concerns about where we shall be in September vis-a-vis Covid. The coming few weeks are probably the safest time but I would prefer to wait a little longer to see how things pan out.' <Ⓜ#19>
• 'Am sure that most of my social Bridge Fours will be playing back indoors later this month and once that happens hopefully it should be for clubs to open with very few restrictions.' <Ⓜ#20>
• 'Not until we can play as we used to.' <Ⓜ#22>

Confidence in Other Members

• 'Having been working within a metre of patients and medical colleagues wearing masks for the last year, I believe confidence builds up quite quickly.' <Ⓜ#26>
• 'I’m sure that people would be sensible about social distancing.' <Ⓜ#1>
• 'I imagine we are all vaccinated.' <Ⓜ#2>
• 'I suspect more than 90% of us will have been vaccinated by the time the Club re-opens. If a list of vaccinated members is kept by the Club, it should be reviewed periodically as booster (or variant) jabs are given.' <Ⓜ#7>
• 'Everyone should have been vaccinated.' <Ⓜ#8>
• 'Certainly, it would seem sensible to ask only those who’ve been vaccinated to attend but I imagine that almost all of the membership will have done that.' <Ⓜ#9>
• 'Anyway, I’m sure it will a personal decision for each member—and risk aversion is pretty variable—but I for one would just love to get going again TOGETHER, UP CLOSE (ish) and fairly personal!' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'Would there be enough willing players to start on a small scale?' <Ⓜ#2>
• 'Am sure all players can be relied upon not to form a crowd on entry and would be happy to bring their own bidding boxes and hand gel: windows open as usual …..' <Ⓜ#20>
• 'If people feel that all possible infection control precautions have been taken, members will feel more comfortable about returning to the club.' <Ⓜ#25>

Confidence in the Day Centre

• 'Given the main use of the centre, if the local government authority is prepared to have it open all day, every day for the more vulnerable, I don't see why we should worry.' <Ⓜ#2>

Requirements for Members to Play

Vaccinations

• 'By June 21st, I'm sure all members will have received two doses of the vaccine. However, anyone showing any obvious symptoms, coughing etc should be sent home immediately.' <Ⓜ#25>
• 'All Members should have had both vaccinations by July (and if not, why not?!); valid exceptions may be considered.' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'When we do return, I agree it should be only for those who can show they have been vaccinated.' <Ⓜ#3>
• 'YES to only admitting the vaccinated or by special dispensation.' <Ⓜ#4>
• 'Each player should be given the option of either proving they been vaccinated or taking a test on arrival.' <Ⓜ#7>
• 'Permit vaccinated players only.' <Ⓜ#11>
• 'As a fully vaccinated person I am awaiting official removal of many restrictions.' <Ⓜ#20>

Testing whether members have COVID

• 'Temperature-taking and lateral flow testing are not very accurate at all. A colleague had a normal temperature four hours before, and a normal flow test six hours before getting COVID symptoms. She was also within a metre of me (with her mask on) half an hour before her symptoms started, and I didn't get COVID. (She probably got it from her husband, who is a teacher.)' <Ⓜ#26>
• 'It makes the heart sink (pre-session testing?)' <Ⓜ#20>
• 'NO to Tests at any time for this purpose (Bridge) only.' <Ⓜ#4>
• 'Each player should be given the option of either proving they been vaccinated or taking a test on arrival.' <Ⓜ#7>
• 'Asking for tests prior to playing sounds very difficult to enforce.' <Ⓜ#9>
• 'As home tests are available for free to everybody, there is no reason why everyone can't come in with proof of their negative result (within 48 hours of arriving).' <Ⓜ#25>

Testing whether members have a Temperature

• 'NO to Temperature checks (who by?)' <Ⓜ#4>
• 'I think it’s been proven that temperature checks are pretty useless as its possible to be carrying COVID but have no symptoms.' <Ⓜ#9>

Facemasks

• 'You very quickly get used to wearing masks for a period.' <Ⓜ#26>
• 'The prospect of spending 3+ hours in a mask does not appeal. Over an hour in Waitrose and I am feeling faint!' <Ⓜ#20>
• 'Perhaps it would be a good idea to wear masks for a few weeks, if that gave members more sense of security.' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'We can wear masks.' <Ⓜ#2>
• 'Wearing masks could be uncomfortable over an entire evening.' <Ⓜ#7>
• 'The idea of such a long time in a face mask does not appeal to me.' <Ⓜ#8>
• 'Unsure re. mandatory masks. Depends on situation at the time. To begin with they would give extra protection and reassurance.' <Ⓜ#11>
• 'I wouldn`t fancy playing with a mask on.' <Ⓜ#17>

Setting up the Room

Ventilation

• 'The Day Centre has plenty of windows—although it may be necessary to err on the side of cryogenesis to begin with!' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'Keep room as well ventilated as possible.' <Ⓜ#11>
• 'With the weather the way it has been so far this Spring, wide-open windows are a worry.' <Ⓜ#20>

Hand Sanitiser

• 'Perhaps suggest everyone brings their own sanitiser?' <Ⓜ#2>
• 'Ensure alcohol-based hand sanitiser is available. All members should use it before sitting at a table.' <Ⓜ#7>
• '[Ensure] Hand sanitiser available.' <Ⓜ#11>
• 'I agree that players should sanitise.' <Ⓜ#14>
• 'Everyone should wash their hands thoroughly immediately they arrive at the venue and hand-sanitise after each round, with hand sanitiser on each table. I think it should be compulsory to use the sanitiser. Anybody not prepared to follow infection control rules should not be allowed to play.' <Ⓜ#25>

Toilets

• 'Loos present no real difficulty. Probably just two occupants at one time.' <Ⓜ#16>

Staggered Arrivals and Departures of Players

• 'NO to Staggered arrivals & exits (what?)' <Ⓜ#4>
• 'Can you stagger arrivals and departures to avoid bottlenecks in entrance ways? It is not really practical to stagger arrivals and departures but we should ask (and remind) members to use a queue two metres apart. (And to be patient—some are not so spritely!)' <Ⓜ#7>

Refreshments

• 'If biscuits are offered, they could be the individually wrapped variety and use disposable cups.' <Ⓜ#25>
• 'May be best to have no biscuits etc, but surely OK for members to make their own drinks.' <Ⓜ#2>
• 'Ask members to bring their own disposable paper cups?' <Ⓜ#7>
• 'I agree that players should bring their own refreshments.' <Ⓜ#14>

Electronic Tablets

• 'If we could feel confident of its working well, using tablets might be good.' <Ⓜ#2>

Own Bidding Boxes

• 'Confidence is the key—so perhaps starting with bringing own bidding boxes and hand sanitisers would help.' <Ⓜ#26>
• 'I can't see the point of bringing our own bidding boxes if the cards are being passed from table to table.' <Ⓜ#25>
• 'It should not be necessary for all players to have their own bidding boxes. Recent research evaluated the survival of the COVID-19 virus on different surfaces and reported that the virus can remain viable for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, up to four hours on copper, and up to 24 hours on cardboard. So club boxes should be ok at the beginning of play. However members could pick up the bidding boxes as they enter the room and deposit them back in the crates at the end of play.' <Ⓜ#7>
• 'Bidding boxes: players could have their own but as they will be touching cards, and chairs etc, it doesn’t seem too useful. Gloves?' <Ⓜ#11>
• 'I agree that players should bring their own boxes.' <Ⓜ#14>
• 'I’d like to have my own bidding box, if available to buy, but as stated elsewhere COVID transmission is not so much by touching objects as by aerosols, so not important in my view.' <Ⓜ#16>

Screens between players

• 'NO to Screens.' <Ⓜ#4>
• 'If screens are available, I guess we could try using them. If not, we could expand the play area to space between the tables.' <Ⓜ#7>
• 'I think that keeping our distance at the table as far as possible should suffice, especially if we wear masks and use plenty of sanitiser.' <Ⓜ#16>

Spacing between tables

• 'It makes the heart sink (4 tables put together?)' <Ⓜ#20>
• 'Spacing out the tables as widely as possible, using a Mitchell movement, using plenty of hand sanitiser and bringing our own drinks seems sensible.' <Ⓜ#16>

Non-cash payment to play

• 'YES to Remote paying.' <Ⓜ#4>
• 'Is a cashless-only system possible? Yes, there are cheap portable credit card readers available which buskers use. And some clubs have introduced monthly and annual table money subscriptions.' <Ⓜ#7>
• 'I agree with payment by online banking (if possible).' <Ⓜ#14>

Complete Set of Boards at each table

• 'In my hospital job, our team has never had any restrictions on touching paper items shared by all of us (which could be equivalent to playing cards).' <Ⓜ#26>
• 'Then how can the cards be treated as they are passed from one table to another?' <Ⓜ#8>
• 'NO to Set of boards for each table (who pays then organises?)' <Ⓜ#4>

Appendix: Member Feedback, sorted by MEMBER

Member #1

• I’d be in favour of opening asap. I’m sure that people would be sensible about social distancing. <Ⓜ#1>
• I really miss playing as I do not play online. <Ⓜ#1>

Member #2

• Given the main use of the centre, if the local government authority is prepared to have it open all day, every day for the more vulnerable, I don't see why we should worry. I imagine we are all vaccinated. And we can wear masks. <Ⓜ#2>
• If we could feel confident of its working well, using tablets might be good.<Ⓜ#2>
• Perhaps suggest everyone brings their own sanitiser? <Ⓜ#2>
• I favour an early restart, being aware that some may be nervous and that attendance figures may be low initially. However, when people see that the survival rate is no worse than normal, more will feel comfortable to come. <Ⓜ#2>
• May be best to have no biscuits etc, but surely OK for members to make their own drinks. <Ⓜ#2>
• 'Would there be enough willing players to start on a small scale?' <Ⓜ#2>

Member #3

• Tricky set of decisions but I agree no sense in rushing back. Keen bridge players have option of online or other clubs they can go to. <Ⓜ#3>
• Also no economic argument to get back quickly and in reality caution may be best economic route. <Ⓜ#3>
• However some members will be missing the social interplay so that may be a consideration and when we do return, I agree only for those who can show they have been vaccinated. <Ⓜ#3>
• One point of course is if we leave too long, may risk migration to other clubs and would be interesting to see what other clubs plan to do. <Ⓜ#3>

Member #4

• Cautious approach is best. I suggest not yet—and this is going to be with us for years. <Ⓜ#4>
• NO to Tests at any time for this purpose (Bridge) only. <Ⓜ#4>
• NO to Temperature checks (who by?) <Ⓜ#4>
• NO to Screens. <Ⓜ#4>
• NO to Set of boards for each table (who pays then organises?) <Ⓜ#4>
• NO to Staggered arrivals & exits (what?) <Ⓜ#4>
• YES to Remote paying. <Ⓜ#4>
• YES to only admitting the Vaccinated, or with special dispensation, only. <Ⓜ#4>

Member #5

• I think you are wise to be cautious but it is good to think in the long term as Claygate was such a wonderful club in a wonderful location. It would be sad if its demise was a result of the dreaded Covid! <Ⓜ#5>
• I am now 91 but I have recently had a new lease of life and I for one would return to play at Claygate once it is safe to do so. <Ⓜ#5>

Member #6

• I am in no hurry to have a face-to-face bridge session. However when all of the nation have had their first vaccination, the risks should be minimal. That should be in the summer. (The risks are lower in the summer.) <Ⓜ#6>
• I haven’t been playing online so I shall probably have forgotten how to play anyway!! <Ⓜ#6>

Member #7

• Each player should be given the option of either proving they been vaccinated or taking a test on arrival. <Ⓜ#7>
• I suspect more than 90% of us will have been vaccinated by the time the Club re-opens. If a list of vaccinated members is kept by the Club, it should be reviewed periodically as booster (or variant) jabs are given. <Ⓜ#7>
• Can you stagger arrivals and departures to avoid bottlenecks in entrance ways? It is not really practical to stagger arrivals and departures but we should ask (and remind) members to use a queue two metres apart. (And to be patient—some are not so spritely!) <Ⓜ#7>
• If screens are available, I guess we could try using them. If not, we could expand the play area to space between the tables. <Ⓜ#7>
• Ensure alcohol-based hand sanitiser is available. All members should use it before sitting at a table. <Ⓜ#7>
• Ask members to bring their own disposable paper cups? <Ⓜ#7>
• It should not be necessary for all players to have their own bidding boxes. Recent research evaluated the survival of the COVID-19 virus on different surfaces and reported that the virus can remain viable for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, up to four hours on copper, and up to 24 hours on cardboard. So club boxes should be ok at the beginning of play. However members could pick up the bidding boxes as they enter the room and deposit them back in the crates at the end of play. <Ⓜ#7>
• Wearing masks could be uncomfortable over an entire evening. <Ⓜ#7>
• Is a cashless-only system possible? Yes, there are cheap portable credit card readers available which buskers use. And some clubs have introduced monthly and annual table money subscriptions. <Ⓜ#7>

Member #8

• Everyone should have been vaccinated. <Ⓜ#8>
• The idea of such a long time in a face mask does not appeal to me. <Ⓜ#8>
• Then how can the cards be treated as they are passed from one table to another? <Ⓜ#8>
• I am extremely happy playing online until you feel sure things will be OK. <Ⓜ#8>

Member #9

• I would love to think that we might be able to get together to meet and play bridge. <Ⓜ#9>
• Online bridge is fine but it doesn’t compare with the face-to-face experience and a lot of the members rely on the club as a very important part of their social life as you know. <Ⓜ#9>
• It’s a very difficult decision for the committee but hopefully you’ll be able to find a way so we can meet up again. <Ⓜ#9>
• Certainly, it would seem sensible to ask only those who’ve been vaccinated to attend but I imagine that almost all of the membership will have done that. <Ⓜ#9>
• Asking for tests prior to playing sounds very difficult to enforce and I think it’s been proven that temperature checks are pretty useless as its possible to be carrying COVID but have no symptoms. <Ⓜ#9>
• I don’t have any great suggestions other than having online Claygate Bridge Club tournaments but that would involve you in a lot of work! <Ⓜ#9>

Member #10

• With all those provisos [in the EBU Risk Assessment], I cannot see it being possible to return. <Ⓜ#10>
• We shall just have to wait until we can really resume normal service. <Ⓜ#10>
• I really miss seeing everyone; it’s has been too long. <Ⓜ#10>

Member #11

• I would be happy for the club to re-open later this summer/autumn. <Ⓜ#11>
• Suggestions for safety: <Ⓜ#11>
  • Permit vaccinated players only. <Ⓜ#11>
  • Hand sanitiser available. <Ⓜ#11>
  • Keep room as well ventilated as possible. <Ⓜ#11>
  • Bidding boxes – players could have their own but as they will be touching cards, and chairs etc, it doesn’t seem too useful. Gloves? <Ⓜ#11>
  • Unsure re. mandatory masks. Depends on situation at the time. To begin with they would give extra protection and reassurance. <Ⓜ#11>

Member #12

• Just had a quick look at the “Planning and Face to Face Bridge 2021” and it looks quite ominous to me! <Ⓜ#12>
• Luckily we don’t have to make an immediate decision until at least 21st June but if it involves all the points mentioned I wouldn’t be too quick at starting up. <Ⓜ#12>

Member #13

• Absolutely beggars belief. Who on earth could be bothered to go through all that palaver and still end up being accused of spreading the virus? <Ⓜ#13>
• I've been playing Swiss Pairs on line using RealBridge. It works really well, you can see people and chat. I've also formed a little syndicate of seven players—do join us if you'd like—where I send out a weekly WhatsApp for who is available and when for the following week. I draw up a matrix and when four people sync, I nominate one of them to book an EBU RealBridge table for £5. Usually gives a game each week sort of face-to-face. <Ⓜ#13>
• I'm of the "be sensible but don't end up like Howard Hughes" way of thinking. Life's for living, not living in a germ-free capsule. <Ⓜ#13>

Member #14

• Good to hear from you with the possibility of Claygate BC opening up again. <Ⓜ#14>
• I agree that players should bring their own boxes, refreshments and sanitising and payment by online banking (if possible). <Ⓜ#14>

Member #15

• 'Happy to fit in with anything.' <Ⓜ#15>

Member #16

• 'The way things are going at the moment I think the possibilities of opening up Claygate Bridge Club again in at least the foreseeable future are good and, as long as there are no further disasters, I don’t see why we shouldn’t have a go after the end of June.' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'Regardless of all the online alternatives—which are fine in themselves and really quite enjoyable—there is no substitute for playing together in person at the Club.' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'All Members should have had both vaccinations by July (and if not, why not?!); valid exceptions may be considered.' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'Spacing out the tables as widely as possible, using a Mitchell movement, using plenty of hand sanitiser and bringing our own drinks seems sensible.' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'Perhaps it would be a good idea to wear masks for a few weeks, if that gave members more sense of security.' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'The Day Centre has plenty of windows—although it may be necessary to err on the side of cryogenesis to begin with!' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'Loos present no real difficulty. Probably just two occupants at one time.' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'I’d like to have my own bidding box, if available to buy, but as stated elsewhere COVID transmission is not so much by touching objects as by aerosols, so not important in my view.' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'I think that keeping our distance at the table as far as possible should suffice, especially if we wear masks and use plenty of sanitiser.' <Ⓜ#16>
• 'Anyway, I’m sure it will a personal decision for each member—and risk aversion is pretty variable—but I for one would just love to get going again TOGETHER, UP CLOSE (ish) and fairly personal!' <Ⓜ#16>

Member #17

• 'I agree with most people that while I`d love to come back to the Club it`s not going to be possible for quite a time yet. There are just too many problems.' <Ⓜ#17>
• 'I wouldn`t fancy playing with a mask on.' <Ⓜ#17>

Member #18

• 'I have to admit that I am enjoying playing online as I can play with my granddaughter in Capetown!' <Ⓜ#18>
• 'Opinion seems fairly divided and, having seen all the EBU requirements, I am in favour of not being in a hurry to return.' <Ⓜ#18>

Member #19

• 'Both XXXX and I miss playing bridge at Claygate and all that it entailed.' <Ⓜ#19>
• 'However I am in the cautious camp and still have some concerns about where we shall be in September vis-a-vis Covid. The coming few weeks are probably the safest time but I would prefer to wait a little longer to see how things pan out.' <Ⓜ#19>

Member #20

• 'It makes the heart sink (pre-session testing? 4 tables put together?)' <Ⓜ#20>
• 'I am with you and the Committee about not rushing into starting up again if it still involves many restrictions.' <Ⓜ#20>
• 'The prospect of spending 3+ hours in a mask does not appeal. Over an hour in Waitrose and I am feeling faint!' <Ⓜ#20>
• 'With the weather the way it has been so far this Spring, wide-open windows are a worry.' <Ⓜ#20>
• 'As a fully vaccinated person I am awaiting official removal of many restrictions.' <Ⓜ#20>
• 'Am sure that most of my social Bridge Fours will be playing back indoors later this month and once that happens hopefully it should be for clubs to open with very few restrictions.' <Ⓜ#20>
• 'Am sure all players can be relied upon not to form a crowd on entry and would be happy to bring their own bidding boxes and hand gel: windows open as usual …..' <Ⓜ#20>

Member #21

• 'I fully agree with the committee. I am not in any rush to reopen.' <Ⓜ#21>

Member #22

• 'Not until we can play as we used to.' <Ⓜ#22>

Member #23

• 'I would agree with proceeding cautiously and seeing how things work out for clubs that do open as soon as they can!' <Ⓜ#23>

Member #24

• 'I am keen to get back to the table provided all care has been taken to protect us all.' <Ⓜ#24>

Member #25

• 'I think many people have missed the social side of the bridge so it would be great to get back and make it as safe as possible to do so.' <Ⓜ#25>
• 'I have been a volunteer in a care home for the last eight months, where the infection rate has been extremely low, and in fact there have been no positive cases for nearly two months. I have made some recommendations below, based on the safety and infection control training I received there.' <Ⓜ#25>
• 'I can't see the point of bringing our own bidding boxes if the cards are being passed from table to table.' <Ⓜ#25>
• 'Everyone should wash their hands thoroughly immediately they arrive at the venue and hand-sanitise after each round, with hand sanitiser on each table. I think it should be compulsory to use the sanitiser. Anybody not prepared to follow infection control rules should not be allowed to play.' <Ⓜ#25>
• 'If biscuits are offered, they could be the individually wrapped variety and use disposable cups.' <Ⓜ#25>
• 'By June 21st, I'm sure all members will have received two doses of the vaccine. However, anyone showing any obvious symptoms, coughing etc should be sent home immediately.' <Ⓜ#25>
• 'As home tests are available for free to everybody, there is no reason why everyone can't come in with proof of their negative result (within 48 hours of arriving).' <Ⓜ#25>
• 'If people feel that all possible infection control precautions have been taken, members will feel more comfortable about returning to the club.' <Ⓜ#25>

Member #26

• 'I would be keen to return as soon as you think possible, for those who feel confident.' <Ⓜ#26>
• 'Having been working within a metre of patients and medical colleagues wearing masks for the last year, I believe confidence builds up quite quickly.' <Ⓜ#26>
• 'You very quickly get used to wearing masks for a period.' <Ⓜ#26>
• 'Temperature-taking and lateral flow testing are not very accurate at all. A colleague had a normal temperature four hours before, and a normal flow test six hours before getting COVID symptoms. She was also within a metre of me (with her mask on) half an hour before her symptoms started, and I didn't get COVID. (She probably got it from her husband, who is a teacher.)' <Ⓜ#26>
• 'In my hospital job, our team has never had any restrictions on touching paper items shared by all of us (which could be equivalent to playing cards).' <Ⓜ#26>
• 'Confidence is the key—so perhaps starting with bringing own bidding boxes and hand sanitisers would help.' <Ⓜ#26>
• 'If initially we don't get many takers, perhaps we could invite Oxshott members' <Ⓜ#26>

Alison Innes died on the morning of Wednesday 1st December after a long struggle. Her funeral is on Wednesday 22nd December at 1.45 pm at St. Nicholas Church, Shepperton, and afterwards at the Warren Lodge.

Ken died on Sunday 3rd October at an Esher care home. He had been ill for some time. As you know, he was a much-loved member of many years' standing.

I do not know the funeral date but I gather that, for covid reasons, the service will be restricted to 40 attendees. There may be an online broadcast. I will publish any details given to me here.

I am very sorry to have to announce this, but Claygate Bridge Club is now closed until further notice. Yesterday afternoon, the committee decided to call an SGM at the start of the evening session to implement the government's advice regarding coronavirus. The mood of the members who attended was that we had no choice but to suspend the club's activities until further notice. We then had a final session of five-and-a-half tables before the enforced break.

We hope to resume activities at the earliest opportunity.

Hope to see you all very soon.

Gavin

REMOVE: ASAP

/CBC/stoppages/

After a number of years of distinguished service, June Buckland has decided to stand down as President of the club. Mary Blundell has very kindly accepted the invitation to become the next President.

Gavin

28th August 2021

After our enforced hibernation, the committee has emerged with several members wishing to move on to other things.

Please get in touch with me, gavin@claygate.club, at the earliest opportunity if you could be interested in taking on one of these roles: Secretary, Treasurer, Refreshments or roving general committee member. (And if someone with a new vision for the club wants to become chairman, I would be happy to move to a different committee role.)

Gavin

amended 21st August 2021

Getting the Club reactivated will require a committee meeting or two.

But under clause 7c of the constitution, the committee cannot hold any meetings, online or otherwise, until two members have been identified to replace the current Secretary and Treasurer.

Gavin

21st August 2021

The committee emerged from hibernation today (24th February) to hold its first meeting by Zoom.  Understandably there were exchanges about haircuts, holidays and vaccinations, but once the chairman had regained control, the committee provisionally agreed:

1. To cancel this year's AGM. It is never the highlight of the club's year, and there are no prizes to be handed out anyway.  We hope members understand.
2. To approve the annual accounts, subject to the Honorary Auditor first approving them.
    

In the absence  of any guidance from the EBU or Boris, none of the committee believed that the Club would be returning to face-to-face bridge at the Day Centre before June.

This week Boris delayed the final stage of the re-opening of England—the 'terminus date'— from 21st June to 19th July.

It is not clear to me, at least, as to the schedule that the EBU is now recommending, because the EBU does appear to acknowledge that some face-to-face bridge is already happening. However, the EBU produced two newsletters today for club committees focussing on:

1. Its summer meeting in Eastbourne, which starts on 6th August, and
2. A 'Club Re-start Seminar' on Zoom scheduled for 30th July.

I cannot believe it appropriate for Claygate to re-start duplicate bridge until after that seminar has run. I know little of the contents of the seminar, except that it includes advice about running 'hybrid sessions', in which some pairs are in the room and some are playing online: a scenario that I frankly regard as too complex for Claygate.

Anyway, I just wanted to keep you up-to-date with what I've received from the EBU.

Best wishes

Gavin