Our "Getting Started" course for beginners was developed by Nicky Bainbridge, of Heart of England Bridge Club. Nicky is an experienced teacher of over 20 years and we are grateful for her extensive help and permission to use her materials.

Running for 10 weeks, the course presumes no prior knowledge (although some people who have played before find it useful as a refresher). It covers the basics:

- Introduction and card play

- High card points and shape

- Bidding boxes: the auction

- The 1NT opening bid

- Reply to 1NT with balanced hand

- Reply to 1NT with unbalanced hand

- Raising partner's suit

- Other replies

- Opener bids again

- Strong balanced hands

The cost of £50 for 10 lessons also includes a learning book. The first lesson is free and without commitment.

Our "improvers" course builds on the basics learned in the Beginners course. It introduces playing techniques and extends bidding skills. This is also in ten lessons:               

- Playing Suit Contracts

- Simple Overcalls

- Vulnerability - Doubling - Scoring

- Take Out Doubles

- Unbalanced Opening Hands - Weak

- Unbalanced Opening Hands - Strong

- Playing in No Trumps

- Using Stayman

- Competing With 1NT Opening

- Defence

As with the beginners course, each lesson is followed by hands-on practice sessions with helpers on hand to advise and assist.

A number of nearby bridge clubs provide bridge lessons. We are aware of the following:

Kettering Bridge Club (www.bridgewebs.com/kettering/) and Northampton Bridge Club (www.northamptonbridge.org.uk) are both currently running 10-week courses for beginners.

Leicester's County Bridge Club (www.bridgewebs.com/cbc/) invites anyone interested in learning to contact them for details of suitable courses.

No Fear Bridge (www.nofearbridge.co.uk) provides online learning for beginners and learners at all levels.

The English Bridge Union (EBU) runs a national learning programme under the title of Bridge For All, for those interested in learning to play bridge (www.ebedcio.org.uk/BFA)