Prizewinners from this year's Annual Dinner. 

Congratulations to the following.

Amy Baker Salver Pairs Championship: Eleanor Rice & Stuart Strachan.                             
Eleanor and Stuart first won this competition in 1995 and they have now won it an amazing 21 times.

Tommy Freeman Rose Bowl Individual Championship: Stuart Strachan.                               
This is the 7th time Stuart has won the Individual

Pam Tuplin Challenge Cup: Stephen Martin

Florence Hawkins Rubber Bridge Trophy: Phil Hickman & David Richardson

David Barratt Cup: Annie Fraser. This is a new trophy awarded to the club member whose NGS has improved by the greatest percentage in the previous year.

The dinner which was in support of this year's charity - Newbury Cancer Care - went very well and our thanks go to all those involved with its organisation. 

Sadly the number of people being treated for cancer is increasing, with one in two people now having cancer at some stage of their life, but the good news is that modern treatments are giving people hope and many continue to live long healthy lives. This is putting a huge strain on the services at RBH and new initiatives are needed.  Providing additional treatments locally will be of immense value to the local community, reducing travel and stress. 
The NHS is under financial pressure, but with support from Newbury Cancer Care, the plan is for cancer treatment and support services to be greatly increased in the Rosemary Centre at West Berkshire Community Hospital. Currently chemotherapy is only offered two days a week, but in Phase One the number of treatment chairs will increase to seven and be used five days a week, with additional staff. This change will quadruple the number of chemotherapy treatments given alongside IV services, including transfusions, calcium level management and PICC line care. NCC is hoping to raise £200,000 to cover equipment and Phase One building costs which will begin in the next two months and will be completed in time for extended services to commence in May 2026. Phase Two plans to allow additional cancer consultant clinics and cancer support services in the Rosemary Centre at WBCH are being discussed.With further support from NCC this will greatly enhance care for the people of West Berkshire. NCC will launch its fundraising appeal on the Good Exchange in February.  NBC will be able to donate what it raises to date on the Good Exchange to double the amount raised.These are ambitious plans which NCC is determined to deliver on time.  We at Newbury Bridge Club have an opportunity to support this with our fundraising efforts this year starting with our raffle on January 9, tickets for which can be allocated to you at £2 per square by emailing marymurphyd1@gmail.com and authorising the treasurer to deduct the cost from your NBC account.

Click for a Thank You Letter from Bridge for Young People

Qualifying heat for the HIW  Pottage Cup pairs on February 5^th 2026

HIWCBA IBM Cup – 10^th February 2026 at St George's and 12^th February 2026 at Chieveley.(tbc)

New billing system now live

October 2025 was the first month when we went live with our new automated billing system.  Anyone who has played in October or has paid off a brought forward balance should have received an email showing the outstanding balance on Saturday 1^st November.  Unfortunately, there was a slight hiccup where a zero-balance report was sent to a wide distribution list in error. I apologise for any confusion this may have caused.
Within your monthly statement there is a link which you can click on to take you to your account, and this will show you details of your activity and costs. These details can also be accessed via a new ‘Payments A/C’ tab when you sign in to the members only area of the website. While this new facility gives you a useful running record of your account, please be aware that new items may take a few days to appear on the statement.  
If you have any queries about your bill please contact me directly on newburybridgeclubt@gmail.com

Kate MacIver , Acting Treasurer 

On the 15th January 2026 the Aldermaston and Brimpton NSPCC committee are holding a lunch and bridge day.  It’s a non-competitive day of rubber bridge for all abilities (players form their own tables) and players receive coffee on arrival followed by a delicious home-cooked lunch (with wine!) and raffle - usually a very enjoyable event. Tickets are £120 per table. 

Please contact Sarah Cohen (07766 208 644 or sac_vine@btinternet.com) for more information or to book. 

Thursday 15th January 2026 Aldermaston Parish Hall, RG7 4LW 10.30am to 3.00 pm. 

Click here for a list of HIWCBA events

Please see 'Club Calendar' for more details

These are still running so if you'd like to play Duplicate Bridge online you can sign up for them as for any other competition. Tuesday is at 2 pm and Saturday at 10 am. Cost is only £1 per session!

Opportunities

Bridge is an absorbing and fascinating hobby, good for the brain and a great way of making new friends. 

Dates and Times:  we run training sessions 

• 7:00 to 9:30pm, on Mondays at the Westridge Studio at Highclere (a 10 minute drive from the centre of Newbury).  Free parking on the premises.

Tutors: Sallie Cheek / John  Harland/ Brian Medhurst

Session Types:

•  First Year Course - The course follows the syllabus of the English Bridge Union’s “Bridge for All” programme. The full course which will be at least 36 session over three terms.  Will start later in 2025.
• Improver Classes – these sessions consolidate and then build on the topics covered in the first year course

Further Information: contact Sallie Cheek on 07823 330149 e-mail  BridgeAtNewbury@gmail.com.

Click for a description of the First Year course.

F2F Rubber bridge at St George's Church Hall. Monday evenings. 7.00. pm. It would be helpful if you can register in advance.  

You can play Rubber Bridge on line on Wednesday evenings. Contact Richard Bungey or Dave Beeley