As our sessions have gotten busier, the workload on the directors has increased. Also the new Bridgemate III system has been recently introduced and this has introduced some new challenges for the directors. So we have the idea of training some more technical helpers.

We ran a short workshop on a Saturday morning a couple of years ago for people who said they might to become technical helpers. The workshop covered computer set-up, the old Bridgemate system and post session scoring etc.

The more people who know the system the better we think. This help-out role would be ideal for someone with reasonable computer skills (we have a Windows computer) but not wanting to do the actual directing job. 

If you think you might be able to help and are a regular player then do get in touch. A new Saturday training workshop would be given covering the new Bridgemate III system. So even if you did the last workshop then it would still be useful to re-attend. 

No date has been set at the moment so please email patchambridgeclub@gmail.com for further details.  Thanks. 

We are happy to announce that thanks to Doris Stauss's legacy to the Club,  we have decided to invest in a new scoring system - the Bridgemate III.

The Bridgemate III is the next-generation bridge scoring system and the natural evolution of the trusted Bridgemate II that we currently use. 

Completely redesigned with modern hardware and advanced software, it delivers a faster, smarter, and more intuitive experience for our players.

We started to use the new system on Monday 23rd February. So far we have had a few teething problems, but hope we have those sorted now. 

Using the handsets is intuitive and if you can use a Bridgemate II then you will be able to use the new devices without any problems.

Some light reading here and here 

Now that Winter is fast approaching, the committee would be grateful if members would stay away from the club if they have (or are in close contact with someone who has) any cold or flu like symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever).

This is to protect all club members from unnecessary illness.

Thank you!

We are pleased to advise you that the car park is solely for visitors to the Community Centre or the Library.

To park there you will either need a Membership Permit or a Visitors Permit displayed in the parked car.

The new 2025 red parking permits are available to collect at any bridge session from 1st May 2025. Also day permits can be obtained for visitors. The old green parking permits are valid until 1st July 2025 so no need to panic.

Failure to display a valid permit or not parking tidily in a designated space risks a  £100 fine.

Parking will remain on a first arrival basis.

Detailed Parking Rules are in the Documents section in the lefthand menu of the website or click here  Patcham Community Centre parking rules.pdf

Your committee has decided that after many years without increase during a period of significant inflation that now is the time to raise the table money.

Having made a loss in the last finacial year demonstrates that building a cushion against possible future unexpected cost increases is a good idea.

So from the 1^st May 2025:-

A book of ten playing vouchers will be £25
A member paying cash will be £3
A guest paying cash will be £5

Monday's BBO game will remain the same at $3 BBO

We hope you all agree this is still excellent value for money.  

We know lots of you are looking for a regular or occasional partners. We also know that the facility in the Calendar pages is not the most “user friendly” thing in the world.

So, we are re-launching the “Find a Partner Pinboard” facility. We think that using the virtual pinboard will be easier for everyone. It has been available before but it was mixed up with the Contact Us form. Now it has its own menu link. You don’t need to login to the website to add a Pinboard request.

We are going to let the two methods run in parallel for a while so if you are looking for a partner, please check both the Pinboard (in the left hand menu) and the Calendar in the right hand column. Or add your own requests of course!

If you need assistance with the process contact patchambridgeclub@gmail.com