This is to advise you that we are planning changes to the Monday afternoon bridge sessions.

With effect from 13 April, bridge on a Monday afternoon will be a standard duplicate session starting at 12.45 pm. Players should no longer ask for help during the bidding and play but they can discuss briefly after play what should have been done – which is quite normal? The only teaching aspect will be a 15-20 minute lesson given by Gwynn Davis starting at 12.45. You can never stop learning something new about bridge!

Those people who only want to play on a Monday afternoon can pay a reduced annual membership fee of £20. The full annual membership fee is now £35. A separate message about full membership has already been sent out. Please note that the £20 fee does not offer prizes, handicaps or Welsh Bridge Union membership.

Up till now, Rhiwbina has been the only club in Cardiff which does not offer a standard duplicate session in the afternoon. We have now changed this. Afternoon sessions prove to be popular as we know that many people do not want to travel in the evening.

Please come along to give it a try and to support the new members. There is no commitment – just turn up. You can come on your own but it’s always better if you can arrange a partner.

As you may already be aware, the club will be transferring from cash payments to card over the next few weeks.

You are now able to pay your table money at the bridge session using a debit or credit card. In order for everyone to get used to the new system we will continue to accept cash in the short term. However, you are asked to bring the exact money as we are likely to have less available change.

You will also be able to pay your annual subscription by card. Details have already been given in the annual subscription reminder letter

This changeover will affect our ability to pay prize money so weekly prize money will cease to be paid after 31 March. The committee is giving consideration as to how we can find an alternative way of awarding prizes.

Membership subscriptions for the new club year 2026/27 are due on 1 April 2026.  

The subscription per member for 2026/27 will remain at £35 as agreed at last year’s AGM.  Membership is required for those playing at our Realbridge sessions as well as those playing face-to-face.

Table money will remain at £3 for members and £5 for visitors at the present time. 

On Wednesday evening at 7pm, June 17th 2026 there will be a special evening’s bridge. June this year sees the 50th anniversary of Adrian and Justin joining Rhiwbina Bridge Club and playing for the first time at the Memorial Hall.

They hope to see a big turn-out of current club members, including some who usually play on a different days of the week. They will be inviting guests who no longer play in Rhiwbina but are well-remembered partners, opponents and, above all, friends who played with us in the past.

There will be refreshments. Please arrive a little bit earlier than usual to start with a drink and a bite. These (and cake!) will be available through the evening, until they’re gone.

There will be a (fairly) normal evening’s duplicate but no table money will be collected. Prizes will be a little different from the usual small brown envelopes.

The club committee have kindly agreed to this departure from routine. Justin and Adrian look forward to seeing you there. So we can be sure to set up enough tables for the evening, please let Adrian, Justin or our web manager know that you intend to be there.

Contacts: adriantrickey1@gmail.com

justin.zena@btinternet.com

members@bridgewebsemail.com

Do you want to learn to play bridge or improve your game?

Do you want to learn to play bridge? It is the best-ever card game - something you will enjoy for the rest of your life. You make new friends and it keeps your mind active.

A course for beginners which started last September is already taking place in the Rhiwbina Memorial Hall on Tuesday afternoons from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm. The course lasts for three ten-week terms up to July 2026. Cost: £50 per person per term. A new course for complete beginners is likely to start later this year.

If interested, please contact Roger for more information on 07811 509490 or email roger.wright100@talk21.com

Please try and keep track of how many Realbridge sessions you have played vs the number you have paid for, rather than waiting for the club to notify you.  

 if you play with a guest you will have to pay for both of you. 

 Things will run much more efficiently if you can each take responsibility for topping-up your table money credit before it runs chase you for a further payment. 

Information on how to pay can be found by clicking here.

Anyone wanting to know their attendance and balance please contact Gwyn using email thomasgwyn55@gmail.com