I have been lacking inspiration!  The recent chilly weather has not inspired me to think about the summer. Our central heating is still on!  However, my mood has been brightened, I very recently received a welcome telephone call from the RAC to advise me that the refurbishment plans are running to time.  We can start to think about moving out from the Pavilion very soon with access to the new reception area and all the luxuries, from the Cedar Room, which we have most definitely missed!  It is all very exciting.  We have stoically continued to meet to play bridge with our friends since January.  Our patience has been rewarded, we will once again very soon, be able to use the front entrance with its new reception area and the brand new Hurricane Bar. I must comment though that I have more recently actually enjoyed the Pavilion on a sunny Spring day with its wonderful views across the golf courses and grounds.  A sincere thank you from me to all our bridge circle who have patiently played bridge through the winter, we are almost there and will soon be back to normal with new facilities to enjoy!

Match News

You may have noticed that eight of our usual players were missing on Monday evening 18^th May.  They took part in Pall Mall’s Centenary Cup match.  I am exceedingly proud of our own RAC Woodcote Bridge Team (pictured). We did so well against very stiff competition from the MCC, Roehampton, Hurlingham Club (Peacocks and Hearts), Cumberland and Phyliss Court and of course not to mention RAC Pall Mall’s red and blue teams.  I must particularly congratulate Woodcote team members Carolyn Shakerchi and Heidi Darley who were top pair all evening and were just knocked back into second place, on the Best Pairs ranking list, over the very last couple of boards.  Congratulations both - that was quite an accomplishment!   RAC Woodcote Bridge Team overall were in 5^th place ahead of both RAC Pall Mall’s red and blue teams who were in 7^th and 8^th place.  We certainly did hold our own.  It was a fun evening in excellent company and fine dining enjoyed by all after the match.  

On a beautiful early spring day in April, June Hill captained a home match against Guildford Golf Club.   The RAC team had an overwhelming victory in both the golf and bridge games.  The games were played in the very best of humour and we have been promised a rematch next year at Guildford. 

June Hill has made a new contact at Surbiton Golf Club. As a result of this an away match was played and hosted at Surbiton on 27^th April.  The weather was kind and after an exceedingly tight golf match and then bridge, RAC Woodcote won the day – just!  A home match is planned when we will host and invite Surbiton to play at Woodcote as a rematch.

Members of the RAC Woodcote bridge circle also took part in a bridge match at Kingswood Golf Club.  A jolly evening of bridge took place. I understand that this time we did in fact lose the match but, we will be playing Kingswood at home in November and hope this time to win. No pressure of course from me!  If you would like to take part in a friendly match, then do sign up when the Sign Up Sheet is pinned on the Bridge Notice Board later in the year.

A possible new golf and bridge match is in the planning stage against Roehampton, an away match will hopefully take place later this year with a return autumn home match in due course.  More information to follow shortly when dates have been confirmed. 

There are several exciting matches coming up over the next few weeks.  Good luck to all of our teams, enjoy the day, it is all good fun and very sociable whether we win or lose it is the taking part which counts. 

EBU News

I have received the following information from the EBU regarding bridge promotions.

Bent Petersen – Local Master

Margie Hamilton – Club Master

Fenella Fraser Ker – Area Master

Dave Cox – Area Master

Jeremy Sumeray – District Master

Xiaoyu Valev – Local Master

Ivaylo Valev – Local Master

Kate Hancock – Local Master

Linda Diamant – Local Master

David Watling – Club Master

Well done all, it is good to see the promotions. 

Bridge Classes

New bridge classes are currently being planned for the Autumn.  Natasha Clarke will continue with her classes for beginners, intermediates/advanced with supervised play too.  More information and timings to follow, keep an eye on the Notice Boards and Bridgewebs.  An information flyer will be sent out in due course very soon.

Summer Social – 6^th July

Bookings have been taking place for our popular Summer Social.  Sue Forbes-Wilson has planned a superb menu for us all to enjoy.  I hope you have booked your places as soon the event will be fully booked.  If you would like to come along but do not have a partner you need to tell either Sue or I as we might just be able to find you a bridge partner for the evening. 

I hope you all enjoy the summer months ahead, I hear temperatures are set to soar in the UK over the Bank Holiday weekend.  I can’t imagine it; my heating is still on in the evening. 

I look forward to seeing you all soon.  Very best wishes and thank you for your patience during the refurbishments, it is nearly all behind us!

Kindest regards

Angela Reid , Chairman – Woodcote Bridge

Chicago bridge runs fortnightly on Wednesdays from 2pm to 4.30pm. Chicago Bridge will continue throughout the summer or at least to the 19th August.

The charge is £5ph (£12 for guests attending with a member) including tea and biscuits. Do join in. No partner required, just turn up and play.

Autumn Bridge Courses
Weekly on a Wednesday from September

These courses will be taught by our resident Bridge Teacher, Natasha Clarke and will follow the programmes taught at Andrew Robson’s Parsons Green club in London. As well as the course, you will also receive a full set of course notes to keep for reference.
 

The Perfect Introduction to Bridge

This course is the perfect introduction to bridge for complete beginners to the game

Time: tbc -  Course Fee: £200.00

Building on the Basics

This course is for those who would like to build on their basic knowledge of bridge.

Time: tbc - Course Fee: £200.00

Improvers: Play bridge with Confidence

Build confidence in bridge with clear, practical lessons on bidding, play and defence.

Time: tbc - Course Fee: £200.00

For more information or to reserve your place, please email activities@royalautomobileclub.co.uk

In addition to using the Bridgewebs facility we have initiated a What's App group. Lists are currently being compiled at our Monday night sessions or contact Nigel or Angela if you wish to be added to this group.

The Committee  encourage all Woodcote Park Bridge players to join this site. This will allow you to seek a Bridge partner, when required, in a password protected enviroment. For instructions on joining, click on the 'NEWS PAGE' tab.