Welcome to the web-site of one of the most popular & friendly Bridge Clubs in England.

We would like to thank you for looking at this web-site. We hope that you can find amongst the extensive information provided, the knowledge or insight you require.

On the home pages, we mostly cover Club information & upcoming county wide events, whereas, in the "MENU" (to your left (on an I-Pad, Tablet, Lap-Top or similar)), we report on more of the workings, origins & statistics of the Club. We also portray there, more of the big wide world of Bridge that is out there, including teaching, viewing, merchandise, and breaks/holidays, all put together in one place, for your ease & convenience. We hope that you will return here soon.

• Looking for a hobby / pastime that will stretch your mind?
• Newcomer to the game, intrigued by what you have seen or heard?
• Don't know if this is for you?
• Unsure of where to start?
• Apprehensive, because you are taking a step into the unknown?

Or :-

• Returning to the game after some time away?
• Able to play, but no partner - not sure how to find one?

We may have the answer - just call our Secretary Stephen Hanslip on 0781 555 3130, or e-mail him at secretary@wakefieldbridgeclub.co.uk  Alternatively you can contact Danny Parsonson on 0758 147 6235, or e-mail him at treasurer@wakefieldbridgeclub.co.uk

The game of Bridge is played by all ages and abilities in schools, universities, bridge clubs, social groups & individual houses all around the world, so we at Wakefield Bridge Club, are always looking to expand our fantastic game to more of the residents in our locality, whatever your age, so that you all can discover its pleasures.

We are a thriving Bridge Club with approximately 170 members, but we always welcome new members to our friendly group. We would be extremely pleased to see you, so come along and take the plunge, and find out if the game of Bridge is for you.

This game of Bridge has been proven to be excellent for your mental health, by making the maximum use of your brain's aptitude and abilities. It is a mentally challenging form of entertainment, offering intellectual and social stimulation on a routine basis. Bridge's intricacies should make it particularly appealing for those who want to sharpen their acuity whilst performing mental gymnastics. In detailed research of Bridge Players v Non - Bridge Players in the age category 55 - 90, that study indicated that Bridge players outperformed non players in terms of memory & reasoning. Listening, etiquette, concentration, dealing with winning & losing along with many other social skills, can be enhanced by playing Bridge.

All you have to do is take the first step - TRUST US - we will try our best to help you take it from there.

• If you have tried us and like what you see, and keep returning, you can expect to be asked to become a member of our Bridge Club.

Up to 20% of adults know how to play Bridge - why not join them?

In 2021, we relocated to our present home in Thornes Park.  We have taken part of the ground floor of the former school/college, which is now a part of the Penny Appeal Campus. We have two Bridge rooms, with a small kitchen and separate ladies and gents toilets. The aerial view (shown above) shows the former college/Penny Appeal buildings at the top left, and the main car park. The thin grey line running through the trees, from the bottom right of the photograph, marks the line of the road up from the park entrance on Horbury Road, the A642. This is the only road entrance for vehicles, to the Car Park & Bridge Club, as all the other entrances have bollards in the roadways to prevent further access, or are dead ends.

For detailed guidance on finding us please refer to the "MENU", look for the section which is labelled "HOW TO FIND US AT WBC" (WAKEFIELD BRIDGE CLUB) and then select either of the two alternatives of "Map/Photo directions", or "Written directions" to WBC .(You will need to rotate the map/photo pictures - use the swivel icon on the page, please).

Please use the assistance of Google Maps,which will help greatly or we recommend the use the downloadable what3words app, which divides the whole of the earth into 3m x 3m squares, and so pinpoints exact locations.

The post code of the club is WF2 8QZ; the what3words address of the club room entrance is flank.inspector.waving; the what3words /// address of the car park entrance is kind.brass.exchanges. (Download the what3words app which can be accessed via your smartphone, for an accurate location of where we are). We recommend this course of action.

If you are using satellite navigation to direct you to the club, please ensure that you approach from the A642, Horbury Road, Wakefield, which is the North entrance to the three parks that make up Thornes Park. Reliance on your car's satellite navigation, will end up with you at one of the wrong entrances to the parks, with no access through. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

​When you are walking up from the main car park, please look out for for the signage on the enclosure with green fencing, directing you to walk around the building to your left, to locate the entrance to the Bridge Club, which is now the only access that we have to our Club rooms. 

Forthcoming Events are always listed in the "MENU" under "CALENDAR". Alternatively, you can pick up one of our free A 5 calendars, from the Bridge Club.

PLEASE PLAN TO ALWAYS ARRIVE AT LEAST 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE START OF ANY OF OUR SESSIONS.

This is to enable us to select the correct type of game, based on the numbers present. If you turn up late, this delays this selection, and therefore the start of the session. Turning up late may mean that we have started without you, and you will be going home without playing. It also means that all those who turned up in plenty of time, will NOT finish on time. It is in your hands to make this NOT happen! Local Masterpoints & NGS gradings are available on all our sessions, except where indicated. 

Monday Mornings -  The second step - We offer a gentle, regular session of Bridge, that should provide an introduction into meeting other members of WBC, as well as introducing you into the mechanics of a Bridge session. If you would like to be involved simply turn up on the day. 

Monday Evenings - These have a competitive atmosphere. Pairs of visitors are always welcome, but if you need a partner, please place an advert on Pianola, on Partner Finder. Occasional Monday evenings are marked as Teams Events, and then advance registration is required - see the calendar (shown in the "MENU" under "CALENDAR" for details.

Tuesday Mornings - The improver / intermediate step. A teaching session for individual improvers, and existing members with some experience of the game. We replay interesting (random, not prepared) hands from a previous session (usually Thursday's), and discuss teaching points as they come up, but we don't always agree. Open to all members, this is an excellent opportunity to think and talk a little more deeply about your bridge.

Tuesday Evenings - The atmosphere is a little more relaxed, and the number of boards played is limited.

Thursday Mornings - The first step. A teaching session for individual beginners and individual improvers. This is your chance to play some new & unseen hands of bridge, with no expectations or time limits. We will be talking about a host of different Bridge related topics, with examples shown & explained (may be on a different subject).  

Thursday Evenings - These have an even more competitive atmosphere. Pairs of visitors are always welcome, but if you need a partner, please place an advert on Pianola, on Partner Finder. Very occasionally, there are Teams Events (see Monday evenings above for the protocol). 

Friday Mornings - This session aims to be relaxed in character, but it is competitive, and players of all grades are welcome. 

Need to know :- 

• Monday Morning - Level ♦ - start at 10.00, finish about 13.00 - play about 14 - 16 boards.
• Monday Evening - Level ♥/♠  - start at 19.00, finish about 22.30 - play about 27 boards.
• Tuesday Morning - Level ♣  - start at 10.00, finish about 12.30 - a teaching/discussion session involving up to 8 boards.
• Tuesday Evening - Level ♦/♥ - start at 18.45, finish about 21.45 - play about 20 boards. 
• Thursday Morning - Level ♣ - start at 10.00, finish about 12.30 - play up to 8 boards with a topic discussion. 
• Thursday Evening - Level ♠ - start at 19.00, finish about 22.30 - play about 27 boards.
• Friday Morning - Level ♦/♥   - start at 10.00, finish about 13.00 - play about 20 boards.

Levels (in our opinion), equate approximately to difficulty of each of our sessions (suits in bridge ranking order). 

• Normal sessions - are charged at £3.20 table money per head, until 30th April 2026. From 1st May it will rise to £3.30 per session. Please don't bring cash into the Club to pay, as we will send you a bill at the end of each month and you can pay by bank transfer. For visitors, the first session is always free, and we hope that you will return.
• Extra non Weekly Events - these will usually be charged to you at the end of the month, after they have occurred, together with the sessions that you have played in. These Extras, are found on our free A5 calendars, or by looking on the "MENU" under "CALENDAR" on this web-site. 
• Membership 2026 - 2027 :- The membership fee will be £25 per year. However, new members can join during the year at a rate of £2.00 per month remaining until the following 31 March (payable as a lump sum). Our annual AGM takes place on Tuesday 28th April 2026. 
• Drinks - Tea and coffee are available for a small donation (we suggest £0.50 per drink) in our own kitchen (we will sort out the milk). We have a large fridge and members are invited to bring their own drinks in for consumption. Thank you for your honesty.
• Biscuits - Thanks go to the Biscuit Tsar - Ernie. Biscuits (when available) are now available freely in the kitchen. Now share nicely.........

Remember - If you use cups or glasses from the kitchen, can you PLEASE remember to return them afterwards, hopefully you possess the knowledge & ability to wash them up or put them in the dishwasher - THANK YOU.

Did you know? All the monies that are donated for hot drinks, etc, manage to pay for the replacement of tea, coffee etc, also to pay for all the cleaning materials we require & the toiletries that we all use, whilst at the Bridge Club.

You all may not be aware, of what we have available in our Club, or what we have been doing inside our Club :-

• We have introduced extra individual lighting, for those in our membership requiring this help. There are two lights now available to be used. Just ask.................
• We have brand new coasters in the Club, with Bridge tips shown in them. How many are there? 
• We have changed from Bridgemates 2 to the Brand New Bridgemates 3 scoring system, which are now in operation.

We are currently working very hard to improve our accessibility, for all members of our population, who wish to play Bridge, either now, or in the future. This is a long term issue, and it is not going to go away. 

• We are currently looking at high definition cards, the problem at present is their suitability to our dealing machines, but we may have a solution.
• We will start to look at a hearing loop to suit our Bridge Rooms. Will this make the noise less between hands?

We are currently actively pursuing getting the Air con / Heater in the ceiling of the smaller room, either fixed or replaced. We have sanctioned the expense of a full replacement, but whilst the possibility of a simple fix solving the problem, it would be foolish of our responsibilities, to expend monies, which may prove to be unnecessary. 

Things are happening all around! The fact that YCBA wishes to bring prestige competitions to our venue, speaks a lot about what we are trying to create in our Club. Look at our calendar for 2026 for proof......... 

There may be other ideas that you may have to make things nicer & easier to play Bridge at Wakefield Bridge Club. If so, then please inform any of our committee. Please watch this space.........