Welcome to the web-site of the 39th most popular Bridge Club 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 you require. On the home page, we mostly cover Club news, whereas, in the "MENU", we cover more of the big wide world of Bridge as well. We hope that you will return here soon.

The EBU's Bridge - It's a Big Deal has taken place nationally W/C 8th September 2024. The EBU, during the week, were hoping to raise at least £60,000 for the noble cause of Cancer UK.

On the 8th September, we (as a Club), took part in the National Handicapped Pairs, and what a result was achieved by two of our members, Barbara & Bill. They managed to finish third overall, when the handicap formula was applied to their result. When you look at the overall winners, who were ranked as a Q & a J, and the pair that came second were ranked as a 5 & a 7,  the fact that Barbara & Bill were ranked as an 8 & a 2, should give hope to all those many members of our Club, who do not see themselves as experts. Never give up before you have started!!

On the 15th September, we held an individual Bridge event for our members. Looking at the results, it is interesting to note again, that some of our least experienced members, performed admirably. 

I hope that you have enjoyed the week, whether you have taken part or not, I hope you think that Bridge is the big winner. We will have an update on the monies raised when it becomes available. I do hope that a charity week is going to be forthcoming in years to come.

We as a Club, have a lot to be proud of. We may not be the best club in the Bridge scene, but we make up for it in bucketfuls, with what we are prepared to do etc, which must make Bridge the winner. To all our members, I say, enjoy the journey, there is more to come................... 

•      Newcomer to the game, intrigued by what you have seen or heard?
•      Apprehensive, because you are taking a step into the unknown?
•      Unsure of where to start?
•      Don't know if this is for you?
•      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 the Secretary Stephen Hanslip on 0781 555 3130, or e-mail him at "WakefieldBridgeClub@pianola-mail.net". Alternatively you can contact Danny Parsonson on 0758 147 6235, or e-mail him at "dannyparsonson@hotmail.com".

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.

All you have to do is take the first step - Trust us - we will help you take it from there.

Wakefield Bridge Club.

The club was founded in Autumn 1953, and currently has more than 170 members, and has had various homes throughout its history.

In 2021, we relocated to our new home in Thornes Park, where 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 here 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 to the Car Park & Bridge Club, as all the other entrances have bollards in the roadway to prevent further access.

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 (WAKEFIELD BRIDGE CLUB).(You will need to rotate the map/photo pictures - use the swivel icon on the page, please).

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.  (Find the what3words app on your smartphone).  If you are using satellite navigation to direct you to the club, please ensure that you approach from the Horbury Road (North) entrance to the park, as all other car entrances to the park have bollards in the roadway to prevent your access.

Forthcoming Events are always listed in the "MENU" under "CALENDAR". 

PLEASE PLAN TO 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, and the finishing time. Turning up late may mean that we have started without you, and you will be going home without playing. It is in your hands to not make this happen!

Monday Mornings -  The next step - The emphasis is on a gentle pace where nobody feels rushed, and up to ten minutes is allowed for each board. If you would like to be involved simply turn up on the day.  A host is normally available.

Monday Evenings - These have a competitive atmosphere. Pairs of visitors are always welcome, but if you need a partner, please place an advert in 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 - A teaching session for improvers, new and existing members with some experience of the game. We replay interesting (random, not prepared) hands from a previous session, and discuss teaching points as they come up, but we don't always agree. Open to all, 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. A host is normally available.

Thursday Daytime -  The first step. A teaching session for individual beginners and improvers. This is your chance to play some new & unseen hands of bridge, whilst talking about a host of different topics and enjoying a variety of different cakes each week. NO Master points or NGS grading movement is given. 

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 in 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. A host is normally available.

Need to know :- 

• Monday Morning        - Level ♣/♦      - start 10.00, finish about 13.00 - play about 16 boards.
• Monday Evening        - Level ♥          - start 19.00, finish about 22.30 - play about 25 boards.
• Tuesday Morning       - Level ♣         - start 10.00, finish about 12.30 - a teaching/discussion session involving up to 8 boards.
• Tuesday Evening       - Level ♦/♥       - start 18.45, finish about 21.45 - play about 20 boards. 
• Thursday Daytime     - Level ♣          - start 10.00, finish about 12.30 - play up to 8 boards with a topic discussion. 
• Thursday Evening     - Level ♠          - start 19.00, finish about 22.30 - play about 25 boards.
• Friday Morning           - Level ♦/♥       - start 10.00, finish about 13.00 - play about 20 boards.

• Levels equate approximately to difficulty of each of our sessions (suit ranking order). 

• Normal sessions - are charged at £3.10 table money per head. Please don't bring cash, we will send you a bill at the end of the 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, together with your normal sessions. Please follow any instructions given for each event to see if this differs. 
• Membership 2024 - 2025 :- The membership fee is £35 per year. However, new members can join during the year at a rate of £3 per month remaining until the following 31 March (payable as a lump sum).
• 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 CZAR - Ernie. Biscuits (when available) are now available freely in the kitchen. Now share nicely.........
• Remember - that whatever you leave behind after your visit, is a job for one of our other members to clear up after you. We hope that you can successfully locate the bins which are in every room in our building & relocate the kitchen for your dirty cups & glasses. Thank you. 
• 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.

BE AWARE - We are now starting at the brand new time of 10.00 a.m. for two & a half hours approximately, finishing at 12.30 p.m.

NEW PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS ARE WELCOME & EXISTING MEMBERS DO NOT NEED A PARTNER.

Well it happened again, and not all the cake was consumed & we still have the capacity for more members to turn up. 

Last time, we spent some time talking about slams in broad outlines. Next week, we shall be talking about opening leads, whilst playing a few brand new hands.

This relaxed & laid back session is predominantly aimed at people who want to learn the basic information about bridge, and to explore a bit further into the game. 

• No master points or NGS awarded.
• These hands will be pre-dealt hands that have not been played before, and so will be new to myself.
• There will definitely be a break around the half - time  mark, for a cuppa & a bite to eat. The kettle is always boiled when you arrive, so you can grab a cuppa then as well.

We want this session to be a fun & very relaxed session, and a place to learn about the world of Bridge, as well as card play & defence - two absolute basics of playing Bridge. We would also encourage you to talk & discuss Bridge related problems, and if you do not fully understand something, please ask & we will try and answer your query, even if it is not straight away. 

Please note that this session is to be charged at the same rate as any of the other Wakefield Bridge Club's sessions. I look forward to the journey..............

We bring you this information, as an example of how we can make a positive interaction with other charities. We appreciate the comments & hope that we can foster more of this help, kindness & support with Penny Appeal. 

The picture was taken in the refectory of Penny Appeal, during the Yorkshire Affiliated Teams Event in April. I apologise for the technical difficulties in not bringing this to you sooner. Please click on the highlighted area to view.................  

https://pennyappeal.org/news/wakefield-bridge-clubs

You all may be aware, that not only have we been recently renewing some of the visible items in our Club, we have also been renewing / upgrading some items that you might not be aware of, and did not know where available.

You will have seen that the bidding boxes have been given a good wash, and the bidding cards have been replaced. (I am sure that you remember all the initial sliding bids!!!). But did you know that there are left handed bidding boxes available at the Club. The right handed bidding cards boxes, are all in Red or Green bidding boxes, whereas the left handed bidding cards are in Black or Yellow bidding boxes. There are a couple of the left handed bidding boxes available on the shelves next to the computer station in the Club House. There are some more of each hand of bidding boxes, these are kept in the storage room, if required. Whilst we are on the subject of bidding boxes, if you come across a bidding box with an individual (or more) card missing from it, please do NOT try and sort this out yourself. Please make the TD aware of the problem first PLEASE. We need to be aware of a problem, so that we can rectify it, for everyone's benefit. Do not just simply swap it with another spare bidding box. All the bidding boxes were recently checked, and we were disappointed to find that two of the bidding boxes had cards missing from them. They had both been placed on two separate usually unused tables. Please help us to help you all..............

Also, we have available three card holders for those of you who may struggle holding the playing cards. These are usually available in the storage room - if you would like to use one, all you have to do is ask...............

A new development is the positioning of the table numbers on the sides of the bidding boxes. These are designed to be seen from the aisle down the middle of the room, which we normally use as the main thoroughfare in the Club. We believe that this should make them instantly visible for everyone - much better than ending up underneath a bidding box (which is useless!!!). These are held onto the bidding box by magnets, so if they come adrift, they are easily put back together again.

The "PASS" cards in the main Bridge room have all been upgraded, and all those that were showing signs of wear & tear have been replaced. 

Have you noticed the "Headers" on the notice boards? Have you noticed the new coat hooks? Have you noticed the library of books available? Things are happening all around!

There are other ideas that we, your committee have, to make things nicer & easier to play Bridge at Wakefield Bridge Club. Please watch this space.........   

In the Club duplicate on Friday 13th September, you may have noticed who the winners & losers were, but did you look close enough at the scores?

Two of our members, Dennis Thompson & Brian Leggetter, achieved a score of 82.41% a truly remarkable score. In bridge terms, a score of 70%+ is a very rare score, and may possibly be achieved at our Club, perhaps, half a dozen times in a year. So to get a score of that magnitude, is a feat that deserves to be congratulated - WELL DONE!!!