Our recent membership survey highlighted the need to provide assistance to members in finding partners, whether that be for one game or a longer-term arrangement.

We are pleased to announce that we are ready to trial our new find-a-partner service, which allows you to post your partner request on our website. The new Find-a-Partner item on the main menu takes you to the Find-a-Partner Message Board, or click here.

Please give it a try and let us know how you get on! For feedback or assistance, email partners@westsussexbc.co.uk.

A message from Peter Clinch, Chairman - SCCBA:

One man. One woman. One dream. And a fiver each. That's all it takes to enter the annual Sussex Mixed Pairs Championship, being held on BBO from 11 a.m. on Sunday 5th December. This is Sussex's premier mixed pairs event. all-play-all. It's a great opportunity to win master points at enhanced County level, and maybe a trophy!

To enter go to the "Entry to SCCBA Competitions" area on http://www.sccba.co.uk, and fill in your details. All Sussex-affiliated players are eligible to enter, so please give it a go now!

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact the organiser, Gerry Stanford at gezukstanford@hotmail.com, or me at peter.clinch@yahoo.com or 07515 333539.

Thanks to those members who responded to our recent survey, which guided the committee in making some important decisions. As a result, we are making changes to our game schedule:

Tuesday evening duplicate returns on 4th January, with a 7.15 pm start and 10.15 pm finish. This game is aimed at the more experienced/competitive club member.

Thursday evenings as from 6th January will have a 7.15 pm start (NEW, by popular request) and 10 pm finish (also new). This game is for the more casual/social player, playing fewer boards at a relaxed pace. New and unranked players who have never played at an affiliated club are most welcome. Ranked players must be NGS 9 or below. Simple systems only.

Our Thursday afternoon session will continue as it is, with refreshments.

These changes will be reviewed in March.

Now that face-to-face bridge is back, after a promising start all that's missing is more members to help us celebrate our return and enjoy a game with friends at our lovely new premises, Tudor Hall at The Old School in Cuckfield. There's plenty of room, it's comfortable and warm (now that we've figured out the heating), there's hot water for tea and coffee, and it's a wonderful time to renew friendships and acquaintances in person. We need your support if our Club is to flourish and survive, so do please join us soon! Games are held every Thursday afternoon at 1.30pm and every Thursday evening at 7pm. Venue and parking details are on our Information page. We encourage you to purchase a book of vouchers (session cost is £3 for members or £25 for 11 vouchers); any that are unused will be fully refundable should we at some point decide not to continue with face-to-face bridge.

Questions? We'd love to answer them, so please contact Chris Jago at secretary@westsussexbc.co.uk.

These sessions have been suspended for the time being.

*Stop Press! Only 7 rooms remaining as of 25th October.*

Our winter bridge break is to be held at the beautiful Hotel Miramar in Bournemouth, organised in conjunction with Horsham B.C. The Miramar is wonderfully situated near the beach on the East Cliff with excellent food and superb service. As previously, the bridge will be directed by Graham and Berry Hedley and will include two afternoon handicapped sessions and three evening sessions with standbys available. Seminars and hand discussions will be held on Monday and Tuesday mornings.

Flight A and B prizes and master points will be awarded for all sessions.

Prices for bridge & accommodation with dinner, bed & breakfast for 3 nights:
• £215 per person sharing a double/twin room
• £240 per person for single occupancy
• Sea view room +£25
• Premium non-sea view room +£10

We are asking for a £50 deposit but this is fully refundable if you cancel for any reason by 30th November.

We only have a few rooms left so if you would like to come please contact: Chris Jago on 01825 721282 or email secretary@westsussexbc.co.uk.

If you have an NGS of 9 or below – or no NGS rating at all – this game is especially for you. On a Monday afternoon at 2pm you can join the online game on BBO that is offered through our partnership with Avenue and Lewes bridge clubs. Players with an NGS rating of 10 or above are not eligible to play in this game.

The game will run for 18 boards and cost $3 to play. It is a simple systems game, with no robots permitted and limited conventions: weak twos - Benji style or 3 weak twos - or strong twos; Stayman and transfers; a defence to 1NT; simple Blackwood; two-suited overcalls; cue-bidding (including splinters); simple jump-overcalls of any agreed strength.

We hope to see you there!

Although our Club has resumed face-to-face bridge, WSBC is still offering online bridge through a partnership with Avenue and Lewes Clubs. Three weekly sessions are available on BBO: Tuesday mornings, Wednesday evenings and Thursday afternoons. If you would like to play and are not already registered, please contact Hazel (mps@westsussexbc.co.uk).