Although the Young Chelsea BC is physically closed, the club is still very much alive and kicking and the Management Committee members and others are working to keep it that way. This is an update to let you know about everything that is going on.
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Website
Binkie has been wrestling with the technology and has finally persuaded the old website URL to re-direct to the new one. In case anyone is still in doubt, the current website is www.bridgewebs.com/youngchelsea. The old website has been closed down, and the ycbc.co.uk address will now take you straight to the new site.
Online Duplicates
As you will have seen from separate messages, we are now running regular YC duplicates on BBO on Monday and Friday evenings—note that both now start at 7.30pm. They are scored as usual—with matchpoints on Mondays and IMPs on Fridays—and there is a TD in charge. A great opportunity to catch up with other club members and play an enjoyable game! Full details of how to register and play are on the website.
Easter Tournament
We will be holding a special two-session Easter tournament on BBO on Saturday 11 April, the sessions starting at 1.00pm and 5.00pm. Again more details are on the website.
Daytime Duplicates
We are also planning to have some afternoon sessions, probably on Thursday afternoons for the Goldhawks, our social players, and Tuesday afternoons or regular club members. A quick email to let us know if you would like to play in these would be helpful. Check the website for more details as and when confirmed.
Need Help with Getting Online to Play Bridge?
Many members may be unfamiliar with online bridge and nervous about joining in. If that is you, why not register on BBO and come and kibitz the club games (i.e. watch them without actually playing). You can see how things work and chat to players—it can be good fun. If you then want to organise a practice game, try asking one of the players that you know, who will surely be glad to help if they can.
YCKO and YC Super League
The YCKO has been suspended for the time being, but will be hopefully be re-started later in the year. In the Super League matches are, where possible, being played online, so the event is ongoing, though one or two teams have dropped out.
Youth Programme
Sadly, we have had to cancel the planned course in April and it is now very unlikely that we will be able to run the student courses that we had hoped to set up in September. But donations to this project will be kept aside for use as and when we can re-start the initiative.
Financial Situation
As a small business we expect to qualify for the government grant, which will help for a while. In particular we hope it will enable us to keep paying the two invaluable people on our payroll, Rachel and Nataliya. But as most of you will know, we have been operating on limited financial resources for some time and things will be tough. One way that you might be able to help is to donate to the club some portion of what you would normally have spent when visiting—your table money, or the cost of a pint, perhaps? One member, Richard Bowdery, has set up a regular weekly donation to do just that, and if you would like to follow suit, it just might make all the difference. Please use the reference “LOCKDOWN” when you send any donations in this way, so that we can identify them separately from any other income. Bank details are:
The Young Chelsea Bridge Club Ltd Sort Code: 23-05-80 Account Code: 35584692
Thank You
Belated thanks to Mike Eden who paid for the new stair carpet recently installed at the club. It is a shame it is not getting more wear at the moment, but let’s hope it won’t have to wait too long!
Finally
If you are self-isolating and need a hand with anything, the club would like to help in any way we can. Do get in touch and we will do our best.
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Look after yourselves and stay well everyone, and we will hope to see you again face-to-face before too long, and meanwhile in our online games.
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Item posted 6 April 2020
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