Bridge

Skip navigation

Meeting Details

Beginners group

Frequency	Weekly
Time	1.30 pm on Tuesday
Duration	2 1/2 hours
Location	Abbot Hall Social Centre
Coordinator	Kay Tiffin

What we do

We meet to play Bridge, to improve our knowledge of the game and share our enthusiasm with others. Above all we simply aim to enjoy the most wonderful game in the world.

We have about 50 members and the average attendance is about 30 to 35. We welcome new members, whether they already play Bridge or would like to learn to do so.

We start with an optional 30 minute seminar, led by Philip Wraight, to help improve our playing skills. The majority then play informal "Chicago" (a form of bridge where you change partners and opponents every four hands). The less experienced players have structured teaching and supervised card play instead, conducted by Philip Wraight.

A new beginners class is started in any September when there are enough new members wishing to learn the game. We have dabbled in "teams" bridge, where two pairs play as a team, mainly at the annual Christmas party, and have started to play informal matches against other U3A Bridge groups.

Why is bridge so popular?
Bridge is such a fascinating game that it is not surprising that it is played by all ages. However for the retired it is a very important part of their lifestyle keeping them mentally alert. It stops them spending too much time in front of the television and as a social activity it helps them to meet friendly people with a common interest. Many people have been helped through serious illnesses by the thought of getting back to bridge! It also proves to be a great reinforcement of the spirit during the greyness of bereavement

Reports

November 2009:
Anthea Craggs has resigned as co-ordinator due to family commitments. We would like to thank her for her leadership of the Bridge Group over the last few years.
Grant Bramwell takes over as co-ordinator with the organising support of David Tiffin, Ian and Joan Hatton and Shiela Billing, and the expert guidance of our indefatigable bridge master Philip Wraight.
We are sad to have to record the passing of one of our older members, Len Marshall, in October in his 92nd year. Len was a founding member of the U3A Bridge Group, a regular attender on a Friday afternoon, an accomplished bridge player and a much loved and respected gentle man. He will be greatly missed.

Approximately 18 members continue to meet in the beginners group on a weekly basis and are enjoying the expert tuition of this challenging game.

Grant Bramwell
Kay Tiffin

June 2009:
The group will continue to meet on Friday afternoons until 21st August when the Centre is closed for a new kitchen to be fitted and will resume on Friday 11th September.

Anthea Craggs

March 2009:
We expect to continue with the same routine. Philip Wraight will start the afternoon at 1 p.m. with his lecture which we all enjoy and hope will improve our play! The “beginners” resume their course with Philip at 1.30 p.m. whilst the “improvers” play for the remainder of the session.

Anthea Craggs