Bridge
On Wednesdays we play rubber bridge from 2.00pm until 4.30pm (bringing refreshments if required ). We are a happy bunch and very helpful if anyone is unsure of their bidding.
We also have Bridge magazines with advice and bridge quizzes. English Bridge Union books to aid learning are available. If you have an elementary knowledge of the game or are a regular player and would like to be part of this group please get in touch, it's good to welcome new u3a members.
Group contact: Jenny MacDonald
Telephone: 01208 873933
February 2024
We have amalgamated as planned, now too large in number to meet in my home, we trialled venues in town and are now established happily in the Scout Hut, still on Wednesdays. However we now skip the refreshment break and leave earlier to enable some to be home in daylight and others to get a meal before going off to an evening activity. Those who miss their cuppa bring a flask!
As we now have this lovely space and ample tables we are happy to invite more players to join our group. So please get in touch on the above number and try an afternoons bridge with our group.
November 2023
The group has expanded again over the last couple of months and our novice players have been doing their homework so are filtering into the main group. We are, of course, still happy to offer assistance whenever needed.
As a result we can no longer fit into my home - and we've also worn out our card tables! - so are trialling a venue in town.
September 2023
There are two sessions running, one for beginners despite all the visitors, holidays etc that happen in summer. A player new to U3A has joined in order to play bridge with us in a friendly social manner. Also someone already really involved with our U3A has found time to come back to the group. having started when we first set up 10yrs ago. We are very happy to welcome them both.
June 2023
It took a little while for the new bridge players to to get set up for a regular weekly session of play. u3a members are invariably busy people and finding mutually convenient times is never easy. We took advantage of our u3a's funding for materials to help learn learn the game, choosing the method preferred by the English Bridge Union.
March2023
Members enjoyed our u3a's recent Open Day when we chatted to those interested in what we did. A number of new people have now joined our bridge group and one has already started playing with us. For others we are setting up some sessions to assist them to start learning the game before integrating into the usual weekly meetings. Welcome to you all.
January 2023
Despite the usual round of coughs and sneezes we have kept well enough maintain good attendance levels. On March 6th, instead of a talk our u3a is holding an open day so people can find out about our activities. There will be several of our members present, all happy to offer information.
November
We continue to achieve two tables, changing partners so we are all familiar with each others idiosyncrasies in bidding - yes, there are a few! None of us perfect but we do improve and always enjoy our sessions. It would be lovely to welcome more players, so if you fancy joining an intermediate standard group do get in touch. If you just have the basics or it's a long time since you've played we can always help.
September
Our play has continued successfully without me or my home (our usual venue ), being managed by Alan, Christine and Mina for several weeks. Our combined thanks to all three of you. We expect to be back to normal mid October.
July 2022
Our bridge group is now into its 10th year, having kicked off as soon as Lostwithiel u3a began. Some of us playing together from the start, others just a month or two ago. We continue to meet on Wednesday afternoons , usually at Jenny's home, sometimes visiting three other members homes. Whilst the game keeps us mentally alert so does the friendly banter as we socialize at teatime.
May
As we are being deprived of our regular venue quite a bit at present we are enjoying visiting the homes of several members who have kindly stepped in to host our bridge afternoons.
Wednesday afternoons have proved to be the more popular option
March 2022
We are are happy that we are welcoming two new members to play bridge with us. It is never easy to find a meeting time to suit everyone and those of our group who preferred to play online for the past four months now feel comfortable to join those playing 'live'. These factors have prompted us to rethink when we play so we are trialing a choice of Wednesday or Saturday afternoons (or maybe even both!). This has the added advantage of smaller numbers thus lowering infection risk.
February 2022
We will be reviewing when and where we play as the weather improves and spring arrives. Possibly retaining two small groups to enable a safer environment for those who need to be more cautious.
It's up for discussion so if anyone would like to join us for a relaxed game of bridge this would be an ideal time.
January 2022
Our outdoor afternoon sessions came to an end as the weather deteriorated in October and we recommenced playing online one evening a week. As the Covid problem eased we started just one table in a conservatory then in a house, following the recommendations to keep windows or doors open etc and keep ourselves safe.
September 2021
The summer brought split views regarding how to play so we restarted bridge in gardens for the summer while continuing the B.B.O. on-line sessions until members found themselves busy with other outdoor activities and avoided their computers.
We are finishing garden sessions at the end of this month and setting up play again with B.B.O. and Zoom in October. There will also be a trial of one table indoors following all government recommendations,
If anyone would like to join either of these bridge sessions please get in touch as we are happy to welcome you and expand our numbers.
March 2021
Not to be outdone by lockdowns through the winter we set up on-line games using Bridge Base Online and our u3a's Zoom facility. This stopped us getting 'rusty' and was good company on dark winter evenings when there were so few opportunities to socialize. However it will be so good when we can all play at tables again as playing on-line does not suit everyone.
September 2020
As the restrictions for Covid changed a few of us decided to try playing outdoors with pre-dealt cards and all necessary safety measures in place. Eventually even coats and blankets were not sufficient to stave off the cold so were all then missing our bridge games for a while.
March2020
Unfortunately we had to cancel our regular bridge session on 17th March due to the virus. This will have to remain the case until social distancing is no longer in force.
We will just have to play against our computers to avoid withdrawal symptoms and keep in practice.
January 2020
We were happy to welcome a new member who joined us this week. Though fairly new to Bridge she is already very involved with other groups in our branch.
As I'm unable to host Jan 22nd and 29th Bridge will be at our usual alternative home - thank you hosts.
June 2019
If I say that after six years we are still playing bridge at the same time each week, at the same venue and (mostly) the same people it would seem we are a boring bunch.........no way!
We play rubber bridge from 7 - 10pm with a refreshment break half way, when there's lots of chatter. The latest members to join us find us a happy bunch and very helpful if anyone is unsure of their bidding. We also have regular Bridge magazines and several teaching programmes available.
If you think you may like to be part of this group please get in touch, it's good to welcome new u3a members.
