For the months that we remain at the Rothley Centre, the Parish Council has increased the hire charge that we pay for Monday nights; from 1 April, the Templar Room (the one we currently use on a Monday) will be £63 more expensive than if we used the Lounge on a Monday. If we stay in the Templar Room the committee proposes a £1 increase in table money to contribute to the extra cost.

In view of the current table numbers (which now run a little below those on a Wednesday afternoon, where we are still using the Lounge) the Committee would like to hear your opinion on the following options.

* We have asked for your name because we need to restrict this ballot to those who play on a Monday night - but the ballot is secret and your name will not appear next to the option you choose.

We are in the throes of competition season but we wanted to wish Good Luck to everyone taking part in the Wilde Cup on Tuesday. For some of our members this will be their first experience of taking part in a competition and we hope that have fun. If you do that then you can't lose.

Also, as many of our members are keen crafters we thought that you might be interested to know that John and Pauline Dignan's daughter Zoe Gibbons has been nominated in a shortlist of 20, for the prestigious The Broderers' Exhibition 2025 Viewers' Choice Award! If you would like to see her piece, click the link below and please feel free to vote for her. Viewers' Choice Award 2025 - The Broderers' Exhibition 2025: The Art of Embroidery.

Please keep letting us know of any interesting news.

Congratulations to Brian and Sheila Stockdale, who achieved an entry in 70% Club on Monday 4th December with 70.14%. They now become the latest holders of the Pam Leeson Trophy.

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What a busy club we are, it seems that two or more of our members are playing Bridge somewhere, either at the table or online every day of the week. So it is inevitable that if we report on some of these events then some people will get left out of a mention so we apologize if that includes you. We congratulate all of you who take part in these games, including the many team events as well.

Hi folks, more success stories to report and many congratulations to all of you who enter any pairs or team competitions and do so well. (Sorry if we don’t get to report them all, we can only include those we hear about.) A particular mention must be made this time of the EBU Online Green Point for 2024 event which attracted over 500 people, including some of our members. Many congratulations to Mark Wiggins and Judy Simpson who were ranked 27th in this huge field and Judy was 2nd overall in the C Stratification strand, a wonderful achievement. We also had success further afield with Mark and Kerry Taylor, who were on a Bridge holiday in Tenerife recently, winning the championship pairs event held over 2 nights. Well done to them.

We all know that there are many weird convention names in Bridge and we wonder where some of them come from. A new one to us was in this month’s English Bridge magazine; the ‘Goldilocks’ bid ? This is a bid that “is not too weak and not too strong” for example a raise from one heart to three hearts, it’s about striking the optimal balance for your hand.

Also in the magazine is a timely reminder to show our appreciation for our club directors; they all do an incredible job and we are very fortunate to have Steve on Monday evenings and the team on Wednesday afternoons. So please remember to call them as soon as anything untoward happens. It is why they are there and most problems can be sorted out at the table.

Finally for those of you who like a drink either before or after a game of Bridge, you might like to know that The Woodman’s Stroke, next to Rothley church (aka “The Woodies”) has been voted the best pub in Leicestershire, so why not check it out sometime.

Also please be aware that the Rothley crossroads where all the roadworks are happening is currently closed and diversions are in place.

Congratulations to Linda Stone and Phil Watts, who won Patterson Pots which is a single session pairs competition.

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What a busy club we are, it seems that two or more of our members are playing Bridge somewhere, either at the table or online every day of the week. So it is inevitable that if we report on some of these events then some people will get left out of a mention so we apologize if that includes you. We congratulate all of you who take part in these games, including the many team events as well.

Last fortnight seemed to be a particularly busy time. John Dignan and Jim Wilkinson were playing in an online Green point event and there are many similar events organised by the EBU if you are interested.

Some of our members took part in the quarter-final of the LCBA’s Butterworth Langley trophy and a team including Richard Bell, Anne & Steve Wright narrowly beat the team that included Debbie Pullen & Graham Kendal.

Elsewhere in the County match against Staffs/Shrops the Markham Team including Judith Simpson, Mark Wiggins, Pauline Dignan, Val Rees, Paul Anderson and Susie Perrett won 13-7.

The Porter Team including Richard Rees and Phil Harrison, Lucy Pathan and Duncan Jones were less fortunate, losing 7-13. But Richard and Phil can console themselves with being Leicestershire's 3rd best pair overall.

On a social note many congratulations to the family of Duncan Jones. His daughter Louise who is the MP for North East Derbyshire has recently become engaged to Dr Jeevun Sandher, who some of you will know is the MP for Loughborough. They met on the campaign trail and we wish them every happiness for their future together.

Taking part in any competition is a great way to broaden your Bridge experience for players at all levels either at the table or online.

The National One Day Online Green Point event is being hosted on Real Bridge on January 26th. Good luck to Pauline and John Dignan who are taking part in this, and to everyone else taking part in any competition.

Just a quick reminder that the closing date for the Pairs League is coming up soon on January 19th, this is a friendly event played over 5 nights during the next few months.

We would also like to draw your attention to the Wilde Cup on February 25th in the afternoon at the County club, this is aimed for lower ranked players (NGS8 or below) and the cup has been held by several Bradgate teams in the past so please think about giving it a go.

Please also look at the websites and David Pollard’s email for forthcoming competition events. Remember the saying “you have to be in it, to win it” and even if you don’t win, hopefully you will enjoy taking part.

If this cold weather is making your thoughts turn to holidays, here are a few ideas for you. Anne Wright works as a host for First for Bridge and she will be with them in Malta in February, Majorca in March and Turkey in November. If you are interested in any of these or other holidays abroad or in England, please ask Anne for a brochure. Anne is also hosting (and Steve directing) for the County Bridge club holiday in March (10th-14th) at Mackeney Hall, just north of Derby. There are still a few places left and Bradgate players would be very welcome. See the County Bridge club for details.

Thank you for everyone who has suggested topics for this quick news update and please keep the suggestions coming.

Congratulations to those members who have achieved a masterpoint promotion.

6 Star Premier Tournament Master

Azam Khan

2 Star Master

Gail Tillen

Club Master

Angela Fielding

County Master

Andy Sattertwaite

District Master

James Thornton

Happy New Year to you all and hope 2025 is a wonderful twelve months for everyone.

Penny Hodgson and Caroline Connor would like to introduce ourselves as the new Roving Reporters for the Bradgate Bridge club.

We would like you to tell us about the Bridge holidays you enjoy or recommend at home or abroad. It would also be nice to hear from any of our newer student members who are coming up through the classes and beginning to join the tables. Let us know about  your successes (or otherwise!) at the many Bridge events that some of you take part in, either online or in person.

It is not just bridge news that we would like to hear. Maybe you have made a notable achievement in another field that you would like to share with members or celebrated a newsworthy birthday or anniversary. This is your opportunity to send your news to the club so that we all get to know each other a bit better during the coming year as the club continues to thrive and grow.

You can contact us either in person at the Club or via email.

We'd like give a big thank you to the dedicated team of teachers and buddies who make our teaching classes possible.

Also, congratulations to our member Lucy Pathan and her husband Dick for winning the LCBA’s Hyman Crammer Trophy, (representing County), and congratulations to Anne Wright and Philip Harrison, and Gary Jones and Margaret Butterworth for being in the top half of the competition for Bradgate.

Congratulations to Mike Deakin and Paul Statham, who achieved an entry in 70% Club on Wednesday 4th December with 71.93%. This was a good start for them in the Wednesday Winter Pairs.

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Congratulations to Anne Wright and Steve Wright, who won Bradgate Plate which is the best three out of four scores in November of a Monday evening.

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Monica Lucas has been awarded Honorary membership as the inaugural member of the Centurion Club.

The following people have been re-elected upopposed to the committee for a three-year term.

• Mike Ayers (Treasurer)
• Steve Wright (Tournament Secretary)
• Val Rees (Social Secretary)
• Peter Wells (Committee member)
• Jim Wilkinson (Committee member)

Congratulations to Audrey Mount and Mary Johnson, who achieved an entry in 70% Club on Wednesday 23rd October with a whopping 76%.

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Congratulations to Anne Morris and Lucy Pathan, who beat Phil Anstock and Steve Clark in the final of the Chicago Knockout competition.

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Congratulations to Peter Wells and Anne Morris, who won Thompson Trophy which is the handicapped pairs.

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Congratulations to Jim Wilkinson, John Dignan, Val Rees and Pauline Dignan, who won the Jubilee Teams.

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Congratulations to Richard Rees and Phil Harrison, who came second in Nottinghamshire Green Point Swiss Pairs.

They won six out of seven matches, including one against the eventual winners.

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Congratulations to Anne Morris and Pauline Dignan, who achieved an entry in 70% Club on Wednesday 18th September with 72.73%.

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Congratulations to those memebers who have acheived a masterpoint promotion.

Regional Master

Phil Harrison

Susie Perrett

Master

Graham Kendal

Debbie Pullen

Judy Simpson

Local Master

Jill Hughes

Congratulations to John Bee and Gerry Bucciero, who won Hercock Summer Trophy competition (best four out of ten weeks).

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Congratulations to Judith Simpson and Mark Wiggins, who won Wednesday Summer Pairs competition.

Also, well done to Debbie Pullen and Graham Kendal, who won the Wednesday Summer Pairs (9-High).

Summer Pairs - Full Results | Summer Pairs (9-High) - Full Results

Congratulations to those memeber who have acheived a masterpoint promotion.

Area Master

Annette Love

Club Master

Yogesh Shah

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you that our treasurer and much valued club member, David Twells, passed away on Sunday evening. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

The funeral will be 11am Thursday 15th August at Loughborough Crematorium, followed by a Wake at the White Horse in Birstall. No flowers thank you.

Congratulations to Sally Harris who has joined our growing band of nonagenarians.

Thanks to Vicki McCoy for making cakes for celebrating this on Wednesday.