Malton Bridge Club is a small, friendly club with, currently, fewer than 50 members.  The membership spans the full range of experience and expertise, all enjoying and benefitting from playing together in a congenial atmosphere.

There are two distinct parts to the club’s playing season.  From October to early May on Wednesday evenings there is a programme of four different seven-session pairs competitions, though non-qualifying or visiting pairs are also very welcome to attend.  There are also Thursday afternoon sessions throughout the year for players to enjoy a more relaxed, social game, with help and advice available and a partner guaranteed.

From May to September a ‘host’ system also operates on Wednesdays so that partners do not need to be pre-arranged.  In this period many members play with a variety of different partners, providing a good opportunity for experience to be shared, systems to be developed and new partnerships to be formed.  Results are handicapped and an individual winner is declared at the end but there is no strong competitive element and this is a time when many Thursday afternoon players gain the confidence to compete on Wednesdays.

The club enters one team-of-eight in the Yorkshire League and two teams-of-four in the online Leagues.

Members will be very much saddened to learn of the death of Stan, peacefully this morning (March 11th), after declining health.

Stan first joined the club in 1992 and was in regular attendance until very recently, and a stalwart of the club's B team in the Yorkshire League.  Never less than courteous, gentlemanly and cheerful, even as health and mobility declined, he will be much missed.

There will be a memorial service at All Saints' Church in Kirkbymoorside at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday 2nd April for those wishing to pay their respects.  Afterwards there are refreshments at the George and Dragon.

The club is holding lessons for beginners, or near-beginners, on Thursday afternoons at St Mary's Community Centre, Old Malton at 2 p.m.

There will be a fee of £3 which will include a break for tea/coffee and biscuits.  Each lesson will last for about 2 hours.  The first few lessons will be gently-paced introductions, 

The lessons take place alongside the "social bridge" afternoons to which the learners can graduate after a while.

Those interested may just turn up on the day or can contact the Secretary, Richard Hilton, at richardhilton@fastmail.com or on 01653 693501 for more information or to introduce themselves.

50 pairs competed in this event, including six pairs from the club.  Congratulations to the winners, Martha Jaynes and Jane Carpenter.  The leading club pair were Pauline Cooper and Richard Hilton in 6th place, closely followed by Madge Allison and Tricia Pearce in 9th.

For full results, click here, or see the Results list.

Our thanks to Oliver Cowan for organising the event and to the tournament director Ken Johnston.