Finally, I can believe that spring has at last sprung! The sun has been shining, the bulbs are now flowering, the trees are bursting their buds, the clocks have gone forwards and, at last, we can all enjoy the wonderful fresh spring views from the Cedar Room across the fairways! Oh great joy, my favourite time of year and my absolute favourite seasonal view at the club. How fortunate we are to be able to play bridge in such a splendid room with fantastic views across the Cedar Lawn and golf courses beyond.
Woodcote Bridge Circle have had a busy time since Christmas, lots has gone on. The ever-popular Andrew Robson Day event took place in February. I am pleased to report that this was a very well supported and happy day which was spent amongst friends, members and their guests. Andrew Robson OBE who, with his lovely sense of humour, ensured that everyone went home having learnt something new. This a not-for-profit event and the Club through the Woodcote Bridge Circle’s efforts was able to donate the amazing sum of £4,368.45 to The Royal Marsden Hospital. This is a record amount raised. The club over the last 12 years has raised over £40,000 for this worthy charity. Well done everyone, especially Sue Forbes-Wilson and Jill Namey who so efficiently organised this event. My personal thanks to you all for your generous support for this very deserving charity. The Woodcote Bridge Committee truly do appreciate you all.
Amanda Miles, one of our committee members, has prepared a short video of our bridge circle members in action. It is fun and captures the mood of our bridge circle. The clip can be found on the club’s main website for members under ‘Activities’ once you have logged in. https:www/royalautomobileclub.co.uk/activity-group/bridge/woodcote-park-bridge
So far this year we have entered bridge teams in two competitions. In February we took part in a match hosted by the MCC at Lords. I am delighted to report that Woodcote Bridge Circle enjoyed an excellent evening with a delicious dinner served after the match, which we won by 35 IMPS! Unfortunately, we were not quite so successful against The Dell (an away match) and lost by 112 IMPS, bad luck team, better luck next time! We can’t win them all……… The April match against Pall Mall at home was postponed until later in the year as one of Pall Mall’s team was unwell at the last minute. There are further matches planned for later in the year, both home and away, sign up sheets will be displayed on our Notice board at Woodcote in due course so do keep an eye out and take part if you can.
BRIDGE CLASSES
As you may be aware, Sue Jackson our Bridge Teacher at Woodcote for many years, is retiring this Easter. We thank Sue for her skill and patience over the years and wish her a happy retirement, I understand she plans to travel further and enjoy her grandchildren. Our bridge circle has grown thanks to Sue’s splendid encouragement to many of our bridge circle members.
The committee carried out a detailed search for a suitable new teacher. Luckily for Woodcote Bridge Circle, Amanda Miles, a committee member, knew of Natasha Clarke who has been trained by non-other than Andrew Robson and who has taught at his school. Natasha is an eminently capable and suitable candidate for us. So I am really pleased to report that Amanda has persuaded Natasha to join us at Woodcote. We are therefore thrilled to be able to offer new bridge classes commencing in the autumn of this year. We are offering Beginners, Intermediates and Advanced Classes. In addition, Amanda and Natasha are hoping to hold a day’s bridge course during the coming summer months. Further details will follow.
EBU NEWS
Recently several of our bridge circle members received written congratulations from the EBU as they achieved an average in excess of 51% on one particular duplicate evening earlier in the year. The EBU extended invitations to those specific members to take part in an EBU run competition. Particular congratulations should also go to Stewart Broome on gaining the highest number of EBU Master Points within our Woodcote Bridge Circle. Stewart is invited to enter in one of the new EBU Online OneDay Green Pointed Swiss Events before 31st December 2025 free of charge. Brilliant Stewart!
Duplicate Evenings at Woodcote - The new ‘EBU Pairs’ software provided by the EBU is proving to be very reliable and the club’s bridge Directors find the system far easier to use than the system previously used. We are now looking to recruit further members to ‘work’ the laptop and to be able to set up a duplicate bridge evening. If you would like to ‘have a go’ do volunteer and speak to one of the committee members for further information.
EBU - Director Training
We are also looking to train further Bridge Directors and would like to be able to send two of our members off on a training course run by the EBU. Initially the course would commence on-line via Zoom on - Days 0 = 4th and 5th June – mornings only, (How to run a club duplicate). Then Day 1 = 21st June (Book Rulings) - Day 2 = 5th July (Book and Judgements rulings), and then Day 3 = 12th July (Assessment). To take place at Woodhatch Community Centre, Whitebeam Drive, Reigate, RH2 7LS. If you would like to take part, please let one of the committee members know. We do need your help and for the avoidance of doubt the club budget will fund the cost.
Dealing Machine
We have a brand-new dealing machine. It is now working as it should with brand-new cards. Teething problems have been overcome! Volunteers would be welcomed to help deal the cards on a monthly basis. A sandwich lunch is usually provided with coffee or tea so it is a sociable activity for a couple of hours whilst the cards are changed for the next month’s duplicate evenings. Do step forward and volunteer to help the committee, we need your help.
Etiquette and Best Practise
In an ideal world, and certainly if taking part in a competition, we should all complete the front page of our Score Card (Bids and Conventions) giving the basic outline of the bridge system/conventions we are playing. Ie Weak or Strong No Trump, the point count you are using. Your strongest bid i.e. 2C or 2D, Stayman, Blackwood or RKCB etc., etc., this avoids possible misunderstandings and having to call a Director. You may have noticed that many of our more experienced players do show a Convention Card. We encourage everyone to complete the basics.
Could East or West, who have just played the boards on each round, pass the boards between the tables to North. (North or South should not collect a board to play if a board remains in play on the table from which the cards need collecting.)
We have new members playing, to be welcoming and sociable North please ensure that all players are welcomed and introduced to one another. Remember bridge is a game, smile at your partner and the opposition!
For Dates for your Diary, Competitions, Matches and Chicago dates please see separate lists on this page.
I wish you all a very Happy Easter Holiday. Let’s hope the sun keeps shining although, I hate to say it, I did notice the weather forecast, the gardens could do with some rain let’s hope it keeps away until after the Easter Egg hunt!
Happy Easter everyone.
Best wishes and kindest regards
Angela
Angela Reid
Chairperson – Woodcote Bridge Circle
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