Welcome to the

Christchurch Bridge Club

Hi there CLUB members, The first NEWSLETTER for 2024 is here. As this is a CLUB NEWSLETTER, I want contributions and full involvement from you all. WORDS FROM OUR PRESIDENT: Welcome to our new format newsletter. We are endeavouring to make it interactive and inclusive and we encourage involvement from our members. The Canterbury congress is on 18 and 19 May. I encourage all our members to give it a go. For our junior and intermediate players in particular there are two days of bridge specifically tailored for you playing against players from your own grade. Tournament bridge is great fun, you will come away noticing an improvement in your game. Good luck to all our club members who are trialing for the Canterbury interprovincial teams this weekend. Of the 21 pairs trialing this weekend 19.5 of them are from the Christchurch club which reflects the playing strength within our club. If anyone out there has friends and colleagues in business who would like to sponsor and interact with our 750 member club please get them to contact myself or Sue. We have the ability to put together great value-oriented sponsorship packages. Cheers, Tony Quinlivan REVIEWING TOURNAMENT RESULTS FOR 2024: Leon Meier won the Marlborough Pairs and was 2nd in the teams match with his Wellington team-mates. Max Robb and Bill Mecchia were 3rd in the Otago Open Pairs. Graeme Tuffnell and Leon Meier were 2nd in the Rangiora All Grades with Richard Lapthorne and Sue Southen coming 3rd. Tim Schmacher, David Skipper, Leon Meier and Geo Tislevoll (Auck) were 3rd in North Island Teams Liz Fitzgerald and John Kruinger tied with Philippe Borlase and Peter Van Leeuwen for 1st place in the Ashburton Anniversary pairs. Meladey and Chris Bras were 3rd. NZ REPS FOR WORLD GAMES IN BUENOS AIRES: Leon Meier and Matt McManus are in the Open with Jane and John Skipper in the Seniors. TIMARU CONGRESS: Congratulations to Megan Eddy and Kathryn Andrews for getting 2nd in the Intermediate Pairs. WELLINGTON CONGRESS: Congress Swiss Pairs 2nd were Max Morrison and Tony Quinlivan with Jan Alabaster and Graeme Tufnell 3rd Congress Open Pairs: Max Morrison and Tony Quinlivan Congress Open Teams: 2nd were Leon Meier and team-mates– well done. CHRISTCHURCH ANNIVERSARY PAIRS: A lovely day of bridge was had by all. Phil Sanson and Patricia Wilson 1st Leo Hammond and Sarah Garland 2nd with Ryan McMahon and Jessie Pelenato 3rd. WHATS HAPPENING: CLUB CONSTITUTION: Currently John Skipper is drafting a new constitution for the club. The reason the Clubs Constitution needs to change is that the Incorporated Societies Act has been updated. The 1908 Incorporated Societies Act has been replaced by the 2022 Incorporated Societies Act. One major thing this requires is that all incorporated societies must update their Constitution to comply with the new act. The changes are mostly additions that are required, including more detail on complaints and complaint resolution and the expanding duties of Officers of the Club. Almost all our existing Constitution will transfer into the new version so we don’t have to do much that is different. The other complication is that all incorporated Societies must as part of the process, reapply for inclusion on the national register of Incorporated Societies. We have plenty of time to work on this and to apply in time to be reapproved before the deadline. There will be several updates over the coming months and all members will have opportunities to read the draft and have a say. SOLAR PANELS: The committee is currently investigating the feasibility for getting Solar Panels for the club rooms and the possibility of applying for funding from charitable trust. SPECIAL MENTION: This section is where mention will be made of things that have happened but not noted. This includes good sportsmanship at the table, good sportsmanship behaviour at all or any event/s, something that was or is funny (we all need a laugh), or a member doing something beneficial to the club. This section is for you, the members, to contribute to. If you see something nice happening let me know so we can get it noted in the next NEWSLETTER. THIS MONTH’S MENTION: Since I have become more and more disabled, I have noticed that bridge players generally are very supportive and caring people. From helping me get my walking frame out of the car … Jan Lenton, Barbara Gordon and Tony Fitzgerald (thank you) to making me a cup of coffee (Various Members) I have noticed concern and care being given to other handicapped members and because of this, I am going to mention one player in particular : Fiona Findlater – not only does she assist me with my walker frame, but she makes really good coffee and then goes around the room cleaning the screens on the tablets. Fiona also has offered her own equipment to members that are having operations and may need equipment to help with personal cares for a while. It takes a special person to think of others before thinking of your bridge bidding and play. ADVERTISING FOR MEMBERS: This is where you can place advertisements for selling Stuff to other club members. If you have anything to advertise please email Sue at the office with all details. CONVENOR REQUIRED There is a position available on Fridays. If you feel you can assist the Director during room set up and close down, please let me know. We desperately need helpers also. Two people each play time speeds up the setting up and dismantling after play has finished. ANNIVERSARY PAIRS This event was held on Thursday 25th April 2024. As this was ANZAC Day a minutes silence was taken as The Ode was recited by Charles Lapthorne. OBITUARIES: Donn Armstrong husband of Liz Armstrong 11/4/24 Tony Biddington 4/4/24 This is the first NEWSLETTER if you think of anything to improve it, please let me know. In the meantime, SEE YOU ON THE DARK SIDE. Helen Bremner Committe Member - Communication Portfolio

Tournament Results Leon Meier won the Marlborough Pairs and 2nd in the teams with his Wellington Team-mates Max Robb & Bill Mecchia 3rd at the Otago Open Pairs Club Anniversary Pairs will be held on Thursday 25th April starting at 10am. Entry list is on the foyer noticeboard. This is a club member only handicapped tournament. Sunday Bridge: The Christchurch Marathon is being held this Sunday 21st April. You MUST come off Bealey Ave and along Barbadoes Street to Nova Place. There will be no access via Salsbury or Peterborough Streets. Canterbury Interprovincial Trials will be held at the club on Saturday 4th May. Please note that Intermediate Grade players enter as pairs, and all other divisions enter as Teams of FOUR. If a pair is looking for teammates, please let the canterbury Regional Committee know and they can let them know who else is looking. See foyer noticeboard for further details. NZ Bridge Newsletter: read the latest NZ Bridge newsletter "From the Chair No 2 2024" at https://www.nzbridge.co.nz/user/inline/5307/From%20the%20Chair%20No%202%202024%20.pdf Added 19-April-2024 Youth Bridge: See our Home Page for the related flyers. 1. Bridge Youth weekend in Auckland. 2.On-line bridge lessons aimed at youth players aged 14 to 24, starts at the beginning of May. Club Anniversary Pairs will be held on Thursday 25th April starting at 10am. Entry list is on the foyer noticeboard. This is a club member only handicapped tournament. Note: There will be no bridge on Thursday evening. Sunday Bridge: The Christchurch Marathon is being held this Sunday 21st April. You MUST come off Bealey Ave and along Barbadoes Street to Nova Place. There will be no access via Salsbury or Peterborough Streets. Canterbury Interprovincial Trials will be held at the club on Saturday 4th May. Please note that Intermediate Grade players enter as pairs, and all other divisions enter as Teams of FOUR. If a pair is looking for teammates, please let the canterbury Regional Committee know and they can let them know who else is looking. See foyer noticeboard for further details. Cat Sitting: “Is any member available or aware of another cat-loving person or couple who would like to house-sit two Burmese cats in Cashmere for 6 weeks between 9th August-21st September? Please reply (to Sue) in the first instance.”