About Us
History
Christchurch Bridge Clubrooms
1954
The foundation members of the Christchurch Bridge Club were former members of the Crockfords Club committee who, when faced with continued rent increases, decided to purchase their own Club rooms. When a motion to this effect was narrowly lost at a special General meeting, the committee resigned and met on 24 April 1952 to form the Christchurch Bridge Club. In May a property at 319 Cambridge Terrace was purchased for $3,800, and in July, having more than the requisite 50 members, the club became affiliated to the NZ Contract Bridge Association.
In the latter half of 1968, with a vastly increased membership, the club purchased the site at 21 Nova Place. Here the first purpose-designed bridge club building in New Zealand was constructed, at a cost of $41,000, and occupied on 21 August 1969.
It is interesting to note that the 319 Cambridge Terrace and 21 Nova Place sites are diagonally opposite each other, on either side of the Avon River and are a mere 700 metres apart. Coincidentally, the Maori name for the area is Ōtākaro, "the place of a game", so called because Maori children played on the river banks while the adults gathered food.
In November 1975, during extensions and alterations, fire destroyed the clubrooms. However, Bridge continued over the fence in the Christchurch Rugby Club’s gymnasium through to April 1977 during the reconstruction period.
During the 22 February 2011 earthquake the clubrooms were completely destroyed again. With no rooms to operate from, members played at Bowls Papanui, Condell Avenue, until May 2013 when the newly constructed building was opened on 1 June 2013.
Christchurch Bridge Clubrooms
2021
This modern, architecturally designed facility, located just off Barbadoes Street, can be divided into three playing spaces. In addition, there is a teaching room, an administration office, a dealing room, a director’s platform and a well-equipped kitchen and bar. Carparking in front of the building is attractively landscaped with a well-planned traffic layout. Less mobile users can either be dropped off under cover of the portico at the front door or park in reserved spaces nearby.
Annual Reports
To see our Annual Reports and Financial Statements, please refer to the link below.
Club Committee
The committee consists of three officers: President, Vice President, and Treasurer; with six elected committee members.
Marilyn Copland
Vice President
Portfolios: Welfare, Communication, Supported Learning
Ian Southen
Committee member
Portfolio: Tournament
Club Constitution
The Christchurch Bridge Club Incorporated is a registered charitable organisation governed according to its rules as set down in the Club Constitution, registered with the Registrar of Incorporated Societies
Latest News
Saturday Night Bridge is back! When: Starting this Saturday 13 September at 7pm sharp . Proudly sponsored by: Arvida St Albans Retirement Village. Further information on the Club noticeboard and Home Page of this website. New Junior Session: on Monday nights, start 7.20pm. On-Line Intermediate Lessons: https://www.nzbridge.co.nz/supported-online-practice-games.html If you are not registered with HelloClub online platform, here is the link. https://nzbridge.helloclub.com/register Contact Shirley Newton if you are having trouble with the links. Cost: $8 casual per session For intermediate and experienced players. Three different topics: Lesson 1: Transfers Responses to 1NT Sunday 28th September 4-6pm and Tuesday 30th 7-9pm Lesson 2: Keycard Blackwood and Splinters Sunday 5th October 4-6pm and Tuesday 7th 7-9pm Lesson 3: Michaels Cue Bids, Unusual 2NT Sunday 12th October 4-6pm and Tuesday 14th 7-9pm Garden Working Bee: When: This Saturday 13 September. Time: 9.30am until midday. Tournament: Christchurch Congress: (refer flyer on the Home Page for more information about this Event) Enter: on-line Dates: Saturday 20th September – Teams Open / Intermediate / Junior Sunday 21st September - Pairs Open / Intermediate / Junior
Reminder added 4-Sept-2025: Friday Social Rubber Bridge tomorrow night at the Club. 6:30pm 'til 8:30pm. No partner required, see further details below. (In the "New Bridge Sessions" section.) Tournament Results: Ashburton Intermediate Pairs 5B 1st – Jessie Pelenato / Kat Holmes 2nd – Stuart Grant / Michelle Gan 3rd – June Jung / Philippa Borlase South Island Teams 20A 5th – Joan Small / Jenny Wilkinson / Shirley Newton / Arleen Schwartz Upcoming Senior/Senior Reserve Seminar: (refer flyer on the Home Page for additional information) Tutor: Jane Skipper Topic: 'Coping with Interference in the Auction' When: Sunday September 7th at 10am. Cost: $15 New Bridge Sessions: Friday Social Rubber Bridge (refer flyer on the Home Page for more details about this session) When: on the first Friday of the month. Time: 6.30pm until 8.30pm, Table Fee: $5 John Skipper will be there to give a short tutorial on how to play rubber bridge for those who would like to learn. Saturday Night Bridge is back! (refer flyer on the Home Page more details about this session) When: starting 13 September at 7pm sharp. Proudly sponsored by: Arvida St Albans Retirement Village Note: See foyer noticeboard for more details about these 2 sessions. Garden Working Bee: When: Sunday 13 September Time: 9.30am until midday. Upcoming Tournament: Christchurch Congress: (refer flyer on the Home Page for more information about this Event) Dates: Saturday 20th September - Teams; Sunday 21st September - Pairs Enter: on-line
Upcoming Senior/Senior Reserve Seminar: (refer flyer on the Home Page for additional information) Tutor: Jane Skipper Topic: 'Coping with Interference in the Auction' When: Sunday September 7th at 10am. Cost: $15 New Bridge Sessions: Friday Social Rubber Bridge (refer flyer on the Home Page for more details about this session) When: on the first Friday of the month. Time: 6.30pm until 8.30pm, Table Fee: $5 John Skipper will be there to give a short tutorial on how to play rubber bridge for those who would like to learn. Saturday Night Bridge is back! (refer flyer on the Home Page more details about this session) When: starting 13 September at 7pm sharp. Proudly sponsored by: Arvida St Albans Retirement Village Note: See foyer noticeboard for more details about these 2 sessions. Garden Working Bee: When: Sunday 13 September Time: 9.30am until midday. Upcoming Tournament: Christchurch Congress: (refer flyer on the Home Page for more information about this Event) Date: Saturday 20th September - Teams; Sunday 21st September - Pairs Enter: online Note: There is an Intermediate player wanting a partner for the Intermediate pairs on the Sunday. Contact the office for further details.
Christchurch Bridge Club Sponsors and Advertisers
These businesses are supporting our Club:
- Airentals
- Apex Car Rental
- Cunningham Taylor Law
- David Lawrence Real Estate
- Fox & Associates Ltd
- Hamilton Hindin Greene
- John Rhind Funeral Directors
- Maxwell Plumbing
- Papanui Press
- Westende Jewellers
