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
Waitangi Day Bridge: is on this Friday. 10.20am start and bring your lunch. Friday Rubber Bridge: this Friday at the club at 6.30pm – 8.30pm. No partner required. All welcome. National Rubber Bridge Competition: Enter on-line at https://www.nzbridge.co.nz/events/12329/Canterbury-Rubber-Bridge-Competition Matches are to be played between March and August. Entries close 1st March. National Teams Tournament: is being held here on the weekend 21/22 February. On-line entries close: Friday 13th Feb. We are looking for volunteer spare players/pairs for the weekend in case we require another team and/or in case of sickness. Please contact the office if you can help. Canterbury Regional Trials: for the Open/Senior/Women's are being held at the Club on Sunday 1st March. Please note the correct date. Intermediates are not trialling but will be selected by the Regional Committee and will still need to enter see below. Entries are to be made on-line on the NZ Bridge website under tournaments. There are 2 entry lists: Canterbury Regional Championship Trials (Open/Women/Senior) Canterbury Regional Championship Selection (Intermediate) Julian Cup Date Change: From Saturday 15th August to Saturday 22nd August. AGM: The Club’s AGM will be held on Thursday 26th March at 6.30pm. Nominations for the committee are now being taken. Nomination forms can be found at the director’s desk.
Tournament Results: National Open Teams Final (Australia) 2nd: Leon Meier and team-mates Marlborough Teams Plate section: 1st: Kathryn Tennant, Jane Morris, Bill Mecchia, Dorothy Bain 2nd: Pam Tibble, Sue Southen, Kelvin Tibble, Ian Southen Bereavement: Club member Jane Skipper passed away last week. She was a member for 55 years, bridge teacher, bridge representative at a local, national and international level - A Celebration of her life will be held at the Club this Thursday at 1.30pm. Back to Bridge Refresher Course: Starts: Monday, February 2nd for six weeks. Tutor: Leon Meier Cost: $30 Start Time: 7:30pm Subscriptions: Due by Saturday 31st January, after this date, the subs will be $100. Garden Working Bee: Saturday 31st January, 9.30 til 12.30pm. Julian Cup date change: From Saturday 15th August to Saturday 22nd August. Wednesday Tutorial: This Wednesday at 5.50pm. Topic: The Opening Bid and Responses. Tutor: Shirley Newton. Cost: $5
Tournament Results: Australia Summer Festival of Bridge: Fixed Income One Day Swiss: 1st – Jessie Pelenato / Leon Meier Open Swiss Pairs: 5th – Leon Meier / Geo Tislevoll Convenors: Looking for a convenor(s) for a Tuesday evening & Sunday. Please let the office know if you could be interested or want to know what is required. Beginner Bridge Lessons: Starts: Wednesday, January 28 for 13 weeks. Tutor: Shirley Newton Back to Bridge Refresher Course: Starts: Monday, February 2nd for six weeks. Tutor: Leon Meier Subscriptions: Due by the $31st January, after the 31st, they will be $100. Garden Working Bee: Saturday 31st January, 9.30 til 12.30pm. Tuesday Night session: Please ring Bernard Chidgey if you require a partner on 981-6526 or 027 244-3409.
Club Newsletters
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
