Committee Newsletter 5-August-2021
03 366 1516 | office@chchbridge.co.nz | www.chchbridge.co.nz
August 5, 2021
Committee Newsletter 5-August-2021
Christchurch Bridge Club members have had outstanding success in recent local and national tournaments. Of particular note is the gaining of Gold Grand Master Status (which requires 4,000 A plus B points, including at least 2,500 A points) by Jane Skipper after her recent success in the Auckland/Northland Pairs and Teams in Whangarei. Jane is the first woman in our club’s history to gain this distinction and we congratulate her for dedication to the game and her outstanding performance over many years.
The top positions in the Crockford’s All Grade Pairs, the Christchurch Mid-Winter teams and the Ashburton All Grades Pairs were dominated by Christchurch Club players , with impressive results being achieved by many of our Intermediate players. Well done to all these members and also to Leon Meier who continues his meteoric rise with a third place in the North Island Pairs last weekend.
Pivotal to the running of these events is the service provided by a network of Directors. Nation-wide there is a shortage of people willing to take on this challenging role, particularly at the national level. We are fortunate at our club to have eleven Directors, with various levels of certification and training, who are absolutely essential for our core business of delivering club programmes and administering various events which members from other clubs are able to attend.
The job of Directors is complex and demanding. Those who undertake the challenge must possess a multitude of skills; the ability to work under time-pressure, to multi-task, to utilise the IT component, to manage staff, to trouble-shoot and to meet the expectations of the players who wish to play their best under optimum conditions. It is not a job for the faint-hearted, and although it is a paid position, the remuneration is modest and Directors tend to do the job for the love of the game rather than financial gain. As playing members we need to ensure that we preserve our pool of Directors by showing appreciation, support and respect. If we are unhappy with a ruling, we have recourse to an appeal at the end of any given session. We need also to be aware that the role of Directors is to direct; they are not to act as partner-finders or to substitute for partners who fail to arrive. The partner-finder system for each grade is available to meet these needs. In addition, the grade Convenors are responsible for ensuring that we all tidy the room at the end of a session so that the Director is not left with that task and can focus on posting results, charging bridge-pads and so on.
Our maintenance work around the club is progressing, albeit rather slowly. The installation of the new LED lights has halted while new materials are sourced. The repainting of the lines in the carpark has been delayed by the recent wet weather but is scheduled to start in the middle of next week. Talks with the Williams Group currently working in Nova Place have resulted in less congestion but we are all looking forward to the day when the army of orange cones disappears. Thank you to those who carried out a mini-working bee in the garden last week. The mountains of woodchips have now been distributed around the grounds and we hope to do a few more jobs as the weather improves.
Thank you also to all those volunteers who continue to beaver away at various tasks around the club-be it card-dealing, flower-arranging, helping out in the kitchen at tournaments or assisting at lessons for the beginners. Your efforts are very much appreciated by the committee.
Take care everyone,
Marilyn Copland,
Club President.
AGM: The Club’s AGM is being held tonight, Thursday 26th March at 6.30pm. Voting: As there are nine nominations for the six positions on the committee a vote will be held starting one week prior to the AGM. The last chance to vote is tonight before the AGM. Voting will be open at the club from 5.30pm this evening. Members standing for the committee are: Rex Denley Naomi Hannah-Brown John Kruiniger Deborah Matthews Bridget O’Brien Tina Sims John Skipper Lizzie Thompson Sue Walls
Seminar: Aimed at Senior/Senior Reserve players Date & Time: Sunday 15 March 10.30am -12.30pm Cost: $15 Tutor: Shirley Newton The focus will be on 'Using Your Powers of Deduction‘ "What to think about and what to infer during a hand. Train your thoughts to count - the PST principle" *** Please note the later start time due to the 'City to Surf' run this Sunday, access to the club opens at 10am. *** AGM: The Club’s AGM will be held on Thursday 26th March at 6.30pm. Voting: As there are nine nominations for the six positions on the committee a vote will be held starting one week prior to the AGM. Thursday 19th March will be the first opportunity to vote starting at 6.20pm at the Club. Voting will open one hour before the start of each session. Members standing for the committee are: Rex Denley Naomi Hannah-Brown John Kruiniger Deborah Matthews Bridget O’Brien Tina Sims John Skipper Lizzie Thompson Sue Walls
Friday Night Rubber Bridge will be held this week. 6.30pm to 8.30pm. No partner or experience required. 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. A link to read a copy of the "Christchurch Bridge Club Inc Annual Report for 2025" is displayed on the "About" page on this website if you have not seen a copy. The Finance Performance report is available to view at the Club. Voting: As there are 9 nominations for the six positions on the committee, an election will be required. From the Club’s Constitution: https://www.chchbridge.co.nz/club-constitution "…..in addition to voting at the annual general meeting for the election of officers and committee, a rolling ballot will be conducted in the one-hour period preceding play at scheduled Club sessions during the seven days immediately prior to the annual general meeting. Members may only vote once, and all votes cast shall be deemed to have been made at the annual general meeting." Thursday 19 March will be the first opportunity to vote, one hour before the session starts, 6.20pm. Club Newsletter: A link to read a copy of the latest Club Newsletter is displayed on the "About" page on this website if you have not seen a copy.
National Teams: Congratulations to Open: 1st Leon Meier/Jack James/Ashley Bach/Malcolm Meyer 2nd Tony Fitzgerald/Moss Wylie/Bridget Hannaway/Sandy McCurdy 4th Jenny Wilkinson/Tina McVeigh/Richard Solomon/Anna Kalma Restricted Open: 2nd: Marilyn Copland/Anne Deaker/Trish Scott / Juliet Davanney Saturday Night Bridge will be held this Saturday 28th February at 7pm. This Saturday is proudly sponsored by Arvida St Albans. National Rubber Bridge Competition : Enter on-line at: www.nzbridge.co.nz/events Canterbury Rubber Competition. Matches are to be played between March and August. Entries close 1st March. 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.
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.
Still looking for Volunteer players wanted for 2026: To be helpers at the beginner lessons or to be a spare player for the sessions. A roster will be made up once we get enough volunteers. See the foyer noticeboard or email the office if you can help. Sessions are Monday and Wednesday eve Juniors and Sundays. The more volunteers the better! Convenors: Looking for a convenor for Tuesday evenings & Sundays. 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. Need a partner for 2026: Please contact the partner finder for your session: If you require a partner for any session, the following people might be able to help. Please leave a message so that they can return your call. Monday afternoon: Ian Familton - 027 480-1514 Monday night: Peg Butterfield - 388-4286 or 021 0298-4534 Tuesday morning: Players can come without a partner Tuesday night: Janet Keen - 027 463 2005 (ring or text) Wednesday night: Lizzie Thompson - 384-3636 or 027 647-8215 (text only) (Juniors can come without a partner) Thursday night: Sue Southen - 027 489 8572 Friday daytime: Norma Loomes - 027 403-9339 Sunday afternoon: Lizzie Thompson - 384-3636 or 027 647-8215 (All players can come without a partner) If you arrive without a partner, the Club will guarantee a game at the Monday Junior, Tuesday morning, Wednesday Junior and Sunday sessions only. Other grades should use the partner finder.
Volunteer players wanted for 2026: To be helpers at the beginner lessons or to be a spare player for the sessions. A roster will be made up once we get enough volunteers. See the foyer noticeboard or email the office if you can help. Sessions are Monday and Wednesday eve Juniors and Sundays. The more volunteers the better! 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 Junior Bridge Sessions: Mondays at 7.20pm, Wednesdays at 6.50pm and Sundays (if there enough Juniors to have a separate section) at 12.50pm. At all the sessions you can come along without a partner. Need a partner for 2026: Please contact the partner finder for your session: If you require a partner for any session, the following people might be able to help. Please leave a message so that they can return your call. Monday afternoon: Ian Familton - 027 480-1514 Monday night: Peg Butterfield - 388-4286 or 021 0298-4534 Tuesday morning: Players can come without a partner Tuesday night: Janet Keen - 027 463 2005 (ring or text) Wednesday night: Lizzie Thompson - 384-3636 or 027 647-8215 (text only) (Juniors can come without a partner) Thursday night: Sue Southen - 027 489 8572 Friday daytime: Norma Loomes - 027 403-9339 Sunday afternoon: Lizzie Thompson - 384-3636 or 027 647-8215 (All players can come without a partner) If you arrive without a partner, the Club will guarantee a game at the Monday Junior, Tuesday morning, Wednesday Junior and Sunday sessions only. Other grades should use the partner finder.
Canterbury Holiday Pairs: There is no requirement to pre-register for this tournament. You can play all or anyone of the sessions. Note: No concession cards for these sessions as it is a tournament. Partner wanted? Please contact the office if you are wanting a partner for the holiday pairs in January. Sat 3rd, Tues 6th, Thurs 8th January. Holiday Bridge: please refer to the website Home Page and scroll down for session times. Volunteer players wanted for 2026: To be helpers at the beginner lessons or to be a spare player for the sessions. A roster will be made up once we get enough volunteers. See the foyer noticeboard or email the office if you can help. Sessions are Monday and Wednesday evenings Juniors/Tuesday Mornings /Sundays 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 Need a partner for 2026: Please contact the partner finder for your session: If you require a partner for any session, the following people might be able to help. Please leave a message so that they can return your call. Monday afternoon: Ian Familton - 027 480 1514 Monday night: Peg Butterfield - 388-4286 or 021 0298-4534 Tuesday morning: Players can come without a partner Tuesday night: Janet Keen - 027 463 2005 (ring or text) Wednesday night: Lizzie Thompson - 384-3636 or 027 647-8215 (text only) (Juniors can come without a partner) Thursday night: Sue Southen - 027 489 8572 Friday daytime: Norma Loomes - 027 403 9339 Sunday afternoon: Lizzie Thompson - 384-3636 or 027 647-8215 (All players can come without a partner) If you arrive without a partner, the Club will guarantee a game at the Monday Junior, Tuesday morning, Wednesday Junior and Sunday sessions only. Other grades should use the partner finder. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
