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.

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.

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!

Sharp Defence by Christchurch players in international competitions by Jan Alabaster. Click on the following link to read the article: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/36d370eaw0vv0kiw0n9p5/Sharp-Defence-Updated.pdf?rlkey=obh81hltduoayhrrud7iw0i2p&st=qdznsbo6&dl=0 . (The full article didn’t appear in the last newsletter.) Holiday Bridge Sessions: Open to all! Friday 19 December: 10.20am. BYO Lunch. Sunday 21 December: 1pm Monday 22 December: Afternoon 1pm & Evening 7.20pm Tuesday 23 December: Morning 10.20am & Evening 7.20pm Sunday 28 December: 1pm Monday 29 December: Afternoon 1pm & Evening 7.20pm Tuesday 30 December: Morning 10.20am & Evening 7.20pm Canterbury Holiday Pairs: Proudly sponsored by: Maxwell Plumbing Saturday 3rd, Tuesday 6th, Thursday 8th Jan. All sessions start at 7.20pm No prior entry required. Friday Bridge starts back on January 2nd, 10.20am. BYO Lunch.

Canterbury Regional Committee: The Canterbury Regional Committee is seeking two more volunteers to be part of the Regional Bridge committee. Please contact Sarah Garland (Club member) if you are interested. Club Subscriptions: Invoices have been sent out to members via email. If you have not received an email, please let the office know. Reminder: the sub is $90 if paid before the 31st January, 2026 otherwise it will be $100. Canterbury Charity Pairs: Date: Saturday 13th December. Enter on-line. Canterbury Holidays Pairs: Proudly sponsored by Maxwell Plumbing; Dates: Saturday 3rd, Tuesday 6th and Thursday 8th January. Please Note: there is an error in the Match programme book under the Tuesday and Thursday sessions with the Saturday date to confirm it is the 3rd not the 1st Jan as stated). Christmas Bridge Sessions: Monday 22nd and 29th December: 1pm and 7.20pm Tuesday 23rd and 30th December: 10.20am and 7.20pm Sessions are open to all. Handbags: Please can members hang their handbags either on the back or completely under their chair. A member tripped over a handbag strap which caused an injury. 2026 Match Programme Books: These are now available to be picked up from the club. One copy per member. Ron Klinger Seminar: this Friday at 2.15pm. Please contact the office if you are wanting to attend. Cost $25 Friday Night Rubber Bridge: this Friday at 6.30 – 8.30pm, last one for the year. All welcome, no partner required.

Tournament Results: Congratulations to Paul Taggart & Peter Foster (Levin) who won the NZ Junior pairs at Congress. The Sunday Junior section will restart this coming Sunday at 12.50pm. No partner required Garden Working Bee: This Saturday 29th November, 9.30am until midday. Club Subscriptions: Invoices have been sent out to members via email. If you have not received an email, please let the office know. We do have a few to hand out to members who do not have an email. Reminder: the subscription is $90 if paid before the 31st January, 2026 otherwise it will be $100 from the 1st February, 2026. Tuesday Morning Bridge: No partner required. Be seated and ready to play by 10:20 am.