Christchurch Bridge Club - Newsletter April 2020

03 366 1516  |  office@chchbridge.co.nz  |  www.chchbridge.co.nz 
March 31, 2020

From the President and Vice President

Dear Members

This is a newsletter to keep you up to date with recent developments. We hope you are all safe and sound in your “Bubbles” and taking advantage of this time to play bridge online, both Graeme’s generous offer on Sky Bridge and our Club’s BBO.

The Committee has continued to meet weekly on Zoom. Our thanks go to all of the committee members for the skill levels that they are showing through the shut-down. We are all on the same page and working very well together for the benefit of the club. It has been nice to receive emails in support of our decisions and the work we are doing behind the scenes.

Special thanks go to Lizzy for ringing around our members and checking on their welfare. We would like to take this opportunity to also thank Sue for the hours she is putting in running the office from home. Her busy time seems to be from 6pm onwards helping members to log on to BBO. 

Bridge Online (BBO)

Our Club had two sessions last week. From this week on we are running six sessions. Monday, and Friday afternoon starting at 1pm. Monday through to Thursday nights, starting at 7.30pm. Members can talk privately and catch up with their friends and other members on BBO prior to the start. Over 170 members have sent in their BBO IDs. We are getting great feedback, the main one being that ‘it feels like a normal club session’.

The Club has been fortunate in that Liz Fitzgerald has the knowledge and previous experience in running and directing BBO tournaments. Liz has joined our BBO directing team. Thank you, Liz, for your input and for training our directors. Special thanks also to David Stephen for organising the BBO sessions and directors for these sessions.

Note: If you need instructions on how to join BBO and/or to sign up for the on-line sessions, contact Sue in the office: office@chchbridge.co.nz or 027 2577466. Instructions are also available on the website.

ANZAC Day

Sadly, we are not able to celebrate our Club’s anniversary by playing in the Anniversary Pairs, traditionally held on 25 April each year. However, the ANZAC blanket which we had intended to display on that day has been completed, as shown in the attached photos. Thank you to all those who knitted or crocheted poppies in a wide variety of colours, sizes, and shapes. It has been a real team effort and source of great camaraderie. Special thanks in particular are due to Marilyn Copland, Bev Johnson, Glenda Frapwell and Deborah Matthews who helped in the creation of the final product. Deborah was also responsible for assembling the purple poppy wreath which commemorates the large number of animals who perished as a result of the wars. We will put both items on display once the club re-opens.

Because of COVID-19 the RSA is unable to carry out its usual poppy day sales. In lieu of buying a poppy this year, you may wish to make a donation on the following website:

https://chchbridge.us11.listmanage.com/track/click?u=ce7a6455345995f4b49e1a2d2&id=bad6da8487&e=22e2d6aa8d

Enjoy your bridge!

John McKenzie(Acting President),
Marilyn Copeland(Acting Vice President)

By Deborah Matthews May 21, 2026
Weekly Update 20-May-2026
May 17, 2026
Weekly Update 13-May-2026
May 6, 2026
Weekly Update 6/8-May-2026
May 3, 2026
Weekly Update 30-April-2026
April 21, 2026
Tournament Results: Ashburton: Mid-Canterbury Pairs 1st - Jessie Pelenato / Leon Meier 3rd - Graeme Tuffnell / Jan Alabaster Green section: 1st - Tina Sims / Bridget O’Brien 2nd - Margaret Fraser / Richard Williams Anniversary Pairs: This Saturday, 10am. This is a Club member only handicapped tournament. Please pay the entry fee $25 by this Thursday to allow the payments to be checked off. You can pay cash or use the EFTPOS at the Club (ask Thea) or pay on-line. Road Closures: Due to the Super Rugby round being held at the new stadium all this weekend, road closures will be in place. Roads will be closed on parts of Barbadoes Street, Madras Street between Hereford Street and St Asaph Street and streets close by around the stadium. Access to the Club will still be open but maybe allow more time to get there. Beginner Bridge Classes: The next class starts Monday 4th May at 7.30pm. Tutor: David Taylor. Please let your friends, family & work colleagues know. Daytime sessions: With a lot of new apartments in the area, there is an increase of children around. Can we ask when leaving the car park particularly for the daytime sessions that you keep the speed down when going down Nova Place. Canterbury Congress: 16/17 May: Competitions for all levels. See noticeboard or the flyer on the Home page of this website for further information. An experienced open pair from Auckland are looking for team-mates. Contact the office for further information.
April 14, 2026
Tournament Results: Marlborough 5A Teams: 1st – Jane Lennon / Max Morrison / David Taylor / Jessie Pelenato 2nd – Leon Meier / Charles Ker / John Patterson / Kate Davies Marlborough 5A Pairs: 1st – Leon Meier / Charles Ker 4th – Tina Sims / Jane Walders Friday Rubber Bridge this Friday 17th April at 6.30pm until 8.30am, no partner required, all welcome. Saturday Night Bridge this coming Saturday, April 18. 7pm start! Hot scones & jam for supper. Prizes!! Anniversary Pairs: Date: Saturday 25 April This is a handicapped tournament. The tournament is for Club members only. More information can be found on the flyer on the Home page of this website. Enter on the entry form in the Club foyer. Sunday Bridge Sessions: We are looking for more volunteers to be added to the roster to be a volunteer spare player when required. Please email the office if you can help. Kaikoura Bridge Tournament: A NZ Intermediate grade member is looking for an Intermediate partner to play in the Kaikoura Bridge tournament being held on May 23rd. Please contact the office if you would like to play.
April 7, 2026
Sunday Bridge this Sunday: Christchurch Marathon this Sunday Please use the following link https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4ne2n5472ubxychu6z4yd/20260412-ChChCMarathon-BridgeClubAccessMapPass.pdf?rlkey=610xhk8qyuy5ddgo3nr0lbiys&st=oy2xtuow&dl=0 to access information for the Bridge Club on Sunday 12 April. The document includes: Christchurch Marathon Road Closure Map Vehicle Access Information - map and instructions of how to get to the Bridge Club. Vehicle Access Pass - your members will need to print and display this on their dashboard so our team can easily identify them and help direct them. Garden Working Bee: Change of Day!!This Saturday 11 April at 9.30am until midday. Tournament Results: A reminder to members to celebrate their tournament successes by emailing the office on Mondays so that the results can be put in the notices. Senior Junior Teams: has been postponed due to lack of entries. Anniversary Pairs: Date: Saturday 25 April This is a handicapped tournament. The tournament is for Club members only. More information can be found on the flyer on the Home page of the website. Enter on the entry form in the Club foyer. NZB ONLINE LESSONS APRIL and MAY. Great value as it's only $8 to attend Sunday, Tuesday or both. April lessons on Competitive Bidding are suitable for Intermediate players May lessons on Card Play are suitable for newer learners It's very easy to register on nzbridgehelloclub - check the noticeboard for details
April 3, 2026
Easter Bridge: Bridge as usual over the Easter Break including the Monday night session are open to all players. The Friday Rubber Bridge session for the 3rd April is postponed due to Easter. NZ Youth On-line Bridge fundraiser: Friday 3 April at 10am See foyer noticeboard for further details or go to NZ Bridge tournament page. Senior Junior Teams: Date: Saturday 11 April In this tournament a Senior/Senior Reserve pair team up with an Intermediate/Junior pair. Seniors play seniors and juniors play juniors. Anniversary Pairs: Date: Saturday 25 April This is a handicapped tournament. Both of the above two tournaments are for Club members only. Enter on the entry form in the Club foyer. The flyers for these events are also displayed on the Home page of this website. Tournament Results: South Canterbury Congress: Open Teams 3rd – Timothy Schumacher / Leon Meier / Michael Ware / Lysandra Zheng Intermediate Teams 2nd – Emma Fitzgerlad / Finley Duncan / Marie Butterfield / Lynda Roache 3rd – Ian Beattie / Rex Green / Ian Doel / Colin Clemens Open Pairs 1st – Jane Lennon / David Taylor 3rd – Leon Meier / Lysandra Zheng Intermediate Pairs 1st – Leo Hammond / Kat Holmes 3rd – Ian Beattie / Rex Green Junior Pairs 1st – Hue Tran / Lia de Vocht NZB LESSONS ONLINE START IN 10 DAYS Improve your bridge from home! Expert players will share winning tips and techniques, followed by a live RealBridge session, where attendees can practice what they learn! APRIL: Competitive Bidding Tips for Intermediate players MAY: Playing the Hand for newer players Attend Sunday 4-6pm or Tuesday 7-9pm or both for just $8! Registering is easy: · Go to nzbridge.helloclub.com · Put money in your account · In Calendar, click on the lessons you want to attend · You will receive a RealBridge link before each lesson, and follow-up emails afterwards! Check the noticeboard for dates and topics To read: NZB ONLINE LESSONS APRIL and MAY. Great value as it's only $8 to attend Sunday, Tuesday or both April lessons on Competitive Bidding are suitable for Intermediate players May lessons on Card Play are suitable for newer learners It's very easy to register on nzbridgehelloclub - check the noticeboard for details Garden Working Bee: Sunday 12 April at 9.30am until midday.
March 25, 2026
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
March 10, 2026
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