Weekly Update 18/21-March-2025

03 366 1516  |  office@chchbridge.co.nz  |  www.chchbridge.co.nz 
March 18, 2025

Weekly Update 18/21-March-2025

Added 21-March-2025
Newest Grandmasters
Congratulations to Julia and Peter Watson having become grandmasters this year.

New Club Committee voted in at the AGM
President: Shangar Singh
Vice-President: Marilyn Copland
Committee: 
  • John Skipper
  • Lizzie Thompson
  • Ian Southen
  • Bridget O’Brien
  • Helen Beaumont
  • Rex Denley
Sunday Seminar 30th March: aimed at Junior and Intermediate players. Email the office to sign up. Starts at 10am. 
Tutor: Neal Phillips
Cost: $15
Topic: Overcalls
The opponents will open the bidding before you about half the time, so it is important to have an effective defensive bidding structure. You and partner must be confident in the meanings of each other’s bids.   
We will discuss what you are showing partner when you overcall a suit bid, pre-emptive bids, and no-trump bids. 
When do you double? When do you cue bid? Have you even discussed what it means when you double opponents minor suit pre-empt? 
 
Treasurer’s Role: The Club is looking for expressions of interest for the position of Treasurer following the recent resignation of our treasurer, Mark Paget. Please contact the office if you are interested.

Cruise Bridge session at the Club 
Date & Time: Thursday 10th April at 10am until 1pm.
20 visitors from the cruise along with Jeff Grotenhuis, owner of the Agile Bridge Club in Los Angeles are coming to play at the Club and we would love our members to welcome and join them in this bridge session. Morning tea provided. See the foyer noticeboard to enter.

Westende Jewellers, Club sponsor are having their Anniversary sale 26th March to the 6th April, 421 Colombo Street. https://www.westendejewellers.co.nz/

From 18-March-2025
Club AGM: 
Date & Time: March 20th, 2025 at 6pm. 
There being more Committee Member nominations than positions available financial members may cast a ballot up to one hour before scheduled club sessions until Wednesday and will also be able to vote at the AGM.

There will be a Special General meeting to follow the AGM. This Special General Meeting is called solely for the purpose of voting to approve this new constitution and can be found on the Club’s website on the "About" page https://www.chchbridge.co.nz/about (scroll down to find the button to access them).

Treasurer’s Role: The Club is looking for expressions of interest for the position of Treasurer following the recent resignation of our treasurer, Mark Paget. Please contact the office if you are interested.

The Club’s Annual & Finance Reports can also be viewed on the "About" page https://www.chchbridge.co.nz/about

EFTPOS Tickets: If you purchase an EFTPOS ticket for a session and find you cannot use it, please see the director to give your $10 back in cash. Please do not use them for another session.

A ChCh team, Red Devils, won the monthly team event at Crockfords last Friday. The team comprised Janine Tyler, Janene Mussen, Christine Sweeney and Doug Williams.

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
March 9, 2026
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.
March 2, 2026
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.
February 5, 2026
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.
January 27, 2026
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
January 20, 2026
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.
January 19, 2026
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.
January 7, 2026
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.