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.

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