Weekly Update 26/27/28-March-2025
03 366 1516 | office@chchbridge.co.nz | www.chchbridge.co.nz
March 28, 2025
Weekly Update 26/27/28-March-2025
Added 28-March-2025
NZ Bridge Website Issues
Hi to all Canty Clubs - Ashburton Tournament 5th April
Can you please forward this to your members please:
"If you entered our 5th April Ashburton tournament in the last few days, while the website was having problems, PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE, check if you are entered. People who did enter very recently have been dropped off it seems. If your name doesn’t appear on the entry list, PLEASE enter again. Thanks.
Ashburton Bridge Club 79 Alford Forest Rd Ashburton 7700 (03) 308 4276"
From NZ Bridge
Hi again everyone,
Just quick progress report for you to share with your members. The roll back has been successful.
- Players and administrators should now be able to enter tournaments
- We can add flyers to tournament listings and those loaded previously can be accessed.
- Clubs can now upload session files for masterpoint purposes.
- Administrators are now able to make changes to player records for membership purposes.
There will be some updates that were captured during the days that the revamped website was up that will have been lost due to the wind back.
- If its session files these can now be reloaded.
- Membership changes can be reloaded (send to me if that helps)
- One thing that will be an issue is tournament entries made during this period. Those will have been lost. I am sorry about that but ask that you check the current listings and if you can recall missing ones, please add them back.
Share this email with your members and ask them to check their recent tournament entries and resubmit them if they are missing.
Tomorrow we will continue the tidy up and have even thing sorted before the weekend.
If anyone is having login issues particularly club administrators, please email me. I can record a temp password t get people up and running.
Finally, I know that Bridget is working hard to get the congress events back on the calendar and will open them up for entries sometime tomorrow. I will send a note out when this is operative.
Thanks everyone for supporting us and for your patience while we sort things out.
Some good progress today, and we will all sleep a little easier tonight.
Best wishes, Alister.
Added 27-March-2025
Helen Bremner, valued club member and past committee member, passed away earlier this week.
Helen’s friends are invited by her family to attend a Celebration of Helen’s Life at Birdwood in Beckenham 2-4pm Saturday 29 March.
April Tutorial
– Aimed at Junior and Intermediate players: This coming Wednesday night at 5.50pm, $5
Learn to switch your brain to the NT page, as responses to NT’s are quite different to when your partner opens 1-suit. Describe your shape and HCP to reach the best contract. We will also learn how to use Stayman correctly to find a Major FIT.
NZ Bridge Website Issues:
Date: 26/03/2025
To Club Secretaries
CC Regions
Please share this important information with your members'
I am writing to share some important information regarding the situation with the refreshed website and the serious implications that this changeover has had on our database and some key functions.
There is no point trying to sugar coat a disaster, so I am telling it as it is.
While we had hoped that the functions including tournament entry management, membership management and the congress entry function would be remedied quickly, it is clear to me that this is not going to be achievable.
A further issue was discovered last night where in some players had lost their A points after files for a team’s tournament were uploaded. As this was not able to be fixed as of 4pm today I have made the decision in conjunction with the site developers to wind things back to the old Website. This will enable the new offering to be worked on (offline) and tested properly before going live. There is no time frame for this, it’s imperative that we do this properly this time.
This will take place tomorrow (Thursday) during which time there will be no website access.
It will mean that the position will be rolled back to as of Thursday morning last week. Session files and membership changes input since then will need to be reloaded.
Players may find that they need to log in with their former passwords. If need be, I can reset these on request.
To make this happen I need you all to work with me.
I want clubs to refrain from uploading session files until I give the go ahead to do so. That is likely to be Monday next week. This will include any files previously uploaded from Thursday last week as these will be dropped as part of the wind back.
If you have made any membership changes since then I would like you to send the details to me. I will take responsibility at this end to load these when I can. For those who have sent in such changes already, I still have the details, and they will be on my to do list.
With regards to the Congress entry function this new offering is not going to be available for this year’s event. When the wind back is up and running Bridget will put the congress events back in the schedule and will open them up for entries. We will advise you by email when this is available. Between us we are working on an option in the short term for payments. It may be by way of the issue of an invoice or using a “stripe” payments facility. More on this when we can.
For those clubs with tournaments this weekend I will cut and paste your entry lists now and email those to you separately. I want to make sure you have information as of now.
Things are rugged for us all right now, but rest assured we and our designers are working hard to sort this all out.
Best wishes, Alister.
Date: 27/03/2025
Good morning
Just touching base with a progress report for you.
Thank you so much for the kind messages we received over night, they certainly help us at this end.
We are making good progress with the roll back. The old website is now in view with the restoration of the database as at last week underway. This will take some time to complete.
At this point though we are not ready for club admin people to load any changes or input session files. As mentioned yesterday please send any membership changes to me and hold your session files back until we give the go-ahead to upload them.
I also mentioned yesterday that players may experience an issue logging in when we give the word that it is safe to do so. They will need to use their original login details. I can reset passwords at this end if need be.
Please share this with your members as we want players and clubs to be fully informed as we work through this.
I will touch base again later today hopefully with a further report. We will be on deck and available over the weekend to work though queries and issues that arise.
Regards, Alister.
From 26-March-2025
Sunday Seminar 30th March (this Sunday:
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?
Waimate All Grades 8B Tournament:
For those who have entered, please read the following message re this tournament.
"The link on the email and flyer to our tournament on 6 April has changed because of the recent changes to NZ Bridge website. As long as your members have re-registered on the new website this new link should work. If they have any problems, just email me the names to add.
The link is now https://legacy.nzbridge.co.nz/events/11570/Waimate-All-Grades-Pairs"
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/
Please note the following changes in dates for: November Wednesday Tutorial: has been postponed until Wednesday, December 3rd. Friday Night Bridge: has been postponed from Friday 7th November to Friday 5th December. Saturday Night Bridge: has been postponed until Saturday 22nd November. Upcoming Tuesday and Thursday session event changes: Due to the National congress week been moved this year. The events on the Tuesday and Thursday have been amended and brought forward one week. Tuesday: Winners Trophy will start next Tuesday 28th October with November 11th being an open session. Thursday: Summer Ladder will start on Thursday 30th October with the 13th November being an open session. Tournament Results: Canterbury Interclub Teams: Christchurch won the Canterbury Interclub Teams last weekend. The winning team members: OPEN: 1st Liz Fitzgerald / John Kruiniger and Pam Tibble / Sue Southen INTERMEDIATE: 2nd Jessie Pelenato / Leo Hammond and Jane Walders / Tina Sims JUNIOR: 2nd Robert Bijl /Bronwyn Bijl and Emma Fitzgerald / Finley Duncan Volunteer Register: in case of a medical emergency. If you are a doctor, nurse or first aider and would be willing to be on the Emergency register, can you please email the office and the sessions you would normally attend.
November Wednesday Tutorial: This has been postponed until the first Wednesday in December i.e. Dec 3rd. Friday Night Bridge: This has been postponed from Friday 7th November to Friday 5th December. Upcoming Tuesday and Thursday session event changes: Due to the National congress week been moved this year. The events on the Tuesday and Thursday have been amended and brought forward one week. Tuesday: Winners Trophy will start next Tuesday 28th October with November 11th being an open session. Thursday: Summer Ladder will start on Thursday 30th October with the 13th November being an open session. Volunteer Register: in case of a medical emergency. If you are a doctor, nurse or first aider and would be willing to be on the Emergency register, can you please email the office and the sessions you would normally attend.
T ournament Results: Loveblock NZ Wide Pairs Our best placed pair 88th of 818 – Fiona Temple / John Kruiniger Canterbury All Grades Open: 1st – Kathryn Tennant / Jane Lennon Restricted Open: 1st – Judy Parkinson / Megan Eddy Intermediate: 1st – Kat Holmes / Jessie Pelenato Volunteers wanted for the upcoming Tournament Director Assessment Weekend Dates: Sat 25/Sun 26/Mon 27 October The volunteers will be used for scenarios – they are ‘players’ at a table, we provided them with a situation and the directors each come over, one at a time, to make a ruling. We need 4 people at any one time. Sign up list on the foyer noticeboard or email the office. Canterbury Interclub Teams: Date & Time: Sunday, November 2nd, 10 am Venue: Crockford’s Bridge Club If you wish to be put forward for consideration to represent the Club please either enter your names in the foyer or email the Club. Entries can be as teams or pairs. The tournament sub-committee will select teams to represent the Club in the 3 categories: Junior, Intermediate, & Open (Categories based on NZ Bridge rating points). The Club pays for the entry fees. Sign up in the foyer or email the office. Obituary: It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Anna Bullen. She was a member here for over 50 years. A service to celebrate Anna’s life will be held on Tuesday 28th October at 2pm. Venue: St Barnabas Church, 8 Tui Street, Fendalton. Labour Weekend bridge sessions: The Sunday, and both Monday afternoon and evening sessions are open to all. Added 24-Oct-2025 Club Grade Promotions: Congratulations to the players who have been promoted. There is a list of names up on the foyer noticeboard. Interclub Team members representing the Christchurch Club: Congratulations to the following players who will be representing the club in the upcoming Interclub teams. OPEN Liz Fitzgerald / John Kruiniger Pam Tibble / Sue Southen INTERMEDIATE Jessie Pelenato / Leo Hammond Jane Walders / Tina Sims JUNIOR Robert Bijl /Bronwyn Bijl Emma Fitzgerald / Finley Duncan Upcoming Tuesday and Thursday session event changes: Due to the National congress week been moved this year. The events on the Tuesday and Thursday have been amended and brought forward one week. Tuesday: Winners Trophy will start next Tuesday 28th October with November 11th being an open session. Thursday: Summer Ladder will start on Thursday 30th October with the 13th November being an open session. Volunteer Register: in case of a medical emergency. If you are a doctor, nurse or first aider and would be willing to be on the Emergency register, can you please email the office and the sessions you would normally attend.
T ournament Results: North Island Teams: 5th: Jane Lennon / David Taylor / Tania Lloyd / Hugh Grosvenor Crockfords Intermediate Pairs: 1st: Ian Beattie / Rex Green 2nd: Frank Stewart / June Jung Crockfords 5A: 1st: Max Morrison / Tony Quinlivan 2nd =: Jenny Wilkinson / Tina McVeigh and David Mikarea / Les Frater Crockford’s Restricted Open: 1st: Alan Schroeder / Partner 2nd: Jane Walders / Shawn Adriel-Ai 3rd: Megan Eddy / Sam Gurney Volunteers wanted for the upcoming Tournament Director Assessment Weekend Dates: Sat 25/Sun 26/Mon 27 October The volunteers will be used for scenarios – they are ‘players’ at a table, we provided them with a situation and the directors each come over, one at a time, to make a ruling. We need 4 people at any one time. Sign up list on the foyer noticeboard. Upcoming Tournament: Loveblock NZ Wide Pairs – Friday evening 17th October Christchurch All Grades 8B Pairs – 18th October Enter online (NZB website) Volunteer spare players wanted for this Saturday’s tournament. Please let the office know if can help. Canterbury Interclub Teams: Date & Time: Sunday, November 2nd, 10 am Venue: Crockford’s Bridge Club If you wish to be put forward for consideration to represent the Club please enter your names in the foyer or email the Club. Entries can be as teams or pairs. The tournament sub-committee will select teams to represent the Club in the three categories: Junior, Intermediate, & Open (Categories based on NZ Bridge rating points). The Club pays for the entry fees. Sign up in the foyer or email the Club. Club Trophies: Please bring any trophies back to the Club for engraving this year’s winners.
Saturday Night bridge: This Saturday night at 7pm sharp! Note: Concessions Cards can be used. Upcoming Tournaments: Loveblock NZ Wide Pairs – Friday evening 17th October Christchurch All Grades 8B Pairs – 18th October Enter online (NZB website) Club Trophies: Please bring any trophies back to the Club for engraving this year’s winners. EFTPOS Receipts: Reminder: Please put your name on the front side of the EFTPOS ticket. Property Development at the front of the Club’s Car Park: Fencing will be erected next week in front of the Club’s property ready for the start of building apartments next month. The building process may take up to a year to complete. This development will have off-street parking for the owners although members may want to consider car-pooling to Bridge in the future.
Match Programme Change - This affects Tuesday and Thursday evening sessions The Match Programmed 2025 shows this week as the National Congress. The National Congress will run from November 8th to 15th. As a consequence, the following events will start this week: Tuesday evening – Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Pairs Thursday evening – Mixed Grade Teams or Third Match Point Ladder Added 2-October-2025 Friday Social Rubber Bridge Night: October 3rd Tomorrow night! at 6.30pm til 8.30pm. No partner required! $5 Sunday Seminar: Date & Time: This Sunday Oct 5th at 10 am. Tutor: Leon Meier Sign up at the club. Cost: $15 Topic: The focus will be on 'Suit Combinations - Getting the most out of your cards'. Aimed at more experienced players but all welcome. Thursday Partner Finder: The Club is looking for a new partner finder for Thursday night for 2026. Please let the office know if you are interested or have any questions. Upcoming Tournaments: Loveblock NZ Wide Pairs – Friday evening 17th October Christchurch All Grades 8B Pairs – 18th October Enter online (NZB website) Club Trophies: Please bring any trophies back to the club for engraving this year’s winners. Eftpos receipts: Reminder: Please put your name on the front side of the eftpos ticket .
Tournament Results: Christchurch Congress Teams: Open 1st: Graeme Tuffnell / Phil Lennon / Leon Meier / Jack James Int 1st: Bridget O’Brien / Jessie Pelenato / Jane Walders / Tina Sims Junior 1st: Maria Butterfield / Lynda Roche / Emma Fitzgerald / Geogia Tan Christchurch Congress Pairs Open 1st: Jan Alabaster / Emma Strong Int 2nd: Jessie Pelenato / Kat Holmes Junior 1st: Catherine Ott / Gill Dallison Wednesday Seminar: Date & Time: October 1st at 5.50pm Cost: $5 Tutor: Shirley Newton Topic: " Simple Slam bidding! Learn the type of hands you need to start investigating the 6-level" Friday Social Rubber Bridge Night: Date & Time: Oct 3rd at 6.30pm until 8.30pm Cost: $5 No partner required! Sunday Seminar: Date & Time: Sunday Oct 5th at 10 am. Tutor: Leon Meier Cost: $15 Topic: The focus will be on 'Suit Combinations - Getting the most out of your cards'. Aimed at more experienced players but all welcome. Sign up at the Club. Upcoming Tournaments: Loveblock NZ Wide Pairs: Friday evening 17th October Enter online (NZB website) Christchurch All Grades 8B Pairs: 18th October Enter online (NZB website) Club Trophies: Please bring any trophies back to the club for engraving this year’s winners.
Tournament Results: Canterbury Regional Pairs 10A 2nd – Andrew Purves / Pavla Fenwick New Junior Session: On Monday nights, start 7.20pm Upcoming Tournament this Weekend: Christchurch Congress: Spare players/pairs wanted for this weekend either Saturday or Sunday or both. This is for Open/Intermediate and Junior grades. If you can help, please let the office know.
Added 11-Sept-2025 September Newsletter is now out!! Scroll down on the "About" page (newsletter links are near the bottom of the page) to access a link to this newsletter. Partner wanted: A National Junior grade player from Timaru wanting a partner for the Sunday Junior Pairs. Please contact the office if you would like to play. ***************** Saturday Night Bridge is back! When: Starting this Saturday 13 September at 7pm sharp . Proudly sponsored by: Arvida St Albans Retirement Village. Further information on the Club noticeboard and Home Page of this website. New Junior Session: on Monday nights, start 7.20pm. On-Line Intermediate Lessons: https://www.nzbridge.co.nz/supported-online-practice-games.html If you are not registered with HelloClub online platform, here is the link. https://nzbridge.helloclub.com/register Contact Shirley Newton if you are having trouble with the links. Cost: $8 casual per session For intermediate and experienced players. Three different topics: Lesson 1: Transfers Responses to 1NT Sunday 28th September 4-6pm and Tuesday 30th 7-9pm Lesson 2: Keycard Blackwood and Splinters Sunday 5th October 4-6pm and Tuesday 7th 7-9pm Lesson 3: Michaels Cue Bids, Unusual 2NT Sunday 12th October 4-6pm and Tuesday 14th 7-9pm Garden Working Bee: When: This Saturday 13 September. Time: 9.30am until midday. Tournament: Christchurch Congress: (refer flyer on the Home Page for more information about this Event) Enter: on-line Dates: Saturday 20th September – Teams Open / Intermediate / Junior Sunday 21st September - Pairs Open / Intermediate / Junior
Reminder added 4-Sept-2025: Friday Social Rubber Bridge tomorrow night at the Club. 6:30pm 'til 8:30pm. No partner required, see further details below. (In the "New Bridge Sessions" section.) Tournament Results: Ashburton Intermediate Pairs 5B 1st – Jessie Pelenato / Kat Holmes 2nd – Stuart Grant / Michelle Gan 3rd – June Jung / Philippa Borlase South Island Teams 20A 5th – Joan Small / Jenny Wilkinson / Shirley Newton / Arleen Schwartz Upcoming Senior/Senior Reserve Seminar: (refer flyer on the Home Page for additional information) Tutor: Jane Skipper Topic: 'Coping with Interference in the Auction' When: Sunday September 7th at 10am. Cost: $15 New Bridge Sessions: Friday Social Rubber Bridge (refer flyer on the Home Page for more details about this session) When: on the first Friday of the month. Time: 6.30pm until 8.30pm, Table Fee: $5 John Skipper will be there to give a short tutorial on how to play rubber bridge for those who would like to learn. Saturday Night Bridge is back! (refer flyer on the Home Page more details about this session) When: starting 13 September at 7pm sharp. Proudly sponsored by: Arvida St Albans Retirement Village Note: See foyer noticeboard for more details about these 2 sessions. Garden Working Bee: When: Sunday 13 September Time: 9.30am until midday. Upcoming Tournament: Christchurch Congress: (refer flyer on the Home Page for more information about this Event) Dates: Saturday 20th September - Teams; Sunday 21st September - Pairs Enter: on-line
