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/
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
