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/
Weekly Update 20-May-2026
Weekly Update 13-May-2026
Weekly Update 6/8-May-2026
Weekly Update 30-April-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.
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.
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
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
