September 2016

EBED Autumn Sim raises over £12,000 for the charity

The EBED Autumn Simultaneous Pairs took place earlier this month, with over 130 different clubs, and over 2400 pairs, taking part. Though the final figure is yet to be calculated, we believe the event has raised over £12,000. Thank you to all who took part.

Results from the Sim Pairs can be found on the EBU website. The results are still to be finalised but the current leaders are:

Monday 5th September Marc Chawner and Paul Spencer Hutton Duplicate Bridge Club
Tuesday 6th September Austin Barnes and Sue Hyman Bolton Bridge Club
Wednesday 7th September Peter Pennington-Smith and Eileen Townsend Wymondham Wednesday Bridge Club
Thursday 8th September Chris Chambers and Peter Gemmell Ipswich & Kesgrave Bridge Club
Friday 9th September Mark Sheppard and Philip Bennett Devizes Bridge Club


The sim will help to fund EBED's work researching and promoting the health and social benefits of playing bridge. As part of this a survey has been undertaken with researchers at Stirling University to look at the affect of playing bridge on the respondents' perception of various topics. This has recently been completed, with over 6,000 responses received, and we hope that preliminary findings will available this winter.

The next simultaneous pairs in aid of EBED will take place 8th to 11th May 2017. This is open to all bridge clubs in the UK - including those not affiliated to the EBU at no additional charge - and we hope that you will take part. Information on the 2016 events is available here, and will be updated once the 2017 details are finalised.

Youth Bridge Weekend huge success at Cheltenham Bridge Club

Saturday 3rd September 2016 saw Cheltenham Bridge Club invaded by 104 enthusiastic youngsters ranging in age from 8 to 19. Bridge tuition was followed by fiercely fought competitions on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Cheltenham Bridge Club players joined the youngsters to participate too.

Joan Benett and Ro Kaye, the organisers, were ably assisted by well qualified helpers including Michael Byrne, Patrick Shields, Tony Hill, Dave Armstrong and John Skjonnemand. EBED were well represented by Richard Banbury and colleagues, together with Bernard Eddleston, an EBED trustee, accompanied by his wife Margaret.

Cheltenham Bridge Club gave superb hospitality and truly excellent catering was provided by Anne Swannell assisted by Peter Swales. Ashok Kwatra CBC Treasurer donated a splendid prize trophy. Lord Skelmersdale, Roger Bootle-Wilbraham, 7th Baron Skelmersdale a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Bridge travelled from Taunton to support the weekend and presented the prizes on Sunday. Accommodation, organised by Ro Kaye, was generously provided by the Cheltenham Ladies' College and proved ideal for the youngsters.

Further pictures are available on the Cheltenham Bridge Club website

Richard Banbury now EBED Youth and Business Manager

In recognition of his increased focus on Youth activities, Richard Banbury’s job title is changed to EBED Youth and Business Manager with immediate effect.

Richard is organising the 2017 calendar of junior events, and is working on improving the information available to volunteers and teachers in the form of a 'schools pack', alongside extending the range of club TD courses and course materials. For more information on any of his work contact him via richard@ebedcio.org.uk.

Junior bridge events in West Kent & London

West Kent

A junior bridge and minibridge club is starting at Tunbridge Wells Bridge Club this autumn.

It will be on Sunday mornings during the autumn school term, starting on 9th October, and is open to all levels of player, including complete beginners. For more information see this leaflet from West Kent Youth Bridge

London

A junior bridge day will be taking place on Sunday 25th September, at the Andrew Robson Bridge Club in Parson's Green in central London.

It's being run by Under 16 squad leader Sarah O'Connor, and is free to enter. Anyone who is still at school is welcome to play, particularly those who are in school year 10 or below or who are older but relatively inexperienced. The game will start at 12:30pm and go on until about 4pm, including a short break.

To register your interest, or for more details, please contact Sarah.

EBED Autumn Simultaneous Pairs

Our Autumn Simultaneous Pairs event takes place this week, with competitions each day. The entry fees will go towards funding our work relating to the social and health benefits linked to playing bridge, including combatting social isolation and cognitive decline.

The EBU is running the competitions on our behalf, and the results can be found on their website.