The Bridge Group plays competitive, social bridge in a relaxed, enjoyable environment. We play ‘basic Acol’ at an intermediate level and meet every Wednesday morning at the Matlock Town Football Club. Play commences at 9.15 am and continues through until 12.15 pm. Members should be seated by 9.05 to allow the computer scoring system to be set up. The weekly entry fee is £3 per member, payable on arrival, and includes refreshments of tea, coffee and biscuits.
The Group was formed in 2011 and has gone from strength to strength. We currently have around 10 tables playing each week. We typically play about 20 boards during the morning and use Bridgemates and electronic scoring. Results are published immediately after each session and to review these click here.
Although most Members attend with a regular partner, we appreciate that this is not always possible. To avoid a potentially wasted journey to the Football Club, Janet Green has kindly agreed to act as a contact to match players who do not have a partner. Should you need a partner, please call Janet on 07734 347080 before 6.00pm on Tuesday.
In line with u3a’s ‘self-help’ ethos, willing volunteers take it in turn to set up and manage the tables, operate the scoring system and provide us with delicious refreshments.
If you are interested in joining us or want any more information about the Group, please contact one of our Joint Coordinators, Rachel Jenkinson or Roger Spells, by clicking here.
COBER HILL 2024
This year our Cober Hill break ran for three days from Wednesday 9th October and was attended by 28 club members. Cober Hill, now a conference centre, is a beautiful Victorian mansion, situated on the glorious north Yorkshire coast, just 6 miles north of Scarborough. We have been visiting Cober Hill for our annual ‘away days’ for over a decade.
We kicked off with a mid-afternoon welcome and drinks get-together, followed by the first playing session. In total we all enjoyed three exciting, nail-biting playing sessions on Monday and Tuesday afternoon/evenings and Wednesday morning.
Tuesday morning was “bridge free” to take full advantage of the local area’s attractions. The weather was a little problematic, but despite that everyone made good use of the day walking, golfing, sight-seeing or just relaxing. We then all got together for a further bridge session, either side of dinner.
On Wednesday morning, the final bridge session was completed, leading to the overall winners being decided and announced over lunch: N/S – Liz Walker and Angela Elkins and E/W – Jane and Lionel Stout. All very worthy winners!
The few days together were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone there, so particular thanks are due to Sue Wyatt for her considerable efforts in organising the whole event.
Next year’s trip will be on October 6 – 8, but we will be breaking with tradition and moving to a new location in Llandudno.
The Frank Hemming Memorial Salver 2024
Along with John Boadle, Frank Hemming was a founder of our Bridge Group some fourteen years ago. In 2017, Frank donated a silver salver to the Group which has been competed for each year since.
This year’s competition took place on 16th June 2024, with 18 pairs taking part. It was an great session, with some challenging hands and was followed by an excellent Summer Buffet Lunch.
The winners, with a score of 64.2%, were Hilary Vardy and Jean Wheatcroft. Many congratulations to you both.
Beginners Bridge
If you are interested in learning to play Bridge and are comfortable using your computer for learning materials and for practice sessions, you may like to consider this new opportunity for all u3a members throughout the UK. It was successfully piloted in 2023-4 by the Bridge Adviser for the Third Age Trust, Steve Carter with a panel of u3a volunteers who are all experienced players and teachers.
Members of Matlock Area u3a bridge group have volunteered to give some support to a small group, we are thinking about 4, who would like to follow the programme and have occasional face to face practice sessions. Attached is a PDF giving full details of how to enrol and get started. Please let me know, chair@matlockareau3a.org.uk, if you decide to go ahead and would like to have Matlock based support as well