We are delighted to tell you that Gloucestershire has been one of the top counties this year in recruiting new schools into the youth bridge programme.  Some of our students were successful at the National Schools’ Competition held in Loughborough in March, and at the Junior Camp held in Kidderminster in April.

We currently have clubs running at Pittville School, Cleeve School, The Cotswold School and Sir Thomas Rich’s.

We still have some interest in Primary schools, particularly at Foxmoor Primary in Stroud, and new clubs are starting in September at St. Mary’s in Churchdown and St. Gregory’s in Cheltenham.

We are finding that Primary School after-school clubs can need more volunteers than are sometimes available, so greater attention is now being given to Senior Schools.  This year we started a 6th form (curriculum-time) club and an after-school club at Sir Thomas Rich’s in Gloucester and plan the same for Crypt School in coming months. In September there will also be clubs starting at Cleeve and Balcarras 6th forms in Cheltenham.

We want this initiative to spread across the county.  A difficulty we have is getting into schools.  If you have a contact with a 6th Form College, or a Secondary School that has a 6th Form, please let us know.  Richard Croot, CEO of EBED will help the school or college set up a 6th Form club.  His email is below.

Contact Information:    Richard - richard.croot@ebedcio.org.uk     Jan - jan.bailey@gcba.org.uk

Do you know a young person who you think might like to learn to play Bridge?

Throughout the year, including school holidays, Richard runs a club on Thursdays on Realbridge from 16.15-18.00.  Beginners, as well as those who already know how to play, are welcome. Under 18s only. All teachers are DBS checked.

The next Junior Camp is in Northamptonshire from the 29th-31st August (poster just below).  Gloucestershire County Bridge Association is offering a 50% discount on the advertised price to any young person attending their first camp. For more information, please contact Jan.  Email below.

Do you play Bridge or Minibridge with a young person?  Joan runs the Generation Game one Sunday a month on Realbridge from 18.15-19.30.  Children can play with a family member or a friend.  No beginners.  The next one is the 14th September and you must register with Joan in advance, Her contact details are below.

There is a Sunday club at Cheltenham Bridge Club from 16.00-18.00 for ages 8 to 18.  All levels welcome.  Refreshments are provided.  All helpers are DBS checked.  The next one is the 21st September.  For more information contact Jan.

F2F Sessions for Young People at Cheltenham Bridge Club

Bridge and MiniBridge, are both fantastic games and great fun for all ages!

New players will be taught MiniBridge which is a simplified version of Bridge and suitable for young people who will quickly aspire to play the full game. At whatever level they play, young players will make friends and enjoy the challenge. It also helps develop skills in maths, non-verbal reasoning, problem solving and the ability to focus and concentrate, as well as a range of social and behavioural skills.

Enrol your Child/Grandchild and - enjoy a break, come and watch or come and play with them at Cheltenham Bridge Club
Sundays 4-6pm: tba
Time: 4-6pm, Cost: £2 which includes refreshments

Join the Online Generation Game

A great opportunity for young players to practise their bridge skills on line, at home:
Sundays:tba They will need to use a tablet, laptop, PC or Mac.
Time: 6.30-7.30pm

Junior Bridge Club Online - Thursday After School 

This session run for young people on RealBridge. It is a great opportunity to practice the skills learned in your face to face sessions. 

As it is for young people only (plus EBED staff who are all DBS checked), we are asking for parental permission for you to join in, and hence for your responsible adult to complete the form accessible via this link Parental Permission Form.

The RealBridge club will meet every Thursday 4:15 to 6:15pm and a link to the game will be emailed to you on the Tuesday before the event starts. You don't have to attend for the whole of the session but would ask that you turn up before 5:30pm.

F2F sessions held at Cheltenham Bridge Club, 4 Tivoli Rd, Chelteham, GL50 2TG

The Wessex Junior Bridge Spring Camp

On the 5th/6th April over 50 young people attended the camp, 10 of whom came from Gloucestershire.  Great fun was had by all, with lots of really good bridge teaching and lots of indoor and outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy. 

Congratulations to Oliver, Patrick, Maegan and Daniel for achieving their Bronze awards. 

The final event was the Swiss pairs competition on Sunday afternoon, where they, along with Archer, Matilda, George and Barnaby, played against adults and members of the England U21 squad. 

A special mention for George, who with his partner came 13th and to Maegan and Daniel who came 15th out of 32 pairs. There were 7 adult pairs above them whose scores didn’t count, effectively giving George 6th place and Maegan and Daniel 8th place. Maegan and Daniel were top of the Bronze group and were each awarded an Easter Egg see the photo to the right. 

Why Do We Play Bridge?
Bridge is a Card Game that is Fun & Makes you Think

All you need is 4 people and a pack of cards to play anywhere in the world

It makes your brain work and every few minutes you have a new challenge
You can play for 5 minutes or 5 hours.  Every hand is an adventure
You can sit around any table – on a train – on the floor – in the playground – at home
Or you can get really good and enter competitions all over the UK and the world!
You can play on the internet – maybe with someone in Brazil or Australia?
It is as fun and as fascinating as any computer game (and we still beat the computers)
Bridge is sociable - it is an easy way to meet people wherever you go
It does not cost much – very important if you are at school or university
There is always someone to help you get started or to get better  - just ask us!