The Grahamstown Bridge organises regular duplicate bridge sessions, generally twice a week (Monday evening and Thursday afternoon) and welcomes new players
There has been a Bridge Club in Grahamstown for many years, under different leadership and in different venues. The club was, at one stage, very strong with well-attended sessions and a number of excellent players, but it gradually went into a decline, with few regular players (mostly three tables) and only one session a week.
In July 2012 the club re-launched itself, with a new constitution and a management committee, and a drive to draw in new membership, which included lessons for beginners. The club moved to a new venue at St Bart's Church Hall and soon increased its membership to 6 tables, playing two sessions a week, Monday evening and Thursday afternoon.
New initiatives included :
1. The introduction of a computerized scoring system used by bridge clubs internationally and enabling results to be available, without delay, at the end of each session.
2. Continued bridge lessons for beginners, thereby introducing some new players to the club.
3. A mentoring program where experienced players paired up with new players to help them gain experience.
4. A system of ranking players.
5. Awards for exceptional players and members, which includes an annual competition for the club.
In July 2013, the club was forced to move again, to a bigger venue, when St Bart's Hall became too small. The club now meets at The Grahamstown Bowling Club on the corner of African and Cawood Streets, on Monday evenings and Thursday afternoons.
Sessions now generally vary between 5 and 8 tables.
