overlooked - people rarely think of the
bridge sessions held in pubs or in punts. As
well as this, The Beer Card* (see page 65
online) offers an excellent opportunity to
gain free drinks from your partner (I have
won half a gallon of beer in an afternoon)
- if that's not an incentive to play I don't
know what is! Peter Banks, Oxford
Having never played bridge before I came
across the stall at Freshers' week. I wasn't
particularly enticed, but I'd been advised to
try everything. At the time I wasn't sure I'd
go to the taster session but thankfully I
did! A few months in and I was addicted;
what's better than meeting with friends in
the pub, having some food and drinks and
playing some cards? Two years later and I'm
representing the University in the Portland
Bowl. What a proud moment it was to come
second. Four people who would otherwise
never have met, coming together through a
mutual love of bridge, spending a weekend
in London doing what they do best.
In May I was at an assessment day for a
graduate job, and the presentation I gave
about bridge was the highlight; it was the
deciding factor in me being offered the job!
So a lifelong skill, a whole group of friends
and a job! Mitchell Dytham, Manchester
A friend taught me and some friends how
to play in my first year at university. It
turned out to be rather addictive. I then
went along to lessons run by the university
bridge club. They were free which was
fantastic! I now regularly play at my
university club and against other
universities.
I love the challenge, but it is not all
serious. I also play more relaxed games of
bridge at the pub. Bridge has been a great
way to meet people who I may not have
otherwise met. I have become friends with
many of these people, and I even met my
boyfriend while playing bridge.
I would recommend the university bridge
club to anyone who would like a challenge,
is looking for some fun and would like to
meet some really interesting and likeminded
people. Rosie Buckland, Oxford
I learnt to play before university and
have enjoyed playing here as it has allowed
me to meet like-minded people
It has provided a challenging way to
stretch myself beyond my academic studies,
and I always look forward to playing weekly
at the university society.
The social side is something that is often
45
February 2016 English Bridge
English Bridge Education and Development
hopes to encourage more young people to play
bridge, and wants to enable university clubs and
local bridge clubs to work together to help increase
participation at both clubs. If you would like to
develop university bridge in your area, or cultivate a
link between a university club and a local 'town'
club, contact info@ebedcio.org.uk//ebedcio.org.uk" target="_blank" title="Visit ebedcio.org.uk">ebedcio.org.uk
45
February 2016 English Bridge
www.ebu.co.uk EBED - Universities
Pancakes, graduate placements, friendships and
the Beer Card - the beneits of university bridge
More students discuss their love
affair with bridge, see online, page 65
UNIVERSITIES have always been a hotbed of
bridge, with many players - whether future
internationals or just 'social' players - learning to
play and developing their game. Participation is
lower than at its peak thirty or forty years ago, but
there are still active bridge clubs on UK campuses,
with many people discovering their love for the
game while at university.
We asked current and recent students to share
their experiences of university bridge, and tell us
why they believe it can still be a popular part of
modern student life.