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Welcome to the first of what we hope will be a regular weekly review of what has been happening bridge-wise around the country. Our aim is to focus on one region per week…and seeing it is summer, and we have some lovely summery news, let’s start down Canterbury way.

Calling Canterbury folk and clubs. Please let Craig Shannahan know of anything of interest in your area so that it can be highlighted, read and enjoyed by many all around the  country.              cshannahan@slingshot.co.nz

Next week, we head up North to Auckland where Douglas Russell will be our scribe. He would love to hear from you or receive a picture or three.

SUMMER’S HERE – LEAVE THE RESERVATION AND PLAY BRIDGE

On Wednesday 20 January 2016, 64 bridge players from Christchurch, Ashburton, Geraldine, and Timaru played 32 boards over a 5 hour period, including a break for lunch, in the Lake House restaurant and bar at Lake Hood.   Results were secondary to the opportunity to play in a superb location and facility.   The event was the brain-child of John Fechney, a member of the Ashburton club.   The day was a success, enjoyed by all, and without doubt will be held again next year.   Kay Nicholas and Lesley Andrews, from Timaru were the event winners, bringing their grand master skills to the table. Vivian Hill and Colin Coulter from Geraldine were second.   Beth McIlraith and John Irwin (Ashburton), and June Forsyth and Mike Betty (Christchurch), were the best intermediate and junior place-getters respectively.

Lake Hood is a man-made recreational lake, located 6 km south-east of Ashburton in the locality of Huntingdon, Canterbury. It was opened in 2001 by the Right Honourable Jenny Shipley. It is 2.3 km long by 1 km wide and is more than 80 hectares (0.80 km²) in area. It features an eight lane rowing course and separate water-skiing and jet skiing areas, and is home to Water Ski Lake Hood.   It is increasing in popularity for rowing, as it is not as susceptible to wind as the main South Island rowing venue, Lake Ruataniwha.   A substantial housing subdivision, serving as a satellite suburb of Ashburton has been built  surrounding the lake.

" Bridge on the Lawn"

On Sunday 7th February under cloudy but warm skies with occasional late
afternoon sun, the 5th and last 'bridge on the lawn' at Craig
Shannahan's Christchurch property  was held.   58 players attended
representing Christchurch, Rangiora and Crockfords.  

"Enjoy the occasion.

Enjoy the company,

Enjoy the bridge

and have FUN"

were host and director Craig's words to the players.   As usual champagne, and
pate and biscuits started the event at 1.00pm.   A break at 3.00pm for a
cup of tea and club sandwiches, lamingtons, and other sweet delights.  
More bridge until 5.15pm and 30 boards had been played.   Then the BBQ's
were fired up for mussels, streaky bacon, chicken pieces, and the
traditional whitebait patties.   Prizes were given and the wine cracked
open.   Holding this event requires some 375 furniture movements; but
the assistance of John and Lizzy Hornsey, Kathryn Kerr and Dave and
Jeanette Lawrence made the operation easier.   Over 50% of the profits
were returned on a pro rata basis to the players' clubs.   Not one to
waste good wine, and when reflecting on the day's success, Craig cleaned
up the opened and 3 near-empty bottles of Lindaur, pinot noir, and
chardonnay - and a sore head the next morning.    Options for continuing
this event are in the pipe-line; at Craig's with a committee doing all
the work, in the park adjacent to the Rangiora club or at a Rangiora
member's rural property.   Thank you to all who have attended the past 5
years, the spirit in which you have played, ate and drank, the money
raised, and seeing you enjoy playing in natural surroundings. A great thank you to

Thea Mapletoft for 5 years of excellent catering.  My only
regret was that no-one took up the offer to use the open-air bath"

 

On to the more serious stuff. Richard Lapthorne and John Hay won the Canterbury Holiday Pairs including a whopping 68.63% on the second night. There were some other great session scores, 69.85% from Shirley Newton and Jenny Wilkinson,69.62% from Sue and Ian Southen and 68.88% from Lex Franklin and Charles Lapthorne. Charles must have taught his son very well. Meanwhile, Bradley Johnston and Nik Mitchell enjoyed themselves at the Timaru All Grades, averaging over 64% over the 2 sessions to win comfortably.

Great, Craig. Two lovely stories about how bridge should be played and how wonderful to have held the afternoon at your place for the past five years. I am sure others will want to ensure such a neat tradition carries on. Richard Solomon.

 

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