ABERDEEN BRIDGE CLUB

Bridge Club Aberdeen are hosting 5 evening sessions on Real Bridge up until the end of March. Each session begins at 7.00pm. A warm welcome is extended to members who play in the areas of North District, and you do not need to be an SBU member to join these very sociable events where you can see one another and talk to one another. Do tell your friends.

Read more: https://www.aberdeenbridgeclub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Real-Bridge-Nights.docx

The Bridge Club is currently running classes for Beginners (0-1 years experience) and Improvers (2+ years experience), which will run through to January 2022. All classes are currently on-line, with lessons delivered via Zoom and practice hands via BBO or Real Bridge.

If you are interested in learning or would like to join an existing class, please contact the education officer at: education@aberdeenbridgeclub.co.uk

We will try to accommodate beginners and improvers and also aspiring players who want to improve their game. Classes may be held in the morning, afternoon or evening depending on numbers, availability of teachers and times which suit those wishing to learn.

One is never too young or too old to begin playing bridge. It is a very sociable game which keeps the mind active.

We aim to get learners playing online as soon as possible, after which one day soon you will find a warm welcome here at The Bridge Club.

We were very sad to hear that Dave Colling passed away on the 11^th of September aged 73.  He was much loved husband, father of Stefan and Krystina and grandfather to Emily. 

Dave and his wife Zosia and their families were great friends of Gibby and Sally so the blow to both families in such a short space of time has been very hard.

Dave was a much-respected member of our bridge playing community having learned the game by attending lessons led by Gibby and Sally.  He was a gentleman at the table playing in a friendly manner with his partners and opponents.

Dave enjoyed the competitive element of the game as he loved sport, especially cricket and rugby.

He spent a lot of time with his son Stefan as well as Stefan’s friends attending big cricket and rugby events and he was able to do this almost to the end of his life. 

Dave related very well to young people, and it was a pleasure to see him at our last virtual social gathering with our university club.  The students really enjoyed his company and listened to all the stories he had to tell about his own university life where he studied mathematics.  He later worked in the oil industry in IT.

Dave enjoyed retirement and when Zosia retired from her teaching career, they took the opportunity to cruise as much as possible.  Dave loved travelling and being able to play bridge at the same time was a bonus.

In recent months he took readily to playing in online tournaments and his nickname was Papasmok.  He and his online partner Jackie were fun to play against and they had worked hard on their bridge on this new environment.  It was good that he was able to play until two weeks before he died. 

Please follow the link for information on the 2021 Diamond Pairs:

https://www.aberdeenbridgeclub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Diamond.docx

We mourn the loss of our friend and Honorary Member of The Bridge Club, Aberdeen.  Gibby died on 16 Sep 2021 aged 83 and leaves us with many fond memories of a quite exceptional person.

Gibby’s impact on Bridge in Aberdeen was felt in his playing the game, organising and strengthening the club and teaching both children and adults.  In all of these, but especially in teaching, he was joined by his late wife Sally.  Together they built up a cogent series of lessons and these materials are still in use today.  They were a charming and formidable pairing, Sally a born teacher who explained and made complex things simple, while Gibby contributed a certain “have a go” mentality.  He viewed risk-taking as an integral part of the game and felt that beginners should not be too timid.  How often did we hear “no double, no trouble” as we were encouraged to sacrifice.  These same qualities were apparent when they played together, and they complemented each other perfectly, playing very successfully and at a high level.  They were widely respected at national as well as local level.  Their joy in playing and in each other was easy to see and to appreciate.  Their contribution to bridge in general but especially in education was recognised in the SBU President’s Award. 

Both Gibby and Sally served on the committee of the bridge club and their drive and hard work made it a success, even as other clubs languished.  They contributed in every way possible, whether wiping down tables or organising the bridge movement, arranging a party or balloted teams to draw players old and new together.  Gibby served as President of the club on at least two occasions and he was President of North District and served on the SBU Council.  Many of us had the pleasure of being introduced to other players at Aviemore and other congresses.  Including us in their table or inviting us for a drink was a natural part of Gibby’s hospitable nature.

Gibby worked in agriculture and he set up Norvite, a successful animal-feed business.   He organised a popular bridge competition with fiendish hands in January each year and this was sponsored by Norvite.  He committed many hours to finding these hands and the participants had the benefit of an expert commentary to read and mull over when the competition was done. 

Gibby was a proud Aberdonian and remained a committed supporter of “The Dons” all his life, whether they were doing well or badly.  A home match was one of the few reasons for him to cry off a bridge night.  He loved jazz and dancing and was a keen golfer.  Bridge and golf were the basis of regular trips to Ireland and it seemed as if every activity was taken on with great joy and enthusiasm.

Gibby and Sally were committed to their family of four and travelled enthusiastically to Greece, Canada and the USA to see them.  They were delighted when their youngest son, John, settled in Aberdeen.  This gave many opportunities to be with their local grandchildren, including sharing their knowledge of bridge and music.  Equally they took enormous pleasure in visiting the family abroad, attending weddings and other celebrations.

We say farewell to this remarkable friend and bridge enthusiast with fond memories and gratitude that we knew him.