Anyone for bridge?

A group of mainly British card players (though other English speakers are more than welcome) meet each Thursday afternoon in Caylus to play duplicate bridge. The atmosphere is very informal, though we take it seriously. We welcome beginners and can arrange practice sessions if required. The most we can accommodate on any evening is about 20, though usually far fewer actually play.
Sessions usually run from 5pm until 9pm at the latest and there are often players looking for an occasional or permanent partner, especially in the winter months when many players return to the UK, or head to Spain. We play in the Bar Bascule so liquid refreshments are available, coffee only 1 euro a cup. Car sharing from St Antonin or Varen/Verfeil can be arranged.
So if you like the challenge of a good card game and one that stretches you mind more than gin rummy why not give us a try.
Contact Malcolm Johnstone on 0689 96 66 95 or email masdelsol82@outlook.com

Bridge and chess at school

It has long been known that chess is very well adapted to children and young players. Indeed the College Pierre Bayrou in St Antonin has seen its team of young players carry off the prize as best in the education region (academie) for two years in a row, The game demands a strategic approach, concentration, a good memory for sequences of moves, both offensive and defensive and is equally adapted to boys and girls, whatever their physical development.
But the card game of bridge is generally associated with older (even old!) participants. But it has been introduced into many schools as an aide to teaching mathematics. Pupils at the College Betance, near Toulouse, have been initiated into the game and find that it is "cool". Demanding many of the same skills as chess, bridge also introduces teamwork, as it is a game for pairs. The success of the introduction will lead to around 20 teachers being trained. Some of the pupils had never seen a pack of cards so were surprised that they were encouraged to play a game, which at the same time brought them some understanding of maths principles. Most of the youngsters in our family enjoy their card games, especially the whist based games from which bridge is derived.
People interested in learning or playing the games should be aware that there is a chess club which meets in the Gazpacho, St Antonin on Saturday mornings, and an informal bridge club which meets in the bar Bascule in Caylus in Thursday afternoons.
comments to taglines82@gmail.com

What to do on Thursday evenings

There's nothing decent on the box, you've seen the films, finished your book, too dark to be in the garden or play tennis so what to do?
If you can play bridge, or would like to learn, why not come along to the Bar Bascule in Caylus and join the little group of enthusiasts who meet to play duplicate bridge at 5pm each Thursday evening.
The group is not a stuffy club with rules and regulations, just a few friends who like to meet, have a drink or coffee (only 1 euro) and play for about 3 hours.
With several regulars going off to sunny climes for the winter there will be partners available for single players and opportunities for pairs to join in.

Hi Malc

If you don't live in the vicinity of La Bascule in Caylus and exotic people around you haven't got a clue about this colonialist game, you just crash into the nearest hammock. You open your tablet at Funbridge and challenge a player at the other side of the planet.  No hot arguments will surge around your play, but the computer is less friendly though.

Bertrand

Malc says and you cannot get a coffee for a euro, or can you?

Val says  and I delight in Malc being out and I am able to watch a romantic film of my choice... bliss

For details contact Malc on malcom.johnstone@sfr.fr

Old hands at bridge last night

The autumn competition of the Caylus NA Bridge Club took place at the Bar de la Bascule last night (Thursday) and 10 pairs were in the lists for an array of bottle and chocolate shaped prizes. The evening marked the last appearance of the formidable Ainsworth/Fawcett partnership and they duly carried off the first prize. Both the other podium places were occupied by relative newcomers showing that the levels of experience are becoming more equal.
These evenings are very convivial and although the bridge is taken seriously there is no unseemly rivalry and advice is freely proffered. Thanks were due and given to Mike and Brian for organising the evening and providing a delicious apero dinatoire.
The sub and partner had a poor evening, but did demonstrate their knowledge of arcane music hall songs when East noted that North had a sweater with the legend "Crew Clothing Co" and remarked that his wife was going by train to Crewe. North asked if she meant to go to Birmingham but was being sent on to Crewe. East perplexed said "no she's going to Crewe". South duly obliged with a chorus of "Oh Mr Porter". Some hands are clearly older than others.
Oh Mr Porter

comments to taglines82@gmail.com

Out with the old in with the new

Thanks were given last night to retiring leaders of the Caylus Bridge Club Vanessa Ainsworth and Alan Fawcett both of whom are spending more time in the UK over the coming months. New incumbents Mike Ozier and Brian Franklin promised to maintain the informal atmosphere of the club and emphasised that new members of all standards of play will be welcome. Some anxiety was expressed that with M&B in charge of scoring we might see a dramatic rise in their fortunes but Mike assured us that Brian is incorruptible.
The new regime will be in place for the first night of the new year on Thursday 9th January at 5.30pm at the Bar de la Bascule, Caylus.
If you would like to come or want more details contact Mike by email mike.ozier@wanadoo.fr

Bridge clubs at Caylus and Villefranche de Rouergue

Thursday night at the Bar Bascule at Caylus starts at 5.30pm, everyone welcome.
Another club playing with the French is at  Route de Monteils. Z.A les granges at Villegranche. A very active club with 50 members Tel 0581391080 or 0565455104 or even 0565811359
Comments to taglines82@gmail.com

Bridge at Caylus in the Bar Bascule

Fourteen bridge players enjoyed the last evening before a break restarting on Thursday Sept. 5th. Relative newcomers Gill Catterall and Alan Palmer were the winners of this last session, with two equal seconds Malc Johnstone and David Atkins and Suzanne and David Coates.
Think of joining this friendly and active group in September. Play starts at 5.30pm
Comments to taglines82@gmail.com