Celebrating 20 years of bridge in Barnham

The club was formed in May 1983 thanks to the Bognor Regis Observer.

Husband and wife enthusiasts Roger and Julie Jones led to the club being started. Only a handful of those who went along in the early days continue to attend regularly.

Mr Jones said the original intention was to play in a friendly and relaxed manner.

He stated: "I am pleased to see that these aims continue to be fulfilled. While on club nights the emphasis is on bridge, we do also have occasional social events and are holding a part in June to mark the anniversary."

Mr and Mrs Jones advertised in the Observer on April 21, 1983, for fellow bridge enthusiasts to meet them.

Sixteen individuals turned up on May 5 and the club held its first meeting two weeks later.

"In the early days of the club, we sometimes struggled to even collect enough money for the hall rent," recalled Mr Jones.

Tremendous encouragement from the then Barnham parish clerk and hall manager, Percy Upton, helped the club to survive.

Most of its members have always come from Barnham with others travelling from Bognor Regis and Chichester to enjoy the mental stimulation of trumping each others' hands of cards.

Current average weekly attendances of well over 20, out of 40 members, compare well with the turnout of just over 14 in the first year.

Mr Jones added the club was keen to see the new facilities in the promised community centre and wished Barnham Parish Council and the BLADE community group every success in the venture.

The bridge club meets at 7.30pm every Thursday at the Barnham Parish Hall in Yapton Road.

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP