The government has announced a new set of public health restrictions, which take effect from Monday, 20 December.
The new regulations state that indoor activities of a cultural or community nature must cease at 20:00. As a result, live bridge can only take place provided that it finishes before this time, regardless of what other precautions may be in place. These restrictions are scheduled to be in place until 30 January, although the government has indicated that they will be reviewed on 11 January, and may be amended based on prevailing conditions at that time.
The CBAI has decided to hold all national events until at least mid-February online, specifically the Men’s and Ladies’ Pairs and Teams Weekend (15-16 January) and the Holmes Wilson Cup (12-13 February). We are currently finalising the arrangements in relation to the online platform to be used for each competition, and will be opening entries on the website shortly. A decision on the two remaining national events in February, the Novice & Intermediate Congress (18-20 February) and the National Mixed Pairs and Teams Weekend (26-27 February) will be taken in the new year.
Bridge Great Britain has also decided that the first weekend of the Camrose Trophy (7-9 January) will take place online rather than in Bristol as originally planned.
Finally, we were saddened to learn of the death of Jack Williams, a stalwart of Waterford bridge. He was a founder member and past-President of the Reginald club, and was heavily involved in the promotion of bridge locally. For more than four decades he published a bridge column in the Munster Express, which as well as news tips, and anecdotes, also published the region’s bridge results. Our condolences to his wife, and bridge partner, Phyl, and all his family and friends. May he rest in peace.