Cafe Bridge Days are relatively new in the UK but such events have been enjoyed on the Continent for a number of years. At these, players move between a number of prearranged venues and play several hands of bridge in each.
SFHHI hosted its first Cafe Bridge Day in June 2023. Following its success the second Strathaven Cafe Bridge Day was held on Wednesday 12th June this year. Supported by the members of the Strathaven and Hamilton Bridge Clubs and with visitors from around the country including a party from London a total of 56 players took part. Avondale Church again generously allowed us the use of its premises for registration and for the control of the event throughout the day. From there the players headed out to the first of their playing venues. Six local cafes and restaurants had kindly allowed us the used of their facilities and after the first session the players moved around the town playing a number of hands in each of them, enjoying lunch half way round and returning to the church for prize-giving. The winning pair were Moyra Forrest and Kathy Whaler from Edinburgh.
A very successful musical evening in the church provided an enjoyable finish to the day. Contributing to this were a number of Strathaven’s talented musicians and singers including Heather Ewart and Ailesh McInnes, the Strathaven Strummers, Eric and Jackie Rice and Ellen Templeton. They provided an excellent and wide ranging musical treat much appreciated by the forty strong audience.
As a result of the day’s activities the excellent total of £2000 was raised on behalf of Health Help International helping it towards its target of raising £25,000 this year to build a new dormitory for disabled children at Choongo School in Zambia.
