Whakatāne’s Bridge for Beginners is back with a 10-lesson course starting next week.

The weekly lessons begin on March 5 at the Bridge club on Commerce Street, running from 7pm to 9pm.

The first three lessons are free, then it’s $35 for the remaining seven lessons and membership to the club for the rest of the year.

The yearly 10-week programme to get new players familiar with the game is again run by Bobbi Drysdale, an experienced bridge player, with other experienced players around to help and support the beginner players.

Club member Alison Barr said they had bridge players of all ages at the club, with their oldest player 98, and their youngest in their early 40s.

She encourages everyone, from young teens to grandparents, to register for the lessons and give bridge a go.

“Bridge is renowned for its intellectual challenges, combining strategy, memory, and teamwork in a way that stimulates the brain,” she said.

To sign up for lessons, call or text Sue Gordon on 021 246 7268 or

Marg Lines on 027 451 7130, or

you can email the bridge club at [email protected]