November 2024 – Cards Update

Hi again to all members and families, as we get closer to our November Christchurch Show Week and Cup Week.

It is nearly time to start winding down, with just five weeks or so of activities, finishing with our final Christmas Hamper Function for the year.

To review last month’s club nights…

On Thursday 26 September: We held the ever-popular Pairs Night. We had 15 tables and 60 players. We had a shared win on 20pts between the pairs of Dave and Lyn McKay and Lesley Bulman and Gina Howden-Winter, close next on 19pts were Sharon Lord and Marcia Whaanga. A good fun night was had by all.

On Thursday 3 October: We played for the Owen Bright Trophy. He was a past dedicated member of our club section for over 50 years, and he bequeathed this trophy prior to his passing away. We had 54 members play on the night with their chosen pairs but instead of scoring points each game, each pairs points were accumulated as a total at the end of the night. The winning pairs on 95 pts, were Lesley24 Bulman and Gina Howden-Winter. We had two pairs second equal on 85 pts. They were Betty Van der Werf and Anne Cameron with Diane Findlay and Sharon Smith. We will get a photo at some stage for our next magazine. We had an enjoyable supper at half time, that was really appreciated.

On Thursday 10 October: We had another change of nights, playing ‘Compulsory Pickup’. This night we had 11 tables and 44 players. This game can throw a few surprises whilst playing, especially the dealer, ultimately you must pick up the trump card if no other player wants to play that suit. The winner was Helen James on 18pts, with 2nd equal was Trevor Tubman and Mary Nash, both on 17pts.

On Thursday 17 October: We played for our annual three handed tournament. We used to play these games on a Saturday afternoon, but numbers seemed to have got lower and lower over time. As it is another game, some don’t really enjoy playing, it can also be known as ‘Cutthroat Euchre’, where all three of you play for yourself individually.

So, we did manage 33 players, which was good, for this Thursday night of play. The winner was Lyn McKay on 18pts, and another 2nd equal tie on 16pts for Betty Van der Werf and Bev Smith. This has always been one of our special tournaments, with a new trophy presented. You will see that for many years that the winner’s name is written up on our cards Honours Board each year. This list will be updated at some stage as it is a special record of our winning members.

On Thursday 24 October: We played a normal progressive night.

To finish off the month, on 31st October we have our popular Pairs night, for everyone.

Looking forward to November

Thursday 7: Usual Progressive Night

Thursday 14: 6 Handed night – (Get your team of Three)

Thursday 21: Usual Progressive Night

Thursday 28: Last Pairs Night

Our final activity for the year will be our Christmas Hamper Night, and Supper. We will have Hamper Prizes for those who have good score card totals and we will play reduced number games of euchre. The cost for the night will be advised next month on our Cards Section Notice Board.

As you can see, our Cards/Euchre Section members have so many different activities during a calendar year. We appreciate getting all feedback and perhaps suggestions for our new year of 2025.

Before I finish off, on behalf of Cheryl Gianelly, our Chairperson, we would like to thank all those loyal Hornby Club Members, (non-card players) and our Section Members that have purchased the ‘Lotto’ ticket, sometimes multiple tickets, during the year. This is our major fundraiser to provide the likes of suppers during year, occasional subsidised drinks and final Hamper Night expenses. We really appreciate your contribution to our section.

If you have a 2025 Calendar, please mark up Thursday 8 February 2025 as this will be our first Cards Fun Night.

Next month will be the last for 2024.

Lorraine Cole.