Friends Bridge Group was started by Mrs. Manjari Rawji & Mr. Madhusinh Rawji on 21st
March 2009. The group started out as a small group of members interested in playing
Bridge. Previously they used to play Bridge at each other’s house on Friday evenings.
However it was decided that it would be better if we could all play at a central club
house. Hence Friends Bridge Group was born.
On 21st March we started playing Bridge at our previous location Stanmore Park
Bowles Club house for which we could get an agreement to use the same through the
local council. This was a small place with friendly atmosphere for all to play.
Slowly the news spread and the membership grew.
The aim of the Group has always been to provide opportunity to the elderly to
play Bridge and have other activities at an affordable cost. The low membership
fees and table money requirement reflects this. The group is run on the basis
of non profit making organisation. However, the organisation does require funds
to run it efficiently and provide for the equipment required.
Hence, whatever extra revenue is generated during the process is used to
finance the cost of running the organisation and acquire the equipment required
for the enjoyment by its members.
We have run 2 sets of beginner lessons for Bridge, with the help of
Mr. Surendrabhai Mehta and Mrs. Ameeta Shah, who voluntarily
provided the bridge lessons to the students without charging any fees.
We are very grateful to them and are pleased to announce that about 60
adults have benefitted from this. Further lessons are now planned
to start in January 2010.
On 25 October 2009, we moved to our current premises, where we have more space
to carry out our activities. Our members have participated in tournaments
organised by the EBU and Charity tournament organised by Ecats, and have
performed well there.
Some of the activities for the elderly which are planned for 2010 are Chess
Lessons and playing sessions, Dancing Classes, Aerobics, and Holidays for
the member’s enjoyment at highly reduced prices.
Currently the Organisation has over 125 members on the books and more are
joining on realising the benefits we offer to them. The Organisation is run
by the founder members Mrs. Manjari Rawji as the Chairman, and
Mr. Madhusinh Rawji as secretary cum treasurer. Plans are in the pipeline to
form a constitution and a committee of 5 to run the club, once it has settled.
So far the Organisation has been running by its own funding,
without any help of Donations and Grants.
The aim of the Organisation still remains the same that is “Providing Service to the
Elderly in Community to remain active and socialise” at a reasonable cost provided
on non profit basis.