The Scottish Bridge Union, in collaboration with the English Bridge Union, is holding the first Festival of Bridge next week (9-15 September).

Across the country thousands of bridge players, from novices to experts, will play in a variety of events, large and small. Bridge will be played in clubs, homes, plus unusual pop-up bridge such as outside Discovery Point in Dundee, at Bow Fiddle Rock near Portknockie and at the Burrell Collection in Glasgow under the theme ‘bridge can be played by anyone, anywhere’.

Project Lead for the Festival, Robyn Glynne-Percy says: “The Festival aims to foster awareness and interest in bridge as a mind sport for all ages and abilities, encourage more people to play at home and in clubs, and raise funds for Cancer Research UK”.

Bridge is a fun, sociable mind sport that can be played by anyone

“There are common misconceptions about bridge yet across the country thousands of people are enjoying the fun, teamwork and mental agility that comes with playing the game. We hope that the bridge Festivals will help break down these misconceptions.”

Extensive research has been carried out by Prof Samantha Punch and colleagues from the University of Stirling into the benefits of bridge for all ages - from school pupils to social and club players to elite internationalists. The research papers can be found on the BAMSA (Bridge as a Mind Sport for All) website:

https://bridgemindsport.org/home/research/

The SBU Festival webpage has a short video in which Prof Punch explores the benefits of bridge - "fantastic for social connection, for partnership and team skills, and it is also great for brain fitness and mental health and wellbeing, as well as contributing to healthy ageing". www.sbu.org.uk/festival-of-bridge.

There's also a Bridging Schools project underway which will explore what helps and hinders learning for children in school (primary/elementary, secondary/middle and high schools). The study considers different views in relation to the benefits and skills (cognitive, social and emotional) developed through learning bridge. During the Festival of Bridge in Scotland there is an inter-schools' bridge competition.

https://bridgemindsport.org/home/research/bridging-schools/

Prof Punch and Dr David Scott have researched characteristics of the game of bridge, including its intense physicality and team play, that have remained largely unnoticed. Their research draws attention to bridge’s status as a mind sport that anyone can play. https://researchoutreach.org/articles/green-baize-gladiators-bridge-mindsport/

Sarah Newman, Legacy Relationship Manager Cancer Research UK: "All of us at Cancer Research UK are thrilled to be partnering with the English Bridge Union for the festival of bridge in September to raise awareness and funds for vital life-saving cancer research."

First 'Festival Of Bridge' – It's A Big Deal! 9-15 September across Scotland and England

Comments