Charities benefit after closure of bridge club

Charities benefit after closure of bridge club

29 August 2018

THE closure of the long established Downpatrick Bridge Club has resulted in two charities receiving donations.

A cheque for £474.26 was presented by the outgoing secretary, Mrs Anne Burns, to Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke last week.

Knockevin Special School is set to receive a cheque for a similar amount. The decision to close the club was taken in October last year as support had dwindled and it was decided to donate remanding club funds to local charities.

The club used to meet on Friday nights at Denvir’s Hotel and had been in existence from the 1950s. 

Well-known local players included Connolly Pepper and long-serving secretary Sammy Stewart, who are sadly now both deceased.

Bridge is still popular in Downpatrick with members able to join active clubs in Teconnaught and Downshire Hospital.  Other clubs in Killyleagh, Portaferry and Newcastle are also open to join.