Page 10 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 8 2025

ESTATE MATTERS
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TTERS
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ESTATE MATTERS
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HOME FRONT
HOME FRONT
•Sliced biltong: R350.00/kg
•Geelvet on request
•Chilli dry wors available

Sheridan Bradley,
Liz de la Harpe
Chris Macaskill, Marilyn Cooper,
Janet Smyth, Jack Cooper

THE HEART OF

THE TABLE:

DAINFERN

BRIDGE CLUB

Loene and Koen B Y NIC OLA KILL OPS
KARATE CLASSES
T
Vreenegoer K A R A E C L AS SE S
On Monday afternoons, the clubhouse takes on a different mood. It’s

quiet, but not dull. Cards shuffle, eyes flick across hands, and you can

almost feel the calculations happening as players size up their options and
Venue:
prepare their next move. The Pavillion

Dainfern Golf Estate

hat’s the Dainfern Bridge Club. says. “It’s about trust and communication. platforms such as Bridge Base Online
It’s been running since 2009, Slow play can throw everyone off because (BBO) to pick up the foundations before Dainfern
when Sheridan Bradley decided the game moves in layers.” stepping into the club.
Tto bring her favourite game closer Fourways
to home. She’d played Bridge since she WHAT IT GIVES YOU PASSING IT FORWARD
was a teenager, taught by her mother, and Bridge is fun and social, but it’s also an Most of today’s players are older, but
missed having a club nearby. What started excellent workout for the brain. It builds that doesn’t mean the doors are closed
with four tables grew quickly, reaching 22 focus and critical thinking, teaches pattern to younger faces. Sheridan and Liz de la
tables at its busiest. Numbers dipped after recognition, and keeps you sharp in ways Harpe are keen to see new players come
COVID, but Sheridan’s persistence means that last. Sheridan often says it should be through and keep the club’s spirit alive. Any
you’ll still find eight or nine tables filled taught in schools, because once you’ve extra money collected after expenses goes
each week. learned Bridge, you never really lose it. towards a Christmas lunch or mid-year
At Dainfern, Monday afternoons from 1pm get-together, keeping the focus firmly on
MORE THAN A PASTIME to 4pm have become a fixture. Sheridan community.
Bridge often gets dismissed as something calls it their “happy place” — a time to
for retirees, but it’s one of the most gather, compete, and share a laugh over WHY IT’S WORTH A TRY
challenging games around. It calls for the cards. Bridge is often compared to chess for its
strategy, memory, logic, and forward depth and strategy. It teaches patience,
thinking. Players plan several moves ahead HOW TO JOIN foresight, and resilience, all while keeping
while trying to read their partner and Joining is simple. Bring a partner, you connected to others around the table.
anticipate their opponents. It’s no surprise contribute R10 towards scoring costs, and
that those who play regularly describe it as you’re in. Sheridan also runs small practice If you’ve ever been curious, come along on a
addictive. groups during the week for players who Monday afternoon. You might be surprised at
know the basics but want more confidence. how absorbing it is — and how quickly you’re
“Bridge sharpens your mind,” Sheridan Complete beginners can try online drawn into the quiet energy of the room.

8 DPL issue 8 2025