Northwich woman, 79, becomes Bridge master (From Northwich Guardian)

Northwich woman, 79, becomes Bridge master

8:30am Friday 1st March 2013 in News By Gina Bebbington

A WOMAN from Northwich is proving that it’s never too late to master new skills.

Patricia Bain, 79, has achieved Local Bridge Master Promotion from the English Bridge Union after just three years playing the game.

She explained that such a promotion usually takes 20 years to achieve .

“It’s probably the most difficult game you can play, even more so than chess,” she said.

“You read in the magazines that it takes 50 years to learn to play bridge and I still consider myself as having a lot to learn.”

Pat, who lives in Town Bridge Court, in Northwich, was persuaded to play bridge by her neighbour Joy Oldfield.

She then attended a course at Sir John Deane’s College, plays bridge with the University of the Third Age (U3A) and Hartford Bridge Club.

“It exercises your brain, it’s social and it’s strategic,” she said.

“I was thinking to myself that my story might encourage other older ladies – others may say they would have done it if they were 20 years younger, but there’s nothing to stop you having a go.

“Playing bridge has changed my life completely – it’s opened new horizons and made a big difference to my life.”