Board Games/Chess
Board Games
Since it started several years ago this fortnightly Birdwell-based group has dipped into many table and board games, both traditional and modern. Although members have had a go at Mancala, Cribbage, Solo, Hive, Go, and Othello, the current favourites seem to be Mah Jong, Chess, Scrabble, Mexican Train (a dominoes game for up to eight people - the grandkids love it), Upwords (a kind of 3D scrabble), with Rummikub and Backgammon also played. In addition, we also have access, with notice, to a wider range of games that members might like to try. The emphasis is on both enjoyment and learning, within a friendly and welcoming environment. We think of it as 'gymnastics for the mind'.
Chess / Mah Jong
For those members that welcome a weekly opportunity to get their 'fix' of two of our most popular games, on those weeks when Table and Board Games does not meet, Chess and Mah Jong enthusiasts meet, also at Birdwell. Again, the emphasis is on serious but relaxed (we do not use chess clocks) and friendly competition, and members are very willing to take any new, aspiring players through the basics of these games. But beware! They can become addictive!
These groups meet at Birdwell Community Centre (post code S70 5TQ), alternating every Wednesday afternoon, from 2.00 until 4.00. Please check The Buzz to confirm which group meets on which week. The 'x' in the Calendar means it is a Chess/Mah Jong week, with 'BG' indicating that the full range of games may be played. Chess and Mah Jong players are therefore able to play every week.
See the Beginning Mah Jong and Mah Jong Scoring Grid documents on the Mah Jong page.
On 4 August 2014 BU3A staged an event to commemorate the centenary of the start of WW1. As part of this, a contribution from Table and Board games was presented. This described the background to a number of popular and less well-known games that may well have been played by troops of many nations engaged in the fighting. In addition, many available to families back on the ‘home front’ were also described. This presentation can be viewed by following the link top right.
Co-ordinators: Martin E King, Victor Allt (Deputy)
- Please see the Groups Calendar for a schedule of the latest meeting times, dates and locations.
- Do you have a disability? Check our Birdwell Community Centre Accessibility Report
Last reviewed 13/08/2018 by Gloria King.