North Devon Congress 2025

The Devon Bridge Association and Brend Hotels invite you to the 30th annual North Devon Congress to be held at the Barnstaple Hotel, North Devon, EX31 1LE on the weekend of Friday 28th February - Sunday 2nd March 2025.

The three-day programme includes a ten-match Swiss Pairs competition on the Friday and Saturday followed by a seven-match blue-pointed Swiss Teams competition on the Sunday.

Download the brochure with full details or see below for the weekend programme.

The Hotel and Surroundings

The Barnstaple Hotel has been the home of the popular North Devon Congress since 2003. It is just a short stroll from the centre of Barnstaple and only a ten-minute drive from the beautiful North Devon coast.

The hotel offers all the facilities needed for a short break including a heated indoor pool and sauna, fitness room and solarium. There is ample free parking for residents and non-residents.

Why not take advantage of our great rates and stay for an extra night either before or after the congress.

Accessibility Please note that the majority of the rooms are located on the first-floor level and there is no lift. The remainder of the rooms are on the ground floor with bedroom doors opening directly to open air. If you need more information before booking, see the hotel's accessibility guide, or call Jacqui Munns on 07734 219859 to discuss your requirements.

Prices for Residents

A full weekend of Bridge including two nights dinner, bed & breakfast, Friday evening reception, and a sandwich lunch with tea/coffee on Saturday and Sunday

• £260 per person sharing a room
• £320 per person single occupancy
• £185 non-Bridge playing partner sharing a room - lunches not included

Why not stay an extra night and explore North Devon - dinner, bed & breakfast on Thursday and/or Sunday - £55pppn sharing a room and £90pppn single occupancy.

Prices for Non-Residents

• Full Congress Bridge - Swiss Pairs (Friday & Saturday) and Blue-pointed Swiss Teams (Sunday) for £60 per person to include sandwich lunch with tea/coffee on Saturday & Sunday.
• Swiss Pairs only (Friday & Saturday) for £36 per person to include sandwich lunch with tea/coffee on Saturday.
• Blue-pointed Swiss Teams only (Sunday) for £32 per person to include sandwich lunch with tea/coffee.

Non-residents are also welcome to join us for a three-course dinner on Friday and/or Saturday subject to availability, price is £35 per person.

Concessions

Non-resident registered youth players, defined as those players aged 26 or under whose date of birth is registered with the EBU, are are eligible for a 50% discount on Bridge entry fees.

Non-resident players who are current members of any North Devon club and have not previously attended the congress are eligible for a 30% discount on Bridge entry fees, such that entry fees per player will be; £42 for the entire weekend, £25 for the pairs event, and £22 for the teams event.

Prizes

There will be cash prizes for the top three pairs and teams and also for those highest placed in the following categories - 'non-expert', resident, and local. There will also be wine prizes for the pairs and teams with the highest scores in each round.

The committee reserve the right to change the format and/or value of prizes as necessary.

Tournament Director

We are delighted to welcome back Jeremy Child as our TD for the weekend.

The 2025 Programme

The Holders 2024

2024 Swiss Pairs winners: Graham Horscroft, Mike Bull.
2024 Swiss Teams winners: Dave Smith, Chris Wormleighton, Sue Ingham, Gwynn Davis.

How to Enter

This event is licensed by the EBU for EBU members and Level 4 systems may be used.

Fill out the form below and then click on the Residents or non-Residents link as appropriate.

If you have any questions, please contact Jacqui Munns on 07734 219859 before booking.