Clubs and groups across Chelmsford, Colchester and Essex: wargaming clubs, board game groups, RPG societies and community spaces that welcome new players.
We list 19 clubs and groups across Chelmsford, Colchester and Essex, in 14 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 44 regular sessions, most often on Wednesdays and Tuesdays. 24 of those are marked as beginner friendly. All of them have tables to play on site.
Southend and Leigh Bridge Club has its own premises in Leigh-on-Sea and is open seven days a week for duplicate and social bridge, from gentle hosted sessions to competitive pairs. It also runs beginners and improvers courses and a Thursday evening practice session.
First Class Bridge Academy runs bridge at Barleylands near Billericay from Monday to Saturday, from supervised and gentle sessions to competitive duplicate. Most sessions are hosted, so you can turn up without a partner, and there are regular courses for complete beginners.
Thorpe Bay Bridge Club meets at the Old School House on Southchurch Boulevard, with its own car park. It runs duplicate pairs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, an assisted Tuesday session for beginners and Wednesday morning lessons, and visitors are welcome at all sessions.
Basildon Chess Club meets every Thursday at the Basildon Progression Centre in Witchards, about ten minutes walk from Basildon station. A junior club for under 18s runs first, followed by the adult club with league teams and casual games for beginners and social players.
Saturday morning chess club for juniors of all ages and strengths at Christ Church, London Road, Chelmsford, with coaching and play led by Robin Slade. Younger players meet from 9.15am and Year 5 and above from 10.45am.
Thurrock Chess Club meets on Wednesday evenings at St Thomas of Canterbury Church Hall in Grays, with juniors from 6.30pm and adults from 7.30pm. Beginners are welcome and the club fields teams in the Essex and Southend leagues.
Braintree Chess Club welcomes players of all standards on Wednesday evenings at the Braintree and Bocking Liberal Club on Coggeshall Road, with teams in the North Essex Chess League.
Brentwood Chess Club meets on Tuesday evenings at Brentwood Baptist Church on Kings Road, a short walk from Brentwood station. Visitors can drop in, equipment is provided, and the club runs league teams and a club championship.
Chelmsford Chess Club meets on Monday evenings from 7.30pm at HotBox on Viaduct Road and fields several teams in the North Essex Chess League.
Clacton Chess Club meets on Tuesday evenings at Holland Public Hall in Holland-on-Sea and fields several teams in the North Essex Chess League. The club usually takes a summer break from mid July through August.
Founded in 1888, Colchester Chess Club meets every Wednesday at 7pm at the Belle Vue Social Club. It welcomes social players and league players of all standards, and runs internal competitions and fun nights.
Friendly Colchester chess club meeting every Tuesday from 4.30pm to 9pm at the Spiritualist Centre, Fennings Chase. All ages and abilities are welcome, with a special commitment to players with autism and other special needs, plus two teams in the North Essex Chess League.
Friendly duplicate bridge club playing on Monday evenings at the Grange Farm Centre in Chigwell, near Loughton. Visitors and new members are welcome, the first visit is free, and a qualified EBU teacher is on hand for newer players.
Loughton Chess Club meets on Wednesdays at 7.30pm at Loughton Bowling Club, Eleven Acre Rise, and plays in the Essex League.
Southend Chess Club meets every Friday evening at Thorpe Bay Bridge Club for club competitions and Essex League home matches. It welcomes players of all standards, from beginners to experienced league players.
Southend Chess Club meets every Monday evening at Ambleside Social Club, mainly for Southend and District League matches and club play. Players of all standards are welcome.
Thurrock Chess Club holds a Tuesday club night at the East Thurrock Community Association in Stanford-le-Hope. Players of all levels are welcome for casual games and club events.
Witham Chess Club meets on Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm at the Bethel Christian Fellowship Hall on Church Street, a short walk from Witham station, with off street parking.
Writtle Chess Club meets on Wednesdays at 7.30pm at the Great Baddow Millennium Community Centre, Chelmsford, which has a large car park. It plays league matches with digital clocks.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
First Class Bridge Academy, Billericay. Teams of four
Southend and Leigh Bridge Club, Leigh-on-Sea. Non duplicate bridge, Chicago, no partner required
Thorpe Bay Bridge Club, Southend-on-Sea. Duplicate pairs
Southend and Leigh Bridge Club, Leigh-on-Sea. Duplicate pairs
Loughton Bridge Club, Chigwell. Duplicate pairs
Chelmsford Chess Club, Chelmsford. Club night, casual and league chess
Southend Chess Club (Monday, Ambleside), Southend-on-Sea. Club night and Southend League matches
First Class Bridge Academy, Billericay. Duplicate club session, hosted
Thorpe Bay Bridge Club, Southend-on-Sea. Assisted play for novices and beginners
E2-E4 Colchester Chess Club, Colchester. Club night, casual and league chess, all ages
First Class Bridge Academy, Billericay. Gentle duplicate with some teaching, hosted
Southend and Leigh Bridge Club, Leigh-on-Sea. Duplicate pairs
Thurrock Chess Club (Tuesday, Stanford-le-Hope), Stanford-le-Hope. Club night, casual chess and club events
Brentwood Chess Club, Brentwood. Club night, casual and league chess
Clacton Chess Club, Clacton-on-Sea. Club night, casual and league chess
Thorpe Bay Bridge Club, Southend-on-Sea. Bridge lessons for beginners and improvers
First Class Bridge Academy, Billericay. Supervised bridge
Thorpe Bay Bridge Club, Southend-on-Sea. Duplicate pairs for improvers, hosted
Southend and Leigh Bridge Club, Leigh-on-Sea. Duplicate pairs, hosted and assisted
Thurrock Chess Club, Grays. Junior section, from age 4 with a parent
Colchester Chess Club, Colchester. Club night, social and league chess
Southend and Leigh Bridge Club, Leigh-on-Sea. Duplicate pairs, hosted
Thorpe Bay Bridge Club, Southend-on-Sea. Duplicate pairs
Writtle Chess Club, Chelmsford. Club night and league matches
Witham Chess Club, Witham. Club night, casual and league chess
Loughton Chess Club, Loughton. Club night and Essex League matches
Thurrock Chess Club, Grays. Club night, casual and league chess
First Class Bridge Academy, Billericay. Jubilee Bridge Club duplicate session, hosted
Braintree Chess Club, Braintree. Club night, casual and league chess
Southend and Leigh Bridge Club, Leigh-on-Sea. Duplicate pairs, gentle and hosted
First Class Bridge Academy, Billericay. Club session for improvers, hosted
Southend and Leigh Bridge Club, Leigh-on-Sea. Duplicate pairs
Basildon Chess Club, Basildon. Junior club, under 18s who know how the pieces move
Southend and Leigh Bridge Club, Leigh-on-Sea. Supervised practice bridge for beginners, improvers and social play
Basildon Chess Club, Basildon. Club night, casual and league chess
First Class Bridge Academy, Billericay. Supervised bridge
Southend and Leigh Bridge Club, Leigh-on-Sea. Duplicate pairs
Thorpe Bay Bridge Club, Southend-on-Sea. Duplicate pairs
Southend Chess Club, Southend-on-Sea. Club night, club competitions and Essex League matches
First Class Bridge Academy, Billericay. Duplicate pairs, hosted
Chelmsford Junior Chess Club, Chelmsford. Junior club, coaching and play, younger players up to Year 4
First Class Bridge Academy, Billericay. Club session, hosted
Chelmsford Junior Chess Club, Chelmsford. Junior club, coaching and play, Year 5 and above
Southend and Leigh Bridge Club, Leigh-on-Sea. Non duplicate bridge, Chicago, no partner required
The venues with the most regular nights are Southend and Leigh Bridge Club in Leigh-on-Sea (11 nights), First Class Bridge Academy in Billericay (9 nights) and Thorpe Bay Bridge Club in Southend-on-Sea (6 nights). We list 19 venues in all across Chelmsford, Colchester and Essex.
Wednesdays and Tuesdays have the most regular sessions. 44 sessions run every week. The Essex calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. 24 regular nights are marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at Colchester Chess Club, E2-E4 Colchester Chess Club and Chelmsford Junior Chess Club. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
One regular night is free to join. Where there's an entry fee it is usually between £3 and £5. Fees change, so check with the venue before you go.
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