Click HERE
for a beginner's guide to Mahjong
A warm welcome
awaits anyone who wishes to join us.
Contact Janet
Brown or Ann Morris (see Newsletter for details)
Meet alternate
Tuesdays 10.00 to noon.
The Mahjongg
group continues to thrive and grow in numbers of players and in their abilities
to master the rules of the International Game. We are continuing
to meet over the summer period although attendance does fluctuate with
each session. We can still fill a few tables and get quite
noisy with the "twittering sparrows"
There is a
possibility that we may have to open a waiting list for new members
sometime before the end of the year.
A telephone
call to Ann Morris or Janet Brown will make any willing new players
aware of available places.
|
Mahjong.
The
game of Mahjong dates back about 1000 years with its origins in the Far East.
On arrival in the West, initially in the United States of America in the
1920’s, it became extremely popular. It still is played both there and
throughout the Eastern and Western world.
China
authorized the standardized Rules which as a result of the 2002 World
Championships have become the accepted international rules by which we now
choose to play, rather than having a mixture of previously played
techniques.
We
play according to the book by DB Pritchard, The New Mahjong,
The International Game. ISBN
0-7160-2164-1 and published by Elliott Right Way Books. www.right-way.co.uk
A
warm welcome awaits anyone who would like to join us or visit for a ‘taster’
session.
Please
see a U3A Newsletter for the telephone numbers to contact the co-hosts Janet
Brown and Ann Morris. They will be happy to give the location and date of the
next meeting. The group meets on alternate Tuesdays from 10am until noon, all
year round, at the homes of the hosts.
Currently
this Mahjong group continues to thrive and grow in numbers of players and also
in their abilities to improve and master the rules of the International
Game.
The
Devizes Mahjong Group was started by a lady called Ray Norrie. She, with the two
Paddon sisters and Sally Hobbins as founder members, took over a table at the
Wharfside cafe. When space and
popularity needed adjustment, Shirley Morris took over the hosting task and did
this admirably for many years until she moved from the area.
Shirley
accumulated funds over time with which to purchase the group’s own Mahjong set
from the Museum of Asian Art in Bath. A
social visit to that Museum around that time was enjoyed by many of the players.
Historically
we have had several light hearted celebrations and social activities mainly
around Chinese New Year and summertime. Dressing up following a theme of Asian
connection, or to link with either the Game itself or the Orient, help our
partners to have more understanding of how and why we ‘Pung, Kong and Chow’
. They often play cards as our
mystique scares them!!!
‘Shirley’s’
Club set from Bath has beautifully decorated tiles, backed with bamboo and of
substantial weight and size. The authentic Oriental feel and ease of handling
make this set a joy to use although many players now own their own sets.
The variations in design and size, their unusual boxes and tile racks
make interesting comparisons and talking points over mid morning coffee.
Although
there were once differences in style and methods of play between players, after
some time the Devizes U3A group decided to adopt the use of The International
Game. Ann Morris, no relation to
Shirley, has been a courageous guide and mentor to us all and helped us to
cohesively enjoy a game, which suits both very experienced players and the
absolute beginner.
All
newcomers are assured of a warm welcome and plenty of gentle instruction to grow
the fascination of the serious side of this ancient Oriental pastime of luck,
skill and, sometimes, speed.
Do
please contact Janet or Ann if you would like to have a more in depth
description on how we pass a pleasant and, sometimes quite noisy, Tuesday
morning....Twittering those Sparrows!!!
Back
to list of groups
|
Would
you go walking with this fellow?
