Now that you’ve read a little about bridge and have an idea that good bidding is really a way of describing your hand to your partner, you will appreciate this little anecdote. Our bridge teacher had a new student who sat gazing at her cards for a very long while. Finally, the patient teacher said calmly: “It’s your turn Miss B, you must make a bid.” Miss B fluttered her eyelids, glanced at her polished nails, tossed back her long blonde hair and finally she said, “All right, I bid ten dollars!”

I’d put my ten dollars on any of this week’s winners. Tuesday, 11th May Helen McQuie and Ingrid Stephenson; Thursday, 13th May Louise Payne and Peter Quin north/south, Anne Berkeley and Helen McQuie east/west; Monday, 17th May Greig Ball and Gary Somers.

Come to the Parkes Bridge Club to learn more on bidding. Mondays are best for novice players; Tuesdays if you know a little, or Thursdays for more serious games. Call Greig Ball 0429621712 or Bev Laing 0418114826.

By Beth Thomas

The Parkes and Forbes Dragon Boat Clubs combined for the first time for the Nowra Waterdragons Fire Recovery Regatta last weekend, and came home with a very good result.

The Shoalhaven river’s weather made it a memorable and challenging event, but the Endeavour and Lachlan Dragons proved to be a force to be reckoned with finishing sixth out of a total of 21 teams that included some of the top teams from around NSW.

The Nowra Waterdragons’ two-day flag-staff event included a 9km paddle around Pig Island, but the event was called off halfway through when the weather deteriorated creating dangerous conditions. The Parkes/Forbes took part in the 2km replacement event early on Sunday morning.

The team also competed in the 200m races and moved up the ranks in the three heats with a third, second and first place in the last one in a very competitive time of 48.77 giving them a spot in the major final with the other top seven teams on the day.

After a wobbly start in the final, the team recovered to finish sixth overall. “The team of Forbes and Parkes paddlers combined well to form a very competitive outfit who went onto perform extremely well in the challenging conditions on the Shoalhaven River,” said the Lachlan Dragons coach, Chris Favell.

“It was an excellent effort by the team to make the major final in such a competitive event against a range of very strong clubs from across the south coast, Canberra and Sydney regions of NSW.”

Endeavour Dragons coach Deb Abela said she was very proud to see both teams combine so easily both on and off the water. “We compared well to the other clubs and achieved some of our best times ever.”

Janine Hando, who supported the crew, said it was great to see the team work together to achieve a fantastic result. “Fun, friendship and determination were what I saw.”

The Parkes Dragon Boat Club is looking forward to hosting its very first regatta at Lake Endeavour on 30th May as part of its third anniversary celebrations. Teams from the Central West and possibly further afield will be competing in a 2km turn race, 200m races and tribe, while new comers will be able to try out too.

Currajong Disability Services (CDS) participants joined NDIS providers from across the region at the 40th annual OCTEC Forbes Special Sports Day last week, and came home with a trophy.

The day started with all participants marching in their sports colours to the playing of bagpipes and the Red Bend drummers. CDS claimed the coveted anniversary Forbes Advocate trophy for their proud marching behind their banner.

The event, founded by Dianne Decker AM, is held annually at the Red Bend Catholic College with the students assisting in all aspects of the day. To mark the anniversary this year, participants received a special medal provided by OCTEC.

Starting in 1981, the sports day involved wheelchair sports held at the Forbes Showground. A few years later many participants were involved in the Paralympics which led to the sports day evolving into a day for intellectually disabled participants to be included. Many schools and groups from Canberra, Sydney and the Central West became involved at this time and students were able to compete in events such as swimming and athletics races.

Now 40 years on, the Special Sports Day is held at Red Bend College giving students an opportunity to be involved in organising the races, calling the races and supporting all the visitors.

“The day is about inclusiveness, having fun and participating in different
sports events with others from around NSW,” said Dianne Decker.

“This day could not operate each year without the ongoing support of OCTEC, Molly Nelson running the cafe and the Red Bend College and its students,” said Dianne.

Thomas Davis of CDS had fun at the event saying: “It’s a great day to catch up with friends especially since COVID stopped last year’s event.”

Teammate Neil Hamilton also commented on how much all the participants loved the day out. “They all enjoyed it and are already planning for next year!”

There is just over a month to go for the major event on the Parkes social calendar. The Parkes Picnic Races on Saturday, 12th June is set to attract many visitors to town, especially after the cancellation of the event last year because of COVID.

Fashions on the Field is the highlight of the day offering an array of prizes and prestige to the glamourous colts and fillies. The categories include: Contemporary Fashion; Elegant Lady; Stylish Man and Millinery.

The spectator area is in great condition and the venue is now one of the best in the Central West with its renovated grandstand and covered bookies rink.

The June Long Weekend has long since become a ‘Back to Parkes’ weekend, with many residents opening their homes to friends and relatives. People travel from all over NSW and interstate to come to the event.

The Quota Ladies will be looking after the food on the day in the newly renovated grandstand space. There will be full bar facilities too.

Race sponsors include the Parkes Ser-vices Club, Broadway Hotel, Agricentre, Telescope Tyres and Powertools Plus.

Book a tent site and create your own social scene. It’s time to gather your friends for an afternoon of fun and entertainment.

Gates open at 11:30am and entry is $20. To book a tent site call 0428 623 645.

Participants from NDIS providers from across the region attended the 40th annual OCTEC Forbes Special Sports Day, held annually at the Red Bend College, and operated by the founder Dianne Decker AM.