Memorabilia
I collect interesting items for the early days of the WBU, scan them in, and put them up on the WBU website. If you have similar items, or know where they might be found, please let me know.
Some early congress brochures
The 3rd Welsh Bridge Congress, Cardiff 1951
This brochure says that two previous WBU congresses were held, Porthcawl 1949 and Llandudno 1950.
You could stay at the Angel for 19/6 a night (97.5p for those who don't remember real money). The Park was only 18/6.The 4th WBU Congress, Llandudno 1952
This is also the fourth congress to be held in Llandudno, and apparently the first was held in 1939. To play in eight days of events cost only £2 15s 0d (£2.75), if you paid in advance. Each morning there was a motor coach tour (costing 10/- (50p)), and the itineraries are lovingly described.
This was probably the first South Wales organised Porthcawl congress. The Cardiff 1951 brochure mentions a WBU congress in 1949 - does anyone have a brochure for that?
Notice that Terence Reese was Tournament Director, and also gave morning lectures on Canasta, for which he charged half-a-crown. Also morning Motor Coach Tours. And the many advertisers included Fulgonis' for coffee and ice cream still with us today, although they seem to have moved.The committee has grown, and there are now three hotel venues, adding the Marine to the Esplanade and Seabank. There's an introduction by Ewart Kempson listing various English stars expected to attend.
The evidence of two major events held in Wales
WBU Silver Jubilee, Cardiff 1959
Linda Greenland lent me this programme and signed dinner menu. The event was held to celebrate the "Silver Jubilee of the Welsh Bridge Union". Since the WBU was only formed in 1948, this must have meant 25 years since the founding of the Welsh Bridge Association. The event was for eight teams (East, North, and West Wales, Welsh Ladies, Eire, England, Northern Ireland and Scotland).
Germany v. Great Britain, Under 35 match, Llandudno 1962
I'm indebted to David Hamilton for this programme, and for the signed dinner menu. He and Colin Smith, then youngsters, were part of the GB team who won quite comfortably, although they lost the third sub-match - perhaps they were celebrating after winning the first two.
It's clear that the WBU hospitality was lavish, and I'm told it strained the then finances. The dinner started at 9pm, and involved 6 or 7 courses and about 8 speeches. I wonder when (if?) they got to bed?
Some interesting newsletters from the early days of the WBU
Harold Gould edited some newsletters just before, and after, the WBU was formed at the end of September 1948 as a union of the Welsh Bridge Association (WBA) in South Wales, and the North Wales Contract Bridge Association. As well as the usual reporting of events and articles on bridge, they contain reminiscences of the early days of bridge in Wales (see 1.7 in particular).
Does anyone have any more early newsletters?
WBA Newsletter 1.1, July 1948
WBA Newsletter 1.2, August 1948
WBA Newsletter 1.3, September 1948
WBA Newsletter 1.4, October 1948
WBU Newsletter 1.5, November 1948
WBU Newsletter 1.6, December 1948
WBU Newsletter 1.7, January 1949
WBU Newsletter 1.8, February 1949
WBU Newsletter 1.9, March 1949
WBU Newsletter 1.10, April 1949
WBU Newsletter 1.11, July 1949
WBU Newsletter 2.1, October 1949
WBU Newsletter 2.2, November 1949
WBU Newsletter 2.3, February 1950
WBU Newsletter 3.1, November 1950
Some random booklets
The Charity Challenge 1968. Look at the eminent hand contributors!
Programme for the Wales-England Camrose match 1990