The beginning

Reading Bridge Club is one of the oldest clubs in Berks & Bucks. On 20th November 1946, fourteen people met and agreed that "the Reading Bridge Club be formed". In those days, the Club met in Paxton House in Bath Road opposite Parkside Road. The Club started by meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays to play rubber bridge. Later the Club met in what was called the Jack o' Both Sides now called the Upin Arms.The main change over the years has been the switch from rubber to duplicate. It was outward looking from the start, joining the E.B.U. in January 1947, playing its first match in 1947 and becoming a founding member of the County Association in 1954. Looking through the records, one finds that in 1953 "the monthly duplicates were becoming popular".

The club grows

By 1967 membership was approaching a hundred and duplicate sessions had become weekly events. In 1968 the Club was running five Teams of Eight in different competitions. Rubber Bridge on Thursday evening finally expired in the early seventies, although it still continues on Thursday afternoons. A major event in the Club's history was the move to permanent accommodation at 35, Jesse Terrace, Reading in 1958. In 1971 the Club was able to buy the premises outright. Therefore the Club settled into the routine of three nights of duplicate; Tuesdays for non-restricted members and Thursdays and Fridays open to all.

Star players

Many star names appear on Reading Bridge Club Honour Boards

In the seventies and early eighties, playing on a Tuesday was quite a challenge, for several English Internationals and top class players were among the regulars: Eric Crowhurst, David Bretherton, Alan Wardman and Mike Pomfrey to name but a few. More recently, Tom Townsend, David Mossop and Tim Rees have been regular attendees. In the last few years, some of those players have moved from the area because of their work, others sadly died, but the standard at Reading on a Tuesday is still among the highest in the country.

Now

The restricted member category was abolished in 2000, so that all members were eligible for all events, and unfortunately the numbers for Friday duplicates dwindled so that they closed down in 2002. The new duplicate / teaching session will be on Mondays starting from January 2004. Unlike other Clubs, Reading has fostered internal competitions, where in order to qualify you need to play with several different partners over the Bridge season. Members compete for Individual and Pairs titles.

Gold Cup Winners: Tim Rees & David Mossop

 

Relaxed atmosphere

Perhaps to tone down the competitive element, Reading Bridge Club has a break for coffee/tea about halfway through the evening. This affords a precious opportunity for chatting and socialising (or for dashing to the local hostelry if one prefers), without making the finishing time too late. Thanks to the computer scoring and the dealing machine, results and hand records are produced within ten minutes of finishing play and everyone can find out their percentage score and results before they go home.

Last updated: 28/01/2004