*Early bird discount for entries ends on February 28th
A new era of EBU Congresses will begin over the bank holiday weekend at the end of May (27th-29th) when Oliver Cowan and the EBU team-up to bring a new experience for players attending a national congress, the Spring Bank Holiday Congress.
When looking for a suitable venue for this event, it seemed very important to find a venue which is in easy reach of London. In addition, I wanted somewhere easily accessible by road or rail from other places for those travelling from North or South, but where we can offer free parking to enable players to manage cost. Pricing for this event is in line with other EBU congresses pre-Covid, and factoring in the rise in prices from venues over the last few years, it offers excellent value.
For those who have taken part in events I have run in the past, you will know that tea/coffee and sweet treats come included for free with the entry fee and with Reading being the home of the lovely Crowne Plaza Hotel, and more importantly famed for biscuit manufacturing (we will have plenty of biscuits!!), it seems to me that this is the perfect location for the 1st collaboration between myself and the EBU!
From a bridge perspective, this congress is the new home of the Two Star Pairs (formerly held as part of the Autumn Congress) and points will be awarded from this event towards the Player Of The Year Competition. There is the traditional Swiss Pairs Qualifying event on the Saturday with the top pairs qualifying for an all-play-all pairs final on the Sunday. For those who do not qualify, there is a Consolation Swiss Pairs on the Sunday and players can choose to just enter the Sunday event if they don’t want to play on Saturday. Finally on Bank Holiday Monday there will be a Swiss Teams. For less experienced players, there is a Jack High Swiss Pairs on the Saturday and all events across the weekend (including the Jack High) will have green points awarded.
The timings for the congress have been set to allow players to travel home comfortably each evening if commuting, or to go out for a meal in Reading if they wish. I will offer some recommendations for restaurants in the next blog.
by Oliver Cowan
The Spring Bank Holiday Congress is being run by Oliver Cowan on behalf of the EBU, entries should be made directly with Oliver. Please complete the entry form and then email the completed form to ocbridgecomps@gmail.com.