Below is your monthly update from the EBU. Please note there are a lot of important topics covered this month. All previous updates are available on the EBU Updates page.
This poster shows the upcoming EBU events. Please consider adding this to your club/county website and encourage your members to enter online via My EBU.
AGM
The EBU AGM was held last week in London. Results of AGM elections; Sim Pairs Prize winners and Award winners.
UMS Fees
At the EBU AGM, the Shareholder agreed for the forthcoming year, Universal Membership fees will increase by 1p to 45p from 1st April 2024. The Club Annual Subscription will increase to £29 from 1st April 2024. County fees will be confirmed in February 2024.
County TD Course
The County TD course will next be held on 18-19 May 2024 at Yarnfield Park Training and Conference Centre. It will be run by EBU National Tournament Directors Sarah Amos and Phil Godfrey. The course fee of £245 for residential delegates includes dinner, bed and breakfast at the centre for one night, and a light lunch on Saturday and Sunday, plus course materials. The course is a mixture of table simulations, lectures and written assessment. Further details available on the Advanced TD Training webpage, or contact Louise Crisp (01296 317203 or louise@ebu.co.uk). Numbers will be limited so counties/candidates are advised to book early.
Bridge - It's a Big Deal!
The EBU are pleased to announce Bridge - It's a Big Deal! A festival of bridge coming in September 2024. You will have hopefully seen our previous email announcing the event. This is a very exciting event and we are thrilled to be collaborating with Cancer Research UK to raise the profile of bridge in England while fundraising for this very important cause. Further information will be sent in the new year, we hope to involve as many people as possible.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We have several opportunities available for potential sponsors of major tournaments or teams. Youth bridge could also be an area.
These are open to both individuals and companies, either to promote a brand or for personal altruism by way of “giving back”.
On offer are naming rights and (for companies) brand activation with visibility at the event venue, lead up communications, in English Bridge magazine and on the website. Our membership of approximately 45,000 are predominantly approaching or actually retired and ABC1.
A recent example is that of a finance company sponsoring a youth team for an international competition, for which we and the young ladies concerned are very grateful.
The costs depend on what is sponsored and the extent of the take up of the options, but we are talking of four figure sums upwards. All subject to discussion and agreement.
To find out more without any commitment please contact learnbridge@icloud.com for an initial chat with Ian Sidgwick (pictured), one of our board of directors.
Members Data
We have recently sent out emails to some clubs with a list of members that do not have an email address on their records. Thank you to all who have updated us with their members details.
It is in members’ interests that the personal details that the EBU holds for them on its records are up-to-date, this includes email, postal address and telephone numbers when known. Please regularly check your membership records in My EBU to ensure that the details are correct.
Clubs can log on to My EBU and run the Absent Members report which will show them all club members who have not played in over a year.
If any members have passed away, then please email membership@ebu.co.uk so we can update the EBU records.
Bridge Warehouse - Christmas Gift Ideas
The Bridge Warehouse has a large selection of new Christmas gifts/Club prizes this year - Take a look on our website for details
- Socks (playing card design) - normally £7.95 now just £6.50
- Socks (golf design) - NEW - normally £7.95 now just £6.50
- Pen Set (Includes refills) - £14.50
- Jigsaw - £14.99
- Cufflinks - NEW - normally £12.99 now £11.99
Visit the Bridge Warehouse website for all the latest offers and newest items in stock.
Club Teacher Training
EBED offers Club Teacher Training Courses on the following dates:
- 27/28 April 2024 - Horsham, Sussex
New dates and venues will be announced in the new year. For any queries related to the above, please contact Clive on 01296 317212 (clive@ebedcio.org.uk). All our current dates are listed on the Club Teacher Training Calendar. To book please call Lisa on 01296 317217.
Directing Courses
EBED offers training to help you become a club director. See the Director Training Calendar for details. For more about these courses visit the EBED website or contact clive@ebedcio.org.uk.
Club Director Training Day 0: How to run a club duplicate (previously known as "Essentials") £80 (£72 for EBU Members*)
14 January 2024 - East Sussex
14 January 2024 - Tyneside
7 April 2024 - Suffolk
Club Director Training Day 1: Book Rulings £80 (£72 for EBU Members)
28 January 2024 - East Sussex
28 January 2024 - Tyneside
21 April 2024 - Suffolk
Club Director Training Day 2: Book Rulings (cont'd) and Judgement Rulings £80 (£72 for EBU Members)
11 February 2024 - East Sussex
11 February 2024 - Tyneside
5 May 2024 - Suffolk
Club Director Training Day 3: Assessment £80 (£72 for EBU Members)
25 February 2024 - East Sussex
25 February 2024 - Tyneside
19 May 2024 - Suffolk
All our current dates are listed on the TD Course Calendar. To book please call Lisa on 01296 317217.
Test your directing knowledge – Free Online Quiz
Test your knowledge of common situations facing a Club Director by taking EBED’s new club director training quiz.
This free quiz is ideal for those wanting to prepare for an assessment as part of the EBED’s club director training programme, or for existing directors wanting to refresh their knowledge.
Picture Competition
The EBU are looking for new and exciting images to promote the wonderful game of bridge. Can you or your members produce a photograph, painting or drawing that conveys the fun, drama and excitement of the game of bridge?
Please encourage your members to enter this competitions. The artist with the winning picture will win not only honour and prestige (and our gratitude) but also some cash towards their next camera lens, smartphone, or bridge congress!
Further details and how to enter.
Calling clubs and county associations – tell us your news!
We are featuring club and county news in our blog. If you have any news to share please do let us know, preferably with a picture or two to go with it! Contact sam@ebu.co.uk.
Club directory – please update your club details
A reminder for clubs, please check your club details in the Club Directory and submit our online club details form. Please log in to check ALL your clubs details are still correct. More information is available via the help link on the club directory page.
Counties, please also update your county officials' details online, county details form.
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