Over 75 Years Dedicated to Duplicate Bridge in England
The English Bridge Union
The English Bridge Union — the membership body for the game of bridge in England — will reach a milestone on 23 May 2011 when it celebrates 75 years of existence.
The EBU was formed on the 23 May 1936 after a decision by three regional bridge associations for the North-East, the North-West and Yorkshire to create an English national body for bridge. In particular, the EBU was formed so that England could meet with the two other national teams on equal terms: Scotland and Ireland. By the second meeting on 12 June 1936, the EBU had created eight constituent area associations so that it could properly manage the game.
The English Bridge Union is a membership-funded organisation committed to promoting the game of duplicate bridge. It is a non-profit making organisation which uses its funds for providing services to its members as well as the promotion and development of bridge.
The bridge playing community consists of people of all ages, from all backgrounds and all walks of life in villages, towns and cities throughout England.
On 1 April 2010, the EBU ushered in the biggest ever shake-up in its structure by introducing Universal Membership. The EBU now has over 50,000 members and 600 affiliated clubs, allowing the organisation to further the development of bridge. The organisation has eighteen staff members (eight of whom are part-time) based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. It also relies on a huge team of volunteers and a board of eight volunteer directors.
In 2009, the EBU set up the All Party Parliamentary Group for the development of bridge under the chairmanship of Baroness Ruth Henig. The group has concentrated on two major areas of development: introducing bridge into primary schools across the country so that children can experience the benefits bridge provides; and secondly research into how bridge can protect against dementia through regular testing of mental agility, but also through social interaction.
Recent research has proven that undertaking regular mental activity such as playing bridge can significantly lower the risk of developing forms of dementia in our older population. Additionally, research shows that social interaction amongst the elderly can stave off cognitive decline. Playing bridge has also been proven to benefit school pupils, not only in their education but in later years when they have more time available for a leisure pursuit. Bridge helps children to improve their skills in numeracy, problem solving, probability, speaking, listening, rule following, team building, mental capacity and much more. The game provides both high level mental stimulation and social engagement for all ages.
In addition, after seventy-five years, bridge can be played absolutely anywhere. It has been played at the North Pole and at the South Pole; it can be played on the Internet and on your iPhone; and it can be played in over 600 affiliated EBU clubs across England. The EBU also organises many tournaments each year for its members. At the EBU’s biggest event in Brighton during August, over 7500 packs of cards will be used in producing 600 hands of bridge at 100 tables. In total 70,000 hands of bridge will be played during the 10 days. Finally, the EBU runs and organises a whole network of bridge teachers and events for the novice player.
The June edition of English Bridge has a number of excellent articles on the history of the English Bridge Union:
- History of the EBU - English Bridge, June 2011
- English Internationals - English Bridge, June 2011
- The New EBU - English Bridge, June 2011
Further information:
Written by Matt Betts