Te Awamutu Contract Bridge Club

 
           
         
An early History of Te Awamutu Contract Bridge Club by Paul Hobbs.

Arriving in Te Awamutu in February 1958, my wife Kathy and I needed to establish new contacts half a world away from our roots. We literally joined practically everything. By 1960, Kathy was a member of the Lyceum Club and I was a regular at the Te Awamutu Club. We both played bridge and the question came up as why there was segregation of the sexes. The men would have a regular five tables on a Tuesday and about three on Thursdays. I cannot remember when the women fitted bridge in with the many other activities they pursued.

At social gatherings several suggested that I should do something about forming a combined venture. Among the men was one Ron Mathieson who not only played an excellent game of bridge but was also a member of the Magic Circle with a number of good entertainments up his sleeve. He was working as a solicitors clerk in Te Awamutu and suggested that I should join him in a weekly session at the newly formed Hamilton Contract Bridge Club.

This I did and soon both Kathy and I were travelling to Hamilton on a Wednesday evening for our first experience of the duplicate game. It was at the time that the Hamilton Club bought its first home, a house in O’Neill Street that was turned into a major focus for bridge in the Waikato. During the next two years, many of the leaders of the Lyceum group that included names like Sally Gibbs, Marge Thomas, Norah Edmonds, Gretchen Otway, Paddy Stephens and Lynne Bundle came together with the men Oscar Edmonds, Miles Otway, Geoff Bundle, Paul Page and Ken Kelly and several others to play bridge once a week at first in the Red Cross rooms but within a few months in the Delwyn reception rooms now turned into Alexandra House.

Minutes of the Meeting held at the Red Cross Hall on Monday February 19th 1961 re Formation of a Contract Bridge Club In Te Awamutu

There were 23 present and Mr P Hobbs outlined the procedure to be followed in the formation of such a club. It was decided to form the Te Awamutu Contract Bridge Club. Officers elected being

President Mr P Hobbs

Vice President Mrs K. McIntyre

Committee Member Mrs J Brown

Secretary Mr J Ewart

It was agreed that the Red Cross Hall offered all the facilities required of a club meeting, but only nights it was available were Monday, Friday and Saturday. Monday nights seemed the ideal one, but as the Lyceum Bridge nights were held on this night, it was agreed that an approach be made to this group with a view to their changing their meeting nights.

The opening night was fixed for Monday February 27th 7.30 p.m. at the Red Cross Hall. members present then enjoyed in a pleasant two hours of duplicate bridge. It was decided that the sub be  £1 per annum and 2/- per member each night.

Present at the meeting were Mrs Brown, Mrs Whineray, Mrs Forrest, Mr & Mrs Bundle, Mr & Mrs K McIntyre, Mrs Jourdan, Mrs Freed, Mr & Mrs Graham, Mr & Mrs Hobbs, Mr & Mrs Wilson, Mt Otway, Mr Edmonds, Mr Tucker, Mr Ewart.

Some Hightlights from the minutes over the years

27th July 1961 - Junior members to be encouraged to join the club. Mr Hobbs suggested they play the boards which were the worry of the regular members the previous week!!

19 November 1962 Discusussion over the late finish of bridge. The committee was asked to arrange the possible finish at 10.30 p.m.

The first tournament was held in 1964 and attracted 33 tables.

10 July 1967. Discussion as the merits of owning our own rooms. Committee of Messrs Judkins, Edmonds, Higgins and Kelly to investigate.  The possible purchase of Delwyn was an early consideration

1968 Joined the Masterpoint scheme for the first time.

!969 Started playing at Delwyn.

1970 The committee again asked to look at purchase of own premises.

1973. Serious investigation of the new St Pats Football Club rooms, especially with Delwyn now costing $6 a night.

February 1974. Letter went to the Borough Council re using the Stadium Lounge since the Federated Farmers Lounge was not available on the right nights.

May 1974. A serious look at the St Pats rooms was undertaken. On 13th June it was resolved not to go ahead since the bridge could not be isolated effectively from the main social area.

7th August 1975 resolved "that Mr O'Brien and Mr Hobbs visit Mr Kelly to negotiate the lease of the rooms from the Federated Farmers" A 10 year lease undertaken. Debentures from members to the value of $3,000 raised.

7th February 1976 - opening night at the Federated Farmers with a wine and cheese evening.

Costs included - Carpet and Vinyl $2,125.87

Chairs from McManemin $1650

Constor from C J O'Brien $447

Wallpaper $80.50

1976 the rooms were hire to Rewi St Kindergarten for their fashion parade for $30. In this year the membership was 175. Also a phone was installed and at Mrs Parlane's request a vacuum cleaner was purchased.

1977 Annual General Meeting. Resolved that a supper break be held halfway through the evening play. (So much for those who assumed it had always been that way)

1978 The club paid $700 towards the $876 cost of installing a second toilet in the Ladies rest room.

1980 A new system was trialled of pairs arriving and being given wooden discs made from broom handleswith table numbers to indicate where they should sit. This was to encourage random paertnerships.

1981/81 A lot of discussion as how to encourage junior members to try Monday. Senior members were actively encouraged to play sometimes with juniors. Membership in this year was 141. Elaine Byers suggested that a separate Ladies individual be run, but the idea does not seem to have been taken up.

1984 The first lady president, Joan Miller, was installed.

1985 The disc system for seating was abandoned. (note that drawn individuals were again briefly tried in 1989)Moved M. Berry/H. van Dongen that the purchase of a computer be investigated. Also at the AGM in this year it was agreed to trial the use of bidding pads rather than spoken bidden. (No, it hasn't always been like it is now!)

1986 Supper was dispensed with. This year saw the 25th Anniversary of the club, and a special night with visitors from Cambridge and Waitomo saw 22 tables enjoy an evening of festivities and bridge.

1987 24 prospective members attended beginners lessons, and "several" joined. (not clear how many several constituted)

1988 First shield challenge with Cambridge was held. Moved E. DeVeer/ J Frost that we purchase a computer.

1989 Drawn individuals were trialled, but quickly dropped.

1990 There was consideration to purchasing late member Ces Montefiore's home next to Matariki for a new clubrooms, but this was not pursued.

1991 Written bidding was extended to all sessions.

1992 Paul Hobbs became a Life Member of the NZ Contract Bridge Association, and Joan Miller was given Life Membership of the club.

1993 Started employing a tea lady for the first time. The new fluorescent lights were installed, summer bridge was insitituted. This was initially a once off session to welcome Jack Bickford and Dorothy Miller into the club. It remains till this day. First full update of the Constitution was undertaken.

2006 Two heat pumps were installed in the clubrooms. For the first time members enjoyed the luxury of air conditioning in the new rooms