A potted Club History

1954 Club formed 2 November * Table Money 1/- * Annual Subs 1 guinea*

Weekly play in Hard of Hearing Rooms, Trafalgar Square * Limit of 40 members.

1955 Affiliated to NZCBA* Howorth Cup first played against Victoria League,

Blenheim* Membership limit raised to 50* Proposal to limit lady members

to 30 was lost*Waiting list introduced for new Members.

1960 First Tournament* 21 tables* 25/- Entry Fee.

1963 2nd. Playing night started* Membership 137.

1964 Graded nights* Table money 2/-* Mabin House, 98 Nile St. purchased.

1965 Tuesday and Thursday play.

1968 Table money 3/-* Men permitted to remove coats and ties in hot weather.

1969 Playing room extended.

1970 First Ladies Tournament – men catered.

1972 3 playing nights and Friday social afternoon.

1974 200 members* Intermediate Tournament.

1977 Mortgage paid off.

1979 Table money 70 cents* Computer scoring* Paid Director.

1984 Mabin House debt free.

1988 Table money $1.50.

1989 Table money $2.00* Written bidding* No smoking until play finished.

1990 Individual competition introduced* Senior membership closed* Electronic wall timer.

1992 360 Members* Members vote to build new Club Rooms at 21 Haven Rd.

1993 September, move to new smoke-free building.

1994 Table money $4.00 Mon. and Tues.* Annual subs $50.00.

1995 Howorth Cup won by Nelson for first time in 17 years.

1996 East wall built between Bridge Club and Motorcycle Club.

1997 Current membership 300+.

1999 Howorth Cup won by Nelson* Automatic Card Dealer Purchased.

2001 Won Marlborough Teams Event.

2002 Sheila Beggs President of The Canterbury Centre.

2004 Club celebrates Golden Jubilee.

2009 Mortgage paid off.

2010 New 7th. Region – The Top of The South- Golden Bay- Kaikoura-

Marlborough- Motueka- Nelson- Picton- Richmond- Westport.

2010 New table cloths & under mats* new stove and shade sail Caretaker’s flat.

2011  Laptop & Electronic BridgePads purchased* The Green Trohy won 1st. time
            in five years.  *Increase in table money Monday/Tuesday $5.00 – Thursday $4.00.
            (Friday stays $3.00) *Name tags to be worn* Howorth Cup won after twelve years