A Short History of the Hawera Bridge Club
The Bridge Clubrooms started out as part of a 700-acre block owned by a Mr McLean in the 1870’s who had two houses built on it for his daughters when they married. These houses are now The Hawera Bridge Club and the Hawera Repertory Society buildings.
The Club was formed in 1953 and in 1964 merged with the other Hawera Bell Bridge Club which had been going for about 2 years. Together they formed the Hawera Contract Bridge Club with the Bell Club becoming known as the “B” section of the new Club, but the “B” section seemed to operate quite independently until 1969. About this time it was quite the custom for men to play bridge wearing dinner suits, and the ladies long frocks and jewellery.
In 1969 the present building was purchased from the Hawera Old Folks Association for 5,000 pounds with finance provided by the Taranaki Savings Bank and debentures by Club members. The last of the debentures were paid back, on a ballot system in 1972. The Bridge Club had been renting the Nolantown Bowling Clubrooms. Annual subscriptions at that time were 6 pounds 30 pence and table money 25 pence.1969 also saw club members Marion Hill and Frances Ewington win the NZ Pairs and a special bridge evening was given to recognise their success.
In 1974 a loan was required from TSB to make alterations to the kitchen, add a men’s toilet, repair the roof, and paper the lounge. The first computer and printer were purchased and written bidding introduced about 1986. A new computer and printer and an electric clock were purchased in 1991 and a major upgrade of the kitchen started. The Club’s 40th Jubilee was celebrated in 1993. Around 1996 the old stage was dismantled to make way for a bar and computer room extensions and1999 saw new carpet laid completing a major upgrade of the clubrooms bringing them up to a very high standard. In 2003 the 50th Jubilee celebrations were held.
The Club has been very fortunate over the years in having some very generous members giving to the Club of their time and money. A legacy, a very good air conditioning system, and the building of a disabled toilet and more recently the sponsoring of club events, has greatly helped the Club financially, not forgetting a list of members over the years and each member for many years, teaching the basics of this great game and giving encouragement to prospective members. It must be emphasized that keeping up membership numbers is the future of the Club.
The Club was formed in 1953 and in 1964 merged with the other Hawera Bell Bridge Club which had been going for about 2 years. Together they formed the Hawera Contract Bridge Club with the Bell Club becoming known as the “B” section of the new Club, but the “B” section seemed to operate quite independently until 1969. About this time it was quite the custom for men to play bridge wearing dinner suits, and the ladies long frocks and jewellery.
In 1969 the present building was purchased from the Hawera Old Folks Association for 5,000 pounds with finance provided by the Taranaki Savings Bank and debentures by Club members. The last of the debentures were paid back, on a ballot system in 1972. The Bridge Club had been renting the Nolantown Bowling Clubrooms. Annual subscriptions at that time were 6 pounds 30 pence and table money 25 pence.1969 also saw club members Marion Hill and Frances Ewington win the NZ Pairs and a special bridge evening was given to recognise their success.
In 1974 a loan was required from TSB to make alterations to the kitchen, add a men’s toilet, repair the roof, and paper the lounge. The first computer and printer were purchased and written bidding introduced about 1986. A new computer and printer and an electric clock were purchased in 1991 and a major upgrade of the kitchen started. The Club’s 40th Jubilee was celebrated in 1993. Around 1996 the old stage was dismantled to make way for a bar and computer room extensions and1999 saw new carpet laid completing a major upgrade of the clubrooms bringing them up to a very high standard. In 2003 the 50th Jubilee celebrations were held.
The Club has been very fortunate over the years in having some very generous members giving to the Club of their time and money. A legacy, a very good air conditioning system, and the building of a disabled toilet and more recently the sponsoring of club events, has greatly helped the Club financially, not forgetting a list of members over the years and each member for many years, teaching the basics of this great game and giving encouragement to prospective members. It must be emphasized that keeping up membership numbers is the future of the Club.
