The premises in King Street were purchased in 1951 when it was beginning to morph into a Bridge Club with a few distractions such as a billiard table, and rubber bridge as well as duplicate. The club was initially heated by two coal fires, one at each end of the room – very hot if you were near a fire, freezing otherwise.
The Union Club was owned solely by men but due to a drop in members, it was becoming difficult to finance the premises, so the men began bringing in their wives and friends of their wives, so much so that by 1960 there were 25 men and 75 ladies making up the membership. The ladies were considered to be a sub-set of the club, paying a smaller subscription and having no say in the running of the club (even though they were now providing the majority of the income!) Eventually, but not until the end of the 1960s, common sense prevailed and the Ladies became full members and had an equal say in the running of the club.
The Ladies would go into Stirling in the afternoon for shopping and arrange to meet friends at the club for a few hands of bridge. As time went on the ladies were beginning to overtake some, if not all, of the men and the regular tournaments settled into what is more or less the current format. A short interval was allowed for the enjoyment of refreshments. Tea for ladies but the men tended to nip down to the Original Bar which was at the entrance to the club – they began to take longer and longer to come back until complaints became louder and this practice was stopped.
The Tom Baxter shield was first won in 1958 by Bob Willman who was one of the first to run classes at the club. Tom Baxter was nearly blind and required those at his table to tell him what was in Dummy and who had played which card. He was a prominent member of the original club and the shield is run in his name. This competition was considered to be the premier one in the Union Club.
In those days of fewer National competitions and Congresses the winter season was very full with Home and Away Matches against Stirling Men, Stirling Ladies, Dollar Tillicoultry, Alva, Menstrie, Alloa – usually 12 tables with a break for tea and sandwiches in the middle – very pleasant and, again, very educational. In theory these were “friendly” matches but in reality the knives were out and winning was very important. Menstrie in particular had some excellent players, Mrs Drummond, Mrs Cervi, Alf Cochrane, Bob Murdoch and his wife Isa, Bill and Flora McDougall to name but a few.
Over the years, various trophies have been presented – the Hector Roy presented on his death by his wife. This was a sad case – he played on a Monday evening, went home and didn’t waken in the morning – he was only 70. Hector was a perfect gentleman who was Match Secretary and was a member for many years.
In 1962 the ladies had their first AGM, Moira Somers (later McIlwraith) becoming the first Lady President. Thursday evening was Ladies Only and was a great success for many years with a regular attendance of 12 tables – at a cost of 1/- table money (one shilling or 5p for you younger folk). Men were only accepted in times of emergency such as being one short for a full table! Kay Rees presented a Bowl with the idea that it would be played for by these ladies but Thursdays became a general night as it is now.
Saturday evenings were established as “Open” nights and attracted players from all round the district – Stirling Men, Falkirk, Denny, Grangemouth, etc. This had a positive effect on the standard of play and when Friday night match pointing was introduced this really put the club on a firm bridge footing. There was a very keen young contingent and it is a great pity that we are no longer attracting as many young players. The Italians were winning everything and playing some very advanced systems and quite a few of the young men at the club tried out the Blue Club, Vanderbilt, Big Club, - the Blue Club especially was more than a little complicated and it was not unknown for one wrong bid to lead to disastrous results.
In 1970 The Union Club first put their foot into the water of the Western League and over the next 11 years climbed from 6th Division to 2nd only maintaining one year at 2nd and reverting to 3rd which was probably our optimum level.
When Pat Wilson came to the area in 1979 she obviously had experience of many different bridge movements and was good enough to organise the Thursdays so that we played as nearly as possible to the optimum number of 24 boards. Pat was a member of the club but on the committee of the Stirling Club which by this time had amalgamated Stirling Men and Stirling Ladies.
Towards the last couple of years in King Street, attendance had fallen dramatically. In the 1960s and 70s , although the majority of members were probably in their50s and 60s, there was a large contingent still in their 20s and 30s. Naturally the older generation was whittled down and we didn’t and still aren’t attracting young people to the game. Thursdays were down to, at best two and a half tables, Friday nights had gone as had Saturdays. When we went into the new premises Rosemary Miller and others started classes on Monday afternoons with the results you see today. The club benefited from the gradual increase in membership and gave us the impetus to build the Thursdays back up to good numbers. No amount of effort did the same for Saturday nights and we had to admit defeat.
Terry’s Cup was presented in her memory by her husband and daughter and was intended for both clubs. Terry was an indefatigable member of both clubs – which were still separate at the time of her death.
Stirling Bridge Club started in 1936 and was open to “ gentlemen only”! They played in Millars Rooms, then after a while transferred to the County Club. In 1970 Bobby Stewart, one of the founder members, generously bought premises at 17 King Street and gave them to the club, together with a silver trophy for the “Club Championship”.
Later The Ladies Bridge Club was permitted to use the premises and became one club in 1977. The ladies still had their own night and reluctantly admitted men later – retaliation? – or because of an appeal from the bridge teacher Pat Wilson who became President of the SBU in 2001/2 The club premises were extended in 1985 due to an increase in attendance. Stirling Union Club were at 27 King Street with their own premises and over the years many players became members of both clubs. Both clubs had and still have teams in Bridge Leagues and some members have become Scottish International players.
As parking space became difficult and attendances dropped the two clubs decided to buy one larger building and share it with the prospect of amalgamation. After considerable research a warehouse and offices were bought and a lot of hard work by members made the offices section into a good playing area with a smaller room in addition for matches and teaching where bridge lessons are given. Over the years various improvements have been made and it is now a very comfortable place to play bridge and is popular with the members particularly as it has a good car park. This was officially opened in September 1998 by our member David Perry who was also President of the Scottish bridge Union at that time. We invited everyone we could think of and they all turned up to a great bridge night.
The two clubs used tables, stationery etc. in common but kept their own identities for some time playing for various trophies donated over the years. Two years ago the two clubs amalgamated to become the “Stirling and Union Bridge Club” and the trophies are still played for mainly in memory of various members.
Wednesday evenings: Bobby Stewart Trophy: This was given to the Stirling Club by a founder member who also bought the premises in King Street.
Lewis Middleton Trophy: This was donated by his daughter in his memory – he was also a founder member of the Stirling Club.
Jimmy Milne Trophy was donated in his memory by his son who is a member of the club.
LB Teams: This was donated by a member who is very fond of team events.
Pat Wilson Trophy: This was bought by the committee of the Stirling Club to encourage players who had been and are being taught by her.
Eileen Alexander Trophy: This was a lady who sadly died of cancer whilst still young and her partner bought it in her memory.
Weir Kirkpatrick Trophy: This trophy was bought by Mrs Weir and Mrs Kirkpatrick for the Wednesday afternoon players.