Tim Cookson writes:
The Union is a private member dining club. We opened in 1993, in the heart of Soho, London, and can be found at 50 Greek Street. https://www.unionclub.co.uk/
In the spring of 2015, Sean Williams, a well-known member of the UK and international backgammon fraternity sent a note round seeking interest from anyone who might wish to play Backgammon at the Union. A dozen or so stepped forward and took the plunge to form a team to compete in the London Clubs League, alongside 9 other clubs such as the RAC, Hurlingham and MCC. https://londonbackgammonleague.com/
For 18 months eight of us limited our Backgammon to once a month, between September and May, to play clubs in the league. It is a delightful set-up with 6 versus 6, 5pt games and with 18pts to play for. Each match being interrupted by the host providing supper and wine for the 12 participants.
At the beginning of 2017, Tim Cookson took over the captaincy and introduced a monthly club night, and the UCBG crew was formed. We still compete in the London Clubs League as well as playing other teams in and around London. We have taken on International and UK clubs online and we visit other countries and Backgammon tournaments. 11 of us were in Monte Carlo, last year, and we are keen to visit others. We now have 36 regular UCBG crew members and a general BG mailing list of 80+ who dip in from time to time.
We run regular beginner evenings where those keen to learn how to play, or be reminded of what’s involved having played when younger, and in need of a refresher. Many of the those who attended the beginner evenings now play regularly and represent UCBG in our matches against other clubs.
Our UCBG club nights take place on the last Wednesday of the month. We play our 5pt ladder games, between 6pm and 11pm and enjoy a wonderful club supper during the evening. Sean is still with us and each club night includes a 30/45 minute Sean tutorial, gameplay presentation or fiendish quiz.
Occasionally we run an additional club night at the Lantern, in Kent, enjoying the hospitality of one of our UCGB regulars who owns the Inn, which has sufficient accommodation to allow us to make a night of it!
Our season culminates with our Captain’s Cup tournament and where the final is played after the Captain’s lunch in June.
Many of the friends we made during lockdown and when we relied on zoom and Heroes keep in touch and we are always happy to invite them as a UCBG guest if they are in London when we have BG activity going on.
Tim remains captain of the UCBG and is supported by a meticulous UCBG treasurer, George Forysth, our ladder manager, Nicole Coleman, is also our designer of logos and all things UCBG branded. Everyone helps out on our beginner nights.
This year we are holding the UCBG Soho spring invitational tournament on Sunday the 26th of March. Details of the tournament will be posted on the Union Club web site.
If you’d like to see your club profiled here, please do get in touch – we’d be delighted to feature you!
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