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Ratty on Bridge

The Millennium Experience
By Mark Horton

Exerpt from the editorial in Bridge Magazine (April issue)

Bridge on the River Thames

"Just as we were going to press, we received the news that the English Bridge Union have thrown their hat into the ring in the contest to buy the Millennium Dome at the end of the year. It would become the permanent home of English bridge, large enough to stage all the Union's tournaments, as well as World and European Championships. Whilst applauding their vision, where is the £150,000,000 plus coming from? At the very least, should their bid be successful, it is bound to mean a significant rise in membership fees."

A swift response was received from the English Bridge Union as follows:

"Dear Sir
I refer to your editorial in the April issue of Bridge Magazine, of which I received my copy today.
We at the EBU are absolutely appalled by the fact that you have got hold of the information that we are putting in a bid for the Millennium Dome. We are already investigating where the leak came from.

Heads will roll over this. It was absolutely essential that this information did not get released prematurely as we did not want to disappoint the membership in case of failure.

Your comments on how the EBU would raise the required £150,000,000 are totally out of order! We have absolute confidence that we can raise such a sum without increasing subscriptions by more than a few thousand percent.

We do agree though that if we are successful, it will make a fine bridge venue! We would ask you not to provide any further information until you receive a press release from us.

Barrie Partridge
English Bridge Union"