The BCD

The arrival in the post of the Summer 2013 newsletter, a few weeks prior to our scheduled Ipswich meeting in September, was eagerly awaited following the hugely enjoyable Wymondham event in June.

The front cover featured the assembled crowd at that meet and reported on the event itself. The remainder of the sixteen page publication was given over to such regular items as the “Show & Tell” report, “Editor’s Corner” “Chairman’s Chatter” and “Sales & Wants” pages, along with four excellent colour pages show-casing some of the puzzles which had been displayed, or relating to some of the other articles featured. The inclusion of so much colour in the recent newsletters comes courtesy of the lens of Colin who attends every meeting nowadays and beavers away snapping just about everything there is to see on the day, with Brian then ably editing as many as possible of these into their relevant places.

Amongst the other articles were one on box restoration, another by Tom Tyler regarding the Chad Valley “Dunlop” promotional puzzles, a wonderful piece entitled “Travellers Guide to a BCD Meeting”  and a further report on the “Mammoth” jigsaw puzzles of the 1930’s-1940’s, along with numerous other features and news reports.

As usual this publication also gave details of the timings, theme selection and travelling directions to September’s meeting, with Tom Tyler as host, in the Ipswich area. More on this event shortly, but surely going to be another very well attended and busy day!

Close to 40 members arrived in the characterful market town of Wymondham for the club’s Summer gathering. For some, this represented a journey of several hundred miles, with others far more locally placed. Huge thanks to Richard and Moira for their efforts in providing the location and making our visits so enjoyable. What a memorable venue this turned out to be, with great natural lighting, plentiful supply of tables and chairs and an excellent display area.

The “Show & Tell”(*) theme for the day had been selected by Richard as “Push Fit Puzzles”(**) and as a consequence of the choice, Richard also thought it humorously prudent to have a broom on hand to sweep up any of the puzzle pieces which collapsed on to the floor during their owners presentation!!

As is so often the case, an extraordinarily diverse and exciting selection of puzzles soon appeared on the display tables and all of the puzzle-working tables were equally well stocked with disassembled jigsaw puzzles ready to be enjoyed by all during the day.

Sales tables were once again very well represented, giving us all a great opportunity to add some more treasures to our own collections, many likely to resurface at future meetings to admire again and again! What a great recycling system we have going here!

As if six hours exposure to some of the finest jigsaw puzzles around, both modern and those of a considerable vintage was not enough, we also had on hand some of our greatest experts on the subject, including of course, Tom Tyler, our very own leading light on all things of a jigsaw-related nature and for that matter, just about everything else besides!! Thank you Tom and all our other “Experts” present throughout the day. Your combined input and knowledge help to make make the BCD stand out as surely being the leading jigsaw club there is and long may it continue to be so!

One of the many spectacular puzzles to have been enjoyed by the Wymondham assembled puzzle assemblers.

(*) an opportunity for members to bring along and exhibit examples from their personal collections and discuss their attributes, points of interest, or simply their reasons for finding them so pleasurable.

(**) puzzles which are cut in a non-interlocking style whereby all pieces simply push up against one and other without joining tabs, thus prone to movement, especially when held aloft for display!!

Next stop Ipswich in September. Personally I can’t wait. Hope to see you all there.