The best house party ever, according to some, and certainly the biggest, with over 100 participants from the UK, USA, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Sweden.
We were welcomed by colourful red and yellow balloon displays, celebrating our 40th anniversary year in BCD colours. After a day of quiet (ish) puzzling, we made our way to the restaurant, where we found little gift bags containing special anniversary puzzles designed by Maria Herold and Puzzly.
The next day was very busy, with a speedy AGM followed by a fascinating talk about US Depression era puzzles by world expert Anne D Williams. There was the usual scrum at the sales tables, where in addition to British vintage and modern puzzles, there were many hand-cut puzzles by American and European members. Show and Tell was based on a stunning exhibition of puzzles by 33 past and present BCD cutters. Ten pairs competed in the speed puzzling competition, using puzzles donated by Gorgeous Games. At dinner, two hand-made quilts by Julia Nenova were raffled in aid of the BCD and the Alzheimer’s Society.
By Sunday, even those who had arrived knowing no-one were old friends. After a talk by former chair David Shearer about links between British puzzle brands, UK members took some of our international guests out to local tourist venues. Last but not least was an overview of 40 years of the BCD, opened by Matthew Plumridge, at whose 22nd birthday party the idea for the club was born, and followed up by chair Pete Day, with frequent fond interruptions from all present. Restaurant staff found a few extra bottles of champagne for our final group meal, and we dispersed in all directions with heavy puzzle-filled suitcases but light hearts. One attendee had written on the feedback form, ‘This event is the highlight of my year and I look forward to it all year.’
Hope to see you all next year!