History
1978
Based on the initiative of Paddy Duerig, the director of an English language school in Berne, „The English Club of Bern“ is founded as an association of English speaking persons living in and around Bern. Its legal form is a club (Verein) according to Swiss law.
Paddy’s husband is the first president of the club. Other committee members are Paddy Duerig, Mary Mead and Pierre-Louis Rod. The first bar premises are set up at Bollwerk 21, opposite the main train station, two floors down from Paddy’s language school. The official opening party in December is attended by approximately 200 people.
1981/1982
President (for the five subsequent years): Paddy Duerig. On April 29th, the 5th anniversary of the club is celebrated with a swell diner dansant and a live orchestra at the Distelzwang cellar, a famous venue for elegant parties.
1984
Disco nights proceed every second month and become a major point of attraction. First ski weekends in the Lötschental (canton of Wallis) and later in Leysins (canton of Vaud) are organised by Hans-Ruedi Herzog. The first Christmas party takes place and is since organised every year. It enjoys widespread popularity among members and their families.
1987/1988
Due to rising rental costs in the downtown area, the Club must terminate the contract at Bollwerk. For the next two years, the club meets once a week in the restaurant Union in Brunngasse. Plans to get new premises for the club are forged.
1989
President: David Philipps who is also an actor and later president of the Upstage English Language Theater Group in Berne (www.upstage.ch). New bar premises are brokered by Duri Wirz, the club moves its furniture to the City West building complex on Laupenstrasse 17. It is a two room with entrance room studio with toilet and some storage room. Ironically, the previous tenant was a Spanish Club and bar. The fact that the premises were initially built as a bomb shelter provokes many sarcastic jokes over the years to come. The location is considered ideal as it is just minutes away from the main train station and thanks to its favourable position four levels under ground, no restrictions regarding closing time and nose disturbance are in sight.
1990
The club buys the pool billiard table. The investment is worthwhile as free billiard speedily becomes a major feature and billiard tournaments are held regularly.
1993
Installation and inauguration of a solid brick and wooden bar, built by Mark Prince, his wife Maja, Prince Senior and Eddie Junker. The club undergoes other enhancement of equipment during the early 90s, with a lot of help from people committed to the club. The overall style can be described as ‘English pub-like’. Someone has the brilliant idea of setting up a free-flow library where anyone can bring second hand books and take out others.
1995
President: Duri Wirz. The constitution is revised. Over the past few years, some events such as Valentine’s Day, Disco nights, St Patrick Day Celebration and the annual outdoor summer BBQ have been taking place regularly.
1996/1997
The official name is change to ‘English Speaking Club of Bern’ as a growing number of American and other non-UK members feel patronized by the English-/Britishness that the old club name insinuates. A pithy new club logo is designed by Eddie Junker. A competition is advertised among members to find a catchy pub name for the club, but submission like ‘The Bunker’, ‘Armageddon Bar’ and ‘The Queen Victoria’ do not seem to reflect the perception of a majority of club members. The club hence keeps its simple name. For more funny information about that period of our club life see:
http://harrier.ch/Likkmm/ECB/Newsletters/index.html
1998
President: Theresa Proske. The club’s 20th anniversary party is celebrated on the premises on March 27th. A first website for the club is hosted by James Waddell on the website of the Hash Harriers Club Bern. The Valentine’s Day Party features music entertainment by a rock band meeting at the adjacent cellar location. For once, New Year’s Eve is celebrated with a huge party on the premises.
1999
Co-Presidents: Victor Liebenberg & Debbie Hall. The first independent website under the present domain name is launched. Webmaster is Neil Ormesher. Marc Pfaeuti finalises a good deal with two distribution companies, the number of available international beer brands rises to over fifteen. An honorary membership is granted to Eddie Junker for many years of valuable efforts to the club.
2002
One summer evening, the bar rooms in inundated by leaking water pipes from the premises above the club. By sheer chance, two committee members are in the club that very moment, thus able to call the fire fighters and to prevent damages to the furniture and equipment.
2003
The bar room is freshly painted by vice-president Keith Springford. The 25th anniversary celebration is held on the club premises on May 20th. The club sees a series of very successful, well-attended private parties. Honorary memberships for their tenacious commitment to the club are granted to Debbie & Victor on the occasion of their relocation to South Africa.
2004
President: Julie Simmon-Abbot. Aussie-Kiwi nights in association with the Aussie Club Bern take place every first Friday of the month. An advertisement campaign is launched, resulting in many new membership applications. Pierre-Louis Rod resigns from the committee after 25 years (intermittent) of loyal commitment to the club.
2006
Due to stricter rules concerning fire security, City West management terminates the rental contract as the bar has no emergency exit. It is deemed no longer justifiable to have a semi-public bar in function in this place. An eager search results in various options, but finally, Iris-P. Krüger finds an ideal place and negotiates a good deal. In June, the committee undertakes the removal to the large and practical premises on Mittelstrasse 55.
A new bar is purchased and further installations and equipment are under way. The pool table is newly adjusted and refurbished. The bar is a donation from Eddie Junker and Mark Liebenberg. The grand official Opening Party takes place on August 25th.
2007
President: Mark Liebenberg. For the first time in club history, the committee introduces several non-smoking bar nights per month, in line with the club’s philosophy to be an appealing meeting point for everyone. Newly featured events are Singlish nights with International Club’s Stephan Bogdanov; catered curry and other food nights as well as Karaoke evenings.
2008
President: Valerie Hollis Fischer. Apart from many successful regular events such as international food nights, bar talks and hosting the Singlish group, Halloween and the first Ladies Night is organized during the Euro 08 football championship, providing an alternative to the soccer enthusiasm spreading all over the city. An excursion to Montreux and a BBQ at the Trike Center in Bern-Bümpliz organized are for the first time by the committee. On October 31st, the club’s 30th anniversary is celebrated at the premises with a giant party, bringing along plenty of people and a tremendous, unforgettable atmosphere.
2009
President: Corinne Oegerli. Two committee members resign: Valerie Hollis Fischer, as president, since she follows her husband, a Swiss diplomat who is transferred to his new post in London; and Mark Liebenberg, former club president, for reasons of job alterations forcing him to move to Zurich.
Special events include a Scottish Single Malt Whiskey Tasting, hosted by Mark Chesterfield, an inspiring slideshow of photographs, presented by Mark Howells-Mead, as well as a curry evening organized by Chris Philip. Moreover, the club successfully organized its second annual BBQ at Bümpliz. As new events, Misha Klayich initiates a series of movie nights while Hilde Verzele brings a taste of Belgium to the club with her new Belgian beer nights. Following stricter local administration rules focusing on prevention of alcohol abuse, the club is forced to restrict the formerly liberal access to the premises. A separation between premium (paying) and normal members is introduced. An Extraordinary General Meeting is called to approve the revised constitution.
