The Story Of How The UKBG Founders Contributed To The Founding Of The IBA
At the dawn of 1951, the UKBG invested time and resources in contacting overseas Guilds on the question of the formation of an International Association.
At the dawn of 1951, the UKBG invested time and resources in contacting overseas Guilds on the question of the formation of an International Association. The aim was to meet the representatives of these Guilds in England, in conjunction with 1951 European Cocktail Competition, organised by the UKBG.
Sweden, Denmark, Netherland, Switzerland, Italy and France agreed that they would send representatives with the hope of having a thorough and friendly discussion on the possibilities of forming this association.
“Even if it is decided that it is not possible to form such an organisation we are sure that much good will come from the discussions in the way of even better understanding between ourselves and our overseas friends.”
The following extract is from the 1951 issues of The Bartender, describing the official beginning of IBA.
“The International Bartenders Association was formed on Saturday, 24th February, in the Ballroom of The Grand Hotel, Torquay (England), when, at an impressive meeting, delegates of the Bartenders’ Guild of Italy, France, Sweden, Denmark, Netherland, Switzerland and the British Isles unanimously agreed on the creation of the international organisation. Thus culminated the informal discussions that had been taking place from time to time during the past two years or more. Members will be gratified to know that it was through the efforts of the Guild that this Conference finally took place at Torquay, with the co-operation of our friends from overseas, and that the majority of the proposals etc., put forward by the U.K.B.G. met with unanimous approval.”
The delegates present were:
W.J. Tarling (President of the UKBG)
J. Londahl (President Danish Bartenders’ Guild)
A. Combettes (Amicale des Barmen de France)
T. Rijken (Nederlandse Bartender Club)
A. Zola (Associazione Italiana Barmen E Sostenitori)
P. Melin (Swedish Bartenders’ Guild)
G. Sievi (Treasurer of Swiss Bartenders’ Union)
H. W. Roberts (General Secretary of the UKBG) as Conference Secretary
Representatives, observers, or in an advisory capacity:
P. Finney, Esq. (Trustee of the UKBG)
C. Chiswell (Councillors of the UKBG)
S. Cox (Councillors of the UKBG)
A. Krakeel (Councillors of the UKBG)
B. Paul (Past President of the UKBG)
V. Christensen (Vice-President Danish Bartenders’ Guild)
K. Sorensen (Secretary Danish Bartenders’ Guild)
R. Benedetti (Associazione Italiana Barmen E Sostenitori)
L. Parenti (Associazione Italiana Barmen E Sostenitori)
J. O’Farrell (Irish Branch, UKBG)
L. Miller (Blackpool)
J. C. Manuel (Bristol).
The Chair was taken by President W.J. Tarling of the UKBG, who opened the conference by welcoming those present, and they gave a very warm welcome to their continental friends who had travelled so far. This was the first time that bartenders’ organisations of so many different countries had got together for such an occasion.
After a long session of consultation on different matters, it was agreed that for the first three years the President, would be the president of the UKBG, therefore W.J. Tarling. Also, the headquarter would be the UKBG at 43 Duke Street, St. James’s, London.
In 1952, when Tarling announced that he couldn’t actively carry on with his role as President due to a personal reason (he had a job opportunity in Harrogate and couldn’t commit to the Guild as much as he used to), George Baker, the Guild’s Vice president, continued leading the activities of the Guild and as well the development of the IBA. He was appointed IBA President just for the last few months of 1952. Beside his commitment within the Guild, Baker was also involved in the Organising Committee of 1949 and 1951 European Cocktail Competitions, 1950 and 1952 World Cocktail Competitions.
This article was researched by UKBG curator Luca Rapetti.