Barry Chess Club 51st AGM 24/07/23

 

Present: Ken Hannah. Phil Jones, Martin Ricketts, Ian Abraham, Tim Bowers, Steve Cunliffe, Mike Gale, Gwyn Havard. Martin Illet, Tom Illet, Steve Jones, Dave Mahoney, David Murphy, Dave Parsons, John Ryles, Peter Watkins, Mike White, Sam White

 

    1. Apologies For Absence 

None

 

 
    1. Minutes of the 2022 AGM

Accepted as a true record

 

 
    1. Matters Arising

It was suggested that we contact the council to try to run an event on the Island promenade.  Having contacted the council they never replied.  However there is a doubt about whether our members would be prepared to help as when we were approached by POBL only Ian Abraham volunteered to help run a stall.

 

 
    1. Chairman’s Report

It is good to see so many new members this year helping to make the club more vibrant.  Of interest to lon g standing members was the form of Lee Davis in the World Over 65 Senior Team Championships held in Poland who played in all 9 rounds and was undefeated with 3 wins and 6 draws to earn 48 ratings points.

 

 
    1. WCU AGM Report

Phil Jones attended this meeting.  Nothing really happened but a Special General Meeting has been called for 16th July when annual subscriptions are the only item on the agenda – likely to be increased by £5

 

 
    1. EGCA AGM Report

A very quiet meeting.  3 new appointments – Anthony Williams as Secretary, Moira MacDonald as Development delegate and Alun Smith as Junior Delegate.  EGCA fees increased to £4 but waived.  The KO Cup was replaced by a new Quickplay League

 

 
    1. Treasurer’s Report

The treasurer thanked Ian for stepping in at the last minute to audit the accounts due to the unavailability and health of the original auditor, Tom Cooke. The was a deficit of £3.  With an increase in WCU and West End fees the subscriptions have been increased to £35 for adults, £10 for juniors, new adults £25 and new juniors £5.

 

 
    1. Team Captain’s Reports  & Presentation of Trophies

 
    • Quarks

We finished 3rd which was better than expected after a slow start to the season.  Overall we scored 53% of available points, 10 players were used including Gwyn Havard whom played on board 1 in 15 of the 16 matches and dave parsons who was undefeated.

    • Gambits

A good season finishing in 8th place only 3 points away from promotion in a very close division.  21 players used but 14 played 4 or less games as they were only playing home matches.  The new players contributed well so there were no defaults.  A special thank you to Peter Watkins for setting and putting away the equipment even if he wasn’t playing. 

    • Bosons

The Bosons finished 2nd in division 3  and are duly promoted to division 2 earning 35 points from 16 matches – 7 points behind Cardiff Eagles and 2.5 points ahead of Caerphilly Rooks.  19 different players represented the Bosons with nobody playing more than 5 matches
    • Club Championships

Did not take place in 2022 as the previous tournament was played at the end of 2021 before the shortened league recommenced in January 2022.

 

 
    1. 2023-24 Season

 

Development/Juniors

There was discussion regarding the development of juniors and chess in schools.  Noone seemed to be anxious to take on this responsibility at this point
    1. Election of Officers

 
    • Chairman

Ken Hannah
    • Secretary   

Phil Jones
    • Treasurer        

Treasurer
    • Auditor

Ian Abraham
    • Quarks

Ian Abraham
    • Bosons

Mike Gale
    • Gambits   

Tom Illet
    • Camelots

Sam White
    • Stauntons

Sam White
    • East Glam QP Cup team

Sam White and Tom Illet (2 teams)
    1. To Approve Honoraria

Honoraria agreed at £20 for the secretary (Phil Jones), treasurer (Martin Ricketts) and team captains Ian Abraham, Sam White and Phil Jones

 

 
    1. AOB

After much deliberation a Chess Co-ordinator was appointed to organize junior chess at the club between 6.30 – 7.30.  Mike White took on this post assisted by Martin  Illet and possibly others if this is successful.  We need to obtain the agreement of the West End Club first.

 

 There was a desire for online chess.  Tom Illet took responsibility for arranging this and it is likely to be on the Lichess platform.

 

Some players want to play friendly matches using shorter times on the clocks.  This is agreed however most players seem unaware of the process to set up the clocks.

 

There was a suggestion to approach a strong player such as Daniel Kosulich to run a training session possibly on zoom.  No one was appointed to run this though.

 

Players had indicaged they were prepared to play matches in care homes and prisons.  A champion needs to be appointed although Tim Bowers said he would check with his wife if there were opportunities in our area  with her care home connection

 

There has recently been a chess club set up in Cowbridge Library between 2 and 4 pm.  A couple of players said they would go along to assess the situation.