Altrincham & Hale Chess Club
Minutes of the 2017 AGM held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday 5th September 2017
1. Attendance
Present – Tom Tomkins , Tony Lane , Nick Lowe , Steve Ward , Graham Bird , Bill McCartney , Mark Hann , Peter Hawes , Pete Arland , Thomas Hague , Kip Sumner , Denis Osborne , Rob Ignatowicz , Vijay Kakarparthi.
Apologies for absence – Reg Clucas , Richard White , Sheraz Khalil , Rob Isaac , Steve Douglas
2. Minutes of the 2016 AGM were agreed as correct and accepted.
3. Matters arising -
Welcome sheet for new comers - Steve - Still open
Reg to follow up with members who stopped visiting us - Still open
4. Officers' reports
Treasurer (Nick Lowe)
Treasurer’s Report for Year ended 31 August 2017
There were 22 members paying members (down one from last year) and again this is broken down on the statement into those who paying at the full rate, reduced rate and rate for new members. Each category is then subdivided into whose registered, or unregistered, with the ECF.
There were some unexpected additional receipts, which I have called “arrears”. David Johnson repaid the ECF membership fee we paid out and Steve Douglas kindly upgraded his membership from the reduced level to the full rate for 2015/16.
On the expenditure side, the main items are:
Rent – remained at £15 per week, but we paid for the 51 weeks up to the end of August (previous year was for 46 weeks)
ECF was for 16 members at £14 each plus 1 junior at £10
No trophy engraving costs were paid this year (comparative figure was for two years)
The net result is a small surplus of £28.30 leaving the accumulated reserves at £200.81.
Subscriptions for 2017/18 agreed at AGM
The subscription rates:
£65 for those registered with the ECF
£50 for non-ECF registered members
£30 in the first year for new members
Secretary (Reg Clucas - report read by Tom Tomkins)
Apologies for not being present at this year's AGM, but I'm sure you will manage without me!
Very little to report this year. From the Secretary's point of view, everything has gone smoothly.
From a playing point of view we have had a good season. The various team captains' reports will describe this in more detail, but to summarise we have had satisfactory showings for the first team in all three leagues, the Wahltuch Trophy success, and the possibility of more silverware in the forthcoming Summer League Cup final. We have also given opportunities for less experienced players to take part in League Chess in our B team in the Stockport and Summer Leagues.
Members may be interested to hear that I recently heard from Wayne Kranz. At the moment his domestic arrangements still preclude him from coming to the club, but he still follows our fortunes with interest and asked me to pass on his regards to all at the club.
Reg Clucas
31st August 2017
Competitions report (Nick Lowe)
Even though the report is supposed to be for 2016/17, I'm afraid to say there are no completed events to report on for last season! Perhaps a new events organiser is required!
I will however update you on the completion of the events for 2015/16.
Club Championship
This was completed last September.
Premier
6 players partook in an all play all. Steve Douglas playing in this competition for the first time performed commendably by winning against Nick and drawing with Richard. He still finished last but only ½ point behind Nick and Tom.
Joint second were Mark and Richard with 3 points, both losing just one game, but it was Reg with 2 wins and 3 draws who clinched top spot with 3.5 out of 5.
Major
A couple of players did unfortunately drop out, otherwise there would have been 8 competitors playing 7 rounds in an all play all.
Of the 6 who did play the matches, Denis finished with 2 points and then there was a gap to Pete with 4 points. Rob scored 4.5 and Peter 5.
2 players only lost one match, but Vijay also drew with Rob to finish with 5.5.
The winner was therefore Steve Ward, with 6 points. His defeat coming against Peter.
Rapid Play Handicap
There were 16 players who took part over 6 rounds. The handicap system worked better this time for Denis as he finished with a par score of 3.
There were just 6 players who scored more. Pete, who beat Yaroslav in round 3, suffered form that success in losing his next two matches, but still managed a commendable 3.5.
Yaroslav and Thomas both scored 4 points. In third was Peter with 4.5. Reg had won his first 5 matches slipped up in round six to Nick, but since I had lost in round 1, it did mean we tied for first place.
Grand Prix
There was a clear winner, Reg, since he had won two events outright and tied in the third! His score was 77.42 out of 100.
Vijay was second with 69.23 just ahead of Peter with 66.61 and Steve with 66.43.
Team Captains' reports – Reports from the captains of the Manchester League, Stockport League and SE Lancs Summer League teams were read to the meeting, and have been added to the respective pages of the club website.
5. Presentation of trophies
No presentations this year due to club events still going on.
6. League Entries for 2016-17
Should the club play B team or Limit league in Stockport league?
It was agreed nem con to play in both.
7. Membership fees
As mentioned in the Treasurer's Report, the £25 reduction for those drawing state pension was abolished.
8. Election of Officers
Secretary - Reg Clucas to continue
Treasurer - Nick Lowe to continue
Compitition Organiser - Nick Lowe to continue
New member representative - Steve Ward to continue
Manchester League Captain - Tony Lane to continue
Stockport A - Reg Clucas to continue
Stockport B - Vijay Kakarparthi to continue
Limit League - Steve Ward
Summer league A team - Tony Lane to continue
Summer League B team - Steve Ward to continue
9. Any other business
Questions:
1. Can players have a reduced rate?
See Item 7
2. Proposal to include Sale in our club by Bill M
Ans - Tom has taken the action to speak to Sale office bearers
3. When should the club events conclude this year?
Ans - By end of October