Sheffield & District Chess Association


Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 14th September 2005  at Darnall Liberal Club, Irving Street, Darnall, Sheffield commencing 7.30 p.m.

The president, Roger Hoole opened the meeting.

1. Apologies for absence: P.J.Beckett, J.Hamm, M.Smith, P.Blackman

2. Minutes of the 2004 Annual General Meeting were distributed and agreed to be a true and accurate record.

3. Matters arising: none.

4. Treasurer's Report: Treasurer Mike Brumby reported a satisfactory year with the accounts still showing a small surplus and therefore probably no need to change fees for the coming year.

5. Secretaries' Reports:
General Secretary Bill Ward reported a trouble free season. He also commented on the strong standing of Junior chess in the area, a result of the hard work of the organisers in that format. Mention was also made of a booming summer chess calendar across the region.

Divisional Secretaries Mike Brumby, Joe Primrose, Ron Keenan and Phil Beckett also reported on competitive, trouble free seasons.

Mike Brumby also reported on the Richardson Cup where a surprise default by Ecclesall and a notable victory for Worksop over Woodseats had each had a major bearing on the tournament. The Plate had also run smoothly.

Sheffield A captain Jeremy Hamm reported a nail-biting finish in the Yorkshire 1st Division with Sheffield just losing out to York for the title.

Sheffield B captain Alan McIntosh reported on a difficult season which had looked to be going okay until poor late results saw the team relegated from the 1st Division. He was however confident of a quick return to the topflight next season.

C team captain John Mercy reported on a satisfactory campaign, finishing comfortable in Division 2

Sheffield D were the team celebrating as captain Paul Blackman reported on promotion to Division 2 and also the intention to launch an E team for next season.

Postal captain Geoff Frost was the star turn of the evening. Sheffield teams had won all three top divisions, 1st Division, Premier and BCF Championship !A magnificent achievement, well done Geoff and all the players!

Reports were also made by Sheffield Championship and Moses Trophy organiser John Fryer and Crabb Shield organiser Bill Ward, all the winners are shown in the next section.

6. Presentation of Trophies:
Sheffield Championship: Bruce Trophy: C.C.W.Shephard
Holroyd Trophy: P.Ellis
Junior Trophy: R.Woolham

S.& D.C.A. League:
Davy Trophy (Div.1): Woodseats A
Weston Trophy (Div.2): Barnsley A
Batley-Meek Trophy (Div.3): University
Athanaeum Trophy (Div.4): Barnsley B

Richardson Cup: Chesterfield
Y.M.C.A. Cup (Runners-Up): Worksop
Plate: Barnsley
Runners-Up: SASCA 1

Moses Trophy: S.Haystead

T.W.Crabb Shield: P.Blackman

Congratulations to all concerned!

7. Election of Officers, Auditors & Match Captains:

The following people were appointed:
President: J.R.Hoole
Vice Presidents (as before):J.Coe, M.Smith, G.Frost, J.Foster, B.England,S.Mann, K.Hogan, R.S.Hughes A.Perry, P.Swanson, P.J.Beckett, R.Guest,J.Fryer, G.Barnes, A.Burrell, S.Bessell, W.Ward, G.Brown C.C.Williams J.Hamm

General Secretary: W.Ward
Division 1 and Richardson Cup: M.Brumby
Division 2: J.Primrose
Division 3: R.Keenan
Division 4: P.J.Beckett
Tournament Controller: J.Fryer
Bulletin Editor and Distribution: S.Dunkley
Treasurer: M.Brumby
Sheffield A Captain: J.Hamm
Sheffield B Captain: A.McIntosh
Sheffield C Captain: J.Mercy
Sheffield D & E. Captain: P.Blackman
Postal Controller: G.Frost
G.W.Moses Trophy Controller: J.Fryer
Crabb Shield Trophy Organisers: Woodseats
Gurnhill Lightning Organisers: Chesterfield
Area Grader: S.Mann
Auditors: N.Carpino, P.Broadhead
Secretary for Junior Chess: P.Blackman
University Chess Supervisor: M.Kirkham

8. Election of Chairman of the Executive: G.Frost was re-elected to this post.

9. Election of members to serve on the Executive
:P.Ellis, P.Cumbers, P.Swanson and P.Blackman were all re-elected.

10. Approval of Clubs seeking membership to the League:
Approved members were as before ie: Aughton, Barnby Dun Bishops, Barnsley, Chesterfield, Clay Cross, Darnall & Handsworth, Phoenix, Ecclesall, Rotherham, Rotherham Juniors, Sheffield Deaf, Sheffield Nomads, SASCA, Sheffield University, Stannington, Wombwell, Woodseats and Worksop.

11. Fixing of fees and subscriptions: As the Treasurer had mentioned in his report he recommended no necessary changes, unsurprisingly this was passed unanimously.

12. Organisation of teams into Divisions. Casual vacancies: Division Two (1) Only Woodseats B applied for this position and were therefore promoted to Division 2

13. A.O.B
(i) M. Brumby requested an individual membership which was approved.
(ii) S. Haystead made a request that in certain circumstances an extra time allowance be given for handicapped players. It was agreed to try this informally without vote for the coming season and that in this instance an extra 10 minutes would be added onto the final 15 minutes.
(iii) It was agreed that a new Trophy be purchased to be presented to the winners of the Plate competition.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.55p.m.