Minutes of Telepost Chess Club Annual General Meeting
Held at Telepost Club on Thursday 30th August 2007
Present
Keith Tabner (Secretary), John Liddell (Treaurer), John Casewell, John Westhead, John Bashall, Peter Crean, Steve Jones, Brian Holford, Adrian Bowyer, Shane Sweeney.
Review of Last Season
Although our teams generally underperformed in the league last year, there was a success in the inaugural Winter Cup. Non-playing captain Peter Crean fielded a strong B team to defeat Church Stretton in the final. Individual Trophies, kindly subsidised by John Bashall, were presented to John Westhead, John Bashall, and in absentis to Nigel Ferrington, Jamie Hopkins, and Richard Bryant.
There were some notable individual performances by club members during the year. Nigel Ferrington won the 2006 County Individual Championship for a third time, and Richard Bryant became National U175 Champion.
The club continued to play a major role on the organisational side of Shropshire Chess. However two members are now retiring from their positions after several notable years of service. John Westhead had captained the county U125 team to the national semi finals and final during his tenure.
John Casewell had succesfully combined the roles of League Controller and Darwin Organiser with club C team captaincy. Both have earned our thanks for their considerable achievements.
2007-08 Teams
The club have the opportunity this year to put a team into each of the three Shropshire League divisions. Thus all players will be able to play at a level to suit their abilities.
After much discussion a team structure was accepted. (see list of members / teams)
Officers / Captains
Secretary – Keith Tabner
Treasurer – John Liddell
A Team Captain – Richard Bryant,
B Team Captain – Peter Crean,
C Team Captain – Adrian Bowyer
C Team Vice Captain – John Casewell
Treasurer’s Report
Funds are at an unacceptably low level – with no contingency to cover equipment, trophies or unexpected costs. Chess Membership Fee – £10-00pa for all team members – to be paid to the Treasurer as soon as possible. (All members must of course also join Telepost Club – currently £15-00 pa). League fees are £45 per team payable in November.
Dates for the Diary at Telepost Club
Tuesday 4th September – Club Night
Tuesday 11th September – Chess & Curry Night (John Casewell to organise)
Tuesday18th September – Council Meeting in big room – Club Night in back room
Tuesday 25th September – Pre-Season Friendly vs Shrewsbury
1st October Winter Chess Season Begins
( John Casewell to circulate Telepost Fixtures including to Clive Beaman for the diary.)
Any Other Business
Darwin Chess Festival
John Casewell announced that he was stepping down as organiser. After some discussion it was agreed that it was not viable for Telepost Club to adopt what has been a Shropshire County event.
Chess Coaching
It was agreed that the club’s stronger players should do more to actively encourage and develop the play of those members seeking to improve. We should put in place a system of training and mentoring on a one to one basis. Each of those seeking coaching should be paired with a stronger player to act as mentor, advisor, and coach. John Westhead agreed to co-ordinate this.
Summer Events.
The club tends to be very quiet during the summer months. It was agreed that a series of club summer events should be staged on a monthly basis – perhaps open to both our own and members of other local clubs. Peter Crean, John Westhead, and John Casewell agreed to put this in place next summer.
Keith Tabner Secretary