AGM June 2014

Lytham Ex-Service Chess Club

Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 26th June 2014

Apologies for absence: John Cox , Dennis Davies and Tom Leah.

Present: John Cooper , John Regan , Colin Liddle , Pat Coleman , Geoff Robinson and Ben O’Rourke

Minutes for AGM 2013* were accepted

Chairman’s Report:

Many of you will have realized that this AGM is being held much earlier than usual. We normally hold it in September--last year it was really late on 26 September-- but although the League AGM must be held in September we are free to hold ours when we wish. Our League matches finished in May and there is no need to wait until September before we start to make arrangements for next season. At last year’s AGM John Cox very kindly offered to set up a club website and was appointed the club’s Webmaster. John set about his task straight away and the website was established under lythamchess.org within just a month. This is a tremendous asset for the club and I am sure that you all will wish to join me in conveying our thanks to John for his expertise, energy and efficiency in seeing it through.

Our club membership has improved this season with the addition of Graham Taylor and Jonathan Hartley early on and with our two very strong juniors, Kit Hopkins and Tom Leah, both 17 and at AKS, who joined us in the second half of the season. Although both ungraded Kit and Tom have played for most of the club’s teams and produced some excellent results. Their keenness has also been reflected in their regular attendance on Thursday evenings.

Our Club Championship, which Paul Evans volunteered to run last September, has enjoyed a new lease of life with 14 entries, up 6 on the previous year. Paul has made it more attractive by including prizes for the best individual performance, other than the winner(s) and the best performance by an Under 150 player, and these will be presented tonight.

Undoubtedly one of our most energetic club members has been John Regan. As well as being a very efficient club Treasurer he has ensured that the club continues to function on evenings when we have no matches. We usually play in the bar on such evenings, a more relaxed and convivial regime, which allows opportunities for coaching and affords some light relief from the more serious games played upstairs.

In the local League our major success has been in Division B where Phil Raynor’s Lytham-Ex 2 team have won the division by 4 clear points from Poulton 2, with 6 wins and no losses, quite an achievement. Our only other success was in winning the Handicap Rapidplay Plate competition.

Secretary’s Report

A quiet year with no significant issues. Cost for use of the upstairs room has turned out to be well within our means. We are pleased to have 2 very keen junior members , Kit and Tom. There is a view that first team players do not make enough appearances on our club nights and they would be welcomed if they did.

Treasurer's Report

John Regan has suggested a reduction in this year’s subscription from £20.00 to £16.00. It was agreed that this topic be discussed at our next meeting. See attached.

It was raised that John Cox may be owed Internet charges for running the club website.

The Len Gibbins Trophy

Two excellent candidates were proposed for this prestigious award , namely John Cox and John Regan. A vote was taken and John Regan won unanimously. Maybe next year John C ?!

Tournament Organiser’s Report

Paul Evans runs our Club Championship and we are grateful for all his efforts. Paul produces regular reports throughout the course of the year.

Amendments to Constitution : None

Election of Officers and Committee

A new club secretary was proposed and seconded. John Cox. Colin Liddle agreed to assist him with the take up of this role. Pat Coleman offered to take charge of a fifth team if and when another team was entered into the league. No other changes. Phil Raynor and Keith Sansom have yet to confirm their agreement to remain as team captains. (Subsequent note: Both Phil and Keith have confirmed their willingness to continue as team captains).

Club Trophies : Club Championship

We have Joint Winners this year. John Cooper and Paul Evans. This year an under 150 prize was awarded and this was won by Ben O’Rourke. A special award for best Junior performance was given to Taran. Bravo.Congratulations to all.

Other business:

John Regan said he had been available to play this year but was overlooked. This was noted. If Lytham compete with 5 teams this year this type of issue should not arise ? With a reasonable sum in our accounts it was suggested we purchase 5 sets and 5 boards of good quality for limited use. i.e. Team matches and Championship games. John Cooper and Colin Liddle said they would investigate. Colin Liddle agreed to carry out an inventory of the club’s sets and clocks. It was suggested that we donate a chess set to the Ex-Service club for bar use as a goodwill gesture.

A number of un-resolved matters were noted and it was agreed that the club should hold an early meeting to discuss. The matters were as follows. To decide on the number of league teams that we should enter in the coming season. To discuss John Regan’s proposal on the subject of reducing this year’s subscription. To discuss the auditing of the Club’s accounts To discuss the purchase of new sets and boards To verify that both Phil Raynor and Keith Sansom are prepared to continue as team captains. To discuss a possible ‘Club Simul’ by one of the leagues stronger players. To discuss whether we should set aside particular dates , say once monthly for group activity.