Club History 4: The Seventies and Eighties

Move to Claines Church Institute

In 1976 the club was forced to move and went to Claines Church Institute.

A 1985 photograph:. Left to right: Arthur Lill, Horace Wikins, Tom Widdows, Alan Copeman (rear), Paul Turberfield, Brian Hughes (rear), Roger Nall, Ken Burrows (rear), Martin(?) Schmidt, Fred Dollin (front), Ray Collett (rear), unknown, David Hussel

Sesqui-centenary Year

In 1987, the Club celebrated its sesqi-centenary (150th) year with a simultaneous display opened by the City's Mayor Councillor Clifford Lord in the Assembly Room of the Guildhall. That year's unusual display was a tandem simultaneous given by Grandmaster Keith Arkell and International Women's Master Susan Arkell (now Lalic) with the two masters making alternate moves of the white pieces against 16 club players.

League Champions Again

A winning team from the mid-1980s. Left to right: Ray Collett, Francis Charge, Eric Myers, Jim Keene and Alan Copeman.

Worcester City were County League Champions in 1987-8, the first time since 1964.

1987 saw the retiral of Fred Dollin, club secretary since 1972. Fred Dollin was a capable organiser who kept the club going when membership fell to a low ebb in the 60s. The current membership continues to benefit from Fred because he left a legacy to the club. One of the current club trophies is the Dollin Plate.

Left: Fred Dollin with his presentation vase in 1987 Right: Eric Siegel (left) receives presentation for lifetime achievement from E Alan Copeman in 1999

Worcester City member Eric Siegel was another prominent organiser in Worcestershire. Eric ran the Worcester & District League single handedly for many years. Neither Eric nor Fred were particularly strong players, but the Worcester chess scene is much the poorer with their passing.