WDCL Home Published 16 and amended 23 August and 6 October 2011 Worcs Chess

2011 Annual Meeting

The AGM was held on Tursday 11 August 2011 at 7:30pm at Claines Church Institute, Worcester. This summary was written by Ray Collett, is unofficial, and does not substitute for the records held by the Hon Secretary.

  1. The meeting was well attended and all clubs were represented. Jeremy Humphries, representing Stourbridge was welcomed.
  2. The accounts showed the balance increased by a few pounds over the year owing to a generous donation that covers the costs of game fee for the Bennett and Ball cup competitions. The financial future is uncertain because it is not possible to predict how ECF Council members will vote in relation to proposals about future funding of English chess. Fees of £25 (Division 1) and £30 (Division 2) per team entry, and £4 for the team knock out competition were agreed. [The meeting discussed an entry fee of £32 for Division 2, but this sum was revised down to £30 shortly after the meeting - Webmaster]
  3. The accounts showed the balance increased by a few pounds over the year owing to a generous donation that covers the costs of game fee for the Bennett and Ball cup competitions. The financial future is uncertain because it is not possible to predict how ECF Council members will vote in relation to proposals about future funding of English chess. Fees of £25 (Division 1) and £30 (Division 2) per team entry. [The meeting discussed an entry fee of £32 for Division 2, but this sum was revised down to £30 shortly after the meeting - Webmaster] The hon treasurer recommended, and the meeting was content, that entry to the Team KO was free.
  4. Malvern are League Champions and Headless Cross are Division 2 Champions. The knock out team competition is not yet complete. Brian Turner won the Bennett Cup and Andrew Farthing the Ball Cup. The team knock out tournament is at the semifinal stage. Trophies were presented by the President, Maurice Bissell.
  5. It was reported that Derek Digger is standing down because of ill-health from the positions of Competitions Secretary and Grading Officer for the league. It wasagreed to defer filling these vacancies until the county executive meeting on 23 August. Maurice Bissell was re-elected President and Honorary Secretary, Brian Turner as Honorary Treasurer, Andrew Farthing re-elected as controller for the individual competitions and John Knee as Honorary Auditor.
  6. Stourbridge Club were re-admitted to the league. Headless Cross took promotion to Division 1 and Kidderminster pawns were relegated to Division 2. Subject to confirmation that Droitwich & St John's would again enter Division 1, it was agreed tha six teams would compete in Division 1 playing home and away. Subject to Kidderminster entering the Pawns and Rooks teams in Division 2, it was agreed that Division 2 teams would also play home and away. Division 1 comprises: Droitwich & St John's, Headless Cross, Kidderminster Knights, Malvern, Redditch 1, and Worcester Bishops. Division 2 comprises: Droitwich, Hagley, Kidderminster Pawns, Kidderminster Rooks, Redditch and Stourbridge. The secretary stated that the draw for the first round of the knock out team competition would be made in November and greater efforts made to ensure teams completed fixtures in good time.
  7. Player registrations should be sent to Maurice Bissell while the Competitions Secretary is vacant.
  8. The annual meeting was followed by the fixtures meeting and dates for matches are on the Division1 and Division 2 pages of the website where they have been notified by teams.