Published 26 May 2011

Unofficial summary of the 2011 Annual General Meeting

The Secretary of WCA keeps the official report of the meeting and this summary by Ray Collett is not a part of WCA's records. Twelve members from 10 clubs attended this meeting held at Claines Church Institute, Worcester on 21 May 2011.

Competition reports

Wheatley Memorial Cup. Laurence Wheatley reported that Hagley had won the Knockout team competition after a narrow semi-final win against Greenlands and beating Kidderminster in the finals. The controller had solicited participation by clubs formerley affiliated to the association. Although Shirley & Lucas, Birmingham Checkmates, among others expressing interest, they had not been able to field teams this season. See web page for more details.

Worcestershire League Report. Derek Digger reported that League Champions are Worcester City after a tight finish with runners-up Hagley. In Division 2, Redditch were well clear of second-placed and local rivals Headless Cross. Team captains were thanked for completing their fixtures in a season characterised by difficult travel conditions. The controller commented that the procedures for ensuring rapid completion and reporting of adjourned games instituted this season had been effective and players were thanked for their co-operation. See league web pages for more details.

Worcester & District Chess League. Malvern retained the Championship trophy with Kidderminster Knights second. Headless Cross won the Division 2 trophy with Worcester pawns being runners up. Kidderminster reported reported that they had to concede several matches and were considering a reduction in the number of teams to be fielded next seson. Andrew Farthing reported that the individual Bennett and Ball Cup competitions are still in progress. See W&D web pages for more details.

Dudley & District League. It is understood that results of some matches are outstanding. See more on Dudley & Dist web page.

Birmingham & District Cless League. Laurence Wheatley reported that Redditch had a good season being runners up of Division 3 and winning the Townshend Cup. Greenlands, Warley and Halesowen had fared less well. See BDCL website for more information.

MCCU County First Team Report. In the absence of the captain, who is standing down, the report was given by Ray Collett. The county had again failed to score, but only narrowly missed out against Derbyshire. The last match against Shropshire had been conceded because it clashed with events several regular players were attending. See MCCU site for more details. The 2010-11 captain recommended that Worcestershire enter the u180 competition rather than the Minor Counties because the county had few national class players. It was pointed out, however, that Worcester's top 8 boards had held their own in this season's matches whereas it was on the lower boards that the team had been less successful. It was agreed to enter the Minor competition next season.

MCCU County Under-140 Team Report. Giles Stanton, who was unable to attend, presented a written report of Worcestershire's progress to become the Midland Counties under-140 champions.

MCCU County Under-120 Team Report. Richard Turner was unable to attend because he was captaining his team against Yorkshire. The team had won the Midland Counties Under-120 Championship. Read more on the MCCU web pages.

Treasurer's report and budget

The report and accounts were approved. Several members spoke to record their appreciation of Bert Foord's stewardship of the association's finances over 20 years. The draft budget was considered in the light of the decision that game fees should be increased for the 2011-12 season. The schedule of fees approved for the 20011-12 season is set out on a different page.

Other reports

English Chess Federation. Andrew Farthing presnted his report to the meeting. Players' grades are now updated and published at six-monthly intervals. The ECF meeting in Birmingham had rejected the Board's budget and voted to increase game fee and membership subscriptions. The last ECF meeting had voted to support a move to individual membership, but this would require constitutional amendments to its Articles and a larger majoritty to succeed. He is currently working on a plan to separate the International and professional activities of the federation so that amateur players in club, league and county competitions could operate as within a charitable organisation to reduce costs. For more details read his report. The two delegates who attended from Worcestershire - one from Worcester & District League and one from the county - reported that they had voted for retention of the game fee to reflect the balance of opinion expressed at the Worcestershire Executive meeting held earlier in the year.

Midland Counties Chess Union. There had been no MCCU meeting since the last county last met. It was suggested that Worcestershire should add to the number of nominated representatives.

Worcestershire Megafinal. The organiser, Ray Collett, presented a written report. He said that 130 players had competed. He thanked the association, clubs and individual memers for their help on the day. For details about Megafinal winners visit the Megafinal website.

Worcestershire Open Congress. Last year's event attracted 110 players - substantially up on last year - including two from outside the UK. The event raises money for charity and last year St Mary's Hospice, Birmingham received £600. The 2011 event will be held on 23-24 July again at the University of Worcester. This year the event will have an open and and extra graded section. Read more in Andrew Farthing's written report.

Junior Chess. Ray Collett reported because the Junior Organiser was unable to attend the meeting. Worcester Junior Academy had moved to a monthly format on Sundays, but the number of attenders had decreased. The academy had competed in the Midland Junior League coming second. Andrew Moore was thanked for his leadership of the academy and expressed the hope that it would be able to continue on a fortnightly basis next school year with help from Jeremy Greenow and Ray Collett.

Presentation of awards

Trophies were presented by President Peter Kitson. Andrew Farthing received the Bonham Memorial trophy for Worcester City, Jason Cole the Cobham Trophy for Redditch, and Tony West the Wheatley Memorail trophy for Hagley. The Woodcock Prize for the 'most enterprising game' was awarded to David Close.

Election of officers and delegates

There were few changes. Bert Foord retires from the treasurer's post after 20 years' service and Andrew Moore stands down from the County first team captaincy. The following officers were re-elected: Peter Kitson (Worcester City), President; Maurice Bissell (Kidderminster), Hon. Secretary; Derek Digger (Halesowen), Competitions controller and grader Derek Digger. Brian Turner (Malvern) was elected as the new honorary treasurer. Captains are: Ray Collett (Worcester) with Jason Cole (Redditch) as Vice Captain for the county Minor Team; Giles Stanton (Redditch), u140 team; and Richard Turner (Redditch), u120 team. ECF Delegate is: Andrew Farthing (Worcester). Ray Collett, Alex Holowczak (Warley) and Andrew Farthing, are MCCU delegates; Maurice Bissell represents the association on W&DCL; Derek Digger (Halesowen) the association on D&DCL; and Laurence Wheatley, on BDCL.

Provisional date of next AGM

Subject to a suitable venue being available, the date of 19 May 2012 was suggested