Minutes of Macclesfield Chess Club AGM 2022

Held At The Queens Hotel : 19:15

A minutes silence was held to mark the passing of Ray Pomeroy, a member of the club for over 30 years.

Present: A. Brough, G. Laurence,  A. Soames, A. Green, P. Cattermole,  R. Gray,  J. Trier,  M. Jouannet,  B. Woodhall, J. Darlington, J-P. Taylor, J.Staniland, D. Lobo. P. Harris

Apologies: A. Lane

Matter Arising From Minutes of 2021 AGM: The secretary confirmed that John Astley had been confirmed as Pomeroy Cup winner as Tom Robson hadn’t played his outstanding game.

Officers Reports

Chairman; Nothing to report.

Secretary: Had attended with Phil Cattermole, an extraordinary meeting of The North Staffs League and entered a team for the coming season. He had proposed teams of 4 which had been accepted. Apologies were sent to the AGM 3 weeks later. He reported also that the Stockport League was also  resuming and a meeting was expected soon.

Treasurer and Membership Secretary: With trophy engraving outstanding, the finances are reasonably healthy with a balance of over £800.

Website Manager: Denzil reported no changes

Tounament Directors: Tony reported that there had been 2 quickplays with numbers slightly down on previous years, the first won by James Heppell and the second by Ant Brough who also wins the Pollard Trophy. Geoff had organised both the Club Championship and Pomeroy Cup which had been well supported. Tony Soames and John Astley were the respective winners. A rapidplay competition added at the end of the season is nearly complete..

Presentation Of Trophies: This had to be deferred as the trophies were in for engraving.. The secretary reported that the most improved player trophy was missing and undertook to investigate further.

Club Venue: Zoe and Ernie are leaving The Queens in mid November and it isn’t known whether the room will still be available and at what cost if so. Members are asked to keep an eye out for any venues just in case….

Number of Teams for 2022 and Election Of Captains: In addition to the North Staffs team it was agreed to run a couple of teams in the Stockport League. John-Paul Taylor and Jack Staniland (with help ) were elected as captains. Phil Cattermole was re-elected captain of the North Staffs League team.

Election Of Officers: Ant Brough, Geoff Laurence, and Roy Gray were re-elected as Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer and Membership Secretary respectively. Denzil Lobo will organise the rapidplays for the Pollard Trophy and Geoff Laurence will organise the Club Championship and Pomeroy Cup competitions.

Subscriptions for 2022: It was felt a subscription should be charged in 2022-23, but until the venue uncertainty is resolved, the amount was left unfixed.

As there was no other business, the meeting closed at 8:10pm.