Minutes of 2024 AGM

Att: Martin H (chair), Hubert, Steve Bracey, Kevin F, Amar, Martin P, Peter, George P, Dave A, David M, Brian, George G, Richard, Stefan, Dave L (minutes).

Apol: Andy, Tim, Ben, John, Kevin G (holidays); Steve Burke (car repairs) Mike (ill health).

Minutes 2023 were accepted. No matters arising.

Treasurer's report: George regretted that, owing to his own and Mrs Peters' ill health, plus temporary loss of driving licence arising from that, he hadn't been able to be around much. The finances, which he is handing on to Steve Bracey, remain sound at over £500 in credit, and we thanked George for his many years of service and wished him and Mrs Peters all the best for the future.

Captains' reports:

Sheffield League

A team: Joint first on match points with SASCA and Nomads, SASCA winning on results between the teams. Standouts Martin P +5=4-0 TPR 2256! Peter 8.5/13 on board 1, Joe 8.5/12

Summer League: Won by one match point: Martin P 4/5, Dave L 2.5/3, Joe 5/7.

Richardson Cup: eliminated on board count in second round 3-3 v SASCA

B Team: Runners up in div 3, 15 players, won 9 lost 3.  Tim 8, Dave A 8,5/12, Joe probably the MVP with +5=4-1 on board 1. Promoted to division 2!

C team: Came an honourable 4th and will take promotion on the off chance it's offered:  Ben 6/7, Stefan 6.5/8, Amar 7/9. Highlights were a win at SASCA, 5-1 v Nomads and two 5-0 scores.

Derbyshire League

A team: Won the league thanks to Derby drawing the last two v Breadsall.  Martin H 9.5/12, Dave L 8/12, Martin P 8.5/13. Only 4 of our 56 games were lost. A brave show by a lower graded team saw us go out 1.5-2.5 in the cup semi .

B team: George G congratulated his team on a "fantastic season" which culminated in promotion. Standout: Kevin G 3.5/4, all with Black.

Next Season: We will run three teams in Sheffield, two in the Richardson Cup; two teams in Derbyshire.

Election of officers and captains: all as before, except for Steve Bracey taking over as Treasurer.

Our thanks to George included recognition that he has now been a member for 50 years, a record equalling Victor Robinson (1924 to 74) and surpassed only by the 60 years of Joe Hooton, George's next target.

Schools Tournament: Martin H, George G and Brian reported that this event, played on 19 04 24, had been a great success and we, and the schools, hoped to repeat it. When that happens, Richard and John stand ready to help too. Netherthorpe won ahead of Outward Academy, Brookfield and St Mary's. 3 rounds over 6 boards, the star result being 3/3 for our own Kevin Guo.
We have a trophy (the 1950-85 Schools Trophy) to present.

Club Trophies: Several of these were shown at the meeting, Martin H having received them from the family of our late and much missed President Mike Johnson. We decided to go with Peter's suggestion that the club championship trophy go to the player who furthest exceeded their grading in the season.

Rapid Play Tournament: Fixed for 26 09 24, when we hope to see our President Andy Mort. Landlady has agreed we can play this downstairs.

Annual Subscription: The Annual Subscription will stay at £10, free for juniors.

At this point George Gledhill thanked the club for having been welcoming, and said he'd recognise this by paying next year's subscription for everybody. Our deepest appreciation and gratitude to George for this generosity.