This season is the fortieth anniversary of the founding of the Norton Radstock Chess Club. The 25th anniversary was celebrated by a triangular match between the club, Frome and Trowbridge – with Frome being the winners.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary, we are holding a simultaneous display in which Matthew Turner, a chess Grand Master from Millfield School, will be taking on some thirty local players, including members of Bath, Frome and Trowbridge Chess Clubs. The display is on Saturday afternoon, 6th October, at Norton Hill School, who have kindly provided the facilities for the display.
Apart from this event, the season has just started with the first league matches in October. We play in two Somerset Leagues, one for teams of six and one for teams of four. Last season we struggled due to the absence of a number of players. This year we hope for better results.
Results of the internal club competitions were as follows: Club Championships – Joint winners: Joe Clapp and Stephen Cook, Qualifying Rounds: Peter Carrick, Quick Play Tournament: Gary Woods, Most Improved Player: Paul James.
At the club's recent AGM, the following officials were elected. Chairman: Vivien Horn, Secretary: Peter Carrick (until November), then Peter Horne, Treasurer: Stephen Cook, Captain Div. Two: Peter Horne, Captain Div. Three: Joe Clapp, Tournament Secretary: Stephen Cook, Social Secretary: Catherine Cooper.
The club meets on Thursday evenings at 7.30 p.m. from September until April at St Peter's Church Hall, Westfield. Anyone interested in playing chess, of whatever standard, would be most welcome at any of our meetings or alternatively, contact Peter Carrick on: 01225 833851 or Vivien Horn on: 01761 412205.
Finally, we must thank Peter Carrick. After a number of years as Secretary, he has decided it is time to stand down. Also, thanks to Ivor Grist, who has run the second team tournaments recently. Unfortunately, he has moved to Exmouth.
Stephen Cook