The purpose of this
page is to remember those Club members who have devoted much of
their time and effort to promote and serve Chesterfield Chess Club.
It is therefore appropriate that their valuable contribution to
the Club's history should be recognised, documented and published
for others to read.
Mr E.L.Paintin (1940)
The sixteen season
1939-40, at the fifteenth Annual General Meeting with Mr
J.H.Stockton Esq in the chair.
It was decided to send a letter of sympathy to Mr Paintin
Junior. Over the the death of his father Mr E.L.Paintin, who had
been a staunch member and a regular supporter of the Chesterfield
Chess Club.
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Mr
L.SENIOR (1925-1953)
Joined the Chess Club in the year 1925, and became the Auditor in
the year 1929. In the year 1930, he took up office of Treasurer and
served the Chess Club in that capacity. Until ill health caused him
to retire in the year of 1950. An instance of his devotion to our
Chess Club was that even in his last year of office when he was far
from well, he was the only member who never missed a Committee
Meeting.
We gratefully acknowledge the gift to our Chess Club of a fine
Ivory Chess set from his widow Mrs A.Senior.
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Mr F.Knowles Evans (1930's-1953)
Mr Evans, who was an
Old Boy of the Chesterfield School, joined Chesterfield Chess Club
in the 1930's and as a prominent organiser up to the second world
war. Since the war he lived in Sheffield and was well known to our
team player since he took up keen interest in the activities of the
old chess club in Sheffield Association matches.
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Mr A.E.Raynes (1924-1956)
We are sorry to have
recorded the death of Mr A.E.Raynes who has departed last December
at the early age of fifty.
Better known to some Eric Raynes, he was the brother of of our
Vice-President Mr Frank Raynes And related also to our other
Vice-President Mr J.H.Stockton.
He was one of the founder member of our Chess Club, became the
first Chesterfield Chess Champion in the history of the Chess Club
and Champion for many years. He was a fine player and a good fellow
of our Chess Club.
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Mr T.Berry (1956)
Tom Berry was
Vice-President of Sheffield Chess Association and secretary of
Talbot Chess Club, regret to say on the 04-04-1956, he passed away.
Mr Berry was very kind to our Team on many of it's regular
excursions to Sheffield, placing his premises at our disposal for
our 'home' fixtures, with all amenities and playing facilities. We
shall miss him greatly, as a host and as a man.
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Dr L.K.Ingram (1945-1956)
Regret to have to tell
you of the death of one of our popular ex-members Dr L.K.Ingram,
toward the end of the last year.
He joined us at the end of the war and he was with us for about
three years before leaving the district and later going to Brazil.
In the comparatively short time that he was with us, gave the
Chess Club a fresh impetus after the suspended activities of the war
years we owe much of our success to him in the later years to the
lead he gave us.
We regret the passing of Kenneth Ingram and our sympathy goes to
his family in their great loss.
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Mr Frank Raynes (1957)
Last year in 1956 we wrote of the death of Mr Eric Raynes and it is with sorrow that we now record the death of his brother
Mr Frank Raynes.
Frank will be missed by all of us who knew him, he was one of
the founder-members and ex-secretary a stalwart in the Chess club
indeed.
A wreath was sent on the behalf of the Chess Club.
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Mr
J.Bunting (1925-1958)
It is with great sorrow
that we have to record the death on the 11-04-1958 of Joe Bunting.
He was the Vice-President of the Chess Club since the last war
and he had served as an organiser in many capacities for a great
number of years before the war. He was one of the original founder
member of the Chess Club and our earliest record of him playing in a
team match for Chesterfield Chess club was played on top board
against Sheffield Y.M.C.A. in 1925. He had played almost
continuously ever since, his very last game for the Chesterfield
Chess Club was noted to produce a fine win in the 1958 semi-final of
the the Richardson Cup Knockout Trophy competition. Mr Bunting was
always regarded as one of the best players in the Chess Club and was
Chess Club Champion four times in the years of 1925/1952/1954/1957.
Joe was one of the most popular members of the Chess Club. His
pleasant sense of humour and his readiness to help those less gifted
or experienced than himself, endeared him to all.
A tribute was received from Mr Howard Lauton, the famous
Sheffield problem composer, in which he says "He (Mr Bunting) was a
perfect composer of the best. Some of his work in the 'Bristol
Times' was without equal for beauty and difficulty. The double
plachutta in the book 'To alian White' was the best specimen of them
that I know of and took me hours to solve".
We acknowledge the kind gift of Mr Bunting's books on the game
of chess to the club from his sister Mrs Dronfield and his daughter
Cynthia.
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Mr G.Willis (1935-1962)
It is with great regret
that we have to record the passing of Mr. G.Willis of Dore, one of
our Life-members, a long standing member since the middle 1930's.
He has not taken an active part for many years, it is his kindness
good humour and his generosity to the Club that will always be
remembered for by those of us who where associated with him in the
early days of the Chess Club.
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Mr J.H.Stockton (1925-1964)
It is with sorrow that
we have to record the passing of our founder member Mr Henry
Stockton, last November.
He was one of the stalwarts of the Chess Club, he played a large
role in establishing it way back in 1925 and taking on active part
in all it's activities ever since.
It was mainly due to his efforts that the Chess Club got going
again after the second world war period, when he was the Chess Club
Secretary.
He was also a reliable match player and never gave up, in fact
he pulled many lost games out of the fire. We all owe him a great
debt and so will those who came after us in our Chess Club.
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Mr O. Gelblub (1946-1971)
It is with deep regret
we have to record the death of our Mr O.Gelblub whose lively
personality and passion for the game of chess will be much missed.
Joined the the Chess Club when it re-started after the second
world war and gave his active support in many ways behind the
scenes.
We send our deepest sympathy to his family.
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Mr O.Heald (1971)
It was with sorrow that
we learnt of the death of Mr.O.Heald, one of our Life-members. He
retired some years ago for health reasons, but he always taken a
keen interest in our progress of the Chess Club.
He was a Committee Chairman for number of years and his wise and
tactful counsel was very much appreciated.
Our sympathy has been expressed to his family.
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Mr Mearns and Mr Bayfield
(1971)
It is understood that
two others of our Life-members. Mr Mearns and Mr Bayfield, died some
years ago. They were both advanced in age, had retired from the
Chess Club and left the district many years ago, so putting us out
of touch. Some of the older members will remember them in their
active way.
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Colonel V.O.Robinson
(1924-1972)
It is with much sadness
that we have to report the death last October of our President
Colonel V.Robinson, only a few weeks after he had attended our
A.G.M. and presented the trophies to the various winners. Victor
Robinson started the Chess Club on it's way when he took the chair
at a meeting on a Monday the 22-09-1924, at the time when Aldery
Wakerley was the Mayor of Chesterfield and became the first
President of our Chess Club. Along with V.O.Robinson as the
Vice-President.
When the Chess Club re-started after the 1939-45 war, Colonel
Victor Robinson became President and held office by the unanimous
approval until now.
He was always interested in the furtherance of Chess both in
Chesterfield and in thE Derbyshire County. He started the Chess Club
off by presenting the 'Robinson Trophy' to the Club for the
Championship-Tournament and later he presented the 'League-Senior's
Trophy' to the Schools. He also presented the 'Trophy Board' to the
Derbyshire-Chess-Association for the County Championship.
All the older members of our Chess Club will allways remember
him with gratitude for the continuing concern for the Chess Club's
welfare that he showed over the years.
A donation was made to the Army-Welfare-Fund in his memory and
his name will have an honoured place in the records of our Chess
Club.
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Mr A.J.Rodgers (1972)
He was one of the
stalwarts of the Chess Club, a Life-Member, Chairman of the
Committee and a regular team player some years ago.
THis occurred tragically last December when he was knocked down
by a passing car and later died in hospital.
He will be missed for his cheerful presence and his sound advice
on Club matters.
Our condolences been expressed to his family.
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Mr Sheldon (1949-1975)
Since the issue of our
last bulletin we are sorry to report the death of Mr W.P.Sheldon
following a serious heart operation.
Mr Sheldon, who lived at Baslow, joined the Chess Club during
the 1949/50 season and was elected to the committee the following
season and served the Chess Club in this capacity until last
seasion. He has been mentioned in our last bulletin as the winner of
the Go-As-You-Please Tournament. To the older members will always
remember Billy Sheldon for his cheerful and even tempered manner,
his willingness to help in many ways behind the sceenes.
We offer our sincier condolences to his family in their loss.
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Dr B.Skibinski (1976)
Another loss to the
Chess Club was recent death of Doctor B.Skibinski, who was a member
of the Chess Club for some years. It was Bron Skibinski who
presented the School trophy for the First-Year players at the time
when his son David was also a member of the Chess Club and a strong
player too!. Bron Ski' was a kindly humane man, and was widely
appreciated by those who knew him personally and many others too.
Our sypathy goes to his wife and son in their great loss.
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Mr N.C.Lewis (1949-1976)
It is with great sorrow
we have to report the death of our Vice-President Mr N.C.Lewis at
the end of the season.
Cecil Lewis joined the Chess Club in 1949 took over the part of
Treasurer which he held for twenty-three years. He played in the
first team on many occasions with considerable success and he has
played for the Reserve Team regulary until of recently again with
success.
He had been an outstanding member in the Chess Club both in his
ability as a player and as a worker for the Chess Club
administration.
Note by the President
R.J.Hooton.
"I feel a great loss in the death of Mr N.C.Lewis, admired him
for his personal rectitude and the clarity of his mind in his deep
feeling for his fellow men. He and I were kindred spirits in many
ways and I miss him very much. For his love of chess was apparent in
his fostering of it during his years of teaching at the Netherthorpe
Grammar School. He has encouraged many young players, the name
Tallow comes to mind, particularly Philip, and Stephen and also
Douglas Saunderson the secretary for many years, and many times
Chess Club Champion. I think he would have liked this to be a
memorial to him. Many of us at the Chess club will miss him deeply".
The Chess Club has also benefited from his generosity in many
ways behind the scenes and it can ill afford the loss of such man!.
Our sincere condolences go to his family in their loss.
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Mr R.J.Kearsley (1946-1981)
With great regrets that
we have to report the death of one of our life members, Mr
R.J.Kearsley, during the April month.
Mr Kearsley was a retired official of the N.C.B. and had not
played chess for many years, he did show strong interest in the
doings of his old Chess Club. We received many donations from him in
the years past. He first joined the Chess Club in the year 1946/47
season, when it was re-started after the second world war. He played
for the First-Team in the Sheffield-Davy-League for several years
and was a very useful player on the upper boards.
Note by the President
R.J.Hooton.
"I shall always remember Ron Kearsley with affection, he was a
good club member and a popular one too! For on number of occasions
when I was playing in the chess club and was failing to bring off a
'masterpiece' I would hear a voice from behind me saying, "This ends
our dream of greatness" and by turning round would see Ron Kearnsley
smiling at me.
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Mr J.T.Salt (1934-1982)
It is with great sorrow
that we have to report the death of J.T.Salt.
John, died on the 07-11-1982, apart from our President he was
longest serving member of the Chess Club. He first joined in the
1934/35 season, as one of our younger players.
He was a keen enthusiastic studier of the game and from the very
first he took an active part in the affairs of the Chess Club. taken
its welfare very much to heart over his long membership.
He was always a regular tournament player in the chess events
and was a keen match player, turning out many times for the First
-Team in his earlier days, and for the Second-Team as latterly.
When the British chess Federation held their congress in 1950/51
at Buxton both he and Douglas Saunderson took part in the organised
tournament there. He and Douglas also attended many other of the
B.C.F.Congresses.
In 1958 John was made a Vice-President in recognition of his
long devoted services to the Chess Club and not just being on the
committee but in many ways.
Note by the President
R.J.Hooton.
I shall miss John Salt very personally, I had been associated
with him for half a century!. In my various capacities as a
Team-Captain, a Committee Chairman and latterly as President. I
could rely on John for his most help and encouragement".
He will be greatly missed as a person and for his long
association with our Chess Club activities.
We send our condolences to his widow, Mrs Isobella Salt along
with his record of the Chess Club's most active and faithful
servants.
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Mr L.Calvert (1950-1983)
With great sorrow and
regret that we have to report the death of Leslie Calvert who died
in February 1983, at the age of 80.
Leslie originally played for the Mansfield Chess Club and for
the Nottinghamshire County Team. Later decided to join our Chess
Club in the 1950/51 season and there after played for us in the
Sheffield and Derbyshire Leagues and for Derbyshire County teams.
It was in that same year that he entered the Derbyshire
Individual Championship and won it to become the Derbyshire Chess
Champion.
In the year 1953 he became our Chess Club Champion and the
following season he played for the very successful First-Team that
won the 'triple' playing on board one to finish the season on a high
percentage score. He continued to play for the First-Team before
retiring in 1958, and stopped playing in the Club Championship in
the year 1968.
Note by the President
R.J.Hooton.
"I first met Leslie when I was picked to play against him in the
County Match between Derbyshire -v- Nottinghamshire on the
03-12-1949. I remember I offered a draw which was not taken
subsequently he made a slight oversight which enabled me to win.
Remember him best though as a team player when i was the First Team
Captain, he was a tower of strength to the team, always calm and
collected, always unruffled, a veritable Rock of Gibraltar!.
I saw him a few years ago on the occasion of a Club -v- Schools
simultaneous display at Hasland School. He told me that he had come
along with a friend of his to watch because as he said "I might see
my friend Joe there"! which he did and i was glad to see him too!.
I shall miss Leslie Calvert very personally".
Leslie was a native from Pilsley and had been married for 57
years at his death, leaving a widow, two step-sons, ten
grand-children and thirteen great-grand-children. He was a life-long
Methodist and an active worker in the church.
We send our condolences to Mrs Mould Calvert and to the members
of the family along with the record of his Chess Life perioud with
the Chesterfield Chess Club.
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Mr A.K.Hobson (1956-1984)
Sadly we have to report
the death of Alwyn K.Hobson, during March this year.
Although not yet fifty years of age he had been retired from the
Chess Club since the year 1981, for personal reasons. He had been
ill health latterly and leaves a wife and family whom we send our
deepest sympathy in their sad loss.
Alwyn joined the Chess Club in 1956 and was our keenest and most
enthusiastic members.
He played in the Club Championship Tournament up to 1975/76
season and become Club Champion in 1972, He was the joint winner of
the Lightning-Tournament in 1976.
Alwyn was also a regular player for the First-Team and be
counted on to give his best always.
Our longer serving members will remember him with affection for
his pleasant manner. Such members are a credit to the Chess Club and
are sorely missed.
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Mr R.J.Hooton (1931-1994)
It is with wery great
sorrow that we have to record the death on 5th of March 1994 of our
President, Richard Joseph "Joe" Hooton.
He was the third President of this club, having first taken
office in 1993 after the death of the previous President, Colonel
Victor O.Robinson.
Joe's scorebooks list over 1000 games. He first played for the
club on 19th of February 1931 and his last game was on 18th of
January 1993 when he drew with his favoured "Stonewall" after 26
moves. After the end of his last game was written the words "I was
unable to complete further owing to the onset of illness".
Joe won the Club Championship in season 1954/55 and had several
near misses at this title. His earliest known grading, when he was
over 60 years, was in 1968 and was then 168!
He was first team captain from 1948 to 1973. Legend has it that
the only time he missed a match was the day he got married for the
second time. Even then he asked permission from the other team
players!
He kept voluminous records and had his own kind of grading
system by which he decided mathematically the board order of his
team and was able to check on that of his opponents. On the way to
matches he would breif his players with details of their likely
opponents opening repertoire playing characteristics.
His other offices in the club were - Junior Chess Officer and
Bulletin Editor, which he did for many of years. He also helped in
many ways.
Around 1950 there were problems in the club due to a lack of
direction, and the club was about to loose it's Club Room. Joe
gathered a few members together and formed a working committee to
save the situation. In due course the club was re-organised in a new
venue. It was a very narrow squeak.
Few weeks later Joe was quick to point out that the attendance
had reached double figures for the first time since the move.
Without Joe Hooton we could have lost the club.
Apart from the vigour which he put in to his Chesterfield Chess
activities, Joe was President of the Derbyshire Chess Association
and Captain of the County Team from 1952. During his involvement
with the County Association he solved the problem of lack of people
to take responsibility by accepting temporarily the posts of
Secretary and Treasurer whilst still President and probably Team
Captain. For one whole season he appeared to run Derbyshire Chess
single handed.
Note by Doug Saunderson.
The most cherished memory I have of him is seeing him organise a
match or other club activity with enormous energy and unbound
enthusiasm. He would offer warm praise for those who won for his
team and a jovial suggestion of a "dose of boiling Epson Salts" for
those who lost.
He was fantastically good for the Club and he was fabulously
good for his friends as well!!!.
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Mr W.A.Clarke (1974-2000)
We are very sad to
record the passing of Arthur in December 2000 at the age of 93. Mr
Clarke had been a member of the club for over 25 years and much
respected for his mature demeanour. He peaked in his chess
activities when he was joint winner with Mr F.Watson in the 1989
All-Play-All Tournament. He continued playing competitive chess and
attending "Keep Fit" classes until weeks before his death. He is
much missed.
The club sent a letter of sympathy to his family and several
members attended his funeral.
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Mr W.Ramsden O.B.E. (1991-2002)
To most of our club
members Mr W.Ramsden was known as 'Bill', he was our Club Secretary
for the last few years, and he also served as Secretary and
Treasurer of the Derbyshire Chess Association. He was highly
organised and will prove very difficult if not impossible to replace
fully. He was competitive at both chess and bridge and also had a
tremendous sense of fair play. Besides being a fine club player he
also entered many individual tournaments with a good deal of
success. He won the All-Play-All Tournament when he first joined our
Chess Club and he became Derbyshire League Captain for almost a
decade.
He was a Chesterfield person and was educated at Chesterfield
Grammar School from where he went as a war time student to take an
accelerated degree in engineering at Imperial College London. He
became a senior executive in the engineering industry and was given
an O.B.E. for his services to his profession.
His final illness was slow and painful but he took great care to
tidy up all his papers especially those to do with our club. They
were all dispatched to the President neatly arranged the week before
he died.
His passing is a sad loss to his family and to our club. We
remember him with affection and appreciation of all his hard work to
keep us playing chess.
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Mr G.Yarwood (1960-2002)
It was with great
sorrow that we have to record the death on 11th December 2002 one of
our 'Life Members', Mr Graham Yarwood.
He was the Executive Vice President 0f this club, from 1981 till
1994;
First Team Captain from 1977 till 1981; and a Club Champion in
1986/87 season.
Graham, one of the 'old boys' played chess at Club level from
the 1960's to the 1990's, spanning 40 years. He continued to be an
active member following his retirement from his of Headmaster of
Cresswell school. He was a staunch supporter of School Chess, County
chess and Chesterfield Chess Club.
During the time when our late President, Joe Hooton suffered
from severe illness. Graham virtually kept the club going. He was
noted for his hard work and the effort he put into our Chess Club
and we owe him a lot.
In the 1994 Bulletin, it was reported that Graham was seriously
ill with Parkinson's Disease. Shortly after this, due to visual
impairment, Graham retired from the Club and granted a Life
membership.
He will be remembered with affection and gratitude.
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Mr M.Callis (1989-2003)
It is with great
sadness that we have to record the death of Mike Callis, who passed
away on the 9th of June 2003. He left his wife, Mrs M.Callis and son
and daughter.
Mike first started playing chess when he moved from Blackpool to
Chesterfield 24 years ago. He became a social member in our Chess
Club and he progressed to play in the Qualifying Tournament in 1989.
In the year 2001, Mike also played in the 'All Play All' Tournament
and several of our Lightning Tournament. A keen chess player, he
participated in weekend Chess Tournaments and he was a member more
than one Chess Club.
Apart from chess, his interests were in Horticulture and
Agriculture.
Mike had been on an accountancy course and he had his own
business office in Chesterfield town centre.
His presence and support to the Chess Club will be sorely
missed.
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Mr
D.Saunderson (2008)
It is with great
sadness that we have to record the death of Mr Douglas Saunderson
who died in the spring of 2008 in the Royal Hospital at the age of
88.
Born in Chesterfield, he lived in the area all his life. During
his working life, "Doug" was employed as a cost accountant at
Stavely Works. He was a founder member and first President of
Chesterfield Astronomical Society. He was a Batchelor.
Doug, Joined our chess club after the second world war as a
junior, he became 13 times Chesterfield Chess Champion and several
times Derbyshire Chess Champion, a County player, and very strong
'A' Team club player. He became Vice-President 1976/7, the following
year he retired from the Chess Club and was elected a Life-Member.
His last recorded games were in 1996 for the 'A' Team when he came
out of retirement at the age of 76.
He presented the 'Saunderson Trophy' to the chess club and he
will be always be remembered for his outstanding performance which
is yet to equalled.
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