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CORNWALL CHESS ASSOCIATION

Minutes of the Inaugural Public Meeting held on Thursday 14th April 1902 at the Public Rooms , Truro
Preamble
About a dozen chess-players in the neighbourhood of Helston, Penryn, Ruan, Penzance and Falmouth having requested Mr P. J. Dancer of Mullion to make an attempt to start a Cornwall County Chess Association, wrote a number of letters to the Press, showing the great advantages of such an association. In response to these letters he received encouraging support from all parts of England, so, on the 14th April 1902, a Public Meeting was held at the Public Rooms, Truro, when there were present:
Dr Hardwick of Newquay; Rev. W. G. Kerr M.A. (Truro); Mr. S. Williams (Penzance); Mr. F. Marsh (Ruan); Dr. Clark (Truro); Mr. P. J. Dancer (Mullion); Dr. Carlyon (Truro); Mr. F. R. Pascoe B.A. (Truro); Mr F. Henwood (Penryn); Mr. Foot (Truro); Mr. C. Butlin (Camborne); Mr. A. W. Newton (Truro); Mr. C. R. Trethewy (Truro); Mr. E. J. Lodge (Truro); Mr. W. E. Grenfell (Truro); and Mr. N. Prettejohn (Truro)
Chairman and Apologies for Absence
The Rev. W. G. Kerr M.A. was voted to the chair. He then called upon the acting honorary secretary (Mr. P. J. Dancer) to read letters from people who were in favour of the formation of such an Association, but who were prevented from attending the meeting.
Mr Dancer then read letters from Mr. C. Hoadley M.R.C.V.S. (Helston); Mr. Bulteel (Charlestown); Mr Arthur Strauss Ex-M.P. for Camborne; Mr. C. Dowswell (Wadebridge); Mr. Chegwidden (Redruth); Mr. A. Hayward (St. Mawes); Rev. H. Bremridge (County Sec. Devon Chess Association); Dr. Banks (Falmouth); Mr. C. Masson Fox (Falmouth); Rev. C. B. Simpson (Bodmin); Lord St Levan (Marazion); Mr. W. Winn (Helston); Miss Stokes (Bodmin); Prebendary Hedgeland (Penzance); Mr. T. R. Bolitho (Penzance); Mr. A. Mayne (Constantine); Mr. R. Davy (Penzance); Mr. Tresidder (Falmouth) and the Rev. D. E. Young (Truro)
Objects
Mr. Butlin asked the objects of the Association and Dr. Carlyon enquired as to the headquarters.
Mr. Dancer stated that no doubt the value of such an association would be made more manifest as time went on. But at present the main objects included
  1. arranging for county matches
  2. town tournaments
  3. chess lectures
  4. chess classes
  5. supplying information on games & books
  6. encouraging chess clubs on tour to visit Cornwall
  7. testing strength of players, and
  8. to encourage care, thought and perception in young people
Mr. E. J. Lodge thought the formation of an Association would improve the locus standi of chess, and would encourage the formation of chess clubs in schools and suggested chess columns in the local newspapers.
Motions
Mr. P. J. Dancer then proposed
  • 1) "That this meeting constitutes itself the nucleus of the Cornwall County Chess Association."
This was seconded by Mr. Butlin and carried unanimously.
Dr. Hardwick and Mr. Lodge then discussed the question as to the Head-quarters of the Association, and whether a room was necessary for this purpose. Mr Dancer stated that some counties did not have a central room. The general opinion was that a central room was unnecessary.
Mr. Butlin proposed and Dr. Carlyon seconded
  • 2) "That the Rules of the Kent Association be adopted"
Carried unanimously.
Proposed by Dr. Carlyon and seconded by Mr. Pascoe
  • 3) "That Lord St. Levan be approached with a view to becoming President"
Mr. Butlin proposed and Mr. Lodge seconded
  • 4)"That Mr. Arthur Strauss be President"
There voted for Lord St. Levan 8, and for Mr. Strauss 3. Lord St. Levan was therefore elected.
The following Vice-Presidents were also elected
  1. Sir E. Durning Laurence M.P.
  2. Mr. A Strauss Ex-M.P.
Proposed by Mr. Lodge and seconded by Mr. Newton:-
  • 5) "That Mr. Philip J. Dancer be the General Honorary Secretary of the Cornwall County Chess Association"
Carried unanimously.
Mr. Dancer thanked the Meeting for its kind appreciation of his services and stated that, as he had been also unanimously elected General Hon. Secretary for the County of Hampshire in the year 1890, his election was unique in the history of County Chess Associations. He would try his utmost to give satisfaction (applause)
Mr S. Williams suggested that the Secretaries of the various clubs be asked to send names of Vice-Presidents.
Dr. Carlyon proposed and Mr. Prettejohn seconded
  • 6) "That the Secretary apply to the Secretaries of the clubs to elect two members from their own membership to become Members of the Coucil of the Association."
Mr. Dancer suggested that Members of the Council be elected from this Meeting.
Mr. Lodge proposed and Mr. Dancer seconded
  • 7) "That five members be elected from this Meeting."
The folowing gentlemen were elected: Dr. Hardwick, Mr. W. E. Grenfell, Mr. S. Y. Williams, Mr. Butlin, and Dr. Carlyon.
Any other Business
Dr. Hardwick proposed and Dr. Carlyon seconded that a vote of thanks be given to the Chairman. Carried unanimously.
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