The Hertford Club
The County Town of Hertford
Click Here to 'Discover Hertford'.
... some images of Hertford ... click to enlarge ...
(Photos courtesy Katie Noble)
Club History
This is the nth metamorphosis of Hertford Chess Club. (a bit like Dr Who really!). Originally founded earlier this century the club has always played an important role in the beautiful county town of Hertford.
Fred Portch, - our President recalls the club's recent history:
Fred joined HCC in 1970 and at that time the club was being run by Brian Inges and John Dodds and lived at the Salisbury club. (Must be genetic - we just love venues with good bars!)
We had a first and second team and competed with local clubs - having at that time a membership of about 20.
Fred played for the second team from 1970 to the mid 80s - through several changes of venue and playing staff!
The moves started in 1971 when the club had to vacate the Salisbury. (what unpaid bar bills??)
Most of the membership were lost overboard during the move and emergency facilities were found at Richard Hale School.
The club were runners up in the newly formed Hertford District League U125 two years running.
Nobody got on that well with having to wear a uniform and short trousers for matches - and the club managed to move to the Shire Hall in the town centre.
By the mid 70's John Foster and our very own John Dalton and Gordon Davies joined the club. Fred captained a 'boys team' at that time.
Brain Inges then left the area and John Dodds gave up chess.
In the 80's, the 2nd team won the league's 3rd Division - the team you may be surprised to know was: Pascal, Portch, Bite, Chandler and Foster.
Fred and John Foster ran the club from that time until the mid 1980's - and the club then moved to the Army Centre in St Andrews St. where Andrew Harley, Tony Pascal and our own Steve Bailes ran the club for two years before the club finally clodsed at the end of the 80's.
In 1993, John Foster wrote to the local MP - Bowen Wells about a new venue for the club - and Bowen suggested the Hertford Club.
Fred Portch, John Foster together with administrators from Allen and Hanburys reformed the club - and here we still are today going from strength to strength!
Officers
Current Chess Club Officers:
HCC Club Officers
| President: |
Fred Portch |
| Secretary: |
Steve Zsibrita |
| Treasurer: |
Barry Cheal |
| Captain - 1st Team: |
Steve Swanson |
| Captain - 2nd Team: |
Barry Cheal |
| Captain - 3rd Team: |
Simon Morris |
| Captain - 4th Team: |
Duncan Marshall |
| Captain - 5th Team: |
Des Luscher |
| Captain - Herts & District Team: |
Derek Luke |
| Captain - Russell Team: |
Phil Borman |
| Captain - Sharp Team: |
Andrew Du Boulay |
| Captain - U125 Team: |
Bruce Toper |
| Captain - U100 Team: |
Corinne Mountford |
| WebSite Editor: |
Lawson Noble |
Where to find us
Hertford Chess Club meets every Tuesday evening at 7:30pm in:
The Chauncey Room
The Hertford Club
Bull Plain
Hertford
Herts.
SG14 1BZ
For a full map and directions - visit the "Contact the Club" page.
Club Policy
The club encourages members from all ages and abilities. There is a thriving junior section which meets on set dates in a separate room (not that our juniors are EVER noisy!)
We have novices just learning the game, the usual "haven't played for 20 years" brigade (marriage, children - ah well!) and of course the graded gurus who are very willing to coach the less experienced.
Just come along for a few weeks to see for yourself. Only then need you decide to join and part with the very reasonable annual membership fee!
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