Perhaps I was too indirect. I was really looking for a contact for Mr. Earle's family. No need to give me an address. I can post it to your club secretary if he has an address.

JFL.

Dear Mr Lambert,

It is always good to speak to old Upminster members and I trust that you are well. Unfortunately the only person I have heard of on your list is Steve Abbott who is currently still a member and the 2nd Team Captain. I have been a member now for about 12 years and do not remember any of the others. I will however ask about for you and in fact as you know Steve you can try his email yourself on steveabbott49@googlemail.com as this is his advertised email for chess I am sure he would not mind you contacting him directly.

If I can be of any further help please let me know.

Thanks


David Brock

Stan it is nice to hear from you I did not realise that anyone so far a field would be interested in our Website. It is good to see that you had fond memories of Upminster although I am not sure that you would know anyone still associated with the club. It is a shame you are so far away as I am sure a few of us would love to share some of your memories of the club and the players at the time. Our own records are a bit short from that period so anything else you can remember would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you David for taking the trouble to respond to my e mail. It was a shot in the dark for me to send it, I have fold memories of the Village as was in my day. My father moved there in 1934, I was 3 years young and left to get married in 1955, so over 20 years I had seen many changes. I hope you don't mind me digressing at this point, but age does this sort of thing to the ancient.

My initiation for joining the club, on the first night was a disaster for me. I was nervous and not knowing anyone, made it worse. I was asked to play this elderly gentleman Percy.....I cannot give you his full name, I am sorry about this. He intrigued me very much, because I had been coached by another elderly friend when I was 6 years old. He had impressed upon me that I should study the face of my opponent, looking for signs of excitement thereby indicating that mate was not far off. So on this night I sat down with that thought in my mind, sweaty palms, stomach churning, asking myself all the time, "What was doing there in the first place." I felt so sick I wanted to go home.
But we set too and the safe opening from me being Sicilian defence. I played this because I didn't know anything else that night. But I managed to get a half hold on the centre squares. Which pleased me as I was Black.
Now I started to study his face. I was in for a shock. He had been sitting with his hand in front of his face so shielding his eyes. He now took his hand away and looked at me. Poor Percy had a wandering eye !!!! which kept on watering.
So here I am trying my best to conquer my nerves, study his face, wanting to go home. Then this eye problem faced me. I still tried to play the mental game, but this eye, Oh dear! He would be looking at the board naturally, then this eye would go off in another direction, my concentration was disturbed and several times I nearly forgot to, punch the clock because of......
The outcome was that I did manage to beat him and so I was welcomed as a full member, I think it was possibly graded as a junior, of this I am not sure. I played Percy many times only in a more social atmosphere. In those days one had to contend with smokers of pipes, cigars, cigarettes. To say nothing of the player who would make his move punch the clock then go away for what seemed ages. I was a very fast player and so sat there waiting impatiently for him to come back. During this no action period I had mentally mated him, and so waited and waited.
I like to tell myself that it was fun, however as I replayed the evening events through instead of sleeping peacefully in bed, I promised myself that I would not take the game so seriously.
My promise failed and I was burnt out mentally over a vigorous competitive playing life of about 5 years, which included playing in the Army in Gibraltar where I was posted.
This was my introduction to the blind game, I was good at remembering openings which covered the intiial 8 moves but from then on.....don't ask.
I have been trying to play my computer, this is frightening because while I am sitting back after having made my move, the comp has moved and my clock is ticking away again. I cannot see it's move.
This is at the easiest grade. Chess problems are for me, I can move at my own pace.
If I have any more memories I will pass them on.
Thank you.
Stan Walker

Thanks it has now been changed