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| The good Doctor (left), receiving the Ron Evers trophy. |
Dr Alex A Johnstone
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| The good Doctor (left), receiving the Ron Evers trophy. |
In the club members
descriptions, the web master has described me as Mr Peterlee. Whilst
this is not a bad description of myself, as I have been a member since Adam
was a lad or so it seems, but I think the real Mr Peterlee was Dr Alex
Johnstone.
Back in 1973 when I first joined Peterlee Chess Club, I was given a very warm welcome by Alex Johnstone. He then went on to introduce me to the rest of the club members as 'the wee McGregor', he towered over me by all of ¼ of an inch. I liked the man instantly.
In chess, as in any other sport, there is a very wide range of characters, ranging from the well mannered decent men at one end of the scale, to the obnoxious gobshites at the other. To my knowledge, Alex never once raised his voice in anger and never ever bad mouthed anyone.
Not even the drunk who cornered him in the bar wanting advice on some minor ailment, (constipation) No shit, I kid you not. I sincerely believe the man was a gentleman. But judge for yourself. The following piece 'The Small Chess Club' was in his own hand written notes.
Browsing through my filing cabinet I came across the original minutes book of the Peterlee Chess Club.
Peterlee Chess Club was formed on the 17th of October 1972 by five founder members who met at the Peterlee Labour club. In the early days buffet dances were organised to raise funds to buy equipment and by July 1973 the club felt confident enough to enquire about chess in Durham County. A helpful reply was received from J. G. Neil which concluded "PS All players in the league must be registered with the County, the British Chess Federation, and, the Northern Counties Chess Association. The total cost is around 60p per player. The league entry fee is 50p per team"
Our one claim to fame is to have had as a member for a year, the Chess Champion of Canada, while he was working with I.B.M. in Peterlee
Over the years membership has fluctuated but I am pleased to report at the time of writing it has risen to nine.
Although small in number the members are active and keen and the club is represented at most of the local
congresses. We can be found in the minor tournaments usually playing almost brilliant but alas fatally flawed combinations.
Should the small Chess Club fold a venue of fellowship and friendship where chess is played and discussed would cease to exist and I believe the community as a whole would be diminished by its loss.
I think the last paragraph says it all. He was a philanthropist, with thoughts of fellowship, friendship and community. Whereas the rest of us just want to play chess have a pint and listen to the crack, which is good in Peterlee Chess Club.
For the benefit of any Americans that may read this 'the crack' is nothing to do with illegal substances.
Alex sadly checked out on the seventeenth green of Castle Eden Golf Course (his second passion) but even the vicar at his service expressed the opinion that he thought Alex would rather have gone at the chessboard.
In his memory, the club
now has an internal trophy, which is fiercely competed for using a handicap
system that gives everyone in the club, from the very best to the lowliest a
chance, hell I even won it myself once.
So, whilst I'm happy to assume the mantle of 'Mr Peterlee' I still feel more the understudy than the main actor. Anyway, what the hell, as long as there is someone to keep the club ticking over.
This is scary; I hope the philanthropy bit is not contagious.
Yoda
