The bi-monthly magazine of the ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH SCRABBLE PLAYERS No 116 October 2007 Deadline for next issue 5th November BMSC - WSC and beyondl Raul Allan has won this year's British Matchplay Scrabble Championship. Paul had already secured a place representing Scotland at this year's World Scrabble Championships in Mumbai, so BMSC runner-up Phil Robertshaw earned the right to fill the final vacancy in the UK squad. The complete UK team is now: Paul Allan (Scotland) Wayne Kelly (England) Allan Simmons (Scotland) Adam Philpotts (England) David Webb (England) Phil Robertshaw (England) Helen Gipson (England) Terry Kirk (England) Ed Martin (England) Di Dennis (England) Harshan Lamabadusuriya (England) Gareth Williams (Wales) Phil Appleby (England) Shane O'Neill (Wales) National Scrabble Championships At the semi-final of the National Scrabble Championships staged at the Hilton Hotel in Leeds, the top two places were filled by Stewart Holden and Paul Allan (below). The two players will now meet in a best-of-five final in London on October 21st. ":'^;;i SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark of J.W.Spear & Sons Ltd., Maidenhead SL6 4UB ISSUE CONTENTS Committee Comer 1 Edgeways 27 That Was Then 4 Personal Profile 37 Tournament Reports 5 Letters 41 WYSC 17 Forthcoming Events 42 Ratings 18 Calendar of Events obc Across the Board 24 Thiouyhoul this publication, comments by the Editor do nol represent (hii views oi I he A1JSP Committee. Any suteinunts by ilia Committee :tre clearly marked as such. All Olher contributions to The L;ist Word represent only Ihc vimvs of the conlributor. THE LAST WORD TEAM The Last Words Team welcomes contributions from readers to their respective areas, either as letters, articles or suggestions. Contact information: Editor: Forthcoming events: Elisabeth Jardine Paul Cartman, 6 Wentworth Avenue 9 Chapel Terrace, Bournemouth BH5 2ED Stafford ST16 3AH 01202 419 708 01785 211851 ejardinei ©btinternet.com [email protected] Oames and Strategies: Words and Puzzles: and submissions for David Sutton T'.Ki^a Annotated Games 46WestChiItem, I "!TlS/Tk Moves to be proud of Woodcote, Reading, Berks "•^^^■1^1 Wayne Kelly RG8 0SG WOKl'Dfe Waynekelly74®aol.com David.].Sutton®ukgateway.net '^vnMNw TojointheABSP the eahie>l w.iy is vhi ihu AliSP wclisilu: Using Ilur pLiypnl function on the silc is vury e jsy jurl t(;ni|)klcly sale. More traditionally yiiu on join or renew hy sundiiifj your details ;incl ,i cheque for £1 5 to Anno R.ims.iy, muiiil](irshi|) secretary, m.ide nayablc to ABSf lo: ABSP, H Glen Clfiv.i Place, Kirlicaldy, Fife KY2 6UL If you with to write to Anm,' hur uin.iil :iddress i^ .nmt'.riimsayeblucyondtr.co.uk or telephone: 01592 64013U If yuu hni'C clijii);^! your .uliliobi. luk'iiliuin: tumilK-i oi urn .nil ;irldti;^. i,,i.i Anne .is <oun d<> |«i^iI)Il' wiih tlic i:dunfit;. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON 26™ AUGUST, 2007 Apologies had been received from the following members of the Committee, Evan Simpson, Darryl Francis, Len Moir and Philp Nelkon. Before starting the meeting proper there was a minute's silence in memory of Graeme Thomas, who had been Chairman and President of the ABSP, who had died suddenly in a car accident last year. 1 To receive the Chairman's Report Terry Kirk (Chairman) opened by welcoming all present to the Annual General Meeting. He then spoke to his Chairman's report that had been published in issue 115 of "The Last Word". In particular he mentioned that he was pleased to see tournaments taking place and that the calendar was full. Also, that so many new players were coming via the Internet Scrabble Club and the New Player Events organised by Stewart Holden. He thanked Stewart Holden for all his hard work on these events particularly the one held at Yarnfield the day before. No questions being raised from the floor the Chairman's Report was accepted. 2 To receive and consider the accounts of the Association for 2006, and the associated Auditor's and Treasurer's reports. Ross Mackenzie spoke to his report and the accounts. Ross informed the members present that Yoke Shin was stepping down after six years as Auditor and thanked him for all his work over the last six years. Ross informed those present that Mervyn Bright had agreed to take on the role of Auditor. There being no questions raised from the floor the accounts. Auditor's and Treasurer's reports were accepted. 3 To elect the officers and other members of the Committee All of the current Committee had agreed to continue. There were no other nominations from the floor. 4 To confirm the Auditor for the year 2007 Mervyn Bright was confirmed as Auditor for 2007. 5 To fix the subscription for 2008 The subscription remains at £15 per annum for 2008. 6 MOTIONS 6.1 "To allow 'variant' tournaments to be rated, approved by the Committee on a case by case basis" 1 Stewart Holden spoke to this motion on behalf of the Committee, seconded by Allan Simmons. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 61 2 7 Proxy votes 11 5 1 Chairman's discretion 2 0 0 TOTAL 74 7 8 6.2 "To offer half price ABSP membership to those under 18 at the time of joining or renewing" Stewart Holden spoke to this motion on behalf of the Committee, seconded by Kat Wilkes. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 76 0 0 Proxy votes 14 1 2 Chairman's discretion 2 0 0 TOTAL 92 1 2 The Tournament Director/Organiser Forum will be informed of this vote and the result will now be added to the Tournament Director's Handbook. There was a query from the floor about reduced rates for under 18's attending Tournaments. This is now in the TD/TO Handbook that all Tournament Organisers should seek to obtain reduced rates for under 18's. 6.3 "To disallow Tournament Directors from playing in events in which they are directing, except in cases of emergency where the nominated Director has become unavailable at very short notice" Stewart Holden spoke to this motion as an individual, seconded by Steve Perry. There was discussion about how such a rule could be policed and that the wording left a 'grey area' that could be taken advantage of. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 59 11 9 Proxy votes II 5 0 Chairman's discretion 3 0 0 TOTAL 73 16 9 The introduction of this requirement that Tournament Directors must NOT play in the tournament that they are directing comes into effect immediately. Tournaments already in receipt of ratings approval are not affected. 7 Objectives Allan Simmons spoke about the sponsorship received from Joyboost this year for the BMSC and the need to take any advantage that sponsorship offered. He also spoke to the need to increase the profile of the Association and Scrabble in the media. One way of doing this was raising money for the Variety Club that would allow follow up articles in the media. Stewart Holden spoke about the hit and miss with the press releases that he issued as Publicity Officer. He encouraged any Tournament Organisers to contact their local newspapers with details of any local tournaments. Anne Ramsay was asked what the current membership was and she was able to say that the membership stood at 777 with six who had joined over the weekend. Terry Kirk replied that this was very encouraging. 8 Any Other Business 8.1 Amy Byrne spoke about the Pete Finley Fund. Following discussions with several organisations and with Laura Finlcy it was decided that the fund would purchase an area of woodland through the Woodlands Trust at the Fox and Parrot Wood in County Durham. She was pleased to report that three-quarters of an acre of woodland had been purchased. Following discussion with the Woodlands Trust about a pathway that was part of this woodland, they had agreed that the circular pathway would be dedicated and known as "Pete's Path". This was a first for the Woodlands Trust and since they were trialling it, the plaque and markers at the beginning and along the pathway would be free. Amy had examples of the Dedication Certificate, plan of the woodland area and aerial photographs for members to see. The setting up of this would take a further two to three months. Once complete a full article giving all the details will be in TLW. 8.2 The absence of Philip Nelkon and Gyles Brandreth was raised and if this was a sign of their disdain for the members. Terry Kirk responded that Philip Nelkon had attended several recent AGMs and regularly attended Committee meetings as the Mattel representative. Allan Simmons spoke regarding Gyles Brandreth and that recently he had written to all the World Scrabble Championship qualifiers, that he had helped the Sponsorship Officer in getting the right contact at the Variety Club. He emphasised that the Gyles was interested in ABSP but was more behind the scenes. 8.3 There was a general vote of thanks for John Grayson, Ratings Officer, and the excellent work that he did in getting the ratings results updated and into the common domain so speedily. The meeting was closed by Terry Kirk who thanked all those present for attending. Please would all members fully complete and return the renewai slip even If they have paid or Intend to pay via Paypal so that Anne has up to date details for everybody. If you wish to write to Anne her email address is [email protected] ABSP, 8 Glen Clova Place, Kirkcatdy, Fife KV2 6UL or telephone: 01592 640130 10 years ago: 5 years ago: APSP Newsletter, issue 56, TLW, issue 86, September 2002, October 1997, editor Phil Appleby editor Alec Webb Graeme Thomas examined a whole crop Allan Simmons took over the reins as of Japanese words that had crept into ABSP Chairman from Pete Finley.