Michel Memorial Trophy

[Paul Dupré]

SCCA News 17 April 2023

Congratulations to Magnus Borissow on winning the SCCA U18 Michel Memorial Trophy for the best performing junior at the Guildford Chess Congress 2023.

Anyone know about the origins of this trophy, and or whether related to Surrey Champion
1928 MICHELL, Reginald Pryce
or his wife who was British ladies champion 1931, 1932 and 1935

[Kevin Thurlow]

It's definitely "Michell". RP and his wife (nee Tapsell) lived in Kingston (the house no longer exists) and are now buried in the same grave in the local cemetery. John Saunders and I conducted a search one day, and John proved more observant than me at reading old stones. Edith Tapsell lived just off Wray Common in Reigate, and is (so far) the only female winner of Redhill's Club Championship. As she went on to win the British Ladies Championship, she obviously knew what she was doing. RP was a leading player in the country. The year there wasn't a British Championship as there was a big tournament, RP won the Major Open and Edith won the Ladies Championship.

I would imagine the trophy was named after RP, (who played for Middlesex), but maybe both of them. Assuming the Surrey CCA Minutes still exist, someone will have to read them all. I would have thought information like that should be maintained.

[Paul Dupré]

I would imagine the trophy was named after RP, (who played for Middlesex), but maybe both of them. Assuming the Surrey CCA Minutes still exist, someone will have to read them all. I would have thought information like that should be maintained.

The rumour I heard, was Steve White of Streatham had the SCCA minute book and disappeared abroad. Leaving it in his mum's attic.

[John Saunders]

I remember that hunt for the Michell grave back in 2012, Kevin, and here are a couple of photos that demonstrate how hard it was to find the (toppled over) headstone in Kingston's huge cemetery...

2012-11-25 Michell gravestone.jpg

... and a close-up showing a name...

2012-11-25 Michell gravestone2.jpg

Incredibly hard to read with that marbled background. It's a shame it's in such a bad state of repair.

The Michells lived at 26 Alexandra Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, which is a few streets away from where I live myself. As Kevin says, the house has gone - I think there's a primary school where it used to be.

[Paul Dupré]

RP was a leading player in the country.

British Amateur Champion in 1902.

2nd in British Championships 1906, tied 2nd 1907, 2nd again in 1926, and tied 2nd again in 1929 and 1935.

[Kevin Thurlow]

Thanks John - we were aided too by a very helpful official who directed us to the correct corner of the cemetery

https://earth.google.com/web/search/Kin ... -u97ccSk_A

It might have taken us weeks otherwise!

[John Saunders]

Thanks John - we were aided too by a very helpful official who directed us to the correct corner of the cemetery

https://earth.google.com/web/search/Kin ... -u97ccSk_A

It might have taken us weeks otherwise!

Weeks, or even months. Were we to attempt it again, there wouldn't be much point in going home!

[Kevin Thurlow]

"Were we to attempt it again, there wouldn't be much point in going home!"

I've reached the stage when I walk the dog through the local church grounds to read all the headstones - luckily I haven't seen my name yet.

[Mike Gunn]

When you do, Kevin, it's time to start worrying.

PS I have ordered your book!

[Neil Blackburn]

Great to hear Michell is not neglected - written a bit on him in my blogs. His last round win at Hastings against Thomas is a great story.