A Welshpool man has been given the British Empire medal for his work using chess to help young people over 40 years. Steve Rigby, has been given the award as part of this year’s New Years honours list which has seen him recognised for his work as part of 3C’s chess club in Oldham. “All this publicity isn’t me,” said Steve.
“People are doing this as a gesture to me, I find it very flattering I am absolutely amazed. “The first thing I thought was about all the people who aren’t with us any longer since when we started in 78 and I immediately thought of them and in a way it is for them.” Steve started the club with his friend Roy Williams as a way to give children in the local area a chance to do something that would help give them opportunities.
“What it was for me, was in 78 I was a teacher in Chadderton in Oldham, which is not the most fashionable part of the country and had quite a bit of deprivation,” said Steve. “I always thought that if you give kids the opportunities if you give the families the opportunities they will take it. “For me chess was a vehicle that allowed me to get to provide opportunities to socialise and learn how to play chess and develop friendships.
“I could take them to places they could experience different venues away from the estates. “Me and Roy thought this would be a great vehicle to get them out of this academic isolation and get them out there.” The success of the club has been profound and has seen people sticki.