Robert Togneri

The text below is from a short speech I have on 22 December during the Keddie Cup, on behalf of the club.

Let me take you back to 1 April 1964. The Beatles were just about to get to number one in the hit parade with “Can’t buy me love”. The Ministry of Defence took over responsibility for Britain’s armed forces from the War Office, the Admiralty, and the Air Office. Most importantly, though, Mr Robert Togneri made his debut for Stirling Chess Club in a match against Dunfermline, with a draw against J Allan in a 4½ - ½ victory. Also in the team that night, on the board above Robert, was James Keddie – whose trophy we are playing for tonight. Another regular member of the Stirling team at that time was John Lennon – his concert duties perhaps prevented him from playing chess more regularly.

A lot has changed in the intervening years. The hit parade is now called the charts. Robert & Mhari had two sons John and Michael, and two grandsons James and Mark. Going to the Moon was still a dream in 1964, but now my phone has more computing power than the computers that took the Apollo missions to the Moon. My phone can also thrash me at chess, but I’ve still to download the "Take me to the moon" app.

For Robert to have been a member of this club for over 50 years is an example of dedication and loyalty that few others can emulate. On behalf of the club, I’d like to thank him for these years of service, and present a small token of gratitude. I’d also like to say that it’s been agreed that Robert should now be offered lifetime membership of the club. Finally, the club would like to introduce a new trophy for our biannual allegro tournament, to be named in your honour.