Jim Billsborough 1942-2020

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Matt Mackenzie
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Location: Millom, Cumbria

Jim Billsborough 1942-2020

Post by Matt Mackenzie » Wed Dec 09, 2020 3:05 pm

The passing has been announced of this one time stalwart of Cumbrian chess - both as a strong player (both OTB and by post) and organiser - and the driving force behind Millom chess club for many years; it is no coincidence that it went out of operation not that long after he retired from the chess scene in the late 1990s.

Was also a painter of some repute, a veteran left wing political activist, and one of this town's well known personalities.

Had unfortunately lost touch with him in recent years, and only learned of his demise earlier today just before his funeral.

RIP.
Last edited by Matt Mackenzie on Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)

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JustinHorton
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Re: Jim Billsborough 1942-2020

Post by JustinHorton » Wed Dec 09, 2020 3:48 pm

"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com

Roland Kensdale
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Re: Jim Billsborough 1942-2020

Post by Roland Kensdale » Wed Dec 09, 2020 4:51 pm

JustinHorton wrote:
Wed Dec 09, 2020 3:48 pm
Some artworks
Exceptionally fine.

A gifted man.

MartinCarpenter
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Re: Jim Billsborough 1942-2020

Post by MartinCarpenter » Thu Dec 10, 2020 9:40 am

Good paintings.

Clearly a very impressive organiser too! Millom is a truly lovely place, but hardly large and the travel to away matches must have been a huge effort.

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Matt Mackenzie
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Location: Millom, Cumbria

Re: Jim Billsborough 1942-2020

Post by Matt Mackenzie » Thu Dec 10, 2020 1:03 pm

MartinCarpenter wrote:
Thu Dec 10, 2020 9:40 am
Good paintings.

Clearly a very impressive organiser too! Millom is a truly lovely place, but hardly large and the travel to away matches must have been a huge effort.
What do you know of it then?

Yes, league fixtures in an all-Cumbrian set up can certainly be "fun".

(the more so when you had clubs at places like Alston - try looking that one up on your map)
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)

MartinCarpenter
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Re: Jim Billsborough 1942-2020

Post by MartinCarpenter » Thu Dec 10, 2020 6:02 pm

Matt Mackenzie wrote:
Thu Dec 10, 2020 1:03 pm
MartinCarpenter wrote:
Thu Dec 10, 2020 9:40 am
Good paintings.

Clearly a very impressive organiser too! Millom is a truly lovely place, but hardly large and the travel to away matches must have been a huge effort.
What do you know of it then?

Yes, league fixtures in an all-Cumbrian set up can certainly be "fun".

(the more so when you had clubs at places like Alston - try looking that one up on your map)
Well, it would be more accurate of me to proclaim Duddon sands to be a stunningly beautiful place. The view up valley from the embankment really is something. Less sure about the town itself!

Alston in winter would definitely put the Stockport league trip to Buxton into perspective! Play at a neutral venue in Appleby or something?

Must be some temptation to rejoin Lancashire and travel by boat :)

Simon Rogers
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Re: Jim Billsborough 1942-2020

Post by Simon Rogers » Tue Dec 15, 2020 7:39 pm

In Millom you have The Discovery Centre also there is the prison nearby at Haverigg.
There has been talk for a number of years of building a bridge across Morecambe Bay from Barrow to Heysham, Lancashire.
Back in the 1990s there was even talk of a Hovercraft service from Barrow to the Fylde Coast of Lancashire and another Hovercraft service from Blackpool to Southport and Liverpool.