Frank Hatto

by Kevin Staveley

I first got to know Frank in the early 1980's when I was getting an interest in chess. Frank was a vital linch pin in Welsh chess. As arbiter, executive director and eventually president he was always in the middle of things.

Many of the early council meetings of the Welsh Chess Union were held in Park House, Frank's home outside Llanelli.

As I got more involved I became aware of the amount of time and effort Frank was giving freely to Welsh chess. He was my mentor and, without me knowing it, was grooming me for the job of organising Welsh chess.

In the mid 1990's I was elected Executive Director. Frank, shortly after that AGM said to me, "Now you know what I've been doing over the last few years and the reason you've been getting more and more involved". However, in many ways I knew what I was letting myself in for - it didn't come as a surprise.

When I took over I was not surprised by the amount of time and effort I had to give to the post of Executive Director. In an ideal world it is a full time job. Frank's nurturing of me had pointed me in all the correct directions. The transformation of office from him to me was smooth and probably unnoticed by many of the members.

Frank moved to president, and was always there to give advice when needed, and support when wanted. It's surprising but the post of Executive Director can feel a very lonely one. Everyone thinks you know all the answers and can make decisions quickly. Without Frank's support I would not have been able to perform the tasks set.

Frank was a staunch supported of Welsh chess. I feel I have lost a good friend, but Welsh chess has lost a grandfather.

May he rest in peace.

Kevin.