Welshpool man’s New Year’s Honour for chess initiative

The founder of a weekly chess club at the Westwood has been recognised in The King’s New Year’s Honours list.

Steve Rigby has been awarded a BEM for his voluntary work in using the game to make a difference for the past 45 years in Lancashire, where he was a teacher before moving to Welshpool.

He formed the Children’s Chess Club (3Cs) in 1978, and was previously personally honoured by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with a prestigious Points of Light award, as well as appearing on the BBC’s The One Show.

The passionate chess player has encouraged hundreds of children to play the game through his club formed at the Christ Church CofE Primary School in Chadderton, with up to 50 young people still playing weekly.

Any young person is welcome, and the club also has adult members who help support the youngsters. In addition, 3Cs has two online clubs.

He has also established a new chess club every week at the Westwood in Welshpool for people of all ages to learn and play chess socially (pictured).

Steve is one of just three people in Powys to be included on the New Year’s Honours list, and is among 58 people in Wales.

HM The King’s New Year Honours List 2025, published today by the Cabinet Office, sees recipients awarded for their outstanding contributions across all sectors, but in particular community champions and selfless giving.

The list ensures that people from under-represented communities and a wide variety of types of work are rewarded, to celebrate the fantastic contribution of people throughout the country.

PICTURES: Provided to us by Steve Rigby BEM.