Chalk it up to a good cause
No Tier Snooker Society
1985 world snooker champion and proud owner of the most iconic glasses in the sport, Dennis Taylor attended the Congleton Snooker Club on Sunday 8 June to draw the raffle run by the No Tier Snooker Society. No Tier Snooker Society is a snooker club offering weekly snooker sessions for people living with early-onset dementia (also known as young-onset dementia). The society is based at Congleton Snooker Club in Cheshire and meets every Wednesday for two hours. It offers a space where people with similar conditions can meet, share experiences, and enjoy a friendly game of snooker. The Society’s focus is on shared enjoyment and connecting with other people with the same condition. Spall Clark Solicitors were delighted to sponsor and donate to such a good cause.
Behind the name
The founder of the Society is living with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and this led to his retirement from work at the age of 59. He always found joy in snooker and this led him to create “No Tier Snooker Society” to offer a supportive environment for players also living with similar conditions. Instead of tears of sorrow, the society can help create smiles of joy for those two hours per week. Thus, no tier snooker was born.
Early onset dementia
Early onset dementia is also known as young onset dementia and refers to people who develop dementia before the age of 65. According to Alzheimer’s Research, memory loss is less likely to appear as one of the first symptoms compared with older people. Instead, issues could present as problems with language, vision or behaviour. Rarer forms of dementia, such as Frontotemporal Dementia are also more likely to affect people with young-onset dementia.
Dennis Taylor
Dennis Taylor is an icon of world snooker and is recognisable to even non-snooker fans. He attended the No Tier Snooker Society event and showed off some trick shots as well as some entertaining stories from his career. He was as charming and cheerful as ever.
40th anniversary
2025 is the 40th anniversary of Dennis’s unforgettable 1985 Snooker World Championship win against Steve Davis. As many will remember, the final came down to the black ball in the final frame which led it to being known as the ‘Black Ball Final’. Dennis won the match 18–17 to become the 1985 World Champion.
18.5 million people watched the concluding moments of the match
Prize Draw
As well as delighting everyone with his tales from the baize, Dennis also drew the winning ticket for the prize draw which was a one week stay at a luxury lodge in Cameron House on Loch Lomond. All proceeds from the draw go straight back into the No Tier Snooker Society, helping fund future sessions.
Get involved
The Society meets at Congleton Snooker Club every Wednesday between 2pm and 4pm. If you fancy getting together with a friendly group of people and taking a break (pun intended!) from daily life, head over to the No Tier Snooker Society website for further information on how to get involved.
Inclusivity
Inclusivity is at the heart of the Society and they offer adapted gameplay to accommodate players with cognitive limitations so everyone can enjoy playing. Family members, friends and carers are also welcome to attend the society so no one misses out.
The club emphasizes social connections, offering a space where people with similar conditions can meet, share experiences, and enjoy the game together.
Congleton Snooker Club
Congleton Snooker Club is located in a historic textile mill in Royle Street, Congleton. It is a local club which offers pool as well as snooker. It is open 7 days a week and no membership is required. Further details including opening hours can be found on their website.
www.congletonsnookerclub.co.uk
Planning for the future following a diagnosis
The period following a diagnosis of dementia can be a frightening time. Groups such as the No Tier Snooker Society offer a support network of people who understand and can offer support to help you find your way. Although life will be different, the members of No Tier Snooker Society show that it is possible to live an enjoyable, fulfilling life with dementia.
If you have received a diagnosis of dementia and would like to have a confidential, no charge conversation to discuss Lasting Powers of Attorney and Wills, our specialist Solicitors Paul ClarkTEP and Natasha Yelland would be delighted to help.
Please call us on 01260 769 639 or email info@spallclark.co.uk to make an appointment.
We offer a free initial consultation at our Congleton office or in your own home. Alternatively, meetings can be carried out online (e.g. via Teams).
