Free Chess Sets for schools

Discussions regarding the 70,000 Free Chess Sets for Schools in England.
Matthew Turner
Posts: 3600
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 11:54 am

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by Matthew Turner » Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:09 am

No update on the ECF website for a month.
No press release on the first relaunch, just terse statements from the Caroline Morris, the Project Manager
No comment from Chris Majer

It's sounds like business as usual, Is this farce going to end any time soon?

User avatar
Ben Purton
Posts: 1631
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:53 am
Location: Berks

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by Ben Purton » Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:09 am

I heard the ECF are headhunting a new leader in Gordon Brown...
I love sleep, I need 8 hours a day and about 10 at night - Bill Hicks
I would die happy if I beat Wood Green in the Eastman Cup final - Richmond LL captain.
Hating the Yankees since 2002. Hating the Jets since 2001.

User avatar
John Upham
Posts: 7162
Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:29 am
Location: Cove, Hampshire, England.
Contact:

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by John Upham » Sun Jun 07, 2009 6:26 pm

Here is the latest update from the PM (Caroline Morris rather than "Our Gordon")
Dear John,

The three initial launches (in Surrey, Oxfordshire and Hampshire) will get the chess sets to around 100 schools, hopefully more, by the time the schools break up for the summer holidays this July.

The main Launches will then start in September, with the aim of about 9000 schools (all those that have applied so far) receiving their 10 free chess sets by the start of the 2010 summer holidays.

I hope this clarifies the situation for you.

With very best wishes,

Caroline Morris

Project Manager, Chess for Schools

Looking good I'd say! :D
British Chess News : britishchessnews.com
Twitter: @BritishChess
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/britishchess :D

Chris Majer
Posts: 85
Joined: Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:29 pm

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by Chris Majer » Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:14 pm

There will be a small event (involving about 30 schools) at Wilson's School in Surrey the afternoon of Saturday 27th June
Chris Majer
ECF Chief Executive

User avatar
Ben Purton
Posts: 1631
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:53 am
Location: Berks

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by Ben Purton » Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:32 pm

Carolina Morris,

I klnow a school in Oxfordshire I am going to be teaching at that doesnt have any chess sets, is there any apply to buy scheme for them, Ive got my interview there in a few days, chess sets is going to come up.

Could I know what to advise

Kind regards

Ben
I love sleep, I need 8 hours a day and about 10 at night - Bill Hicks
I would die happy if I beat Wood Green in the Eastman Cup final - Richmond LL captain.
Hating the Yankees since 2002. Hating the Jets since 2001.

Roger de Coverly
Posts: 21291
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:51 pm

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by Roger de Coverly » Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:11 pm

is there any apply to buy scheme for them, Ive got my interview there in a few days, chess sets is going to come up.

Could I know what to advise
Without wishing to endorse any particular equipment supplier, I did spot a flier from one of them at a recent congress for a package of 10 sets, boards and bags for 50 pounds including packing and delivery.

You might try a google of chess and maze but googles of chess and direct or chess and centre might come up with similar offers.

Matthew Turner
Posts: 3600
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 11:54 am

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by Matthew Turner » Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:58 am

Could I ask which School received their free sets on Friday 29th May. I assume this isn't a secret?

User avatar
John Upham
Posts: 7162
Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:29 am
Location: Cove, Hampshire, England.
Contact:

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by John Upham » Fri Jun 12, 2009 2:17 pm

Matthew Turner wrote:Could I ask which School received their free sets on Friday 29th May. I assume this isn't a secret?
I've only been able to discern that it was a success. I didn't push my luck trying to ID the school. The next launch is set for Wilsons School. Perhaps you could attend that and see how things go?
British Chess News : britishchessnews.com
Twitter: @BritishChess
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/britishchess :D

Matthew Turner
Posts: 3600
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 11:54 am

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by Matthew Turner » Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:23 am

John,
I don't think it would appropriate for me to attend the event at Wilson's School. I have not been invited and there is clearly an attempt to 'manage' publicity. This is perfectly sensible, if the Wilson's School launch was widely advertised and 300 Schools turned up wanting sets then it would be chaos. However, I think we need to have some benchmarks to evaluate the success of the Wilson's launch and I propose these

30 schools receiving 300 free sets - Amazing, brilliant achievement

20 schools receiving 200 free sets - Very good

15 schools receiving 150 free sets - slightly disappointing, but a start

10 schools receiving 100 free sets - poor

Are you happy to accept this Chris? and would you be able to tell us which School received 10 free sets on the first launch on Friday 29th May?

Mike Truran
Posts: 2393
Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2007 3:44 pm
Contact:

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by Mike Truran » Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:04 pm

This looks quite positive?!


From: Kirstie Lapworth [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 17 June 2009 12:04
To: [email protected]
Subject: Chess for Schools - Correspondance Update AccessDataCollection:{18EF425B-535F-4437-AF8A-81CB9F0E1320}

Dear all,

I am very pleased to announce that despite delays the Chess for Schools project has finally reached a stage that we can look forward to launching. I would be very grateful if you could check the details I have attached for your school and make any changes necessary before sending them back to myself. I appreciate this will take some of your time but I will be contacting schools shortly to arrange the much awaited release dates for your chess sets and with 10,000 of you receiving these, having the correct contact details is paramount, and will ensure a swift and professional delivery of information to the correct people in the quickest possible manor.

Once again, I apologise for the delay, but hope that you will all join me in celebrating the final launch of Chess for Schools. I look forward to speaking to you all soon.

Kind Regards.

Kirstie.
[email protected]
01424 775222

User avatar
John Upham
Posts: 7162
Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:29 am
Location: Cove, Hampshire, England.
Contact:

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by John Upham » Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:07 pm

quickest possible manor.
Would that be the residence of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu by any chance?
British Chess News : britishchessnews.com
Twitter: @BritishChess
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/britishchess :D

Alex Holowczak
Posts: 9085
Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 5:18 pm
Location: Oldbury, Worcestershire
Contact:

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by Alex Holowczak » Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:21 pm

John Upham wrote:
quickest possible manor.
Would that be the residence of Lord Montagu of Beaulieu by any chance?
Given that it talks about professionalism in the previous line, too... :oops:

Matthew Turner
Posts: 3600
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 11:54 am

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by Matthew Turner » Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:37 am

Mike,
The E-mail that you passed on is part of a series of positive developments, which have to be applauded. However, we still need to see free chess sets to back up what are only words at the moment.
There are a number of things about the E-mail that strike me as odd
1. Who is Kirstie Lapworth?
2. Who has written/proof-read the E-mail. The unfortunate spelling mistake at the end has been pointed out, but I also notice that there is no reference to Holloid Plastics, would Caroline Morris be happy with this?
3. Why now? Would it make more sense to confirm details at the start of the School Year?

Kevin Thurlow
Posts: 5802
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:28 pm

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by Kevin Thurlow » Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:29 pm

"Who has written/proof-read the E-mail. The unfortunate spelling mistake at the end has been pointed out, but I also notice that there is no reference to Holloid Plastics, would Caroline Morris be happy with this?"

I'm not crazy about "correspondance" either...... Let's look on the bright side and hope the sets are packed and ready to go!
"Kevin was the arbiter and was very patient. " Nick Grey

Alex Holowczak
Posts: 9085
Joined: Sat May 30, 2009 5:18 pm
Location: Oldbury, Worcestershire
Contact:

Re: Free Chess Sets for schools

Post by Alex Holowczak » Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:17 pm

While we're picking faults with the spelling and grammar in that email, "sending them back to myself" really should be "sending them back to me".

Locked