Northumberland Congress - Potential British Venue!

[Lara Barnes]

The Northunberland Congress takes place at the Parks Leisure Centre on 24-26 September.

This is a potential venue for future British Championships so why not come along and check out the venue and the area?

The venue is easily reached by a short Metro ride from Newcastle Central Station or by road, just off the A19 (loads of free parking). There is lots of accommodation in the area. You can stay in Newcastle or in the seaside area of Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth as well as North Shields.

The playing hall (Pines) would be one of the breakout rooms if the British does come here. Another potential venue in the area is the Spanish City also known as the Dome. (Made famous in the Dire Straights song 'Tunnel of Love')

Full details and entry form from: http://www.englishchess.org.uk/?page_id=1396
Northumberland County Chess Congress, The Parks Leisure Centre Howden Road Royal Quays North Shields NE26 3BL

Contact: David Watson Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.northumberlandchess.co.uk Organisers Address: 7 Deneside Court, Woodburn Drive, Whitley Bay NE26 3BL

[David Pardoe]

It would indeed be good to see the British Champs return to the North East. Last time it was in that part was when it was hosted at Sunderland in the late `sixties` I believe...excellent. As a junior at the time, I can still remember visiting that event.
Worth mentioning South Shields also...some good places to stay, including a spot I stayed at recently....The Little Haven, no less. Great views over the Tyne and sea front..its great to watch the boats over a coffee on a bright day. And the beaches at Shields are great undiscovered gems....I`d recommend a visit to anyone visiting the North East.
Its just across the river from North Shields venue....20 mins on the local Ferry...another treat not to be missed.....a trip on the Tyne to freshen up before the days chess...!!!

Bring it on.....

On a different tac....
I see the Manchester Congress is taking place this weekend, at Manchester University Complex...Wooton Hall, Fallowfield. Another excellent North West event, well marshalled by Harry Lamb & his team over many years..
Nice venue & playing conditions....... some of our strong local players are battling for the prizes, including Adam Ashton, Alan Walton, Ali Jaunoobi, David Hulmes, and Mike Surtees...to name but a few...
Not sure what the latest scores are.....?
It was a quiet start on Friday night..possibly due to the clash with the England match....

[Alan Walton]

It is good to see that I am battling at the Manchester congress, considering I am in bed at the moment

[Alex Holowczak]

It is good to see that I am battling at the Manchester congress, considering I am in bed at the moment

Half-point bye in Round 4?

[David Pardoe]

Sorry Alan...bad dream....must have confused it with the recent Chorley event, which I believe you won...beating Ali, Mike Surtees & others in the process.!!
Dont tell me I`ve got that wrong too....

[David Clayton]

Sorry Alan...bad dream....must have confused it with the recent Chorley event, which I believe you won...beating Ali, Mike Surtees & others in the process.!!
Dont tell me I`ve got that wrong too....

David, what recent Chorley event?

There hasn't been a Congress in Chorley for five years.

I think you may mean the recent 4th Leyland Chess Congress run by Leyland Chess Club.

http://www.leylandchess.org.uk/congress ... esults.htm

Regards

David

[David Pardoe]

Well spotted...only 3 miles down the road.

[Stewart Reuben]

Having inspected it, I have little doubt that the Parks Leisure Centre could prove suitable for the British Championships. But it will be in the NCCU in 2011 in Sheffield and should visit other areas.

David Pardoe >It would indeed be good to see the British Champs return to the North East.< Perhaps my geography is letting me down. Is not Scarborough in the North-East? I also looked at Bridlington but they thought they did not have enough bed spaces in August. I can't remember the disadvantages, if any, of Whitby. York University, although marvellous, did not have a large enough venue. Newcastle they would not give us the Eldon Centre free.

Stewart Reuben

[Matt Mackenzie]

Scarborough is in Yorkshire - often considered a region in its own right

[Richard Cowan]

I'm wondering if it would be possible to erect a large tent / pavillion in an urban park?
Sponsorship from a company which puts them up might enable you to get one for free if, say, it were to be held somewhere prestigeous (like, York), and would solve space issues, as you could have it anywhere...
Might also attract more interest & spectators?
Obviously would require liasing with councils; but I get the impression that this kind of thing could be done?

just a thought!

[Ian Kingston]

I'm wondering if it would be possible to erect a large tent / pavillion in an urban park?

I'm imagining the noise when it starts raining on the tent/pavilion. Could be very loud.

[Alex McFarlane]

I did once organise an all night chess tournament in a marquee in a public park. Despite it being summer the temperature fell to what seemed close to freezing. It did attract press interest however.

There are several problems with using this for a serious event:
Noise from outside
Toilet facilities
Lighting/heating
Security both of equipment and vandalism of the tent
Weather conditions (crossing muddy ground, leaks)

In '85 a marquee was to be used as the analysis area at Edinburgh. It was broken into almost immediately and became unusable.

I'm afraid the disadvantages probably outweigh the advantages you mention.

[David Pardoe]

Yes, the North East definately has something to offer as a location for the British Championships...as was first stated.
Stewart, your mention of Bridlington, in Yorks, is also quite interesting. As an aside, I`d like to see Yorks reps becoming more involved in the running and support of the ECF. How about a permanent Yorks rep on the board..such a vast county surely justifies such.....
But as regards Bridlington as a potential venue...the sticking point about accomodation is really at weekends I think. Brid has a lot of weekend visitors which will swell the hotels, but its less of a problem during the week.
It might be interesting to see what % of chess players would accept a caravan or camping break. I can remember doing this at the Eastbourne event in the seventies...we had some great weather and I really enjoyed it. Anyway, it might be worth sounding out Bridlington again. I`m guessing that on a weekly basis, your probably looking for 600 to 700 rooms max....which would be most welcome business for any resort/location. What % of these players would be willing to roomshare to save costs, etc...this might bring the room requirement down to about 400 max. You`ll have a better idea of numbers than I do.

Another option for venue/location for the British (if we`re talking marquays..), might be Warwick Castle.
You`ve got the security well covered, and the grounds would be quite big enough to hold such an event, Id have thought. Other Heritage sites might also be worth considering....

[Stewart Reuben]

Responding to David Pardoe.
The ECF does not have regional representatives on its Board, unlike the old BCF. The object was to make the Board smaller and more viable. Of course there will alway be pros and cons.
I never quantified the numbers of people camping or caravanning for the British. But it seemed to me anecdotally about 50.
Of course I am no longer involved with the process of selecting venues for the British Championships. If somebody wishes to investigate Bridlington again or anywhere else, there should be no problem. Initially it does not have to be the actual manager. Assume a minimum of 1000 square metres and about 1000 beds needed for each night for two weeks. The venue free. The playing area to be quiet and well lit. There to be several break-out rooms. It not to be too remote. Preferably in a resort area.
As Alex M wrote a marquee is unlikely to be a starter. Also hiring one for two weeks would be expensive.

Stewart Reuben

[Oliver Stones]

Hi,

I know this thread is a little old now, but, I was drawn to it as it mentions my home town Bridlington.

Bridlington host some pretty impressive events here already such as Winmau World Masters Darts.

Events in Bridlington are usually hosted at the Bridlington Spa http://www.eastriding.gov.uk/leisure/tourism/thespa/
It can hold an event from 2 to 2000 people and has different rooms suiting different size events.

There would be no problem finding accommodation, there are b&B's guest houses and hotels everywhere, during the last weekend in October each year we host the Bridlington Scooter Rally at the Spa, it brings around 2000 guests to the town see here... http://www.bridlingtonfreepress.co.uk/n ... _1_1736191 and we easily accommodate them.

Anyhow I live just a 5 min walk from the Bridlington Spa, if you are still considering this town for a future congress I would he happy to find out any information for you.

I don't work for the Spa or anything I just enjoy playing Chess, I play for Bridlington Chess Club and run the website http://www.bridlingtonchessclub.co.uk I would love to see a Congress in my home town

Also Bridlington is a beautiful place, the Spa over looks the harbour and South beach with long soft sand for miles, the town is very picturesque and I know it would make a great venue

Regards,

Oliver