My Story

[Jonathan Rogers]

You're not at all perturbed by the thought that you are one individual and that your own experiences may not be representative of the whole country?

[Louise Sinclair]

You're not at all perturbed by the thought that you are one individual and that your own experiences may not be representative of the whole country?

Every individual in a country will hold different views and appreciate different values. That is the common denominator so I'm no more perturbed than anyone else with a view.

[Jonathan Rogers]

You may have a view. It is your idea that you are thereby speaking for the whole country that strikes me as a bit wrong

[Louise Sinclair]

You may have a view. It is your idea that you are thereby speaking for the whole country that strikes me as a bit wrong

Yawn end of sub topic

[Brendan O'Gorman]

Nor in Australian politics.

I'm still fuming over the way Julia Gillard was treated. I won't bore everyone with my thoughts on Kevin Rudd.

With you all the way on this one, John. Bunch of primitives, those Ockers. Some of the bile I've seen spilled about Ms Gillard on the web - always anonymously, of course - simply passes belief. (Well, actually it doesn't, knowing the unreconstructed male mind as I do, but you know what I mean.)

I think I'll wait a little longer before posting my thoughts - potentially incendiary - about the main topic on this thread.

Perhaps you might wait a lot longer if they're going to be at the same level as Bunch of primitives, those Ockers.

[Joey Stewart]

Since the moderators are out in force today they ought really to delete the previous two pages of this topic (including my post) which seems relatively important and is quickly being derailed before it has been properly discussed.

[Michele Clack]

Can't see any post by you Joey.

[Andrew Zigmond]

I agree that this is a potentially explosive posting that needs to be carefully examined. Sabrina may well wish to wash her hands of the whole things but the ECF could do a lot worse than ask to read the offending emails (if they still exist) and examine who sent them and what the exact motive was. Carl also needs to invite those people criticised to defend themselves if they wish to do so (it's worth noting that the director who comes off worst in Sabrina's events does contribute to this forum but rises above the mudslinging).

I think that Sabrina does have a point in that the chess establishment are often not open to new ideas and don't like their territory intruded; at the same time there does seem to be a tendency for new organisers to barge in without respecting experience or upsetting existing volunteers on occasion. It's a difficult one.

[Geoff Chandler]

Hi Mate,

I've posted some things in the past that I've regretted (but then again no.)

But you must reconsider:

"So, I would like to say goodbye English chess!..."

Because that means they win.

You have to dust yourself off, take wee breather and come back a much a wiser person.

It's a great shame things have gone this way because you were shaking things up, getting things done.
I knew you would and I kinda guessed you would face opposition.
But nowhere near to the extent that you describe.
And the good you have done will bear fruit in years to come.

But the flak and the awful way you say have been treated you did not expect or deserve.

See these soul destroying emails, I used to get them years ago. I ignored them.
But I got fed up with them so I published one in the Scottish Forum. I never got another.
So you know what to do with the next one.

You are young and you have let it get all bottled up till despair has turned into depression.

Get your loved ones around you and ride it out.
(that's the depression I'm talking about, I get it....you just have to let it roll away.)

Look after yourself and in time please reconsider:

"So, I would like to say goodbye English chess!..."

Geoff

[Jovanka Houska]

It has saddened me immensely to see Sabrina be forced to defend herself in such a way, no-one should be made to feel so desperate that they have been driven to justify themselves so publicly like this.
Sabrina is one of the most committed chess persons I know, passionate and enthusiastic and she has inspired many of our younger chess players with her love of the game. Quite simply she is a wonderful asset to English chess.
Sabrina is right, we have such a small chess community in England-we should be helping each other and working towards a goal of improving the chess tournament circuit and the level of chess instead of all this constant sniping.
Absolutely no-one should be meddling in her tournaments either, just recently I have seen individuals circulating emails on facebook/posting on blogs undermining her competency as a tournament organiser. These people give the appearance that they are actively involved in her tournaments when in reality I have had it on good authority they do very little. I find it disgusting and underhand behaviour especially when I am told by Sabrina that they hadn't even bothered to contact her before going public with their negative news.
I hope some positive comes from this and that Sabrina's supporters come out in force for the Richmond 108 RP so she can see she is liked and respected.
Jovanka

[Louise Sinclair]

See these soul destroying emails, I used to get them years ago. I ignored them.
But I got fed up with them so I published one in the Scottish Forum. I never got another.
So you know what to do with the next one.

I used to get horrible anonymous letters and telephone calls - I and another person had our telephone lines monitored by BT after request by the police it got so serious.I hope Sabrina feels better very soon and maybe she should publish the unpleasant correspondence to shame the culprits. I just don't understand why stoop to this level of unpleasantness.
Louise

[Paul McKeown]

Since the moderators are out in force today they ought really to delete the previous two pages of this topic (including my post) which seems relatively important and is quickly being derailed before it has been properly discussed.

I agree, Joey. Most of this thread has been lost under the usual deluge of off-topic ravings from specialists in the art.

[Sabrina Chevannes]

Thank you all for your comments. I would also like to publicy thank Jovanka Houska and Lawrence Cooper who have been by my side and tried to help me get through all this nastiness over the last couple of years. Those two have seen first hand some of the things I have been subjected to, so thank you guys for your support as always.

I would just like to say, Carl, that I find it unfair that you have moderated my post and everyone who says we should hear the other side of the story. This IS the other side of the story. I wrote this post in response to all the crap that has been written about over the years and the attacks I have received. I have not responded to any of it (since the Burke incident anyway) and tried to rise above it all.

However, since it has been going on far too much and I am just watching every aspect of my life fall apart due to all the crap I have to endure, I thought I would write back and tell people what really happened. I indeed have emaills, texts etc to prove what has been going on and also personal witnesses who know what I have been going through.

I did not write the post in order to "expose people", or I would have written a more vicious post or even gone to the press (as there are laws that have been broken). This is what I will do should I not be left alone from these people, or, frankly, receive apologies from them. I wrote it mildly, not mentioning too many names and just stated the facts. I could have expressed my feelings on what nasty, crooked, clueless, criminal minded people they are, but I didn't

The purpose of my post was to let people know that, despite everything I have tried to do to help junior chess etc in this country, I have received nothing but grief - and what do I have to show for it? Years worth of debt due to the loans I took out, a destroyed reputation and unable to find future work, destroyed relationships and friendships due to threats by these certain individuals, a severe illness that is exacerbated by every incident that occurs, a depressive state that I am finding difficult to get out of, no chess playing career as I don't receive support, no career job-wise as I am too old to get jobs elsewhere as I dedicated all my time and efforts into helping juniors and generally no reason to live.

So thank you to all those who have contributed to ruining my life. I hope you feel proud of yourselves.

[Sabrina Chevannes]

Carl, I just want to add: I can't help but feel victimised once again, that you moderated my post, but not those that have slagged me off. It shows a double standard on your moderation part and implies that what they have to say is more important than what I have to say. The way that you treat people differently, when you pick and choose to, reminds me of something.... that's it - you should work for the ECF!

[Carl Hibbard]

I would just like to say, Carl, that I find it unfair that you have moderated my post and everyone who says we should hear the other side of the story.

Nonsense, I removed one rather personal comment (less than a sentence) that was really not needed and had no effect on the points you were trying to make