Received from Stewart Reuben, 5 January 2003...
FRIENDS OF HASTINGS INTERNATIONAL CHESS CONGRESS
We are sure all will agree that the Hastings International Chess Congress
is part of the rich heritage of Britain. It is by far the longest-running
international chess congress in the world. This year's Premier is an exciting,
vibrant contest between some of the world's most interesting players.
The Challengers continues to attract a complete range of participants
from grandmasters to players seeking to start out on the road to international
honours. There are shorter events to meet the needs of all. The event
does not stand still on its past glories. This year saw the innovation
of tournaments for beginners, played with two games each round against
the same opponent. Now the event is played in the excellent Horntye Sports
Centre, many people have confirmed they intend to continue to make their
annual pilgrimage to Hastings for the foreseeable future.
Hastings Council remains the only one in the country that provides substantial
support for a chess event. We are deeply grateful for this. Financial
aid for 2002-3 was £32,740 and we were told when receiving the award,
that it would have to be cut back in 2003-4. We are well aware there are
many calls on their resources.
This coming year they have announced we will receive £21,000 plus
a further £5,000 provided the same amount of 'new' money is found.
This might be in the form of philanthropy, sponsorship or provision of
necessary skills or equipment.
Thus we have decided to launch a new organisation, The Friends of
HICC (Hastings International Chess Congress). Effectively, for every
pound donated, the Council will match this up to £5,000.
We cannot predict what the future may hold. We remain committed to the
Congress continuing, so that it will be able to celebrate its Second Century
in 2095.
There is pressing urgency. We need to know by June what level of income
we can expect to receive apart from that from entry fees. Without this
knowledge, it will be impossible to plan properly for the 2003-4 Congress
This will commence as usual on 28 December.
Our plans are not finalised, but we are considering introducing a Friends
of HICC membership of £100 per year.
If you are prepared to support this worthy cause, or have any ideas,
please contact:
Chairman
Paul Smith
Flat 2, 35 Cambridge Road
Hastings TN34 1DJ
E-mail: power@hicc.demon.co.uk
Press Release 9th
HASTINGS CHESS FUNDING FUTURE
The 79th Hastings International Chess congress will take place. Thanks
to a change in Borough Council finding strategy, the congress knows at
an early date that funding will be provided, unlike the nail-biting situations
in previous years when Council decisions were taken later in the year.
This time the Congress had to apply for funding in the way of all other
organisations. This seemed a far more straightforward, reasonable and
transparent way to proceed. The Congress is pleased to announce that Hastings
Borough Council will provide £21,000 with a further £5,000
if match funding can be found. Whilst this is excellent news, it does
mean a drop in funding and it is imperative that additional funding be
found.
Knowing this at an early stage in the year gives added time for the Congress
to seek commercial sponsorship for at least £5,000 and ideally full
commercial sponsorship. As well as seeking commercial sponsorship, the
congress is setting up the Friends of Hastings Chess Congress,
with the hope of raising the £5,000 by that means. Details of this
will be published in due course.
Now that the Congress seems to have a natural home at Horntye Park and
the Congress is now growing year on year with this year's entry up again
by 12%, it is hoped that a commercial sponsor can be found and efforts
will be maximised to bring this about.
The Hastings International Chess congress is once again, extremely grateful
to the Hastings Borough Council for their continuing support and hopes
that the efforts being made to bring chess to a wider Hastings community
will ensure that their sponsorship is beneficial to the community in general.
Pam Thomas
Press Officer
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