National Chess Library opens in Hastings
Charles Clarke MP and Margaret "Visual Chess" designed by
Wallis, Head of Co-ordination and University of Brighton
Development at UCH Illustration graduate
George Eady
Photos courtesy of the Hastings and St.Leonard's Observer
The National Chess Library, the third largest public chess library in the world, was officially opened yesterday at the University Centre Hastings by former Home Secretary, Charles Clarke MP.
The English Chess Federation library now has a permanent home in Hastings, a town with a long association with the game of chess and home to the annual Hastings International Chess Congress.
Charles Clarke said "The University Centre Hastings is already making a major contribution. This will give it a very public, very well-known string to its bow. The library is tremendously important for chess. Hastings has a world wide reputation for chess and this library will help build things up."
His father, Sir Richard Clarke, was the first donor to the English Chess Federation library, which now contains over 7,000 books, journals and tournament information from five collections. This includes the collection of Harry Golombek, the ‘grand old man of chess' who was chess editor of the Times and an Enigma code breaker in World War II.
Professor Stuart Laing, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, at the University of Brighton said: "This is a contribution we are making to Hastings. It is the job of universities to preserve collections like this and the research opportunities for chess are wide. It is very important to Hastings, and it shows we are serious at supporting things that are specific to the local area. This is another way of bringing people in, to talk to them about what we can offer."
Gerry Walsh, President of the English Chess Federation said "It's logical that this library is in Hastings. The library's contributors would be very proud that their donations are housed here in a town with over 100 years of chess history."
The English Chess Federation collection is on open access shelves and may be visited at any time during the Library opening hours. Visitors can contact the Library on 01273 644640 or by email at askuch@brighton.ac.uk to make an appointment to visit the other collections.
Read more about the National Chess Library at www.uch.ac.uk/national_chess_library.html
For more information and photography from the event, please contact
Gordon Kay at g.m.kay@brighton.ac.uk
11 June 2008
<>
Editor's notes:
- University Centre Hastings is an exciting partnership between some of the South East's best universities and higher education colleges. It provides high quality learning opportunities and a wide range of courses including degrees and professional qualifications. Over the past five years, school leavers and adult learners have boosted their qualifications, launched their careers and changed their lives. For more information, visit http://www.uch.ac.uk//
- The English Chess Federation was founded in 1904 and is responsible for the game in England. For more information visit http://www.englishchess.org.uk/
- The Hastings International Chess Congress has been held on 83 occasions since 1882 - it is now an annual event held every December. See more details at http://www.hastingschess.org.uk/