14-08-2016, 02:57 PM
Hi Robin
Again with respect it is not just the numbers of the established core weekenders, but the overall picture. This includes the local club situation. This is not a good situation, we are going to see many clubs fold in the coming years. Newly formed clubs are very rare in Scotland. More clubs have folded in the last 15yrs than have been formed by some way.
The Perth Congress you have highlighted was dormant for how many years? I don't think any new or recently revived congress can be seen as relevant until they have had 2-3 seasons in a row and become established. I am not sure that Perth and the newly formed Livingston congress are scheduled for the new season as things stand?
I do appreciate the positivity and glass half full perspective. I also recognise I clearly have a the glass is more than half empty view on this, but all the tangible data reflects that outlook. So many aspects of our game, be it smaller local clubs, weekend congresses, Richardsons/Spens are on borrowed time.
Andy post's is very reflective of where things are at. It also personal to me as I grew up in Livingston and that's my home town. I was with Bankton Chess Club from the start as a Junior and for many years. It was of course a fantastic junior club with fantastic support from those adults running it. I am in fact the only junior person from that club I am aware of still playing chess in Scotland (and that's after a 20yr chess break). And sadly if I was growing up in Livingston in 2016, there is no such opportunity to play chess in that very environment I benefited from.
The Ice Age is clearly here, I know Hamish sees and has mentioned hope before, there is always hope which I acknowledge. But for me its a very thin layer of hope.
Again with respect it is not just the numbers of the established core weekenders, but the overall picture. This includes the local club situation. This is not a good situation, we are going to see many clubs fold in the coming years. Newly formed clubs are very rare in Scotland. More clubs have folded in the last 15yrs than have been formed by some way.
The Perth Congress you have highlighted was dormant for how many years? I don't think any new or recently revived congress can be seen as relevant until they have had 2-3 seasons in a row and become established. I am not sure that Perth and the newly formed Livingston congress are scheduled for the new season as things stand?
I do appreciate the positivity and glass half full perspective. I also recognise I clearly have a the glass is more than half empty view on this, but all the tangible data reflects that outlook. So many aspects of our game, be it smaller local clubs, weekend congresses, Richardsons/Spens are on borrowed time.
Andy post's is very reflective of where things are at. It also personal to me as I grew up in Livingston and that's my home town. I was with Bankton Chess Club from the start as a Junior and for many years. It was of course a fantastic junior club with fantastic support from those adults running it. I am in fact the only junior person from that club I am aware of still playing chess in Scotland (and that's after a 20yr chess break). And sadly if I was growing up in Livingston in 2016, there is no such opportunity to play chess in that very environment I benefited from.
The Ice Age is clearly here, I know Hamish sees and has mentioned hope before, there is always hope which I acknowledge. But for me its a very thin layer of hope.