03-07-2012, 06:33 PM
I think the problem here is the same problem that is always the case for Scots at the British- cost.
I have been looking at these events, and they last 6 days. It would be reasonable to assume that you would have to go down the day before, and return the day after, making it 8 days. This requires 7 nights accommodation. Due to the fact that the whole family will need to go down, this is somewhere in the region of £60 x 7 for a decent family room making £420. Return travel is conservatively in the region of £80. The entry fee is £45. This is taking the total up to £545 roughly, without even considering food, for 7 games. Think of the number of junior events and congresses you could play for that!
The other issue is the entire family needs to go down, and as much fun as the event will be for the child, it is not going to be great for the parents, nor potentially any other children in the family not really into chess. You also can't really blame any parent who would rather spend their Summer holidays in Spain than North-East England.
I wonder if a potential way round this would be to make these events residential for the kids, much like the Primary individual, or at least have the option? Obviously I have no idea of logistics, or even how practical it would be. I would assume this would cut accommodation costs right down, and make it much more appealing to parents. It would also perhaps allow a family holiday somewhere warm, as the parents would not have to use up their holidays for this.
I have been looking at these events, and they last 6 days. It would be reasonable to assume that you would have to go down the day before, and return the day after, making it 8 days. This requires 7 nights accommodation. Due to the fact that the whole family will need to go down, this is somewhere in the region of £60 x 7 for a decent family room making £420. Return travel is conservatively in the region of £80. The entry fee is £45. This is taking the total up to £545 roughly, without even considering food, for 7 games. Think of the number of junior events and congresses you could play for that!
The other issue is the entire family needs to go down, and as much fun as the event will be for the child, it is not going to be great for the parents, nor potentially any other children in the family not really into chess. You also can't really blame any parent who would rather spend their Summer holidays in Spain than North-East England.
I wonder if a potential way round this would be to make these events residential for the kids, much like the Primary individual, or at least have the option? Obviously I have no idea of logistics, or even how practical it would be. I would assume this would cut accommodation costs right down, and make it much more appealing to parents. It would also perhaps allow a family holiday somewhere warm, as the parents would not have to use up their holidays for this.