30.03.2006
On Tuesday 21 March 2006 contracts were signed between University of Brighton and English Chess Federation to house the National Chess Library in University Centre Hastings. Representing the university were Margaret Wallis Head of Co-ordination and Development and Sarah Eatwell Information Services Manager, signing for English Chess Federation were President Gerry Walsh and Manager Cynthia Gurney.
The National Chess Library has spent almost 20 years packed in boxes awaiting a permanent home, and what a magnificent home it now has.
The first donation of books was the collection of the late Sir Richard Clarke the renowned statistician and father of our Home Secretary Charles Clarke. This was followed by a collection from the late Harry Golombek the Grand Old Man of Chess who was code breaker from Bletchley park days.
Other collections followed building a library of approximately 6,000 books. Once the collection has been catalogued there will be an official opening after which there will be access for the public.
Hastings is widely regarded as the Home of Chess in England. The British Chess Federation was founded on 7 May 1904 (changed its name to English Chess Federation 2005), the first treasurer was H.E. Dobell from Hastings, the Hastings International Congress is in its 82nd year and the Hastings and St Leonards Chess Club, one of the most active in the country, has its premises in Cornwallis Gardens. The British Chess Federation moved to St Leonards in 1980 and now has offices in Battle.
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
