Post
by Paul Buswell » Wed Mar 18, 2009 6:00 am
From the 'Hastings Observer' earlier this month:
"Chess mad youngster given cheque by their mate Michael
Chess mad youngsters at a local primary school saw their lunchtime club saved - thanks to Hastings MP Michael Foster.
Thousands of schools across the UK signed up for 12 free chess sets under a scheme launched last year by a company offering up the sets made of recycled plastic.
Numerous schools across Hastings and St Leonards, included Helenswood, got their sets as promised. However, due to a problem with the company some schools have been left waiting for their games for months.
One such school, Guestling Bradshaw Primary, was down to just three sets for its Wednesday lunchtime chess club - certainly not enough to cope with the number of pupils who wanted to play.
Bruce Humphreys, who helps with the club, decided to contact Mr Foster direct and ask for help and, just two weeks later, the school had six new chess sets.
Mr Foster, who paid for the sets himself, said: "I have always loved chess, despite not being very good at it.
"It is a great sport for young people to take up. It lets people display different sets of skills to more physical activities and sitting opposite someone and pitting your wits against them is great fun.
"When I heard about the delay, I was only too happy to help."
The school was quick to thank Mr Foster, with Mr Humphreys saying: "We are very grateful. Its only right people find out about this sort of generosity."
The school, and others in the town yet to receive their free sets, should do so over the coming months."
It is not clear to me whether "numerous schools" have indeed received their sets...
PB