Quote from BrianW on Feb 2^nd, 2010, 10:23am:

 
should be at least 6 people from Hartlepool coming, hopefully more.

I will need a new entry form for the web site - send when ready and I will do the necessary  

Just thought I'd let you all know that I'm starting to distribute the entry forms for the congress this week.
 I'm starting with the Cleveland clubs and if there's any I don't get to this week I'll see you next week.
 I'll be sending some out to Northumberland, Durham and Yorkshire Chess Associations shortly. Also, Andrew Butterworth (Chess Direct) has asked for a couple of hundred to take to the various congresses he'll be attending between now and July.
 Blackpool is the next major event coming up but unfortunately I won't be attending. I'll make sure I get a good wad of forms down to the organisers though.

Would all Northeast clubs that would like entry forms for this event please let me know and I'll either take some to you myself or, if you're too far away, I'll post some out to you.
 You can PM on here, or....
 
 e-mail:- whitaker.brian@sky.com
 phone:- (01642) 762719
 mob :- 07506181549

Hopefully both NCCU trophys will be there for me to collect at next sats NCCU meeting.
At the last count i think there is going to be 8 to 10 Darlington chess club members playing the congress

Brian. I think its a human nature thing. Folk having a meal out always say everything is okay when asked by the waiter or manager to avoid embarassment even when they dont like it. I think chess players are the same, you ask them if they entering and some say yes to avoid being drawn into a discussion about why they are not. Human nature- saying yes is easier than saying no.
 
Negative comments about lack of entries can be counter productive- going the other way can often help. That said I can fully understand your concern.
 
This weeks Herald & Post chess notes has a paragraph about your congress, I hope it helps.  
 
I will run it again towards the end of June. I will base the entire article around the merits of weekend congress's and what happens at them while pushing yours.  
 
I think world cup fever has taken hold ad its going to be around for some time distracting people from chess. Cannot imagine why cos England are not going to win. (that last comment is really for another section)
 
I am registered on the English Chess forum and will go on later tonight and give it a plug.

Cheers Ernie, but my comments on entry levels should not be construed as 'negative'. Someone else I was talking to also took it that way.
 As I said, Paul Bielby and I had a meeting at the weekend and thought that entry levels were about right, considering the amount of time left. The only thing I'm saying here is that, from an organisational point of view, I'd rather not be rushing around like a looney in the last week or two and would appreciate it if people could get their entry forms to me sooner rather than later.
 Thanks