Only a third of the entrants were members of Shropshire League Clubs. All Shropshire League Clubs except Market Drayton were represented. Over all sections, the entry from Shropshire players was disappointing, with only 29 graded under 130. Most of the Shropshire League players have grades lower than this.

The increased entry of players from outside the county for the 4th Wrekin Congress allowed the Prize Fund to be boosted to £1628 (an increase of 35% on the £1200 guaranteed prizes in the entry form) and leaving a small profit after meeting all the expenses. Janet Shepherd has donated the £400 profit from the catering to add to the retained funds giving the organisers a good start towards financing the next event. It is hoped that further sponsorship can be obtained.

The event ran smoothly, except for a few minor hitches, but there is still a major problem with the lighting at the Court Centre. The organisers will have to seriously consider using a different venue if the promised improvements are not carried out in the near future.

I would like to thank the Assistant Controllers, Alan Shaw (Coddon) and Keith Grice (Oswestry) who helped the Arbiter/ Chief Controller (Dave Thomas) with the pairings, wall charts etc. Alan Silver, lain Wilson, David Gostelow and Windsor Peck for setting up the boards etc. before the start of the event. Telepost Club for keeping the playing hall tidy, checking the sets, clocks, distributing score sheets etc. between rounds and everyone who helped to tidy up after the event.

Everything is now in place to make the Wrekin Congress as successful as its predecessor, the Shropshire Congress. The Wrekin Congress was intended to be an interim measure for one year while the difficulties with the Shropshire Congress were overcome. I have attempted to attract the lower-graded players by making the prizes for the weaker tournaments the same as for the stronger tournaments, but have not succeeded in persuading the majority of Shropshire League Players to try tournament chess.

After 4 years The Wrekin Congress has become established, and could continue in the present format or by becoming the Shropshire Congress again. Opinion among the top players is fairly evenly divided between playing in an 'Open' or a grading-limited 'Premier' tournament and changing to the Shropshire Open is unlikely to have much effect on the entry.

However I do not wish to continue to organise the Congress and will be resigning at the June 2004 A.G.M. I will be willing to offer as much assistance as required to the new organiser in running the 2005 event. In anticipation of the vacancy for 'Congress Organiser' being filled I will make some provisional arrangements before June to ensure a smooth transition. I expect the next event will be held at Madeley on 8-9 January 2005. These arrangements will be cancelled if my replacement is not known by the end of the A.G.M. Anyone interested in standing for the position can contact me for further details.
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Graham Shepherd - Wrekin Congress Organiser - Tel: 01694 722580