With Graham Shepherd stepping down as organiser the Wrekin Congress looked like being a non starter this year. At the last minute and a week after Graham had given as the final, final date for someone to come forward Dave Gostelow "volunteered".
Despite Dave going on holiday two weeks before the event and coming down with a heavy cold during the preceding week (which he was generous enough to circulate at the congress) everything was put in place and Friday night came and everything looked ready. Well we were a few boards short; we weren't altogether sure who was doing refreshments and there was a gale force wind threatening to disrupt the roads..... but the lighting was excellent!
We needn't have worried. Sue Pym arrived with the missing sets early Saturday morning and confirmed she would be doing the refreshments apart from Sunday morning. Graham Shepherd's wife volunteered to fill in and everything was ready for the start.
Dave Thomas did his usual efficient job as controller supported by Keith Grice and Alan Shaw. Graham Shepherd was always on hand to help and to make sure his baby was in safe hands and Iain Wilson, Windsor Peck and Colin Roberts helped out at various points where needed. Apart from the regulars there were a number of new faces. With Jonathan Bourne, and Carl and Sue Portman returning to play it was also a chance to catch up with some old friends. The consensus of opinion was that the event ran very smoothly.
Shropshire had another successful year but for a change it wasn't just in the Major and Minor. With Nick Rutter and Simon Fowler both on 4/4 going into the last round a Shropshire winner was guaranteed. In the end they agreed a draw to Share first prize.
Nick Rutter v Simon Fowler after the hard work was over.
John Bashall achieved the same score in the major but having taken a bye on the Saturday night remained with a 100% record over the board.
Results
| Premier | |||
| Simon Fowler | Coddon | 4.5 | 1st = & Best Junior |
| Nick Rutter | Newport | 4.5 | 1st = |
| David Everington | Shrewsbury | 3.5 | 3rd = & Grading Prize |
| Tristan Cox | Sutton Coldfield | 3.5 | 3rd = & Grading Prize |
| Alan Crombleholme | Bushbury | 3.5 | 3rd = |
| David Cutmore | Wood Green | 3.5 | 3rd = |
| Major | |||
| John Bashall | Telepost | 4.5 | 1st |
| Keith Tabner | Telepost | 4 | 2nd = |
| Carl Portman | Bicester ( formerly Coddon) | 4 | 2nd = |
| Gary Hope | South Birmingham | 4 | 2nd = |
| Dean Hartley | Clay Cross | 4 | 2nd = |
| G S Ali | South Birmingham | 3.5 | Grading Prize |
| Minor | |||
| Phil Bull | Warley Quinbourne | 4.5 | 1st |
| Ken Alexander | Sidmouth | 4 | 2nd = |
| Colin Eckloff | Warley Quinbourne | 4 | 2nd = |
| Richard Leaper | 3.5 | Grading Prize | |
| Paul Broderick | Shifnal & Telford | 3.5 | Grading Prize |
Bookstall by Chessmaze www.chessmazeinternational.com
The Organisers / Winners
