Celebrating stars of our Braille Chess Breaks

Our Cliffden Hotel in Devon and Windermere Manor hotel in the Lake District are proud to welcome many guests with visual impairment and a highlight of their annual events calendars have been our Braille Chess Breaks. Peter Gibbs, experienced chess player and member of the Braille Chess Association, and his wife Celia, have been pivotal to the running and success of these breaks over the past 30 years but have taken the decision to step back from stewardship of the breaks and we want to thank them for all that they’ve done.

The history of our Braille Chess Theme Breaks

Having been impressed with the facilities for visually impaired guests at Cliffden Hotel, Stan Lovell, the then Secretary of the Braille Chess Association (BCA), set about organising chess events in conjunction with hotel management.

Peter Gibbs, Associate Member of the BCA and coach for the then British Blind Chess Champion, was invited to helm the event and in February 1994 the very first theme break took place. Having proved popular, Cliffden again hosted the breaks again the following year before the event moved Windermere Manor and continued to be held there until February 2020.

At each hotel outings were arranged so that guests at the chess event could become familiar with the area in which they were staying.

When the event moved to Windermere Manor Hotel a whole new vista opened up for all the guests. Chess players benefited from the training they received from the more experienced players in the group, enjoyed the rivalry of the Chess Cup handicap competition and also enjoyed the relaxed holiday atmosphere and many outings exploring the beautiful location. Over the years the musical talents have become a feature of the week with a regular Soiree evening held for many years.

Over the years guests have visited numerous attractions of the Lake District including Grizedale Forest, the Wool Centre at Cockermouth, Lake Coniston and Derwentwater, Grasmere, Keswick, Kendal, and many cruises on Lake Windermere. The Donald Campbell Museum, Kirby Lonsdale and Cartmel have become firm favourites with the regular attendees.

After so many years at the helm Peter and Celia decided it was time to pass on the responsibility for the Chess Theme Breaks. Accordingly they have returned responsibility for the 28th Chess Theme Break to the Braille Chess Association.

We thank Peter, Celia, events organiser Terry, and everyone else who has contributed to making the Chess Theme Breaks a firm favourite and a real community event.

Peter and Celia Gibbs receive thanks and gifts from Windermere Manor team members Andrew, Vicki and Alan.