‘The new things are based and supported on sturdy old things, and derive a massive strength from their deep and immemorial foundations, though with such limitations and impediments as only an Englishman could endure. But he likes to feel the weight of all the past upon his back; and, moreover, the antiquity that overburdens him has taken root in his being, and has grown to be rather a hump than a pack, so that there is no getting rid of it without tearing his whole structure to pieces . . . as he appears to be sufficiently comfortable under the mouldy accretion, he had better stumble on withit as long as he can.‘ Nathaniel Hawthorne, 1862
At the time of writing, Bedford’s Ledger brothers (Andy, Dave & Steve) are playing for England at the FIDE World Senior (50+) Team Championships in down there in Durres, Albania. England has 5 men’s teams and 1 women’s team. The Ledger brothers are playing for England 3 alongside Laurence E. Webb, FIDE rating 2203. Details of the tournament teams and results can be found here: FIDE World Seniors. Local chess fans may like to know that I did ask GM Plaskett why he wasn’t playing and he told me that he wasn’t invited this time.
History, of which most lies unrecorded, is more so about interpretation than facts, and so I am not going to state the Ledger brothers are writing history by becoming the first brothers to play for England, some evidence to the contrary may be found here.1 In any event, we wish them good luck with their endeavours.
The England that we love is the England of old towns, tilled fields, little rivers, farms, churches and cottages. If by violently marring the fair country and vulgarizing the shy old buildings we obtain so much less to love, what shall it profit? Without an England to love we cannot remain stout of heart and enduring.’ James Lees-Milne
M J M
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