The HWPA extends it’s thanks to all those at Kempton who helped to arrange the new press arrangements that were in place on Boxing Day.

Everyone who used both the existing press room and the temporary facilities were in agreement that this was a great improvement on previous King George Day experiences, so thank you to Kempton and thanks to the journalists and photographers who attended.

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There are changes and improvements to the Press facilities for the first day of the William Hill Winter Festival on Boxing Day, featuring the William Hill King George VI Chase and the Christmas Hurdle. To assist in the smooth running of the press facilities on the day, Kempton Park will be implementing an accreditation system for all members of the press that is in line with other major racing festivals in the UK.

Following consultation with the HWPA, Kempton Park is introducing various new measures aimed at providing more comfortable working surroundings ensuring that all press feel welcome and more importantly, for those of you with deadlines on the day, the facilities provide a beneficial working environment .

The changes that will be put in place on Boxing Day include the following;

i) Metal Press Badges will not provide access to the press facilities on the day and all members of the Press attending need to complete a press accreditation form.

ii) The established Press Room, on the top floor of the Grandstand, will be reserved for the working Racing Press, with seats allocated to specific journalists.

iii) There will be a substantial new Press Facility on the ground floor, next to the existing Champagne Bar. This will accommodate all remaining members of the media and photographers present on the day.

Both press areas will be equipped with wifi (with individual access codes), security and catering.

Please note that RCA car park labels WILL be honoured in the normal way on Boxing Day.

Please complete the attached PRESS ACCREDITATION FORM and return it to Victoria Schlesinger by Friday, December 2nd. If you have any queries please feel free to contact Victoria on 07798 877125 or at kemptonpark@btconnect.com

The above outlined changes are being made for Boxing Day only. Metal Badges will gain access to the press room at Kempton Park in the usual way at all other fixtures including the second day of the William Hill Winter Festival on December 27th.

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16th Sept.

As a result of the considerable feedback received from members after recent years, President Steven Cargill and Regional Rep Mike Vince met with Kempton MD Amy Starkey and Victoria Schlesinger earlier this month to discuss changes ahead of this years event, especially to cope with the ever growing issue of capacity.

Kempton have been extremely proactive in trying to resolve the issues, they have been aware of them without prompting from us since last winter and have been very keen to find a solution.

At the heart of the discussions has been one simple aim, to ensure that those members of the racing press who are filing on the day get the space and facilities they need to do their job.

To achieve this, it has been decided that for 2011 Boxing Day ONLY Metal Press Badges will NOT be valid for Kempton Park, and everyone wishing to attend will need to apply for accreditation. Car Park Labels will be valid in the usual way.

The existing Press Room, which has only 23 spaces, will be strictly for working racing press only with seats allocated individually like at the Derby. All other press will be accommodated in a new spacious facility on the ground floor which will have desks, catering, wifi, security and easy access to both track and the winners enclosure-cum-paddock. Steven Cargill and Mike Vince, on behalf of the HWPA, have been shown the new facility in the old catering office and have given it a resounding thumbs-up.

Accreditation request forms will be sent out by Victoria Schlesinger at Kempton towards the end of October, together with any other relevant details and will need to be returned to her by the end of November. The form will also be available on our website to be downloaded. Victoria will also be at the Open Meeting at Cheltenham in November with forms for anyone who wants to complete and will gladly answer any questions.

There will be no change to the post-race scenario as it currently stands. A number of people have raised the question of a post race press conference but given the fact most of the connections of the King George and other Grade One winners will be involved in the next race, and delaying a race is not possible because of TV, it is not thought to be a realistic option. However the situation may be looked at again after 2011.

Kempton have asked us to stress, which we gladly do, that they value hugely the support of the Press and what is being done is to maximise the facilities and ensure that those filing on the day get the absolute priority they need to do their job.

These changes relate to King George Chase day ONLY and Press Metal Badges will be welcomed in the normal way at all the other fixtures.

If anyone has any questions then by all means get in touch with Steve or Mike Vince.

We will obviously hugely value any feedback from members on the day.

MV