08/07/17 – an update from John
All looks to be shaping up nicely for the event. As far as I can make out from postings and replies, our numbers will include all four members of the blogging team (from around 2:30pm), our proof-solving team and over a dozen compilers. With solvers, WAGs and HABs looking to be well-represented, it should be a pleasant mix.
Please follow these instructions:
1 Pre-noon: Buy the i.
2 Noon, enter pub. Grab a pint (or similar), a puzzle (or two) and a name badge.
3 Mingle, engage in solving, banter and revelry.
4 Go to 3.
I have reserved the downstairs area from noon until 7pm. See you there!
A message from John Henderson (Enigmatist):
I’d very much like to invite Inquisitor solvers to The Vine Inn in Kennedy Street in Manchester on July 22nd for a gathering to mark the publication of the 1500th puzzle in the Inquisitor series. As far as I’m aware, it will be the first such celebration of this puzzle which, over the years, has undergone several changes of name (and numbering!). All four of our regular bloggers will be in attendance, together with the members of the checking team and several compilers, so it will be an opportunity for solvers to find out more about behind-the-scenes goings-on.
The event begins at noon (opening time), when (to assist icebreaking) there will be various copies of the day’s puzzles available, including the special celebratory Inquisitor currently in preparation for the occasion. Editor and bloggers will be along to join you at around 2:30pm. During the afternoon, a trophy will be presented to the compiler of 2016’s Puzzle of the Year.
So I can keep a check on numbers, please could I ask that you confirm below your likely attendance, and also (this includes setters who have already indicated that they will be present) whether you would wish me to organise a buffet lunch: the pub has a reasonably good lunch menu, but if you’d prefer a buffet, please say.
In case you were wondering, I’ve already checked with Dean (Anax) that it’s OK to organise the Inquisitor event in such close temporal proximity to the Macclesfield S&B. It is, but part of the deal is that I have to attend his bash. Looking forward to seeing you at one or both.
John/Ed
Hotel booked, I’ll be there. My first fifteensquared ‘event’ so looking forward to meeting fellow Inquisitors.
Thanks, John. Happy to go with the pub’s lunch menu.
I’ll be there, John. Also happy to go with the pub menu.
Count me in as well, please. I’m sure the pub lunch will be fine. Looking forward to meeting setters and fellow solvers.
Add another two to the list – we wouldn’t want to miss this event! We’re happy with the pub menu.
John – thanks for organising it.
Hi John. I’m hoping to be there. Pub menu is fine for me.
Neil
I’ll be there. Pub lunch is fine with me.
Jason
Hope to be there, John – pub menu fine for me too.
Add two more, John. Pub menu fine.
I would have liked to come to this gathering but sadly I will be on holiday in France at the time. Given the awesomeness of the weekly puzzles (and some of the blogs too) the brainpower that is going to be present in the room that afternoon feels really quite intimidating! There is a remote possibility that we will be driving back home up the M6 that afternoon and if that is the case we will certainly drop in.
Thanks, John. Look forward to it. Pub grub fine.
As this is local for me I hope to be there, for the first time, possibly with Mrs T. I’ll eat whatever’s going. Thanks for organising this.
I intend to be there, John. Pub menu is fine.
Having submitted the last 4 Inquisitors (not all correctly, alas) I may now have earned the right to attend such a gathering? I may turn up, if not all crossword-meeted out by this point in the year!
We’ll be arriving from Geneva around noon and will be there. Pub menus will suit us fine. Looking forward to it.
Social events are not my thing, but as it’s so local I might pop in during the afternoon, courage permitting!
Very disappointed I can no longer make this. Summer Holiday bookings have taken over that weekend alas.
Yes John. Jo and myself will be there and either food option works for us.
Thanks, John. Pub food is fine. Looking forward to meeting setters and solvers alike 🙂
I don’t normally do the inquisitor but manchester is close and it would be really nice to meet people – so I hope I’m welcome. Looks like people are happy with a pub menu which is fine by me too
I like the idea but my hearing is too poor these days to cope with new voices in a venue with an uncertain level of background noise. My best wishes to everyone who gets there!
I won’t be there, but I just wanted to say that I am watching the highlights of the fourth and final day’s play in the Test Match at Lords and the camera briefly focussed on a red-haired lady eating a sandwich. She did not appear to be completing a crossword, but you never can tell. Jetdoc, was it you?
It was indeed I, bridgesong. The spidercam just had to capture me in mid-sandwich! No one looks at their most dignified when eating a sandwich, although I think I managed it better then Ed MIlliband.
I won’t be attending this one, since the Inquisitor is too difficult and time-consuming to for me to attempt regularly, but I hope to see some of you in York later in the year. Hope it’s another great day.
Oh, and by the way — that was a clipboard, complete with a plentiful supply of puzzles, on my knee!
I am doing name badges for the event. John has a list of people attending. Normally, I would put people’s real names with pseudonyms in brackets. However, Terrier, we don’t know your, or Mrs Terrier’s names. If you want them on the badges, could you let us know, please.
There will be plenty of spare badge inserts for people either not on the list or not happy with what their badge says.
I’m hoping to be there too.
Just spotted Jane’s request for further info. The Terriers are Steve and Judith Willis. Sorry if this too late for badge amendment. Looking forward to meeting everyone.