Derby Sloggers and Betters Day, Saturday 5th May 2018

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Eileen and I are organising another Derby Sloggers and Betters Day on Saturday 5th May.

Those who have attended such events already will know what it’s about.  For those that haven’t been before, it’s a chance to meet other crossword folk over a drink, and to put names to faces. Crosswords and much else do get discussed, and setters and would-be setters often bring some of their puzzles along if you really want to spend the whole afternoon doing crosswords.  If you want to do hero worship, then most setters in our experience are up for that.  Don’t big them up too much though, or they’ll get ideas above their station as harmless drudges.

We have booked a private room in a pub which will accommodate up to fifty, and there will be a buffet lunch provided for which we will relieve you of £8 if you wish to partake of it.  For those with food preferences or intolerances, the pub has a lunchtime menu from which you can order if there’s nothing at the buffet you fancy.  It’s a really welcoming atmosphere and it would be lovely to see some new faces this time round.

We will once again be in The Brunswick Inn, which will be open from 1100.  It is 300m from Derby rail station, so ideal for those coming by train.  For those travelling by car, there is parking in the station car parks; the current charge is £11.50 per day for zone three (a five minute walk to the pub).  The Brunswick has an excellent reputation for real ale, for those that are into their beers, and it won the 2017 Derby CAMRA Pub of the Year award.  (Derby CAMRA were in the news a little while ago because of inappropriate language used in the crossword in their monthly magazine, but we’ll gloss over that.)  Check out the pub’s website if you want more details about the venue or the menu.  We have booked the Henry and Charles Room.

For now, please let us know if you will be joining us, or if you are interested in joining us.  We will need to firm up numbers nearer the time.  If you want to contact Peter, you will find him at pwharvey{at}msn{dot}com

We hope to see friends old and new in May.

Peter (Kathryn’s Dad) and Eileen (Eileen)

48 comments on “Derby Sloggers and Betters Day, Saturday 5th May 2018”

  2. I would love to be there, but sadly distance prevents me! With you in spirit. JinA

    (I am compiling a little list of those who post on the Guardian forum from Australia. My dream is one day to have a gathering of members of the 15² forum here in Australia. But it is a big country. So far, I know that we have folk in Canberra (ACT), and Magnetic Island and Sunshine Coast (both Qld). Even those three are such a long way apart. Not sure about the locales of other posters. Nevertheless, inspired by such gatherings as this one as advertised, I will continue to keep my dream alive.)

  3. It has become traditional for me to disclaim all credit for the organisation of these events: all I do is say, ‘That’s a good idea’ and Peter does the rest.

    I always say that if you email Peter to say you’re coming it’s good if you also indicate here, so that others have an idea of who’s coming. We’ve had quite a number of new commenters since the last gathering, so we  hope to see some new faces, as well as all the Usual Suspects, of course.

  7. Count me in – I’m only a 10 minute bus ride away.  Not sure if I can persuade the apprentice to come along as well.

  8. Thanks, Allan – look forward to seeing you there.  I nominate you if there are any questions about parking, accommodation, things to do if people want to make a weekend of it.  Tell the apprentice that we don’t bite.

    Peter

  10. Same as Julie@1. One day I might be able to book a trip that coincides with one of these events, but for now may have to help Julie’s dream come to fruition. Have a sister who lives on Sunshine Coast (who I visit once a year – much better weather up there – current month excepted!) so could coordinate the timing perhaps to coincide!

  11. Thanks to the Dynamic Duo. Count us in. Make that one from the buffet and one from the lunchtime menu to make life easier.

  13. Thanks for organizing this, Peter and Eileen.    Can’t say for sure at this point but hoping to make it.    Will update.

  14. I’ll confirm nearer the time, but certainly hope to make it.

    (Think I’ll pass on the buffet though.  Last time it had mostly gone when I arrived so got little more than a handful of crisps, plus some attitude from the staff for daring to ask for another plate as they’d put out the right number.)

    Thanks Eileen and Peter.

  17. Re #13. I can confirm now that I will attend and would have the buffet lunch.    Thanks again for organizing it.

  18. That’s great news, Niall.  Look forward to seeing you in May.  Sunderland will have been relegated by then so we can talk about other stuff.

    Peter

  19. Family problems mean that I’m unable to make arrangements too far ahead at the moment. However, I’d love to come if I can, so please put me down as a provisional booking & I’ll confirm later, many thanks for organising it. The buffet will suit me fine by the way.

  20. I’ve put it in my diary and hope to provide you with a new face. Not sure about Mrs W yet. The buffet is fine and the real ale even better. I’m interested in how knowing people in reality will affect my virtual interactions. Thanks P&E.

  22. Thanks to Peter and Eileen for organising yet another Derby S&B – I hope to be there and venue is excellent. No buffet required.

    Peter @18 : Can I assume you will not be draping your red & white scarf round my neck this year?

  23. I can’t guarantee that, Kruger.  The behaviour of Sunderland supporters is often irrational.  That’s why we’re Sunderland supporters in the first place.

  24. I promise I’ll make it up to Derby one year but not this one because my cruciverbal gathering attendance budget is already committed to the London S&B in May.

  25. I’ll be there, probably with Mrs T in attendance to keep me in order.   We’ll give the buffet a miss.

    Thanks for organising things again, Peter.

  27. We would like to come to Bloggers and Setters on May 5.

    It would be our first time

    John and Pauline Bartholomew – occasional contributors as Job and PVB

  34. I’d like to come and be a new face! I’ve not met many people who do cryptic crosswords so thank you for organizing this. Put me down for the buffet please

  38. BTW there is cheaper parking available a very short walk away in Siddals road car park – it’s around £5.00 for 24 hours.  Postcode for satnavs is DE1 2QD

     

     

  40. We will not be able to make it that weekend, prior engagement in Devon. Enjoy the day.

  42. Hi Peter and Eileen

    I’ve finally worked out that I can make it on 5 May. Look forward to seeing you again. Please count me in for the buffet.

    All the best.

  43. I will pop in to see if there are any still standing in the evening, but unless it rains a lot during the week I won’t be able to make it before about 8. (So I won’t require any food).  Hopefully see you there.

  48. I have just realised that I am double booked for this weekend, having agreed to something else in the evening. I will try and pop in for a couple of hours but I may have to leave before the buffet starts.

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