Fifteensquared administration – Change of Guard

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For the last thirteen years or so, this site has been maintained and administered by Gaufrid.

Unfortunately, Gaufrid’s eyesight has been deteriorating gradually to the point where he finds it almost impossible to read computer text for anything more than a few minutes at a time.

With the realisation that this was affecting his ability to continue site administration, a few weeks ago he took the really difficult decision to relinquish control and asked among the blogging community to see if anyone felt up to the task.

I guess I was too slow to take a step back and ended up volunteering. Seriously, though, I am delighted to be given this opportunity and I hope to maintain the integrity of Fifteensquared to the same degree as Gaufrid.

From site users’ point of view there will be no immediate changes but, as always, if there are problems, complaints or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to let me know either by posting in “Site Feedback” or by emailing admin (at) fifteensquared (dot) net.

I feel sure that Gaufrid will make the effort to read this post and any subsequent comments, so I’ll offer thanks for the last thirteen years and wish him good luck for the future.

Thanks,

kenmac

132 comments on “Fifteensquared administration – Change of Guard”

  1. Frequent reader, rare poster here but time to break that habit to acknowledge my thanks for the long-suffering and remarkably patient work Gaufrid has put in over the years and to thank you, kenmac, for agreeing to take on the challenge. Best of luck and bear in mind that there is a huge community out here who appreciate the work even if we don’t join in the fora.

  2. Thanks indeed both to Gaufrid for everything he has done for the site and to kenmac for taking it on.

  3. Very best wishes to Gaufrid. I hope that you are still able to enjoy crosswords and that your health is otherwise good. Many thanks for all your efforts in making this website such a hugely valuable resource for so many.

  4. Huge thanks to Gaufrid for all his past work, and to kenmac for picking up the baton. All the best for the future to you both.

  5. This website is a shining example of the internet at its very best – sharing knowledge and helping others for the sheer fun of it. Many thanks and best wishes to both Gaufrid and kenmac.

  6. Best wishes Gaufrid and kenmac. I agree with the previous comment – 15² is the best place on the internet. (Good to see Thezed @1 too.)

  9. Cheers and best wishes to Gaufrid, and the very same to KenMac, who I know will keep an orderly house

  11. Yes, this is the loveliest place in or on the internet. Thank you so much Gaufrid. And now kenmac. xxxx

  12. Thanks Gaufrid for all the years of service – the site’s a credit to your hard work. Good luck for the future, and to Kenmac with the new job!

  13. Xcelomac put it beautifully.
    Thank you Gaufrid for all your hard work – you’ve created a very satisfying site. Best wishes for the future, and the same to Kenmac!

  14. What everyone else said. Thank you for everything, Gaufrid. Sorry about the circumstances of your retirement from running the site but I hope you are otherwise in good health.

    And well done, kenmac, for picking up the baton. I’m sure fifteensquared is in very good hands.

  15. Thank you Gaufrid and best wishes for your health. As others have said, this is a wonderful site.

    Thanks to kenmac for stepping up to take over!

  17. Thanks to Gaufrid for all his hard work over the years, doing a fantastic job of being the sage as well as administrator. All the best, and good luck to kenmac.

  18. Many, many thanks Gaufrid for the time and effort you’ve put into maintaining fifteensquared and making it such a fabulous resource for lovers of crosswords. All best wishes, Jason.

  20. Many thanks Gaufrid. This is always my first stop after breakfast. Thoroughly enjoyable.
    Thanks for accepting the baton kenmac.

  21. For me too, this is the best crosswords site. TFTT (recently revamped, and for the better) and Big Dave also fantastic of course, but there’s something fresh and user-friendly about 225 that’s really special.

    All the best to Gaufrid too, whose ailments I’m sorry to hear about, and a welcome to kenmac as he slides into the hot seat.

  23. Gaufrid, you have made a huge and positive difference to my life, and the lines of so many others. You have created something that brings people together. Thank you so much. And very best of luck, and thanks, to kenmac.
    John aka Paul

  24. Thank you both and best wishes Gaufrid.

    Only reason I can finish a cryptic is thanks to the hard work put into this site!

  25. Thank you, Gaufrid, and all the best to you. Your site has played a huge part in teaching me about cryptics (and having a bit of fun along the way), and no doubt will continue to do so.

  27. Was very happy to have been involved in this website from its very start (at one point having written more blogs than anyone else – I know that only because Gaufrid told me at the time). Many thanks to him for all his excellent work over the years and I hope matters will stabilise and improve on the health front. Many thanks also to kenmac for agreeing to step in.

  28. Gaufrid = legend.

    So much good done for Crossworld so some sadness to hear of the retirement and visions issues. I hope the eye troubles don’t totally stop you from solving still and, more importantly, locating the whiskey for a well-deserved retirement dram or three.

    Seriously, Geoff – you have made a massive contribution to crosswords and should never forget it. You have enriched the lives of many by providing a place for cruciverbalists to talk as well as enriched the understanding of crosswords for all the users of this site. Thank you.

    Welcome and well-done to Kenmac for stepping into the breech, Big shoes to fill, but I am sure you’ll be up to it.

  29. Gaufrid, congratulations and thank-you for creating (nurturing?) such a pleasant community here. No mean feat.

    My father did the Telegraph every lunchtime and whilst I’m a Guardian reader myself this site has helped me learn the shared language of crosswords that brought us closer together.

    Good luck kenmac,. I’m sure that like a duck, there’s a lot more work required below the surface than we realise!

  30. Thank you Gaufrid for maintaining such a welcome and well managed site. Welcome Kenmac and thank you in advance for your service.

  32. The 225 community is a joy to be part of, due in no small part to your skill and humanity, Gaufrid. Many many thanks, and take care of yourself. And a warm welcome, kenmac.

  34. Thank you Gaufrid for making fifteensquared such an enjoyable part of my life ever since I ‘found’ you years ago when recovering from surgery. I’ve always appreciated your gentle and dignified hand on the rudder, and all your work in the background to keep things ticking over, for stepping in for other bloggers at short notice, or clarifying a point of discussion, and for setting by example the standards which foster respectful and interesting conversations amongst a worldwide community of cruciverbalists.

    Wishing you the very best of health, and a hearty hello to kenmac.

  35. Many thanks to you Gaufrid for all you’ve done – for a long time I’ve maintained a “permanent” tab set to 225 on the browser on my tablet. And welcome kenmac.

  36. So many comments to agree with, in true blog style I will pick a favourite, Hoskins@28 says it all.

  38. Everyone has expressed their thanks and appreciation so well for Gaufrid’s outstanding work. This site has become part of my life and I have learnt a lot in general and a little more each day. Thank you Gaufrid and what a hero you are kenmac to take up the baton.

  39. I am sorry to hear of Gaufrid’s troubles, but hope he will continue in a less demanding role. This is a well-regulated and polite site, and I am sure it wil continue to be so under his successor. To both of them, best wishes.

  40. Thanks Gaufrid for curating the amazing quality of this invaluable blog. And best of luck to Ken (glad to help as neede!)

  41. Like many I have fifteensquared on my bookmarks bar, and I regularly link to it in my posts (this weekend’s will be no exception, assuming I find time to get round to it…)

    Bravo to Gaufrid and bravo to kenmac

  42. A huge thanks to you, Gaufrid, for all the hard work you have put into this site. It is much appreciated.
    And thanks to kenmac for taking it over.

  43. Thank you to Gaufrid for all your work in maintaining such a wonderful site, and to kenmac for taking on the role. I was reading occasionally when stuck, but ended up here during the pandemic, and have remained.

  44. Thank you Gaufrid for fifteensquared – the very best a blog can be, and I hope your eyesight holds up. Congratulations to Kenmac, I’m sure you’ll keep the blog up to its high standard.

  45. Would like to echo the appreciation of Gaufrid’s hard work and thank kenmac for taking on the role. Thank you both very much.

  47. Have to add my sincere thanks to Gaufrid for having maintained this place, for so long and with such gentle distinction. I remember the delight with which I discovered that a site existed that could help me understand where I had gone wrong and I have learned a huge amount about the setters’ art from the bloggers and other visitors here. It remains a tremendous resource and I’m grateful to kenmac for carrying the torch now.

    Gaufrid, I hope you are otherwise well and still able to enjoy the challenges and camaraderie that cryptic puzzles bring, and that passing on the duties of running this place provides welcome respite from what must have involved a lot of time and effort on your part. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

  49. When one joins any thread in the mid 40’s, the likelihood is that is has all been said and probably more elegantly than I could manage. And so it is today. But I still want to add my thanks to Gaufrid for a site that has changed my life in many ways and, no, that’s not hyperbole. I’ve learned so much, made friends, had so many moments of laughter and, directly through contacts and advice on 225, taken my first steps down the amateur setting road. It was a Godsend during the Covid years and is one of the most visited sites on my bookmark bar. Congratulations on what you have achieved and enjoy your ‘retirement’ from active duties. Thanks also to Kenmac for taking it on and good luck.

  50. My very best wishes to Gaufrid. He has helped me many a time both on this site and elsewhere. A great example of one willing to give up his own time for others. Thank you G. Kenmac, bravo on taking up the reins.

  51. Thank you for this site, which we visit twice a day, and which we’ve found useful and fun.
    Best wishes to Gaufrid for your retirement, and good luck to Kenmac

  52. Thank you Gaufrid for this wonderful site and all the work you have put into it – a true labour of love. So sorry to hear about your eye problems. All good wishes for your future, and to Kenmac as he takes on running fifteensquared.

  53. Thanks to Gaufrid for this wonderful site. I very rarely post, but read, learn and enjoy every day. Best wishes to both Gaufrid and Kenmac for the future.

  55. Thank you Gaufrid for the many years of service. I’ve been around as a contributor only since my recent New Year’s resolution to become a part of the online crosswording community, but I’ve noticed how helpful and positive people are here at 15 Squared, and how a wide range of views are supported. I am thus sorry indeed to hear of your apparently forced abdication, even though I wish the new helmsman all the best.

    All the best with your continuing journey.

  56. Everybody has said what I would say: heartfelt thanks to Gaufrid for all he did, and best wishes and thanks to kenmac.

  58. Thank you, Geoff, for the many years running this brilliant site and good luck for the future.

    Thanks also to kenmac for taking over.

  59. Thank you so much, Gaufrid, for creating and sustaining what has been an informing, entertaining, sociable and sustaining virtual diversion/refuge for me for several years. I hope you continue to find ways of enjoying crosswords – and the wider world of course! And thanks and good luck to kenmac.

  60. I don’t often comment, but I’ve been coming here most days since soon after the site started, perhaps about 12 years. I’ve learned so much about crosswords in that time. Fifteensquared is definitely the most civilised and intelligent place I know on the web. As the ex-administrator of another busy WordPress site – one that isn’t so civilised or intelligent! – I know how much credit for that must go to you, Gaufrid. You’ve done a superb job. Thanks a million! I hope your health holds up from now on.

    Thanks also to kenmac for agreeing to take over as administrator. I, for one, appreciate your ‘steady-as-she-goes’ intentions.

  61. May I add my thanks to Gaufrid. He has kept excellent standards on this site with a firm but fair hand. I was reprimanded on one occasion fro a minor infrigement but it went to show the dedication that was put in to notice said infringement and put it right. No mean task!!!! Best of luck for the future to both of you and thank you once again for useful and well managed site.

  62. Having not long taken up cryptic crosswords, fifteensquared has been invaluable. Many thanks to Gaufrid and all who maintain the site.

  63. Thank you Gaufrid, you are kind and encouraging and have helped me a lot. And thanks to kenmac for taking up the challenge.

  64. I can only echo the above comments on wishing Geoff a relaxing step-down and kenmac following up.
    I was a lousy solver before this site. Since then i have progressed to at least average.

    Thanks so much.

  65. Yes, many thanks to Gaufrid/Geoff for keeping up the amazing quality of this site, a great boon to all solvers whatever their level. Best wishes to kenmac for the future.

  67. I’ve never posted before but wanted to now to say thanks for a great site (discovered during lockdown and much appreciated).

  68. What a fantastic job you have done, Gaufrid, in setting up and running this wonderful website until you were literally unable to any more. It can’t have been easy handing over the tiller, but everything we have seen so far from kenmac suggests he will be following in your footsteps in a way which will make you proud. Congratulations and good luck to him!

    Thanks also, Geoff, for helping me personally to become a setter, for attending so promptly to various direct messages over the years and also your role in checking the Indy crosswords. What a busy man you have been! I hope you can find a pleasurable way to fill the newly vacated hours and wish you all the very best in your retirement.

  69. Plaudits and many thanks to Gaufrid for all his work on this fabulous website, and welcome and good luck to kenmac.

  70. I have only contributed to this blog a couple of times, but like many others, I read it every day and have learned a lot from it. Thank you Gaufrid for making this an excellent blog and to kenmac for agreeing to take it over.

  71. Although an infrequent poster, I enormously enjoy this site and have learned so much from it – both on and off topic. Thank you Gaufrid for your years of patient service. Thanks also to Ken Mac for picking up the baton.

  72. While I can’t think of anything new to add to this impressive chain of accolades, I’d like to thank Gaufrid for the past and kenmac for the future.

  73. This is such a wonderful site to visit – it’s always informative and entertaining. It has greatly improved my ability to solve, and consequently to get more enjoyment out of these devious puzzles.
    Many thanks to Gaufrid for his time & tutelage over the years. Cheers & best of luck to kenmac for the future.

  74. Thank you both very much – novice solver here, getting through Monday’s and Tuesday’s FT most of the time, but slowly. This website is invaluable!

  75. What a wonderful testimony these tributes are to you Gaufrid. Not many people can have the satisfaction of knowing that they have brought so much pleasure and knowledge to a diverse, world-wide community on a daily basis, and you can take enormous satisfaction in having helped so many to overcome the entry barriers to the rewarding world of cryptic crosswords. All best wishes to you for the future, and of course many thanks to Kenmac for taking on the challenge of following in such huge footsteps.

  76. As others have said, 225 is a treasure. Many thanks to Gaufrid for all his great work, and good luck to kenmac.

  77. Thank you to Gaufrid. Being able to read comments on fifteensquared every day has been one of the great pleasures in my life since retiring from full time work 6 years ago. It is one of the loveliest places on the internet. Good luck Kenmac as you take over custodianship of this precious resource and community

  78. Many thanks to Gaufrid for all his hard work and dedication over so many years and best wishes to kenmac for the future.

  80. Another frequent visitor and very occasional poster here. Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Sounds like 225 has chosen you, kenmac – I hope all the appreciation here will encourage you in the care of this gem of a site.
    Chapeau @Gaufrid.

  83. It has all been said, so one can only echo the praise and the thanks to Gaufrid, and add thanks to Kenmac for taking up the torch. This site is always a delight to visit and has been especially uplifting during the last couple of years.

  84. Thanks for all of your efforts, Geoff – it has been a great find to get to this forum, where the interaction between other solvers and occasionally the setters themselves has added another dimension to this wonderful pastime from anywhere in the world. You can take pride in the legacy that you leave and hopefully your eyes will allow you to continue enjoying the solving experience side of things.
    Congratulations, kenmac and am sure that you will continue the great work !!

  85. So many lovely and valid comments from such a great community on this page. The volume of well wishers is testament to how well run a site this is.

    Geoff, you are indeed a legend because the way you have run this site so commendably in every way makes it what it is. Technically the site works so well and contributors are invariably polite and considerate to each other. That only comes from dedication to the cause at the top. The crossword community has really benefited from your input. Many many thanks and best wishes for the next chapter.

    Very good luck kenmac in filling Gaufrid’s shoes in the days and months ahead.

  87. Gaufrid, thank you so much for running this site for 13+ years. I have learnt so much about how cryptic crossword clues work by reading the blogs here. I am truly grateful.

    kenmac, thank you for taking over the Fifteensquared administration work.

  89. Thank you Gaufrid for all the work you’ve put into this excellent site – a truly invaluable crossword resource.

  90. Sad to see you go Gaufrid, many thanks for all your help and hard work. I do hope you can continue to solve on paper!

    Best wishes.

  91. It’s a shame to be thwarted by health considerations – so unfair. I hope the years ahead will be suitably distracting. Thanks so much for what you’ve done – awe-inspiring is not quite the word: flabbergasting?
    Best of luck with a Herculean task kenmac.

  92. Gaufrid, you put an enormous amount of work into running this site, and did it brilliantly. Very many thanks, and best wishes.

    Well done kenmac for taking over the reins, and good luck. Gaufrid did a superhuman job, and you could really do with some assistants to help you. (I’m afraid that’s not me volunteering as my computer-related skills are almost non-existent.)

  93. We would like to add our thanks to Gaufrid. Having struggled with WordPress ourselves we realise what a fantastic job he does. We were really impressed by how quickly he helped us while we were in China.

    Welcome to your new role kenmac.

  95. Although I comment infrequently, I have followed this site for many years. It has always seemed to me to be run very efficiently. Many thanks, Gaufrid, and best wishes to Kenmac.

  96. I usually only comment when I feel I have something useful to add to what others have already said (so not all that often), but in this case I have to add my wholehearted agreement to the sentiments expressed above. This truly is the most civilised and friendly place on the internet. Thanks so much to Gaufrid for maintaining such high standards and to Kenmac for taking up the reins. Fifteensquared is just terrific.

  97. Many thanks to Gaufrid and best wishes to kenmac. I’ll always be grateful to my son for alerting me to the existence of fifteensquared.

  98. Thank you, dear Gaufrid, our Geoff, for all you have done for our crosswording community, and for your responsiveness to me, as well as to all the vicissitudes of the fifteensquared site over the years. Sending you every good wish.

  99. Thank you so much, Gaufrid, for all your work – 225 is wonderful site. I come here nearly every day as, I am sure, do many many others. I wish you all the best.
    Thanks, too, to kenmac for taking over.

  100. Thank you Gaufrid, and best wishes for the future. Your work on this site is very much appreciated.

    Good luck kenmac.

  102. I don’t know what else I can add other than to let Gaufrid and others know that there are many of us, a large silent majority no doubt, who enormously value what he has overseen and if nothing else, I just wanted to add my gratitude to the many above. Thank you, to all involved with 225.

  103. Sorry to hear about the situation for you Gaufrid but hearty thanks for everything you have done here, and as I won’t be able to post there thanks also for the Easter Maskarade blog which I will read if and when I finally finish the puzzle! Thanks kenmac for keeping the torch alight (and to anyone else who has assisted in the interim – Peedee?).

  104. Gaufrid, yours is a towering presence and your sheer integrity has created a tone that will cast a long shadow. Thank you!
    Every good wish to you, Kenmac, in filling those big shoes.

  105. Gaufrid, I’m sad to hear about your deteriorating eyesight. I hope your condition is relatively stable and that you’re still able to enjoy life, such as it is. I echo others’ sentiments in thanking you for creating a community to learn from and interact with. Certainly, many people’s lives would be poorer without fifteensquared. It takes great effort to go from vision to reality — and even greater effort to keep it going and making it thrive, as you have done for thirteen years.

    kenmac, I wish you (and others who help you) well in taking over Gaufrid’s stewardship of this site.

  106. Many thanks Gaufrid for your helmsmanship over the years. From a long time reader but rare contributor.

  107. Many thanks, Gaufrid, for maintaining this site so well and contributing so much to its quality and tone. I wish you well and hope you continue to enjoy this and any other pursuits to the extent that you are able.

    And thanks to kenmac for taking on a tough act to follow! I wish you well too and hope you get enjoyment and satisfaction from it.

  108. I’m a relative newby, having only discovered FifteenSquared early in lockdown, but it has been a real help in my cryptic education. Many thanks to Gaufrid for all the site has done so far.

  109. Many thanks Gaufrid for setting up this site and create such a wonderful forum of people. The setters, explainers (is that the right term?) and solvers on here have done so much to help me and many others to get into, or back into, enjoying crosswords, and have done it in such a civilised, entertaining and informative way that it is always a pleasure to visit the site. Congratulations on your achievement, and thanks and all best wishes to kenmac for taking it on for what I hope will be many more years of success.

  110. To paraphrase Whyte-Melville – “I freely admit that the best of my fun I owe it to Gaufrid and Fifteensquared”. Keep well and thanks for everything.

  111. Many thanks Gaufried and best wishes for the future. Thanks for taking over Kenmac and good luck

  112. I came to fifteensquared as an American who had never attempted a cryptic; over the past few years of working the Indy a couple times a week I can now reliably solve Phi-day and Sunday puzzles most of the time…and that is all because of this blog and the amazing community Gaufrid has fostered. Thanks to all of you!

  113. As per usual, I find myself at the end of a very long thread where everything that needs to be said to both Gaufrid and Kenmac has already been said by so many contributors with eloquence and with feeling. So all I can do at this point is to echo them all!
    And perhaps add a home-made emoji: 🙂

  114. I’m so sorry to hear that your eye problems have made it impossible to continue maintaining the site, Gaufrid. A website where courtesy and friendliness rule is all too rare these days and Fifteensquared stands as a tribute to your hard work in creating the site and making it such a pleasant environment for crossword aficionados. I do hope your vision improves so you’re able to continue enjoying the site yourself in the future.

    A huge thanks to kenmac for taking over the reins and I’m sure maintaining the high standards set by Gaufrid. Good luck!

  115. I agree with all those who think this is the best location on the entire internet. An antidote to the bile and stupidity found elsewhere. So thank you Gaufrid for your striking achievement and for the many hours of pleasure the site has brought me. Thanks also to Kenmac for stepping into some massive shoes.

  117. Many thanks to you Gaufrid for administering such an invaluable site. And to Kenmac for agreeing to keep it going. Not sure how I would cope without it!

  118. As is obvious from the comments above, this site is without equal for the value it brings to the crosswording community. I may not have commented as frequently as others do but I’ve been helped enormously by the erudition the site contains.
    Have a long and pleasant retirement Gaufrid. We all owe you a great deal.
    A huge thankyou also to Kenmac – I hope Gaufrid’s boots will come to fit you well.

  120. Just to add my own thanks for what must have been many, many hours of effort that have benefitted us all immensely both in making us better solvers (or at least slightly less puzzled ones) and in the feedback that it must have provided for setters on which clues were well received, contentious, misunderstood or solved in left-field ways, and hence raised the quality of the puzzles we enjoy.

  121. Enormous thanks to Gaufrid for all the work over the years. I’ve been solving for almost thirty years, and finding this site back in the day was a godsend. I can only imagine how incredibly useful it is for new setters. Best wishes to Gaufrid for the future, and many thanks to kenmac for taking up the baton.

  122. Belated thanks and appreciation to Gaufrid for your role in establishing this wonderful website/community. Thanks to Kenmac for taking on this responsibility – I wish you all the best.

  128. I’d like to echo all the above comments about Geoff’s dedication and hard work that have made fifteensquared what it is today. He’s also helped me immensely over the past few years. I hope he is able to take some comfort from the knowledge of how highly he is esteemed by the crosswording world. And from the odd dram or two.

    Good luck to Ken and fifteensquared and all who sail in her.

  129. Thank you Gaufrid – without fifteensquared the vague notion of “I should get into crosswords” that I had during one of the many sleepless nights that accompany early parenthood would have remained a vague notion.

    The community you’ve created here has been smart, good-humoured, and endlessly welcoming and supportive. Long may it continue!

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