I’m pleased to announce that the York Sloggers & Betters event is once again scheduled for “Clock Weekend”, allowing everyone an extra hour to recover from Friday and Saturday exertions on Sunday morning.
Last year’s new venues worked so well, we are using them again this year! Details follow, new attenders please refer to the very helpful map (LINK to follow).
Friday 24th: Quiz Night
As last year, Gustav’s excellent Quiz will take place in the upstairs function room at Stableside from 630-830pm. Food (home-made pizzas and sides) will be provided (£5 per head). There are no draft ales available at the bar, but I have ordered some “tried and tested” local craft beers for the event.
Afternoon arrivers will be meeting in the nearby Fox & Roman pub. No doubt there will be post-quiz drinks here too …
Saturday 25th: Puzzle Day
Our venue is again the downstairs bar and function room at the Marcia Inn in Bishopthorpe (www.marciainnbishopthorpe.co.uk). We will be following last year’s Saturday timetable for Puzzle Day from opening time (11am). A hot (meat or vegetarian) lunch (£14, tbc) will be available.
So that I can get an approximate idea of numbers, I’d be grateful if you would indicate below whether you are likely to attend and, if so, whether you would like to partake of the above options (the normal pub menus will also be available, but there may be a longer than average wait). Please indicate, as follows:
- A – your name(s) with pseudonyms as appropriate, these are useful for name badges;
- B – attending on Friday? Y/N
- C – (if Yes to B) – food, please? Y/N
- D – attending on Saturday? Y/N
- E – (if Yes to D) – food, please? Y/N
Note that, at present, this is about the likelihood that you will attend, it does not commit you to attending. There will be a further announcement at the start of October.
Accommodation
For those wishing to stay at Stableside (Stableside at York Racecourse, Tadcaster Road, York YO24 1QG), I have as usual reserved a block of en-suite rooms in the main block. Other less expensive rooms (not en-suite) are available. Rates, including breakfast: £112 single and £125 double (both ensuite) or £67 single and £82 twin (not ensuite).
To book, please email Sarah Culshaw at stablesidemanager@yorkracecourse.co.uk, quoting “S&B – 2025-10-24” in the subject line, stating:
- your name and phone number
- date(s) required
- bedroom type
- number of occupants
Sarah will then call you to confirm room availability and to ask for a credit card guarantee.
If you are looking for other hotels within easy reach, some of our number have said good things about the family-run Wheatlands Lodge (YO24 1DB; 01904 654318) and the Bar Convent (YO24 1AQ; 01904 464902); there are plenty of other places to stay on Tadcaster Road and Blossom Street (the latter nearer the city).
Despite the name, the event is not just restricted to crossword compilers and bloggers; indeed, anyone with an interest in words, puzzles, trivia etc will be made most welcome, with or without partners.
Looking forward to seeing you all!
John H
A – Rob Townsend / Henri
B – N*
C – N
D – Y
E – Y
* I arrive about 9pm so will join you for the after-party
Saturday only again this year:
A – Hugh Hudson / Beery Hiker
B – N
C – N
D – Y
E – Y
Hi John,
A. Rob Jacques / Knut / Julius / Hudson / Bjorn
B. N
C. N/A
D. Y
E. N
Can’t wait – have a lovely holiday!
Thanks John
A – Andrew Taylor (Andrew)
B – attending on Friday? Yes, plus the usual 4 extras
C – (if Yes to B) – food, please? Yes please for all
D – attending on Saturday? Yes (just me)
E – (if Yes to D) – food, please? Yes please
A: Ken MacKenzie (kenmac) + Janet
B: Y
C: Y
D: Y
E: Y
Hi John,
A: Rich Davis Blah/Bottom
B: Y
C: Y
D: Y
E: Y
Thanks John
A – Tom Blackwell / Raider
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
Thanks John
A – PostMark/Stamp
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
Thank you, John.
A – Eileen
B – N
C – N
D – Y
E – Y
Thanks John, looking forward to it.
A – Simon Griew / Coot
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
Phil and Cath & dog will attend both days.
A Phil Ashling (Flashling). & Cath Ashling
B Y
C Y
D Y
E Y
A – Jamie / Amoeba / Weatherman
B – Y
C – Y (vegetarian)
D – Y
E – Y (vegetarian)
A – Duncan Shiell / blogger duncanshiell
B – Y (my wife, Susan, will also attend the quiz)
C – Y (for two please)
D – Y (just me)
E – Y (just me)
A – Claire/Ruskin
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
Cheers John.
A – Richard Heald
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
A – Tony Santucci/Gennaro
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
A – Rachel Playforth (Angel) and Matt Holland
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
Thank you!
A – Jennie/Guinevere/Dice plus Steve
B – Y
C – Y for Steve, Probably no for me unless dietary requirements can be catered for? Otherwise will bring my own
D – Y
E – Y for Steve – as above for me
Thanks, John
A – John Moody/johninterred
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
A – Nick Huntley/ Karla/ Leonidas
B – Y
C – N
D – Y
E – N
Thanks John
A – Mark O’C. / Cranberry / Fez
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
A – Tim King / Encota;
B – attending on Friday? Y
C – (if Yes to B) – food, please? Y
D – attending on Saturday? Y
E – (if Yes to D) – food, please? Y
Looking forward to it!
A – Stuart / Cagey / KGB
B – yes
C – no
D – yes
E – probably
Very much looking forward to it too!
A – Tom/Kruger
B – No
C – No
D – Yes
E – No
I’m planning to be there – looking forward to it!…
A – Mike Crapper / mc_rapper67
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
A – Martin (@The_Cryptic_Mystic – YouTube)
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
This looks like great fun!
I was hoping to do this this year, but I can’t see how to work it around caring responsibilities. Sorry.
A – Becky
B – N
C – N
D – Y
E – Y
A – Linda almw3
B – Y
C – Y x3
D – Y
E – Y x 1
Hi John,
I’m hoping to be able to make it – never been to one of these before and would love to meet in person, but it’s still a bit early to be certain I can get there. Anyway, FWIW,
A – Adam/miserableoldhack
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
A – Colin Thomas (Twin/Gemelo/Prime)
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
Anne Lickert and Sally Wraight
A – As above
B – Y
C – Y
D -Y
E – Y (All times 2)
A- Lynette and Chris
B -N
C-N
D-Y
E- it depends on whether the options are dairy free. If they are not, we will order from the menu as we did last year.
Thanks John
A – Peter (Bard) and Lucy
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
Looking forward to it!
A – Check / Jon
B – N
C – N
D – Y
E – N
In addition to me @10, Mrs Coot has expressed interest in a weekend in York. I expect she will make her own amusement on Saturday so I suggest you assume:
A – Louise
B – Y
C – Y
D – N
E – N
Hi John,
A Andy/Eccles
B-E Yes to all,
Thanks.
A Gary Cole
B yes
C yes please
D yes
E no thank you
A John Black/Sloop John Bee
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
• A – Terri Kelly (Terriblislow) and John Morrison
• B – Y
• C – Y for two please
• D – Y
• E – Y for two please
We will be first-timers
A Jo Welch / Skylark
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
A – Paula Clarke Bain (Pixie)
B to E – all Y please
Thanks John!
A: William Snow (Bluebird/Conto/Solomon)
B: N
C: N
D: Y
E: Y
A: David Ward (Catnip)
B: Y
C: Y
D: Y
E: Y
A: Bob Rotheram / Median
B: Y
C: Y
D: Y
E: Y
A:Matt (MattS) plus Anne-Marie
B: Y x2
C: Y x2
D: Y x1
E: Y x1
Thanks John.
John Dunleavy (john_dun)
A) Yes
B) Yes
C) Yes
D) Yes
E) Yes
John,I’m not yet sure if my wife has been persuaded to join me, but:
A. Robert (Bridgesong) (and Cathie, if she comes)
B. Yes
C. Yes
D. Yes
E. Yes
A – Hamish/Soup
B – N
C – N/A
D – Y
E – Y
Currently a ‘probably’.
Thanks John – a probably for me at the moment as well
A – Josh Roach/Major/Iguess
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – N
Thank you John. Just me this year and a cardboard box.
A – Alan Chamberlain (Komorník)
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
A – Tim/Shorty/ snickleway
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
A – Neal Hawman/NealH
B – N
C – N
D – Y
E – Y
Thought I had already responded here but it seems not. Anyway, here goes
A – Ian Simpson
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
Thanks again for organising another event. Looking forward to it
Hi John
I’m hoping to make it this year.
A – Mike Clarke (MikeC)
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
A – Paul Robinson (Cheeseman)
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
My wife Linda plans to come for a weekend in York but will do her own thing
A – Jim Toal (Vlad, Tyrus, Lato)
B – N
C – N
D – Y
E – N
Thanks for organising again, John. Look forward to it.
A Sean O’Boyle (Leo)
B Y
C Y
D Y
E Y
A Sean O’Boyle (Leo)
B Y
C Y
D Y
E Y
I can’t make it but wanted to offer thanks for organising what will be a great weekend and to wish everyone much fellowship and fun.
(belatedly – sorry!)
A Helen Ougham
B Y
C Y (vegetarian)
D Y
E Y (vegetarian)
A – Angus Walker
B – Y
C – Y (vegetarian)
D – Y
E – Y (vegetarian)
Worth noting from the Network Rail website:
“Long-distance rail travellers are also being given advanced notice of further engineering work at the end of October and beginning of November on the East Coast Main Line between York and Darlington.
That will see some rail replacement coaches on the weekends of 26 and 27 October and 2 and 3 November.”
A. Rosy
B. Y
C. Y
D. N
E. N
A. Andrew Varney (aka Brock) / probably also Sue Varney (w) and/or Zoe Varney (d)
B – attending on Friday? Y
C – (if Yes to B) – food, please? Y
D – attending on Saturday? Y
E – (if Yes to D) – food, please? N
F. Parkrun on Saturday? Y
Thanks Angus @63 – yes we spotted that – we’re staying an extra night in York to avoid the chaos and have an explore in the city…
John, sorry, please ignore my entry @48: sadly cannot now make it (a poorly dog means we can’t go away😢).
Probably not there in physical for but will be there in spirit……
Probably not there in physical form this year but will be there in spirit……
To add to my comment @18 please could I add ‘Kybos’ to my pseudonym list? Thanks! 🎲
As usual can’t seem to post on here for some reason but trying again…
A: Robert Teuton
B: Y
C: Y
D: Y
E: Y
@71
It went to spam. I don’t know why.
I’ll try to investigate when I get home.
A Fiona
B yes
C Yes
D Yes
E Yes
Thanks Admin!…I guess my posts have always gone to spam in previous years!