26/6/17 – An update from Dean:
We don’t really do a final call for these things, but this is just a reminder to let me know if you intend to join your fellow solvers/setters in Macclesfield on 7th/8th July.
Friday evening includes musical entertainment in the form of a disco/funk/soul/Motown covers band, and on Saturday there will be a Q&A session featuring a trio of established editors/setters.
Timings:
Friday’s music will start at 9-ish but everyone is welcome from 5pm.
The Saturday Q&A will start around 2pm and continue for as long as people have questions!
The Snowgoose is open for breakfast from 8:30am, so Saturday is an all-dayer. The Q&A session is the only part which has a start time, but even this is movable depending on the vibe on the day.
The Snowgoose has an eclectic menu of its own (vegetarians are well catered for) but there are restaurant alternatives nearby. The venue – on Sunderland St – is also very close to Macclesfield railway station and a Travelodge; both within 5 minutes’ walk.
A message from Dean Mayer (Anax, Elkamere, Loroso)
As for last year’s debut event, this will be held at the lovely Alpine-themed Snowgoose Cafe on Sunderland Street. This is within 5 minutes’ walk of the railway station and Travelodge.
We will kick things off on Friday evening with live music from LeFunk (my former band). I’ll probably get myself there at around 5pm to welcome those travelling early, and the band will start some time around 9pm, so there is plenty of time to settle yourselves in and, er, loosen up. Last year I expected few people to be there on Friday evening, but was proven very wrong – it was a brilliant night.
On Saturday we are introducing something new in the form of a Q&A session. Three professional setters (including one setter/editor) will be on hand to take questions on anything you want to know about cryptic crosswords. As the day will be – like other S&Bs – as long as you want, we will work out the best time to start the Q&A nearer the date, but it will last around 2 hours if everyone is happy with that.
We had a hog roast lunch last year and will probably do the same this time, but in all honesty it is something of snack rather than a meal. As the venue is in the centre of town, there is a good choice of eateries very close by, including a Thai restaurant across the road and an Indian just a minute’s walk away. For those who prefer English food, the nearby newsagent stocks a fine variety of crisps.
While the Snowgoose doesn’t do meals as such, they do open early for an extremely good breakfast made using only local produce – highly recommended!
I very much look forward to your company.
Dean Mayer (Anax, Elkamere, Loroso)
You wait for ages, then three (or maybe four) come along at once. Don’t know that I can make London so soon after Nottingham, but I’ll certainly make the effort for this one.
Looking forward to it. 🙂
Delicious as the crisps sound, my vote would go to the Thai again.
Many thanks for organising this, Dean.
Macclesfield is shockingly far away from Cambridge, if you look at public transport.
It was one reason (the other one being that I was unwell) I gave it a pass last year.
I will try to do better this time.
Also, to avoid getting the feeling that Anax was a ghost from the past.
And Kitty, tomorrow (which is today) London, next month Nottingham and again London.
Then this – do you have a proper life? 🙂
Yes, Sil. When I’m not in my role of S&B Quality Inspector I’m busy doing my day job as a Historian. Currently I’m working on a book about the social and economic causes and ramifications of the infamous Elbow Tax of 1735.
I had to miss the first Macclesfield gathering so I will definitely try to attend this one! Not sure about the Friday yet…
Thanks Dean
Thanks for organising this, Dean. I can’t make the Friday but will certainly join you for the Saturday pork cobs and geniality.
Thanks, Dean – what K’s D said.
Was a blast last time, so I’m looking forward to being there on the Friday and Saturday – though will prolly skip the 4am blokey karaoke this time in favour of reading Kitty’s magnum opus on the Elbow Tax and an early night. Cheers for organising this again, Dean – my wallet hates you, but my fun nodules love you.
All booked for both days, rather enjoyed last year, thanks Dean
I’m hoping to come to at least one of the July meets, would be lovely to make it to this one! Cheshire is the county in which I was educated so it would be a nice homecoming.
I think I will make this one a day trip on the Saturday – there are plenty of evening trains…
If it’s not too late, I too would like to attend. It will be just me – with a new crossword.
It will be Saturday only, and I’ll make the return trip by train from Kent on that day. I have noted the venue, but I would like to know the start time of the main event on Saturday.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there.
Thanks for the update.
My request @12 was ambiguous: I meant to ask at what time the Saturday activities started (not just the Q&A session), imagining a room or section was reserved for us from a set time, but the information now posted is all I need.
It looks like the earliest time I can get to the venue is 12:00 noon (or just before that if the train is on time).
Looking forward to it, Dean – my train gets in at 12.01 on Saturday.
Sil, everything is shockingly far away from Cambridge. I’d advise you not to start from there. Having ascertained where Macclesfield is, it appears the best thing to do is to start from Birmingham. Actually, Birmingham would have been a lot easier.
Not sure whether everything’s shockingly far away from Cambridge.
[we had almost a record number of crossword lovers, a couple of years ago in the Castle Inn – including you yourself]
I’ve now booked a train ticket in two stages (something I had to find out myself – that’s one of the major problems in this country).
Going via London is actually not that bad.
Macclesfield is rather OK coming from the South.
I am looking forward to be there.
The logistics of accommodation and transport up from London are defeating me somewhat, as they often do, but I’ll see if I can find a way. Another time if not…
I’ve dusted off the train tickets and found the hotel reservation so will see y’all Friday night – I am in for the long haul.
BTW – given the forecasted sunshine in the Beautiful South can I expect the Day Star to burn off some of the greyness or are we talking black and white rainbows (as usual).
Looking forward to it!
Will be there for the duration (the 5pm start on Friday is great, thanks, Dean).
Be great to see everyone again.
No silly karaoke. I promise. 🙂
I’ll be there just for the Friday, (so not a late one this time).
Looking forward to it.
I have to admit being defeated by logistics of transport, despite being able to start from London, where all roads lead from. A day trip would involve an overnight train for what is basically a two-hour journey, and cost roughly the price of a flight to Australia. Can’t make it this time, so I’ll look forward to seeing people at the next achievable gathering.
Dean, once more many thanks for organising this enjoyable and certainly different kind of S&B (thanks to the Q&A).
Left Macclesfield at 7pm, back in Cambridge 10pm – not too bad.
Yes, it was small-scale but therefore perhaps a bit more intimate than usual.
I had a really good time!
Dean, Thanks for organising another great event – really enjoyed the Q&A (and the curry). I did try taking a few pictures but the camera on my phone wasn’t coping very well with the lighting so I don’t think they are worth sharing…
Thanks so much, Dean, for another great event – did I tell you I just love that venue? 😉 More, please!
And the Q and A was a great success – many thanks to John and Harry, too, for such full and frank discussion.
Lovely to see so many old and new friends – thanks all.
Ditto to the last few comments (minus the bit in Sil’s about ending up in Cambridge … ). I had a wonderful time.
Humungous thanks to Dean and to everyone else who made this such a great weekend.
I see Dean (Anaxcrosswords) has posted a few photos on Twitter.
I should also apologise for my hurried exit after the meal – I did eventually get back to Nottingham before midnight but the train from Stockport was cancelled which meant three changes instead of one…
Cheers to Dean for organising the event, I had much fun and even more beer and enjoyed myself roundly. Look forward to next year. 🙂
A bit late in the day, but thanks, Dean, for organising another good do.