S&B York 2023 – Friday 27th & Saturday 28th October 2023

by

Posted on behalf of John Henderson

See Important Update

 

Hello, everybody.

Here’s the usual preliminary announcement to inform you that York Sloggers & Betters will be going ahead as usual. As ever, it’s in the diary for “Clock Weekend”, allowing everyone an extra hour to recover from Saturday exertions on Sunday morning.

Friday 27th Events are a little different to the established routine. To mark “a special occasion”, the evening activities will take place at Bishopthorpe Sports & Social Club (12 Main Street, Bishopthorpe YO23 2RB). This will incorporate the usual on-paper Quiz, starting at 6pm. I have arranged transportation – half-hourly from 5pm – from the car park behind the Cross Keys (our usual Friday venue; junction of Tadcaster Road and St Helen’s Road YO24 1LQ). Suppery comestibles will be provided at the Club. Transport back to Tadcaster Road will also be arranged for later.

Saturday 28th We will be following last year’s Saturday timetable for Puzzle Day on Saturday October 28th, from opening time (TBC) in the Fox and Roman at 58 Tadcaster Road YO24 1LR. A hot (meat) lunch with gluten-free option (£15) 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.

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) may be available. Booking details are as follows:

  • Contact name: Emma Patterson, Stableside Manager (NB NOT Fay this year)
  • email: stablesidemanager@yorkracecourse.co.uk
  • phone: 01904 709174/07857 407821
  • rate: £80 single; £130 double (both ensuite) or £50/£65 (not ensuite), including breakfast – quote “S&B 2023” when booking; a deposit will be required.

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

78 comments on “S&B York 2023 – Friday 27th & Saturday 28th October 2023”

  3. DY/EY quite likely but to be confirmed with Mrs B and the friend that we usually stay with when we’re in York

  15. A Chris Leyland (Fidelibus/Tacet)
    B Yes
    C Yes (non-meat please, fish is OK)
    D Yes
    E Yes (non-meat please, fish is OK).

  21. Will there be vegetarian options? (there were last year!)

    A Jamie (Amoeba)
    B Y
    C Y [provided veggie option]
    D Y
    E Y [provided veggie option]

  23. A – Mike Crapper (mc_rapper67) – will re-use last year’s badge!
    B – Yes
    C – Yes
    D – Yes
    E – Yes

  27. For info, there are no more ensuite single rooms available. As far as I know, shared facilities ones are.

  32. A. Peter Welton (Radler) & Polly
    B. No (other commitments, unfortunately, though we’re aware of the special occasion)
    C. No
    D. Yes
    E. No

  35. A. Check / Jon
    B. No (apologies…)
    C. No
    D. Yes
    E. No

    I’ll make sure to toast the “special occasion” on the Saturday, as I’m sure many others will…

  41. A – Tim / 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

  43. A Hamish Symington Soup
    B no, sorry
    C n/a
    D yes
    E yes
    Subject to trains not being eye wateringly expensive and also depending on if I have to lecture!

  44. Fiona @33

    The “Special Occasion” is that JH turns 21 again on the Friday.

    This being the 39th time he has turned 21.

  46. If I’ve recovered from the Times Championship the previous weekend …
    A Dave Howell
    B No – sorry (Can’t believe it’s 10 years since your last big one in Sheffield)
    C No
    D Yes
    E Yes

  49. Hello John, thank you, and premature congratulations. Not being a Party Animal and Marika having other things on this year:
    A – Alan Chamberlain (Komorník)
    B – No
    C – N/A
    D – Yes
    E – Yes
    Shall try to coincide with at least one of Soup’s trains and he can lecture me

  51. Looks like it’s not too late to sign up:

    A – Mark Hartshorne (PostMark)
    B – Yes
    C – Yes
    D – Yes
    E – Yes

    Thanks for organising this

  56. Hello John
    Looks like I have to change my requirements as I am informed we are staying two nights in York this year. (Don’t cheer too loudly). So its
    A Linda (almw3)
    B Yes
    C Yes x3
    D Yes
    E Yes please

  58. A – Tim Lynch (Tim the toffee)
    B – Yes
    C – Yes please
    D – Yes
    E – No …..this is changed from a Yes

  64. Hmmm – I feel like a ‘coming out of shell’ moment so I’ll say yes (if the trains aren’t on strike). It would be my first ever meet-up. Haven’t visited York for years:

    A: Peter / “Laccaria” possibly with Sylvia (Mrs Laccaria)
    B,C no
    D yes
    E no

  72. There is a vegetarian option available @71. The usual pub menu will be available, though service times may be longer than usual.

    John

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