S&B York 2025 – Friday 24th & Saturday 25th October 2025 – IMPORTANT UPDATE

Hi again, everyone.

Today’s the day! We’re now at the stage where I need to liaise with the venues about final numbers attending and eating. I would be grateful therefore if those of you who responded on the thread of my previous post would check below that I have transcribed your attendance and food details accurately. If there are errors, or your requirements have changed, please let me know on the thread below ASAP. In particular, would you let me know whether (a) you are vegetarian; or (b) you have an intolerance to gluten.

If your details are correct, there is no need to contact me.

But I do need to know about it if you have ordered food and can no longer attend, otherwise I shall have to reimburse the venues from my own pocket (last year there were TEN such cases …).

Even at this late stage, if anybody else would like to attend, you’d be made most welcome, but we will soon reach the limit on pre-food orders for Saturday. If you are not listed for food below, you may of course still order from the pub menu.

Please leave your A-E details on the thread below.

A reminder about the A-E key:

A – your name as you wish it to appear along with, if different from, your real name (unless you wish not to have your real name on your badge – let me know below);
B – attending Friday’s event;
C – as B and partaking of the buffet;
D – attending Saturday’s main event at the Marcia;
E – as D and wanting to partake of the set meal (we’ll try and accommodate you).

Between now and the event, please check this thread regularly in case any details have changed in any way.

Thanks, looking forward to welcoming you all!

John

Post #

Name

Pseudonym

B

C

D

E

Friday

Saturday

1

Rob Townsend

Henri

*

*

2

Hugh Hudson

Beery Hiker

*

*

3

Rob Jacques

Knut/Julius/Hudson/Bjorn

*

4

Andrew Taylor

Andrew

*

*

*

*

Mark, Kate, John, Sarah

*4

*4

5

Ken MacKenzie

Kenmac

*

*

*

*

Janet MacKenzie

*

*

6

Rich Davis

Blah/Bottom

*

*

*

*

7

Tom Blackwell

Raider

*

*

*

*

8

Mark Hartshorne

PostMark/Stamp

*

*

*

*

9

Eileen McKellican

Eileen

*

*

10

Simon Griew

Coot

*

*

*

*

12

Jamie Thunder

Amoeba/Weatherman

*

*V

*

*V

13

Duncan Shiell

Duncanshiell

*

*

*

*

Susan Shiell

*

*

14

Claire

Ruskin

*

*

*

*

15

Richard Heald

Square Routes/2

*

*

*

*

16

Tony Santucci

Gennaro

*

*

*

*

New 13

Rick Otis

*

*

17

Rachel Playforth

Angel

*

*

*

*

Matt Holland

*

*

*

*

18

Jennie Willson

Guinevere/Dice/Kybos

*

*

Steve Willson

*

*

19

John Moody

Johninterred

*

*

*

*

New 43

Dawn Jepson

*

*

20

Nick Huntley

Karla/Leonidas

*

*

21

Mark O’Connor

Cranberry/Fez

*

*

*

*

22

Tim King

Encota

*

*

*

*

23

Stuart Thomas

Cagey/KGB

*

*

*

24

Tom Reynolds

Kruger

*

25

Mike Crapper

mc_rapper67

*

*

*

*

29

Linda Watson

almw3

*

*

*

*

Linda’s Groupies

*x2

*x2

31

Colin Thomas

Twin/Gemelo/Prime

*

*

*

*

32

Anne Lickert

*

*

*

*

Sally Wraight

*

*

*

*

33

Chris Helmore

Bert (and …)

*

Lynette Helmore

(…and) Joyce

*

34

Peter

Bard

*

*V

*

*V

Lucy

*

*V

*

*V

35

Jon Lewis

Check

*

36

Louise Griew

Louise

*

*

37

Andy McCarroll

Eccles

*

*

38

Gary Cole

*

*

*

39

John Black

Sloop John Bee

*

*

*

*

41

Jo Welch

Skylark

*

*

*

*

42

Paula Clarke Bain

Pixie

*

*

*

*

43

William Snow

Bluebird/Conto/Solomon

*

*

44

David Ward

Catnip

*

*

*

*

45

Bob Rotheram

Median

*

*V

*

*V

46

Matt Seymour

Matt S

*

*

*

*

Anne-Marie Seymour

*

*

47

John Dunleavy

john_dun

*

*

*

*

49

Hamish Symington

Soup

*

*

50

Josh Roach

Major/Iguess

*

*

*

51

Alan Chamberlain

Komorník

*

*

*

*

52

Tim

Shorty/snickleway

*

*

*

*

53

Neal Hawman

NealH

*

*

54

Ian Simpson

Square Routes/2

*

*

*

*

55

Mike Clarke

MikeC

*

*

*

*

56

Paul Robinson

Cheeseman

*V

*V

*V

*V

57

Jim Toal

Vlad/Tyrus/Lato

*

58

Sean O’Boyle

Leo

*

*

*

*

61

Helen Ougham

*

*V

*

*V

62

Angus Walker

Gustav/2

*

*V

*

*V

64

Rosy Hunt

*

*

65

Andrew Varney

Brock

*

*

*

Zoe Varney

HorseyChess

*

*

*

71

Robert Teuton

*

*

*

*

John Henderson

Enigmatist/Nimrod/Elgar/Io

*

*

*

*

Jane Teather

Jetdoc

*

*V

*

*V

Dave Lavan

*

*

*

*

Frank Paul

*

*V

*

*V

New 2

Emma

Heron

*

*

*

*

New 7

James Taverner

Tav (Gustav/2)

*

*V

*

New 8

Rob Primhak

Zebedee

*

*

*

*

Bev

*

*

*

*

New 10

Dan Boxall

Tack/Claw

*

*

*

*

Elleni

*

*

New 11

Chris Leyland

Fidelibus/Tacet

*

*V

*

*V

New 15

Peter Chamberlain

Cephas/Pedrock

*

New 16

Erik Dawid

*

*

*

*

New 21

Kitty

*

*V

*

*V

New by Email

Sil van den Hoek

Dalibor

*

*

Beth

*

*V

New 27

Mick Hodgkin

Morph/Micawber/Times Puzzles Editor

*

*

New 28

Dave Wichall

Wickball

*

New by Email

Roger Blitz

FT Crossword Editor

*

*

58 comments on “S&B York 2025 – Friday 24th & Saturday 25th October 2025 – IMPORTANT UPDATE”

  1. Matt

    Thanks John – Matt & Rachel (17) here.
    We’d both like food on the Saturday, not just Rachel.
    Neither of us are vegetarian, and we don’t have any allergies.
    See you soon,
    Matt

  2. Heron

    Hi
    Sorry for the late reply.
    Please add me as follows:
    A: Emma/Heron
    B: Y
    C: Y
    D:Y
    E: Y
    Hope it’s not too late to be accommodated.
    Thanks,
    Emma

  3. Eccles

    Hi John,
    I’m not now going to be able to get there until very late on the Friday evening, so B and C now no for me.
    Thanks,
    Andy

  4. Cheeseman

    Hi John,
    I’d prefer veggie food please. (I’m not actually vegetarian, so it’s not a big deal).
    Thanks,
    Paul @56


  5. John

    My wife, Susan, should be the other way round for Friday and Saturday. . She will attend the Friday quiz and partake of the buffet. All day on Saturday she will hit the shops of York!

    Neither of us have any dietary constraints.

    Thanks

    Duncan

  6. Big Al (formerly allan_c)

    Sadly, in present circumstances, I can’t be there in person, but I will be sending a puzzle Best wishes for a successful event.

  7. James Taverner

    Whoops – it appears I haven’t told you that I am planning to come – sorry about that!

    A: James Taverner
    B: Y
    C: Y (vegetarian)
    D: Y
    E: N

  8. Rob Primhak

    If you can squeeze two more in, I’d like to come (with partner):
    A: Rob Primhak (Zebedee) +Bev
    B: Y
    C: Y
    D: Y
    E: Y (if available)

  9. almw3

    All correct for me and my groupies!

  10. Tack

    Sorry for the late response but, if possible:
    Dan Boxall (Tack/Claw) + Elleni
    YY
    YY
    YN
    YN

  11. Chris Leyland

    Hi John,

    A Chris Leyland (Fidelibus/Tacet)
    B Y
    C Y
    D Y
    E Y (no meat, fish/veg. OK)

  12. miserableoldhack

    Very sorry, but I won’t now be able to make it after all. Sorry to miss it, but I hope you all have a great time!
    Adam (moh)

  13. Tony Santucci

    Thanks John. On Friday I would like to bring my partner & both of us would like the buffet. I will come alone on Saturday.

  14. Gary Cole

    Didn’t see my name on either of above lists but I confirm my original response .
    A Gary
    B Y
    C Y
    D Y
    E N
    Looking forward to it . Shame about the engineering works affecting the homeward journey but in the great scheme of things it’s a minor inconvenience.

  15. Peter Chamberlain

    A Peter Chamberlain. Cephas Pedrock
    B No
    C No
    D Yes
    E No

  16. Erik Dawid

    A Erik Dawid
    B Y
    C Y
    D Y
    E Y

  17. Fiona

    Apologies but I am not able to attend after all.

  18. Becky

    Could you change Becky (above at 28) to both nights and vegetarian.

  19. Bard

    Hi John, Lucy and I are both veggie!. Thanks everso much and looking forward to it!

  20. Brock

    Re: #65
    Sue Varney no longer attending (please delete), but Zoe and I are. Our choices are as you have them. Zoe would like to add her pseudonym “HorseyChess” to the details please. Many thanks!

    Anybody else up for the York parkrun on the Saturday morning?

  21. Kitty

    Hi John,
    Sorry for not confirming earlier.
    A: Kitty
    B: Y
    C: Y
    D: Y
    E: Y
    If you can squeeze me in for food that would be great. Vegetarian if possible, but no problem if not.
    Thanks for organising as usual – and, as usual, very much looking forward to it.

  22. John H

    On my master-sheet, I have updated all of the above. Please continue to inform me via this thread of any changes.

    The table above will be updated at intervals, so do check it from time to time.

    Tony@13 – what’s your partner’s name? (There will be blank badges on the day, so it’s not an issue.)
    Gary@14 – See #38 in table!
    Andrew@20 – I expect Tav@7 will join you

    John

  23. Flashling

    Unfortunately Cath and I won’t be able to attend after all this year, Phil.


  24. Brock – I will also doing the York parkrun

  25. Tony Santucci

    John H @22: My partner is Rick Otis

  26. Cheeseman

    Brick @20 & Andrew @24 – I’ll be doing parkrun as well

  27. Mick Hodgkin

    Hi John, somewhat belatedly …. I will come up on the Saturday for the day, so D and E if available. If you’re out of E, I’ll buy my own. Sorted.

  28. Dave W

    Hi John. Another late one. Would you just put me down for D, please? Because of minor health issues, I may have to duck out, so will not request food. If I attend, I will bring a packed lunch and, if necessary, eat it outside. I have a name badge, no new one needed.
    Cheers, Dave Wichall.

  29. Martin

    Hi John, My situation has changed and I’m not sure if I can attend now so best to take me off the food options, please. Cheers, Martin

  30. Martin

    Actually, I’ve now had it confirmed that I won’t be able to come, I’m afraid 🙁
    I hope you all have a great time!

  31. Becky (Liari)

    I’ve decided it’s best I not come this time. You can remove me from the list. I really hope to make it next year.


  32. Hi everyone.

    I have updated all the details, which are much the same as last year, apart from a few minor changes to the map and bus timetables.

    You can download a map, a detailed itinerary, and some details about transport here.

  33. John H

    The master sheet has been updated with comments 23-32. Thanks for continuing to keep me informed, it really helps the organisation for us and for the venues.

    A couple of my own updates, while I remember:

    1 EARLY BIRDS … For early arrivers on Friday 24th afternoon who will be heading to the Fox and Roman, I have booked the area (“John’s Sanctuary”, as it’s come to be known) to the far left of the bar – through the restaurant and beyond the stairs – from 3-6pm.
    2 CASH IS KING … It is appreciated if, when you settle for your food, you give me cash rather than wave a card at me. For Friday night, it will be £5.50pp; for Saturday, I’m still negotiating – but the total will not be more than £20pp. Only pay me on the Friday if you are not attending on the Saturday.

    Thanks,
    John


  34. Janet won’t be doing the Friday night

  35. Median

    I’m happy with vegetarian food and fish. I just don’t eat meat. Thanks.

  36. TerriBlislow

    John and I cannot attend now. We hope it is a very successful event and best wishes to you, to all who attend and all involved in the organisation effort.

  37. Tony Santucci

    In reading the itinerary what exactly is ‘Curry’ on Saturday at 8:30pm? Is that the set meal?


  38. @37

    The diehards all troop off to a curry house on Saturday night usually accompanied by beer.

    The set meal is served around 1pm in The Marcia.

  39. Tony Santucci

    Thanks for the clarification.

  40. Blah

    Hi John,

    Yes, all correct for me at #6. Apologies for the late confirmation. Looking forward to seeing everyone again and meeting those I missed last year.

    Thanks,

    Rich.

  41. baerchen

    YORK MAZE, a warning….
    Newcastle United player Joe Willock, 26, had to be rescued after a distress call was made to emergency services at 5pm on Tuesday. He had been lost in the UK’s largest maze for approximately six hours.

  42. Jennie/Guinevere 🎲🎲

    Argh, sorry to be a pain, I’ve just clicked that the Sat food is lunchtime and I think likely Steve will make his own entertainment on Saturday so will just join back for the curry! So if it’s not too late, please omit him from Sat order. Thanks!

  43. Johninterred

    Hi John, Sorry for the late update, but I will have my wife, Dawn Jepson with me for the Friday night and she would like some food too. ( addition to 19 Johninterred).

  44. MattS

    Hi John, Matt S and Anne-Marie (both listed at 46) are both surname “Seymour” for the badges. Food and attendance details are correct. Thanks, and looking forward to seeing everyone.

  45. John H

    I’ve updated everything on the table, up to MattS’s comment above.

    I’m away this week, but will monitor further updates.

    Thanks,
    John

  46. Nora Boswell

    If I’m not too late:
    D
    E

  47. Astonvilla1

    Hi. I would like to attend if not too late.

    A: St John Daly. Astonvilla1
    B: Y
    C: Y
    D: Y
    E: Y

  48. Jonathan Warschauer

    A. Jonathan Warschauer. Malingeringgit.
    B. Y
    C.Y
    D.Y
    E.Y

  49. Heron

    Does anyone know if dogs are permitted in the function room? If they are, and if it’s not too late, please can I add my husband Jim to the Friday night event, including the food? Thanks.

  50. John H

    Emma/Heron @49: all venues are dog-(and husband-)friendly.

    I’ve added Jim to my master-file for Friday.

    John H

  51. Heron

    Thanks John!

  52. Mick H

    Apologies John and Jane, I will not make it after all. My plan to do it as a day trip from London came up against the harsh reality of rail replacement buses etc. Next year!

  53. Monk/Harpo/Sparks/CheeseCracker

    Hi John and Jane; ta muchly for organising 🤗. Sorry for the late contact, but it’s increasingly looking as though I can pop over for a few hours on the Saturday. No pre-booked food requirements, though, as I could do with losing a few pounds🫩. See y’all.

  54. Nora Boswell

    Hi John

    I am on the mend from a cold so don’t add me to the food if you haven’t already. If I think I’m clear of germs I will come and get something from the bar menu. If I don’t come but you’ve ordered for me, let me know what I owe and I will reimburse you.
    Fingers crossed.

    Nora

  55. Julius

    There’s transport carnage in central Europe due to a major storm and I didn’t even make it to the station never mind the airport so I’ll be a no show in York unfortunately.
    Have fun everybody!
    Best wishes, Rob

  56. Eileen

    That’s really bad news, Rob – so sorry not to be seeing you.

  57. Jim T

    Sorry about that, Rob. Long time since I last saw you, pre-Covid, I think.

  58. Eileen

    Is anyone else staying at the Bar Convent? I’m not coming until Saturday, so won’t be checking in until after the Marcia ‘do’ and wondering about the possibility of sharing a taxi from there?

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