BBC’s Children in Need
The 18th 3D cryptic crossword calendar, created entirely voluntarily and published in aid of the BBC’s Children in Need appeal and the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), is available for order. It makes a highly decorative present and offers a lot of fun throughout the year. There are puzzles by top cryptic setters including Shark, Paul and Enigmatist as well as some brilliant relative newcomers. Click the above image or go to 3dcalendarpuzzles.co.uk and order copies for all your cryptic-loving family and friends.
If you’ve not done them before, these are very enjoyable puzzles – and once you’ve got used to the extra directional possibilities, they’re not even that daunting! And of course, they’re for two very good causes. I’m delighted to be a part of the 2026 edition.
Thanks to Alan and all the gridmakers and setters for all of their hard work in making this happen every year.
I can wholeheartedly endorse the comments above – great fun (if a little mind-bending at times!) to solve, and to benefit two good causes…. It is on my Christmas list every year…
I’ve ordered one for my dear wife to surprise me with at Christmas. 🙂
I got this, in the same manner as Jim T :), for the first time last year.
As someone who has to word search the last handful to finish Everyman I can only admire the skill of the setters. They are daunting at first but once you spot the first ‘gimmes’ they unfurl wonderfully over an evening. Identifying the theme, often with a bit of looking up, then gets me to the finish in the next session. Which all gives a warm glow, as does the charitable aspect.
Recommended and thanks to all involved!
Thank you everybody who is ordering it. Everyone else, get your copies quickly – I’ve emptied three boxes already. We (Jos Tait in Melbourne, who does all the clever DTP work, and myself getting to meet all these wonderful setters) love creating it, and the goodwill shown by everyone, designers and cluesmiths (including the brilliant Amoeba here, who is Mr August) giving so much time to help the charities and provide enormous fun, is amazing. And don’t forget there’s a World Championship to be won!