Never knowingly undersolved
Admin I am reluctant to post this because I don’t want to detract from the sad announcement regarding the passing of David Crossland (Dac) and it doesn’t seem right to celebrate after such unwelcome … Read more >>
Update: Eimi has added a link to the Independent obituary in comment #43.
A message from Mike Hutchinson (Eimi), the Independent’s crossword editor:
It is with great sadness that I have to pass on the news that the great Dac is no longer with us. He lost his battle with cancer at the weekend. I’m sure many people will have noticed that he hasn’t appeared in the Indy for the last two months, but he had asked me not to mention his illness here.
Edit: Vacancy now filled. A vacancy has arisen on the Enigmatic Variations blogging team. If you are (or might be) interested in filling it please contact me via the email address below. The … Read more >>
Update: A direct link to the relevant pdf file will now be included immediately under the image of each day’s puzzle. A pdf version of the cryptic is still available (at least for … Read more >>
A message from Dean Mayer (Anax etc)
I’m running another live stream this Wednesday 17th October, from 4pm UK time. We won’t be building a crossword this time. Instead, it’s a chance to discuss and work on clueing technique. So if you have a clue or clues you’ve been working on and feel unsure about, this might be a good opportunity to get the thoughts of the cryptic-loving community.
Edit: Please see comment #50 for details of the Friday evening Ale Trail.
An update from John Henderson:
Here’s my end-of-summer update and request for details; comments posted here will form the basis for catering numbers at the Friday and Saturday events. Even if you have previously indicated attendance or accommodation requirements, please would you do the following and give your A-E attendance details in a post hereinunder.
A message from Dean Mayer (Anax, Loroso etc)
Hello everyone.
Early next week – Tuesday 11th September, 4pm UK time to be precise – I’m going to try something new. I really don’t know if it has been attempted before.
I have installed another WordPress plugin to help control spam. You shouldn’t notice any changes unless Akismet, the site’s primary spam filter, considers your comment to be spam. If it does, you will … Read more >>
An update from John Henderson regarding accommodation at York Racecourse: I’m led to believe that non-S&B bookings are coming up fast on the rails – and if people want a cheap weekend … Read more >>
A message from Kathryn Friedlander:
Philip Fine and I have just published a second article on cryptic crosswords – this time on the ‘PDM’, and how cryptics might help us, as psychologists, to understand the processes behind insight moments. The article is free to read on-line, or to download as a pdf, and can be found here.
Due to the number of times during recent months that a valid entry has been rejected, I have disabled the Captcha plugin, so you will no longer need to complete a Captcha when … Read more >>
Update
My thanks to those who have taken the time to add a comment to this post for your useful feedback. On re-reading the comments, my impression is that the majority are in favour of maintaining the status quo (not that I had any intention of changing anything significantly unless it was absolutely necessary).
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the blog of this puzzle will not be posted until early this evening.
A message from John Henderson:
Here’s my annual spring announcement, regarding what will be our fifth autumn S&B weekend get-together in York, proposed dates: Friday evening 26th October to Sunday lunchtime 28th October with the main event at the Fox and Roman during the day on Saturday 27th. Once again, we have avoided a clash with the final of The Times Crossword Championships, which is being held in London the following week (see the Crossword Event Calendar).
A reminder that there will be a Derby Sloggers & Betters event on Saturday 5th May at The Brunswick Inn, next to Derby railway station. All the details are in the original post which is to be found in the Announcements section of the site.
This is to ask that anyone who would like to join us and hasn’t said so already lets us know below before Friday 27th. To those folk who said ‘I’ll let you know nearer the time’ in the earlier post: this is the time, please, because I have to confirm numbers and pay for the buffet lunch. This will be served at 1.00pm. It’s not obligatory, but if you don’t want one, then please be aware that the menu shown on the pub’s website won’t be available between 2.30pm and 5.30pm, so you won’t be able to order any food between those times.
It’s a lovely pub, the company will be engaging, and newcomers will be particularly welcome. Eileen and I look forward to seeing you on the 5th.
Peter (Kathryn’s Dad)