Never knowingly undersolved
Well, we can now change into long trousers and go to big school. Yes, that’s right, we’ve reached that age, 11 today! This time last year I bored you with some statistics (which … Read more >>
A message from Puck:
The 2018 3D Crossword Calendar is now available. Puzzle setters for 2018 include seven regulars from the Guardian (Arachne, Enigmatist, Nutmeg, Pasquale, Puck, Tramp and Vlad) and three others whose puzzles are blogged here (Anax, Eclogue and Shark).
A message from Jetdoc:
Anax has set a special puzzle for the York S&B weekend (whether you’re planning to attend or not). To give you a chance to solve (or at least part-solve) it in advance, here it is as a PDF.
A message from John Henderson:
Here’s my end-of-summer update and request for details, slightly different to last year, but easier for everyone, I hope! Even if you have indicated attendance/accommodation details in the spring announcement, please would you give your A-E details in a post hereinunder.
Edit 25/10/17: Details of the Friday night ‘ale trail’ can be found here (map) and here (text).
The announcement for this event has been updated.
The announcement for this event has been updated.
The Nottingham S&B announcement has been updated to include further details.
A message from John Henderson (Io, Enigmatist, Nimrod et al):
Here’s my annual spring announcement, regarding what will be our fourth autumn S&B weekend get-together in York, proposed dates: Friday evening 27th October to Sunday lunchtime 29th October. Much of what I said last year applies again:
Nottingham – 13th May 2017 London – 16th May 2017 Macclesfield – 7/8th July 2017 Manchester (Inquisitor) – 22nd July 2017 ………….York – 27/29th October 2017
08/07/17 – an update from John
All looks to be shaping up nicely for the event. As far as I can make out from postings and replies, our numbers will include all four members of the blogging team (from around 2:30pm), our proof-solving team and over a dozen compilers. With solvers, WAGs and HABs looking to be well-represented, it should be a pleasant mix.
Please follow these instructions:
1 Pre-noon: Buy the i.
2 Noon, enter pub. Grab a pint (or similar), a puzzle (or two) and a name badge.
3 Mingle, engage in solving, banter and revelry.
4 Go to 3.
I have reserved the downstairs area from noon until 7pm. See you there!
A message from John Henderson (Enigmatist):
I’d very much like to invite Inquisitor solvers to The Vine Inn in Kennedy Street in Manchester on July 22nd for a gathering to mark the publication of the 1500th puzzle in the Inquisitor series. As far as I’m aware, it will be the first such celebration of this puzzle which, over the years, has undergone several changes of name (and numbering!). All four of our regular bloggers will be in attendance, together with the members of the checking team and several compilers, so it will be an opportunity for solvers to find out more about behind-the-scenes goings-on.
The move to a new server at the beginning of last month has not been a success so we are moving again next Sunday afternoon. To avoid the possibility of them being lost, … Read more >>
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.
A gathering of crossword setters and solvers will take place in London, following on, as in previous years, from the annual lunch for Times setters. The venue will be The George, Borough High … Read more >>
There appears to be a problem with the server at the moment. Apologies if you are experiencing long page loading times and/or HTTP500 errors. I am pursuing this issue with the hosting company. … Read more >>
A further update: As indicated in my comment #7, this problem was caused by the addition of some text to one of the site’s configuration files last week in an attempt to mitigate … Read more >>