Sloggers, betters and other cruciverbalists’ centenary convention

Author   linxitPosted on Categories Announcement
I’ve made this available at the top again so those who were able to attend can comment on it and tell us what a fantastic occasion it was, who was there etc.

The Christmas Turkey message is still available, see link on the right.

Passing on a message from Jane Teather:

To commemorate the centenary of the crossword, we really should have a proper get-together for all the regulars, be they high-profile or lurkers. Everyone, from novices to occasional solvers to the all-correct Listener élite, is welcome.

So we have booked the basement bar (very spacious and not claustrophobia-inducing, just in case ‘basement’ worries you) at Penderel’s Oak, 283–288 High Holborn, London WC1V 7HP (where the recent 3-D crosswords event took place) from 12:00 midday until 7:00 pm on Saturday 21 December, and we hope as many of you as possible will be there (even if you can only make it for a while).

Although they haven’t confirmed yet, we are very much hoping that Alan Connor, John Halpern (Paul, Mudd), and Mick Hodgkin will be there to sign copies of their recently published books (last-minute Christmas* shopping, anyone?), and maybe to say a few words.

We are not planning to organise food, because it’s very easy to order your meal at the bar. Please do so, because this pub has been very helpful to our crossword community, and the food is pretty good.

So that we can give the pub an idea of numbers, we’d hugely appreciate it if you could let us know of your intentions. Please email crossword.event@jetdoc.co.uk. You might not get an individual reply, though I have set up an auto-response, so you should know your mail has been received.

*… oh yes, and there’s that Christmas thing coming up, too. That’s got to be worth a drink, at least!

7 comments on “Sloggers, betters and other cruciverbalists’ centenary convention”

  1. If you weren’t there (and why not?) you missed a fabulous treat of a celebration. There were crossword editors, setters, bloggers, solvers, quizzes, talks and the chance to meet people whose crosswords you had admired over many a long year.

    Giant thanks go to Jane and John for organising a wonderful event – I did hear a rumour that it ought to be an annual event. Yes please from me.

    Oh and Joe, I didn’t catch all of your doggerel, and would love to see a copy.

    Happy Christmas to all.

    Suexx

    1. Honestly, Sue, it isn’t worth it. I’d already had “a pint or three” otherwise wouldn’t have broadcast it. Great event, what a privilege to meet some of the major stars of the firmament including yourself; yes, an annual would certainly be the thing. – Joe
  2. I agree with crypticsue’s comments (as I probably always will now having met her!). It was great to meet the 4 Times-for-the-Timesers there to put faces to pen-names. I took particular pleasure in discussing his clue for the Christmas Turkey with Tony Sever.
    For all the ‘never solve these in less than 45 minutes’ brigade, of which I am a confirmed member, I would like to encourage others of my ilk to attend these Do’s. Everyone is really friendly, always interesting, and I had no need to be concerned that I didn’t belong in the company of the rarified ‘under 10 minutes’ mob – who seem to enjoy the occasional pint or three like the rest of us!
  3. I was there too – had very enjoyable conversations with Joe, Chris, Tony, and Sue. Performed an adequate but not too detailed quality check on the beer offerings. Met a number of setters, mostly Telegraph and FT – very interesting, and I’m still trying to figure out whether talking to them will be any help in deciphering their puzzles. Found, a bit to my surprise, that people in the crossword world who don’t read TftT are also good fun. Enjoyed the various parts of the organised talks and program (plus Joe’s doggerel).
  4. Great to meet all the four above – and at least one other TftTer (wil_ransome perhaps(?), and … – but my memory isn’t what it was, especially after a few drinks). An annual event sounds an excellent idea.

    See my latest RTC3 blog entry (via side panel) for more.

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