S&B York 2024 – Friday 25th & Saturday 26th October 2024
I’m pleased to announce that the York Sloggers & Betters event is once again scheduled for “Clock Weekend”, allowing everyone an extra hour to recover from Friday and Saturday exertions on Sunday morning.
Although the events are as usual, the venues have changed! Please therefore read the following details carefully and refer to the very helpful map, which should open in a new tab.
Friday 25th: Quiz Night
This year the quiz (set as last year by the excellent Angus-Tav partnership) will take place in the upstairs function room at Stableside from 6:30–830 pm. Food (home-made pizzas and sides) will be provided (£5 per head). There are no draught ales available at the bar, but I have ordered some “tried and tested” local craft beers for the event.
Afternoon arrivers will be meeting in the nearby Fox & Roman pub. No doubt there will be post-quiz drinks here too …
Saturday 26th: Puzzle Day
The big news is that, after ten years, our increasing Saturday numbers mean that we have outgrown the Fox & Roman! Our new venue is the downstairs bar and function room at the Marcia Inn in Bishopthorpe (www.marciainnbishopthorpe.co.uk). If you were at last year’s Friday night birthday party at the Social Club, it’s the pub across the road. We will be otherwise be following last year’s Saturday timetable for Puzzle Day from opening time (11 am). A hot (meat or vegetarian) lunch (£14) will be available .
So that I can get an approximate idea of numbers, I’d be grateful if you would indicate below whether you are likely to attend and, if so, whether you would like to partake of the above options (the normal pub menus will also be available, but there may be a longer than average wait). Please indicate, as follows:
A – your name(s) with pseudonyms as appropriate, these are useful for name badges;
B – attending on Friday? Y/N
C – (if Yes to B) – food, please? Y/N
D – attending on Saturday? Y/N
E – (if Yes to D) – food, please? Y/N
Note that, at present, this is about the likelihood that you will attend, it does not commit you to attending. There will be a further announcement at the start of October.
Accommodation
For those wishing to stay at Stableside (Stableside at York Racecourse, Tadcaster Road, York YO24 1QG), I have as usual reserved a block of en-suite rooms in the main block. Other less expensive rooms (not en-suite) are available. Rates, including breakfast: £110 single and £125 double (both ensuite) or £65 single and £80 twin (not ensuite).
To book, please email Sarah Culshaw at stablesidemanager@yorkracecourse.co.uk, quoting “S&B – 2024-10-25” in the subject line, stating:
*your name and phone number
*date(s) required
*bedroom type
*number of occupants
Sarah will then call you to confirm room availability and to ask for a credit card guarantee.
If you are looking for other hotels within easy reach, some of our number have said good things about the family-run Wheatlands Lodge (YO24 1DB; 01904 654318) and the Bar Convent (YO24 1AQ; 01904 464902); there are plenty of other places to stay on Tadcaster Road and Blossom Street (the latter nearer the city).
Despite the name, the event is not just restricted to crossword compilers and bloggers; indeed, anyone with an interest in words, puzzles, trivia etc will be made most welcome, with or without partners.
Looking forward to seeing you all!
John H / /
The map and itinerary downloadable via the link above also give you more details about travel, including taxis, bus stops and directions for following the walking route.
Looking forward to seeing you!
A – Jamie/Amoeba
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y, vegetarian
A – Richard Heald
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
A- Rosy Hunt
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
A – Peter Finan
B – Y
C – Y, veggie please
D – Y – but not all day
E – Y – lunchtime would be nice
A – Andrew Taylor (Andrew)
B – Y + 4
C – Y + 4
D – Y (just me)
E – Y
A – Ian Simpson
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
A: Simon Shepherd (Simon S & AlmostAllthere)
Jessica Shepherd (Mrs Allthere)
B – attending on Friday? Yes
C – Yes please
D – attending on Saturday? Yes
E – Yes please. Both vegetarian
A – Mike Crapper (mc_rapper67)
(still have badge from last year)
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
(Looking forward to it!)
Sally Wraight and Anne Spratling/Lickert
a – YY
b – YY
c – YY
d -YY
Fiona
b – y
c – y
d – y
e – y
Amendment to my post @ 8
Saturday lunchtime will just be me
A Eileen
B N
C N
D Y
E Y
Thanks John – train tickets booked! Will last year’s badge do?
Hugh Hudson / beery hiker
B N
C N
D Y
E Y
Would love to stay the whole weekend again, but I am trying to restrict my alcohol consumption a little, so I think Saturday as a day trip is the most likely at this stage. Thanks John and Jane.
A Jo Welch / Skylark
B Y
C Y
D Y
E Y
A Phil & Cath Ashling (& dog Jenny)
B through E Yes to all
A PostMark/Stamp
B Y
C Y
D Y
E Y
A – John Moody/johninterred + Dawn Jepson
B – attending on Friday? Y
C – (if Yes to B) – food, please? Y
D – attending on Saturday? Y
E – (if Yes to D) – food, please? Y
A Mark O’C. Cranberry / Fez
B Y
C Y
D Y
E Y
A – John Dunleavy/john_dun
B – attending on Friday? Y
C – (if Yes to B) – food, please? Y
D – attending on Saturday? Y
E – (if Yes to D) – food, please? Y
Thanks John
A Lynette and Chris (BertandJoyce)
B No
C No
D Yes
E No
A Gary Cole
B Yes
C Yes please
D Yes
E No thank you
A Nick Huntley: Leonidas/ Wire/ Karla
B Yes
C Yes
D Yes
E No
A – Tim/Encota
B – attending on Friday? Y
C – (if Yes to B) – food, please? Y
D – attending on Saturday? Y
E – (if Yes to D) – food, please? Y
A Linda Watson (almw3)
B Y (me +2)
C Y (me+2)
D Y (me)
E Y (me possibly +1, will verify later)
George Clements
a N
bN
cY
dN
A Dave Howell
B N
C N
D Y
E Y
A Chris Leyland – Fidelibus/Tacet
B Y
C Y
D Y
E Y
John Black (Sloop John Bee)
Y
Y
Y
Y
Dan Boxall (Tack/Claw) and Elleni Ross
YY
YY
YN
NN
I have never been to one of these before, but have thought about it. Hopefully I can finally make it subject to rail connections,
So
Peter Hamilton
Y
Y
Y
Y
Mick Hodgkin
Y
Y
Y
Y
I hope to make it!
A Geoff Evans/Gervase
B No
C No
D Yes
E Yes
Looking forward to it.
A) Stuart Thomas, Cagey, KGB
B) yes
C) yes
4) yes
E) yes
A) Alan Chamberlain – Komorník; Marika Chamberlain
B) Yes and Yes
C) Yes and Yes
D) Yes and No
E) Yes
Thank you John.
A – Kruger
B – Y
C – N
D – Y
E – N
A – Andy McCarroll/Eccles
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
Thanks!
A kenmac (Ken MacKenzie); janmac (Janet MacKenzie)
B Y
C tbd
D Y
E tbd
A – Jon Lewis / Check
B – N
C – N
D – Y
E – N
A – Kitty 😺
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
kenmac at #38 – will you be bringing your backgammon set?…
A – Helen Ougham
B – Y
C – Y (veggie please)
D – Y
E – N
A Jim T – Lato/Tyrus/Vlad
B No
C N/A
D Yes
E No
Thanks to Jane and John for organising everything.
A – Chris Evans/Umpire
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
1. Rob and Nikki (DiBosco)
2 Y
3. Y (one veggie)
4 Y
5 Y (one veggie)
A,B,C,D: all N.
In a somewhat distant past I would have written at least one Y.
Nowadays my mobility is so limited that 4x N is the only option, despite me really wanting
to join in. My alter ego, Dalibor, will surely make a contribution, probably unthemed.
Have fun, all!
And E, also N which makes it 5 x N …..
Very sorry to hear that, Sil. I’m sure all who know you (and others) will join me in sending their best wishes.
Nice to hear from you, Sil. Sorry you can’t get there – must be incredibly frustrating. We’ll be thinking of you.
Sil! Great to hear from you dear sir
Very best wishes to you Sil. Your comments are much missed – on a completely different level to much of what we read nowadays. Also looking forward to a new Dalibor!
Sil! Lovely to hear from you!
I’m sad you can’t make it, but happy to hear you’ll be treating us to a Dalibor – I look forward to that.
All the best. x
It’s really good to hear from you but so sorry you can’t make it – we miss you! x
Lovely to hear from you Sil, sorry you can’t be there.
A – Peter (Radler) & Polly Welton
B – N
C – N
D – Y
E – N
A Angus Walker
B Y
C Y (veg)
D Y
E Y (veg)
A Charlie Methven (Chameleon / Methuselah)
B – N
C – N
D – Y
E – N
A Erik Dawid
B Y
C Y
D Y
E Y
A – James Taverner
B – Y
C – Y (vegetarian preferred)
D – N
E – N
UPDATE
John, Just me for food on Saturday., please. Thanks.
A – Jason Crampton (Serpent/Basilisk/Jack), Polly Jones
B – N
C – N
D – Y
E – Y (one vegetarian)
A – Peter Biddlecombe (Broteas)
B – N
D – attending on Saturday? Y
E – Y
A – Ed Hall (‘Eck) +1
B – Y
C – Y (one vegetarian)
D – Y (prob just me and prob just until early afternoon)
E – Y
Sorry, I’ll have to withdraw my earlier “Yes” (reply no. 27) as I’ve been offered a combined CoVid/flu jab appointment on that date (and on the only alternative date I was offered I’ll be in Venice)
I can’t attend on this occasion but wish you all a lovely weekend. I hope to be able to make it next year although medical advice makes it most unlikely. shame.
Truly sorry to hear that, Sil@46/47. I always greatly enjoyed talking to you at past S&Bs, my partner-in-crime mathematically minded friend. My very best wishes to you.
A – Colin Thomas (Twin)
B – Y
C – Y
D – Y
E – Y
A – Nora Boswell (Bozzy)
B – N
D – Y
E – Y
A Emma Chesworth
B N
D Y
E N
A William Snow (Bluebird/Conto/Solomon)
B N
C N
D Y (hopefully)
E Y
A – Volney Andrew
B – N
C – N
D – Y
E – Y
A Richard Grafen
+ 4 x Y
I would love to be there but considerations of health and domestic situation mean it’s going to be a no-no. However I have arranged with BertandJoyce to submit a puzzle under my usual alias of Exit.
With best wishes for a successful event.