Forthcoming Sloggers & Betters Events

by

Nottingham – 13th May 2017 London – 16th May 2017 Macclesfield – 7/8th July 2017 Manchester (Inquisitor) – 22nd July 2017 ………….York – 27/29th October 2017  

Inquisitor 1500 – Manchester Gathering – 22nd July 2017

by

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.

Read more >>

Financial Times 15,523 by Julius

by

As this was a jigsaw-type puzzle, I am unable to format this the way that I normally do, as PeeDee’s otherwise excellent blogging interface is not set up to accommodate puzzles like this. … Read more >>

Guardian 27,170 / Paul

by

Amazingly – for me, anyway – my 500th blog – and a squeaky-clean [as far as I can see] puzzle from Paul. A mixture of some easy clues to keep the ball rolling, … Read more >>

Independent 9,515 by Eccles

by

What we have come to expect from Eccles and just right for a Wednesday: good, accessible, sound. Plenty of nice clues.

My apologies for the lateness, which is even worse than usual (The Guardian and the FT are always before me. Bet they are today [actually the FT wasn’t]). When I switched off yesterday there were various updates, and these had to be fiddled with by the computer before it booted up. And then it didn’t seem to want to start Windows. But eventually it did thank goodness.

Read more >>

Sloggers & Betters – Macclesfield – Friday 7th & Saturday 8th July 2017

by

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.

Read more >>