Today we had the first meeting of the new U3A Bury St Edmunds Cryptic Crossword group that I've started. Just four of us and we convened in Oakes Barn pub at 2pm for a couple of hours. We started with an introduction to cryptic clues and the different types of wordplay, and then tackled the first Guardian Quick Cryptic (which you can find here) together. Lynn had tried it beforehand and had nearly got it finished, so well done to her for that.
After working through that crossword together we went on to our Clue Type of the Month - Hidden answers. Here everyone was provided with a list of hidden answer clues and each had a go at solving them individually, before we went through them all together.
It seemed to work quite well. My aim is to build up their skills by practising the different types of clue so that in maybe 9 months or so they are able to complete a Times Quick Cryptic crossword (or one of my own Weekend Quick Cryptic crosswords) on their own. We'll see how it goes!
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 28th May - same time, same place, and we will practice Anagrams next.
Thanks to you all and I look forward to meeting you again on 28th May.
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