Sloggers & Betters Weekend York 2024

This weekend was the annual crossword bloggers and setters get together in York (the title is, of course, a spoonerism) organised by John Henderson.

See here for a post about last year's version. It has become so popular it has outgrown its traditional venue of  the Fox & Roman, so our Friday night quiz was in the function room at the Stableside, where, as usual, many of us were staying.

Then our Saturday all-day meeting was relocated to the Marcia Inn in Bishopsgate, which was a pleasant 40 minute walk from the Stableside.

This was the agenda on the invite...

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S&B York 2024 – Friday 25^th & Saturday 26^th 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 25^th: 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 26^th: 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 .

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Here are a few photos, including some from John Dunleavy.

John introducing the quiz.

In the Fox & Romana after the quiz (thank-you John)

Yesterday we walked to the Marcia Inn via the racecourse.

We spent the day there.

We all had badges.

Down to work on the crosswords. I took 25 copies of mine (see here) and they all got taken.

Dawn brought a book with her.

Time to announce the winners of the quiz.

And here is Angus dong so.

We were happy enough to come 8th out of 10 teams.