Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Discussion and announcements relating to unofficial Countdown competitions, held online or in real life. Observation, discussion, reflection, and other stuff ending in -ion.
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Ben Wilson
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Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Ben Wilson »

Hi all

It is with much excitement I can announce that Countdown in Nottingham 2009 will be taking place on Saturday 23rd May at the Westdale Lane Community Centre in the Mapperley area of Nottingham. Everybody will play 6 games of 15 round Countdown in the Bristol style, and before the tournament proper, the first ever live trial (and hopefully naming) of a brand new variant. :)

Entry fee will be £8 and for an extra £2 a lunch will be available at the event consisting of a well-filled sandwich, a scone and a piece of fruit. Drinks will be available throughout the day at no extra charge.

If you're interested, just drop me a pm or post in this thread stating your interest. :)

Hope to see you in May!

Itinerary:

Doors open: 10:00
Welcomes: 10:45
Exhbition game: 11:00
Games 1 & 2: 11:30
Lunch: 12:30
Games 3 & 4: 1:15
Break: 2:15
Games 5 & 6: 2:45
Prizegiving: 4:00

Current entrants:

Mike Brown
Rich Priest
Kai Laddiman
Dinos Sfyris
Junaid Mubeen
Dan Vanniasingham
Jon O'Neill
Kirk Bevins
Charlie Reams
Paul Howe
Howard Somerset
Adam Dexter
Jack Morgan
Barry Evans
Callum Laddiman
Lee Fisher
Stewart Gordon
Karen Pearson

If I've missed you off, just give me a nudge.
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Richard Priest
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Richard Priest »

Count me in please.
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Kai Laddiman
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Kai Laddiman »

Curse you Priest, beat me to it.

I'm (currently) going.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Dinos Sfyris »

Ben Wilson wrote:15 round Countdown
Excellent
Ben Wilson wrote:the most anticipated new sport of the year, the CoNot ball game. :)
Excellent
Ben Wilson wrote:a well-filled sandwich
You know how to satisfy a man, Neb.

See you in May :)
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Junaid Mubeen »

Yes please :)
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Michael Wallace
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Michael Wallace »

Is there a limit to the number of places? I don't think I'd be able to commit until quite near the time.
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Ben Wilson
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Ben Wilson »

Michael Wallace wrote:Is there a limit to the number of places? I don't think I'd be able to commit until quite near the time.
Let me know when you can- the room's pretty big and I doubt it'd fill.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Kirk Bevins »

Count me in. I'm so excited about a 15 round tournament!! Yes yes yes!!
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Charlie Reams
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Charlie Reams »

I'll be there, obviously.
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Michael Wallace
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Michael Wallace »

Ben Wilson wrote:
Michael Wallace wrote:Is there a limit to the number of places? I don't think I'd be able to commit until quite near the time.
Let me know when you can- the room's pretty big and I doubt it'd fill.
Cool. My grandmother lives in Nottingham so it *should* be fairly easy for me to go. The only problem is that the other half has exams around then, and I think I have a report due in at some point near then too.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Paul Howe »

Excellent, I'm in. Hope its as good as last year.
Ben Wilson wrote: after round 2 there will a lengthy lunch break in which there will be opportunity to play the most anticipated new sport of the year, the CoNot ball game. :)
For the uninitiated, this involves nine separate people picking letters and trying to make a word from the resulting selection. The letter picker has a small yellow ball, which they throw to someone else once they've picked their letter. Unless you're Stewart Gordon, in which case you ping it straight into Joyce Cansfield's eighty year old face.
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Martin Gardner
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Martin Gardner »

Sounds good, I'm free that weekend, hopefully all my exams will be finished by then too. Put me down as a very likely, barring unexpected exams or social events.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by JackHurst »

I'd like to go, I'd probably go just to harass everyone else and then get kicked out. Saying that, the 23rd of may is right in the middle of My As exams
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Jimmy Gough »

I want to go but it's likely I'll have exams then. We'll see.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by JackHurst »

Jimmy Gough wrote:I want to go but it's likely I'll have exams then. We'll see.
I think that Saturday is the first day of a half term, so you shouldn't have any exams for about 8 days. Thats how it works out for me anyway.
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Ben Wilson
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Ben Wilson »

In any event the Monday after CoNot is a bank holiday so I doubt anyone will have exams then.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by JackHurst »

Ben Wilson wrote:In any event the Monday after CoNot is a bank holiday so I doubt anyone will have exams then.
You'd think, but knowing the dreadful organistation skills of the exam boards i wouldnt be suprised.

If i can get myself soem transport i will try and go fo sho.

*Heads to google maps and national rail*
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Michael Wallace
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Michael Wallace »

Bollocks. The other half just got his exam timetable - this is a no go for me now. :(
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Howard Somerset »

Yes please! :)
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by JackHurst »

I dont suppose anyoen who likes giving lifts to strangers is driving through leicester on the way there and/or back? :)
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Julie T
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Julie T »

Anyone driven there from Londonish area before?
Google maps directions reckons 2 hours for the journey, in which case it'd be doable in a day.
Is 2 hours realistic?

Lifts possible along route (M1 from Luton northwards).
I'll be skirting past Leicester, Jack, so presumably not too much of a detour to collect you.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Paul Howe »

Julie T wrote:Anyone driven there from Londonish area before?
Google maps directions reckons 2 hours for the journey, in which case it'd be doable in a day.
Is 2 hours realistic?
That's about right, it takes me slightly under 2 hours coming from Hemel Hempstead.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by JackHurst »

Julie T wrote:Anyone driven there from Londonish area before?
Google maps directions reckons 2 hours for the journey, in which case it'd be doable in a day.
Is 2 hours realistic?

Lifts possible along route (M1 from Luton northwards).
I'll be skirting past Leicester, Jack, so presumably not too much of a detour to collect you.
That sounds very kind offer Julie. I've not got too many personality disorders, so a car journey with me would be more than bearable.
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Julie T
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Julie T »

Paul Howe wrote:
Julie T wrote:Anyone driven there from Londonish area before?
Google maps directions reckons 2 hours for the journey, in which case it'd be doable in a day.
Is 2 hours realistic?
That's about right, it takes me slightly under 2 hours coming from Hemel Hempstead.
Thanks, Paul. :)
JackHurst wrote:
Julie T wrote:Anyone driven there from Londonish area before?
Google maps directions reckons 2 hours for the journey, in which case it'd be doable in a day.
Is 2 hours realistic?

Lifts possible along route (M1 from Luton northwards).
I'll be skirting past Leicester, Jack, so presumably not too much of a detour to collect you.
That sounds very kind offer Julie. I've not got too many personality disorders, so a car journey with me would be more than bearable.
That's OK, Jack. And I'll leave my bloody axe at home this time. ;)
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Clare Sudbery
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Clare Sudbery »

I'm tempted.

How scary are you lot in person?
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by D Eadie »

Clare Sudbery wrote:I'm tempted.

How scary are you lot in person?
Don't do it Clare, they're all extremely weird. Dribbling, twitching, sweating, full-fat Coke, spots, v-neck jumpers, halitosis, ungroomed and in some places, disfigured. And that's just Corby.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Martin Gardner »

Unsure actually. I've been talking about going to see Christine in France at the "end of May", plus there's the UK Scrabble Championship (the one in French, with about 5 players) and the French WSC either side of that date.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Jon O'Neill »

Do come!
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Julie T
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Julie T »

Clare Sudbery wrote:I'm tempted.

How scary are you lot in person?

Oooh, do come Clare! They appear almost human IRL. ;)

I went to CoLin in January, and it was great fun. :)
Only 2 other women playing apart from me, so it'd be nice to increase the numbers this time. 8-)
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Clare Sudbery »

Julie T wrote:Only 2 other women playing apart from me, so it'd be nice to increase the numbers this time. 8-)
As long as you don't expect me to represent womankind by actually winning a game or anything... although interestingly... the idea of competing in something I'm bound to do badly at is rather refreshing. Takes the pressure off.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Ian Dent »

If it were a Monday. Maybe.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Darren Carter »

Would love to come but it's too close to my exams, oh well there's always next year.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Karen Pearson »

I'd like to come but can't commit yet. I'ts my brother's 50th birthday around then and we haven't agreed a date for a family get-together yet. Will confirm one way or another as soon as I know.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by tomrowell »

If i can get the weekend off work then I will be coming
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Jon Corby »

D Eadie wrote:Don't do it Clare, they're all extremely weird. Dribbling, twitching, sweating, full-fat Coke, spots, v-neck jumpers, halitosis, ungroomed and in some places, disfigured. And that's just Corby.
Harsh, he is in his sixties now.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Adam Dexter »

I must say I am mightily interested in this one. Closer to my area for a change :) What kinda times is it?
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Ben Wilson
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Ben Wilson »

Adam Dexter wrote:I must say I am mightily interested in this one. Closer to my area for a change :) What kinda times is it?
Will be from around 10:45-4:30, not counting the piss-up afterwards.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Adam Dexter »

OK :D Count me in. Train gets into Nottingham at 10:37... don't know how long it takes to get to the community centre from there? Might be a tad late looking at distance; hope that isn't a problem!
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Ben Wilson
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Ben Wilson »

As stated in the top post the games will be underway at 11am so you'll likely just miss my waffle but not much else. The timetable's got some flexibility anyway.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Jack Morgan »

Definitely would like to come :) Will be a welcome break from exams! Thanks!
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Matthew Green »

I can't make it but I can arrange some reinforced steel chairs to be sent via FedEx in case of any Shallow Hal moments.
If I suddenly have a squirming baby on my lap it probably means that I should start paying it some attention and stop wasting my time messing around on a Countdown forum
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Martin Gardner »

You've probably realised I won't be there. I'll probably start watching again at the QF stage, unfortunately watching Countdown every day gets a bit mind-numbing, so I need to take regular breaks from it.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Jon O'Neill »

Martin Gardner wrote:You've probably realised I won't be there.
Not me..
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Callum Laddiman »

Count me in please Ben.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Julie T »

Ben, please could you remove my name from the CoNot event?
Sorry, and I'm sure it would be as great as the CoLin one you ran, but I've decided that I'm spending too much time on Countdown stuff, and I have other things I need to concentrate on at home.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Rob Thomas »

Fairly good chance I can come, will confirm later in the week...

Clare, i'm one of the lowest ranked people on the attendee list, fully expecting a 6-pack of hammerings, so you're not the only one!

Rob
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Barry Evans »

So...any plans for a post-CoNot social? :D
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Ben Wilson
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Ben Wilson »

There are still plenty of places available in this if anyone's interested- although in true co- event fashion the advertised exhibition game has been replaced by a different one less than two weeks before the event itself. :) The as-yet unnamed variant trialled on msn will receive a much wider trial before round 1 (I've updated the timetable to reflect the changes). There will be prizes on offer for 1st-3rd place with an additional 'ratings prize' on offer for those who finish furthest ahead of their 'seeding'.

Simply let me know either in the thread or via a pm if you want in on what is guaranteed to be a fun day meeting fellow forumites/stars of the show! If you've entered (or even if you haven't) please let me know if you want the optional £2 lunch as well- it's getting to the point where we need exact numbers for that.

Hope to see you all on the 23rd!
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Kirk Bevins »

Can I have the lunch please.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Junaid Mubeen »

Lunch please.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Charlie Reams »

Luncheon please Benjemin.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Dinos Sfyris »

Lunch for me too please Mr Neb
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Michael Wallace »

If you're a filthy vegetarian, what could you expect in your well-filled (woof) sandwich?

(yes, I still haven't worked out if I'm going yet - is there a deadline for lunch/attendance confirmation?)
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Ben Wilson »

Michael Wallace wrote:If you're a filthy vegetarian, what could you expect in your well-filled (woof) sandwich?

(yes, I still haven't worked out if I'm going yet - is there a deadline for lunch/attendance confirmation?)
Ironically the deadline for lunch confirmation is before that of the attendance confirmation. (i.e. about a week from now as opposed to 'two days before')
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Jon O'Neill »

All the cool cats seem to be having lunch; I will as well.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Howard Somerset »

Lunch for me too please, Ben.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Rob Thomas »

OK i'm a definite now, and i'll go for the lunch please. Ta. See you all there.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Jon O'Neill »

Rob Thomas wrote:OK i'm a definite now, and i'll go for the lunch please. Ta. See you all there.
See you there, bathrooms.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Phil Reynolds »

Jon O'Neill wrote:
Rob Thomas wrote:See you all there.
See you there, bathrooms.
Could be worse - his name could be T. S. Eliot.
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Re: Countdown in Nottingham 2009

Post by Kirk Bevins »

Phil Reynolds wrote: Could be worse - his name could be T. S. Eliot.
LITOTES?
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