CO:LON:17 - Countdown in London 2017 (Saturday 6th May)
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2017 10:55 am
-WHAT?-
With more than 70 Co-events under the community’s belt, you may have thought you’d seen and done everything… until now. Prepare for glitter, tiaras, #FashionWatch2k17 and aubergine emojis. And that’s just on me.
But for those of you with a less glittery constitution, fear not: all the normal Countdown stuff will take precedence. Everyone will play 6 games of 9 rounds, Lincoln style, after which the top 2 players will play each other in the 15-round grand final. There will be prizes – not just for the top 3, but for other achievements throughout the day, plus spot prizes. Not to mention all the FOCAL points you can pick up! And hopefully there’ll be lots of Countdowners, both new faces and old, who you can play against, socialise with and befriend. (For an idea of what Co-events are like, please have a look at http://www.focalcountdown.co.uk - there are plenty of pictures to see and reports/experiences available to read, plus FAQs and further resources!)
-WHERE?-
This will all be happening in London (as you may have gathered from the event title), making it the first Countdown tournament held there since 2014, and FOCAL's first ever event there. Whether you think our capital city is a historic, multicultural, creative and vibrant metropolis or a shithole full of shit twats who have a cereal café and pay £6 for a slice of toast, it’s kind of a big deal.
Specifically, it’ll be taking place in central London at a pub named The Blacksmith and The Toffeemaker, just five minutes’ walk from Angel tube station on the Northern Line, or within 45 minutes’ walk of most major London terminus stations - including King's Cross, Euston, London Bridge and Liverpool Street - if you’re feeling brave. The venue does very reasonably priced food (menu here: http://www.theblacksmithandthetoffeemaker.co.uk/food)
-WHEN?-
Doors will open at 11.30am with the draw being made at midday, which gives you plenty of time to travel up on the day, or have a lie-in if you’re nearby. We’ll be vacating the room at 6pm – the plan is to move into the main bar area afterwards.
-HOW MUCH?-
To ensure you can put more cash towards having a good time, entry is just £8. Send the money via PayPal to jennifer.steadman@rocketmail.com, or email focalcountdown@gmail.com to arrange alternative payment. (But PayPal would be easier.)
-STAYING OVER-
If you want to make a weekend of it – and you should, because it means more pub time with the Countdown #lads and #ladettes, and you get an opportunity to see all the good stuff London has to offer outside of the usual tourist traps! – you may notice that London accommodation is frighteningly expensive! Here are some websites where you may find a cheaper bed for the night.
- AIRBNB: Rent someone’s room or flat – but hurry, London’s a popular destination! http://tinyurl.com/colonairbnb
- COUCHSURFING: If you’re feeling brave, sign up and get the chance to stay on someone’s couch for free. Hosts get reviewed by guests, so you can stay safe by picking someone with good reviews! https://www.couchsurfing.com/
- HOSTELWORLD: Hire a dorm bed for the night if you’re a heavy sleeper and don’t mind sharing your space. http://tinyurl.com/colonhostels
- EASYHOTEL: Their no-frills rooms in Old Street are a steal, and it’s just 15 minutes’ walk from the venue. http://www.easyhotel.com/
- TRAVELODGE: There are several within walking distance of the venue, from as little as £25 a night (if you share with 2 people). https://www.travelodge.co.uk/
There are plenty of sites offering cheap hotel rooms online too.
-WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?-
Yes (only the women’s toilet is big enough for a wheelchair, but the venue is fine with men in wheelchairs using it).
-SIGN UP NOW!-
There are more exciting developments to be announced in due course… Get signing up sooner rather than later so you don’t miss out on the pure jazz of CO:LON:17!! xoxo
Confirmed attendees (72):
Zarte Siempre
Thomas Cappleman
Matty Artell
Paul Talmey
Aidan Linge
Graeme Cole
Caroline Steadman*
Peter Steggle
Matt Rowbotham
Matt Morrison
Heather Badcock
Giles Hutchings
Gevin Chapwell
Leah King*
Emily Muir*
Conor Travers
Vikash Shah*
Martin Hurst
Ann Dibben
Phil Makepeace
Tom Carey
Lauren Hamer
Ryan Taylor
Michelle Nevitt
James Laverty
Adam Dexter
James Wilson
David Hilton
James Robinson
Tim Down
Mark Murray
Matthew Tassier
Lynne Cumberland
Norm Ahmad*
Sarah Bladon*
Jules Clarke*
Michael Pfeffer*
Phil Quelch*
James Smaldon*
Sara Lawson*
Mike Springett
James Rowan
Eddy Byrne
Amar Chotai*
Tim Springett*
Ben Wilson
Sandie Simonis
Chris Marshall
Dan McColm
Mike Brown
Jonathan Wynn
Tom Chafer-Cook
Berkan Chelikhan*
Stewart Gordon
Jonathan de Souza*
Rob Foster
Stephen Read
Eleni Bohacek*
Joe Tsoi*
George Ford
Amy Godel*
Richard Priest
Luke McBride*
Bob de Caux*
Anthony Endsor
Hugh Binnie
Ravi Sheth*
Richard Judd
Joe Oliva*
Marcus Hares
Oliver Garner
Imogen Birt*
* = first time player
With more than 70 Co-events under the community’s belt, you may have thought you’d seen and done everything… until now. Prepare for glitter, tiaras, #FashionWatch2k17 and aubergine emojis. And that’s just on me.
But for those of you with a less glittery constitution, fear not: all the normal Countdown stuff will take precedence. Everyone will play 6 games of 9 rounds, Lincoln style, after which the top 2 players will play each other in the 15-round grand final. There will be prizes – not just for the top 3, but for other achievements throughout the day, plus spot prizes. Not to mention all the FOCAL points you can pick up! And hopefully there’ll be lots of Countdowners, both new faces and old, who you can play against, socialise with and befriend. (For an idea of what Co-events are like, please have a look at http://www.focalcountdown.co.uk - there are plenty of pictures to see and reports/experiences available to read, plus FAQs and further resources!)
-WHERE?-
This will all be happening in London (as you may have gathered from the event title), making it the first Countdown tournament held there since 2014, and FOCAL's first ever event there. Whether you think our capital city is a historic, multicultural, creative and vibrant metropolis or a shithole full of shit twats who have a cereal café and pay £6 for a slice of toast, it’s kind of a big deal.
Specifically, it’ll be taking place in central London at a pub named The Blacksmith and The Toffeemaker, just five minutes’ walk from Angel tube station on the Northern Line, or within 45 minutes’ walk of most major London terminus stations - including King's Cross, Euston, London Bridge and Liverpool Street - if you’re feeling brave. The venue does very reasonably priced food (menu here: http://www.theblacksmithandthetoffeemaker.co.uk/food)
-WHEN?-
Doors will open at 11.30am with the draw being made at midday, which gives you plenty of time to travel up on the day, or have a lie-in if you’re nearby. We’ll be vacating the room at 6pm – the plan is to move into the main bar area afterwards.
-HOW MUCH?-
To ensure you can put more cash towards having a good time, entry is just £8. Send the money via PayPal to jennifer.steadman@rocketmail.com, or email focalcountdown@gmail.com to arrange alternative payment. (But PayPal would be easier.)
-STAYING OVER-
If you want to make a weekend of it – and you should, because it means more pub time with the Countdown #lads and #ladettes, and you get an opportunity to see all the good stuff London has to offer outside of the usual tourist traps! – you may notice that London accommodation is frighteningly expensive! Here are some websites where you may find a cheaper bed for the night.
- AIRBNB: Rent someone’s room or flat – but hurry, London’s a popular destination! http://tinyurl.com/colonairbnb
- COUCHSURFING: If you’re feeling brave, sign up and get the chance to stay on someone’s couch for free. Hosts get reviewed by guests, so you can stay safe by picking someone with good reviews! https://www.couchsurfing.com/
- HOSTELWORLD: Hire a dorm bed for the night if you’re a heavy sleeper and don’t mind sharing your space. http://tinyurl.com/colonhostels
- EASYHOTEL: Their no-frills rooms in Old Street are a steal, and it’s just 15 minutes’ walk from the venue. http://www.easyhotel.com/
- TRAVELODGE: There are several within walking distance of the venue, from as little as £25 a night (if you share with 2 people). https://www.travelodge.co.uk/
There are plenty of sites offering cheap hotel rooms online too.
-WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?-
Yes (only the women’s toilet is big enough for a wheelchair, but the venue is fine with men in wheelchairs using it).
-SIGN UP NOW!-
There are more exciting developments to be announced in due course… Get signing up sooner rather than later so you don’t miss out on the pure jazz of CO:LON:17!! xoxo
Confirmed attendees (72):
Zarte Siempre
Thomas Cappleman
Matty Artell
Paul Talmey
Aidan Linge
Graeme Cole
Caroline Steadman*
Peter Steggle
Matt Rowbotham
Matt Morrison
Heather Badcock
Giles Hutchings
Gevin Chapwell
Leah King*
Emily Muir*
Conor Travers
Vikash Shah*
Martin Hurst
Ann Dibben
Phil Makepeace
Tom Carey
Lauren Hamer
Ryan Taylor
Michelle Nevitt
James Laverty
Adam Dexter
James Wilson
David Hilton
James Robinson
Tim Down
Mark Murray
Matthew Tassier
Lynne Cumberland
Norm Ahmad*
Sarah Bladon*
Jules Clarke*
Michael Pfeffer*
Phil Quelch*
James Smaldon*
Sara Lawson*
Mike Springett
James Rowan
Eddy Byrne
Amar Chotai*
Tim Springett*
Ben Wilson
Sandie Simonis
Chris Marshall
Dan McColm
Mike Brown
Jonathan Wynn
Tom Chafer-Cook
Berkan Chelikhan*
Stewart Gordon
Jonathan de Souza*
Rob Foster
Stephen Read
Eleni Bohacek*
Joe Tsoi*
George Ford
Amy Godel*
Richard Priest
Luke McBride*
Bob de Caux*
Anthony Endsor
Hugh Binnie
Ravi Sheth*
Richard Judd
Joe Oliva*
Marcus Hares
Oliver Garner
Imogen Birt*
* = first time player