C O : R E A CO:REA 2012 Countdown in Reading In aid of Tools for Self Reliance Easter Saturday 7th April 2012 Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road, Woodley, Reading RG5 3LA Hosts: "T for" Tony Atkins, Robert "Classics" Harman and Martyn "The Rev" Neads and we are hoping the lovely Samantha will be keeping score.

Location

Woodley is on the east side of Reading (not pronounced "reading") in Berkshire (not pronounced "burkshire").
If you end up in one of the other places called Woodley, then you will miss the event.
Woodley is not far from the M4 and A4 (two big roads with simple numbers), just off the A329(M) (also a big road but with a confusing number).
Also Woodley can be accessed by bus from Reading station (otherwise known as the building site) or by foot from Earley station (not Woodley station) on the Reading-Waterloo line (though we seldom see trains at weekends).
If you are flying, then sorry we haven't completed the helliport yet, but jetpack users can land in the rear garden.

Christ Church is a modern church with several halls, of which we will be using the largest, a car park (supervised by Marvin) and a nice blue sign board (with white posts). It is situated (despite Bing thinking differently) at the junction of Arundel Road with Crockhamwell Road (entrance in Arundel Road), not far from the Woodley town centre and the Crockham Well, but quite a long way from Arundel town centre.

The church has kindly let us use the hall for free, as long as we raise money for their 2012 charity project, TFSR.

For further information see getting to Christ Church.

Refreshments

Tea, coffee and squash and biscuits will be available free of charge during the playing hours (but probably not convenient to get during the playing half-minutes).

At lunch time it is a five minute walk to the shops, including Waitrose, a bakers, Chinese chip shop and so on, and ten minutes to a pub or two, or a short drive to a better pub with attractive riverside location ("The George" at Loddon Bridge).

Note that alcohol and smoking are not allowed on the church premises. The only fuming allowed will be when you miss an easy 9.

Accommodation

If you need help with accommodation, then get in contact, though the timings mean most can travel on the day.

Timetable

Format

Games will be 15 round format, in the shipshape and Bristol style: that is, everyone plays in pairs, but using the same letters and numbers displayed at the front (sorry to those who like to pick tactically).

However, each table will have its own conundrum for a round, to stop players overhearing the answer from other tables (or from Gloria Hunniford if she is present).

Initial rounds will be seeded with pairings on the Swiss system (cheese not included), so everyone will get a chance to win at least one game regardless of your skill level.

The best two players, based on number of wins and total score (or the largest bribes received), will play a public final.

The word list in use will be that on apterous.org, based on ODE3, or will be ODE3 if the computers let us down.

Paper and writing instruments will be provided, though you might like to bring your own record book or lucky pencil.
Warning: mislaying your lucky pencil, and being forced to use a biro, can cause you to lose your games (as can getting no sleep the night before).

Prizes

No Countdown teapots, but lots of Easter prizes for good performances, including spot prizes and prizes for getting into the swing of Easter.
The winner will get to hold the CO:REA teapot for at least five minutes.

Lunch Time Demo

For those who don't want to explore the delights of Woodley, or do Geocaching and only need two minutes to get to the one on the corner of Carlton Close and back, there will be a teaching session on the game of Go during the lunch break.

Tools for Self Reliance

If you can, please bring old tools to donate to TFSR - see their list for the specific things they need; they will be refurbished before shipping, but tools should be in a reasonable condition. However beware of carrying sharp objects in public!

Entry Fees

Recommended minimum donation £10 - larger amounts to support the charity would be appreciated (bribes are optional).
Tax Payers will be invited to Gift Aid their donations to squeeze more cash out of the government's hard earned money.

All ages welcome - younger children should be accompanied by a responsible adult. No irresponsible adults please!

To Enter

Please send your name (plus apterous name if different) to corea at kisekigo.com.

If you do not want to be listed on the player list in advance of the day let us know.

Please pay in cash on the day (or cheques payable to "Christ Church Woodley"),
sorry, as it's for charity, no paypal/cards.

Player List

Contact

ORGANISER: Tony Atkins      Tel: 0118 9268143;
On the day mobile: 0782 665 1796 (please use this if you have a travel problem and will be late arriving).

Tony Atkins on Countdown