C O R E A

COREA 2014

Countdown in Reading

In aid of Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships

Saturday 19th April 2014 (Easter Weekend)

Christ Church, Crockhamwell Road, Woodley, Reading RG5 3LA

Results of 2013 - Winner Mark Deeks

Results of 2012 - Winner James Robinson

Hosts: "T for" Tony Atkins, Martyn "The Rev" Neads, Hannah McIntosh MA
and we are hoping the lovely Samantha (aka Lynn Neads) 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). However over Easter weekend they are bringing Reading's new platforms and 30m wide footbridge into use! Hence there are no trains from Paddington and Didcot directions into Reading, so you will have to allow more time to ride a bus.

So best to travel on the Waterloo-Reading line to Reading or to our nearest station Earley (not Woodley station) from where you can walk (15-25 minutes walk from the venue), or to Winnersh Triangle if staying at the nearby hotel or visiting the pub. These trains are not affected by the work at Reading.

If you get to Reading station (say on the 08:50 from Waterloo arrives 10:10) there is a number 14 bus to Woodley at 10:20 that stops 5 minutes from the church (single is £1.80 and return £3.40 - exact fare only) or look out for other players who may be picking friends up. For further information see getting to Christ Church.

If you are flying, then sorry we haven't completed the heliport 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.

Lifts

If you can offer or need a lift then let me know and I will try and put people in touch.

Charity

The church has kindly let us use the hall for free, as long as we raise money for their 2014 charity project which is Mercy Ships.

In 2013 we raised over £400 for The Samaritans Reading branch.

In 2012 we raised over £350 for Tools for Self Reliance.

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).

It is confirmed there will be hot cross buns when you arrive and they will be hot, though last year they were neither hot nor angry.

At lunch time it is a five minute walk to the shops, including Waitrose, a bakers, Chinese/chip shop, chicken shop, pizza place, coffee shops 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.

Spectators

Spectators are most welcome to watch the final from 17:00, or to pop in for a chat at lunchtime, but as we are expecting quite a few players it may get a bit crowded in the playing hall at other times. There are always the delights of Reading to visit in between: as well as the largest shopping centre in central Berkshire, there is Reading Museum full of Roman remains, biscuit tins and the Bayeux Tapestry (replica). If you are travelling in and out from Woodley more than once then an all day bus ticket is £4.20.

Accommodation

If you need help with accommodation, then get in contact, though the timings mean most can travel on the day. Last time some folk styed at the Holiday Inn at Winnersh Triangle, which is handy for those coming by train or motorway and walkable to the venue and pub (also a cinema).

Evening Drinks

Outside, by the heaters if cold, at The George, Loddon Bridge,
from 21:00 Friday, for those who are around,
assuming the River Loddon hasn't flooded and the terrace is not full of snow.

The same pub will be the venue for the post-tournament drinks and evening meal, and there is usually room inside on a Saturday.

Timetable

Registration10:30 to 11:00
Round 111:00
Round 212:00
Lunch13:00-14:00
Round 314:00
Round 415:00
Round 516:00
Final17:00
Prizes18:00

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). Everyone will get the chance to pick in rotation.

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 unless changed by then, 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 prizes for good performances, including spot prizes and prizes for getting into the swing of Easter.
The winner will get to hold the COREA teapot for at least five minutes.

Lunch Time Quiz

For those who don't want to explore the delights of Woodley, or don't want to risk being attacked by the flocks of Red Kite, there will be a quiz sheet during the lunch break.

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.

Or post on the forum thread or let me know on apterous.

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

So far we are expecting 2012's winner James Robinson, local champion Graeme Cole, together with Thomas Cappleman, Jeff Clayton, Adam Dexter, Robert Foster, Giles Hutchings, Nicole Hutchings, Chris Marshall, Ciaran McCarthy, Dan McColm, Mauro, Jessica and Natasha Pratesi, Alan Styles, Heather Styles, Phyl Styles, Kevin Thurlow, Jayne Wisniewski, Jack Worsley and Paul Worsley, and Jonathan Wynn, and possibly 2013 winner Mark Deeks.

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



Home Last updated: 2014-04-15.