The Charity Christmas Puzzle, set by Gordon Gray to raise money for charity, since 1991.
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Christmas Puzzle 2009 - Time, gentlemen, please

Christmas PuzzleThis year's annual Charity Christmas Puzzle has now been posted, and is available to download.

This, the 19th annual Puzzle that Gordon Gray has set, has a theme designed to help completion and will appeal to people who enjoy doing Crossword puzzles, such as in the Daily Telegraph (though it is not a Crossword puzzle). Puzzlers have plenty of time to find the answers and Puzzles should be returned, with donation, by 24 January 2010.

Gordon posted Puzzles on 4 December, so those already on the distribution list should receive their copies by 11 December. Anyone else who would like a copy of the Puzzle can access it from the web at www.christmaspuzzle.co.uk. Alternatively puzzles can be collected from St Mary's Eaton Bray.

All the money you donate, except for the prize-money, will go to charity. In a change of policy I have decided that from now on I will donate £500 of the money raised to St Mary's, Eaton Bray, where I am the Reader, with the remaining money to be distributed equally between six charities - Children's Adventure Farm Trust, Community Meeting Point Harpenden, Merlin, Rett Syndrome Association UK, Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust, The Children's Society - all of which have been suggested by Puzzlers who between them have been with the Puzzle for an average of 13 years.

December 8, 2009 | Permalink | Comment


Reader Comments

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December 10, 2009, Susan Johnson says:

I think I have finished this year's puzzle, but I would like you to look at the number of spaces at 23b as there appears to be one too many.

Also I tried to register for next year's puzzle on line (as instructed in the Entry Form) but cannot work out how to do so. As I am not the most computer literate, could you help me?

December 15, 2009, Jane Willis says:

I think there is one space too many in 23b too - can anybody confirm that it is correct? I've got one latter too many for 6a too but if Susan has the right number for that one I'd better have a rethink.

December 15, 2009, Bob Norman says:

Jane/Susan...Not got 23b yet, maybe that is the reason...I believe 6a is correct, but also believe REA is incorrect in 40b..any comment Gordon?

December 15, 2009, Gordon Gray says:

I hope you are enjoying the Puzzle this year. Notwithstanding the comments from Susan, Jane & Bob the only clue I am less than pleased with is 1c.

December 15, 2009, Malcolm Charles says:

I think 6a and 23b are correct in terms of spaces but I also think that the REA in 40b may be dodgy and I have a context problem with 37b. Woe is me. bah! Humbug!

December 15, 2009, Andy Cole says:

Gordon is rightly critical of the clue for 1c. but (possibly) the only answer requires a tortuous (not to say stretched) grammatical reconstruction of the clue.

All other clues appear to have the correct number of spaces.

There could be an (unlikely) amiguity elsewhere - but I'll leave that for you to decide.

December 16, 2009, Paddy Coles says:

I am also having great trouble with 40b I'll keep trying.

December 17, 2009, Mac McCowan says:

I'm beginning to worry a bit as I've got answers that fit for every clue which I'm happy with, although it remains to be seen whether or not they are correct. On the whole I think I agree with Andy (Cole).

December 18, 2009, Malcolm Charles says:

Further to my earlier ramblings, I have seen the error of my ways and am happy that Gordon has made no errors in his compilation.

December 20, 2009, Geraldine Smith says:

We are getting there, slowly though had a spurt when we got the initials. 18a made me laugh out loud!

December 28, 2009, Christine & Graham Rowe says:

We have had a lot of fun attempting this wonderful puzzle for the first time. I shall be mailing it with a donation ASAP from here in New Zealand. Are there any other entrants from this far afield? Thanks to Gordon for organising this.

December 30, 2009, marian & russ thomas says:

We're presently in USA and I wish you could have advised that we need not have bought a copy of the 2008 edition of Who's who? in order to solve the puzzle! Our results will be on their way to you once we get hold of some UK postage stamps!

December 31, 2009, Bill Brakes says:

Thanks for another good one, Gordon.
To Marian & Russ - the lesson learned is, of course, to always read Gordon carefully. Here the 'could be taken' was the clue. Still I'm sure the Who's Who will come in handy for other puzzles ...

February 1, 2010, Mac McCowan says:

Great puzzle Gordon and just down my street. For once a subject with which I was familiar, which proved a great help, but one still has to get the correct answers. Deep joy, great happiness!!


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