Countdown in Lincoln 2009

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:47 pm

Hi everyone

Entries are now open for COLIN 2009, which promises to be one of the best, if not the best COLIN to date! The date will be Saturday, 24th January and the venue will be, as always, St. Hugh's Church Hall in North Hykeham. The format is unchanged- three people to a table, one hosting and two playing, meaning throughout the day everyone gets to host 3 games and play in 6. There are a few differences with this year's tourney though...

First off is the sexy new website, as designed by Mr. Jon O'Neill- http://colin.nebagram.co.uk - which features details and results from all the previous years (still working on the photos though). Much kudos to the Jono for this.

Secondly, COLIN '09 will see the tournament's perpetual trophy be awarded for the very first time. It's very swish, too- I'll get a few photos up on the site in the coming few days (and yes, it will be backdated with Chris's many wins.

).

Thirdly and finally (for now), there will be an extra-special exhibition game taking place. 1 on 1 this time (rather than the convoluted team affairs of past), with those playing determined by the finishing positions in the preceding Goatdown warm-up. The details of the game? Put simply, every round will have a different rule to it, a different variant. Onr round you may find yourself playing hypercountdown in French, the next round you'll be playing blindfolded Goatdown in English. These rules will be drawn at random before the start of each round, so with any luck, hilarity shall ensue.

Entry fee this year will be £8, which includes teas, coffees and nibbles a-plenty. If you want to enter, just sign up below or drop me an email at hulla.mahulla@btopenworld.com or lcc_2005@btinternet.com . I accept Paypal payment this year for those of you wishing to pay up early- just email me and I'll give you details, otherwise payment on the day is fine, as ever.

Hope to see you all in January!

BJW
http://colin.nebagram.co.uk

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:51 pm

I am excited, albeit prematurely.

(My girlfriend is used to that.)

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 7:50 pm

Stick me down please. Let's hope this is my tournament.

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 7:59 pm

Me too, please, Ben

JasonCullen · Post by **JasonCullen** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 8:43 pm

Place me on the list pls Ben

. Bolton aren't at home on this date so its fine for me to attend

. Hopefully second time lucky this time round after my late demise in CONOT

Martin Gardner · Post by **Martin Gardner** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 8:58 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:I am excited, albeit prematurely.

(My girlfriend is used to that.)

You have a girlfriend?

Martin

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 11:10 pm

jasoncullen wrote:Bolton aren't at home on this date so its fine for me to attend

You're clearly confident about them being knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round, Jason

Richard Priest · Post by **Richard Priest** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 11:12 pm

Count me in please Ben, thanks.

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:04 am

Count me in as well

Jeff Clayton · Post by **Jeff Clayton** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 4:02 pm

*Homer Simpson styley* Mmmmmm....... Hypercountdown in Freeennnnccchhh......

Can you confirm which address to use for PayPal please?

JasonCullen · Post by **JasonCullen** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 4:52 pm

Howard Somerset wrote:
jasoncullen wrote:Bolton aren't at home on this date so its fine for me to attend
You're clearly confident about them being knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round, Jason

It looks that way Howard

. But even if we do make the fourth round, and we are drawn at home, I will endeavour to make it to Lincoln

Julian Fell · Post by **Julian Fell** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:50 pm

I shall certainly endeavour to be there Ben, please put me on the list. Will give you payment on the day... thanks

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:28 pm

Safe to say I wasn't expecting this level of response- including the 'maybes' on the facebook page- http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=39855883576 - 22 of the 36 spaces have already been filled. I can expand to 42 spaces at a pinch- though frankly right now I'm just basking in actually having this dilemma!

Best you snap up the places quick whilst they're still there!

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:43 pm

Ben Wilson wrote:Safe to say I wasn't expecting this level of response- including the 'maybes' on the facebook page- http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=39855883576 - 22 of the 36 spaces have already been filled. I can expand to 42 spaces at a pinch- though frankly right now I'm just basking in actually having this dilemma!

Best you snap up the places quick whilst they're still there!

So far I have put myself down as "maybe" on Facebook, but most likely I will be attending.

Jeff Clayton · Post by **Jeff Clayton** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:30 pm

I might be washing my hair.

Julian Fell · Post by **Julian Fell** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 11:30 pm

Ben O Ben, is there any chance you could put on the website a list of who's signed up for COLin so far, like you did with CONot? Oh yes and as requested on the site, I can bring a copy of the ODE2r if need be

Paul Howe · Post by **Paul Howe** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:08 am

Blimey, better put my name down before all the places get nicked.

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Fri Sep 12, 2008 12:37 pm

Julian Fell wrote:Ben O Ben, is there any chance you could put on the website a list of who's signed up for COLin so far, like you did with CONot? Oh yes and as requested on the site, I can bring a copy of the ODE2r if need be

It'll be sorted by Sunday or Monday. I'm away all weekend doing Scrabble-style stuff but it's a simple enough job (Jono, if you're reading this, msn me).

Julian Fell · Post by **Julian Fell** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:23 pm

Ben / Jono, get that list of attendees on the website sorted out

Please

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:02 am

It's compiled, I just need to upload it...

...30 seconds later...

...done.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:23 am

It's in the middle of bloody nowhere

Julian Fell · Post by **Julian Fell** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:25 am

Cheers Ben

Need to get Tournoff and Travers in there now...

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:39 am

Paul Howe wrote:Blimey, better put my name down before all the places get nicked.

28 places have already been filled

On the day Ben, do we have to be there when it's opening up, or can we arrive after lunch, just before the first game is starting?

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 1:15 pm

Joseph Bolas wrote:
Paul Howe wrote:Blimey, better put my name down before all the places get nicked.
28 places have already been filled

On the day Ben, do we have to be there when it's opening up, or can we arrive after lunch, just before the first game is starting?

As long as you're there for the start of round 1 you can arrive whenever you want Joseph.

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 1:15 pm

Michael Wallace wrote:It's in the middle of bloody nowhere

There are trains, stop complaining.

Julian Fell · Post by **Julian Fell** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 5:53 pm

Oh yes and you might want to change the bit where it says "there are currently 36 spaces remaining" on the front page of the site (

); and the link to Charlie's ratings needs updating as well. Just little things that's all, great website though

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 7:04 pm

I notice my name is not in capitalised like everyone elses, good to see I'm not as important. Oh, and it turns out kids from my school typed Bevins maths into google and up came Countdown stuff, including embarrassing quotes on the countdownwiki. All week I've had kids singing the Countdown theme tune to me and today I was being observed in a lesson and kids started shouting out asking about Countdown. Grrrr.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 7:39 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:I notice my name is not in capitalised like everyone elses, good to see I'm not as important. Oh, and it turns out kids from my school typed Bevins maths into google and up came Countdown stuff, including embarrassing quotes on the countdownwiki. All week I've had kids singing the Countdown theme tune to me and today I was being observed in a lesson and kids started shouting out asking about Countdown. Grrrr.

LMAO. Sorry. At least the MSN quotes page is no longer online!

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:36 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:
Kirk Bevins wrote:I notice my name is not in capitalised like everyone elses, good to see I'm not as important. Oh, and it turns out kids from my school typed Bevins maths into google and up came Countdown stuff, including embarrassing quotes on the countdownwiki. All week I've had kids singing the Countdown theme tune to me and today I was being observed in a lesson and kids started shouting out asking about Countdown. Grrrr.
LMAO. Sorry. At least the MSN quotes page is no longer online!

That's a relief. At least with that I can claim it's not me - the countdownwiki page has my picture on it. They're all saying losing 90-69 is rubbish lol

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:44 pm

Ben Wilson wrote:As long as you're there for the start of round 1 you can arrive whenever you want Joseph.

I thought that might've been the rule, but wasn't sure. That's good to know

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:36 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:They're all saying losing 90-69 is rubbish lol

These kids sound smart. You must be teaching in a private school.

Howard Somerset · Post by **Howard Somerset** » Fri Sep 19, 2008 10:24 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote: They're all saying losing 90-69 is rubbish lol

I'm surprised the kids haven't yet picked up on your score being the magic 69. They're slow.

Michael Wallace · Post by **Michael Wallace** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 11:25 pm

Ben Wilson wrote:
Michael Wallace wrote:It's in the middle of bloody nowhere
There are trains, stop complaining.

Yeah, but middle of nowhere (even if there are trains) => none of my cunning money-saving schemes (i.e. megabus) work

Joseph Bolas · Post by **Joseph Bolas** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 11:39 pm

Michael Wallace wrote:
Ben Wilson wrote:
Michael Wallace wrote:It's in the middle of bloody nowhere
There are trains, stop complaining.
Yeah, but middle of nowhere (even if there are trains) => none of my cunning money-saving schemes (i.e. megabus) work

Why don't you try to find someone who could possibly give you a lift to COLIN. I got a lift last year and it only cost me £20.

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:53 am

Actually, it's in the middle of everywhere.

Paul Howe · Post by **Paul Howe** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:01 am

Kirk Bevins wrote:I notice my name is not in capitalised like everyone elses, good to see I'm not as important. Oh, and it turns out kids from my school typed Bevins maths into google and up came Countdown stuff, including embarrassing quotes on the countdownwiki. All week I've had kids singing the Countdown theme tune to me and today I was being observed in a lesson and kids started shouting out asking about Countdown. Grrrr.

Supoib

At least the phallus quote has disappeared into the ether.

Paul Howe · Post by **Paul Howe** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:06 am

Michael Wallace wrote:It's in the middle of bloody nowhere

For one day in January, it's the centre of the Countdown universe. It is a pain to get to though, when I was coming down from Edinburgh last year (that's dedication people) I discovered it would be quicker to get to London on the train than Lincoln, and that was before I missed my connection and had to pay twenty quid for a taxi

Ben, move to Hertfordshire fella, then everything would be perfect.

Kirk Bevins · Post by **Kirk Bevins** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:04 pm

Paul Howe wrote:
Kirk Bevins wrote:I notice my name is not in capitalised like everyone elses, good to see I'm not as important. Oh, and it turns out kids from my school typed Bevins maths into google and up came Countdown stuff, including embarrassing quotes on the countdownwiki. All week I've had kids singing the Countdown theme tune to me and today I was being observed in a lesson and kids started shouting out asking about Countdown. Grrrr.
Supoib

At least the phallus quote has disappeared into the ether.

It hadn't, it was still on there. I've just gone and deleted it.

Paul Howe · Post by **Paul Howe** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:24 pm

Kirk Bevins wrote:
Paul Howe wrote: Supoib

At least the phallus quote has disappeared into the ether.
It hadn't, it was still on there. I've just gone and deleted it.

Weird, I could've sworn it wasn't there when I looked earlier but the revision history says otherwise. There's definitely a vas deferens between the pages now though.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:26 pm

Paul Howe wrote:could of

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:04 pm

I second that emoticon!

Paul Howe · Post by **Paul Howe** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:07 pm

Charlie Reams wrote:
Paul Howe wrote:could of

My second rate comprehensive school education has been horribly exposed.

Julie T · Post by **Julie T** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:42 pm

This sounds like fun!

However, are any of the entrants mere mortals like me, or are they all past winners on the show?
If I decide to apply, I expect it'd still be an experience to see you all play, even if I'm rather outclassed.

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:58 pm

Julie T wrote:This sounds like fun!
However, are any of the entrants mere mortals like me, or are they all past winners on the show?
If I decide to apply, I expect it'd still be an experience to see you all play, even if I'm rather outclassed.

There's usually a few more modest opponents, and generally everyone gets at least one win on the board. But it's a pretty fun day out even if you're not so successful in the games themselves, so do come along and meet us. We're also a lot better-looking in real life (except Jono.)

Richard Priest · Post by **Richard Priest** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 2:44 pm

Julie T wrote:This sounds like fun!
However, are any of the entrants mere mortals like me, or are they all past winners on the show?
If I decide to apply, I expect it'd still be an experience to see you all play, even if I'm rather outclassed.

Yeah come along Julie, it would be nice to see you especially as the female contingent is woefully under-represented. I'm sure you'd enjoy it regardless of the outcomes of your games. In fact, in the 2 tournaments I've been to there hasn't been much difference between those who finish top and those who finish lower down.

Julie T · Post by **Julie T** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:04 pm

OK, that's me in!

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 6:08 pm

Julian Fell · Post by **Julian Fell** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:08 pm

Defending champion Conor's entered as well, on another thread

watch out people (Ben, get that name up there on the website). And Tournoff's in there now also, yikes...

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 8:15 pm

Website will be updated later tonight, but as it stands right now, there are a mere six places remaining...

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:33 pm

When I said 'tonight' obviously I meant 'this week + weekend'. Either way it's been done. Next up on the site will be a 'best of COLIN' page with various anecdotes and photos from the four events. Any particular events or games you want me to put up there, let me know- obviously the 'Bevins almosts smashes his teapot' from 2006 will be on the list.

Julian Fell · Post by **Julian Fell** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 10:22 am

Junaid Mubeen's coming! Yeah what a legend! Anyway, looking at that player list, it might just be the strongest field for a Countdown tournament ever?

Ben/Jono, the link to Charlie's ratings still needs updating, and also it's a bit confusing that you can click on 'results for the 2009 tournament' and see that Chris has already won

Don't mean to sound negative though, it's a good site

Junaid Mubeen · Post by **Junaid Mubeen** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 3:27 pm

Julian Fell wrote:Junaid Mubeen's coming! Yeah what a legend!

Wow, the legend calls me a legend...this is a defining moment for me. Yep, I'll hopefully be coming...will be great to meet so many familiar Countdown faces. Looks like the competition is gonna be immense.

Ben Wilson · Post by **Ben Wilson** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:17 pm

Website is now up-to-date with all current entrants- still just the three spaces left so stick your name down quick if you're interested- everyone who emails from #43 onwards will go onto a waiting list and be given spaces as and if they become available.

Julian Fell · Post by **Julian Fell** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:05 am

Corby's put his name down! Yay! Would be good to meet you Jon, if you can make it

Charlie Reams · Post by **Charlie Reams** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 12:41 pm

Julian Fell wrote:Would be good to meet you Jon

IAWTP.

Jon O'Neill · Post by **Jon O'Neill** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 12:51 pm

Met him. Knob. Not worth it. Want to meet his dad though.

Paul Howe · Post by **Paul Howe** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:26 pm

Jon O'Neill wrote:Want to meet his dad though.

Met him. Knob. Not worth it. Want to meet his mum though.

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:07 pm

Julian Fell wrote:Corby's put his name down! Yay! Would be good to meet you Jon, if you can make it

I have?

Jon Corby · Post by **Jon Corby** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:17 am

Charlie Reams wrote:
Julian Fell wrote:Would be good to meet you Jon
IAWTP.

We'll be meeting in Leeds next month, won't we?

Dinos Sfyris · Post by **Dinos Sfyris** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:22 pm

What does IAWTP mean? Haven't encountered that one before.