Telegraph GK Puzzle. Matter of interest.

[d0gsb0dy]

Is everyone aware, that although not stated in the newspaper, entrants are required to include their telephone contact number when submitting puzzles. If you send for the rules, this is made clear.

[JRB]

I have been doing this crossword for yonks and never realised that - perhaps thats why I have never won!!!

Many thanks , d0gsb0dy

[shaneystar]

Thank you for this.
No wonder I have never won anything! It's pot luck though.
Does it say anything in the rules about using whiteout as my entries are usually covered in it!!

[boaw]

Perhaps stating the obvious - complete in pencil ( easily erased if you wish to change an answer) then ink in.

Cheaper than white-in!

[JoolsTwo]

I never new that either, as for whiteout why not photo copy the puzzle then when complete just copy the answers over.

[biley]

This may be in the rules when sent for, but does anybody seriously believe that you would not win if you do not include your contact number? It may be the case if you are asked to within the rules stated in the paper itself (or there is a space for a contact number) but as there is nothing to say that rules and regulations apply, then the Telegraph are not so pedantic as to exclude a correct crossword that has been drawn as one of the prizewinners just because there is no contact number. Winners are notified by post as far as I am aware, in any case.

[d0gsb0dy]

Biley. Just trying to be helpful. But it does include sending in your phone number as a requirement. If you want to take a chance, nobody will stop you, I'm sure, but an email to Michael Mephan would clear it up. He does reply.

[shaneystar]

Well I am going to to buy a pencil and eraser!!

[d0gsb0dy]

Shaneystar. Why don't you do what I do? I make a grid up in MS Word. That way, you can make as many errors as you wish. With the Mail on Sunday, I have 4 grids ready made, as they repeat them. Makes life easier. :)

[shaneystar]

What a brilliant idea.However, am not that good on computers (age you know) but I am sure my son can work something out for me.Many thanks.

[biley]

Michael Mepham is the creator of just ONE of the many prize crosswords and competitions that the Telegraph does. If the Telegraph wants a contact number it will say so (as indeed happens with the "where in the world" competition in the Travel supplement of saturday's Telegraph). If a competition does not state a contact number is required then you can take it that it is not. As for whiteout, we have had this discussion before and as long as the crossword is legible it will be accepted as a prizewinner if drawn out of the bag (or computer). I know this as I won with whiteout on my entry.

There are tens of thousands of entries to Telegraph competitions and if an entry does not win it is far more likely to be because of the odds against winning are so tiny rather than putting whiteout on an entry or not putting a contact number when none is asked for. 

[d0gsb0dy]

Biley. I don't see why you are creating such a fuss. I merely said that when I sent for a copy of the rules, it stipulated that a phone number was required. No big deal. Why don't you publish a book on the subject if you feel so strongly about it. Personally, you give the impression of being a pedant.

[ruthay321]

What if you don't have a telephone number?

[biley]

I am not making a fuss. You started a thread in which you stated that entrants were required to include their telephone contact numbers and others stated that they did not know that. I am merely putting the other side and saying that if a prize puzzle does not state that it needs a contact number then it does not. Why get people to include things that they do not wish to when they do not have to? Or cannot?

Why don't you continue to put a contact number if you wish and leave everybody else to do as common sense dictates - ie if a contact number is requested then provide it, if not then dont.

And I stated that Michael Mepham was the creator of just one of many Telegraph to try and show others and you that no matter what he thinks, the Telegraph, as his employer/contractor has the say on who wins the prizes and not Michael Mepham, as you seem to suggest.  

[suewh]

How do they pick the winner?  Are all the envelopes put into something and the lucky one picked out or do they open them first to check the answers?  Does it help to use a coloured envelope to catch the pickers eye?  I feel its time I won!

[biley]

Hi folks, sorry if I have been seen to be pedantic but I simply do not wish people to believe they have not won because they have not put a contact number on the entry. It is a horrible thought that you can complete the crossword or do a competition and have not won simply because you were not aware that a contact number was required.

Well the fact is it IS NOT. I have confirmed this with the Daily Telegraph. It is as I have stated already - if a competition or crossword states that a contact number is required then of course you provide it, but if not then there is no need to do so.

Suewh - I am not totally sure of my facts so don't quote me but I believe all entries are put into a container and a number of envelopes drawn out. If these are all correct the rest are thrown away. If one or more is wrong, then however many more envelopes are needed are drawn etc. I do not think there would be time to pick out all the correct entries first as there would be tens of thousands (in the case of crossword competitions at least) to do this with.

As for coloured envelopes, I personally do not believe that it makes a difference but others say it does so each to their own. Anyhow all the best with your entries - with all the effort we feel as though we should win sometimes don't we!! I have been lucky over the years so I know it can be done if one keeps trying and gets that luck.