A new month and a new challenge in both versions of the game. Scoreboards have been reset to zero.
Do you realise that this is the start of the SIXTH year since the parting of the ways between the MM and KM versions of the game, Michael Mepham died in December 2006, thus disrupting our newly instituted guessing game based on the Telegraph GK Crosswords set by him. ABers took over setting our own challenge, named MM links in honour of Michael Mepham. A couple of months later, Michael's daughter took over setting the GK Crosswords and re-introduced the links. That version was resurrected as the KM Links game and bothe versions of the game have run every weekend since.
The KM Links game took a break over Christmas and New Year but Seekeerz will be back tomorrow morning (her evening) to launch the KM version in Q & P. Play anytime before midnight Sunday.
As for the MM version, it is all change. Last month's setter thankfully survived the ordeal and hopefully has recovered enough to play along this month as a guesser.
For those that didn't see it, Jobjockey revealed on last Sunday's results post that he had suffered a minor stroke during his month in the hot seat and spent a few days in hospital. I believe the stress of setting the game was not in any way to blame and on behalf of all players I wish him a healthy future.
The new MM setter is Kettledrum and she tells me she has no time for that so there will be no repetition this month.
Kettledrum has chosen her own 'Regal Name' for the month and will be known as 'The Court Jester' - rather suggesting that she is going to tease us with her chosen links.
Find out just how devious (or otherwise) she is by playing the game tomorrow morning. The introduction will go up in Q & P at 8:45am withe the challenge words to follow at 9:00am. Play promptly for the best chance of bonus points.
Evening Gen2 and anyone else who has ventured into the shrubbery. I didn't realise the game had been going for six years. I think I've been taking part for just over two now - I'm sure I remember guessing some Christmas links in Dec 2009. The last few months have been a bit of desert as far as points are concerned, so I hope the Court Jester will tinkle her bells and wield her tickling stick on the right wavelength for me!
No further inspiration on Hotpot 5 for the last three weeks, Gen2, so I've posted it today with three gaps and at least two complete guesses. Many thanks for the opportunity to poilsh up the brain cell.
Evening all and thanks gen2 for opening the shrubbery.
I have been doing the links games very nearly every week since January 2008, without any great success.
I hadn't joined Answerbank back in 2006, but I well remember Michael Mepham and his untimely death, having been a Telegraph crossword addict since well before that.
I look forward to the 6th year (my 4th) of both games - maybe my lucky year !!!!
Sorry you aren't well Pauline. Hope you feel better soon. I think I have been doing the links for over 5 years, but Pauline I bet you can remember can't you ?
I remember when the shrubbery was a madhouse on Friday nights !! Sarumite had lots of cunning plans and we went on "virtual" coach trips !
Hope I do a bit better with the links this week !!!
Back again for a short while.
Sorry to hear you're not feeling so well Pauline, get a good nights sleep.
Yes, there were some lively times in the shrubbery - all that booze and Sarumites mushrooms.
Well, good luck to all for tomorrows games, think I will turn in now
See you tomorrow.