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Alan Connor

@alanconnor.bsky.social
454 followers 260 following 76 posts

www.alanconnor.com/log/ Author: 188 Words For Rain etc Screenwriter: Borat 2, The Rack Pack etc Compiler: Everyman, House of Games etc Jokes: HIGNFY, Brooker etc Editor: Guardian crossword

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Reposted by Alan Connor
Susie Mesure @susiemesure.bsky.social · 18/09/2024
Cryptic fans might like this photo of my great-grandfather, Afrit, (A.F. Ritchie), the first of three early setters who helped to codify what became the golden rule of cryptic cluing: "I need not mean what I say, but I must say what I mean." (The dog is Caesar.)
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Nate Chinen @natechinen.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Cassandra Wilson was one of our most gifted vocalists, just an unreal talent. Here is my obituary for NPR Music. (I believe I’ll also be on the broadcast later this evening.)
npr.org
Cassandra Wilson, Grammy-winning jazz vocalist, dies at 70
Wilson, who's deep, dark contralto was one of the most distinctive voices in jazz, died on Wednesday in her hometown of Jackson, Miss.
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ItIsStevenRhodes @400footghost.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
A fabulous book to lift off the shelf every so often and lose yourself in a bit of 80s time travel.
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PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
My second Genius puzzle for @theguardian.com ⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️ Thanks to @alanconnor.bsky.social for the slot. Lucy @henriwords.com and @mister-norm.bsky.social for testing. Looking forward to seeing what the solvers make of it… if that’s you - enjoy & good luck! 😁 www.theguardian.com/crosswords/2...
theguardian.com
Genius crossword No 278
Deadline for entries is 23:59 BST on Saturday 5 September
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Guinevere 🎲🎲 @guineverecryptic.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Don’t miss this bundle of fun tomorrow! Excited! And there may be a little 🎲 in there too… 😁😁 #cryptic #crossword #puzzles
theguardian.com
Upgrade your downtime: the Guardian launches its Puzzles summer special
The Guardian announces its annual Puzzles summer special, a flagship 32-page print supplement designed to offer UK audiences a high-quality, engaging way to “upgrade their downtime” across the summer ...
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/2...
theguardian.com
Wendy Law obituary
Ingenious crossword setter who compiled the weekly quiptic in the Guardian under the pseudonym Hectence
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Charlie Methven @charliemethven.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Cheer up, France, they save the really fun questions for the third-place play-off
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heroncrosswords.bsky.social @heroncrosswords.bsky.social · 12/07/2026
Turnstone is back in the Guardian Quiptic slot today! www.theguardian.com/crosswords/q...
theguardian.com
Quiptic crossword No 1,390
Quiptic crossword No 1,390
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
Very pleased to be making my debut as Garson in the Guardian today 😊 www.theguardian.com/crosswords/q...
theguardian.com
Quick cryptic crossword No 119
Quick cryptic crossword No 119
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Raider @mycrossword.co.uk · 08/07/2026
No one did the "where does Noah keep his bees?" joke - smh. Anyway, here's the results... 🥇 @matthewcr.bsky.social 🥈 Osmanthus 🥉 @adamlp.bsky.social
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
I was hoping the six bulletin would explain what this means for Economy 7 meters controlled by long wave.
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Felicity Hannah @felicityhannah.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Bittersweet to win Broadcast of the Year at Headlinemoney for Money Box Live tonight. Congratulations to the team, they are some of the best journalists I know.
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Dan Dickens @brockwellgrecian.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
I wrote today’s Guardian Prize crossword, for a best friend: 2x + x = y? (6,3) Pig bowl is her potty (9) Nameless casserole recipe for dog (7) www.theguardian.com/crosswords/p...
theguardian.com
Prize crossword No 30,038
Prize crossword No 30,038
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heroncrosswords.bsky.social @heroncrosswords.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
I’m back as Turnstone in the Guardian Quick Cryptic today. Anagrams, acrostics, hiddens and initial letter deletions. Do pop over and take a look!
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Groucho Merckx @grouchomerckx.eurosky.social · 09/05/2026
Anyway this is why cryptic crosswords are the highest art form yet devised by humanity, I will be accepting no dissenting opinions at this time
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Wordle 1,785 2/6 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
It *is* live but the index takes a moment to refresh. Everyone will see it at the same time.
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Phil Gyford @phil.gyford.com · 07/05/2026
Betteridge's Law strikes again! But I always enjoy trying.
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
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Saganism @sagan.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
“Books are patient where we are slow to understand, allow us to go over the hard parts as many times as we wish, and are never critical of our lapses. Books are key to understanding the world and participating in a democratic society.” — Carl Sagan
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Steve @notadric.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
Nice Guardian Prize Crossword today from Kite - found this tricky at the start but enjoyed the theme www.theguardian.com/crosswords/p...
theguardian.com
Prize crossword No 29,978
Prize crossword No 29,978
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DJ Punctum @djpunctum.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
Laura bought it when it came out. Bit of a classic, esp. "Religious Persuasion" which should have been a monster hit.
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Chris Drew @mesnilman.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
What an absolute joy of an Easter Sunday Quiptic Cryptic crossword in The Grauniad by @guineverecryptic.bsky.social All done. And despite rumours to the contrary, I did it will no assistance from anyone I'm amicable with... www.theguardian.com/crosswords/q...
theguardian.com
Quiptic crossword No 1,376
Quiptic crossword No 1,376
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Alys Cummings @alyseliza.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Very excited to be making my debut in the Indy today as Penelope 😊 puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
puzzles.independent.co.uk
The Independent's Cryptic Crossword | Play Online for Free | Independent
Play The Independent's Cryptic Crossword instantly online. The Independent's Cryptic Crossword is a fun and engaging Online game from The Independent. Play it and other games from The Independent.
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
That's a bit eerie.
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Quizzy Monday proposal. If production even suspects you have answered e.g. 'Smith' rather offering than a guess or a pass, a mandatory pickup. To replace 'Smith' you must say: 'I *know* this: the answer is Bo, the Portuguese Water Dog of the Obama White House'. That is what is broadcast.
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Wordle 1,738 3/6 ⬛⬛🟩⬛🟨 🟩⬛⬛🟩⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Daniel Peake @quizzydan.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Congrats! You don't look a day over 95. Long may the puzzles continue!
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
A bigger Everyman and 100 years of cryptic crosswords
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Dave Gorman @davegorman.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
I set today’s Guardian prize crossword: www.theguardian.com/crosswords/p... Clues include: Eco-friendly facts about drilling (5) Thrash a legal case for trial out - it’s iron-clad (10) Tense during drama initially directed like some soaps? (7) No spoilers, ta!
theguardian.com
Prize crossword No 29,960
Prize crossword No 29,960
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
youtu.be/yPyn7mu375I Prince Andrew piece from 2011:
youtu.be
17 10 O'Clock Live Charlie Brooker Segment 10th March 2011
YouTube video by Simon’s Warchest
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GPWigglesworth @gpwigglesworth.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Packed out tonight at the Betsey Book Quiz. Great crowd, laughed at all the right bits & knew loads of answers. What more could I ask for? Next one is 17/03.
The betsey trotwood pub in Farringdon (upstairs room) full of people quizzing behind my big face.
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Giles Wilson @gillis49.bsky.social · 14/02/2026
Nice job from @alanconnor.bsky.social
theguardian.com
Rain, rain, go away: the peculiar British stoicism of ‘celebrating’ awful weather
Bizarre idioms for downpours are just one facet of how the UK uses dark humour and ritual to brave the wet
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Haggis from Auchtertool Fife with roasted maple-agave neeps, whisky creme fraiche, parsley and caraway tattie scones and an orange, date, radish and rocket salad with an orange blossom dressing.
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Guinevere 🎲🎲 @guineverecryptic.bsky.social · 18/01/2026
Looking like another well-received debut in the Quiptic today from Budmo! Great to see newer solvers getting an accessible step up from the Quick Cryptics, I just love seeing people progressing on their cryptic journeys! #cryptic #crossword
theguardian.com
Quiptic crossword No 1,365
Quiptic crossword No 1,365
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I’m Dave Williams. You’re probably not @skirwingle.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Security organization backing European nation's capital (4) #cryptic #crossword
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Pick a vexillological lane, Google Featured Snippets.
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
@cowtoolsdaily.bsky.social
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Derek Harrison @derekharrison.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
All the latest cruciverbal news in the January edition of the Crossword Centre newsletter. crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2026/01/cros...
crosswordcentre.blogspot.com
Crossword News January 2026
Crossword News January 2026 Happy New Year! In December the Prize Puzzle was Seasons Greetings XVII by Eclogue, a lovely puzzle based ...
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Guinevere 🎲🎲 @guineverecryptic.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
It’s been a day of many smiles, I do so love when my puzzles bring enjoyment to people! Thank you everyone who has taken the time to feed back! This year has been quite a challenge in many ways, which has made the amazing experiences I’ve had in the cryptic world even more valuable. 🥰❤️🎄🎲 Thank you
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John Henderson @enigmatistelgar.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
Puzzlers! Solve a present problem and do your bit for BBC Children in Need Day: www.fifteensquared.net/2025/11/14/3... #BBCChildrenInNeed @rnib.bsky.social
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James Ball @jamesrball.com · 09/11/2025
Neither Tim Davie nor Deborah Turness incited an insurrection against the US Capitol. Congressman didn’t have to flee for their lives because of a BBC Panorama edit. That all happened because of President Donald Trump. If he didn’t resign, it’s truly *insane* that anyone else does.
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
I worked there. This response is quite embarrassing.
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
Shuffalo, 3m 58s 🟡🟡🟡🟡 🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡 🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡 🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡 🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡 www.newyorker.com/puzzles-and-...
newyorker.com
Play Shuffalo: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Can you make a longer word with each new letter?
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Shuffalo, 8m 46s 🟡🟡🟡🟡 🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡 🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡 🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡 🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡🟡 www.newyorker.com/puzzles-and-...
newyorker.com
Play Shuffalo: Friday, October 31, 2025
Can you make a longer word with each new letter?
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Birmingham 81 @birmingham81.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Remembering Mary Hansen on her birthday youtu.be/DSXf0RRtSQ8
youtu.be
Stereolab - Les Yper Sound (Live on Later With Jools Holland)
YouTube video by Stereolab
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Justin Lewis @whenisbirths.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
I think there are still tickets available for this: I will be talking to the great @quantick.bsky.social about my #IntoTheGroove book and 80s pop history at Waterstones Hastings, this Wednesday at 5pm. www.waterstones.com/events/justi...
Pics of me, David Quantick and the cover of my book 
Into The Groove: The 1980s: The Ultimate Decade in Music History.

Waterstones Hastings
Wed 22 Oct 2025 at 5pm
Tickets £3 in advance

Ticket redeemable against cost of the book. Purchase in store or email hastings@waterstones.com to reserve your spot.
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Ulp. Wordle 1,580 6/6 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬛🟩🟩⬛⬛ ⬛🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬛🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬛🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Connections Puzzle #851 🟪🟪🟪🟪 🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟨🟨🟨🟨
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Alan Connor @alanconnor.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Wordle 1,573 2/6 🟩⬛🟩🟩⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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