Results Information   See results

Hearty congratulations to Toby whose winning clue kind of nicely encapsulated the year's theme! Toby has had an excellent, consistent year and finishes 2nd in the Annual Results – this was his second win of 2016, to go with 5 other podiums.
 
Runner up was John Tozer – as ever a model of consistency himself – and this result consolidated his third spot in the Annual table – well done JT!
 
Steve Randall claimed third place with a very succinct clue to these two long words.
 
Colin Thomas demonstrated that last month's win was no flash in the pan by taking 4th place, maintaining his excellent year of clueing – 2 wins and 2 podiums enabling him to finish also 4th in the Annual list.
 
And we couldn't keep him out – Dave Parfitt sneaks onto the podium to round off a brilliant 2016. An incredible 4 wins and 5 podiums giving him a clear cut victory overall. Many congratulations to Dave and I am sure he will be the one to beat in 2017 as well! Can the chasing pack close in on him? Only time will tell … and will there be a theme for this year's clue words? … only time will tell, but it is a difficult thing to try and repeat …
 
GOOD LUCK TO ALL CLUE WRITERS IN 2017!!!

Voting Information

Voting is open until Midnight UK time on Monday 16th January.
 
Please award FIVE points maximum to the clue you judge best: FOUR points for second, THREE for third, TWO for fourth, down to ONE point for fifth; but otherwise you may distribute your votes as you see fit including ½ marks for split voting – as long as you award no more than 15 points IN TOTAL and no more than 5 points to any one clue…
 
…and of course you may NOT VOTE for your own clue!
 
COMMENTS:
 
Your comments in general and on individual clues, however much or little you write, are always most welcome! Please remember that if any particular clue or clues do not find favour with you, it is more helpful to offer constructive criticism – many of our members are keen to learn and hone their clue writing skills through our competition – feedback may be useful for their future efforts!

Entry Information

I hope you have enjoyed the theme that has been running through the competition this year, and perhaps trying to guess each month's clue word. Well, for this year's Christmas Special it is your chance to have me guessing…
 
Your task for our festive frolicking is a RIGHT & LEFT to – TWELVEMONTH (11) plus another 11-letter word/phrase that completes the sequence formed by the other 11 clue words/phrases throughout this year.
 
PLEASE NOTE WHERE THE THEMATIC ELEMENT HAS OCCURRED IN EACH CASE, I.E. YOUR CHOSEN WORD CANNOT BEGIN (OR END!) WITH THE THEMATIC TRIGRAM – IT MUST BE CONTAINED WITHIN.
 
A RIGHT & LEFT clue comprises of two separate clues that run together to form one “double” clue, with no overlapping of the two clues and no redundant words in-between. Ideally the “join” between the two clues should be as seamless as possible. The two words can be clued in either order – i.e. TWELVEMONTH/your chosen word – or – your chosen word/TWELVEMONTH– it is up to you.
 
Take a look at this example of a Right and Left clue from an old Ximenes competition winner. Note how the “join” is well disguised and the two clues combine to create a good overall surface reading:
 
ABRUPT/TISANE
Curt treatment of brat up in court is a necessary remedial measure

[ABRUPT:anag. “brat up” – TISANE hidden]