Results Information   See results

The Christmas Special was another close contest indeed, with Richard Harvey continuing his remarkable run this year and squeezing home by a single point, his winning clue having a very convincing surface – hearty congratulations!
 
Commiserations to Dave Parfitt who just missed out in second, but winning the Three Magi battle! (Despite what some may have thought, I had not noticed this apposite anagram of HERMITAGE beforehand!).
 
Third spot and an inaugural podium finish for Jon – another Three Magi-er – well done, and we can but wonder what your surname is!
 
Fourth place – and consecutive podium finishes – for Teyrnon with the third Three Magi clue – a consistent finish to the year.
 
Final podium spot goes to Rod with a very different slant to his clue and rounds off his very respectable first year of competition with CCCWC.
 
ANNUAL COMPETITION
Dave may have just missed out by one point here, but his second placing means that he sneaks up on the rails to snatch the Annual Prize from under the nose of Tom Borland.
 
So congratulations go to Dave, rising from 3rd place in the 2013 Annual Competition to win the 2014 crown – and commiserations to Tom for just being squeezed out having finished 8th in the Christmas Special, but still a highly creditable result for the year.
 
Luciano, Richard and Martin completed the top 5 for 2014 – full listings can be accessed via the Results page.
 
Thanks and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all – GOOD LUCK for 2015!!

Voting Information

Voting is open until Midnight UK time on Sunday 18th January.
 
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR LOYAL JUDGES!
 
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

It's traditional to indulge ourselves a little more at this time of year: we're no different here at the CCCWC, so we have decided to invite all members to a Cheese and Wine party!
 
…so your Xmas challenge is a "Right and Left" clue to MOUSETRAP and HERMITAGE – closing date is Midnight BST on Wednesday 31st December.

A “Right and 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. MOUSETRAP/HERMITAGE or HERMITAGE/MOUSETRAP – the choice is yours.

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]