Chris Timson

Isn't Bob Gaskins' site the Concertina Library still active? Another possibility might be to approach the ICA and see if they would set up a section within their website for new research. This could tie in quite well with PICA. Chris

We could do the same (as well or instead) on Thursday 3rd if you like. Stay with us on your way from Penzance to Swindon and we'll have a session on Thursday evening. Cheers, Chris

Diary updated. If you're not doing anything Saturday 5th (Guy Fawkes Night) we could very likely sort you out a session in Bradford on Avon. Chris

Likely see you at Swindon, then, Jody. Cheers, Chris

Let's hope and trust it won't be your last theorem. Chris

That's an awful lot of paper, Jim. By my calculation if you're using short scale billions then on A4 paper at 8 points you'll need approximately 100 million sheets. Of course Arthur C Clarke as a Brit probably had long scale billions in mind when he wrote the story so you'll need a thousand times that. I think Rod will likely get there first, even though I think 2097 is hopelessly optimistic for a full analysis of Mornington Crescent, maybe a preliminary analysis of diagonal moves might be possible in the time. Best of luck to both of you. Chris

Indeed, giving a loading of 8.3 on the Stovold Scale which should help anyone contemplating entry into the County Championships. Chris

Oh, excellent, very cleanly taken. Well done, sir! I shall contact Paul in due course before next year's tournament. Cheers, Chris PS to Irish Mike, I'm sure you've played before and at quite a senior level, there were some classy moves there. Have you tried the Dublin version of the game, Mornington House?

Well, as my old friend Harold, Lord Randomfactor always said, "Yes, or no. You choose." Chris

'Twas ever so.

Not sure about this move. Are you sure you're not confusing this game with the Monarchton Crescent variation played by the Royal Family (God bless 'em, guv)? Chris

I am quite touched by that, Bruce. Thank you. Chris

I've just told Anne, we're both shocked. Henk was a lovely chap, we've stayed with him in the Netherlands and have kept in contact since. He recorded a version of the Arran Boat that I always play when checking out audio in the studio. I'll miss him. Chris

Anne and I are celebrating 40 years together this weekend (3 years married, 37 years living together before that). A friend and regular at one of our sessions is a professional cartoonist with a portfolio including Punch, the Oldie and Private Eye. So perhaps we shouldn't have been surprised when this came through the letter box this morning:- Chris

I do agree. The thing is that Mornington Crescent is what is technically known as a nomic game, that is, the player is encouraged and expected to modify the rules while the game is actually being played. The references to to rules and variations are the mechanism by which this is done, and the player has to understand the consequences of the rule modifications before applying any modifications of their own. Failure to do so results in penalties, the mildest of which is Knip.The widespread playing of the game in England is probably behind the notable intellectual superiority of the English man and woman in all walks of life and is clearly beyond the scope of any computer existing or projected for the foreseeable future. Chris

Incidentally, for newer players I have found this rather neat tube map. I particularly like the way they've shown the diagonals, clearly numbered to show ranking. Chris

Quite so, but people will be familiar with the time bar, as defined in the minutes of the International MC Conference, September 2002, page 55,249, para 3. If no-one makes a move within the next 6 months the game will be forfeit. So better get your thinking caps on, people! Chris

Really? Then you've been watching some good players then. Very nice backflip (with side salad, as the joke has it) I reckon. Chris

Sorry I've been silent for a few days. I've been down to Sidmouth for the Radway Reunion, where many fine folk musicians from all over the country gather together in a pub in Sidmouth (where they spend Folk Week playing), lay their instruments aside and play Mornington Crescent. In the end it came down to a protracted battle between the fiddlers and the concertinists, all other instruments having been played out, as it were. I am pleased to say as the sole anglo player there I was able to use Cryer's Retreat in reverse at a critical juncture that eventually swayed the game our way. Another free reed triumph! So, where are we? Well, I see we had a brief excursion into Mornington Croissant, glad to see it was brief, and a threat of Morningside Crescent which didn't materialise. Jolly good show, chaps. Tuffnell Park to Archway is an interesting move. I just ran it through the Mornington Croogle search engine and came up with some, let's say, surprising links! Ho Ho! I look forward to seeing where you get to from here. Ho ho! Chris

[snort snuffle] what. what's that? Good Lord, it's morning. Excuse me, Samantha, I have to get up now (if you see what I mean). West Ruislip? Yes, well, my opinion is exactly what you would expect, of course. What else did you expect? Chris

I only have to turn my back for a moment and look what happens! Well... Chris

Local knowledge does count for a lot. Hence Stuart's Neasden move shows an awareness of Neasden's old nickname of sunny Neasd'en Provence, in conformance with his own Wrekin rules proposition. A small pointer for some of our less experienced readers. Understanding subtle points like this will help your own play. Chris

Bob Copper had similar problems when he was learning the concertina. His solution: trousers! (Pants, for American readers ). He would put each of his arms down a trouser leg (starting from the foot end) having wrapped the concertina in the bum end of the trousers. He said it worked quite well. Never tried it myself but I can't see it doing any harm at least and it will take just seconds to try it out. Chris

Right, we're off to a flying start. Certainly going to watch this game with interest. We used to get scratchins from Itchycoo Park when I was a nipper in Eas Lunnon. Chris

Hallo one and all! It is that time of year when once again we play Mornington Crescent in memory of that fine early player and inventor of the inverse diagonal, Charles Wheatstone, who also had something to do with the concertina if memory serves me right. Last year's winner, showing much style and aplomb for one so young, was Stuart Estell. In accordance with ancient tradition, therefore, it gives me much pleasure to call upon him to set special rules and provisions and make the first move. I shall take my customary position as chair and remind you all that I have taken the Mornington Crescent Chairpersons Oath Of Sacred Incorruptibility, one consequence of which is, of course, that I can only accept bribes in unmarked notes. Let battle commence!