Chris Timson

Some interesting sub-prime play going on here. Presumably both players are after large bonuses. Did I hear an inverse Triple Backstep whistle past just then? Coo-er! Chris

Glad to be of assistance. Chris

A fair question and one which in recent weeks has been much on my mind. I must confess that without Samantha's firm grip on my points I'm not really sure where I am. But I think it's about level pegging. Your wish is my command! Chris

I understand your concern but as Woody was fighting a Grand Obfuscation I can also understand why he did what he did. With due deference to your mnid (how is he now, by the way) the single strape would in normal play have been a demeritable manoeuvre, but this wasn't normal play. Instead Woody elicited a confession of Harrison's Grand Obfuscation by SteveS and so scores double and can have a look inside my little box. Clever. Very clever. No, but they can be quite annoyed. Chris

Hi all, The Republic of Columbia has the domain .co which has recently been opened to anyone from anywhere to use, so a lot of people use it as an alternative to .com. Just out of curiosity I had a look and concertina.co is still available. I don't need it (I have concertina.info) but thought someone else here might like it. Cheers, Chris

In memory of his fair wife and great player of the game, Countess Marie Anna Ludomilla Euphrosina von Arco, I will ignore that! Chris

Delighted to see you in the Arena, Peter. People should be aware that Peter is one of the most senior adjudicators the amateur game has got. he has long been an inspiration to me and I only hope my Humphing can come close to his standard. Chris PS Woody: you're caviling has earned two purple demerits! Take care not to spend them all at once ...

Have a care, Woody, I'm considering writing your name in my Little Yellow Book. Chris

Well hopefully this will help. It's an outline and an explanation of the game I have published in the forum before:- Chris

Noted. A courageous choice (as Sir Humphrey Appleby would say). Hope it works out for you. Chris

Ladies and Gentlemen, Charles Wheatstone, our honoured inspiration and inventor of the greatest musical instrument since the Big Bang itself, was born on 6 February 1802 and hence would have 209 today had he lived long enough. As ever it falls to me for the 6th time to announce the commencement of this year's Charles Wheatstone Memorial Mornington Crescent Game. Last year's worthy winner was Simon H and in accordance with long tradition I call upon him to set out this year's special rules and ordinances and make the opening move. But first, a couple of administrative matters. In previous years I have acted as adjudicator or "Chairman" as well as taking active part in the game. Accusations of bias or conflict of interest have never been made against me, but nevertheless the standard of play has been so high in recent years that I think it would be better for me to take one role or the other. So if you are all agreeable I shall be the game's honorary Humph. Now, for newcomers to the game here is the arena where all play takes place (unless, of course, all players are in Nip or the Nash Convention is in force or diagonals are wild or an inverse sequence has progressed too far to be converted - simple, I'm sure you'd agree). If you need a hint at a tricky juncture then feel free to PM me and I will endeavour to assist. So Simon, over to you! Chris

It may be the seller doesn't know himself it was stolen. See this conversation:- Chris Edited to add PS: I've done exactly the same, Paul (by the looks of things at exactly the same moment). Hopefully ebay will notice both of us.

I think he's confusing the player with the played ... Chris

Sounds a bit like the so-called "presence peak" they build into a lot of modern mics. It's a slight increase in sensitivity at around this area or a little lower that is supposed to give recordings more presence (whatever that is). Chris

This is one reason why I've always thought that just one mic (preferably a small diaphragm condenser) pointing roughly at the middle of the bellows work as well as anything, though as yet another former Microvox user I did appreciate the freedom they gave you not to worry at all about mic placement. Chris

From the Concertina FAQ: Miking Concertinas. Chris

To you, mate and everyone else too. Currently waiting for the first people to arrive for our customary New Year's Eve session at home, which ends with us going upstairs to the conservatory (yes, that's right) to watch people letting of their fireworks! Cheers, Chris

I'm not the friend in Wiltshire referred to (though I like to think I am a friend in Wiltshire) but yes, you can get Alba on Freesat and there are some great programmes to be had. Missed the nyckelharpa though. Lovely instrument, having much in common in terms of eccentricity and musicality with the concertina. Chris

Already said it once on the forum but it bears repeating: happy Christmas and many of 'em. Chris PS Another carol from Bradford on Avon, this time a genuine Wiltshire one: Awake and Join the Cheerful Choir

Pretty sure some of them are listening to a click track on mobile phones. Chris

Hi all, You may already have seen this . All heartwarming stuff, but it can have a downside as this BBC news story shows ... Chris

Well, playing for the morris on my Morse G/D the other day 2 reeds, the right hand pull C# and F# kept going silent if I hit them too hard. Fortunately I was in a band so it didn't notice too much except when I led one tune off. Chris

I've put this up before but it bears repeating. This came from a card a friend sent to us:- Kriss

Well I might not be there to see it but that time will come. Bradford on Avon is a very old town and we don't forget much! Chris

Here's my recording of Sweet Chiming Bells sung at The George At Woolley, Bradford on Avon, last Sunday. Not a great recording because mic placement was not ideal, but it captures the spirit of the event rather well. Cheers, Chris