Crosswords Demystified

Solve those cryptic clues you thought you’d never crack and learn the tricks of the crossword setter's trade under the expert guidance of Tim Moorey.

Tim is a professional crossword setter with many years' experience of adult teaching. He sets puzzles for a wide range of publications, including The Sunday Times, The Week, MoneyWeek, The Sunday Telegraph, The Times (Listener), and International Living magazine.

He is a Consultant for Chambers Dictionaries and is the Cluru (Agony Uncle) for the Crossword Club.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced solver wanting to improve your skills, you should enjoy one of Tim Moorey's courses.The emphasis is on having fun in a relaxed atmosphere and in the company of like-minded people.

Most of the courses are residential, giving you the chance to spend time with Tim, and enabling him to tailor his teaching to your personal level of skill.

The courses are not competitive. Age is irrelevant.

Contact Tim Moorey directly for further details of courses, talks and after-dinner speeches: tim@timmoorey.info

New Book by Tim Moorey

How to Master the Times Crossword to be published by HarperCollins in October/November 2008. It will build on the experiences of the workshops and be aimed at those who cannot always complete the puzzle, as well as new solvers

Wonderful World of Words

Nov 14-16th 2008 (exact date to be confirmed)
Mohonk, New York State

Tim will be leading a session on cryptic crosswords: “The Joy of (Cross)words: a light-hearted talk by a (cross)word lover”.

Forthcoming Courses & Useful Downloads

The following schedule of courses is updated regularly.  Add this page to your Favourites and watch this space. 

Whilst the linked websites do not necessarily refer to Tim's courses at present, they will however give some idea of location, accommodation and so on. 

Farncombe Estate
Broadway in the Cotswolds

23rd to 25th March 2008
(residential)

Here's another PDF
that you may find useful. 
It sets outs some cryptic crossword
tips and conventions
(click on the image below)

Marlborough College
Summer School

Half days, mornings
between 21st and 26th July 2008
(dates to be confirmed)

The Hill
Abergavenny

26th to 28th September 2008
(residential)

Denman College WI
Nr Abingdon

11th to 13th February 2009
(residential)

Click on the image below
for a page of links to other websites
by Paddy Gormley,
who designed this site. 

If you're unable to attend one of Tim's courses, click on the image below to download
some useful information
about types of clue
in cryptic crossword puzzles
(1-page PDF). 

The Hill
Abergavenny

11th to 13th April 2008
(residential)

Farncombe Estate
Broadway in the Cotswolds

22nd to 24th August 2008
(residential)

If you like the English language, you'll love
Language with Altitude,
an inspirational new approach
to creativity and persuasive writing. 

Click on the image below
for a gorgeous new website,
including full details of the project,
with audio-visual presentations
and downloadable facsimile pages. 

Earnley Concourse
nr Chichester

10th to 12th October 2008
(residential)