Create a Crossword for Charity with:

New York Times Crossword Editor Will Shortz

Fri Feb 5th 7-9pm (US-EST)/Sat Feb 6th 12-2am (UK-GMT)

event hosted by JOHN HALPERN, the UK’s No 1 Crossword setter

Join John Halpern and Will Shortz for a one-off show creating the New York Times cryptic crossword in aid of the NYT Neediest Cases Fund*

Watch the magic live as John and Will create the New York Times cryptic crossword, start to finish- LIVE!**

*Neediest Cases Fund supports a global community of those suffering economic hardship.
**This is a FREE event, however, a voluntary donation is requested. Thank you

Will Shortz is an anagram of Whiz Trolls

What happens on “Create a Crossword for Charity’?

• John and special guest create a cryptic crossword on a theme

• Help choose the words to fit into the puzzle

• Help fit those words together, like a jigsaw

• Help create mysterious clues for your favourite words

• Language will never be the same again!

create THE NY TIMES CRYPTIC crossword in aid of Neediest Cases Fund

learn from the Uk’s no. 1 crossword setter aka ‘Paul’, ‘Dada’, ‘Mara’, ‘Punk’. 

“The Most Fun You’ll Have with Your Clues on”

Get to see the step-by-step process of creating a cryptic crossword.

• Witness a wordplay adventure with your favourite celebrity

• Understand why certain words are chosen - and certain words not

• Choose great words for the puzzle - the ones YOU like.

• Fit the words in

• Write the clues

This is for you if:

• You love wordplay, puns and fun with words

• You’d love to meet Will Shortz and John Halpern

• You have an interest in crosswords or language in general

• You love to attend original and fun events

• You would love to make a difference to an inspiring charity

Who is John Halpern (aka. Paul)?

Meet the Guardian’s Cryptic Crossword Setter

Hi, I'm John Halpern!

I’m the UK's Number 1 crossword setter, writing for The Times, Telegraph, FT, Independent and perhaps most famously for The Guardian under the pseudonym ‘Paul'.

I am passionate about having everyone fall in love with the fun of wordplay, and believe that honing wordplay skills can contribute to keeping your brain healthy and active.

This is why I have created my masterclasses, workshops and public speaking events to help fans unlock the mysteries of the crossword.

As well as this I offer personal tuition, bespoke gifts and books for all lovers of wordplay and puzzles.