How did you get on ? The answers to the crossword are - ACROSS: 1 TROUPE, 4 SHORT CUT, 9 PRIVET, 10 AROMATIC, 12 TREND, 13 GREAT DEAL, 15 OWE, 16 FEIGN, 17 NEWARK, 22 IMPALE, 24 GUISE, 27 ASH, 28 CENTRE BIT, 31 TOKEN, 32 LAME DOGS, 33 RACING, 34 SILENCER, 35 ALIGHT. DOWN: 1 TIPSTAFF, 2 OLIVE OIL, 3 PSEUDONYM, 5 HORDE, 6 REMIT, 7 CUTTER, 8 TACKLE, 11 AGENDA, 14 ADA, 18 WREATH, 19 RIGHT NAIL, 20 TINKLING, 21 SENNIGHT, 23 PIE, 25 SCALES, 26 ENAMEL, 29 RODIN, 30 BOGIE. The coded message reads SUTTON MARINERS SAILING CLUB. It uses a simple letter substitution code where the alphabet is used in reverse i.e. A = Z, B = Y, C = X, D = W, .... etc. Other substitution codes can be in the form of slipped alphabet. i.e. A=B, B=C, C-D, ... etc. The slip could be of any number of moves. You just need to know by how many.

Len Perkins continues with the story of the WWII code-breaking centre based in Buckinghamshire. Who was there and what was required to break the most difficult codes. Could you have been a code breaker ? Try and complete the crossword without using the internet. Bletchley recruited some of those that could complete it in 12 minutes ! Bletchley crossword What does this message say ? HFGGLM NZIRMVIH HZRORMT XOFY Answers will be published on the night at the club and here on the evening of the presentation.

Club member Gordon Vernon will be giving a presentation about 2 trips to the Middle East.  The first is a backpacking trip in 1996 that covers Israel and Sinai (Egypt) for about 3 months or so.  The second trip covers Sinai, Israel and Jordan (Petra) and is a one week trip in 2006 with his then girlfriend (later wife). It also covers his time on an Israeli farm, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Eilat, Diving, where to find bacon in Israel...