Countdown in Braintree - CoBra 2022

06/11/2022

Thank you to everyone who came along and took part yesterday -- what a cracking grand final at the end! Rob nicked the last conundrum to beat James 90-82, and so Rob won this specially commissioned* Countdown sheep.

Feel free to share a few words or photos from yesterday on here, and be sure to pencil us in for November 2023.

All the very best, and maybe see some of you at the Focal Finals in Milton Keynes in three weeks.

Jeff, Rachel and Tim.

04/11/2022

Please message us on this page, with your contact telephone number if necessary, if you run into any difficulties this evening or tomorrow morning. We look forward to seeing you!

01/11/2022

❗IMPORTANT UPDATE - TRAIN SERVICE TO/FROM BRAINTREE❗

Abellio Greater Anglia have updated their website to say strike action WILL now take place on Saturday 5th November, affecting services to/from Braintree.

If you are planning to come by train, please check your travel arrangements and share this message. Please get in touch if you need to discuss details, either on here or [email protected] .

30/10/2022

Tim, Rachel and Jeff look forward to welcoming you to Essex next weekend. Any queries or questions this week, feel free to ask! (We'll put a phone number up on Friday lunchtime for eventualities).

22/10/2022

Introducing your newest host on the Focal circuit, and looking very much at ease in rehearsals earlier today, it's Braintree's own Rachel Perkins!

21/10/2022

Just a fortnight to go and we have 20 confirmed entries. Places are still available for dinner on the Friday, the main event on Saturday and the dinner on Saturday so if you've not yet signed up, why not come and spend your weekend in leafy Essex! £12pp or £20 for two, by PayPal, to [email protected] .

One piece of advice if you'll be making travel arrangements by train -- there are no planned strikes or engineering works between London and Braintree, but please check the websites for National Rail and other train operators before you travel.

A reminder also that Braintree is the last qualifying event on the Focal circuit before Finals Day in Milton Keynes on Saturday 26th November. We will therefore bring you a scoreboard, "as things stand" during the day to see how those vying for places in the top eight are doing, and then at the end of the afternoon we will know the results first.

In the meantime, your hosts will be in the venue tomorrow (Saturday) for some rehearsals and planning, and we look forward to welcoming you in a couple of weeks!

15/10/2022

Just a reminder, if you'll be travelling by train from London Liverpool Street, that the one to catch is the 09:47 which arrives into Braintree at 10:50. Return trains in the evening are hourly, on the hour (so since we're due to finish at 18:00, at least come to the pub for a bit and aim for the 19:00 train!).

There are planned engineering works between Colchester and Ipswich but this won't affect journeys between London and Braintree.

Full details, if you need them, on Abellio Greater Anglia's website.

Buy train tickets, find out the latest times and get great deals on rail fares between London and the East Anglia

05/10/2022

With less than a month to go until CoBra, we thought we'd give you an insight into what...or perhaps who you've signed up for! 😁

05/10/2022

15 confirmed sign-ups so far, plus two maybes, with just a month to go now. Discounted admission still available too.

06/09/2022

Just a quick scan of accommodation, rooms are available at the White Hart for just over £60 a night, for each of the Friday and Saturday nights.

04/09/2022

If you're thinking about travel and accommodation, we have sorted dinner for the Friday and Saturday evenings:

- We have a group booking on Friday 4th November from 18:30 at THE WHITE HART pub (this was our tournament venue three years ago). If you think/know you'll be late arriving, you'll still be able to order dinner and join us later (last dinner orders 21:00). Order individually.

- We have a group booking on Saturday 5th November, sitting down at 19:30 at MERCHANT SPICE curry house. As in previous years, have as much as you want from poppadoms to desserts and we settle the bill at the end.

If you are yet to sign up (PayPal: [email protected]), please let Jeff know if you will be joining us for dinner on either/both evenings.

If you book your accommodation at either the White Hart or the Travelodge in the town centre, everything is within walking distance. Feel free to cross-check on Google Maps -- here's a screenshot for ease of reference.

04/09/2022

Do your mate a favour and save four quid between you when any two sign up for Countdown in Braintree on Saturday 5th November.
PayPal/email: [email protected].
(Special offer as a single transaction, please.)

31/08/2022

Join us on Saturday 5th November for letters, numbers, conundrums, and a quiz somewhere in between! Refreshments provided and fully accessible. Admission £12pp or save when booking for two or more. We've also booked two different places for dinner on the Friday and Saturday evenings. focalcountdown.co.uk/braintree-2022.

Date: Saturday 5th November 2022Venue: St Michael’s Church House, Braintree, CM7 1EY (Google Maps link).Admission: £12pp; £20 for two; £10pp in groups (please enquire).Start time:&nb…