Maker Magic and Geo Help, Techniques and Puzzle Hints # 40
This event will take place in The Locker Room of The Sportsman Pub
from 09:30 to 12:00 on Saturday 25th April 2026
The address of the pub is:-
Withdean Stadium, Tongdean Lane, Withdean, Brighton BN1 5JD
Maker Magic
As well as the usual activities, this month we will be doing something slightly different to turn this event into a Maker Magic event!
** Maker Magic status now approved by Geocaching HQ **
Geocachers who log “Attended” on this event will receive the official Maker Magic souvenir.
The Maker Magic element of this event will be an hour long discussion workshop on the theme of creating challenging cryptic puzzle caches that CAN be solved. Many of the attendees will have encountered puzzles that even after the method has been explained can see no logical connection with the information on the cache page! The CO has presented an almost random method which only the CO can understand. Topics for discussion are wide ranging but might include:-
- What secondary hints are required to point to the solution method. How cryptic should these be so as not to give away the method, but not so obscure as to be unhelpful. How many such hints. Where can these be hidden.
- Should multi stage puzzles give some indication that each solved stage is proceeding in the correct direction.
- Getting feedback from solvers of your challenging puzzles to aid in future puzzle creation. Is there any benefit in having a trusted puzzle solver (ideally out of area) to review your puzzles pre publication.
- How to choose a Difficulty (D) rating.
Attendees are encouraged to bring along puzzles that they have solved that demonstrate both good and bad practice.
The usual Event Details
This part of the event has two primary objectives, firstly to offer help and guidance on any Geocaching topic particularly to new cachers and secondly to jointly work to help solve puzzle caches. This part of the event is informal and has no agenda.
For general help and guidance there will usually be someone in attendance who can help and if not we can typically put you in contact with another cacher with the required experience. Help can be on any topic for example hints on the location of a cache you have searched for many times or a question on placing your own cache, e.g. permissions, getting accurate co-ordinates, containers etc. Perhaps help with online tools or what to expect at an evening event, a CITO or even a Mega, or how to manage trackables.
For puzzle caches, we can jointly attempt to solve a puzzle or if someone has already solved it, a hint towards the solution although we try not to give the full solution in the first instance. For those new to puzzle caches, there are lots of tips on solving methods including a number of online resources which are a significant help in finding that elusive solution.
Although many attendees including the event organiser will be present during the whole of the published time, you do not need to attend for the full duration and are welcome to arrive at any time and/or leave early.
If you have any further questions about this event please message me through my Geocaching profile or CaveSpiders via This Link
About the Venue
We have exclusive use of The Locker Room. From the entrance of the the venue, turn left after the bar area and continue through the serving area and restaurant seating area almost to the end of the room where you should find The Locker Room. If in doubt ask any member of staff.
The venue has free Wi-Fi so bring a laptop, tablet/iPad or smartphone. There are a number of mains outlets in the room we are using. Pen and paper is also useful for notes or puzzle solving.
The venue serves a buffet breakfast and/or hot drinks but you are absolutely not obliged to purchase anything to attend this event.
There is free car parking immediately outside the venue but only for 3 hours; this should cover the event duration but you are advised to enter your vehicle registration number into a tablet device just inside the main door as a precaution against any penalty.
I believe this event is wheelchair accessible. There is a ramp from the carpark to the left of the entrance steps.
About these Events
This series of events was previously hosted by 'martletsman' and goes back to the "Puzzle Phobia?..Help is here!" series which started in late 2018 at the Newmarket Inn. I have agreed to carry on the tradition using the same name and number sequence.
It is intended to hold these events every 4 to 6 weeks.