Crossword blog: Simon Evans and Paul's collaboration over the Lake District

Guardian setter Paul is staging a series of charity crossword events in January and February featuring famous faces including Susan Tully, Dave Gorman and Sophie Winkleman. We speak to one participant, Simon Evans

We’ve recently been sharing recommendations of events involving puzzles and sundry cryptic activities. Most have involved solving; now it’s time for some setting.

As longtime solvers know, the Guardian setter John Halpern uses the name Paul rather than something fanciful as a tribute: Paul was John’s brother; he died aged 27. As another kind of tribute, Paul the setter is hosting a series of events over the next couple of months where famous faces create themed puzzles in real time and those of us looking on make a charitable donation.