 If you're into puzzling, you might just recall that a certain Grayshott resident appeared in local papers and on television about 18 months ago, claiming to have invented the "World's Hardest Puzzle". Various local people were pictured wrestling to dismantle the five silver rings-and-strings teaser called 'Loopamania'. Few managed to solve the puzzle and untie the 'gordian knot'. Only last week, one exasperated purchaser rang the inventor and left the message "How do you solve this pesky puzzle?". Fortunately the solution is now available on www.puzzlethis.co.uk, a website dedicated to tricky 3-dimensional puzzles and run by BIG member Sarah Evans.
The inventor, none other than Grayshott's classical music promoter Peter Harrison, is unrepentant. "The Loopamania puzzle proved even more of a challenge than I ever expected," he said. "I'm amazed that after 18 months, many puzzlers are still trying to work it out. It's difficult - but it really can be done. If anyone would like to contact me, I'll show them the secret!"
Peter's interest in puzzles started over 50 years ago when he began attempting to crack the formidable "Brain Teaser" which appears every week on the puzzle page of the Sunday Times Review. Some years later, he tried to submit a new puzzle to the Editor, who promptly rejected it! Five more attempts, with amendments, were needed before his puzzle was accepted for publication.
This Sunday, 22nd June, the Sunday Times will present its readers with another of Peter's Teasers, his 30th, which will probably be seen and attempted by thousands of logicians and mathematicians around the world. "I'm very much an amateur puzzlist," Peter admits. "A good puzzle requires only simple maths - but should take a good half-hour or more to get your head round. Sometimes it can take days to find out how to unravel it."
Peter's next challenge it to ensure that good weather surrounds Grayshott Concerts' production of 'Madama Butterfly' on Saturday 12th July. "I know it's going to be wonderful weather," he enthuses. "We've got 450 ponchos on hand - so I know it won't rain!"
The Loopamania Puzzle
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