The festival organisers promised that this year's conundrum would be the
'toughest ever' and it looks as though they've been as good as their word,
for the location of the Golden Queenie – which has an estimated retail value
of ￡4,000 – is still a mystery to the many treasure hunters on its trail.


In only its third year, the cryptic challenge, reminiscent of the Cadbury's
Golden Egg treasure hunt in the early 1980s, has become a hugely popular
tradition. Taking people far and wide to local landmarks and hidden corners,
it tests people's knowledge of the Island's geography and history, myth and
language.


The conundrum clues were first released in the second week of June via the
festival programme and website, and all over the Island, people set out to
find the golden shell.


Six weeks and much head scratching later, organiser Tim Croft is urging
people not to give up: “We asked our Cluemaster to make the conundrum
particularly fiendish this year because we know the calibre of our treasure
hunters -  they're a determined, resourceful lot!


“All I can say is, keep puzzling – the prize is out there, just waiting to
be claimed! Don't be put off if you're new to the search, you've got just as
much chance of cracking the code as someone who's already familiar with the
clues”.

The conundrum consists of 14 riddles. Entered into a grid, the answers will
yield a 13 digit code; only by texting a mobile number revealed by the
14thanswer will participants receive their final instruction, leading
them to
the location of the treasure.


The Cluemaster, who insists on remaining anonymous, refuses to shed light on
any of the cryptic clues. Pressed at length, however, he gives the following
tips: “The answers may be in Manx or English, and they may be numbers or
letters. When the grid is complete, you should have a random alpha-numeric
code.


“To search in earnest, you'll need a map (the Ordnance Survey Outdoor
Leisure Map, 1:25000)...and a ruler. This is all I can tell you”.


Treasure hunters have been sharing their progress and frustrations on the
Queenie Festival website, with one commenting, “I think I'll be very pleased
whoever wins, as I'll know they have put in more than enough work to deserve
it”.


To join in with the treasure hunters' discussion, visit
www.queeniesfestival.com and check out the latest Golden Queenie news
http://queeniefestival.com/2011/07/28/golden-queenie-still-at-large. You can
also visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/queeniefestival