Wikipedia:The Great Britain and Ireland Destubathon

The Great Britain/Ireland De-stub-athon is an edit-a-thon contest that aims to eliminate as many of our 44,000-odd stubs as possible, and to see content improved for every single county of the UK and Ireland as evenly as possible. It covers all 48 counties of England (as well as the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), 32 in Scotland, 32 in Ireland and N Ireland, and 22 of Wales, 134 counties in total plus 3 extra for Isle of Man and the Bailwicks of Guernsey and Jersey.

Wouldn't it be great to be able to browse a Google map of the UK and Ireland and to read a consistently good quality article for every village and monument you zoom in on? That's the primary goal we have in mind long term here!

The overall Winners of the contest will be decided by most counties covered in total. A reward of £75 (nearly $100) is offered to anybody who can cover all 137 (achievable with an average of 4–5 destubs a day, and to be shared if more than one editor succeeds). If nobody reaches that, the reward will be split between the top three finishers, with £50 top prize. The winners will be decided by whoever destubs the most articles for England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland and Northern Ireland respectively

• Set a minimum target of destubbing 1000 stubs by expanding. Roughly 32 to 33 articles needed every day to reach it.
• Set a minimum target of 3 articles destubbed for every county of the UK and Ireland to ensure relative evenness of development.
• Set strong focus on improving towns and villages, geo features such as mountains, rivers, lakes, nature and specially designated areas, roads, and landmark/architecture/listed building articles while warmly welcoming improved articles on biographies and on all topics .
• Ensure that the content in larger articles is verifiable and all fully sourced, to include "de-bloating", cleanup and rewriting. It is strongly encouraged that if an article is largely unsourced that you restart it in your own words and source it as you go along, rather than trying to find a few sources and leaving some unverified information.
• Reduce the number of "perma sub stubs" by fleshing out one line/unsourced stubs. In some cases, such as small hamlets and townlands etc only 500 bytes to 1.2 kb readable prose may be possible. Those expansions are acceptable but are eligible only for one award given on settlements. If even 500 bytes can't be met, consider merging into relevant related articles.

• All articles submitted for the main prizes must be a minimum of 1.2 kb (1200 bytes) of readable prose. This is the bare minimum to accommodate for the fact that a lot of smaller localities and landmarks are difficult to write fuller articles on but are very worthy of including and having a reasonable basic entry on in their own right. Always aim for at least 1.5 kb (1500 bytes) of readable prose unless you're genuinely struggling to find enough to reach it.
• As one of the goals of the contest is to particularly target short stubs on small settlements, if you start expanding them and find you can only find between 500 bytes and 1.2 kb of readable prose, don't let that put you off expanding it. Kinlochard is an example of a minimally useful stub just over 500 bytes of readable prose. While the entries won't count towards the main prizes, keep a list of the ones which come short, as the effort will count toward the prize for settlements.
• All articles must be improved in the mainspace between 0:00 UTC March 1 and 23:59 UTC (0:59 BST/IST) March 31 2020.
• All paragraphs must be fully sourced, with appropriate title, publisher, author, date information where relevant, no bare urls or poorly formatted sources which include publisher and title etc in one link etc. Be consistent in the sourcing and formatting and be careful of sourcing claims lower down in paragraphs and ensure that the sources verify all of the information given above.
• All content submitted must have been checked and verified. If there are claims which are not verifiable in an existing stub or article, delete those claims before submitting.
• If contestants encounter start/C class even B class articles which are in such an atrocious state, largely unsourced or just badly in need of nuking and restarting as a start class article, contestants are permitted to restart them, providing they have written or rewritten at least 1.2 kb of readable prose themselves, enough to claim that they recreated it. All claims in such articles must be verified, it is not acceptable to quickly add text around an existing article and submit it without checking.
• The subjects of biographies submitted must have been born in a locality which corresponds to the current county it is in—as an example, the singer Tom Jones was born in Treforest, which in 1940 was in the County of Glamorgan. Treforest is now in Rhondda Cynon Taf, so he'd be listed under that. Alternatively, the subject must be particularly associated with the area it is submitted for in some way by residing or working there. If you're not competing in the contest it doesn't matter, add whatever biography you improve to the main list.
• All articles are expected to be free of copyright issues and plagiarism, multiple articles found with problems may result in being disqualified from the contest.
• All talk page tags are expected to be updated from being classed as stubs.
• If you come across articles which are clearly no longer stubs and don't need much or any sourcing work or expansion, kindly remove the stub tag and update the tags on the talk page to reclassify it.
• To be eligible to win prizes, participants must demonstrate that they've destubbed articles from a minimum of 5 counties in the entity they're claiming the prize for and a minimum of one article improved on at least three different topics. 48 destubs on villages, one on a monument and one on writer would be acceptable for instance as an extreme—participants are welcome to pick one topic to largely focus on providing there is as least some minimal variation.

You can check your entries using this tool before submitting here. The article readable prose, excluding sources and lists will have to be strictly minimum 1200 bytes (1.2 KB) to comply with the contest.

What would make it easier on this is if everybody programs their common.js in their preferences to contain:

importScript('User:Dr_pda/prosesize.js');                // User:Dr pda/prosesize

Instructions:

1. Go into your preferences, click on the "Appearances" tab
2. Where it says "Shared CSS/JavaScript for all skins:", click "custom javascript
3. Paste the command given above into that and save.
4. Now approach an article and look in the tools section on the left. You should see "Page size". Click that for each article and you'll quickly get a reading without having to paste text all of the time and look externally.
5. Look out for where it says, for example: "Prose size (text only): 1310 B (xxx words) "readable prose size" ". That's what we're looking for on this, that has to read over 1200 B when finished.

Wikimedia UK have kindly approved a £250 (c.$330) grant for prizes in the form of Amazon vouchers or books purchased upon request. The idea is that you use the vouchers to buy books you need to further invest into developing the encyclopedia. Prizes offered:

• £100 (c. $130) - Improving articles from all counties of the 137. A reward of £75 (nearly $100) for the editor who manages all 137, £15, £10, and £5 for second, third and fourth. If nobody manages it, it will be £50 for first, £25 second, £15 third and £10 fourth. If more than one person reaches it the reward will be evenly split. The winner will then be decided by whoever has expanded the most stubs overall.
• £50 (c.$66) - Most articles destubbed for England (includes the Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
• £50 (c.$66) - Most articles destubbed for Scotland
• £50 (c.$66) - Most articles destubbed for Wales
• £50 (c.$66) - Most articles destubbed for Ireland and Northern Ireland

Ser Amantio di Nicolao has generously boosted the prize fund with the following Amazon voucher prizes:

• £50 (c. $66) - towards the top prize for 138 counties
• £50 (c.$66) - Most articles destubbed and improved on British and Irish women (See also WikiProject Women in Red/Meetup/158)
• £50 (c.$66) - articles destubbed and improved on British and Irish towns, villages, hamlets, civil parishes, historical hundreds and townlands - for this reward we will also accept efforts to expand very short "sub stubs" on small settlements which are difficult to fully expand even if the end result is only between 500 bytes and 1.2 kb of readable prose. Keep in mind though that the award isn't purely based on article count, it will be rewarded to the editor who makes the biggest effort overall to consistently improve quality and flesh out poor stubs on settlements.

If anybody is interested in further contributing to the prize fund and putting up a reward for quality work or a particular area of interest they want to see improved email Dr. Blofeld.

Sign up here if interested in contributing or at least support the concept:

1. ♦ Dr. Blofeld 08:25, 2 February 2020 (UTC) (I'll be judging it and contributing but will be ineligible to win anything)[reply]
2. ♦ Miyagawa (talk) 09:51, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
3. ♦ Time to dig out my copies of Pevsner!--Sturmvogel 66 (talk) 11:05, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
4. ♦ Oh Duw, here we go again. Deb (talk) 11:37, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
5. ♦ Cwmhiraeth (talk) 12:17, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
6. ♦ Tony Holkham Great idea. Tony Holkham (Talk) 12:22, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
7. ♦ Quetzal1964 (talk) 12:25, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
8. ♦ Edwardx (talk) 13:45, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
9. ♦ The C of E God Save the Queen! (talk) 13:51, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
10. ♦ I love a destubathon! Penny Richards (talk) 15:08, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
11. ♦ Count me in - £50 would go a long way towards a couple of new Pevsners... GirthSummit _(blether) 15:26, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
12. ♦ Unlike the Africa one, I don't think I stand any chance of winning prizes here... I wasn't even on the list of those pinged about it, but count me in anyway!  — Amakuru (talk) 15:41, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
13. ♦ I probably won't be "contesting" for anything, but I will write about women during women's month and can surely improve some articles in line with your goals. SusunW (talk) 15:44, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
14. ♦ Dthomsen8 (talk) 17:30, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
15. ♦ I'll join in as I was part of the Africa Destubathon. --MrLinkinPark333 (talk) 17:33, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
16. ♦ London book sources and tabs open on Historic England and British History Online on standby..... Ritchie333 ^{(talk) (cont)} 22:17, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
17. ♦ (User talk:Jowaninpensans) 22:58 2 February 2020 (UTC)
18. ♦ Rosiestep (talk) 23:35, 2 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
19. ♦ Sounds like fun... — GasHeadSteve _[TALK] 08:21, 3 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
20. ♦ By then I should have the latest West Sussex Pevsner to add to my East Sussex and South Hampshire editions. VCH, NHLE and some of my niche Sussex books may assist as well! Hassocks5489 (Floreat Hova!) 12:17, 3 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
21. ♦ Kees08 (Talk) 17:59, 3 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
22. ♦ sure, I work on stubs from time to time. Best Wishes, Lee Vilenski ^{(talk • contribs)} 18:41, 3 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
23. ♦ Will make a change from my usual editing pattern. Espresso Addict (talk) 05:08, 4 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
24. ♦ Not sure I know how to destub! But I shall give it a go.... ☕ Antiqueight ^chatter 10:53, 4 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
25. ♦ Had fun last time I entered a Dr. Blofeld competition (and enjoyed the prize money ;)), so let's give it a go. --SuperJew (talk) 15:55, 4 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
26. ♦ Will probably do some. Good idea anyway. Johnbod (talk) 19:08, 4 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
27. ♦ You have my support, though it may be just moral! All the best: Rich Farmbrough (the apparently calm and reasonable) 19:20, 4 February 2020 (UTC).[reply]
    
28. ♦ Good idea, and I will try to help out but I have another volunteer commitment in March that will consume most of my free time-energy continuum. Derek Andrews (talk) 21:04, 4 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
29. ♦ Not sure how much I will be able to contribute but I'll see what I can do! Griceylipper (talk) 21:33, 4 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
30. ♦ Why not, gotta find things to do besides writing my thesis :D Yupik (talk) 03:51, 5 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
31. ♦ I'll have a go at a few. PamD 06:18, 5 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
32. ♦ Fully support the concept. Hope I can make some useful contributions but do not wish to win prizes.--Ipigott (talk) 11:49, 5 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
33. ♦ Dexxtrall (talk) 15:31, 5 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
34. ♦ Sounds like fun! Megalibrarygirl (talk) 23:10, 5 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
35. ♦ I'll give it a go! ~ oulfis 🌸(talk) 06:21, 10 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
36. ♦ I'll hopefully have some time to take part. Kosack (talk) 16:35, 11 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
37. ♦ AugusteBlanqui (talk) 09:52, 13 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
38. ♦ Franko2nd (talk) 12:30, 15 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
39. ♦ Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 20:15, 16 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
40. ♦ Having just moved to a different county this may be a good way of getting to know some of the articles near to my new home.— Rod ^talk 14:50, 17 February 2020 (UTC) Not eligable for any prizes[reply]
41. ♦ Aitch & Aitch Aitch (talk) 12:57, 18 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
42. ♦ Abishe (talk) 13:21, 23 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
43. ♦ Bogger (talk) 21:07, 24 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
44. Probably can't contribute as much as I'd like due to "real life" but sounds like a good project! MIDI (talk) 09:25, 25 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
45. ♦ Dumelow (talk) 13:35, 25 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
46. ♦ Worm That Turned and Staceydolxx (but only for edible prizes) Worm^TT(talk) 13:46, 25 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
47. ♦ Kingsif (talk) 16:35, 28 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
48. ♦ ClemRutter (talk) 18:05, 28 February 2020 (UTC) Well someone has to come last.[reply]
49. ♦ HickoryOughtShirt?4 (talk) 18:12, 28 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
50. ♦ SeoR (talk) 22:24, 29 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
51. ♦ Peter James (talk) 23:48, 29 February 2020 (UTC)[reply]
52. ♦ SamHolt6 (talk) 01:29, 1 March 2020 (UTC)[reply]
53. ♦ Money emoji💵^{Talk💸Help out at CCI!} 03:30, 1 March 2020 (UTC)[reply]
54. ♦MistyGraceWhite (talk) 05:53, 1 March 2020 (UTC)[reply]
55. ♦ The joy of all things The joy of all things (talk) 09:52, 1 March 2020 (UTC)[reply]
56. ♦ Johannes Schade Johannes Schade (talk) 16:12, 3 March 2020 (UTC)[reply]
57. ♦  ~ RLO1729^💬 10:13, 5 March 2020 (UTC)[reply]
58. ♦ Ostrichyearning3 (talk) 22:54, 16 March 2020 (UTC) long time no edits![reply]
59. ♦ Victuallers (talk) 15:39, 22 March 2020 (UTC) "First will be last, last will be first" really? I think "Last will be last"![reply]
60. ♦ Smerus (talk) 13:27, 24 March 2020 (UTC) Yeh, OK.[reply]

• Google Books - for a lot of smaller localities and some older biographies snippets can be gleaned most productively at times and can be used to produce a start class article and defy the odds.
• Google Maps (54°N 4°W / 54°N 4°W / 54; -4) - may prove to be your best friend when in comes to fleshing out borderline stubs on settlements and using observations to describe them and expand what can be found in written sources.
• Historicengland.org.uk - the go-to resource for listed buildings. Useful template {{National Heritage List for England}} or {{NHLE}} for citations.
• British History Online - an invaluable resource for localities and their history and local buildings.
• Pevsner Architectural Guides - limited pages can be found in Google Books. Very comprehensive books on buildings in different counties, consider investing in some books for the contest and you may get a reward for it! Remember that you can apply for book grants at Wikimedia UK.
• Townland.ie - a comprehensive resource of all divisions of Ireland, with basic location and area data on settlements
• Nomis for UK census data and the {{NOMIS2011}} template to use for it
• Vision of Britain through time for historical gazetteer entries, administrative units, etc
• Genuki to discover historical resources covering an area, and a possible "External link" to add using {{Genuki}}
• Newspapers.com has many newspapers from Great Britain/Ireland. Free access can be granted via the Wikipedia Library Card Platform