June 2026 Replace by Curmudgeon

 Replace by Curmudgeon

____________________________________

Every across clue leads to the answer that must be entered, but each of those answers can be anagrammed to give a thematic word with one additional letter. A sequence of six of those letters suggests the theme, as does the title 'Replace'. More than one down answer fits the pattern. Solvers must select the highest of the thematic down-clue items and write its name below the grid. 5d is in Collins.

Across

    1    Unstable, difficult for some (5)

    5    Inept row about fortified alcoholic drink (8, 2 words)

    10    Fliers, following level, select manoeuvering (10)

    11    Miscreants present idiosyncratic behavioural features (8)

    14    Young relative's eye-opener in French resort (5)

    15    Be pleased with musical ornament (6)

    16    Seashell, first of two not originally found (5)

    17    Turned over by hoist, a bar rotates into coincidence with another plane (6)

    20    Medical officer ultimately busy circling steamship, unlike proverbial rolling stones (5)

    21    English crowd locally here and there in times gone (5)

    23    Unwrapped lint might finally treat old bruise (6)

    26    Pates in the Globe, no less, trimmed at last (5)

    27    Led around donkey, one at first caught by running noose (7)

    28    Part of an argument over layers in a chloroplast (5)

    29    Liberal intercepting quantity of cash in deprived city area (4)

    35    Small local sample of unruly teds (4)

    37    Decay one cake of bread (4)

    40    Difficult keeping old treasure (5)

    41    South Asian people sorted out alpines (7)

    43    Repairs joints in brickwork with regard to details (8)

    45    Daughter pursuing love affair told exaggerated stories (8)

    46    Very good German military man for some (5)

    47    Quench small volume of water (5)

    48    Songbird drops fine grub and caterpillar (8)

Down

    1    About essentially pushiest calls for instances of reemploying (9)

    2    Dealer in stocks peeled waterproof off (8)

    3    Reportedly capsize in German port (4)

    4    Extracted from eye, tiny creature (4)

    5    Priest is initially such a fussy and prim person (5)

    6    Refreshing inactivity in fire station (4)

    7    Not entirely odd southern ways of damming a river (5)

    8    Individual instances of mites lowering head (5)

    9    Made an effort, unusually exasperated, abandoning, sadly, ASAP (7)

    12    Somewhat sore, belligerent insurrectionist (5)

    13    About to cherish drink (4)

    14    Once ninth hours, now mostly applied to Sabbath (5)

    18    Somehow mean to have the last word (4)

    19    Army guarding larger than normal fighting dog (4)

    20    Surprisingly musical not extremely cacophonous caterwaul (5)

    22    Detected upset child supported by chief journalist (5)

    24    Ultimately elect overthrown prince for ruler (4)

    25    Large mammal perishes turning up headless (3)

    30    Provided means from time to time appropriate for fasting period (6)

    31    Listless male - work is hard (6)

    32    Murmur lovingly about large principally upwardly gliding flying lemur (6)

    33    Treat with contempt member; render defenceless (6)

    34    Hell of woman with nothing left (5)

    35    Cut-off branches hang down loosely (3)

    36    Triplet to go (5)

    38    Formidable competitor's rank, including foremost in gymnastics (5)

    39    Terrorist regularly bungles (4)

    42    Acknowledge a pledge (4)

    44    Symbol of strength Mohawks regularly produced (3)

PDF version

   To enter this competition, input your solution into the website at https://cc.vellender.com before 8th July 2026. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range, which has been donated by Chambers. 

Crossword News May 2026

 

Crossword News May 2026.

The April Prize Crossword was Half-baked by Chalicea. 11 stupid or foolish people appeared in the perimeter and unclued lights. Solvers were instructed to SHADE TWO MORE NONGS - requiring them to shade the COCKWOMBLE and HEADBANGER.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

It says a lot about our opinion of ourselves as a species that there should be quite so many synonyms for a fool... No matter, it makes for excellent crossword fodder (as we saw with various cryptics in the dailies at the start of the month, which trod similar ground). No complaints here though, especially with words like WAZZOCK and COCKWOMBLE getting some much deserved airtime in crosswordland. Thanks, Chalicea.

Pleasingly irreverent – surely the first time I’ve come across COCKWOMBLE in a grid but hopefully not the last!

With 44% of the cells being thematic, there were always going to be many obscure words. Clever composition to place 13 'fools' in the grid. [I was interested in my reaction to this puzzle. Of course we cannot legislate about which words or themes are 'acceptable' in a puzzle - nor would I wish to do so. But I found it disquieting to be reminded how many ways we have to call people stupid. It makes for a depressing commentary on human nature.]

I felt like a right [inserted preferred term here] when I finally noticed the two long diagonals after much scanning of the grid. Hats off to Chalicea, who is certainly not any of the synonyms found herein.

There were 43 correct, out of 59 entrants. The most common errors were highlighting errors or a lack of highlighting, plus a couple of people putting WAD rather than DAW as one of the insults, which doesn't seem to be backed up by Chambers.

The first name out of the hat was Keith Sutherland, who will be receiving a prize of Chambers Crossword Dictionary, which was donated by the publishers.

There is a full solution at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2026/05/solution-to-half-baked-by-chalicea.html

You still have time to enter your solution to the May Prize Puzzle, Adorns Anew by Yimin. https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2026/04/may-2026-adorns-anew-by-yimin.html

The June Prize Crossword will be Replace by Curmudgeon.

After that, the pipeline is completely empty. I have relied on the good will of setters to maintain our monthly puzzles for 25 years and that is incredible. Maybe you have a puzzle that you would like to have published on the Crossword Centre. I can guarantee sympathetic testing, and excellent publicity. Many established setters had their first puzzles on the Crossword Centre.

***
The Guardian gave early notice of their 30,000^th crossword in an excellent article by their crossword editor, Alan Connor. It is worth reading for the memorable crosswords and articles it contains.
https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/crossword-blog/2026/may/06/crossword-editors-desk-the-guardian-30000th-cryptic

The Guardian published its crossword no. 30,000 on the 7^th of May and marked it with an Editorial - 30,000 grids of noble trickery The puzzle was set by Arachne https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/30000  

You will probably need to try the Quick Crossword on the same day https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/quick/17473 and this might lead you back to the Editorial to be read more carefully and lead to another challenge. Great stuff!
 I don’t want to give too much away if you want to try the puzzles. However, you can find a blog of it on Fifteensquared

***
We learn that the editor of the Sunday Telegraph’s EV puzzles, Steve Bartlett, will be stepping down at the end of May. John Henderson, the editor of the Inquisitor puzzles in the i-paper, will be taking on the role.
***
In the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament the winner was Erik Agard. You can see all the results here - https://www.crosswordtournament.com/2026/index.htm
***
Recently added to the Crossword Centre blog is a lovely crossword by Ximenes. The Definition-Letter-Mixture type of clue has gone out of fashion but when skilfully managed by Ximenes it is brilliant. Derrick Macnutt, Ximenes, was head of classics at Christ’s Hospital School in Horsham and must have written hundreds of school reports. However, I doubt whether they were like the ones in this crossword. https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/p/terminal-reports-by-ximenes.html

I have also come across two articles published in the Listener in 1982, by the editor D A N Jones, in which he discusses the Listener Crossword, Apex and Ximenes among others.
https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/p/endpiece.html

Best wishes
Derek Harrison

 

Solution to Half-baked by Chalicea

 Half-baked by Chalicea - SOLUTION

11 stupid or foolish people appeared in the perimeter and unclued lights. Solvers were instructed to SHADE TWO MORE NONGS - requiring them to shade the COCKWOMBLE and HEADBANGER

Extra letters in red.

 

Across: 10 Accelerators, 12 Sore, 14 Greet, 15 Tar, 16 Cnida, 20 Naric, 21 Waste, 23 Theorbo, 26 Serac, 27 Tired, 31 Del, 32 Taco, 33 Bilk, 35 Laers, 36 Kaval, 37 Hostilities

Down: 2 Acta, 3 Scores, 5 Rerig, 6 Naga, 7 Doe, 8 Irenical, 11 Escot, 13 Edda, 17 Gazed, 18 Crore, 19 Mahi-mahi, 24 Erse, 25 On call, 28 Earst, 29 Lakin, 30 Movie, 33 Bats, 34 Lieu.

 

Across: 10 Double definition, 12 S: (wa)S(te) ORE[S], 14 Double definition, 15 H: T[H]AR, 16 Hidden reversed, 20 A: (CRANI[A]}*, 21 "WAIST" heard, 23 D: [D](u)T(c)H(m)E(n) OR BO, 26 ACRES*, 27 E: DIET[E]R*, 31 LED<, 32 T: TAC[T] O, 33 B + ILK, 35 W: {S[W] REAL}<, 36 Hidden, 37 O: {OILIEST H[O]ST I}*.

Down: 2 PACTA less P, 3 M: SS around C(onsiderably) [M]ORE, 5 Hidden, 6 O: N[O] AGA, 7 DO + E, 8 R: {AIRLINE[R] + C}*, 11 ESCORT less R, 13 E:{A DE[E]D}*, 17 (spottin)G A ZED, 18 N: CRO[N]E around R(upees), 19 MA HI MA HI, 24 O: hidden (het)ER[O]SE(xuals), 25 ON CALL, 28 N: [N]EAREST less second E, 29 LAKIN(g), 30 G: MOVE around [G]I, 33 Double definition, 34 S: LIE[S] U.

May 2026 Adorns Anew by Yimin

 Adorns Anew by Yimin

Three works from four unclued entries - 11a/13d (three words), 13d/26d (three words) and 12d – reveal the identity of the subject of the perimeter quotation (in ODQ), which runs in an anti-clockwise direction from a cell to be determined and is followed by the source.

Twenty-six clues have an extra letter to be removed before solving, always leaving a real word.  In clue order these letters fill the unchecked squares of the perimeter starting at the top-left corner and running clockwise.

The quotation explains why three entries differ from their answers.

Punctuation may mislead.

Across

7    Infidel from ancient city chasing American soldier about gold (6)

9    Begin, say, revolutionary serial – buy Independent (7)

14    Poet’s crown held by Eino Leino (4)

15    Feud occupying bishop’s assessor (5)

17    Billy’s buck – light chestnut – runs away (5)

18    Opening takes care of blind spot (7)

20    Discovers hot sex – gets laid! (6, two words)

21    Lizard’s fine in Perth’s river (5)

24    Grimace from shy person losing ESA (4)

25    Slaloming on narrow skis beginners broke bones (4)

27    King and emperor entering shocks women’s quarters (6)

28    Songbird’s reviewing younger associate with limitless special unfailing talent (6)

30    Trachea’s cilium covers cells (4)

33    Be prone to dispute rejecting conclusion (4)

34    Smooth back interrupted by adult’s old birthmark (5)

35    Aim to renovate breaking edges of cornice crowned with leaves (6)

37    Lacking square section, condense by force mould of concrete blocks? (7)

38    Balm from cold water against redness of skin (5)

39    Measure record chard returned in this year (5)

42    Enthusiastic about Ingres’ opening with new Tate in Edinburgh (4)

43    Island’s braving eastern militant organisation (7)

44    In cold month of March retiring to look for sheltered aspect (7)

45    Dunst in high school head over heels for kiss (6)

Down

1    Lord Justice raps institute over slovenly guards (7)

2    Former auctioneer at a loss about inferior mounting (9)

3    Brood of pheasants briefly raised beside small island (4)

4    Cut a thousand leaving hypothetical score (4)

5    Turn on the radio to be at ease (5)

6    Mandela’s uncle supporting rent for small shop in Soweto (7, two words)

8    Ingebritsen’s thin – energy’s the foundation for gold (3)

10    Mark off aberrant miasma on loss of sense of smell (7)

11    Prevents Loach going for beers (5)

16    Antique weapons Tutsi accepted seem defective (9)

19    Dress trouble toppling nurse (5)

22    Atomic accident swallowing earth previously in a mound (5)

23    Chase over baseball plate to force in completely (9, two words)

28    Steele’s painted woman essentially deepened chestnut tones (5)

29    Experiences without understanding upset waiter full of denials (7)

31    Chinese port feeding Huangshan to Ulsan (7)

32    Rib bone piercing centres of rectal sites abraded (5)

36    Broom to be operated, sweep away last of muck (5)

40    Groom pretty much to try by kissing in Gretna (4)

41    Man devouring fish concealed plaice (4)

42    Japanese city in the northern end of Hokkaido (3)

PDF version

   To enter this competition, input your solution into the website at https://cc.vellender.com before 8th June 2026. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range, which has been donated by Chambers. 

Crossword News April 2026

 

Crossword News April 2026

The March Prize Puzzle was our 18^th Round Robin, Tour Party by Arcadia. It was a carte blanche grid in which words in each of the four quadrants were entered in a different direction. The key to getting it right was to solve the 12 letter entries which could only join in one way. Solvers had to ‘show up’ congratulations on his achievement, which was CHAPEAU TO WAN. In the end we decided that highlighting was optional.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

Arcadia is to be commended for such an ideal grid for Round Robin purposes - no clue gimmicks and answers all of 6 letters deftly avoids any issues of some setters being luckier than others as to what they're given. I do worry with these puzzles that the range of clues is going to be off (which can't be helped, presumably), but it did feel remarkably balanced, and the solving experience was a very enjoyable one. And choosing to honour a particular setter makes for a beautiful theme, especially one as universally admired as Wan. Thank you Arcadia (and to all my fellow contributors!)

I noticed that in each quadrant the two answers starting in the corner of the grid must have the same first letter, and their third, fourth, fifth and sixth letters are collectively the first letters of the other eight answers in that quadrant, and a similar thing was true for the answers sharing their third, fourth, fifth or sixth letters. I had solved six of the clues in Quadrant C so at least two of these answers must cross on the diagonal which helped me to enter the answers I had worked out find the rest of them. Then I was able to guess MAN OF LETTERS and, after much more thought, TABULAE RASAE, and I managed to fit Quadrants B and D around these 12-letter entries. It took me a while to guess the other two 12-letter entries, especially CHAPEAU TO WAN since I hadn't thought the cruciverbalist would be explicitly named and I don't know if there is a particular reason for dedicating the puzzle to Wan or if he is just a setter with a three-letter name. I found the appropriate definition of SMOCKS in Chambers and for a while thought that "An indication of little ones in a delivery system?" was a cryptic definition clue using a non-obvious meaning of the word, since I don't particularly think of smocks as being worn by pregnant women. I had a good laugh when I realised it was -OCK in SMS, and it made me think that writing an &lit clue does carry a risk of the solver not realising what it is especially when it's for a clue-writing competition where you don't get to explain your clue before it is judged.

With forty different clueing styles, this was not a particularly easy solve, made trickier by the need to cold solve 6 or 7 of the entries in each quadrant. With persistence, the puzzle eventually yielded and the tribute to Wan very appropriate.

There were 52 entries and 47 were marked correct. The lucky winner, picked at random, was Ned French, who will be receiving a copy of Chambers Crossword Dictionary which is donated by Chambers.

Solvers were asked to vote for their favourite clues. 32 of the 40 clues received at least one point. The podium was as follows

1st (27pts): Insular forest-dwellers Napoleon's first encountered in Elba? (N in IDRIS) INDRIS[Steve Bartlett]
2nd (20pts): One acquiring tea leaves for ship's counter (PUR(cha)SER) PURSER [Adam Vellender (Pandiculator)]
3rd= (19pts): Trump stops leaders of France and Spain overturning attack (FART in F+S)<  STRAFF[Charlie Oakley (Quotient)]
3rd= (19pts): Initially damp hay spread with this could become dehydrated (DEHYDRATED*-(D+HAY)* &lit) TEDDER [Brian Betker (buddy)]

I will be sending a prize to Steve.

Thanks to Arcadia for a superb grid and for organising the puzzle. There is a solution with notes at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2026/04/solution-to-round-robin-xviii-tour.html

There is still time to solve the April prize puzzle, Half-baked by Chalicea. https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2026/03/april-2026-half-baked-by-chalicea.html

The May challenge will be Adorns Anew by Yimin.

***
It is sad to announce that John Tozer died on the 18th of March. John was a dedicated writer of clues in the Azed competitions and set up the &lit website, recording all of the slips by Ximenes and Azed. He was also the brains behind the Crossword Centre clue-writing competition. I met John a few times and found him most congenial and friendly. He persuaded me to type up some of the Azed slips for the &lit website and he was a very diligent proofreader.

He never recovered from the cardiac arrest that he suffered in 2022 and was increasingly ill. His wife, Jane, and daughters, Mary and Lucy, are planning a quiet family funeral.
***
For anyone who hasn't yet seen it, here's the short Azed tribute film which was premiered at the Observer's Crossword Centenary event last Thursday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z16h8bFr8MA
***
After the Listener Crossword Dinner, you can now download a copy of John Henderson’s fiendish table quiz from Jane Teather’s Jetdoc site.
Dimitriy Adamskiy shows the top five Listener Crosswords of 2025 in this video.
https://youtu.be/n9hSPpzUjPU?si=d86VSQln5pKsDYgn
***
Barry Joseph, author of Matching Minds with Sondheim, will be in London this month. He says:
APRIL 16 - NYU London  

12:00 - 1:15: How To Play The Sondheim Way: A Parlour Game Workshop (for NYU Students, but you can join in). We’ll be playing Sondheim games and discussing his game design values. 

6:30 - 7:30: The Puzzling Mind of Stephen Sondheim (free alum event open to the public). Discover how Stephen Sondheim, best known as a composer and lyricist, applied game design principles to shape social interaction, foster emotional connection, and structure artistic expression. A lifelong puzzle enthusiast, he didn’t just play games—he made them: treasure hunts, board games, cryptic crosswords, parlor games, and more. Tixs and more info here. 

265 Strand, London WC2R 1BH

April 19 - Sondheim Society 

7:00 - 9:00pm: Sondheim and The Game of Murder. Discover how Stephen Sondheim, a lifelong puzzle enthusiast, didn’t just love games—he created them. His most ambitious, The Murder Game, inspired the 1973 film The Last of Sheila, built on hidden information and carefully designed social chaos. Blending live performance, gameplay, and rare archival material, this presentation by Barry Joseph—author of the new book Matching Minds With Sondheim—explores how Sondheim used rules and puzzles to create tension, reveal character, and navigate vulnerability across his work. Joining me is composer-lyricist and musical director Colm Molloy, who shares a deep love of puzzles and Sondheim. Also featured are Oliver Sidney (Addison Mizner in Road Show; No Such Thing As Wolves; You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown) and Rhys Lambert (Hollis Bessemer in Road Show; DORIAN: The Musical; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), performing selections from Sondheim’s work. Tixs and more info here. 

Upstairs at the Gatehouse  - 1 North Rd, Highgate Village, London N6 4BD, United Kingdom. 

Dennis Caouki, my podcast line producer, has graciously offered to help me coordinate a Sunday (19th) lunch at a restaurant to bring us all together. If you would be free to join, please email Dennis (dcaouki@gmail.com) .
***
Keith Williams is now in charge of the Crossword Club. He has written to ask for a volunteer assistant and you might be able to help.

“Since becoming the sole editor in September 2025, I've had an opportunity to think in more detail about the offerings, opportunities and vulnerabilities of the Club, from which I am formulating a general 'direction of travel'. As we know, I am only the second ever editor of this organisation, and it is one of my many aims to ensure that I am not the last. One of the key vulnerabilities that Brian and I often spoke of was the ability of the Club to fulfil its function to its members if one or other of us became unavailable for reasons of IT- or human- frailty. Fortunately, we never had to test the process until recently, but in reality, there was always a potential difficulty were we (or our systems) to be incapacitated for whatever reason. This has of course now been exacerbated by administration, production and distribution coming back under the control of just one person once again. While I'd like to think I can fulfil this role for many years to come, it concerns me that the Club is currently devoid of a contingency plan.

In that vein, I would very much like to have the ‘safety net’ of having at least one Editor-in-waiting', who would be able to pick up the reins and ensure the continuity of the Club were I to be unable to do so, for whatever reason. It is hoped that the Editor-in- waiting' would not be called upon for quite some considerable time, but just having such a person and facility in place (probably through a shared set of cloud files for example), would seem to me to be a practical way to address the key vulnerability that the Club has once again found itself facing. If you feel you may be that person, I would love to hear from you.”
***
The 48^th annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament starts on the 12^th April. You can check on the results at this link. https://www.crosswordtournament.com/

Best wishes
Derek Harrison

 

Solution to Round Robin XVIII Tour Party by Arcadia

 Round Robin XVIII - Solution

Theme

 

Homage to John Nicholson (Wan) on his retirement after seventeen Round Robins. Answers derived from the preamble were: “Man of Letters” (scholar), “Tabulae Rasae” (cartes blanches), “Bring To Light” (show up) and finally “Chapeau to Wan” (congratulations on his achievement), which needed to be shown up ie highlighted.

All entries forming part of the round robin were of six letters.

Explanation of Answers

  

Clue	Derivation	Answer	Author
		Quadrant A
That is either end of comic aboard take off for each one	(IE+C)in APE	APIECE	John Reardon
Female goats supply kids	FGOATS*	FAGOTS	David Arnott (Phylax)
Erin somehow immersed in French first issue of Loki	ERIN* in FR	FENRIR	Terry Brennan (mad dog)
Sweeper dusted boiler	BOILER*	LIBERO	Ed Powles
Court decision in Poland accepted Conor's first appeal	PL+A+C+IT	PLACIT	David Thompson
Type of music appropriate for medley	RAG+BAG	RAGBAG	Rod Beards
Unusual variant of chips at L'Enclume, for starters, served in special bowls	L in S+CUPS	SCULPS	Craig Fothergill (Craft)
For some, privates could be gross, when entering bed unclothed	GROSS round (b)E(d)	SOGERS	Ian Simpson
Trump stops leaders of France and Spain overturning attack	(FART in F+S)<	STRAFF	Charlie Oakley Quotient)
Once feeling disgust at robbery, after money's taken	(m)UGGING	UGGING	Peter Smith
		Quadrant B
Amongst Rodentia, no mice presenting social disorganisation	Hidden word	ANOMIC	Peter Finan (Skinny)
Chilled drink because Earl's entertaining (two words)	AS+E round TEA	AT EASE	Simon Griew
On reflection, do try backless dress for Ed	[PART(y)+TA(x)]<	ATTRAP	Jamie ??  (amoeba)
Sprinkler set off in taxi?	SET* in CAR	CASTER	Dave Williams
Sue may emerge from this mistreatment	ILL+SUE*	ILL-USE	Keith Williams
Adelaide's acacias turning silver in squalid neighbourhood	(AG in SLUM)<	MULGAS	Rob Pinnock (Hedge-sparrow)
Apropos of nothing, extremely eager to accept boring part	0+E...R round BIT	OBITER	Peter Biddlecombe
One acquiring tea leaves for ship's counter	PUR(cha)SER	PURSER	Adam Vellender
Term for liquor – primarily one that gives upset tummy	&lit:R+ 1st letters	ROTGUT	Simon Shaw
Work clothes with special fabrics	(TILL round W)+S	TWILLS	David Whyte
		Quadrant C
Sauce is revolting in octopus tacos	[...PUS TAC...]<	CATSUP	KevinMcDiarmid
Eton's first form feed us on last of chocolate spread	E(ton)+FF+US+E	EFFUSE	Alf Mullins
Sole part's matching tempo	2 defs	INSTEP	Jim Fishwick (Ghoti)
Mark, under pressure, picked up weapon	Homoph CREASE	KREESE	John Nicholson
Scratching head, lioness writhes and perhaps roars	(l)IONESS*	NOISES	Ellie Seaward (Gumboot)
Intermittently, members of Oasis, if unhappy, ultimately turn to hard stuff?	O(a)S(i)S +IF +Y	OSSIFY	Luciano Ward
Fisherman essentially functions without nets	..E.. in SINES	SEINES	John Hood (Nudd)
Learns to accept extremely pernicious bacterial infections	P...S in SEES	SEPSES	Rob Townsend (Henri)
Foot following surreptitious passages	PES after SLY	SLYPES	Derek Harrison
An indication of little ones in a delivery system?	OCK in SMS &lit	SMOCKS	John Walsh
		Quadrant D
Earlier, undying bird caught by Hoy's lamp?	TERN in EE	ETERNE	Julian Stadling (Hawk)
Need for one enclosure in front of base	(EG+ENC) after E	EGENCE	Paul Henderson
Insular forest-dwellers Napoleon's first encountered in Elba?	N in IDRIS	INDRIS	Steve Bartlett
Call to witness truncated witchcraft trial	OB(i)+TEST	OBTEST	Roger Emerson (Arcadia)
“Old South Whales” repulsed NSW citizens?	OS+SEIS<	OSSIES	Edmund French
Singular biblical warrior covering head with archer's stance	S+(g)IDEON	SIDE-ON	Tim Coates
Philosophers and saints imbibing nameless restorative	SS round TO(n)IC	STOICS	Jonathan Owen
Maybe De Niro clipping a letter to portray accent?	ST(a)R+ESS	STRESS	Stu Thomas (Cagey)
Initially damp hay spread with this could become dehydrated	DEHYDRATED*-D+HAY* &lit	TEDDER	Brian Betker (buddy)
Sent to change Ebenezer Scrooge initially e.g past, present and future	SENT*+ES	TENSES	Philip Stevenson

                                            

April 2026 Half-baked by Chalicea

 Half-baked by Chalicea

Nine half-baked characters (ancient and modern) circle the perimeter and two appear in the unclued lights. An extra letter not required for the answer, appears in the wordplay of alternate clues. These letters, in clue order, give an instruction to solvers. 20 and 5 are in Collins. Unchecked perimeter and corner letters would spell EGOISTIC WIND-UP - WOE!

Across

    10    Throttles muscles that increase rate of function (12)

    12    Painful to contemplate essentially waste metal aggregates (4)

    14    Weeping to become evident to the ear (5)

    15    According to Will, incite to fight Himalayan wild goat (3)

    16    Some sad incidents recalled involving jellyfish stings (5)

    20    Related to facial features in reshaped crania (5)

    21    Refuse narrow part we're told (5)

    23    Instrument of Dutchmen regularly or US fellow (7)

    26    Ice formation spoiled acres (5)

    27    Hapless dieter grown weary (5)

    31    Operator shown the way back (3)

    32    Discretion with ordinary item of Mexican cookery (4)

    33    Elude British type (4)

    35    Overturned in south-west genuine Boer encampments (5)

    36    Partly unpack a valuable musical instrument (5)

    37    Belligerence of oiliest host I mishandled (11)

Down

    2    Official proceedings of informal agreements lacking power (4)

    3    Achieves at first considerably more on-board ship (6)

    5    Set up again some of offshore rights (5)

    6    No historical military commander in group of peoples from Burmese hills (4)

    7    Cook English animal (3)

    8    Pacific airliner running amok, involving speed of light (8)

    11    In Stratford maintain armed guard with no resistance (5)

    13    A deed reproduced in volume of mythology (4)

    17    Looked intently ultimately spotting a final letter (5)

    18    Old hag guarding rupees originally in vast number in India (5)

    19    Mother with welcome twice over for edible marine fish (8)

    24    Language of some heterosexuals (4)

    25    Working phone available as needed (6, 2 words)

    28    Formerly once closest but lacking second base (5)

    29    Will's little lady mostly sporting in the north (5)

    30    Shift around US soldier film (5)

    33    Crazy blows (4)

    34    Is situated on university place (4)

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  To enter this competition, input your solution into the website at https://cc.vellender.com before 8th May 2026. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range, which has been donated by Chambers.