August 2026 Uncommon Sense by Vagans

 Uncommon Sense by Vagans

The wordplay of twelve clues leads to an alternative entry. The three unclued entries offer a cryptic representation of the theme.

Across

    1    Formerly a fascist symbol with half missing (5, two words)

    4    Dishevelled nudes press trousers kept up with these (6)

    10    Claim 'tube' - last of beer - for player in Perth (8)

    12    Goddess misrepresented age, taking in leader of Achaeans (4)

    13    Lugs old plough on difficult places (3-5)

    14    Stand for coffin that is held by brother (4)

    15    Republican promotional materials for root-and-branch reformers (4)

    17    Surprised expression on American squaddie's Welsh dog (5)

    19    Exceptional sort of hire car (4)

    22    Perhaps Ukrainian Catholic Auntie is in ruins (6)

    24    Chaplain is alongside officer in charge of old Aussie soldier (5)

    25    Disciple welcomes Curie descendant (5)

    30    Burnt-out pastor told to go round (5)

    34    Elderly close to rebuilt arena (5)

    35    Mate in Merseyside with most of money (6)

    37    Oddly insanity doesn't exist (4)

    38    Brother in Alabama keeps flammable liquid for over-the-top heater (5)

    40    Knight keeping hard ball back in luggage compartment of car (4)

    41    Hi-tec ignition supports vape (4)

    42    Drunk in inner chamber of temple secreting parts of worms (8)

    43    Cock dithering out of place after loss of broken pool (3)

    44    Come round quite watchfully (9)

    45    West is not yet firm (6)

    46    Old jerkin's always worn by child (5)

Down

    2    Miss trapped in Connecticut clothes cupboard (8)

    3    Locate French satellite (4)

    4    East European overheard account in restaurant (4)

    5    Products from horse chestnut bark in mixed sauces keeping nothing back (9)

    6    Sings softly in new style following band heard online (6)

    7    Long story about Indian antelope (5)

    8    Insect sheds whole back half and becomes this other one (3)

    9    Cart overturned in Eden? (6)

    11    Fuel gets auto speeding at first (6)

    16    Fantastic chap at NASA is native American speaker (10)

    18    Wealthy in charge in Haiti (4)

    20    Good French aristo overthrown (3)

    21    Urge on, say, before start of game (3)

    23    Extremely round rug's glossy red colour (6)

    26    Dad's reserve about hotel finally produced cool summer treat (3,5)

    28    Church hymn's forced tactfulness not felt in rearrangement (7)

    30    Jelly babies perhaps in Medoc and Yorkshire (6)

    31    Dweller on earth's sin seen in first half of Tanach (6)

    32    Objectionable little people crossing river for fools (6)

    33    Short hairband for French girl (5)

    36    Fried potatoes are oddly firm items (5)

    39    Platform that rises up to reveal pants (4)

PDF version

   To enter this competition, input your solution into the website at https://cc.vellender.com before 8th September 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 July 2026

 

Crossword News July 2026

The June Prize Puzzle was Replace by Curmudgeon. Across clues anagrammed to cities with an additional letter with the first six extra letters giving CITIES. In fact, there were only two down entries that could give cities (we thought), EXERTED (Exeter) and MIAUL (Lima) Solvers had to write LIMA (Peru's capital) below the grid. We did not reckon on the ingenuity of our solvers, who came up with a variety of alternative cities. In the end, we decided to simply mark the grid entry.

The correct solvers who found LIMA were, Michael Crapper, Tim Pollit, Ron McClellan, Chris Chatwin, Roslyn Roogvie, Christine Thomas, Toby West-Taylor, Robert Zara, Peter Smith, Gerry Murtagh, Don Thompson, Geoff Smith, Robert Benz, John Doylend, Keith Williams and Adam Vellender.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.
I’m sure I’ve missed something here. I could only find LIMA and EXETER in down answers (no doubt there are more). EXETER is ‘higher’ in the grid, but LIMA is higher in elevation (though only by 98 metres).

Thanks, Curmudgeon for a good work-out. Solving was fine but unfortunately, I gave up on some of the obscure places and began to think there were multiple possibilities in the down clues. Perhaps giving an indication of how many downs were involved could have helped?

I really enjoyed the gridfill with some excellent clueing from one of my favourite setters. However, I have to confess that I found the endgame frustrating. When does a town become a city? “Highest” in elevation, population, position in grid? I’ve gone for Lima on the basis that in terms of elevation the Cerro San Cristobal in metropolitan Lima is at 1312 feet and parts of the Chosica district within the city limits are at 2825 feet. At least I’ve learnt a significant amount about the elevation of cities in general and Lima in particular!

Tricky to get into, but good fun and challenging to complete - nice to see the Curmudgeon-ly side of Chalicea!

There were 44 entries, of which 2 were marked incorrect. The lucky winner, picked at random, was Tim Pollitt, who will be receiving a prize of Chambers Crossword Dictionary which was donated by the u.

There is a full solution at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2026/07/solution-to-replace-by-curmudgeon.html

The July Prize Puzzle is Pronouncement by Noctifer and you still have time to enter your solution. https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2026/06/july-2026-pronouncement-by-noctifer.html

The August challenge will be Uncommon Sense by Vagans.
***
The legendary York Sloggers and Betters is scheduled to take place on the 23^rd to 25^th October. As usual there is a Friday evening quiz, a Saturday get-together at the Marcia Inn and a Sunday morning pint before departure. John Henderson is already asking for names of potential attendees so that he can organise food etc. More information about accommodation etc at this link https://fifteensquared.net/2026/06/16/york-sloggers-betters-2026/
***
The Times Crossword Championship is already open for competitors to register. The contest will take place on Saturday, October 10 on the top floor of the News Building, by London Bridge station. Registration is now open on a first-come-first-served basis — here is the link. There is a discount for Times subscribers, just use the code times+20 at the checkout.  

The format will be similar to last year, with competitors required to solve three crosswords in an hour in the Qualifier and again (for those who qualify) in the Semifinal, with the five top finishers in the Semi then going on to compete over a single puzzle in the final.
***
With the rising cost of postage stamps, it will be welcome news to solvers of the Listener Crossword that they will accept email entries. The Listener marker, Andy Mullins, tells me that it will be announced officially soon in The Times. This will make things much easier for solvers outside of the UK or on holiday abroad. In the meantime, send your entry to marker@listenercrossword.com.
***
History was created on Sunday 5th, as the first-ever US Triple-C 2026 Crossword Challenge and Canada Triple-C 2026 Crossword Challenge commenced simultaneously with their Practice Round, marking a significant milestone in the global promotion of competitive cryptic crosswords.
The US Triple-C 2026 – Practice Round Winners were Paolo Pasco from New York, Erik Agard based at Missouri and Matthew Theodore Marcus of Oregon.

While the Canada Triple-C 2026 – Practice Round Winners were Will Nediger, hailing from Ontario, Daniel Currie Hall of Nova Scotia and Rupert Marten Morris, also from Ontario. With the successful completion of the Practice Round, participants now look forward to the main championship. The First Online Round will be held on 12th July 2026, followed by the Second Online Round on 19th July 2026. The final results and championship winners will be announced on 26th July.
***
We note that Wendy Law, the Guardian setter Hectence, died last month. She began setting puzzles in 1999 and continued with the Quiptic Crossword until this year. She was a popular setter and composed over 200 crosswords for the Guardian.
***
In the Guardian, the setter Brockwell found a way of expressing his grief for losing his pet dog, Eddie.
https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/crossword-blog/2026/jul/06/crossword-editors-desk-farewell-to-eddie

I am writing this newsletter sitting by the pool at our daughter’s house in Portugal. We are house-sitting while Jane and her husband are touring northern Spain in their campervan. I won’t be able to post the prize until we get back home later in the month. In the meantime, we are enjoying the sunshine, the food and the wine.

Best wishes
Derek Harrison

 

 

Solution to Replace by Curmudgeon

 Replace by Curmudgeon - Solution

LIMA

Across clues anagrammed to cities with an additional letter with the first six extra letters giving CITIES. Solvers had to write LIMA (Peru's capital) below the grid. Cities included below with wordplay – extra letters shaded in the solution grid.

Across: 1 Rocky, 5 Port wine, 10 Tiercelets, 11 Heretics, 14 Niece, 15 Relish, 16 Ormer, 17 Rabats, 20 Mossy, 21 Emong, 23 Intuse, 26 Noles, 27 Lassoed, 28 Grana, 29 Slum, 35 Lyte, 37 Roti, 40 Hoard, 41 Nepalis, 43 Repoints, 45 Romanced, 46 Soger, 47 Slake, 48 Inchworm. 

Down: 1 Rehirings, 2 Operator, 3 Kiel, 4 Yeti, 5 Priss, 6 Rest, 7 Weirs, 8 Items, 9 Exerted, 12 Rebel, 13 Chug, 14 Noons, 18 Amen, 19 Tosa, 20 Miaul, 22 Nosed, 24 Tsar, 25 Sei, 30 Lenten, 31 Mopish, 32 Colugo, 33 Disarm, 34 Sheol, 35 Lop, 36 Trine, 38 Tiger, 39 Errs, 42 Avow, 44 Oak. 

Across: 1 YORK: Double definition, 5 NEWPORT: {INEPT ROW}*, 10 LEICESTER: TIER + SELECT*, 11 CHESTER: HERE + TICS, 14 NICE: E(ye) in NICE, 15 REHLI: Double definition, 16 ROME: FORMER less F(ound), 17 RABAT: Hidden rev., 20 MOSS: MO (bus)Y around SS, 21 NOME: E MONG, 23 TUNIS: (l)IN(t)  (migh)T USE, 26 LEON: NO LES(s), 27 ODESSA: LED aroud ASS O, 28 AGRA: AN ARG(ument)<, 29 ULM: L in SUM, 35 ELY: Hidden, 37 RIO: ROT I, 40 DOHA: HARD round O, 41 NAPLES: ALPINES*, 43 PRESTON: RE POINTS, 45 CREMONA: ROMANCE D, 46 OGRE: SO GER, 47 ALES: S LAKE, 48 NORWICH: FINCH less F + WORM. 

Down: 1 RE (pus)HI(est) RINGS, 2 [w]ATERPROO[f]*, 3 "KEEL" heard, 4 Hidden, 5 PR IS S(uch), 6 HIDDEN, 7 WEIR(d) S, 8 MITES with M dropping, 9 EXETER: EXASPERATED* less ASAP*, 12 Hidden, 13 C HUG, 14 NO(w) ON S, 18 MEAN*, 19 TA round OS, 20 LIMA: MUSICAL* less C(acophonou)S, 22 SON< + ED, 24 (elec)T + RAS<, 25 DIES less D<, 30 LENT (m)E(a)N(s), 31 M OP IS H, 32 COO around  L U G, 33 DIS ARM, 34 SHE O L, 35 Double definition, 36 Double definition, 38 TIER round G(ymnastics), 39 (t)E(r)R(o)R(i)S(t), 42 A VOW, 44 (M)O(h)A(w)K(s). 

July 2026 Pronouncement by Noctifer

 Pronouncement by Noctifer

Down clues contain extra single words. The positions of these words within their clues index letters, which taken together spell how most people treated a pronouncement.

Corrections to misprints in each across clue provide instruction on what and how to highlight cells to reflect the pronouncement more properly, after filling the central cell to show the key name involved.

One answer is an abbreviation.

Across

2    Roman haul buried in Gaul, allegedly (4)

5    Child forest animals identified by hedge tracks (8, 2 words)

10    Abruptly walk back in vestment (3)

11    Athletic need less easy influence (6)

13    Swat sponge (3)

15    King defers to knight in devolved part in Montenegrin bay (5)

17    Pudsy primate briefly covered in sauce (5)

18    Large deer is sour-tempered, striking rock (5)

19    Bedroom obliterated in rowdy nights for those just made to punch holes (4)

20    Fit up behind (3)

21    After half time, Athletic bind Ross's large chest … (7)

22    … Mexican had serious role until the end of the first half (8)

24    Gunners relinquishing lodgings for light tents (4)

25    Perth reorganised to accommodate English for its preps, eagerly (5)

28    Oedipus' wrongdoing produces $100 in dodgy fines (6)

30    Band formation in festival return? No thanks! (4)

31    Noctifer would be found in best mishap; far from Olympic extremes? (8)

35    Maintain bearing in twisted slender gutters (7)

38    Statisticians ignoring the cries of Reds (3)

40    Go back and turn up to see secret policy! (4)

41    Potations brewed from these essential oils and processed paan (5)

43    Vengeful sorceress in the middle of local river (5)

44    Focus of fraying around goat's hair cloth (5)

45    Henry involved in borderline thuggery of yob (3)

46    Threefold mental exercises (6)

47    Band leader in horrifying ties up on assault charge (3)

48    Mass suspended in some oozing treacle (8)

49    Idly note a couple of variables (4)

Down

1    Acorns as Bambi fodder are in fine tangled mats (7, 2 words)

2    Original Uptown Funk starts under a Latin ostinato at first, with detachment (5)

3    Country in SE Asia head also organised (4)

4    Reach a consensus on controversy regarding age limits (5)

5    Ornament with spangles once barest sexuality is out (6)

6    Small capitals in the manner of 1999 ladder-like structure (5)

7    Over-excited ones lacking delirious energy make heavy particles (8)

8    Bornean tribesman fitted up old landing-place with automatic notice (5)

9    Deceitful people of Spenser's America urge sly sham (7)

12    Coat of arms' red colour uncovered by one short kiss over Edmund's crown (5)

13    Arbroath's halfpenny ball, born in little mountains? (6)

14    Half of muscle T's are scandalous essentials (5)

16    Dorothy's companion's opulent cream coat in outskirts of Toledo (4)

23    Earlier sideboards exist - use 20 for insatiable regeneration (8)

26    Exclamation of fatigue as tons thunder, dropped from altitude - stop! (7)

27    Like waves some watercolourists apply after about 7 (6)

29    Silk colours unconventionally freshened up suits I left out; peach has worked? (7)

30    Solid-eating piglet's space has to transform (5)

32    Archery hit off centre: winners missing gold outside (4)

33    Racket sport spectators, musicology faculty presidents take in inspired finish (6)

34    Tiny hint fury leads to inflammation of the amygdala (4)

35    A bit of drum, guitar, bass defines Afro-Cuban dance (5)

36    New Uptown Funk dub intros regularly ease people out of clothes? (5)

37    One's nearest pub's familiar screwdriver suitable for those on a diet? (5)

39    Perhaps Mr Stiles noisy breakdown is dropped for books (5)

42    Musical pattern Baltimore Indians play in contrapuntal arrangement (4)

PDF version

   To enter this competition, input your solution into the website at https://cc.vellender.com before 8th August 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 June 2026

 

Crossword News June 2026

The May Prize Puzzle was Adorns Anew by Yimin. Solvers were asked to find three works and complete a perimeter quotation. The three works are Birth of Venus (11a/13d), Venus and Mars (13d/26d) and Primavera (12d) – paintings by Sandro Botticelli: the title being a clue to his first name. The perimeter quotation (and source) is BOTTICELLI ISNT A WINE YOU JUGGINS BOTTICELLI IS A CHEESE (PUNCH). Which explains why three wines (21a, 28a and 43a) must be changed to cheeses. It was an original idea to make extra letters check with the unchecked cells in the perimeter.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

 

Brilliant. Delightful clues (I loved 20). Allowing the extra letter to be anywhere in the clue gives great scope for finding ingenious places to hide it. A splendid ruse to reveal the unchecked perimeter letters. However, the art-works quickly revealed the perimeter subject and the ODQ then revealed the quotation. I suspect the great majority of solvers will have completed the perimeter via that route (as did I), rather than using the extra letters from the clues.

I have to admit to not finding the three wines (I assume that's what they were). This failure proved to be a significant advantage, as I encountered no clashes in cells, while the three cheeses readily became clear from crossing lights.

A good level of challenge was maintained from start to finish. It was delightfully satisfying to complete the puzzle.

 

Slow to get into, but I saw BIRTH OF VENUS and PRIMAVERA reasonably early, so BOTTICELLI followed. And having possession of a paperback collection of Punch cartoons used in their caption competition I knew the quote, so the perimeter promptly filled and it was a question of simply 'mopping up'. I had TOKAY and made it GOUDA, but I worked backward from RICOTTA (clue answer must be a wine...) and still haven't worked out what lurks behind PANEER!

 

Possibly the most bizarre quotation that's appeared in a puzzle -- presumably it made more sense in context. Worked well as a thematic device, producing an entertaining solve. The device of extra letters providing the perimeter letters was a novel one for me, adding to the interest.

 

There were 58 entries, of which 5 were marked incorrect. The winner, picked at random, was Paul Newell, who will be receiving a prize of Chambers Crossword Dictionary, which is donated by Chambers.

 

There is a full solution and notes at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2026/06/solution-to-adorns-anew-by-yimin.html The list of correct solvers in May is available on the entry page for the June competition.

 

There is still time to enter your solution to the May Prize Puzzle, Replace by Curmudgeon. https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2026/05/june-2026-replace-by-curmudgeon.html

 

The July Prize Puzzle will be Pronouncement by Noctifer. Noctifer is an actuary from Dublin who fell in love with the Listener in 2015 and recently turned his hand to setting that style of puzzle. He would set more if inspiration would strike!

 

After my plea for submissions last month, we received 3 in the same week which kept John Nicholson and me very busy testing. So, I can promise some exciting solving this summer with puzzles from Noctifer, Vagans and Henri. Also, in the middle of a heatwave we tested the next Seasons Greetings for December and Arcadia has already sent his next Advent Challenge. Thank you all for your support. We would now welcome submissions for the autumn months.
***
Colin Inman, former editor of the FT crosswords died in May, aged 87.  He was a journalist at the Financial Times and wrote the FT Style Guide. He took on the role of crossword editor in 1979 when the FT had only three compilers. He was instrumental in commissioning and encouraging new talent. When he retired there were 30 setters and he had edited over 13,000 crosswords as well as instigating the Polymath general knowledge puzzle. Many current setters are indebted to Colin for his encouragement in starting their careers.

There is an obituary on Fifteensquared https://fifteensquared.net/2026/05/20/rip-colin-inman/ 

It is also worth reading the article written by Roger Blitz on Colin’s retirement. https://www.ft.com/content/c321ea22-57ad-450e-b9dd-86576231c6e5?syn-25a6b1a6=1
***
I have been subscribing to The Times on-line with their Light Pack subscription at £4.99 per month. I am very happy to only read 30 articles each month as I have access to all the crosswords, sudokus and puzzles. It is obviously much cheaper than buying The Times every Saturday to get the Listener Crossword. However, I have been warned that the price will almost double.

“Dear Derek,
Thanks for subscribing to The Times and Sunday Times.
We need to let you know that effective from July 8, 2026, the price of your Light Pack subscription will increase to £9.99 per month. The Light Pack is a bespoke invitation-only subscription offered to readers like you, who value flexibility for a lower cost than our standard digital subscription. We hope you agree that even with this change, the Light Pack continues to offer exceptional value to access our authoritative journalism.”
***
Last month I mentioned how the Guardian was celebrating their Cryptic Crossword no. 30,000. A complex trail led to the May Genius puzzle by Enigmatist. A lot of geniuses were found in the grid, with thinking outside the box! Here is how Alan Connor describes the event.
https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/crossword-blog/2026/jun/02/crossword-editors-desk-celebrating-30000-cryptics-with-a-treasure-hunt
***
I see that the World Crossword Federation is holding an on-line championship in July for US residents and one for Canadian residents, with cash prizes for the winners. You can find out more and how to register at https://crypticsingh.com/new/home.aspx

Best wishes
Derek Harrison.

Solution to Adorns Anew by Yimin.

 Adorns Anew by Yimin - Solution

The three works are Birth of Venus (11a/13d), Venus and Mars (13d/26d) and Primavera (12d) – paintings by Sandro Botticelli: the title being a clue to his first name.

The perimeter quotation (and source) is

BOTTICELLI ISNT A WINE YOU JUGGINS BOTTICELLI IS A CHEESE (PUNCH)

Which explains why three wines (21a, 28a and 43a) must be changed to cheeses.

Across

7 (G)old GIAOUR UR after [GI A O]

9 b(U)y ISRAELI SERIAL* + I

14 NOLE (ei)NO LE(ino)

Eino Leino is one of the pioneers of Finnish poetry

15 fe(U)d RATER ATE in RR

17 bill(Y)’s SOREL SORREL – R

A (very weak) reference to Billy the Kid, a cowboy

18 SCOTOMA STOMA round C/O

20 la(I)d HITS ON H IT + SON

21 TOKAY OK in TAY

24 es(A) MOUE MOUSE – S

ESA is Employment and Support Allowance for disadvantaged people

25 (N)arrow OSSA

[S(laloming) O(n) A(rrow) S(kis)]*

27 (S)hocks HARIMS RI in HAMS

28 CANARY [YR A (k)NAC(k)]<

30 ASCI (trache)a’s ci(lium)

33 TEND CONTEND - CON

34 NAEVE A in EVEN<

35 a(I)m COMATE [AM TO]* in C(ornic)E

37 PRECAST PRE(ss) CAST

38 ba(L)m CHEAT C + HEAT

39 (C)hard EPHAH EP H HA<

42 ta(T)e INTO I(ngres) + N TO

43 (B)raving MADEIRA MAD E IRA

44 (C)old LEESIDE SEE< in LIDE

45 du(N)st SMOOCH [COOM in HS]<

Kirsten Dunst has played high school girls in film (Drop Dead Gorgeous, for one)

Down

1 ra(P)s JAILORS [LJ RAS I O]*

2 OUTROOPER OUT [RE POOR]<

Mounting in the surface as (eg) support for a painting

3 EYOT EY(e) TO<

4 (S)core NIFE KNIFE - K

5 WREST “REST”

6 TEA ROOM OOM under TEAR

8 t(H)in ORE E under OR

Jakob is Norway’s premier distance runner

10 ANOSMIA [MIASMA ON]* - M

11 lo(A)ch BOCKS BLOCKS – L

Ken Loach a well-known ale drinker!

16 tuts(I) AMUSETTES [TUTS A SEEM]*

19 topp(L)ing ADORN ADO over RN

22 AHEAP A [HAP round E]

23 DRIVE HOME DRIVE on HOME

28 ton(E)s PECHT (dee)PE(ned) CH T

29 wa(I)ter ANOESES NOES in SEA<

31 SHANTOU hidden

32 rec(T)al COSTA OS in (re)C(al) (si)T(es) (abr)A(ded)

36 (B)room ATTIC AT [TICK – (muc)K]

40 PREE PREE(n)

41 pla(I)ce HIDE HE round ID

42 ITO I T’ (hokkaid)O

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.