Crossword News May 2024

 

Crossword News May 2024

The April Prize Puzzle was Hymn by Vismut. The second line in the HYMN, ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL is ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL which forms an 8 in the filled grid. The extra clue is BAD TOENAIL THREAT THROWS ACE a jumble of BEE, ANT, OSTRICH, WHALE, TOAD & RAT, which are hidden in the grid. The entries ELEPHANT & SPRAT bring the total of creatures highlighted to 8.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

It was a very enjoyable solve, with the added twist of the additional letters having to stay in clue order.  Hopefully I got the highlighting correct, with the 6 anagrammed beasties from the additional clue, and the already partially highlighted elephant and sprat.  I count a bird, two land mammals, a sea mammal, an amphibian, a fish, and a couple of insects. Literally all creatures great and small.  Many Thanks to Vismut.

Another great Crossword Centre puzzle, I thought - thanks. Perhaps a slightly stiffer challenge than often, with the jigsawing a bit tricky to get started. I thought the figure of eight was a very clever and original device. Perhaps the overlapping highlighting was a bit unusual, but the idea of the spurious clue allayed most confusion regarding that. Thanks to Vismut for an excellent bit of fun.

Another clever and enjoyable puzzle. I am in awe of your setters - how they come up with such clever ideas and particularly how they make them work within the confines of a crossword grid always amazes me.

Regarding the April puzzle, amusingly last Tuesday, The Times published a letter beginning "We are fortunate in this country to have such a splendid repertoire of hymns: English, Welsh, Anglican, Non-Conformist, mighty, joyous, reflective, peaceful. Why, then, do we have to suffer All Things Bright and Beautiful?". There have been follow-up letters every day since, and finally today a leading article!

There were 46 entries, of which 4 were marked incorrect. The lucky winner, picked from the electronic hat was Logan Armstrong, who will be receiving a prize book which has been donated by Chambers.

Many thanks to Vismut for such a delightful puzzle. There is a solution at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2024/05/solution-to-hymn-by-vismut.html

There is still time for you to email a solution to our May challenge, Singing by Chalicea http://www.crossword.org.uk/singing.html

Our June Prize Puzzle will be Sage Derby by Vagans.

Since my plea in last month’s newsletter, we have been inundated with submissions. John and I have tested 8 or 9 puzzles in the past weeks. My apologies to those setters who are still waiting for comments. I am always touched by the incredible support that we receive.
***
The latest Azed Slip is now on the Crossword Centre. T. C. Borland won first prize for this clue to CATACLASIS

Kinks in rock classic, a hit about a terminal in sunset

(a t in anag.; ref. Kinks pop hit ‘Waterloo Sunset’ (1967)).

http://www.crossword.org.uk/Azed2703.pdf
***
For those interested in crossword books, there are two that are in the proof-reading stage. American writer, Barry Joseph has finished his book about Stephen Sondheim and his passion for puzzles of all kinds. A proofreader has let me know that I get a mention in the chapter about crosswords. Matching Minds with Sondheim will be published later this year.

Peter Biddlecombe has finished his magnum opus. 100 Years of Sunday Times Crosswords will be published soon.
***
Dean Mayer continues to delight in his Sunday Times crosswords. Among lots of beauties, this clue had me foxed until I had a hilarious PDM.

Bear with lost fish pieces found in books (3, 6)
***
Tim Moorey is to retire from the Mephisto team in the Sunday Times next month.  After almost 30 years of setting as part of the Mephisto team. His last puzzle will appear on the 16th June 2024. I am sure Tim will make it a special finale.
***
Best wishes
Derek

Dean Mayer clue.

ONE MOMENT (Nemo + men in OT)