Crossword News September 2025

 Crossword News September 2025

The August Prize Puzzle was Birthday Party by Arcadia. Welsh references in clues hinted at the unclued 1 across, LAND OF MY FATHERS, while extra letters in down clues gave most of the Welsh translation in the bottom row. Plaid Cymru (Party of Wales) was founded on 4 August 1925 by representatives from Caernarfonshire attending the national Eisteddfod in Pwllheli. Despite ups and downs, it has not only survived but been a key factor in the preservation and resurgence of the Welsh language. Hen Wlad Fyn Hadau is the proper Welsh title of Land of My Fathers.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

Nice puzzle, although I felt it was at the easier end of the spectrum! The abundance of Welsh references in the clues flagged the thematic treatment and led to a neat and quick finish. 5d's reference to Sam Tan made me laugh. Diolch yn fawr iawn!

How delightful to see some Welsh in a crossword! I am thrilled to see Plaid's centenary - a highly significant event in Wales - celebrated in a British crossword. I enjoyed the various Welsh references in several clues. May a few non-Welsh solvers delight in the soft mutation of GWLAD to WLAD and the even more amazing nasal mutation of TADAU to NHADAU! Many thanks to Arcadia ...

I can see there are several references to Wales in the across (and down) clues, but I've spent some time trying to find how the wordplay in one across clue refers to 14d and haven't found anything. Maybe I'm grasping at straws thinking that the '50-50' in 39a is supposed to refer to the 100th anniversary. In any case, I don't think there's anything else that will fit the checked letters in 14d, it must be something to do with Wales, and the 100th anniversary of a political party fits with the title.

There were 59 entrants, 47 correct, 12 incorrect. The lucky winner, picked at random, is Harry Jenkins, who will receive a prize of Chambers Crossword Dictionary, which is donated by Chambers.

There is a solution at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2025/09/solution-to-birthday-party-by-arcadia.html

You still have three weeks to solve our September puzzle, Sucker? By veteran Listener setter, Bufo. Please remember to add comments as our setters really appreciate them. https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2025/08/september-2025-sucker-by-bufo.html

Our October Prize Puzzle will be Like Two-Tone by Yimin. “Yimin is an occasional setter whose ambition often exceeds his talent but who persists because creating puzzles is great fun.  His move from solver to setter was helped by tremendous support from the Crossword Centre - an encouragement for others who wish to follow suit.”   Solvers may be advised to describe the completed grid in the comments section.

My recent plea for submissions has been rewarded. We still welcome puzzles but any new ones would be published in 2026.

***
In 1978 I was excited to hear from Brian Head that he was founding the CROSSWORD CLUB and magazine. I signed up for the first series and enjoyed solving puzzles and reading the articles. I remember that I won the very first clue writing competition. Brian has been maintaining this foremost crossword journal for almost 50 years now, along with delivering the Azed slip. It is a remarkable achievement. Now, in a letter to members he has announced that he is retiring from the role.

I little thought in 1978, when I made the first tentative steps to establish the Crossword Club, that it would still be going nearly 50 years later. I have to admit that during the last few years much of the effort in running the Club has been gradually passed across to Keith Williams who has been doing a grand job. Over the last few months, increasing decrepitude has meant that I have had to hand the running the whole operation over to him.

To put the whole thing on a more formal basis, this transfer has now been substantially completed, so please note the following:-

The Crossword Club title and modus operandi shall continue unchanged;
The postal address for all matters is now:1 Cedarwood, Kings Worthy, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 7RP
All email correspondence, whether entries, submissions, correspondence, or indeed any other matters should now only be sent to: clubcrosswords@gmail.com

All correspondence to this email address will be acknowledged; and new bank details have been established at Lloyds Bank and are already linked to the website ordering system. These details will be included with the renewal form at the end of 2025. Any repeat payments set up to the Club’s old HSBC account should therefore please be cancelled.

It has been an honour and a privilege to have been your Editor over these many years. Now, as a member, I look forward to what the next phase of our Club has in store, and am sure you will continue to support Keith’s programme in the same constructive and proactive manner as you have with me.

I am sure that everyone will join me in thanking Brian and wishing him a happy retirement.
***
The annual Times Crossword Championship is back for 2025. Established in 1970, this year's event will take place on Saturday, October 11 at The News Building, London. Competitors will have to solve three Times cryptic crosswords within an hour, with the top 50 per cent going through to the semi-final in the afternoon. The five solvers with the best times in the semi-final will go on to the grand final, where they will compete to solve a single Times crossword as quickly as possible.

Entry costs £45 and you can find all the details here
***
I have been waiting anxiously for the publication of Barry Joseph’s book about Stephen Sondheim, Now I know that publication of Matching Minds with Sondheim will be at the end of November and it is possible to make orders in advance. The book concentrates on Sondheim’s love of puzzling and his involvement and creation of puzzles, including crosswords, board, treasure hunts and rebuses. Barry has told me that I get a mention in the book so I will look forward to reading it.

If you enjoy podcasts, there is also a Matching Minds with Sondheim one. The author says: Matching Minds with Sondheim: The Podcast is an open invitation into the puzzle-loving, game-designing mind of Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim. Based on the acclaimed book by Barry Joseph, each episode uncovers the hidden world of Sondheim’s lifelong passion for treasure hunts, cryptic crosswords, parlour games, and more. Join Barry and his guests—puzzle-makers, game designers, and Sondheim aficionados—as they explore how Sondheim's playful designs delivered moments of clarity and connection for friends, colleagues, and anyone who's ever been captivated by his genius.

• I will keep you up to date with Barry’s speaking events, in case you are in New York.
  2025.9.24: The Locavore Variety Store Book signing and TBD activities 5-7pm (434 6th Ave, NY, NY) (free)
• 2025.9.25: Northwestern Alumni Association How to Play the Sondheim Way: Designing games and puzzles like Stephen Sondheim (remote) (free)
• 2025.9.25 New York University, hosted by the NYU Game Center in collaboration with the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program How to Play the Sondheim Way: A Parlor Game Workshop 7:00-8:30 (370J, Brooklyn, NY)
• 2025.10.9: The Drama Bookshop: Do We Really Need Another Book on Sondheim? (live podcast) (Tickets here) (NYC)

***
A reminder that the York S & B will be taking place on the 24^th and 25^th October. It looks as if over 60 people have signed up to attend and it will be a huge event. More details and how to sign up here.
***

News of a new crossword magazine. Probably 5 blocked grids and one barred thematic.

Unch is a brand-new cryptic crossword magazine to be launched in October 2025. They are planning to publish a new issue once a quarter. It's a real-life, good old-fashioned printed paper magazine that you can write on with a pen (or pencil, we don't judge)!

Unch is a nice coat-pocket size (A5) and will contain eight or so cryptic crosswords from setters such as Amoeba, Fez, Angel, Henri and many more. And although we haven't finalised pricing yet, we assure you it won't break the bank.
you can sign up for updates here https://unchcrosswords.com/
***
Crossword setter, Andrew Fisher, is Australian Scrabble champion. In a Facebook post he said:
I won a tournament and I am the Master again! 45 bingos in 19 games included rarities such as MYRIADTH and SICKERLY

There is a YouTube record of streamed games. My exciting bout with the world champion starts at just before 7h30 on day two:

https://www.youtube.com/@OzScrabbleStreams

A beautifully organised event which was a pleasure to attend!

Congratulations!
***
Last month I mentioned Tom Johnson’s book, ALL SQUARED A Life in Crosswords. I ordered a copy but Tom tells me that there is a delay while he sets up the payment method with the bank. You can still get details at this link. https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/p/all-squared.html
***
Disappointment for clue-writers when the Azed crossword on September 7 was a prize draw puzzle with no clue to write. I am worried about what is going on at the Observer since it was taken over by tortoise. In answer to the many emails I have received, there was no Azed Slip for July. I will post the August slip if it is published.

We recently celebrated Azed’s 53 years of setting his weekly puzzles. I have come across his very first crossword in the Observer in 1972. I haven’t tested it yet but you can try it here https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/p/azed-no-1.html

Best wishes
Derek

Solution to Birthday Party by Arcadia

 Birthday Party by Arcadia - Solution

Plaid Cymru (Party of Wales) was founded on 4 August 1925 by representatives from Caernarfonshire attending the national Eisteddfod in Pwlleli. Despite ups and downs, it has not only survived but been a key factor in the preservation and resurgence of the Welsh language. Hen Wlad Fyn Hadau is the proper Welsh title of Land of My Fathers.

 

 

September 2025 Sucker? by Bufo

 Sucker? by Bufo

The wordplay in each across clue leads to the answer with one letter omitted. When read in clue order these omitted letters provide an instruction that solvers will need to follow in order to be reassured that they have got the correct solution.

ACROSS

1 Such creatures fly backwards to perch (4)

5 Topnotch house in the East End, one you and I are heading for (7)

11 E.g., king is in supermarket getting new gemstone (9)

12 Struggling poly is against introduction of bursaries. That’s not the whole story (6)

13 Sentries keep this within reach (4)

15 Campari’s an ingredient of such recipe cherished by Bantu speakers (8)

16 Girl thus gets first-class return (5)

18 One substance obtained from trees the Spanish eat mainly for starters (5)

20 Cobalt initially found in East Germany enclosed in a limited space (8)

23 Oxhead confronts the Queen twice as champion (8)

24 From this source in foreign quarter acquires cocaine (5)

26 Lassie is ultimately cuddled by nursemaid (5)

27 Support schoolmaster after his head becomes more insolent (8)

29 Channel skate finally abandons leaving an eel (4)

30 Ducks experiencing hard famine (6)

31 Parrot – bird (male one) with fancy tail (9)

32 Expanse of open country with small houses (7)

33 Each yobbo initially becomes tranquil (4)

DOWN

1 It’s hot, very thin pancake filled with large piece of fish (7)

2 Nickums start to irritate politicians (4)

3 It’s a rough form of civil funeral primarily intended to bring about redemption (8)

4 At once climbs after a plant with edible fruits (5)

6 Sharon, possibly, chases victory like England in 1966? (8)

7 Tolerate Ingrid finally going to practise, as of old (5)

8 A. J. Strauss, for example, gets duck with style on making a comeback (6)

9 Maiden flabbergasted minister in an interval of silence (9, 2 words)

10 What caterers provide such as lamb and beef (prime cut) (4)

14 Yvette (the MP) getting worried offers to pool resources (9)

17 Far island in The Shetlands. Yearn to work on needlework here (8)

19 Discover hugging ‘River Island’ coat giving a lot of protection (8)

21 Some lingerie that’s scanty worn by lady up front in a saucy manner (7)

22 Down under, it swims round in Australia eating a lot of fish (6)

25 Maintain Romeo must be kept away from man taking woman out (5)

26 Section right at the back, according to a poet (5)

27 It’s nonsense putting items in photograph album upside-down (4)

28 Beginning to appreciate rising melody in operatic piece (4)

PDF version

Entries
To enter this competition, input your solution into the website at https://cc.vellender.com before 8th October 2025. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range, which has been donated by Chambers. 

Crossword News August 2025

 Crossword News August 2025

The July Prize Puzzle was Dame by Skylark. The theme is the acclaimed writer, Dame Antonia Susan Duffy, who wrote as A.S Byatt. Extra letters spelled: AMEND FOUR ERRORS IN PEN NAME, THEN HIGHLIGHT IT. Three of her novels were in the perimeter, Possession, The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye and Elementals. Correct clashes gave A S BYATT diagonally.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

Sat down with this on the understanding that I only had a few minutes, and would finish it at a later session...and rattled through it promptly. Helped that Possession is near the top of my mental list of books I really should get round to reading. She's so familiar as ASB that it was a small delay to realise it is actually a pseudonym - technically speaking, I suppose Fay Weldon would count the same.

Classic Skylark fare - a tribute to a creative soul. Possession has been on my reading list for a very long time, I really need to get around to it (after all the solving, of course!) Those word changes were very satisfying, as ever. Thanks, Skylark.

I liked that HIGHLIGHT appeared near the end of the instructions given by the removed letters, because I think it's often easy to spot when it's the first word. I generally think it's better to have to change letters in the grid to reveal something, rather than just highlight something that's already there. I didn't find it too hard to work out which letters to change once I knew what I was looking for and I liked that as many as four out of the seven letters of the name resulted from changes. I did think having to then highlight the name seemed a little excessive, since I can't believe that a solver could fill the grid correctly including the names of the thematic works and changing letters to make the name appear without having seen the name. However, I also think it's generally preferable that all of the clues contribute to a hidden instruction, and obviously the highlighting requirement helps to achieve this, but I will feel sorry for anyone who submits a correctly filled grid but forgets to do the highlighting.

There were 60 entries, of which 10 were marked incorrect. The lucky winner was Danuta Rosendorff, who will be receiving a prize of Chambers Crossword Dictionary, which is donated by the publishes.

There is a solution to Dame at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2025/08/solution-to-dame-by-skylark.html

You still have time to compete the August puzzle, Birthday Party by Arcadia.
https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2025/07/birthday-party-by-arcadia-august-2025.html

For September we will be republishing a crossword that we had in 2014. Suckers by Bufo appeared at the time that, we later learned, our marker, Trevor Crowther, was seriously ill in hospital. He later died and we lost all the entries and comments. When I was in Southport, I suggested to Peter Rhodes that we should publish it again and he thought it was a good idea.

We are still short of crosswords for the autumn months.
***
Tom Johnson has been setting crosswords in The Spectator as Doc since 1981. He has now written a book about his extraordinary crossword career.

ALL SQUARED, a book about the crossword career of Tom Johnson, is now available from him, costing £12.99 + £5 P&P. Tom has compiled for the Spectator since 1981, he compiled puzzles for the first 640 issues of the Puzzler and has so far set all 330+ Generalist puzzles in Prospect, he was invited to take over compiling the Jumbo Bank Holiday crosswords from Araucaria in the Guardian and was one of the first four setters of the Polymath crosswords in the Financial  Times.  He is editor of the Spectator and New Statesman crossword series.

Tom covers his crossword story for ten different newspapers and periodicals and combines this story with a historical record of these crossword series -- Birmingham Mail Reader’s Crossword, Radio Times, Guardian and 1 Across, Spectator, The Puzzler, Prospect’s Generalist puzzle, Financial Times, The Cricketer, Scottish Island Explorer magazine and Daily Telegraph. Ninety of Tom’s puzzles are reprinted -- from each of the ten periodicals. Tom believes that no other crossword book has covered British crossword history in this way or to this extent.

The book has been published privately by Tom and is available only from him direct. Please email him at puzzler@btinternet.com for details of how to obtain a copy. Orders will be dispatched as quickly as possible.
***
The first Gemelo crossword appeared in The Observer on Sunday 13 July. I found it to be a nice solve and as difficult as the Azed. I really liked the on-line entry method which was easy and saved the cost of postage stamp. The second Gemelo was a tour de force; the letter E was not used in any of the clues but in the grid the only vowel used was E!

The Observer also published an excellent article about Azed, including an interview.

https://observer.co.uk/puzzles/azed/article/in-setting-any-crossword-clue-always-always-think-of-the-solver

You can follow the article to meet the rest of the Observer crossword team, Gemelo (Colin Thomas, Caitlin O’Kane the crossword editor, John Grimshaw the Azed editor and Alan Connor who sets the Everyman. You can also meet Stuart Pawley who sets the Killer Sudoku.

Colin Thomas also appeared on the TV programme, Countdown. In a tough contest where both competitors scored over 100, Colin was beaten on the conundrum after punting, in an earlier round, for PINTFUL, a word that was not in their dictionary.
***
Dimitry Adamskiy, whose name is often listed first in the Magpie 100% solvers' list, has been posting a short review of each Listener (once the solutions become live) on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mityaadamskiy
These short videos are a fascinating way of seeing how a top solver approaches the solving process.
***
The delay in publishing the Azed Slip for July is probably because Azed is on his annual holiday in France.
***
Best wishes
Derek Harrison

Solution to Dame by Skylark

 Dame by Skylark - Solution

The theme is the acclaimed writer, Dame Antonia Susan Duffy, who wrote as A.S Byatt.  Extra letters spelled: AMEND FOUR ERRORS IN PEN NAME, THEN HIGHLIGHT IT.

Birthday Party by Arcadia - August 2025

 Birthday Party by Arcadia

All across clues are normal, but the top row is unclued. 14D is thematic and unclued, although referenced by wordplay in one across clue. All other down clues are normal, except that the wordplay for one clue in each column leads to an extra letter which must be entered in the barred-off bottom row. Filling in the three grey cells will enable the top and bottom rows to match appropriately.

PDF copy

Across

13 Regions in Near East (5)

15 About third of a mile from Preseli to time control (6)

16 “Sure thing” created by leaders of Caernarfonshire Eisteddfod reps' team (4)

17 Lord King denying opening to mathematician (5)

18 Violin mostly reflecting professional skills (4)

19 Ancient eared bottle, price about a pound (7)

20 Wet one's whistle finally, drinking most of champagne (6)

21 Law Officer, flexible but never laughing (9)

22 Face claim after work (6)

24 Cuts away from scripture lessons by nonconformists (7)

26 See to clothe clergyman uprightly (7)

29 Case for S4C to introduce naked Eolian drinking songs (6)

31 Writing-desk of friend of Socrates in Republic (9)

33 Tense from delirious satori (6)

35 Waits on document signed at 22.00 beforehand (7)

36 Other source of Elan, twice skirting borders of Llanidloes (4)

37 Feet of one leaderless Disney deer (5)

38 Fluellen essentially kills exhausted deer (4)

39 Still 50-50 overs (6, two words)

40 Previously Italian bread had no buyers? (5)

41 Difference engine, uncovered, must hide its working (12)

Down

1 Note traces of injury in 25's crew (7)

2 Nasal explosions not previously raising awareness (6)

3 Move rapidly, as river Taff's first entering cwm (6)

4 Socially excludes damned bigots, with energy over time (11)

5 Snow White perhaps runs out of robust covering at Sam Tan's base? (11, two words)

6 Shape showing tenor for deserted shed (5)

7 Severe, ardent Anglican (6)

8 Airier points muddling qualities based on theoretical deduction (11)

9 Mat finally set back after slope in the gymnasts' vaulting aids (10)

10 Savory, say, served up regularly in Abernethy (4)

11 Briefly ruin enthusiasm (5)

12 Climb disused pig pen (4)

14 unclued (10, two words)

23 Glance away after surprise expressed about agreement (7)

25 Indian bosun's right to stop litter by rear of brig (6)

27 Powerless to contend with membraneous flap in space by intestines (6)

28 Rearing little piggy, suppressing its cry after the first wee-wee (6)

30 Refined lining of Welsh gold crowns borders (5)

32 Burns snubbed doctor of law (5)

33 Bashed out, striking son in cot (4)

34 According to nature penetrating humour doesn't exist (4)

Entries
To enter this competition, input your solution into the website at https://cc.vellender.com before 8th September 2025. 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 2025

 Crossword News July 2025

The June Prize Puzzle was Current Affairs by Hedge-sparrow. Choosing the correct letters in clashes gave WIND. The names of four winds were entered in the correct direction and solvers had to highlight four more winds, also in the correct directions. We accepted BUSTER as an alternative for AUSTER as they are both names for south winds. This elegant crossword was chosen for June as on the 15^th of June it was World Wind Day.

Here are some of the comments from solvers.

I am amazed at the construction of the grid with all the winds symmetrically placed and moving in the right direction and the bar pattern also having 90° symmetry, I don't see how anyone can set another puzzle about winds after this one.

Isn't it strange how these sets of directional winds are of equal length? The end product is beautifully symmetrical. Many thanks to Hedge-sparrow and The Crossword Centre.

A very nicely crafted puzzle. Gosh it took me forever to realise the 'directions' of the winds. Very satisfying to finally crack it.

There were 57 entries, of which 10 were marked incorrect. The lucky winner is John Doylend who will be receiving a prize of Chambers Crossword Dictionary which was donated by Chambers. I am happy to tell you that Chambers have sent me another dozen copies which will keep us in prizes for the next year.

There is a solution to Current Affairs here.

And what do solvers think of our new entry method?

I much prefer this way of entering.

This new method of entry is BRILLIANT! You could teach the newspapers a thing or two!

I have just discovered this website in my crosswording adventures and this is my first entry! Very user-friendly and intuitive entry form, great!

What a great design for inserting answers, highlighting & submitting our entries.
It certainly saves us a lot of time & effort.
I think perhaps you should teach The Guardian how you’ve designed it!

I am indebted to Adam Vellender for designing this fantastic marking app.

There is till lots of time for you to submit your solution to the July puzzle – Dame by Skylark.
https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2025/06/july-2025-prize-puzzle-dame-by-skylark.html

The August Prize Puzzle will be Birthday Party by Arcadia. Our pipeline is looking very dry at the moment and we would welcome new submissions.

***
The inaugural World Cryptic Crossword Championship (WCCC) 2025, organized by Extra-C, took place in London on 29 June. 17 participants from nine nations fought it out at the Indian high commission’s Nehru Centre over two difficult crosswords. Then the six finalists moved into the final round. They were Mark Goodliffe, Colin Thomas, John Henderson, representing the UK, Matthew Marcus (USA), Shashwat Salgaonkar (India) and Phil Coote (Australia).

In the final round the contestants had to solve a clue in a blank grid, with no crossing letters. When they failed to solve they had to pass the clue to the next contestant. The winner was Mark Goodliffe with Colin Thomas in second place and John Henderson in third.

The whole event is filmed on YouTube and you can watch it here https://www.youtube.com/live/V0cIy6qCPX0?si=HLxHogQvLfgxO_4D
***
There are lots of changes at The Observer.
The biggest change of all, though, will be that Azed from now on will be setting only the competition puzzles, the remaining ones being set by Colin Thomas under the new pseudonym of Gemelo, with his debut puzzle due to appear on 13th July.  'Gemelo' is Spanish for Twin, which many of you will know has for some years been the alter ego he has adopted for crosswords that he's had published in the likes of the Magpie and the Listener.  Among his many achievements, he is a two-time winner of the Ascot Gold Cup for best Listener puzzle of the year, and just last weekend in London finished runner-up (to Mark Goodliffe) in the inaugural World Cryptic Crossword Championship.  For those who haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting Colin, he's due to make his debut as a contestant on Channel 4's Countdown on Friday 25th July.
After 53 years of setting, Azed deserves a breather. It has been an incredible achievement to produce high-quality crosswords every week.

In the Observer, it was announced that from the 7^th July, for Azed crosswords. online entries will be accepted as well as postal entries (to be addressed to Tortoise rather than to PO Box 518).  You might not yet be aware, however, that from this month onwards Azed will be judging the competition 'blind', from an anonymized list of clues sent to him by the Observer, from which he will choose the winning three entries plus VHCs; once the results have been published in the paper, he will then write the Slip as usual.  

The latest slip with the results of the clues for CONCISION is available on the Crossword Centre. http://www.crossword.org.uk/Azed2763.pdf

Making it two months in a row, the winner was Richard Heald with this clue.
Brevity is the soul of wit should stop offender using palillogy?

(is i in con⁵, con⁵)
***
John Henderson has announced details of the legendary York S &B for 24^th and 25^th October.

Friday 24th: Quiz Night

As last year, Gustav’s excellent Quiz will take place in the upstairs function room at Stableside from 630-830pm. Food (home-made pizzas and sides) will be provided (£5 per head). There are no draft ales available at the bar, but I have ordered some “tried and tested” local craft beers for the event.

Afternoon arrivers will be meeting in the nearby Fox & Roman pub. No doubt there will be post-quiz drinks here too …

Saturday 25th: Puzzle Day

Our venue is again the downstairs bar and function room at the Marcia Inn in Bishopthorpe (www.marciainnbishopthorpe.co.uk). We will be following last year’s Saturday timetable for Puzzle Day from opening time (11am). A hot (meat or vegetarian) lunch (£14, tbc) will be available.

John is asking for potential attenders to register, which you can do at the link below.

https://www.fifteensquared.net/2025/07/07/sb-york-2025-friday-24th-saturday-25th-october-2025/
***
The next Listener Gathering will be on Saturday 26th July, from about midday onwards, at the Sir John Oldcastle in Farringdon. This is always a great chance to meet the Listener team and chat to solvers and setters.

Cryptic Corner with Susie Mesure will be on Tuesday, 15 July·18:30 – 20:30 at The Montpellier, 43 Choumert Road, London SE15 4AR. A friendly meeting to discuss cryptic crosswords and solve a puzzle.
***
Yet another comedian has started setting crosswords. Angela Barnes has had her first puzzle published in The Guardian under the pseudonym of Ariel. You can read the article here.
***
Best wishes
Derek

 

Solution to Current Affairs by Hedge-sparrow

 Current Affairs by Hedge-sparrow - Solution

The theme (given by letters retained at clashes) is WIND; the phrasing of the preamble is intended to suggest that names of four different winds must be entered at the unclued entries in their appropriate directions.  The winds to be highlighted by solvers are similarly thematically directed in the grid.

No.	Derivation		Answer/Entry
1	(E SIR)<		RISE
6			ZEPHYR
11	LIT in SHOE<		EOLITHS
12	AONI(a)*		NAOI
13	WROTE*		TWOER
14	(l)OUVRE around E [Musée = “Museum in France”]		OEUVRE
15	US< in TARS		TAESUS
17	U OAR<		URAO
18	PICNIC (sounds like “pick nick”)		PICNIC
20	ASS in SARGO		SARGASSO
21	(LOST ITEM)*		TIME SLOT
25	LATES(t) around K		LATKES
27	(lab)ORAT(ory)		TARO
29	ASSAI S		ASSAIS
32	E(mporium) I SELL		EISELL
33	I in (BOG (brok)E)		BOGIE
34	LAG< A		GALA
35	(A R AGAIN)<		NIAGARA
36			LEVANT/TNAVEL
37	(K SS) around I		KISS
1			AUSTER/RETSUA
2	O(il) in ITA		IOTA
3	NAGS< around ((be)L(ls) O)		SLOGAN
4	A in STRES(s)		STRAES
5	((discree)T (graceful)L (undergarment)S) around HERMA		THERMALS
7	E(ntering) M(arathon) E(nds) U(p)		EMEU
8	HEAVEN - E		HAVEN
9	(YOK around R) HIS*		YORKISH
10	R EMI(t)*		RIEM
15	TOPE KA		TOPEKA
16	SCAT T S		SCATTS
18	PRO LAMIN(a)		PROLAMIN
19	DIN around ARIA		DIARIAN
22	TRIAL around B		TRIBAL
23	AILING*		NILGAI
24			BOREAS
26	TESLA (double def.)		TESLA
28	PENT (double def.)		PENT
30	SLOE (= LOSE with S brough up)		SLOE
31	BIRD (sounds like “burred”)		BIRD

 

July 2025 Prize Puzzle - Dame by Skylark

 Dame by Skylark

An extra letter in each clue should be removed before solving, which in the order given, spells out instructions for solvers.

Reading clockwise from the top left corner, the unclued border contains three works by the subject. It may be completed using the letters in: JEE, HYPE IS ASININE.

The Chambers Dictionary (2016) is the primary reference.

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Across

9 Pass Indian tea again, skipping daughter (6)

10 Unhappy tramps beginning to hook fish (4)

11 Pete's conservative avoiding spice (4)

12 Southern inn reportedly hides dances (6)

14 Dry dropping dated amateur song (4) 

15 Rodent's fare I drag back (5)

16 Returning plunder, coast place for storing utensils (8, 2 words)

17 Regularly envoy lauds Roman name (5)

18 Narked, gently push German leaving (4)  

20 Drunk lamed sane sailor (8)

22 Ed's drawn Macbeth's dread hiding evil (7) 

26 Dull lover's form of dominoes (8)

28 Picture spoilt in centre by prisoner (4)

29 Select group's manager finally rested: ecstasy! (5)

31 Note Stokes blocking fast endures to the end (8, 2 words)

33 Francis entering permits sides (5)

35 Change Cuban wood (4)

36 Pace case regarding church vestibule (6)

37 Friend's oddly agile hiding shame ultimately (4) 

38 European shortened elderly nutter's uniform (4)

39 Heads second failure, accepting none backsliding (6)

Down

1 Tense avoiding stair, almost awaken fragrant (7) 

2 Will's husked nut, lord's covering top of meat (7)

3 Legal ease regularly protecting every roof's edges (5)

4 Told card game's shut (4)

5 Three sons walk in Paris (6)

6 Ring chief about new planet (8) 

7 Made of loose threads for locals, then? Strange (7)

8 Hurry Hess halving extreme dislike (5)

13 Litter's hidden by Jessie dancing (5)

19 Support cycle crossing top of gentry's street (8)

21 Suppresses special sherry-infused dessert, shun cut recipe (7)

23 Bald Carlos dismisses cold garret (5)

24 Fair accepting contralto for tenor's musical accompaniment (7) 

25 Grand topless accommodation's stirring (7)

27 Wandering about in countryside, chanting and grazing (6)

30 Quit acting, interrupting guests, shortly (5)

32 Married loiter forgetting rector's aims (5)

34 Scottish town supporting priest is suffering (4)

Entries

To enter this competition, input your solution into the website at https://cc.vellender.com before 8th August 2025. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range, which has been donated by Chambers.