Crossword News December 2025
The November Prize Puzzle was
Nonsense by Craft. Extra letters in down clues spell NEDERLANDS NEDERLANDS, a
cryptic indication of Double Dutch. In nine clues, definitions were to be
translated into Dutch – in each case providing a real English word. Answers to
four other clues were to be translated twice;
24ac, DOLL to POP to KNAL
27ac, FIRE to BRAND to MERK
5d, VOICE to STEM to STANG
34d, CREAM to ROOM to KAMER
Here are some of the comments
from solvers.
Tricky, this one took a while.
The missing letters didn't seem to make sense until i had enough of them and
saw they might spell "Nederlands/Nederlands". Aha! Double Dutch !
Even after finding that, finishing the grid wasn't straight forward, for some
words "Google Translate" wasn't up to the challenge so I had to dig
deeper for Dutch/English translations.
Yet another challenging and
satisfying puzzle. Thank you to Craft for a delightful puzzle, and to Derek for
continuing to provide such quality content.
This was quite hard to complete,
requiring the conjugation of REGENEN (to shower) for 32dn and the obscure 12dn
HOGEN, which I could only find in the OED. A proper challenge, which I
thoroughly enjoyed. Many thanks, Craft.
I used to work for a Dutch
publisher in the 1990s, so had some idea what to look for when NEDERLANDS
started to appear in the hidden message. I remember while on a trip to head
office seeing the sign SLAGROOM in an Amsterdam bakery, and was surprised to discover
it was actually "whipped cream". I also remember many shops
displaying signs for DROP (liquorice).
There were 35 entries, of which 3
were marked incorrect. The lucky winner picked at random was Toby West-Taylor,
who will be receiving a prize of Chambers Crossword Dictionary which has been
donated by Chambers.
There is a solution at https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/2025/12/solution-to-nonsense-by-craft.html
There is still lots of time for you to solve our two December
puzzles, Seasons
Greetings XVII and the Advent Challenge, Exploration
by Arcadia.
We will start the new year with Dressing Down by
Hedge-sparrow.
***
RIP Brian Head 1939 – 2025
It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Brian Head. It was
in 1978 that he wrote to say that he was publishing a monthly crossword
magazine and I signed up for the first year. That was how the Crossword Club started
and Brian was sole editor until recently when Keith Williams joined him. The
magazine had puzzles, articles, comment and competitions but more importantly
it created a community of enthusiasts. Brian was also in charge of the Azed Slip
for many years. His friends have commented on his good sense of humour and friendly
nature. Keith Williams noted that Brian's inspiration, diligence
and infectious humour have made our Club what it is today.
Brian’s funeral service will take place at Test Valley
Crematorium, Romsey SO51 6AB on Tuesday 16th December 2025 at 12pm. Details are
available at brianhead.muchloved.com ,
which is also where charitable donations can be made to Prostate Cancer UK in
his memory.
***
Shirley Curran sent me a photo of her with Sabre and Paula and Larry Baum. She
was on a trip to the USA and Larry had just solved an impossible puzzle. He had
taken 3 hours to solve Ten Thousand Pi by Radix, a puzzle that had baffled
everyone before. If anyone is interested in trying this tough mathematical challenge,
I have posted a copy and the photo on
the blog.
https://crosswordcentre.blogspot.com/p/ten-thousand-pi-by-radix.html
***
Chris Lancaster, puzzles editor at The Telegraph, has written an article about how
motor neurone disease has shattered his life. It is a brave but heart-rending
account.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/a6354fb636b0ddd9
Chris set up a JustGiving fund to help him get a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
His first target of £5000 was reached in less than 24 hours. Chris posted this:
“A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed. I’ve been incredibly moved
by everyone’s generosity, and have literally been in tears at how unexpectedly
brilliant you’ve all been. I can’t thank you enough. I can’t believe that we’ve
reached so much in under 24 hours. Every penny helps me makes the most of the
time I have left, so a big thank you.” You can donate through this link https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chris-lancaster?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=CL
***
The 3D Cryptic Calendar has come out and is selling fast.
But you can still purchase this ideal Christmas present. Produced by volunteers
in aid of the BBC Children in Need Appeal and the Royal National Institute of
Blind People, it gives you 12 printed 3D cryptics and 3 Extras during the year
sent electronically. Setters include Shark, Enigmatist, Boatman, Soup,
Curmudgeon and many other well-known compilers. There is a great variety of
grids and themes. If you have never tried a 3D puzzle you may be surprised to
find that they are not daunting - crossers are more plentiful - and really good
fun. Prices have been held at 2024 levels. For all the details go to www.3dcalendarpuzzles.co.uk and
join another really great Cryptics community.
***
The Azed Slip for the clues to DINGLE-DANGLE are now on the Crossword Centre.
http://www.crossword.org.uk/Azedslip.html
You can also see the slip for the clues to METEORIST. First
prize goes to Ms L. Davis, with this neat clue:
Sky viewer mislaid remote and it’s lost (anag. + anag.).
***
Keith Williams has published a second collection of Crossword Club puzzles. Onwards and Upwards is available now on
Amazon.
***
Barry Joseph’s book, concentrating on the games and puzzles of Stephen
Sondheim, Matching Minds with Sondheim,
is published in the UK, on December 11. I am planning to get myself an early
Christmas present of this book, as I believe it contains one of my sketches!
***
Our first Round Robin crossword was published in 2003. It was Paul McKenna,
Auctor, who came up with the idea and designed the first grids. Then, John
Nicholson, Wan, took over the role and designed some fantastic grids. After this
year’s RR XVII, he decided to step down and now Arcadia has designed the puzzle
to be published next March. I will be asking for volunteer clue writers to take
part and I will announce it in January.
***
The next edition of the crossword magazine, Unch, is ready for publication in
January. You can sign up here https://unchcrosswords.com/
***
I wish everyone a happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous new year. Sincere
thanks to everyone who helps to make the Crossword Centre the top site for
quality crosswords.
Best wishes
Derek
