Crossword News December 2025

 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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.).
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Keith Williams has published a second collection of Crossword Club puzzles. Onwards and Upwards is available now on Amazon.
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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!
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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.
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The next edition of the crossword magazine, Unch, is ready for publication in January. You can sign up here  https://unchcrosswords.com/
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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