2432: Getting dry

Unclued lights (one of two words) give an event, its organiser, some participants, its winners, and the prizes.

Across

1    Stamp hard — everyone notices (8)

8    Men caught by a great beast (4)

13    Men impressed to receive hired waistcoats (6)

14    Elephants’ cup final? (7, two words)

15    Most frightening decay, in a way (8)

18    Measure of alcohol upset, lacking such delicate control? (9)

19    Count food additive out of barrel consumed (9)

20    Bismarck saw head dismissed (4)

21    Accomplished bow by Henry (4)

24    Groans, suffering in parts of body (6)

28    Southern county’s small island (6)

31    Standard recipe for salmon (4)

34    Finely, they discharge old skinflints after a short time (9)

38    Universal closure fitted to pitcher-shaped structure (8)

40    Support vineyard near Chad (6)

41    Are failing to get down and up again, to accomplish sooner (10)

43    Insect makes weightlifter run away (8, two words)

Down

1    Stop chief receiving guineas for cask (8)

3    Defensive rings in tiers hiding yard (5)

4    Meet ruin, turning Christian perhaps (8)

5    Is almost certain about a name: is Igor one? (7)

6    Prudishness right through the farm (8)

9    Go off here, as time presses (5)

11    In time, love to take on an office worker (6, two words)

16    Spenser’s track has junction with highway (5)

22    Woman’s mother’s bust (5)

23    In advance, gets money for research into parchments (8, hyphened)

25    Clergy pickled in alcohol (8)

26    Tip of elbow refused surgery? (4)

27    Like a lad to waste hols one year by staying outside (8)

28    Armstrong receiving honour relaxed — not on moon (7)

29    One attempting to hide queen’s rent-roll (7)

31    Insert text line with crayon (6)

32    Wood, end turned, shows sound quality (6)

35    Plant more promising away from river (5)

37    Around a hundred, a number of peers (5)

A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 18 November. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. (UK solvers can choose to receive the latest edition of the Chambers dictionary instead of cash — ring the word ‘dictionary’.) Entries to: Crossword 2432, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.