The theme word was China, the Mandarin Chinese word for which is Zhongguo (the pinyin transliteration of 中国). Unclued lights were Chinese cities (34A, 3D, 30D), types of china (16A, 30A, 9D) and words meaning ‘friend’ (2D, 37D, 38D). First prize Janet Fletcher, Johnstone, Renfrewshire Runners-up Virginia Porter, Gwaelod-y-Garth, Cardiff; Ernie Morrison, Coleraine, Co.
In PYGMALION (21D), ELIZA (32) said NOT BLOODY LIKELY! (7A/9/12). Synonyms were NEGATIVE (24), RARE (35), ODDS-ON (20). GB SHAW (in the second row) had to be shaded. First prize Vincent Clark, Frant, East Sussex Runners-up Julie Sanders, Bishops Waltham, Hants; Kenneth Robb, Linlithgow, West Lothian
The unclued lights are PUBLISHING FIRMS. Our apologies for the omission of clue 42 Across. It went missing during the production stage. It should have read: 42 Enticing action Latino attains oddly (13) First prize Jenny Gubb, Uffculme, Devon Runners-up Philip Berridge, Spalding, Lincolnshire; Mrs E. Knights, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
The perimetric quotation (referring to October), AMBIGUOUS MONTH, THE MONTH OF TENSION, THE UNENDURABLE MONTH’, is followed by DL, the initials of its author, Doris Lessing, a NOBEL LAUREATE (2/5). The source is the novel MARTHA QUEST (18/17). First prize Christopher Hanafin, Adare, Co. Limerick Runners-up Sara MacIntosh, Darlington, Co. Durham; C.J. Ellis, Rochester, Kent
Extra letters in clues form the phrase BITE THE DUST. Thematically created entries at 10, 11, 19, 29 and 34 (in which the types of dust are pother, pollen, stour, bort and ash) are defined by 15, 30, 18, 39 and 9. First prize Andrew Bell, Shrewsbury, Shropshire Runners-up Brenda Widger, Bowdon, Cheshire; John
The unclued lights are famous British OAK trees. First prize Gerry Fairweather, Layer Marney, Essex Runners-up Mrs L. Ashley, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex; Jan Thompson, Bolton, Lancs.
The name was The Spectator. THESP (SARAH BERNHARDT: 37/19), EC (EAST CENTRAL: 36/20), TAT (HEMPEN MATTING: 5/15) and OR (LOGIC CIRCUIT: 35/31). First prize Eddie Looby, Longbridge, Birmingham Runners-up Rose Llewellyn, London SW10; Trevor Evans, Drulingen, France
Concealed Shakespearean characters were Rivers, Celia, Celia (again), Hamlet, Costard, Polonius, Snug, Hero, Gallus, Martius, Pistol, Collatine (The Rape of Lucrece), Bushy and Hermia. ‘Disguises’ spelt Midsummer Night. First prize John Honey, Brentford Runners-up Geran Jones, London SW1; D. Rosendorff, Coogee, NSW, Australia
The theme word is KING and the pairs are 4/41, 14/1A, 19/27, 34/16 and 38/24. First prize C.V. Clark, London WC1 Runners-up C.S.G. Elengorn, Enfield, Middlesex; Jacqui Sohn, Gorleston, Norfolk
Clues with misprints were 16, 22, 24 and 34 Across and 2, 3, 6, 26, 31 and 36 Down. Corrections spelt WELLINGTON. Unclued lights were: Oceanian capitals (1A and 8A); Wellington’s battles (18A and 13D); beef dishes (7D and 19D) and types of boot (37A and 38A). First prize Mrs L. Ashley, Shoreham-by-Sea, West
Corrections of misprints in clues give CHAMBERS DICTIONARY, defining the items in the perimeter. First prize David Heath, Euston, Newark Runners-up E.C. Wightman, Menston, Ilkley, W. Yorks; E. Hogg, London SW13
The unclued lights are stations of the London Underground CIRCLE Line. BAYSWATER is the paired theme-word. Solvers had to highlight TOWER HILL in yellow, as per the Line’s colour on a London Tube Map. First prize Janet Hill, Brighton Runners-up Gay Roper, Weston Underwood, Bucks; Don Young, Oldham
Round the perimeter run the titles of three songs from the musical Guys and Dolls, epitomised by SKY (28) Masterson and SARAH (11) Brown, and NATHAN (19) Detroit and Miss ADELAIDE (39): A BUSHEL AND A PECK, IF I WERE A BELL and SIT DOWN YOU’RE ROCKIN’ THE BOAT. First prize P.L. Macdougall, London SW6
21 and 41 are definitions of SUMMER; RECESS defines each of the other unclued lights. First prize Rhiannon Hales, Ilfracombe, Devon Runners-up Julie Sanders, Bishops Waltham, Hampshire; Roger Sherman, Richmond, Surrey
All but one of the unclued lights can be preceded by DOCTOR (or in one case DOC). The title also explains why DOC’s name (as the compiler) was omitted from the heading of the puzzle. Solvers were required to highlight CAPE at 38 Down which yields ‘Cape Doctor’ where Doctor follows rather than precedes the
Seven unclued lights were names of VERSE-MEN (22) minus one letter: VI(R)GIL (1A), BRO(O)KE (15A), BRID(G)ES (16), DON(N)E (9), S(P)ENDER (21),(W)HITMAN (30) and PO(U)ND (34D). Title: Hard(y). First prize Mrs C. Turner, Highgate, London Runners-up F. J. Bentley, Tiverton, Devon; Alexander Caldin, Salford, Oxfordshire
Answers to clues in italics are Clockwise (16), mondial (25), smugly (26), mushroomed (15) and pantable (32), each of which is subjected to LOSS OF FACE (8) to produce grid entries defined by, respectively, 4, 11, 1D, 30 and 39. First prize Tim Hanks, Douglas, Isle of Man Runners-up John Kitchen, Breachwood Green, Herts;
The unclued lights are US STATE CAPITALS. First prize Stewart Jones, Winchester, Hants Runners-up John M. Brown, Rolleston-on-Dove, Staffs; Gareth Davies, Langstone, Newport
The unclued lights are anagrams of words meaning ‘blessing’, hence 43A MIXED BLESSINGS. The words are 11A AGREEMENT, 31A BENISON, 34A CONSENT, 40A BOON, 10D PERMISSION, 13D GODSEND, 15D SANCTION and 27D DARSHAN. First prize Ian Dempsey, Oldwick, New Jersey Runners-up Dr Simon Shaw, Goosnargh, Lancs; Rhidian Llewellyn, Minchinhampton, Glos
Associations with adjectives are ALL RIGHT (16), BRIGHT LIGHTS (40), BEAUTIFUL DREAMER (31), GREAT DANE (42), and SMALL BEER (4). The hymn, by MRS C.F. ALEXANDER (28, 18) is number 587 in the English Hymnal. First prize Frank Anstis, Truro, Cornwall Runners-up Dr John Stabler, North Creake, Norfolk; R.B. Briercliffe, Onchan, Isle of Man
