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Crossword solution

Solution to 2172: Para

Gerry Goffin, popular LYRICIST (40), died on 19 June 2014. He wrote the perimetric songs IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER and WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW and also ONE FINE DAY (2), for which Carole King composed the music. The ‘linked’ GOFFIN (7th row) and KING (7th column) were to be shaded. The

to 2171: 31 Across

The seven 2×2 squares each used the letters STAR in order, and depicted the seven major stars that make up the GREAT BEAR (URSA MAJOR) in THE PLOUGH (aka the BIG DIPPER).   First prize D.V. Jones, Llanfair, Caereinion, Powys Runners-up Barry Roe, Wigston, Leicester; M. Taylor, Eskbank, Midlothian

to 2170: Hector’s summer nights

The unclued lights are the titles of the six movements of Nuits d’Eté (Summer Nights in translation) by Hector Berlioz: 38, 10/6D, 30/25, 19, 15, 12/18.   First prize Philip Berridge, Spalding, Lincolnshire Runners-up Richard Foden, Vesenaz, Switzerland; Mrs E.J. Simmons, North Wembley, Middlesex

to 2169: Land

The grid represents Germany, with six bordering countries round the edge, and four cities in the interior, positioned roughly appropriately in relation to each other. 21 across is an anagram of DEUTSCH, which could be added to LAND to make DEUTSCHLAND.   First prize David Jenkinson, Matlock, Derbyshire Runners-up Kevin Ward, Quorn, Leicestershire; Paul Machin,

to 2168: History exam

Initial letters of superfluous words in clues give nightingale, quail and cuckoo, specimens of AVIFAUNA (5) represented by FLUTE (43), OBOE (40) and TWO CLARINETS (27 18) in the SIXTH SYMPHONY (13 26D) of BEETHOVEN (14).  The symphony is known as the PASTORAL (1D/41, suggested by the puzzle’s title).   First prize Hugh Thomas, Ixworth,

to 2167: Groupies

The unclued lights are ‘nouns of assemblage’, all listed on page 6 of the Word Lover’s Miscellany section in Chambers 2011. Solvers had to shade to highlight COWARDICE (34A + 40A).   First prize John Fahy, Thaxted, Essex Runners-up Mike Atkin, Butterton, Staffs; Eddie Looby, Longbridge, Birmingham

To 2166: Somewhere X

Somewhere next to GUYANA (34) and BRAZIL (12), DUTCH (33) is SPOKEN (25), the highest mountain is JULIANA TOP (1D), and the principal SYNAGOGUE (3) and MOSQUE (39) are alongside each other in PARAMARIBO (19) (the capital). ANEURISM (6), an anagram of SURINAME, was to be shaded. First prize Joyce Sleight, Steyning, West Sussex Runners-up

to 2165: Not far off

According to Fred HOYLE (24), SPACE is ‘only an hour’s drive away if your car could go straight upwards’ (10 13 37 and extra letters in clues). Cars fulfilling this condition are at 5, 6, 16, 21 and 33.   First prize Caroline Arms, Annapolis, MD, USA Runners-up Barry Roe, Wigston, Leicester; B. Taylor, Little

to 2164: Blank crossword

The unclued lights are types of CROSS. Solver were required to indicate clearly the FYLFOT at the centre of the grid.   First prize M. Purdie, Ceres, Fife Runners-up Gerry Fairweather, Layer Marney, Essex; Hugh Thomas, Ixworth, Suffolk

to 2163: Muscle

The LITERAL QUINTET (13/22) was TERSE (37). 7A suggests ‘reest’, 40 steer, 5 stere, 6 ester, 19 trees and 26 reset. TERSE was to be shaded. The title suggests ‘teres’.   First prize Gordon Fowler, Whitefield, Manchester Runners-up Richard Doye, Tuddenham, Suffolk; P.J.W. Gregson, Amersham, Bucks

to 2162: Stand in

Superfluous letters in definitions form the phrase HOLD THE FORT. Thematically created entries at 5, 10, 17, 19 and 38 are defined by 12, 1D, 20, 3 and 9.   First prize J.P. Green, Uppingham, Rutland Runners-up Pamela Davies, Kenilworth; P.J. Hartley, Radcliffe, Manchester

to 2161: Appellation contrôlée

The unclued lights begin with DOC (the Italian abbreviated equivalent of APPELLATION CONTRÔLÉE).   First prize Dennis Cotterell, Carlisle Runners-up Clare Reynolds, London SE24; Richard Poole, Harlech, Gwynedd

to 2160: 18 down

The unclued lights are all CHARACTERS (18D) in Plato’s dialogues, all but SOCRATES (1A) appearing in titles. In six cells, clashing letters could be combined to form letters of the Greek alphabet (e.g. LAMB + DA = LAMBDA) — these six characters spell out the name PLATO in Greek (Πλάτων, using lower case letters, was

to 2159: Wine, woman & song

The three groups associated with EMPEROR (24) were MOTHS (1A, 25D, 39), PAPER SIZES (9, 16A, 44), and PENGUINS (13, 19, 43).  The title suggested another grouping, STRAUSS WALTZES.   First prize Sue Topham, Elston, Newark Runners-up Christine Twickel, Tidmington, Shipston on Stour; John Light, Addlestone, Surrey

to 2158: Late bloomers

The unclued lights are the surnames of people (nine of whom were botanists) who gave their names to flowers.   First prize Angus Ross, Old Portsmouth, Hants Runners-up John Harcourt, Maidstone, Kent; Janet Fletcher, Johnstone, Renfrewshire

To 2157: Song X

If the grid were a TIMEPIECE (13/12), the six perimetric words (GRANITE, LIMESTONE, SERPENTINE, GREYWACKE, DALRADIAN and HORNFELS) might collectively suggest ‘Rock Around the Clock’, which song was RECORDED (22) SIXTY (19) years ago, on 12th April 1954, by Bill Haley & His Comets. HALEY (eighth row) was to be shaded.   First prize David

to 2156: Shoreline

The perimeter is occupied by seven SANDPIPERS.   First prize Tim Hanks, Douglas, Isle of Man Runners-up Hilda Ball, Belfast; B. Taylor, Little Lever, Bolton

2155: Poor Billy’s left out | 16 April 2014

The unclued lights are SIBYLS (the title was an anagram of BILLY’S with L omitted). First prize Judith Bevis, Newport, South Wales Runners-up Dr Stephen Clarkson, Ipswich, Suffolk; Geoffrey Telfer, Baildon, West Yorkshire

to 2154: Clickety click

The MUSICAL (33) BARON (29) Lloyd-Webber’s BIRTHDAY (40) was on 22nd March; he was 66 (hence the title). His works include EVITA (16A), MEMORY (24) and ANY DREAM WILL DO (1D). WELL-BRED BOY (7/22A) is an anagram of LLOYD-WEBBER.   First prize Christina March, Windsor Runners-up Dr Simon Shaw, Goosnargh, Lancs; Emma Staveley, London SW15

to 2153: Selling

Corrections of misprints in clues form the phrase BAIT AND SWITCH. Unclued lights are examples of bait (10, 16, 23, 38) and switch (15, 20, 31, 37).   First prize Robert Hinton, Swansea Runners-up Mark Roberts, Luxembourg; Roger Sherman, Richmond, Surrey