Clockwise round the grid from 3 run the names (7,4,5,6,8,8,5,6) of four characters in a novel followed by the initials of its author. Two pairs of unclued lights (20/39 and 11/26) each combine to form an anagram of the novel’s title. Across 8 Aged saint keeps working a long long time (5) 9 Weed
Unclued lights suggest nine different words, each made up of the same five letters. These letters will appear in the completed grid in an alphabetically ordered sequence which must be shaded. Elsewhere, ignore an accent. Across 6 Young sailor turned cricketer (6, hyphened) 12 In the normal way all sections united in study (10,
6A and 42 (whose unchecked letters give IDEA) combine to suggest the title of a novel. Remaining unclued lights give the forenames (in one case a nickname) of six of its characters, whose surname (5) will appear diagonally in the completed grid and must be shaded. Elsewhere, ignore two accents. Across 1 Interceder tried
A pair of unclued lights (three words in total) give an event. Remaining unclued lights, including a pair (three words in total), each bring to mind the same relevant word in one of three different ways. Across 1 Collectors trim and polish bits in disrepair (14) 9 Ape with recurrent depression in trap (7)
Unclued lights are words from a famous poem whose title will appear in the completed grid and must be shaded. Elsewhere, ignore an accent. Across 4 Fox then dish regulator (11, hyphened) 11 Foals need bananas like certain bats (9, hyphened) 12 Some ignore a great bore (5) 13 Payments to Pope in old
Clockwise round the grid from 16 run the titles of four works (4,4,9,6,1,5,3,5,3,4,6) by a late great 3 (two apostrophes) followed by the 3’s initials. The remaining unclued lights combine to give a further such title (three words in total). Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe. Across 9 Middle-Easterner very soon returns (5) 10 Shrew lacks
The HEADWORD (26) ‘bail’ appears six times in CHAMBERS (1D). Its different meanings include CROSSPIECE (1A), BAR (25), FRAME (36), HOOP (40), LADLE (16) and SECURITY (24). BAIL (diagonally from 32) was to be shaded. First prize Jacqui Sohn, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth Runners-up Alexander Caldin, Houston, Texas; B. Taylor, Little Lever, Bolton
‘21D/14’ (four words in total) is an instruction (in ODQ) with which solvers will comply by inserting the remaining unclued lights. The source of the instruction will appear diagonally in the completed grid and must be shaded. Across 1 Brand of amplifier adopted by meetings (7) 5 Electronic device university dumped (obsolete calculator) (7) 9
Five unclued lights are titles of RAGS (24) by SCOTT JOPLIN (32 31), who died on 1 April 1917. First prize Jenni Aldridge, Saffron Walden, Essex Runners-up Steve Reszetniak, Margate, Kent; Roger Theobald, Laverstock, Salisbury
The same 26 appears six times in 1D. Remaining unclued lights exemplify its different meanings. The 26 will appear diagonally in the completed grid and must be shaded. Across 7 Chief cycling daily (4) 11 Young man has time for special author (5) 12 Food Victor feeds forces (6) 13 A road alongside hill
Unclued lights (in red) are the characteristics of ‘the period’, from the opening sentence of A Tale of Two Cities. The highlighted words are part of the same quote, appropriately occupying the first line of the grid. First prize R. Snailham, Windsor, Berkshire Runners-up M. Threasher, Winscombe, Somerset; Ben Stephenson, London SW12
Thematic names are 1A/22 and 25/34, author of The Double Helix: A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA. Thematic phrases appear in the shape of a double helix with mirror symmetry around the grid’s central axis. First prize Hugh Dales, Dysart, Fife Runners-up P. West, Birmingham; Christine Twickel, Tidmington, Shipston-on-Stour
An unclued light is a name shared by two persons, one of whom is fictional. Remaining unclued lights give names connected with one or other of these persons. Solvers must shade the shared name. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe and two accents. Across 1 High combe wingless fly’s sent up (8) 5 Rush job (6)
Clockwise round the grid from 11 run three trios (8,4,6,5,9,3,5,8,4), each trio combining to suggest the same word. A trio of unclued lights combine to give a relevant activity (hyphened) and the remaining unclued light gives a relevant name verifiable in Brewer. Across 9 Hat to be pleased with resembling a boater (10) 13
Unclued lights are names of PARLIAMENTS. First prize Judith Bevis, Newport Runners-up Hilda Ball, Belfast; Michael Grocott, Loughborough
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
Clockwise round the grid from 21 runs a timely quotation (9,5,3,5,2,7,3,11,5) (in ODQ) followed by the initials of its author, a 2/5. The source is 18/17. Across 8 Plump for some drinks and a sandwich (5) 9 Law-officer fills ditch for president (6) 10 Passé person knows Beatrix by name (7, hyphened) 12 Classy
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
Four pairs of unclued lights suggest the constituent parts of a name (two words). Elsewhere, ignore three accents. Across 1 Chapel always including prayer unknown (8) 9 Zoological region’s evolved arcane goat (10) 14 Fate of Abram’s companion (3) 16 Brother, say, and mother’s skull part (6) 17 Train carrying Academician into college (5)
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
