Crossword

el sereno

This is to all intents and purposes a normal cryptic crossword. However, 2 clues lack definitions, and an extra word has been added to one clue. This word is an anagram of the solution to 23 down. These provide the answer to a mystery.

Across

1 Striker must lose one for a great deal of money (6) 4 Sweeper keeps everybody on their toes here! (8) 10 Runs in desperate hope - wins possession (9) 11 Issue seeing boss initially cross (5) 12 City formed from mostly ecclesiastical district (5) 13 Bird having split crest (9) 14 Firm’s only source of liquidity (7) 16 Appear ominously close to depression - not good (4) 19 Creature that may appear before March? (4) 21 Sun involved in slander (7) 24 Son loses heart with a racehorse that may be beaten (5,4) 25 Plant that is right by

Britain (5) 26 William Goddard’s rejected doctrine? (5) 27 Partnerships made when holding criminal in a cell? (9) 28 Office item making mum more embarrassed (8) 29 Backing party song that’s simple to hear is a quirk (6)

Down

1 The chance of a view (8) 2 Rules may see prisoners eating fish, mostly (8) 3 Pulls in listeners around

North (5) 5 Soldiers wearing shock gear (7) 6 Heavy debts coming after childbirth in the States (9) 7 Ragged shapes coming from old empty spaces (6) 8 Refuse giving rise to obscure study (6) 9 Husband in place set for service here (6) 15 Titled ladies rush up to employ one person whose charges are small (9) 17 Musician’s disturbed air breaking sound barrier (8) 18 Areas DIY ruined, possibly (1,4,3) 20Bishop invested in sort of music that’s rubbish (7) 21 Incoherent speech from parent on belief, oddly (6) 22 Tracks unrelated remarks (6) 23 see preamble (6) 25 Label reduced spirit (5)

How to enter Please scan or otherwise copy this page and email it to comps@theoldie.co.uk. With regret, owing to the current coronavirus epidemic we are temporarily unable to accept postal entries. Normal procedure will be restored as soon as possible. Deadline: 20th October 2021. We do not sell or share your data with third parties.

First prize is The Chambers Dictionary and £25. Two runners-up will receive £15. NB: Hodder & Stoughton and Bookpoint Ltd will be sent the addresses of the winners because they process the prizes.

Moron crossword 405

Across

3 Delicate material (4) 7 Secure (4) 8 Tresses, fur (4) 9 Couples (5) 10 At a distance (4) 11 Concealing (6) 13 Parasol (8) 15 Eschew (4) 16 Asian desert (4) 17 Period of celebration, fête (8) 18 Destroy, chew up (6) 21 Refined woman! 23 Japanese fish dish 24 Call, identify (4) 25 Requirement (4) 26 Male pig (4)

Down

1 Young whale (4) 2 Dispiriting (10) 3 Den (4) 4 Bank clerks (8) 5 Hindu dress (4) 6 In the first place (10) 10 A task allocated (10) 12 Field of study (10) 14 Outdoors (8) 19 Lacking sensation (4) 20Addict, exploiter (4) 22 Attracted (4) Genius 403 solution

Winner: N J Turner, Sutton Coldfield Runners-up: Hugh Darwen, Warwick; Charles Gratrix, Llanidnoes, Powys

Moron 403 solution Across: 1 Party, 4 Sepal (participle), 10 Relieve, 11 Frame, 12 Tibia, 13 Annoyed, 15 Goya, 17 Cower, 19 Idler, 22 Ably, 25 Lovable, 27 Nadir, 29 Torso, 30 Session, 31 Perks, 32 Types. Down: 2 Ad-lib, 3 Teenage, 5 Elfin, 6 Analyse, 7 Truth, 8 Decay, 9 Ready, 14 Nail, 16 Oral, 18 Obverse, 20 Dynasty, 21 Elite, 23 Beast, 24 Wrong, 26 Brook, 28 Drive.