Crossword

el sereno

There is one clue with no definition. The grid, when completed, has a cunningly hidden word which links to this answer. Please highlight this word

Across

8 Location of houses developed for stars? (6) 9 Lines featured in soldier’s regular letters (3) 10 Our responsibility may be a burden (4) 11/17/22 House of Lords retinue end day fighting (3,7,5,2,8) 12 Lacking the go-ahead for recess? (4) 13 Productive type investing millions in food runs (6) 16 Scheme incorporating emblem is oddly vulgar (8) 17 See 11 18 Hold back as result of smear by sailor (7) 22 See 11 25 State answer by king unfortunately takes precedence (6) 26 Draw attention to line crossed by bore (4) 27 Where pilot may be playing cards on steps (6,4) 30 Spoils what may be a short or long journey? (4) 31 Antipodean runner featuring in dance music (3) 32 Rubbish beginning to accumulate before women laugh (6)

Down

1 Ladies name for a person who’s simple-minded (4) 2 Friends tackle hills with no troubles (4) 3 Sequence of events seeing source of ignition in one’s car lost... (8) 4 ....needing this off to power? (3,4) 5 Try to sell cycle on the radio (6) 6 Christmas flower issue must include fixed first-class returns (10) 7 Ambience surrounding soldiers’ light display (6) 14 Cut increases in size, stripping borders (3) 15 A metal ring adapted as part of riding equipment (10) 19 What Paddington needs are these sort of welcomes (4,4) 20 Sepia may be rose-coloured when losing head (3) 21 Buzzer required to keep new quiz game (7) 23 I left staff depressed by love for industrial worker (6) 24 A French charge covering right in servitude (6) 28 Took food up yard as challenge (4) 29 Vehicle carrying unknown government official given powers (4)

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First prize is The Chambers Thesaurus 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 413

Across

1 Authors (7) 5 Rule (5) 8 Leg joint (5) 9 Inveigh (7) 10 Con trick (7) 11 Free from dirt (5) 12 System, government (6) 14 Distant (6) 17 Eat heartily! (3,2) 19 Remainder (7) 22 Medical examination (5-2) 23 Precise (5) 24 Ocean-going ship (5) 25 Frightfully (7)

Down

1 Enfolds (5) 2 Vague suggestion (7) 3 Make improvements (5) 4 Heavy with moisture (6) 5 Reuse (7) 6 Furious (5) 7 Candidate (7) 12 Revolutionary (7) 13 Soubriquet (7) 15 Eccentric (7) 16 Italian firewater (6) 18 Eco; common (5) 20 Ledge (5) 21 Admission (5) Genius 411 solution

T represented tree

Winner: Roc Walker, Bristol Runners-up: Dr John Yeadon BDS, Horncastle, Lincolnshire; A D Kohn, Walberswick, Suffolk

Moron 411 solution Across: 1 Frieze, 4 Peach (Free speech), 8 Realm, 9 Initial, 10 Spinach, 11 Mete, 12 Ear, 14 Know, 15 Avid, 18 End, 21 Easy, 23 Retreat, 25 Shuttle, 26 Alibi, 27 Rally, 28 Recess. Down: 1 Forest, 2 Italian, 3 Zimbabwe, 4 Pail, 5 Alike, 6 Halved, 7 Tithe, 13 Rag trade, 16 Itemise, 17 Censer, 19 Dried, 20 Ethics, 22 Skull, 24 Stay.