The unclued lights were preceded by PETER (translation of 32A) to form phrases listed in Chambers or Brewer. First prize Christopher Bellew, London W6 Runners-up Alexander Caldin, Salford, Oxfordshire; Mark Roberts, Hostert, Luxembourg
The fictional SCHOLAR (28) was Billy Bunter, described by his creator, Frank Richards, as a ‘FAT GREEDY OWL (22A/31/26)’ (in ODQ). SILLY (13) and PUFFING (18) are associated with ‘Billy’ and KEUPER (4) and MUSCHELKALK (16D) (in Chambers individually and under ‘Triassic’) with ‘Bunter’. Title: ‘bunter’ is a low woman or mort. First prize
PERCH (13A), SCAR (21A and 10D), SHAD (40A), EEL (5D) AND CARP (19D) were ignored in wordplay in their clues. The other unclued lights are listed in Chambers as things you may FISH for. First prize P.D.H. Riddell, London SE23 Runners-up Lynne Gilchrist, Willoughby, Australia; A. Willson, Leicester
Unclued lights were set out in the form of two squares in the grid (shown here in red). The theme word was 18. 1, 10, 12 and 38 are defined by it in one sense; 15, 19 and 43 in another. Highlighting TIMES (square) gave the fourth example of a city square. First prize K.D.
Five perimeter entries, and 29 and 30, are types of BODYGUARD. First prize Amanda Spielman, London SW4 Runners-up Dr S.M. Sheerin, Princes Risborough, Bucks; Vincent Clark, Frant, East Sussex
The theme is CATS; the unclued Across lights are breeds of cats and unclued Down lights and TOPCAT (which had to be highlighted) are cats in literature or film. First prize Ray Nolan, Droylsden, Manchester Runners-up M.D. Conway, Amesbury, Salisbury; Glyn Watkins, Portishead, Bristol
Seven unclued lights are ANAGRAMS (23) of numbers. 2 (7A) + 11 (17) + 10 (40) + 16 (5) + 18 (6) + 3 (31) = 60 (36). First prize Jack Shonfield, Child Okeford, Dorset Runners-up Michael Ollerenshaw, Bowdon, Cheshire; M. Purdie, Cupar, Fife
The words FAST FORWARD (given by letters added to definitions in clues) define 42 and 11, both indicating the way in which loans (1, 13, 18, 25, 32 and 43) are supplied. First prize John Newell, Kingston upon Thames Runners-up Tim Hanks, Douglas, Isle of Man; Andrew Hawkins, Prenton, Wirral
The unclued lights can be arranged to give: ‘I decided to sell my Hoover … well, it was just collecting dust’ (by) Tim Vine. This was voted best one-liner at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe. First prize D. Morris, Birchington, Kent Runners-up Elizabeth Feinberg, Rancho Mirage, California; M. Day, London N6
Corrections of misprints in clues give BETWEEN THE SHEETS, the name of a COCKTAIL (1A) whose contents (11, 18/34, 29 and 40) appear in the grid between the sheets (19 and 21). First prize Jenny Mitchell, Croscombe, Wells, Somerset Runners-up G.R. Snailham, Windsor, Berkshire; Brian Midgley, Ettington, Warwickshire
The unclued lights are some of the words highlighted in Chambers 2011 which were unfortunately omitted from the 2014 edition of the dictionary owing to a printing misunderstanding. First prize Simon Fletcher, Twickenham, Middlesex Runners-up Chris Butler, Borough Green, Kent; Rowan Priestman, Burpham, Surrey
The quotation around the perimeter is from 25 — varieties of French cheese are highlighted. First prize Hugh Aplin, London SW19 Runners-up Alexia Dobbs, London SW1; Trevor Evans, Drulingen, France
Material from superfluous words in clues gives ‘fingers on buzzers’ (describing 2/20 and 8/33), ‘your starter for ten’ (indicating 31, which is defined by 24) and ‘have to hurry you’ — all PHRASES (4D) used by BAMBER GASCOIGNE when he presented University Challenge. 24 January 2015 was his 80th birthday. First prize Hilda Ball, Belfast
The unclued lights (including 10/1A) are operas by Giuseppe Verdi (whose name in translation is Joe Green). First prize Dr Simon Shaw, Goosnargh, Lancs Runners-up E.C. Wightman, Menston, W. Yorks; Hugh Thomas, Ixworth, Suffolk
The MUSICIAN (21), Rod Stewart CBE (25A), was born LXX (16) years ago on 10th January 1945. The associated works were MAGGIE MAY, EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY, SAILING and GASOLINE ALLEY. ROD (27), STEW (17) and ART (23) were to be shaded. First prize Mrs R.J.C. Shapland, Ilkeston, Derbyshire Runners-up Dr J.
Eight unclued lights were papal names used only once. Pope JOAN (30) was the fanciful ninth. First prize Michael Grosvenor Myer, Haddenham, Cambridge Runners-up Roderick Rhodes, Goldsborough, N. Yorks; Anne Manger, Penrith, Cumbria
First prize Roly Harris, London N1 Runners-up Michael Collins, Petts Wood, Kent; Clare Reynolds, London SE24; Tony Mouzer, Shard End, Birmingham Additional runners-up G.E. Bell, Hexham, Northumberland; Hugh Dales, Dysart, Fife; J. Caldwell, Winster, Windermere; Jenny Staveley, Kingsdown, Bristol; H.V. Machin, Gateford, Nottinghamshire; Lorraine James, Llanwrda, Dyfed
Ambrose Bierce defined history as an account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools. ‘Bunk’ is another famous definition of ‘history’. First prize Mrs J. James, Harrow, Middlesex Runners-up J.E. Green, St Albans, Herts; Neil Mendoza, London W11
