Crossword solution

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

‘ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME’ (1D/19) is a work by AUGUSTUS TOPLADY (18/13). ELIZABETH WINDSOR (4A/26) and MICHELLE OBAMA (12/34A) were each suggested by TOPLADY. Title: associated hymn tune.   First prize Peter and Jeannie Chamberlain, Rushden, Northants   Runners-up M. Purdie, Cupar, Fife; Mrs Rhiannon Hales, Ilfracombe, Devon

Answers to clues in italics — stramash (1A), pasteboard (33) and lineated (36) — are treated as in the ROMAN (15A) custom of SUOVETAURILIA (1D), involving the SACRIFICE (4A) of a sheep, a pig and an ox, to create entries defined by 32, 21 and 22.   First prize David Henderson, Almonte, Ontario Runners-up Chris

The eight unclued lights are anagrams of eight clued solutions: 2/12, 3/13, 8/35, 16/40, 18/28, 19/30, 24/27 and 26/38. First prize Eileen Robinson, Sheffield Runners-up John Bartlett, Shirley, Solihull; M. Taylor, Eskbank, Midlothian

The theme word is PHOENIX (38A). 6A, 12A and 26A are legendary birds; 15A, 28A and 4D are state capitals; 16A, 30D and 37D are the ‘Southern Birds’ constellations. The title was suggested by River Phoenix and the Phoenix Islands. First prize Gordon Hobbs, Woodford Green, Essex Runners-up Paul Elliott, London W12; Steve Reszetniak, Enfield,

Unclued lights (11/1D, 12/35, 15, 18/1D and 22/17) are fences of the Grand National course, together with two famous winners (19 and 29). First prize Barry Butler, Birmingham Runners-up Mrs J. Smith, Beeston, Norfolk; R. Wightman, Menston, W. Yorks

The unclued are locations on SKYE, ‘The Misty Isle’ (solutions at 15 and 31). ISLE does double duty in 15/31 and 31/33. The title suggests ‘Over the sea to Skye’, the isle now being linked to the mainland by a bridge. V/W at 41 Across refers to the alternatives Waternish and Vaternish. First prize D.P.

Unclued lights each contained a different TREY (20) from the alphabet: AFGHAN (24), CANOPY (27), DINGHIES (42), DABCHICK (1D), HYMNODY (5), KARSTIFY (6), ASTUTE (10), CALMNESS (26) and MADEFY (30D). The title suggested KLM. First prize Mrs R. Hales, Ilfracombe, Devon Runners-up E. Reuben, New Barnet, London;R. Hainsworth, Clapham, Lancaster

Extra letters in clues plus 1A give ‘the separation of philosophers into sages and cranks’, an extract from a quotation by QUINE (35). 24, 25, 29 are sages; 17, 39, 42 are cranks. First prize Storm Hutchinson, Dulas, Anglesey Runners-up William Spont, Bellingham, Massachusetts; Nick Hussey, Overton, Hampshire

The unclued lights are ROMAN CROWNS. First prize Philip Hawkins, Wirksworth, Matlock, Derbyshire Runners-up G.H.Willetts, London SW19; Chris Edwards, Pudsey, Leeds

The END (19) of Rameau, a great COMPOSER (1A) of OPERAS (6) and for the CLAVECIN (1D), occurred in PARIS (37) CCL (25) years ago, on 12th September 1764. Born in DIJON (21), he was a friend of VOLTAIRE (26) and an enemy of ROUSSEAU (41). RAM (29) and EAU (31) were to be shaded.

FURBELOWS — given by initial letters of superfluous words in clues — can be read as FUR BELOW S, indicating the unclued lights in each of four columns in the grid. First prize F.J. Bentley, Tiverton, Devon Runners-up Bertie Ledward, London SW11; M. Taylor, Eskbank, Midlothian

The unclued lights are abbreviations of seven English and one Welsh county, which themselves are inflected headwords in Chambers. (Consequently, Hants at 35 Across was disallowed) First prize Christina Casement, West Harting, Hampshire Runners-up R.C. Teuton, Frampton Cotterell, Nr Bristol; Jane Smith, Beeston, Kings Lynn, Norfolk

In Vanity Fair (18/2), George Osborne is associated with 6/30 and 10/31. As Chancellor, he was preceded by 8, 26 and 29. First prize Stephen Gore, Seer Green, Bucks Runners-up Brian Midgley, Ettington, Warwickshire; Nicola Fletcher, Horsmonden, Kent

Songs by KATE BUSH include WUTHERING HEIGHTS, HAMMER HORROR, HOUNDS OF LOVE and CLOUDBUSTING in the perimeter, and (defined by the puzzle’s title) WOW.   First prize Chris James, Ruislip Manor, Middlesex Runners-up Alexander Caldin, Salford, Oxfordshire; Roderick Rhodes, Goldsborough, N. Yorks

The unclued lights are BUTTERFLIES (as is the ‘comma’ in the title). The pairs are 7/34A, 13/24, 33/6 and 35/25.   First prize Sheila Beesley, Coventry Runners-up J. Caldwell, Winster, Windermere; Kim Conchie, Falmouth, Cornwall