FILM FANS (18) will know that numbers in the problem are linked to film titles: Seven BRIDES (1D) for Seven BROTHERS (22); The Four FEATHERS (5A); 12 ANGRY MEN (37/35); Five EASY PIECES (11/42). 7 x ([4 x 12] – 5) x 7 = 2107, the number of the CROSSWORD (19). First prize Katy Berry,
YEARLY FAST (30 3) defines LENT (36) and is also a cryptic indication of PAPACY (16A — i.e. pa + pacy). Lent is followed by EASTER (34), marked with a BLESSING (40) known as URBI ET ORBI (2) by the holder of the papacy, currently Pope FRANCIS (28A). First prize B. Taylor, Little Lever, Bolton
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (38/12/5) gave rise to 1D, 19 and 36/28 which starred 7 and 34 and Eric IDLE (puzzle’s title). First prize Mrs M.C. Conway, Sale, Manchester Runners-up Chris Edwards, Pudsey, Leeds; Margaret Lusk, Preston, Lancs
The quotation is 16/28/10/2/23, from The Rape of the Lock by POPE (highlighted). Remaining unclued lights each start with a word for a hairstyle: 6A AFRONT, 27D CROPPER, 30D PERMIT, 35A BOBA. First prize Alan West, Bolton Runners-up Barry Roe, Wigston, Leicester; Keith Norcott, Warden Hill, Cheltenham
Extra words to be removed from clues were: ‘Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And, sorry I could not travel both’. The lines of verse appearing in the grid (highlighted for clarity only) were ‘I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference’ from the poem ‘The Road Less
Each of the four paired lights (at 1A/4, 13/14, 30/31 and 32/33) forms a RIGHT ANGLE which is the solution in each case. Four right angles equal THREE SIXTY DEGREES (the solutions at 23/40/15), thus making the FULL CIRCLE of the title. First prize R.R. Alford, Oundle, Peterborough Runners-up Jenny Atkinson, Little Chalfont, Bucks; Lewis
The works were novels by Evelyn Waugh: Put Out More Flags (anagram of 1A/35), Black Mischief (16/23), The Loved One (17/7D) and Vile Bodies (21A/31). First prize Miriam Moran, Pangbourne, Berks Runners-up Mrs R.J.C. Shapland, Ilkeston, Derbyshire; John Light, Addlestone, Surrey
Corrections of misprints in clues give PAPER OVER THE CRACKS, indicating the position of 12 in relation to the other unclued lights. First prize Kenneth M. Robb, Linlithgow Runners-up Alexander Caldin, Salford, Oxfordshire; Ben Stephenson, London SW12
The unclued lights formed from the anagrams of the Lover’s Knot clues are boys’ and girls’ names, entered at consecutive solutions, as follows: 1D/2; 15/18; 21A/23; 27/30; 29/31. First prize Vivienne Pyatt, Arkesden, Essex Runners-up S.L. Jordan, Didcot, Oxon; Fiona and Jean Daniels, Sydney, Australia
The song was ‘MY HEART BELONGS TO DADDY’ (4D/18/13) (Cole Porter). A word for ‘father’ is the centre of four unclued lights: E[POP]T (1A), MIS[GOV]ERN (4A), SU[PERE]GO (22) and SKE[DAD]DLE (40). COLE (35) and PORTER (3) were to be shaded. First prize Joan Kendall, Thundridge, Ware, Herts Runners-up Mrs Jane Smith, Beeston, King’s Lynn,
1D, 2 40, 12 and 15 36 are PERSONAE (43) that have been adopted by DAVID BOWIE. Unchecked letters of unclued lights are supplied by the thematically allusive astronaut writer, piano guy spelt by extra letters in clues. First prize Simon Harris, London SE21 Runners-up Trevor Evans, Drulingen, France; Kevin Ward, Quorn, Leicestershire
The unclued lights are six US composers, at 4 and 24, and the pairs at 9/11, 21A/32, 25/16 and 35/3. First prize Jed Brignal, Nottingham Runners-up Alan Hook, York; Lewis Corner, South Fremantle, Western Australia
The unclued lights are alcoholic drinks, and thus might be included, if one was getting a round in. First prize David Heath, Elston, Newark Runners-up Mrs J. Vernalls, Thame, Oxfordshire; David Jenkinson, Matlock, Derbyshire
Corrected definitions were: 12A camper; 15A bairn; 28A plants; 37A yearn; 39A fines (pl. of finis); 43A beard; 6D paras; 19D vice; 25D coin; 40D shot. Missing letters spelt MILES DAVIS, whose work 42A defines the other unclued lights. First prize C.R. Haigh, Hassocks, West Sussex Runners-up Heather Kingham, Barnay, France; John Driver, London SE13
The unclued LIGHTS are LEADERS, verifiable under the entry for RULERS in Brewer. First prize Sandra Speak, Dursley, Glos Runners-up P. and R. Dacre, York; Norma Jacobs, Linton, Wetherby
DING DONG MERRILY ON HIGH (2A), SEE AMID THE WINTER’S SNOW (118), ONCE IN ROYAL DAVID’S CITY (1) and WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED (19) are the opening words of Christmas carols, as are ‘I saw three ships come sailing in’. SIGHT (53) and ROUND WINDOW (8/92) each define ‘eye’, which sounds like ‘I’; GANG (39), PIT
Answers to clues in italics are pie (13), as (15), unled (22) and heel (27). In each case it is necessary to PUT IN AN APPEARANCE (32 10) to create the grid entry. Definitions of thematic entries are 3, 16, 40 and 12. First prize Belinda Bridgen, London NW8 Runners-up A.L. James, Winchester, Hants; P.J.W.
The unclued Down lights are PLAIN Janes and the unclued Across lights are SIMPLE Simons. First prize Di Arbuthnot, Hungerford, Berkshire Runners-up Nigel Woolliscroft, Newcastle-under-Lyme; Barry Butler, Birmingham
HAL DAVID (15) and ANDY WILLIAMS (12/19) died on the 1st and 25th September 2012. The former produced the LYRICS (29) of the OSCAR (4)-winning song ‘RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN’ ON MY HEAD’ (1A/18/39), while the latter made a successful ALBUM (33) of the same name. First prize Christopher Bull, Fleet, Hampshire Runners-up Jason James, Cambridge;
The unclued lights (16D/21? 16D/16A/23/38/24/11/14?) form a quotation by SHYLOCK in The Merchant of Venice. A number of references to the play and its opposition between Jews and Christians were included in the clues. First prize Hilda Ball, Belfast Runners-up Philip Hawkins, Matlock, Derbyshire; Michael Debenham, Shrewsbury
