Doc

2299: Pieces of Eight

One unclued light is the origin of the remaining unclued lights (three of two words), individually or as a pair.   Across 4    Stagnation’s the making of these adversaries (11) 11    It’s for refreshment in moderation — there’s no din (7) 12    Reptile from southern-most headland (6) 13    Nut lovers’ collection in Laurel’s birthplace (9)

to 2296: Men of note

The unclued lights are seven COMPOSERS whose surnames begin with A to G, along with the eighth beginning with H, which is B natural in German notation.   First prize Oliver Miles, Oxford Runners-up Miriam Moran, Pangbourne, Berks Tom Eadon, Melton Mowbray, Leicsa

2296: Men of note

The unclued lights, which include the German eighth, are of a kind. Ignore all accents.   Across 1    Lines fish in strips (8) 6    Dads receiving trophy before drinks (6) 10    Being against work place on outskirts of Arundel (12) 11    Children are a bone of contention (5) 17    Sentence lout over pinching high-class rescue

to 2293: Topping

The unclued lights are items of headgear.   First prize Tony Watson, Twyford, Berkshire Runners-up Philip Berridge, Spalding, Lincolnshire; R.C. Teuton, Frampton Cotterell, Bristol

2293: Topping

The unclued lights (one of two words and one hyphened) are of a kind, all verifiable in Chambers.   Across 4    Night-flier in gear (11, two words) 11    Fancy pictures from one publication with topless sequences (9) 14    City faraway from Helsinki, evidently (4) 15    Aunt Sally is retiring (3) 18    Dropping openers, new eleven win

to 2290: Timely II

Perimetric trios combine to suggest HOG/MAN/AY: SHILLING, MALE, INDEED; SWINE, ATTENDANT, YES; MOUND, EMPLOYEE, EVER. The relevant activity is FIRST-FOOTING (35/25/16) and the relevant name is SYLVESTER (11).   First prize Helen Hinder, Knaphill, Surrey Runners-up Mrs J. Smith, Beeston, Norfolk; Bill Stewart, Leicester

to 2287: Quarry

Unclued lights are types of LIMESTONE. First prize Frances Whitehead, Harrogate, North Yorks Runners-up Margaret Almond, Sholing, Hants; P.D.H. Riddell, London SE23

2289: I don’t believe it!

The unclued lights, as a singleton and four pairs with one unclued light doing double duty, are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. Two of the unclued lights are of three words, one including an abbreviation. All but one of the remaining unclued lights are of two words. Ignore two apostrophes.   Across 10   

to 2286: B

The unclued lights are provinces or areas of BELGIUM.   First prize C.R. Haigh, Hassocks, West Sussex Runners-up Frank McDonald, Carron, Falkirk; I. Lyttle, Armagh

2286: B

The unclued lights are of a kind. Ignore one grave accent.   Across   1    Hails a picador, awfully exciting (13) 11    Difficult child had fun playing close to school (7) 12    Father has undone Turk’s head (5) 14    As You Like It — a piece of theatre by Shakespeare (6, two words) 16    Peg

to 2283: be damned

The unclued lights are PUBLISHING FIRMS. Our apologies for the omission of clue 42 Across. It went missing during the production stage. It should have read: 42 Enticing action Latino attains oddly (13)   First prize Jenny Gubb, Uffculme, Devon Runners-up Philip Berridge, Spalding, Lincolnshire; Mrs E. Knights, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

2283: Be damned

The unclued lights (one of two words, one of three and-another of four components) are of a kind. Chambers gives only a cognate of the solution at 7 Down.   Across 9    River in middle of West Bank city (4) 11    Seafarer of marked individuality, but primitive (10) 12    Clear illustration includes appendage of seed

to 2280: Acorns

The unclued lights are famous British OAK trees.   First prize Gerry Fairweather, Layer Marney, Essex Runners-up Mrs L. Ashley, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex; Jan Thompson, Bolton, Lancs.

2280: Acorns

The unclued lights are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. Ignore one apostrophe.   Across   1     Top for one dining in Cornwall? (7) 11     Rainy weather trapped everyone, in case (6) 12     Chosen the same, leaderless (7) 14     Old sweetheart at short race track (5) 16     Hang around. Look

to 2277: Royalty

The theme word is KING and the pairs are 4/41, 14/1A, 19/27, 34/16 and 38/24.   First prize C.V. Clark, London WC1 Runners-up C.S.G. Elengorn, Enfield, Middlesex; Jacqui Sohn, Gorleston, Norfolk

2277: Royalty

Having solved the puzzle, solvers are required to highlight a 2×2 square which contains the four letters of the otherwise unclued theme word. This theme word can be paired with five of the unclued lights. The resulting pairs are then defined by the remaining five unclued lights (two of two words), all of which can

to 2274: round and round

The unclued lights are stations of the London Underground CIRCLE Line. BAYSWATER is the paired theme-word. Solvers had to highlight TOWER HILL in yellow, as per the Line’s colour on a London Tube Map.   First prize Janet Hill, Brighton Runners-up Gay Roper, Weston Underwood, Bucks; Don Young, Oldham

2274: Round and round

The perimeter squares yield six theme-words in order, though any one of them can come first. The remaining unclued lights (two individually and a pair) reveal three more theme words. Solvers are asked to highlight in the appropriate colour a final two-word theme-word hidden in two rows in the completed grid.   Across   6   

to 2271: I’m not here or there

All but one of the unclued lights can be preceded by DOCTOR (or in one case DOC). The title also explains why DOC’s name (as the compiler) was omitted from the heading of the puzzle. Solvers were required to highlight CAPE at 38 Down which yields ‘Cape Doctor’ where Doctor follows rather than precedes the

To 2268: In state

The unclued lights are US STATE CAPITALS. First prize Stewart Jones, Winchester, Hants Runners-up John M. Brown, Rolleston-on-Dove, Staffs; Gareth Davies, Langstone, Newport