A PENTAD (5) of COMPOSERS (12) lost the letters N, E and T: S[T]OCKHAUS[EN] (1A), S[T]AI[NE]R (18), SM[ET]A[N]A (37), HI[N]D[E]MI[T]H (3) and PAL[E]S[T]RI[N]A (27). First prize Mike Atkin, Butterton, Staffs Runners-up C.W. Hastings, Upper Woolhampton; J. Sanders, Southampton, Hants
The TITLE (36) gives WORDS (34) that, if combined, ANAGRAMMATISED (42) and suffixed to DUMP, defined by 7, 10, 12 and 22, produce the PSEUDONYM (8) ‘Dumpynose’. DUMP appears in the fifth row of the grid and was to be shaded. First prize Annabel Gaba, London NW6 Runners-up Charles Hastings, Upper Woolhampton; Lucy Mo, Withington,
‘1A (four words)!’ is a quotation suggesting the link between the other seven unclued lights (all real words). The domain of the screamer is a clued light and must be shaded. Across 11 Ailing I lie abed a couple of times and weaken (10) 14 Suit Australian stored in home county (6) 17 Student wrenched
The ten unclued lights were all types of ants and were therefore defined by 7D. First prize B. Taylor, Bolton Runners-up Neville Twickel, Shipston-on-Stour, Warks; M. O’Hanlon, North Berwick, Scotland
The 36 gives 34 that, if combined, 42 and suffixed to the word defined by each of 7, 10, 12 and 22, produce a 8. The defined word appears hidden in the completed grid and must be shaded. Elsewhere, ignore an accent. Across 1 Parties have a nap then start Olympic event (14, four words)