H CROSSWORD NO 1,886 H

TO ENTER Complete the crossword and count how many times the letter ‘N’ appears in the grid. Post your entry to YOU Crossword No 1,886, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Closing date is Friday, January 5. One random winner from all correct entries will win a €15 book voucher. The winner will be notified within 14 days (telephone number required). Solution in two weeks.

ACROSS

1 The person most likely to win a contest (5-6)

7 Unruly crowd (3)

9 Gavin, the British journalist and broadcaster (5)

10 Dosh made with little effort, sometimes dishonestly (4,5)

11 Disgraced, debased (8)

12 Mr Williams who was awarded the 1, 18 down by Stoke-on-Trent (6)

14 Maiden name of the current Princess of

Wales (9)

15 Money spent in France, Germany, Spain, etc (5)

17 Thin mattress on a low wooden frame that can be used as a bed (5)

19 Not having been exhibited or brought to public notice (9) 21 Be that as it may (4,2)

23 Where

Tony Christie (deservedly!) was awarded the

1, 18 down (8)

25 Where Gary Lineker was awarded the

1, 18 down (9)

26 Distinguished, renowned (5)

27 Place for a pig (3)

28 Slade singer awarded the

1, 18 down by Walsall (5,6)

DOWN

1 (and 18 down) Honour conferred by (usually) one’s birthplace (7,2,3,4)

2 Indebted, bound, grateful (7)

3 Hard-wearing outdoor cover (9)

4 Humdrum, ordinary (10)

5 John, the 19thcentury English town planner (4)

6 Shakespeare character in the Nato phonetic alphabet (5)

7 As found in a hotel bedroom (7)

8 Danny, the film director who was awarded the 1, 18 down by Bury (5)

13 What people from different social, racial or religious groups do when they wed (10) 15 International language (9)

16 Food requested in a restaurant to be served with the main dish (4,5)

18 See 1 down

20 Greeted, acknowledged (7)

21 Janet, Robin, Bret Easton, etc (5)

22 Michael, the actor, who was awarded the 1, 18 down by Neath

Port Talbot (5)

24 Style of poker (4)