PRIZE CROSSWORD
For this puzzle we’ve provided two sets of clues, each giving the same answers. One set of clues is cryptic, one set is quick. It’s a good way to hone your skills, because it gives you two ways to crack the crossword! Two winners will be chosen randomly from all entries (cryptic and quick clues). So whichever set of clues you follow you have an equal chance of winning!
CRYPTIC CLUES
ACROSS 6 Squeezed instrument and shredded cocoa rind (9) 8 & 10A Disgraced, as boxers sometimes are (2,3,8) 10 See 8A 11 A group of directors ready for cruise? (6) 12 Labourer against being in one of the armed services (5) 14 Look very pleased to live with American (4) 15 Agitate in prison (4) 17 Councillor consumed container (5) 18 Put a stop to discussion, ultimately, between two editors (5) 22 Bumpy ride is disastrous (4) 23 Real trouble for Shakespearean king (4) 24 Ringo is a celebrity, so we’re told (5) 26 Some critic lauded Monet, perhaps (6) 28 & 30A Bling dealers confused about English fashion logo (8, 5) 30 See 28A 31 It’s not hard cash that is obtained effortlessly (4, 5) DOWN 1 A European engages second-rate circus performer (7) 2 Goodness! Hog’s well-cooked (4) 3 But we linger outside (7) 4 Data from rainforest (4) 5 Cleaner story from Chaplin, for example (7) 7 Barrel of diamonds and booze (4) 9 I’m turning up in tatty jeans, yellow in colour (7) 13 French author never translated (5) 15 Here’s dessert, darling (5) 16 Ben the actor is more placid (7) 19 Deceive, spreading mad lies (7) 20 Dan Shaw adjusted carpentry tool (7) 21 Native American salesman returned plant (7) 25 Party game is extremely petty (1-3) 27 Employer sure to get roughed up (4) 29 Proceed, fool (4)
QUICK CLUES
ACROSS 6 Squeeze-box (9) 8 & 10A Out of favour (2, 3,8) 10 See 8A 11 ‘All - - -!’, call to passengers (6) 12 Unskilled worker (5) 14 Ray (4) 15 Rouse, awaken (4) 17 Wooden box (5) 18 Finished (5) 22 Appalling (4) 23 Edward - - -, English limerick writer (4) 24 Surname of the drummer for the Beatles (5) 26 - - - Debussy, French composer (6) 28 & 30A Prestigious make of clothes or accessories (8, 5) 30 See 28A 31 Wealth gained simply and sometimes dishonestly (4, 5) DOWN 1 Entertainer whose acts require skill and agility (7) 2 Exclamation of surprise (4) 3 Nonetheless (7) 4 Particulars, facts (4) 5 Code word for ‘C’ (7) 7 Percussion instrument (4) 9 Tea flavouring, or a girl’s name (7) 13 Jules - - -, early science fiction writer (5) 15 Gentle, or sugary (5) 16 Ben - - -, actor who stars in Zoolander (7) 19 Hoodwink (7) 20 Woodworker’s piece of kit (7) 21 Climbing flora (7) 25 Children’s distraction? (1-3) 27 Operator (4) 29 Eccentric person (4)