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
1 Leave TV with screen blank? (3, 3) 4 Normal kind of flag (8) 9 Journey organised later, about five (6) 10 Superficial sort apprehended during escape (4-4) 12 Oh! One kind of map needs turning to show central London area (4) 13 Discovered nothing in pension pot maybe (5) 14 Lied about being lazy (4) 17 Go mad describing branch of government (12) 20 In meeting question religious group’s purpose (5, 2, 5) 23 Relative is a bit daunting (4) 24 Tour arranged round entrance to restored city (5) 25 Controlled note made a resonating sound (4) 28 Appeared snooty, with nose like this? (6, 2) 29 Trees for half of estate (6) 30 Noel made fizzy drink (8) 31 ITV’s Political Editor runs from place in Lancashire (6)
DOWN
1 Seats I’d assembled at back of lounge, reserved for later use (3, 5) 2 Terribly posh eats in these cafés (8) 3 Measures taken by walkers (4) 5 It’s accepted chess pieces often are (5, 2, 5) 6 Number coming from Basildon in Essex (4) 7 Foreign ruler in possession of final schedule (6) 8 Smart salesman has flat turned over (6) 11 Area of Wimbledon or Clapham where everyone is in agreement? (6, 6) 15 Man at wedding, a stable sort (5) 16 Stick, i.e. stay at the wicket (5) 18 A radio presenter meets expert on New Testament nearby (8) 19 Reportedly, holiday resort’s to become less gloomy (8) 21 Transport allowed to turn round for business group (6) 22 Martin is lost in part of Northern Ireland (6) 26 Man becomes a church dignitary (4) 27 Really like nothing at Wimbledon (4)
QUICK CLUES
ACROSS
1 Embark on a journey (3, 3) 4 Calibre (8) 9 Time - - -, sci-fi trope (6) 10 Beauty is only - - -, proverb (4-4) 12 London entertainment district (4) 13 Establish, institute (5) 14 Eric - - -, Spamalot writer (4) 17 Of a company’s division (12) 20 Rules-violation query (5, 2, 5) 23 Agony - - -, advice columnist (4) 24 County town of Cornwall (5) 25 Chimed (4) 28 Raised – the volume, eg (6, 2) 29 Woodland (6) 30 Snowball’s mixer (8) 31 ITV political discussion show (6)
DOWN
1 Earmark (3, 5) 2 Cafés for an afternoon snack? (8) 3 - - - of clay, unrecognised weakness (4) 5 Acknowledged (5, 2, 5) 6 On cloud - - -, ecstatic (4) 7 List of items for discussion (6) 8 Spruce, trim (6) 11 Agreed basis (6, 6) 15 Horse attendant (5) 16 Twirling rod (5) 18 Neighbouring (8) 19 Become sunny (8) 21 Association of suppliers (6) 22 Northern Irish county (6) 26 Oxford fellow (4) 27 - - - Actually, Christmas romcom (4)