crossword
A prize of £15 in book tokens will be awarded for the first correct solution opened. Solutions must reach Crossword No 4474, Country Life, Pinehurst II, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough Business Park, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 7BF, by Tuesday, April 18. UK entrants only.
ACROSS
1 But such a bed is not in such good order! (5-3) 5 Snub concerning enthusiast (6) 9 Dance employing two wind instruments? (8) 10 Unmarried woman left holding a service book ((6) 11 Gas breaking up riot in northern news (8) 12 vehicle taking part in test at ely? (6) 14 Spiteful books on rodent of masculine gender (10) 18 Increase effect of powerful ruler protecting island (10) 22 Most of the tribe in ancient country (6) 23 Girl welcoming europeans and Africans (8) 24 Time to back old republican press chief (6) 25 Impartiality not associated with brunettes? (8) 26 Seal, or young bird, say? (6) 27 Advocate in rent-a-toy fiasco (8)
DOWN
1 A couple of Poles touring the capital (6) 2 Brigand originally participating in charge (6) 3 Tactic half of them first use (6) 4 endlessly inspire a city opera manager (10) 6 Discharge from european embassy (8) 7 Used a net ineptly, getting thrown from saddle (8) 8 voice used in skirmish south of Cornish river (8) 13 relax with relative outside regiment’s eating-place (10) 15 Don’t see so much? It’s immaculate (8) 16 Bird gazing fixedly across lake (8) 17 Short story requiring unusually neat code (8) 19 Coiffure seen in musical party (6) 20 He has control in this place (6) 21 Woollen garment for a light brown cow? (6)
SOLUTION TO 4473 (Winner will be announced in two weeks’ time) ACROSS: 1, Distress signal; 7, Admission; 9, Drake; 10, Weightier; 12, Niche; 13, Eton College; 14, Thatcherism; 19, Alpha; 20, Exorciser; 22, Trick; 23, Tattooist; 24, Cross-examining. DOWN: 1, Dead-end street; 2, Scratch; 3, Referee; 4, Sidle; 5, Gasohol; 6, Asinine; 8, Nerve-wracking; 10,Woofers; 11, Itchier; 15, Adopter; 16, Cocoons; 17, Martini; 18, A priori; 21, Essex.
Winner of 4471 is Justin Bendig, Banstead, Surrey.