CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
FOR your chance to win, solve the crossword to reveal the word reading down the shaded boxes. HOW TO ENTER: Call 0901 293 6233 and leave today’s answer and your details, or TEXT 65700 with the word CRYPTIC, your answer and your name. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Or enter by post by sending completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword No 16,050, PO Box 28, Colchester, Essex CO2 8GF. Please include your name and address. One weekly winner chosen from all correct daily entries received between 00.01 Monday and 23.59 Friday. Postal entries must be datestamped no later than the following day to qualify. Calls/texts must be received by 23.59; answers change at 00.01. UK residents aged 18+, exc NI. Terms apply, see Page 60.
ACROSS
1 I hear there’s not much weight to declare (8) 5 Meat and veg (6) 9 Little woman cuts tough grass plant used in cooking (8) 10 Left a large opening (6) 12 Where some old hostesses operated primarily? (4) 13 Avoid lessons tyrant Paul organised (4,6) 15 Questioned angry former dictator with journalist (5-8) 19 Pioneering centre ended up being demolished (13) 23 Not educated, having no character? (10) 25 Bird tucked into Garibaldi biscuits (4) 28 Two girls, one piano (6) 29 Fix curtains at home? That’s a cushy job (8) 30 Briefly watch spy going round further away (6) 31 Nervous soldier in a gallery departs (8)
DOWN
1 Ace failed to win over Mark? Not quite (6) 2 It’s not hard to accept Republican point (5) 3 Flying Officer probes American mysterious aircraft? (4) 4 Wine from Switzerland upset Basil (7) 6 A person from Morocco quoted affair (5) 7 Prepared for new job exercise in plant (9) 8 Comfortable old towel disintegrated (4-2-2) 11 Big cat in seaside golf course picked up (4) 14 Good unit disappeared (4) 15 Support in Caribbean island for very fine vessel (9) 16 Finish object (3) 17 Little child’s strength reported (4) 18 Accommodate patriarch’s dodgy scheme (3-2,3) 20 It carries water etc., with or without top (4) 21 Time for ironing? (7) 22 Move up when cold with 16 (6) 24 Musical group upset part of joint (5) 26 Plain-spoken Soviet agent (5) 27 Worst footballer! (4)