The initial letter of all 24 Across solutions (whether clued or unclued), when read in clue order, reveal six examples of a quartet. Their significance is explained by the unclued lights when arranged in the correct order, with an apostrophe included.
Across
5 Intimate talk that covers tea-pot and Minet (4,4)
9 Long-term jobs for support workers out East (7)
10 Irish waters, look! So horrible! (5)
12 Wild nandu at hamlet near Broadford on Skye (5)
13 Leather-worker ignored one Brontë sister (6)
14 Peaceful happiness of northern campers, perhaps, in bed (11)
15 Hutton’s negative reply in Paris to Beatle (6)
17 Made life difficult somewhat, turning dirty (7)
19 Life-force of Phi’s follower (3)
24 Leo and Linda re-worked ship’s cargo indicator (4,4)
26 The same taxi (not black) on Caribbean island (8)
29 Proprietary cleaning brand starts to create immediate freshness (3)
30 Artilleryman having drinking mug. No! Never! (9)
32 Notice friend returning work stations (7)
33 He removes bobbins and his hat (6)
34 For a corona – choral dirge is rearranged (5-6)
36 Fold on the pitch (6)
37 St John’s Wood venue for bigwigs (5)
38 Conferences on limiting food? (5)
39 Boxer’s large yacht (7)
40 Profit from cleric quaffing his bubbly (4,2,2)
41 Went away with the French paper (4)
Down
1 Openers from Lancashire and Essex put on 500-ish in easy task (6)
2 Clerics mentioned in 40 soon call out (7)
3 Carbohydrate from large dog in state (8)
5 Quantity of fish caught and smuggled (4)
6 Commune in Eure-et-Loir where Myra and Esau got hammered (8)
7 Small 35 from moulding left indoors (8)
8 Displaying harmony in reggae arrangement (8)
16 Maxwell regularly holds tool (3)
20 C12th philosopher wrecked a ladder (7)
21 A small measure taken by a firm following return for bread (8)
23 Stop and help up clergyman right away (8)
25 Castle in Oban exchanging film categories in 24, maybe (8)
28 Official who provides a testimonial (7)
31 Health of sportsmen having appeal (6)
33 Warning to avoid going round bend and this ring (5)
35 Cape familiar to the matador? (4)
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A first prize of a £30 John Lewis voucher and two runners-up prizes of £20 vouchers for the first correct solutions opened on 13 July. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@spectator.co.uk, or post to: Crossword 2758, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP.
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