Crossword solution

The unclued lights are PAINTING terms.   First prize Martina Fabian, Bourne End, Bucks Runners-up Phillip Wickens, Faygate, West Sussex; A.H.

The unclued lights are all words derived from names in the work of Charles Dickens.   First prize David Brewis, Windsor, Berks Runners-up F.A.

Unclued lights are DWARFS.

The unclued lights, including the pair at 35/28, are CAKES.

The painters were Millais (suggested by BOXING MATCH/SLOTHS: 1A/9D), Constable (GYP/FIRM: 7A/35), Gainsborough (EARNS/BROOKLYN: 29/24) and Landseer (NATION/SOOTHSAYER: 30/19).   The title suggested Hogarth.   First prize R.J.

The DODO (30) organised the CAUCUS RACE (12) to get dry. Participants included ALICE (2), EAGLET (7), DUCK (17), MOUSE (31) and LORY (42). EVERYBODY (33) won, and the prizes were COMFITS (10) and a THIMBLE (39).   First prize  John Fahy, Thaxted, Essex Runners-up  A.M.

Each of the pairs of unclued lights is a CITY (formed from the letters in the yellow squares) and its nickname: 6D/11, 9/34, 13/29 and 28/18.

On 19 October John le Carré turned eighty-eight (hinted at by TWO FAT LADIES (19/26/20)). His real forenames are DAVID JOHN MOORE (1A). The titles suggested were A Perfect Spy (GOLDEN MOLE: 16), The Looking Glass War (RAW: 29), A Small Town in Germany (BAD REICHENHALL: 46), The Russia House (ROMANOV: 21) and The Little Drummer Girl (the puzzle’s title). CORNWELL (27) was to be shaded.   First prize Alastair Aberdare, London SW13 Runners-up David Morris, Birchington, Kent; D & D.

The unclued lights are linked with MAN (at 7A). AXE and AGE were also allowed at 40A. Thanks to various people for pointing this out.

The unclued lights are stations along the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh train line, the pairs being 8/9 and 29/39. The title suggested a railway version of the ‘Road to the Isles’.   First prize A.T.

The unclued lights are all constructed (as opposed to natural) languages, also known as conlangs.

The unclued lights relate to SUPERMAN (6D), his alter ego CLARK KENT (26A), nickname (the) MAN OF STEEL (8), planet KRYPTON (27), city METROPOLIS (18), employer (the) DAILY PLANET (35/16) and arch-enemy LEX LUTHOR (22). The title, as well as giving wordplay for HERO, suggests LOIS LANE, who appears hidden in row 4.   First prize Ian Skillen, Cambuslang, Glasgow Runners-up  Frank Anstis, Truro, Cornwall; Mrs R.J.C.

The unclued lights are regular contributors to the pages of The Spectator week by week. 5/35, 8/10, 12/28, 13, 21A/33 and 21D, 39/26. DOC (in 25) had to be highlighted.   First prize Charles Barr, Norwich Runners-up Roderick Rhodes, Goldsborough, N.

The poem is La Belle Dame sans Merci by John Keats. ATONY (2), CORYZA (3), LOCKJAW (6), ENTERITIS (8) and NEUROMA (13) are examples of WHAT CAN AIL THEE (1A), while AND NO BIRDS SING might be a comment on GOOSE (26), MARABOU (28), CRANE (38) and RAVEN (39). JK, upwards in the tenth column, was to be shaded.   First prize David Threasher, London W5 Runners-up Chris Edwards, Pudsey, Leeds; Mrs J.

The unclued lights were all leaders of the USSR.

The unclued Across lights are words abbreviated by F which includes ‘40’ and the unclued Down lights are abbreviated by f which includes ‘furlongs’.

Fats WALLER (5), who has been called ‘THE BLACK HOROWITZ’ (40/37/1A), was born in NEW YORK (28) and died in KANSAS CITY (30/36). He was a reluctant ‘guest’ at CAPONE’s (16) 27th birthday party. SLOUCHY (22) and KEROSENE (43) combine to form an anagram of HONEYSUCKLE ROSE, while the title of the puzzle suggests AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’. WALLER (5) was to be shaded.

1, 4, 23 and 30 are livery companies (33/22). They are found in The 21 and 2 (the singular of a fifth unclued light). 18 is partly thematic (DYERS), 3 was a high officer, while 7 and 28 show status.

The unclued lights are English place names which include a number in their spelling. These words appeared as figures in the grid — eg BRENTWOOD appears as BREN2OD in the grid. Ruyton XI Towns needed no change!   First prize Peter Gregson, Amersham, Bucks Runners-up J. Smith, Beeston, Norfolk; L.