‘10/30’ (4,1,4,3,2,4) is the first line of a song whose tune, originally called ‘1D’ (6,2,1,5), was composed by a future 40D/2 and was often played by 39/6. The song’s title explains 34. The composer’s surname will appear diagonally in the completed grid and must be shaded.
Five unclued Across lights are of a kind and are out of place as the five unclued Down lights.
3 28 40 1D 8 37. Two other unclued entries were involved. Ignore accents.
The unclued lights are three sets of three words of a kind, all linked by a theme word represented by one clued answer which must be highlighted. Across 1 Where pupils are receiving gentle hugs (8) 8 Finished structure erected in triumph (4) 11 Goal to renovate new hotel figures in Levantine region (5,7) 12 Fulminating, bottling tree secretion (5) 16 Reversing truck, beginning to indicate in case (4) 18 Repeat welcoming son is flipping tender?
Around the perimeter starting at square 20 and reading clockwise are five themed solutions, ten words in total. The other unclued lights (four pairs) continue the theme, if 12 Across is pluralised. Ignore two apostrophes. Across 11 Fiddle with jacket removed after a dip? (5) 13 Get rid of European visitor – that’s not socially acceptable (5) 14 Poor rating given to a dessert (7) 15 Revised a plan he got shaped like this (10) 20 Administers oath of office out of wariness (6,2) 23 Like some previous edition?
One unclued entry (three words) gives the theme, and five others give two-word names directly connected with it. Remaining unclued entries give two examples of the theme phrase, one of two words and one of three. Across 1 US underdogs willingly bring moggies under control?
The same word appears as eight headwords in Chambers. Unclued lights indicate what they mean. The word will appear in the completed grid and must be shaded.
The unclued lights (three of two words, one of which has an apostrophe) are of two kinds.
The unclued lights form five pairs, as suggested by the title. Across 6 Fashion blunted by useless needle (6) 10 Sister in action in a moving church feast (12) 13 Lily and Len backing boss (7) 16 Youth turns to another who’s idle (4) 17 Scarper from unstable ice-sheet (6,2) 21 Underclothes hang loosely? Twaddle (8) 23 Push in suggestion commonly vulgar (7) 25 Caledonian couple unwrapping software (3) 26 Being philosophical, making three points (3) 29 Goddess briefly so pink (8) 34 United to play this piece?
Singers will know that where ‘Q’ = ‘the number of’: Q34/22A x Q41/39/1D x Q3/8/38 = Q the 14. 41/39/1D is a 7D. 3/8/38 is four words in total.
The unclued Across lights (including a pair) are of a kind and the unclued Down lights can be preceded by another (associated) word. Across 1 To obtain acknowledgement, order direct (6) 13 Love making fuss about ... (5) 15 ... drink in The Wheatsheaf in encampment (5,4) 21 Coolness of pal stoned by wild mob (6) 22 Put up elsewhere, Spooner’s man phoned (2-4) 26 Perform some chorus in Gerontius?
22 5 42 14 25 31: 29-40, 10-26.
Around the perimeter, beginning at square 1, is a line of poetry (seven words, in ODQ) followed by the title of the poem (six words; one abbreviated word in the original title must be written out in full). Remaining unclued lights are of a kind, suggested by the quotation.
The unclued entries comprise two authors and a work of fiction, attributed by one author to the other. Each author occupies two unclued entries. Four of the unclued entries are two words each.
Round the grid from 1 runs a quotation (1,3,4.2,5,3,5,3,2,6) from a play followed by the dramatist’s name (two words). Two pairs of unclued lights give the name of the speaker and a sparring partner. Elsewhere, ignore an accent. Across 9 Romeo sharing bathroom with a woolly bear?
The unclued lights, two of two words, and including four pairs using two of the unclued lights twice, are of a kind. Across 1 Metal-workers task expanded reportedly to include trophy (4-4) 11 Bill’s new car. Capital! (5) 13 A way to work out the last part of Hedda Gabler, possibly (7) 17 Patrols out with new steel breastplate (8) 21 Dark patches from red-top special getting loads of money (8) 23 Charladies had omitted mixing pastries (7) 25 Crust of bread, for starters. Yes! (3) 26 River several recalled with nothing missing (3) 28 Old boys’ meeting concerning wedding (7) 29 Protection for half a day’s almost hell (8) 34 A fraction of Satanism in another form (8) 35 A river?
The unclued lights (including two pairs, one of which is three words, and one single light of three words) are of a kind, as found pleasingly in Brewer. Ignore three accents and one apostrophe.
Somewhere in 23D 30 July is important. Remaining unclued lights (including two pairs and a trio) give the place’s capital city, one of its volcanoes, an indigenous reptile and its national anthem. Its former name (three words) appears diagonally in the completed grid and must be shaded. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe. Across 1 Observe switch in fashion (4) 7 Brit abroad demolished fibros (6) 12 Lion beginning to nibble wader (5) 13 Jenny produces a lot of herrings (250) (5) 15 Secure sheep that’s penned (3,2) 18 Loose covers partly dry (4) 20 Harrow titan loses it (4) 21 Groom accepts alien child (3-4) 22 Fabric had by Lady of Shalott?
The unclued lights (two single words, one a proper noun, four pairs and one trio) share a certain feature. Across 4 Insightful patient, ever worried (11) 11 Report of joints at hideout in London suburb (7) 12 Instruction to massage deep’s not hard (6) 16 Fears one is concealing crime (5) 19 Escape from hospital, heading off to shelter (7) 23 Alien resident in El Salvador producing ipecac and suchlike (7) 25 Goes easy on the French in tears (7) 30 I came from Rome, my lad, for game (7) 32 Effective contact with cricketer Plunkett (not married) and one child (7) 34 = f....
