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The unclued lights, either individually or as a pair, are of a kind. Ignore one accent. Across 4 Read tea-leaves with nettle and flour ingredients (11, two words) 12 Rejected English found in pithy sayings (6) 14 Silent block (5) 19 Spare book (7) 21 Pay some Brazilian temp (4) 24 Ex-giant, literally (4)
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The unclued lights are FRENCH DÉPARTEMENTS, with five of them placed in the grid at their correct administrative number: 2, 3, 25, 36, and 39. First prize Gordon Hobbs, Woodford Green, Essex Runners-up Rowan Priestman, Burpham, Guildford; J. Caldwell, Winster, Windermere
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The unclued lights, five of which are correctly numbered, are of a kind. Ignore one accent. Chambers does not include the solution at 29D. Across 01 Have nothing to do with letter read out to John — needs amending (13, five words) 09 European dormouse cutting 42 thematically (4) 11 Countrywomen
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The word pyramid runs from CAN at 7A, then 35, 36, 30, 5, 2, 21D, 19 to CONSIDERATE at 1A. First prize John Sparrow, Padbury, Bucks Runners-up Andreas Fabian, Dunsden, Oxon; John Newell, Kingston upon Thames
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The unclued lights (one of two words and another hyphened) can be arranged to form a word pyramid of 3 to 11 letters, adding one letter and making an anagram step by step. Across 11 Demands performances from the past? (6) 13 Totally obsessed having cleared the plate (7, two words)
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The unclued lights (paired at 14/38. 23/17 and 34/2) are SPECTATOR journalists or contributors. First prize Dr David Jerwood, Keighley, W. Yorkshire Runners-up Michael Moran, Penrith, Cumbria; Trevor Evans, Drulingen, France
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The unclued lights (two of two words), individually or as pairs, are of a kind. Elsewhere, ignore one accent. Across 9 Aromatic fragrance from front half of royal residence (4) 11 How embroiderers’ work fell apart — without any trouble (10) 12 The best spinners? (4) 16 Loved one
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The unclued lights are heraldic terms. First prize Simon Horobin, Kidlington, Oxon Runners-up Mick O’Halloran, Dunsborough, Australia; John Roberts, Cheltenham, Glos
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The unclued lights are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. Elsewhere, ignore two accents. Across 1 Transfers year-groups (7) 11 Mushroom in cooker and much of the basmati (6) 12 Neighbours character’s hangers-on (7) 14 No Parking in island for Persian king (5) 15 Gamble on a lake
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The unclued lights are all preceded by GREAT to form the phrases that can be confirmed in Brewer. (The clue at 40A suggests GREATEST LIE, also listed in Brewer). First prize Leslie Mustoe, Hitchin, Hertfordshire Runners-up Rhiannon Hales, Ilfracombe, Devon; Andrew Vernalls, Milton Common, Thame, Oxfordshire
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The unclued lights (two of three words and two of two words) can be preceded by the same word and all are defined in Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Across 10 Terrorist regularly misses the mark (4) 12 Canons once disturbed harmony (10) 14 Distinctive doctrine of Paris Match (3)
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The unclued lights include at least four Os (IV Os), and other clued solutions contain two or three. OROONOKO at 6D is the novel and has five Os. First prize David Warren, Gorey, Co. Wexford Runners-up J.E. Pugh, Cardiff; S.J.J. Tiffin, Cockermouth, Cumbria
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The unclued lights (one hyphened and another a novel which is listed in Chambers Crossword Dictionary) display a similar feature — a few of the clued solutions do so too, though to a lesser extent. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe. Across 1 Slim, young, lithe person – hot! Just tops! (5) 6 Hosting
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The unclued Across lights (15, 23/21, 38 and 39) are LITERAL anagrams of the unclued Down lights (3, 19, 32/37, 2) First prize Anthony Harker, Oxford Runners-up E.A. Wright, Fleetwood, Lancs; K.J. Williams, Kings Worthy, Hants
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The unclued Across lights (Individually or as a pair) are defined by the unclued Down lights (individually or as a pair). Across 1 Consistent growth, as an unflappable batsman? (14, two words) 11 Dull-grey pelt (5) 12 Apparently futile flower (4) 13 Gay Tory awkwardly embracing Republican (5) 14
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The unclued lights were preceded by PETER (translation of 32A) to form phrases listed in Chambers or Brewer. First prize Christopher Bellew, London W6 Runners-up Alexander Caldin, Salford, Oxfordshire; Mark Roberts, Hostert, Luxembourg
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The unclued lights (two of two words) are to be linked with one of the clued lights in translation. All resulting phrases, one doubly hyphened, can be confirmed in Chambers or Brewer. Across 1 Roots out – the meal is ready (7, two words) 6 Hood cleans out, applying pressure (7,
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The thematic unclued lights (4D, 20D, 34D, 40A and 41A+27A) are COUNTRIES, and the other unclued lights are their anagrams, respectively 38A, 13A, 7D, 16A and 28A+15A. First prize Sebastian Robinson, Glasgow Runners-up Chris Edwards, Pudsey, Leeds; S. Daneff, London SW18
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Four of the unclued lights (one of two words) and an unclued pair are of a kind, and can become the remaining unclued lights, including a pair. Across 1 This song of praise would become heathen with a change of note (5) 6 Failure of old skinflint at university (7, hyphened) 11
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The theme is CATS; the unclued Across lights are breeds of cats and unclued Down lights and TOPCAT (which had to be highlighted) are cats in literature or film. First prize Ray Nolan, Droylsden, Manchester Runners-up M.D. Conway, Amesbury, Salisbury; Glyn Watkins, Portishead, Bristol