The winner of the September puzzle is Edward Forman of London.
Between the Scylla of what looks to be a monstrous construction by Shark for October and the Charybdian vortex of Sirius’s force-field we find… a normal puzzle, by Imogen and Gin. However, Imogen can be a most proficiently awkward concealer of what he really means, and Gin’s grids always present their themes in ingenious ways.
Here we find a centenary of which I was unaware, that of Radio Times, not to be confused with TheSunday Times, which was 200 last year, as Vlad and Aramis reminded us. I loved the ‘two each of these and one of those’ approach and the way Gin gave us thereby that extra precision for the anniversary. In clues, the anagram in which a certain group of letters is to be used, some repeatedly, has yet to become mainstream perhaps — anyone for Imps most often thrown in river (11)? Here it is nice and clear, and incidentally complements the specific choice of device which Graham Fox subtly included in his depiction of information transmitted through the aether: this radio also displays times — though our esteemed designer has almost hidden that fact with typical deviousness.
The four corner pillars were a splendid idea and made a satisfactory framework for the whole thing. It’s true we had some bars, but the tasty omelette was definitely worth the odd bit of eggshell.
The clues which I liked the best were those which gave us the most thematic items: my favourite of all was NOTER, with HUNDRED YEARS AGO coming close behind. LORD REITH was there (he was plain John at the time) though his compatriots may not have appreciated the making of laud homophonous with Lord. I, however, would like to thank Gin especially for introducing me to the term DEMONYM, and Imogen for the devilish way it is clued: now what I want to know is if this is (as it surely must be) based on some moment of great controversy when the RT was taken to task over printing ‘BBC Wales’ instead of ‘BBC Cymru’. Someone out there will know: I found the Internet too concerned with present-day crises and debates to let me know about that one (I am guessing) around 1970.
With Piece of information a little spun? I’m not sure for DATUM we are in similarly turbid waters: I will not rock any boats over whether any broadcasters are insufficiently, or excessively, loyal to the government. However, the vexed question of whether data is, or data are presented in programmes will no doubt continue to rumble even when Emily Maitlis, Nadine Dorries, John Whittingdale and Gary Lineker are of interest only to historians.
FRESH is a very neat one; TITLE may reflect Imogen’s own view of the publication, since he could have written ‘thought it left little to be desired’ if he had wanted to: nice clue, though.
How poignant to have juxtaposed that deep sound of nostalgia ‘This is the BBC HOME SERVICE’ with today’s Amazon and Deliveroo. The champion beard trimmer — of course it was no such thing — was possibly the scene of one of your reviewer’s greatest triumphs, when he recognised the head of Charles Darwin and thus for once found the word AWNER before even looking at the verbal clue: thank you Frank Paul, I am in your debt.
I am not sure what the official thematic percentage of this puzzle was, but it must have been very high, what with TUNER, TURN ON, AUDIO, TITLE, as well as those already mentioned and the four clinching corner items. Very fine grid, well clued, well illustrated. Thank you all.
Shark next in what looks like terrifying form, then an Alphabetical Jigsaw from Soup: I might just have to hang up my reviewing boots in shame after that.
AGC
P.S. The anagram-with-multiples solution is of course MISSISSIPPI.
If you enjoy solving these puzzles, and if you believe in the causes we are supporting, would you like to take a turn at reviewing? Our current reviewer is standing down because from next January he will have had a role in selecting and editing them.
Advantages: it will not disqualify you from any competitions; you will get to know the delightful people in the Production Team; you will truly be helping the Calendar Puzzles project; and if several people volunteer, you may only need to write a review every few months.
Disadvantages: none! Why not let us know that you would be willing to have a go?
August & October 2023 corrections
August: It was a great pleasure to read the overwhelmingly positive reception of Sirius's latest extravaganza. Most comments seem well summed up in that of SB’s 'Sirius at his genius best', which reflects how we on the production team also regard his amazing puzzles.
One item in the grid did cause frustration, however, because of a dual spelling issue, and it has been decided to accept both OURIE and OORIE as correct solutions for Day 31. Those who found their entries marked as incorrect may be pleased to know that they are now credited with a success, removing that bar to participation in the annual competitions.
October: Astute early solvers working on the printed calendar will have noticed that the direction for Day 11 should finish with 28aw, not 28ba. The online versions have been corrected. We apologise for any consternation caused.
Upcoming deadlines
Entries for the October puzzle by Shark are due by October 31.
