And Happy New Year

As promised, the puzzle this time is a Jumbo from the handful I did for The Independent way back when – Christmas 2003, in this case.

Looking back twenty years or so is an interesting experience. I typed everything in (and I think I’ve caught all the errors) and I found myself wondering at the clues. There was nothing ‘topical’ to be changed, but they felt less like my clues than usual. Jumbos are slightly odd – you are clueing lots of longer phrases (in general, average word lengths in Jumbos are higher, I think) and the temptation to rely on cryptic definitions is quite high. At the same time, if you have the occasional obscure word (yes, there are a few), you have to be precise, and you end up with a bit of a ragbag of clues. There’s one lovely and lit. in the mix, though, which I might rescue for another puzzle.

The Guardian Christmas Special was a pleasure. It was based around classical composers (deprived of their vowels, like all other entries) and covered a good range of familiar names interspersed with some unusual ones; the historical range was TYE to ANNA CLYNE (in good Proms prospectus style, the living composer gets her forename attached). Sadly, there has been some sniping about elitist subject matter – curiously this did not emerge over the previous Special (August Bank Holiday) which covered pop music, and which I found impenetrable. There remains the expectation that everything in every puzzle should be known to every solver, and there are a few who seem to take pride in saying ‘nho’ and ‘well, that’s GK’, as if they haven’t spotted that there are cryptic elements to the clues as well. 

The Listener also marks a milestone – no longer are entries sent to St. Albans. It’s now Pontefract, as John Green has stepped down as vetter. Sadly, but perhaps somewhat predictably, the opportunity has not been taken to introduce an email entry option. There were periods last year when I was almost prevented from entering by the unavailability of stamps, and I now have to take significant detours to find a postbox (down to only one in the suburb now, and numbers of boxes are being reduced next year). Collections and deliveries are less frequent, and the time to the UK seemed to be hovering around 3-4 weeks throughout the last quarter of 2024. Given the postage cost (three price rises this past twelvemonth) and the fact that The Times doesn’t supply a prize even if you are picked out of the hat, this may be the year I stop entering regularly. Next time the puzzle is under threat, I’ll write a letter of support though – just don’t expect it to get there in time.

Just the Friday Independent appearances for the foreseeable – information channels (even electronic ones) tend to get a bit out of whack over the holiday season. APEX competitors: your deadline is the end of the month, and reminders will follow nearer the time.

 
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