ACROSS
1 Unconcerned about heartless arbiter (8) CAREFREE {CA}{REF
5 Mark made by small vehicle (4) SCAR {S}{CAR}
10 Answer with regret suppressing good debate (5) ARGUE {A}{R{G}UE}
11 Constant friend outside pub before getting round (9) PERENNIAL {INN}{ERE}<= in {PAL}
12 Many, censor noted, wrongly observe formalities (5,2,8) STAND ON CEREMONY*
13 Be consistent in business at this place (6) COHERE {CO}{HERE}
14 Account for former partner, one in scheme (7) EXPLAIN {EX}{PLA{1}N}
17 Ever youthful actress, elegant in part, coming back (7) AGELESS [T<=]
19 Pinches back and a length of backbone (6) SPINAL {NIPS<=}{A}{L}
21 Let's cite memo, mistaken about European court, in parliamentary group (6,9) SELECT COMMITTEE {LETS+CITE+MEMO}* over {E}{CT}
23 Discover a spot occupied by church beside river (9) ASCERTAIN {A}{S{CE}{R}TAIN}
24 Chatter about country (5) GABON {GABON}
26 Small dramas created by nervous ally in revolutionary procedure (8) PLAYLETS {P{ALLY*}ETS<=}
DOWN
1 Reason to keep line in section of contract (6) CLAUSE {C{L}AUSE}
2 Outfit, medium, with a part in performance (9) RIGMAROLE {RIG}{M}{A}{ROLE}
3 Singer, divine one in liberated element (7,7) FREDDIE MERCURY {FRE{D}{1}E} {MERCURY}
6 Atmosphere in Colorado is capital (5) CAIRO {C{AIR}O}
7 Motorsport getting better? (8) RALLYING [DD]
8 About to wear hat, beginning to expect period of cold weather (6) FREEZE {F{RE}EZ}{E
9 Boldly come in and carry on about revolt (14) ENTERPRISINGLY {ENTER}{P{RISING}LY}
15 Versatile plug attached to a piece of furniture receiving power (9) ADAPTABLE {AD}{A}{P}{TABLE}
16 Part of engine's mass in fact has broken (8) CAMSHAFT {M} in {FACT+HAS}*
19 Note French city, rising to be influential (7) SEMINAL {LA}{NIMES}<=
20 Wrong trap lifted in game (6) TENNIS {SIN}{NET}<=
22 Clear line for all to see followed by police (5) LUCID {L}{U}{CID}
GRID
Special at 10:30 will be the preliminary Crossword used at the recent IIT(M) Crossie open
ReplyDeleteHow is everyone faring with Everyman over the last few weeks?
ReplyDeleteIt's not the same as before. 100% strike rate is not happening.
DeleteFor example, today's. Got only very few. Very much stuck.
DeleteThe distinctive flavour that Everyman crossword had is gone. That is because for decades it was set every week by the same setter and after him another, As the latter fell ill, the paper is struggling to find a new setter and it is experimenting with different persons, I think.
ReplyDeleteNow, if you see the early Everyman crosswords set by none other than Ximenes, you will be surprised. It is quite unlike the work of the two setters I mentioned above.
I have a collection and if there is a demand we can perhaps use one on a Sunday. I will do necessary work, though I have to get a box from the loft above and hope the book has not been reduced to tatters.
Everyman over the last three weeks have been a real uphill task for me
ReplyDeleteI used to to do it regularly but for the last of couple of months, haven't given it a shot. With a plethora of puzzles at my disposal, this has taken a backstage.
DeleteToday's priority were:
Delete1.The Sunday Special here-completed
2.The Hindi Holi Special-completed and submitted
3.The 1 Across Puzzle-Completed but yet to submit.