31 pairs with 15 once you have implemented the rule I postulated back in post 22. This has proved a really brainteaser. Though 2d was a really important figure to us early environmental campaigners in the 70's ....
Yes, 31 was my last in as well ... I think it would have been clearer if the rubric had said "linked cryptically through one of the five superfluous words", not "to each other and to ...."
I've almost finished thanks to Prospero's post 22. But, I have 6a and 10a unsolved. Am I correct in thinking that both those answers go with the same superfluous word? Also, does the 2nd word spelt out by the superfluous letters have any further relevance?
Isn't it also a bit weird that there is no way of checking that you've solved the extra letters and their consequent characters? It's clever that they, like the others have one first name and one second name attached to the third word (in the other cases taken from the clues) - but it seems that's all just for one's amusement. Normally if there's an outside-grid part they ask for it on the submission form.
Struggling in North East corner, would anyone like to go a bit further with help for 6d?
Earlier tip - Underground room. One letter taken from "mine" - sounds good, but I still don't have it....