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Paul

Congratulations on your winning clue.

I remember hearing Fred Titmus telling the story that when he first played at Lords, there was an announcement "Change to the scorecard: F J Titmus should read Titmus F J"

grunger #153 and jigjag #154

You are right, grunger. Compton was a pro, so he must have been Compton D C S.

Another story I heard was that when the Duke of Norfolk managed the England team on tour in Australia he told the players, 'You don't have to address me as Your Royal Highness, you may just call me Sir.'

I am delighted that Capt Kirk is returning to space, but in New Shepard? Why not New Shepardess?

Malone

I liked 23A in the Times today, reminded me of your humorous article last year, when you almost opened a shop with that name.

Not sure about 1D though.

Grunger, thanks - and I'd forgotten all about that shop (and can't even remember how the name worked!).

I didn't much like 1 D, but Collins (Dictionary) does, so...

Re the earlier comments on the Deb (often The Dreaded Deb to me)... I don't mind the word, I think it comes from an interesting time and so on, but it just seems too easy for setters to use. Some words, clues become overfamiliar. For a while, every 'giant' was going to be Eten, every sewing box would be Etui and 'appeal' nearly always leads to It or SA.

Malone Grunger

I quite like deb, agree it is from an interesting era. I have never met one, but would have liked to. Yes it is a handy word for setters, and I much prefer it to char and todays 1D which just seem insulting.

I thought 10 A in the Times today was a poor clue:

As some might say: despicable local fiddle (6)

I pronounce the answer with 3 distinct syllables, equally stressed. I know the clues says "some" but I dont like it.

Grunger

I tend to agree with you. I shorten the second syllable to a very short "A". But I think the second syllable being dropped completely is quite common, so the terrible pub is probably Ok in the clue.

I dont think the TImes should be encouraging the dropping of syllables or slovenly speech.

Jigjag, Grunger, I thought that clue, answer was totally dire and didn't like it one bit. The homophone clue at 26 A, Informer picked up illegal bit of tack (8) worked.

Malone

Thanks. Glad you agreed on that clue. Yes I liked the other clue - a proper homophone.