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…and for Boxing Day the PBC Crossword

December 26th, 2007

    Keeping you entertained throughout the holiday

Thanks to Rod Crosby for all he did yesterday providing the constant stream of political trivia questions which kept us amused on Christmas Day. This worked brilliantly - there were 275 comments which compares with the paltry 16 contributions that the site got on Xmas Day 2006.

For Boxing Day we have StJohn’s PB Cross-word. I have no idea how hard this is going to and I think that keen cross-word experts are going to have to print the page off - but it does look very interesting.

cross-word.JPG

Across

1. Mystery poster conceals most of thong from minister (4,5).
6. Lady was a strange sort (5).
9. Allowance given to President (5).
10. Speaker portrayed as a hot and broody mixture (9).
11. Politician let Comrade Blair run amok (7,8).
13. 3/1 Balls is reprimanded (8).
14. Smear on oil wrecked nation (6).
16. Country in drug and alcohol issue (6).
18. NuLabour activists? (3,5).
21. America need forty; one less could result in a defeated force (11,4).
23. He protected club teams (9).
25. Stupid book on despot (5).
26. Party loses nothing down under (5).
27. Appears again to join in stuffing former Home Secretary (9).

Down
1. Yokel! Toby’s with a gangster (5).
2. State room first in ceremonial office (11).
3. This puzzle was liberated (3,4).
4. Film director covered The Man in the White Suit and was opposed to the establishment (8).
5. Garment worn to court by Hutton (6).
6. Former Royal Marine and show off (7).
7. In addition to nothing (3).
8. Bush territories make for extremist conditions (3,6).
12. Relating once more to a drawback for Campbell (11).
13. Confused lurch off to the left by Cold War leader (9).
15. Highly spoken of ruler and religious leader. (8).
17. Theatre assistant (7).
19. 21 sheltered here (3,4).
20. First editorial (6).
22. Reportedly poetic justice seeker (5).
24. Second rate movie awarded Golden Globe (3).

Thanks StJohn for doing such a great job for our amusement. If you want to talk to him directly StJohn has indicated that he will be at this year’s PBC party. This will once again be held at that excellent venue, The National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2HE, on Friday 25th January 2008, from 6pm until about 9.30pm, or when thrown out if sooner.

There will be a cash bar and a £5 entry charge, payable on the door, as a contribution towards sandwiches and nibbles. Ladbrokes have generously donated £150 towards the event, thanks to the influence of regular poster Matthew Shaddick (Shadsy) of The Magic Sign.

Happy Boxing Day to everybody. Normal service from Thursday.

Mike Smithson



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73 comments to “…and for Boxing Day the PBC Crossword”

  1. 10 Boothroyd (anagram)

         by JohnLoony December 26th, 2007 at 00:37

  2. I fear I have achieved for Mike and PBC what Northern Rock has done for Brown and his government.

         by stjohn December 26th, 2007 at 07:45

  3. Are we supposed to be solving his collectively on-line? I’ve got 16, but I do’t want to be a spoilsport…

         by Innocent Abroad December 26th, 2007 at 07:51

  4. That would be “solving this”, of course…

         by Innocent Abroad December 26th, 2007 at 07:51

  5. Please do Innocent.

         by stjohn December 26th, 2007 at 07:53

  6. OK then.

    16 is UGANDA (continuous letters)

    13D is CHURCHILL (haven’t wholly worked out why), 24 is ORB, 26 is LABOR (although it loses the “u” not the “o” so clue isn’t altogether pukka)…

         by Innocent Abroad December 26th, 2007 at 07:59

  7. 6. Re Labor. Oops. Quite right. Well spotted. I suppose I would revise to simply Party down under.

         by stjohn December 26th, 2007 at 08:03

  8. This is as far as I can get before my brain gets into gear

    http://i12.tinypic.com/87mzrky.jpg

         by Mary Hinge December 26th, 2007 at 08:06

  9. Churchill is derived from confused lurch off to the left gives chur, anagram of lurch with L, left taken off. Then a cold is a chill.

         by stjohn December 26th, 2007 at 08:07

  10. [9] Ah, right - very good! I liked ORB, too. Still working my way through MH’s impressive performance…

         by Innocent Abroad December 26th, 2007 at 08:11

  11. Thanks to MH’s hard work, I have SET FREE for 3, and WOOLEN for 5…

         by Innocent Abroad December 26th, 2007 at 08:16

  12. [11] Or maybe that’s WOODEN for 5 (I tend to lose patience when there are no cross-clues left…)

         by Innocent Abroad December 26th, 2007 at 08:18

  13. Cheers IA - came to same conclusion. Also have 1D 2D and 9A - still thinking about the bottom right hand side though…

         by Mary Hinge December 26th, 2007 at 08:19

  14. Woolen is correct. To court is to woo, then Len Hutton.

         by stjohn December 26th, 2007 at 08:20

  15. Two more… 1D is JUGAL (Toby & Capone), 9 is GRANT (double definition)

         by Innocent Abroad December 26th, 2007 at 08:21

  16. 25A - stupid book on despot = Idiot? As in Idi Amin?

         by Robin Wiggs December 26th, 2007 at 08:33

  17. 16. Yes. Book is OT, Old Testament.

         by stjohn December 26th, 2007 at 08:35

  18. [16] I’m sure you’re right, Robin - tho’ I pedantically think “OT” should be clued as “books”. 20 is LEADER - we should’ve had that an hour ago!

         by Innocent Abroad December 26th, 2007 at 08:36

  19. This is a bit difficult.

    Could you do a picture crossword for me please, StJohn?

         by Peter the Punter December 26th, 2007 at 08:38

  20. 19, LOL!

         by stjohn December 26th, 2007 at 08:41

  21. 3D - This puzzle was liberated = SET FREE ?

         by Robin Wiggs December 26th, 2007 at 08:43

  22. test

         by Innocent Abroad December 26th, 2007 at 08:45

  23. 21 - have just seen the cryptic clue in 3D… very good stJjhn and thanks for doing this for us all.

         by Robin Wiggs December 26th, 2007 at 08:45

  24. 21. Yes. I set the crossword for free.

         by stjohn December 26th, 2007 at 08:46

  25. I have five to get - although I fear I am starting to guess now…

         by Mary Hinge December 26th, 2007 at 08:46

  26. OK Stjohn -I need you to tell me where I’ve gone wrong…

    http://i3.tinypic.com/6ylatmt.jpg

         by Mary Hinge December 26th, 2007 at 08:54

  27. don’t click on the link if you want to play along at home :)

         by Mary Hinge December 26th, 2007 at 08:56

  28. stjohn - in his intro to today’s crossword puzzle, it was good of Mike to let it be known that should we wish to talk to you “directly”, you have “indicated that you will be at this year’s PBC party”
    Gracious thanks oh great one, for honouring the occasion with your presence. May I reserve a five minute audience with you now?

         by Peter from Putney December 26th, 2007 at 08:57

  29. [26] I don’t think you have. I’m awestruck… I’ll just add YATES for 22 (homophone of “Yeats”)…

         by Innocent Abroad December 26th, 2007 at 08:57

  30. And I think 18 is RED ROSES

         by Innocent Abroad December 26th, 2007 at 09:01

  31. 27A = REsomething.

    Can’t get the something, though! Have been through the wikipedia list of Home Secs back to 1782 to no avail…

         by Robin Wiggs December 26th, 2007 at 09:02

  32. And none of the lights have fouled the spam filter so far - did you check for that, stjohn? Seriously, many thanks for all your hard work - you do realise Our Genial Host will be coming after you every Bank Holiday, now, don’t you? :lol:

         by Innocent Abroad December 26th, 2007 at 09:03

  33. 29/30 Good effort!
    31 There are far too many former home secretaries in the current administration alone to think about lol

         by Mary Hinge December 26th, 2007 at 09:04

  34. 26. Your 12 down is wrong.

    PfP I think I will be able to provide you with a brief audience! Off to Stamford Bridge shortly.

         by stjohn December 26th, 2007 at 09:06

  35. Thanks Stjohn.

    And thanks for the challenge..

         by Mary Hinge December 26th, 2007 at 09:07

  36. 31 I would guess it has something to do with Reg (Maudling), (Merlyn) Rees or (John) Reid

         by Mary Hinge December 26th, 2007 at 09:08

  37. 30. Not Red Roses. Hadn’t thought of that.

         by stjohn December 26th, 2007 at 09:09

  38. 26/34 - There will of course be a small fee, PfP, proceeds to go to the Injured Punters Fund.

         by Peter the Punter December 26th, 2007 at 09:11

  39. OK - I can hear the kids are up and stalking the cold meats… will drop in later to see how the remaining clues went.

         by Robin Wiggs December 26th, 2007 at 09:15

  40. 34 Thanks for this sterling effort, StJohn.

    Off to Chelsea?! You know what’s going to happen, but if you do not want to know the score, look away now.

    Chelsea 2 Villa 0

    ;-)

         by Peter the Punter December 26th, 2007 at 09:15

  41. loving this - lol @3 down and trying to avoid all the comments on thread for a change. About halfway there so far.

         by tpfkar December 26th, 2007 at 09:18

  42. Oh well, if MH got one wrong too I don’t mind so much…

         by Innocent Abroad December 26th, 2007 at 09:19

  43. 40 Not very fair of you, PtP, to build up the lad’s hopes like that.

         by Peter from Putney December 26th, 2007 at 09:24

  44. PtP - How about one of your customary cheery welcomes for Mary Hinge - her brains would be welcome here.

         by Peter from Putney December 26th, 2007 at 09:27

  45. 44 I’ve welcomed Mary before, PfP, but am happy to do so again.

    It’s very good to see you again, Mary. Will your friends, Joe Blob and Betty Swollocks be popping in later?

         by Peter the Punter December 26th, 2007 at 09:36

  46. 45 Will your friends, Joe Blob and Betty Swollocks be popping in later

    Eh? There’s serious business to be done today, PTP, I suggest you stay off the juice, at least for the next few hours.

         by Peter from Putney December 26th, 2007 at 09:40

  47. Thanks to everyone for their kind comments and to Mike for letting me do this. I’ve really enjoyed it.

         by stjohn December 26th, 2007 at 09:43

  48. 47 stjohn - Don’t you dare come home with less than three points (LOL) or there’ll be trouble, big trouble.

         by Peter from Putney December 26th, 2007 at 09:47

  49. I’ve backed Villa to win at 9/1. Hoping Lampard and Co overdid the turkey yesterday.

         by stjohn December 26th, 2007 at 09:49

  50. 49 StJohn, you are one of nature’s great optimists! I wish you well, and thank you warmly for the crossword. I even managed to do a couple of the clues. (1A is Jock Stein isn’t it?)

    Good luck to you and Villa.

         by Peter the Punter December 26th, 2007 at 09:58

  51. 50. Jack W hiding most of his thong,STRA(P)

    As a fello cross dresser you should have got that one Petra.

         by stjohn December 26th, 2007 at 10:04

  52. 51 Bit too early in the morning for me, StJohn. My mind doesn’t function properly until I’ve got my make-up on.

         by Peter the Punter December 26th, 2007 at 10:09

  53. 51 - now it’s public, 1A is my favourite clue so far, and the first I got, mystery poster was a giveaway for me. And given Villa’s recent performances, they’d better come back with something, as my fantasy team has been doing about as well as Derby recently thanks to the villa boys.

         by tpfkar December 26th, 2007 at 10:23

  54. “Appears again to join in stuffing former Home Secretary”

    Could be anyone, really.

    http://lettersfromatory.wordpress.com

         by Letters From A Tory December 26th, 2007 at 10:52

  55. ok, stuck with three to go and time to see the family - thanks stjohn and enjoy boxing day everyone

         by tpfkar December 26th, 2007 at 11:23

  56. Surely 6 down is Ashdown?

    I know its probably wrong, way too obvious….

    At least 15 down isn’t Paisley…that wouldn’t have been a clue more an outrageous lie….

         by Yokel December 26th, 2007 at 12:14

  57. 13a - CARPET-ED

         by Aaron December 26th, 2007 at 12:26

  58. 7d - TOO

         by Aaron December 26th, 2007 at 12:30

  59. Crikey - Derby Co. now priced at 12.5-1 at home this pm vs Liverpool. Are these record odds for a two horse race? Well, OK, one thoroughbred stallion and one donkey!

         by Peter from Putney December 26th, 2007 at 13:10

  60. 59> overpriced, whilst Derby will go down there’s some life in them yet.

         by Yokel December 26th, 2007 at 13:34

  61. Chelsea 4-4 Villa

    Phew - what a cracker, well done stjohn!

         by Peter from Putney December 26th, 2007 at 14:55

  62. 61 I was always confident of Villa! ;-)

         by Peter the Punter December 26th, 2007 at 15:22

  63. If it involves a thong, it must involve a Lib Dem.

         by Al Fresco December 26th, 2007 at 15:34

  64. Hey…6A is Astor….Lady…sort (anag) + A = Astor.

    I think that’s the first cryptic clue I ever got in my life.

    I’ll go lie down.

         by Peter the Punter December 26th, 2007 at 15:36

  65. 64. PtP Martin Paterson now on 11 this season for Scunthorpe, rolling along nicely.

         by Yokel December 26th, 2007 at 15:47

  66. Derby 1..Liverpool 1….ummm…

         by Yokel December 26th, 2007 at 16:23

  67. New thread “Was the the 1976 fight even dirtier than Huhne-Clegg?”

         by admin December 26th, 2007 at 16:42

  68. Derby denied a free kick - Liverpool score at the other end. What’s new?

         by mirthios December 26th, 2007 at 17:11

  69. Bah humbug - you are all too clever for me - I only got one of them

         by JohnLoony December 26th, 2007 at 17:13

  70. 65 Terrific. I see his price has shortened to 75/1. :-)

         by Peter the Punter December 26th, 2007 at 17:50

  71. Puzzle 8D is “REDSTATES” (even though I’m typing this in from a Blue State).

         by Sea Shanty Irish December 26th, 2007 at 19:41

  72. 72. ?

         by JohnLoony December 27th, 2007 at 02:42

  73. 72. May have been Mike or someone aiming to post the solution? Well here it is.

    CROSSWORD SOLUTION

    Across. 1 Jack Straw 6 Astor 9 Grant 10 Boothroyd 11 Liberal Democrat 13 Carpeted 14 Anoint 16 Uganda 18 New Lefts 21 Confederate Army 23 Ironsides 25 Idiot 26 Labor 27 Reemerges

    Down. 1 Jugal 2 Chamberlain 3 Set Free 4 Rebelled 5 Woolen 6 Ashdown 7 Too 8 Red States 12 Reinforming 13 Churchill 15 Selassie 17 Dresser 19 Lee side 20 Leader 22 Yates 24 Orb

         by stjohn December 27th, 2007 at 11:18