March 2019 Cryptic Crossword

Compiled by Peter Chamberlain

Across

1 Seven sacred days before Easter (4,4)

5 Group of girls on stage refrain (6)

9 One in church? Very likely (8)

10 Prayer daughter embellished (6)

11 Examine cursorily view across (4,4)

14 Superior woman (6)

15 Wonder about distance motorists included (7)

16 Lady had most of fame with first-class backing (6)

19 Keep moving idle cat (7)

20 A desert animal curtailed followed by another one on the mount (6)

21 Wandering I’d moan about, wandering (7)

26 Variety actor included name of leader of singing (6)

27 Harks on surprisingly including a boat (5,3)

28 Type leaning to the right (6)

29 Mark accepted Paul in turmoil with monastic habit (8)

30 That one with the German over there (6)

31 Book your first stringed instrument (8)

Down

1 I am upset taken in by religious lecture (6)

2 England’s capitalists’ home? (6)

3 Women’s Institute’s modern uprising is commonsense (6)

4 Inside annexe, Terry came to be found in Devon (6)

6 Bloomer from insurgent captured by Harry (8)

7 Study of fireworks or salad plants? (8)

8 Partisan church official? (8)

12 Person with a calling (7)

13 Hurried taking boy up inside fast (7)

14 Unusually large one first of all in the country (7)

17 Holiness of another saint going round court with young beginner (8)

18 State support (8)

19 Law that is second to be included to regard as holy (8)

22 In the corridor casual appearance of Tabitha (6)

23 Nonconformist oratory? (6)

24 Worker accepts trouble from one to whom goods are entrusted (6)

25 Make a mistake in blue reef

A £15 book token will be awarded to the senders of the first three correct solutions to Crossword (March). The first two winners of Cryptic Crossword (March) will receive a £20 book token. Entries should be addressed to Life and Work (Crossword), 121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YN and should arrive by March 13. The solution will be published in April and the prizewinners in May.

Solution to February 2019 Crossword

ACROSS: 1 Caste; 4 Theomancy; 9 Unction; 10 East End; 11 Christ arise; 13 Sol; 14 Martyr; 15 Subsonic; 18 Nicholas; 20 Server; 23 Asa; 24 King of kings; 25 Auditor; 26 Ashanti; 28 Thaddaeus; 29 Moron.

DOWN: Churchman; 2 Securer; 3 Eli; 4 Tin can; 5 Emeritus; 6 Master speak; 7 Nielsen; 8 Yodel; 12 Skyrocketed; 16 Christian; 17 Rain tree; 19 Claudia; 21 Vintner; 22 Romans; 23 Await; 27 Ham.

Winners of January 2019 Quick Crossword – Mrs Margaret Applebe, Larbert; Mrs D.A. McPherson, Nairn; Marjory Williamson, Cumbernauld;

Solution to February 2019 Cryptic Crossword

ACROSS: 1 Schism; 4 Cocoon; 7 Oprah; 9 Remark; 10 Monastic; 11 Preaching; 13 Primo; 16 Pastoral staff; 18 Glory; 19 Phoenicia; 23 Biblical; 24 Sermon; 25 Recto; 26 Talent; 27 No less.

DOWN: 1 Stir up; 2 Impala; 3 Monkshood; 4 Chant; 5 Caesarea; 6 Nuncio; 8 Roman Catholic; 12 Repel; 14 Mufti; 15 Ascension; 17 Surplice; 18 Goblet; 20 Israel; 21 Aeneas; 22 Scart.

Winners of January 2019 Cryptic Crossword – Mrs Jean McDonald, Glasgow; Harry Parker, Dunfermline