In my opinion, there were some nice and inspired clues here but Orlando’s crosswords normally leave me with a smile on my face. I found this one kinda dull.

And in response to Eileen #13, I think the stroke of genius “end-of-term party” was courtesy of Philistine a few months back.

I agree with you both.

The thing about comparing 15squared to the bbc.co.uk etc is that the others are commercial websites, with paid advertising or other sponsorship, with people paid to put up with whatever gets thrown at them.

15 squared depends entirely on the goodwill of volunteers to keep the site going. If everyone took the ‘I don’t give a jot what anyone else thinks’ attitude of RCW then the site would collapse in no time.

If I had to give an example of a good outspoken contributor it would be Uncle Yap, who also causes controversy through “inappropriately stated opinions”, but he pulls his finger out and puts in a great deal of hard work as a blogger. From what I can see RCW is just a bit of a selfish person who likes to complain a lot and feel hard done by but doesn’t give much back in return.

The thing about RCW is not what he says but the annoying way that he says it. All he considers is his own enjoyment and he doesn’t care a jot for anyone else.

I often (usually) disagree with RCW, but I’m very glad that he comes here. This site would be a less interesting place without his comments and the debate they provoke. I think that people get too wound up about his contributions. We need not be too precious about the sensibilities of professional setters, and we need not be offended by somebody who prefers harder crosswords expressing those views robustly. RCW does not claim any monopoly on the truth, and anybody who thinks that he oversteps the mark of cyber-civility must surely be aghast at some of the comments to be found on such outposts of barbarity as bbc.co.uk and the Guardian website.

He should, however, get around to eating some Pizza.

I’ve slept on this one because I didn’t want to get embroiled in the RCWhining debate and possibly say something rude.

I thought this was a good puzzle from Orlando and up to his usual high standard. Yes it was on the easier side but there were many great clues of which HUSSAR (quite a tricky little clue), PARTICK THISTLE (I did see the anagram) and CONTRACTION, were particular favourites. I didn’t see the nacl in 21a but there again, I didn’t know the chemical formula although the answer could only be one thing.

Thanks Orlando and I do appreciate the efforts you make to create a crossword for our entertainment – unlike he/she who shall be nameless.

Last in 11ac, not a fan of the winter game.

Favourite clue 10ac. Got this because I remembered the Westland Affair & Heseltine’s break with Our Lady of the Iron Handbag.

As you say, there is no reason why I should have known this. I tried to include all my initial comments in one posting @ 12, but when you do this, you risk crossing a number of other messages “in the post” so to speak, which happened on that occasion.

As far as I can see, I only made one retrospective change, that @ 54. Not wishing to be rude, but just curious, why are you complaining on PD’s behalf? I don’t know your relationship to her.

Are you saying we (the bloggers in general) should not engage in friendly “banter”? If so, why am I being singled out?!

Obviously, there’s no reason why you should have known this; even still, please edit your posts before you submit them, not after

I thank you for the compliment above. I try to maintain a composure in my comments, so as to avoid any possible offence, though this sometimes leads to a lot of re-typing before I decide to submit.

To tell the truth, I’ve learned a lot about tolerance since contracting ME/fibromyalgia, and watching César Millán, the Dog Whisperer, with his “calm assertive” attitude.