Comments on: Independent 8,124 by Bannsider (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 27/10/12)

By: Bannsider

Bannsider — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 09:21:14 +0000

Thanks all for blog and comments.
This crossword is quite old, and when I revisited it it occurred to me that a few of the clues needed simplifying, which may explain why the result was an easier puzzle than normal. No bad thing I would say.

As to the whereabouts of Bury these days, it would seem that Bury Council also believe that they are in Greater Manchester(!) Although there’s no harm in also regarding it as being part of Lancashire also.

By: Lancastrian Bluenose

Lancastrian Bluenose — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 07:37:25 +0000

Hi Simon

Perhaps I can explain away from fifteensquared why your statement is incorrect.Don’t believe everything you read in Wikipedia !

By: Simon Harris

Simon Harris — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 00:23:19 +0000

Thanks, LB. While the county council was indeed abolished in 1986, the Greater Manchester Police, the GMCA, Wikipedia and the 2.68 million people who currently live in Greater Manchester might question that claim.

By: Lancastrian Bluenose

Lancastrian Bluenose — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 12:48:17 +0000

Enjoyed the crossword. Bury is in Lancashire: greater manchester was abolished in 1986

By: Flashling

Flashling — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 10:33:46 +0000

@Cryptic Sue, I was wondering if it was mis-attributed at times, the BanMan’s easiest to me by far in the Indy, but some absolute corkers though.

By: Dormouse

Dormouse — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 21:31:51 +0000

Indeed, the violin concerto is one of my all-time favourite pieces of music, and I have three different versions on my iPod including the 1936 recording conducted by Webern, its second ever performance. Heard it one time on the radio as I was making dinner. That was the most emotional experience I’ve ever had whilst stirring custard.

By: allan_c

allan_c — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 20:05:27 +0000

Simon, I wouldn’t recommend Wozzek if you’ve not heard any Berg before. But try his violin concerto – though Dormouse might not agree as it quotes a Bach chorale in the final movement.

As to the crossword, good stuff and not as difficult as some from Bannsider. Not heard of Jarry either but didn’t really need to have done as AMALFI was fairly obvious.

Thanks to setter and blogger.

By: Querulous

Querulous — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 12:32:08 +0000

Never heard of Jarry either, but at least now I know where the group Pere Ubu got their name.

By: crypticsue

crypticsue — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 12:07:39 +0000

For me this was a ‘who are you and what have you done with Bannsider?’ crossword as his usually take me days and days to sort out. I wrote in most of this one without too much trouble, grinding to a halt with the NE corner which took further cogitation and I still didn’t get FORTESCUE.

Very very enjoyable – hard to pick a favourite from so many – thanks to Bannsider and Simon.

By: Dormouse

Dormouse — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 09:31:14 +0000

Argh! I did that with 6dn too, kloot! And I’m sure I’d parsed it in my mind correctly.

Took me ages to get “Berg” despite him being one of my favourite composers. Got all his stuff on my iPod (and there’s a new production of Wozzeck in London next year). Kept on thinking “Bach” (not a favourite).

I thought Jarry was well known for Ubu Roi. Never seen it, but it’s got a famous opening line. He also wrote The Crucifixion considered as an Uphill Bicycle Race, which led to J.G. Ballard writing The Assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy considered as a Downhill Motor Race.