Independent Crossword 9158 by Nimrod (20-02-2016)

Well in the week that the Independent announced its departure from the newsagent stands – a tussle with Nimrod beckons and perhaps my last ever blog of an Independent crossword.

I for one will be very sorry to see the paper disappear – having read it virtually without fail since its inception. What set it apart was that it never seemed to pander to a single viewpoint, and that also was the mark of the daily crossword it contained. Freedom of speech and freedom to compile. Such a variety of compilers over the years from the ultra orthodox to the boundary stretchers (one of which I would name as Nimrod, who were always looking for a new quirk to define a clue). Many others taught me via trial and error the complexities that comprise the cryptic clue and the unique signature of each compiler.

But the times they are a changin’

Let’s hope some form of printable crossword will be available on the net and there will be some attempt to replicate a daily print edition, showing what’s available to read that day, but providing a level of constraint that the net does not normally facilitate. It’s not a great time for my 2 main sources of information the Independent and the BBC  (one battered into submission by the lack of readers, the other by a lack of funding). I’m afraid I’ll choose ignorance over an alternative of the Times and Sky news.

Apologies for the rant and on to the crossword.

As Nimrod puzzles go – this was a stroll in the park. Either that or my rising anger at where the UK is heading focussed my mind or it really was a lot easier than his usual fair.

A trio of triple definitions (15ac, 7dn, 23dn) and 19ac were the highlights for me. Whilst I realised early on that the clue was based on eightses – it took me a while to spot and decipher the definition.

There was also a subliminal message too – no doubt in keeping with the Barber of Seville. The letters around the perimeter spelled out:

Catcall : Barrack: Heckle : Jeer : Hiss

So to continue the theme I’ll finish with a further one, as living where I do I’m pretty sure no one listens – even some of our regional MPs are based in London. At least the Independent (It was Were you?) outlived representative democracy. “Heckle” sums that one up best – as they are generally ignored.

Thanks Nimrod – I do hope to see more crosswords from you in the future.

Key:

Anagram; DD Double definition; Rev. reverse; Underline – definition.

Across

8 Break up – college holiday (6)

C (college) + leave (holiday)

9 Variety of sea-life more diverse than a zoo (8)

(than a zoo)* = ANTHOZOA

10 Which is this guy’s loosened tile? (4)

T(As in t’ – I think) + hat (tile) = THAT

11 Secret compartment (odd italics) (10)

Cab (compartment) + (italics)* = CABALISTIC

12 Fall in mutual back scratching terms (6)

Rev(in mutual) – ends (terms) = AUTUMN

13 Chance it drove over one cutting kid’s cake (3,1,4)

ran (drove) = I (one) in Rusk (kid’s cake) = RUN A RISK

15 Tea? You might pay me to do some fish (4)

Triple definition CHAR

16 Below ground fireman’s cut me loose (5)

(fireman – me)* = INFRA

17 Cunning opening (4)

DD ARCH

19 Do mid-morning break three hours early, say, and swap tips (8)

elevenses – three hours = eightses – swapping tips (start and end) = SIGHTSEE

21 Time you need to take on lush picture (6)

T(time) + alkie (lush as in drunk) = TALKIE

22 Pest destructively set about exposed cuticle (6,4)

(set)* about epidermis (cuticle) – ends (exposed) = SPIDER MITE

24 Yellow’s out of range with it (4)

Chicken (yellow) – ken (range) = CHIC

25 One partner of Oliver H’s caught drunk in French city (8)

i (one) + Stan L(partner of Oliver H(ardy)) around bu (drunk in French) = ISTANBUL

26 Rail service vehicle in which to race the old girl westward (6)

Rev. Kart (vehicle in which to race) + Ma (old girl) = AMTRAK

Down

1 It intrudes upon irrational thoughts, even given 10 (8)

Hidden irrationAL THOUGHts = ALTHOUGH

2 In a stroke, Thu-Sun idol nails Ruddigore’s opening and final act (4,6)

lash (stroke) around Thur + Ra (sun) = LAST HURRAH

3 Complex clue linked to an element of amino acid (6)

(clue)* + in (element – Indium) = LEUCIN

4 Tavern worker’s snarling line is directed at twisted opera (6,2,7)

Bar(tavern)  + bee(worker) around (Rev. l (line) + live for (directed at)) = BARBER OF SEVILLE

5 Attending national army gathering as huntress (8)

at (attending) n(national) + ta (army) around a la (as) = ATALANTA

6 Supreme Creator of 4 missing in Independent (4)

Rossini (creator of 4) – in – I(independent) = ROSS (as in Diana)

7 Like Maid Marian, are these Bristol City supporters showing off splendid breasts? (6)

Triple definition = ROBINS

14 Electoral reforms absorbing area budget in a new way (10)

(electoral = a)* = REALLOCATE

16 To dedicate to pirate is cutting in itself (8)

in se (in itself) around crib (pirate) = INSCRIBE

18 Writer’s in wreck of car left on perimeter fence? (8)

I’m (writer) + in inside (car + l)* = CRIMINAL

20 Just like the rascal one is, jumping ship (6)

I’m (one is) + (ship)* = IMPISH

21 Hats off to Juno, collecting herself overseas sovereignty (3,3)

T J (hats off to Juno) around Hera (Juno equivalent) = THE RAJ

23 Like this will cost me my treasure! (4)

Triple defintion = DEAR