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DT 30995 (Hints)

by crypticsue  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30995 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)

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An email from Telegraph Towers last Wednesday indicated that today’s Saturday Prize Puzzle would be a bit different to the usual Prize Puzzle: “Don’t miss this Saturday’s Prize Cryptic. Complete it before 8 August and you could win a guided tour of Bletchley Park. Hint: it’s not for the faint-hearted.”

They weren’t kidding – it was apparently set by GCHQ and the clues certainly took some decoding.  Had I not had to provide some Hints by 11am, I may well have put it down and returned to it later after the brain had done that magic thing of working on crossword clues while you do something else.   The solution to 17a doesn’t take a lot of looking for, if you are used to looking for a Nina or, in this case, hidden word, and you have the checking letters.     Good luck to all who complete the crossword and enter to win one of three guided tours for two of Bletchley Park.  I am fortunate enough to have already had a guided tour of Bletchley Park as one of my nieces works there!

Please ask for help if you are stuck on clues I haven’t hinted, but before doing so, please read the comments that appear before yours, so that you are not duplicating questions,  and make sure you obey both THE INSTRUCTIONS IN RED at the end of the Hints and the blog’s  Comment Etiquette – Big Dave’s Crossword Blog)

Most of the terms used in these hints are explained in the Glossary and examples are available by clicking on the entry under “See also”. Where the hint describes a construct as “usual” this means that more help can be found in The Usual Suspects, which gives a number of the elements commonly used in the wordplay. Another useful page is Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, which features words with meanings that are not always immediately obvious.

A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.

Across

8a           Festival starts in Cheltenham? Once per year text … (4,4)
A festival and the ‘starts’ in Cheltenham Once Per Year

10a         Maybe twist old weapon guards called large (6,4)
The abbreviation for Old and a type of sword (weapon) ‘guards’ a synonym for called.  The abbreviation for Large is added at the end

12a         One French figure reported “eyes” taking in female journo (7)
A homophone (reported) of a French number (figure)  takes in letters that sound (reported) like ‘eyes’ in between which is inserted the abbreviation for Female.  An abbreviated journalist is added at the end

19a         Expecting duty on article after thanks by foremost triumvirate in Bletchley (7)
An indefinite article goes after an informal word of thanks and the letter used in multiplication sums and measurements to mean by; the result followed by the first three (foremost triumvirate) letters in BLEtchley

26a         Game with tricks – a sign of dishonour mostly by heads of intelligence agencies (5,5)
Another name for the card game of Hearts – Remove the final letter from the second word of a sign of dishonour and follow with the ‘heads’ of Intelligence and Agencies

27a         Made good, done over by defector with no right (6)
An anagram (over) of DONE goes after a defector without the letter R

28a         Protective layer: wrapper of ochre on deliveries Hut’s opening (8)
The ‘wrapper’ of OchrE goes on or after some cricket deliveries and the opening of Hut

Down

1a           Our NSA works to reveal novel adversary (6)
The title character and main adversary in Lord of the Rings is an anagram (works) of OUR NSA

2d           Subsidy, say, or agent’s fee to recruit left-winger? (8,7)
A subsidy or pension might also refer to a football agent’s fee

5d           MI6 boss fell on MI5’s middle meal (6)
The letter used to refer to the boss of MI6, an uphill tract of land (fell) and the letter in the middle of MI5

6d           Promise on pay scuppered a local USA secret (9,6)
An anagram (scuppered) of A LOCAL USA SECRET

13d         Probe intercepted material? Key even gets uncovered (5)
Make deep research – a key on your computer keyboard and the inside (uncovered) letters of eVEn

16d         A covering I must keep half secret for biscuits (8)
A (from the clue), a floor covering and I (from the clue) between which (must keep) is inserted the second half of secRET

22d           Fine hiding in wharf, like more thorough cryptanalyst, say? (6)
Prying more – an informal word of acceptance (fine) hiding in a wharf

24d         Military rank that’s studied by Americans (5)
A military rank or the main subject of study by a student at an American (or Australian and New Zealand) university

As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment. If in doubt, leave it out

Please read these instructions carefully – they are not subject to debate or discussion. Offending comments may be redacted or, in extreme cases, deleted. In all cases the administrator’s decision is final.

If you don’t understand, or don’t wish to comply with, the conventions for commenting on weekend prize puzzles then please don’t leave a comment.

The Quick Crossword pun: SENT + TEEN + AIRY = CENTENARY

168 comments on “DT 30995 (Hints)”

  1. Well, that was interesting but not for me I’m afraid. I needed far too much help to finish it so little enjoyment for me. There’s no denying its cleverness but I simply did not understand a number of clues. However, I did suss out 17a and that becomes my COTD because of its novelty value.

    Despite my not getting on with it well, it was a fitting tribute to the centenary of the DT Cryptic.

    Thank you, GCHQ for an interesting diversion. Had it been a test for Bletchley Park, I would have failed miserably. Thank you for the hints, CS.

    I’m going to Oswestry Show today and the weather seems to be set fair.

  2. What a workout that was for my poor brain that was. I’m taking a break as 17a is still evading it, despite Crypticsue’s hint.

    1. Welcome to the blog

      Look carefully at your finished grid (and that’s all that I, and anyone else, ought to say about 17a)

  3. We were warned. That was tricky. As Sue says spotting the Nina was not too tricky and it helped to spot an erroneous bung-in at 26a
    With luck I may be in with a shot at the pen and trip to Bletchley

    Thanks to GCHQ and Sue

    2. There is no mention of a prize pen this week, the paper just talks about the Bletchley Park tour

      1. Not a chance of either prize coming my way, but I was just checking emoticons really. I hoped the MrK fix to comments may have helped.

  5. Well that was fun. Challenging, and a few answers I needed to confirm once I’d got them, but otherwise different and enjoyable.

    Favourite is 17a – not because it was especially hard, but just because you’ve got to admire the ingenuity of the way it was presented.

    1. Welcome to the blog

      I’ll say one thing for this special crossword – it’s certainly bringing out the lurkers

      1. And thank you for the continued hints and clues. Sometimes I find a particular clue completely impenetrable, or I know the answer but don’t have the first idea why. Here is always our first port of call.

  7. Managed the rest (with help) but as I have no idea what a Nina is and Google isn’t much help, I don’t know where to start with 17a.

    1. A Nina is a message hidden somewhere in a crossword grid. The solution to 17a can be found in your solved grid

      1. Sorry CS, I know it’s my own stupidity but I have no idea what you mean. I have completed the grid but am totally bereft of ideas as to where to even start with 17a. Is there a hidden clue, is there a lurker somewhere, beats me all ends up I’m afraid. Mrs B is equally as perplexed as I am as is every friend I have emailed who do the DT puzzle. ????‍????

        2. So pleased you have returned, Brian. Missed you so much. I agree with your remarks today. Totally beaten.

      1. Hi DG,
        Took a break to calm down from the heady excitement of the BD blog. Nice to hear from you.

  8. I am struggling to understand the thinking of the Telegraph crossword setters. I am a subscriber but I received no message to indicate that today’s puzzle would be out of the ordinary or that there was a special prize connected with it. I also fail to understand the significance of the special prize, I can only assume I have missed some anniversary details. As I live in Thailand the prize is irrelevant and I presume that there are a huge number of people that find the offer of a trip to Bletchley unappealing. Finally I found the puzzle impenetrable; I solved three clues and then threw in the towel. Not for me. I would love to see a Brian comment on today’s offering.

    1. Although Brian’s post appears before mine it wasn’t there when I commented. Must be cross continent delays in action.

          1. If it is, then it’s good to have him back!! I always welcomed his comments as a contrast to some of the weird things that have posted here over the last couple of years. Each to their own.

      2. When you first access the blog it is frozen just as it was when you arrived, by the time you have read the blog, comments and composed your reply you should refresh the page and see what has come in in the meantime.

  9. Like Steve, I realised that this is a very clever puzzle. I also realised, after filling in a haandful of clues that it is way above my pay grade . So its a DNF for me, although I did like the geological clue at 3d and the musical clue at 7d. Thanks to GCHQ and CS.

  11. I’ve always thought that if a weekly puzzle is called a ‘prize puzzle’ it should be the most challenging of the week and this one qualifies. I thought it was great with a worthy theme – thanks to our setter (name presumably withheld for security reasons?) and CS.

  12. Phew. That was HARD!
    I took one look at the grid and almost gave up there and then.
    My first pass through had revealed no more than about half a dozen answers – and I almost gave up then again.
    I will admit to using lots of electronic assistance, but I stuck with it – and I’m so glad I did. I simply marvelled at the cleverness of the clues once I had decoded them.
    And then 17a!
    My last one in. I was baffled at first, I know what a Nina is, and I was looking everywhere (but in the wrong direction). Having got it, I actually jumped up and down! What a clever (and fitting) clue!
    With thanks to all at GCHQ (for this and everything they do) and to CS for the hints which confirmed the answers that I was a little uncertain of.
    See you at Bletchley Park!

  13. 4*/2*. This was very tricky and not much fun as I finished with more hmms than ticks.

    The denouement for 17a was clever.

    Thanks to the setter and to CS.

  14. A somewhat bizarre experience for me, but an ultimately enjoyable outcome with 17A.

    Thanks Sue & GCHQ.

  15. After yesterday’s surprisingly gentle crossy from Klara, we get tester for a Saturday (usually it’s the other way round).

    When I had the checkers for 17a, I thought, for a second, that it’s another puzzle by the aforementioned and the answer is his name. But, it wasn’t to be.

    I had to work hard for this one but I got there in the end. Having not heard of 8a, 1d, 3d and 6d didn’t help my cause.

    There was some tough parsing that Silvanus and Zandio would have been proud of, e.g 10,12 & 19 across

    My podium is 10a, 12a and 4d.

    MT the savage setter and she of the crypt.

    4*/4*

    (I was going to give 3 stars for enjoyment as I haven’t ticked many clues. But, I’ve given it 4 as I appreciate the restrictions a setter has when there is a themed puzzle, thereby weakening a lot of surfaces)

      2. Coincidentally I think that Karla chose that pseudonym from the connection to John Le Carré

          1. Smiley’s People is the one for that, although he is in TTSS, of course. Only gets one scene in each, I think. He was better as an Enterprise captain, probably.

            1. But it’s one of, if not the best, scene in the film of TTSS – Oldman superb & better than Alec for my money.

      3. I know that Karla and proXimal both did a lot of the groundwork on the centenary, so Colin from GCHQ could be an amalgam of minds, with maybe the Colin who was on Countdown, (who is also Prime), involved too.

    1. I have now finished!!! Wonders will never cease. Even worked out 17a, yeah. Thanks CS for your help.

  17. A severe but bizarrely enjoyable brain mangling that needed e-help to get across the finishing line.

    Smiles for 10a, 12a, 28a, 2d, 20d, and 24d.

    With the two checkers, 17a was a lucky guess.

    Thanks to GCHQ and CS.

  18. That was fun. 17 did take a while.
    I thought 10 sneaky but a goodun
    P@
    (Fingers crossed for the tour, surely I’ll be drawn ONE of these decades :D )

  19. Well, that was a struggle!

    As a Cheltonian, I felt duty bound to soldier on till the grid was full, but I had to employ some electrons to help me crack a few of the riddles. I was a big fan of the Bond books in my twenties, so 4D was a read and write.

    Lots to like but nothing that really raised a chuckle so I will leave the podium empty today.

    Thanks to the setter and CS for the hints and confirmation that my guess for 17A was correct.

  20. Too difficult for me I am afraid and I never hit the right wavelength. Took far too long to get 3 clues so I threw in the towel. Made me appreciate the skill of the all the regular setters in consistently getting the right level of difficulty, providing smooth sometimes witty surfaces and with lots of PDMs thrown in.

  22. I nearly always finish Telegraph prize puzzles (and received a ‘mythical’ some years ago, which remains unused in a drawer somewhere). Today’s puzzle was thus a disappointment in its impenetrability (is that even a word?) The hints were of little help either, as were all of the illustrations, bar 1d, which I got unaided anyway. Looking forward, hopefully, to a normal Prize Puzzle and Toughie tomorrow. Grumpy or wot?

    1. Impenetrability is indeed a word and at exactly 15 letters an ideal candidate for a long-un in an upcoming toughie!

  23. Completed apart from 17a, have stared at the grid for ages and see nothing, maybe I made some mistakes. Anyway thanks to the setter and Sue for the assistance.

  24. A real treat for me as I love themed crosswords, but only got through about 80% before surrendering and googling.
    I did find 17a on my own after looking through the app’s help page and home screen thinking the clue might have been secreted there, but the actual hiding-place was more satisfying and appropriate! ****/****

  25. Phew. That gave our brains a workout.
    We got over half on first pass but then spent a long time doing the rest. 17a had us foxed.
    Didn’t spot the nina at all – and had to come for Sue’s hints to point us in the right direction.
    Thanks GCHQ for the workout and to crypticsue for decrypting 17a for us.

  26. Got there in the end – found the whole.thing a bit of a chore. Didn’t get any enjoyment for the experience – felt more like sitting an exam (which I suppose it sort of was!).

    It made me appreciate even more the skill and guile and just absolute craft that goes into our usual diet of back pagers. And for that I am grateful.

  27. ArthurDent at 12 summed it up nicely for me. One or two of the parsings are beyond me, assuming I’ve got the correct answers, so I shall read CS’S hints and review next week with interest. Can’t say I overly enjoyed the challenge but I wasn’t going to be beaten. Some satisfaction in completion though. Cotd is 16d, only because I like them.Thanks to the brains in GCHQ and CS for the sterling work on the hints.

  28. I enjoyed the challenge but it was jolly hard work and needed Sue’s help to confirm some of the answers. I spotted the Nina quite early, which helped. No outstanding favourites just enjoyed getting one up on GCHQ!
    Thanks to Cryptic Sue for the blog and GCHQ for the challenge.

  29. I’ve just had an email purporting to come from BD blog asking me to confirm my subscription and set up a WordPress account. Is this kosher?

    2. If its ‘easy’ to see, look at the e-mail address of the sender. If it is not from ‘wordpress.com’ or ‘bigdave44.com’ then delete the message as fast as possible.

    3. I get that everyday. I just click on confirm email then close it. It’s probably because I’m not signed into my WordPress account (if I have one).

      1. Thanks for the responses. I’ve never knowingly signed up for WordPress, so have deleted it. Better safe than sorry.

  30. I’m not surprised GCHQ haven’t come calling for me – I don’t think I’m the right stuff!
    Would never have finished it without Sue and Dan! so not a lot of satisfaction earned
    Thank goodness I won’t be around for the bicentennial!
    Thanks to Sue and the boffins
    */**********

  31. Well that was a 17 and 21a challenge! I’m off to lie down in the dark. Cotd 10a just because it was so hard to get (and I stress for me) … primarily because I’d “bunged” in “syrup” at 4d .. doh! I feel like I’d due the “Holy Grail” now never mind a trip around Bletchley.
    Thanks to GCHQ but stick to your day job please!

  32. Really, really hard but hugely satisfying. I confess to using my word finder gizmo (which I normally refer to as cheating) but no holds barred when facing a challenge like this. I think I’ll go for a gin with a 10a and a 16d to soothe me. I don’t want to be contentious, but the D T is a British newspaper and we have been warned all week about the centenary – how can people complain? Most of the year we get doable guzzles (that reads oddly) I think it brings us down with a bang when we get a stinker like this.
    One day in the year. Incidentally I am surprised no mention that I could see of the piece on BBC Breakfast. – I was chuffed to get both the challenges right. Huge thanks to the fiendish setter and to dear CeeSue.

  33. That was tough but I suppose we should expect nothing less from GCHQ! I did need some help from Mr G to verify a couple of answers but I’m claiming a win. Top three for me were 8&15a plus 24d.

    Thanks to GCHQ and to CS.

  34. PS I thought probably 15a was the sneakiest clue!
    And PPS a trip to Bletchley Park with presumably VIP treatment beats any pen????

  35. First time I’ve ever commented: too hard for me I’m afraid. Five stars for difficulty and none for enjoyment

    1. Welcome to the blog, DorsetCream.
      Now that you’ve de-lurked I hope that you’ll comment again.

  36. Well, firstly, massive credit to you CrypticSue for posting this so quickly, thank you. Secondly, didn’t love today’s puzzle. Which is why, thirdly, I don’t work for GCHQ, wouldn’t have a chance..!

  37. I have to say for this Saturday puzzle, I found that it was extremely difficult, likely more so than an Edgar puzzle, (that I do not even venture into), but I realise this is a different kind of puzzle.

    For clues I managed to solve logically, the favourites were 12a, 14a, 7d, 13d, 14d & 23d — with winner 14a

    However, thanks to GCHQ & CS

  38. What a struggle, but finished with lots of help. “Finished” in this context means that I have words written in the whole grid and they all hang together – some may even be correct! The mythical is out of reach since I live in the USA, but I will be in the UK for the next couple of weeks visiting family so I might try to visit Bletchley Park (always wanted to go but never got around to it).

    Slightly disappointed that the word “Turing” wasn’t somewhere in the puzzle (at least it’s not in my solution). The naughty step probably awaits…

    Thanks to CS and whoever!

  39. Thanks to GCHQ and CS. Brains suitably damaged beyond repair. Plus was we sat in the sunshine with a gentle breeze to tackle this very challenging puzzle. Gary and Val

  40. There was an interesting feature on BBC Breakfast this morning. Dave Gorman was a guest and there was a message played from the setter at GCHQ who called himself Colin.

    1. You’ve changed your alias so this needed moderation. All three of the aliases you’ve used will work from now on.

  42. Well I was interviewed by GCHQ many years ago and failed. This puzzle reminded me of that horrible interview by the end of which I wasn’t even sure of my name!
    I’ve struggled through this and have filled in all the blanks with CrypticSue’s help. I can appreciate the cleverness especially given the boundaries set by it being themed.

    Several new words for me too.

    Top picks for me were 26a, 13d, 23a and 15a.

    Thanks to CrypticSue and the setter.

  43. All finished apart from 17!
    Just asking … but is it the clue that is hidden or the solution?

            2. I think we have probably tested Sue’s patience re the naughty step, but maybe check your email.

  44. Not sure whether I enjoyed that or not – but as others have said, it makes you appreciate the skill of the normal setters. I did at least finish but not without Sue’s help (thanks Sue and all of the bloggers), plus a lot of other electronic help. I agree with Daisy, would normally call that cheating, but the potential prize was worth it.

  45. OMG that was quite a puzzle. Don’t expect to ever receive ‘a tap on the shoulder’ in any future recruitment drive from GCHQ.

  46. I have not commented for ages but this brought me from my criminals HQs to thank Cryptic Sue for her hints without which I had five answers but now complete but not without a great struggle.Now going to sit in the garden and enjoy Daisy’s first class suggestion. Thagnk you Sue.

  47. As people probably know, bloggers get an email with every single comment on their blog post. I don’t think I have ever come back to the computer from a post-lunch read of my book through my closed eyelids to find so many messages about a Saturday Prize Puzzle

  48. Well, I’ve read this blog on and off over the years and it has been a real help in improving my crossword skills! I’ve decided it’s time to actually try to comment and say hello.

    I really enjoyed today’s puzzle. I wouldn’t have finished it without a lot of help and a spot of light cheating, but the final (hidden) clue was a pleasure. It took me a disappointing amount of time to actually find, but hugely satisfying once I got there.

    2. Welcome, Dan the Teacher. Now you have said hello, please do continue to comment.

  50. Whew. Needed some help there. Prize is also not much use to me as I’m in Atlanta. If I was still in Oswestry Steve,enjoy the Show, it would be enjoyable.

    Thanks for the hints

      1. Was going to remark that all the beans were broken, but I imagine the judges were responsible.
        Some fine looking onions too.

        1. Yes the judges do that, Sloops. A friend of mine bought half a dozen eggs from the village gate and was most put out that there were only five in the carton. He forgot that the judges crack one open.

          The onions put my efforts to shame.

  51. Wow, I’ve just finished and needed some help today. Several words and terms I’ve never heard of. I have the answer to 17a – i looked around and found it – but is that the only definition of the solution or am i again being a bit thick?
    2*/5*
    Not really for me today – but thank you Sue for the much needed help.

  52. “An enigma wrapped in a riddle” … I will leave this one to the residents of Bletchley Park.

  53. Zero fun today, and definitely qualifies for a “Life is Too Short” award. With the dryer waiting to be emptied, a batch of ice cream to make, and a watercolor picture that needs more work, I gave up after filling in 6 answers. And even if I was clever enough, the Bletchley Park prize would not apply – like the pens – as I am across the pond. Well done CS on solving all of this.

  54. First chance I’ve had for a few days to look at crosswords, but glad I found time.
    I thought this to be on a level with Friday Toughies. Not many bung-ins and a slow start as the setter’s style seemed unfamiliar.
    Perseverance rewarded me with a very enjoyable full grid.
    Loved 17a and how it was clued.
    No particular favourites, just all round good fun.
    Thanks to the setter, who’s name in my opinion should fittingly remain a secret and to CS.

  56. Between cutting the hedge and this puzzle the hedge was the easier option. I’m steaming because I have struggled and can see the tape but cannot fathom the last clue which is 17 across. Suspect I will kick myself and since others have loved it that only makes it much worse.
    Well done CS and I am not giving up just yet

    1. A typo in your email address sent you into moderation

      17a is the subject of a great deal of discussion in the comments. Have a read through and see if that helps you finish

  57. Don’t know about a VIP trip to BP but reckon you deserve an all expenses luxury cruise round the Caribbean for completing that one – for the first time ever a Half Marathon message popped up on the puzzles app telling me I’d spend 2 hours off & on finishing the blighter.
    Can’t in all honesty say it was my cup of tea & am inclined to agree with RD’s earlier comment. 4d for the memory & 15a were my top 2.
    Thanks to the setter & to Sue

  58. Is it possible that 17a has two permitted solutions? I ask because I completed it on the DT Puzzles app, and got a ‘Bravo’ from the app at the end—which I thought only happens when it’s solved fully correctly—but the solution I gave for 17a was not the answer to the Nina (which I hadn’t picked up on at the time), but rather a word (with the same 2nd and 4th letters) that describes, in the context of the puzzle, the statement, “This puzzle was written by GCHQ for the Telegraph crossword centenary, and GCHQ have hidden this clue – look around for it”.
    Could the “and” in there mean that both answers are correct? (Why else would I have got a ‘bravo’?)

      1. Welcome to the blog, Steven. As it’s a prize puzzle I doubt the app would tell you if your entry is correct. As for 17a, I can see only one possible solution.

        1. Thank you – and to Sue – for the welcome, and indeed for the blog itself. I have been one of the ‘lurkers’, but very much an appreciative one!
          My intrigue with the app arises because hitherto, whenever I have completed a prize cryptic and turned out not to be 100% correct, when I’ve clicked Submit the message “Good luck” has appeared. “Bravo” has only appeared on those occasions when it has proven fully correct. At least, I’m pretty sure that’s how it has been. Has this recently changed, perhaps?

          1. I think the reason you still get that is that you haven’t applied the update to the puzzles app. Do you still get up to 5 permissible check if correct presses too?

            1. Aha! Thank you – I think that must explain it!
              Nonetheless, a very satisfying puzzle!

    3. Monday to Friday puzzles get either a close but no cigar or the confetti. Prize puzzles give invite you to submit your answers and the bravo is just to congratulate you on filling the grid, but not the accuracy of the answers submitted.

      1. Hi SJB, my experience has always been that, when I haven’t got a prize cryptic all right, it has responded with a snide “Good luck” rather than a “Bravo”—unless this has recently changed?

        1. Well you live and learn, I am not sure I have noticed that before. I am not claiming to have never submitted an incorrect grid as I have many mistakes in the past. I am probably too tired to notice the difference as filling the grid on a Sunday Toughie is my cue to go to sleep on the parsing before I write the hints.
          I am amazed that Sue can solve and hint that puzzle much faster than seems humanly possible.

  59. 4.5* / 3.5* Well I didn’t give up and battled to the end, needed a hint in the SW to complete, but got 17a which seems to have caused problems.
    Favourites 15a Crims HQ, 1d adversary and 17a which helped with other clues
    Many thanks to Sue and GCHQ

  60. This was great fun, but I hope GCHQ steers clear of the Tuesday Toughie… definitely worthy of its elevated Prize Status. For once, I could see straight away where the “Nina” would be, although filling in the letters was another matter.

    Thanks to CS for the blog, and the bombardment of comments for a Celebrity Crossword.

    Now to return to seeing if I can actually insert something – anything – into yesterday’s Osmosis!

  61. Not for me…did half of it…those I didnt I went to Danword…even the answers lost me..Am i thick ?
    No fun at all..Doug

    1. Does Danword ever get it wrong?

      Alas, he never parses the clues.

      But, maybe, he will when AI rules the world?

      1. Dodgy Danword most definitely gets it wrong, these were in the same crossword;
        19a Sports presenter losing heart, becoming continuity announcer? (6)
        LINKER: A sports presenter without his well-paid job at the BBC LINEKER, loses his central letter. I write this review before the result is published, but I hope you didn’t believe Danword and the like, who suggest TICKER as the answer.
        22a Guys in Costa finish off coffees (4)
        RIBS: Not the Costa where coffee can be bought, but costa is a medical term related to the “cage” that protects your lungs and heart RIB, plus the last letter of coffees S. Guys, teases or RIBS. Danword and the like made another howler here, suggesting for some unknown reason, that ROBS is the answer.

  62. This is an interesting puzzle for me as I live in Bletchley, literally next door to Bletchley Park. The fence at the foot of my garden is the boundary to the Park. However, proximity to the prize is not helping solve some of the thornier clues!

  63. That was hard. I feel like they were actually recruiting for GCHQ. I will await the tap on the shoulder assuming I got everything right (which I may not have) z

  64. Well that took 6* in time! Solved quite a lot eventually by myself and the hints for a few more but regret I had to resort to Dan Word for the final few. But the subtleness off 17A was the icing on the cake, a Nina with a twist! Not sure I dare submit it as I had to cheat and not sure I could take up the Bletchley tour, would prefer another mythical to add to my collection. Was a bit misled by the 24d/15a connection, was totally off track.

  65. Seem to be in sheep mode agreeing with the herd. Took 3 goes across the day finishing NE last. Not much pleasure gained and needed the hints for a few. Not planning on Bletchley and not applying for GCHQ !
    Ah well, Thanks to all.

    1. I bought one of the GCHQ Xmas quiz books and was utterly useless. My career in crypto analysis is on hold!!

  66. Thanks to GCHQ. Very enjoyable, it makes a welcome change for a Prize Puzzle to be hard.

  67. Well that was difficult with a capital ‘D.’ Started by a swimming pool in Greece and finished at home this evening, with the help of Chambers. Put me in my place having had three successes this week, very much brought back down to earth. That said, I really enjoyed the challenge. Also, I had immediately identified the means of getting the answer to 17a from the guidance written in italics and had guessed correctly, honest guv, the answer to said clue with only one letter to help. That might be due to having a keen interest in the workings of BP and having read numerous books the subject.
    Thank you to GCHQ for today’s puzzle and to CS for the hints.

  68. Well gosh that was hard,
    I finally got 17a after a huge amount of head scratching, but even having finally got it I can see no reason why people found it so clever – I guess I am still missing something but ho hum…

  69. Terrific puzzle from the Cheltenham Doughnut. 17A had to be what it was for the history.

    13D and 20D were great, but the best laugh was 15A. ]

    VMT GCHQ Setters and Sue.

  70. I have been out for the day and a quick glance at the puzzle told me it would be very tricky, now I have seen some of the comments and what CS thought I can see it is not one for me when tired, I will take a look tomorrow.
    Thanks to the setter for what I am sure will be a great challenge and to CS for the hints which I expect to need.

  71. Well, having not commented for ages, that just about finished my day as it had started so I’m moved to do so. On holiday, went for a walk, twisted ankle, got stung by a jellyfish, had a rubbish meal in a restaurant and then had a DNF on the crossword. Actually decided to abandon early on and went to an old one we’d missed. Surely things can only get better?

  72. The 15a and 24d were cleverly misleading. 22d earned a laugh. This puzzle was beyond my pay grade and I hope we are coming to an end of the centenary celebrations so there will be a few more puzzles in line with my inferior ability. It is encouraging to get near the finishing post reasonably often, although head scratching is part of the enjoyment. The centenary has been well worthwhile and I hope it has brought newcomers to the pleasure of cruciverbalism. Many thanks to the setter and the lady in the crypt.

    ToniHaHa

  73. Tricky indeed. If that was a Toughie Sue, how many stars would you’ve awarded it?

    Enjoyable but demanding. Thanks to GCHQ and CS.

  74. Perhaps for the 200th anniversary GCHQ could be asked to ruin Friday’s solve rather than the simple pleasure provided on a Saturday? Not for me I’m afraid; doable but no real fun.

  75. Late to the party. Needed a bit of help here and there, but what a satisfying solve!

  76. I am another de-lurker who has been forced into the open by this splendid puzzle. It was a real brain scrambler which took much longer than usual to solve all but 17a. 17a took as long as the rest of the puzzle despite all the helpful hints but the penny finally dropped. Many thanks to CS and Colin and I suppose that we can now return to moaning about multi answer clues when they appear!

  77. Oh that was hard. Help was needed. Eventually done over 2 days. 17a appeared to me quite out of the blue. Should I send it in? Why not!

  78. Due to other commitments, have been crossie free for a couple of years, but returned to the fold a few weeks ago. It has taken time to get the rusty old brain oiled and working but was getting to the point of achieving fairly fair results. That is, until yesterday! Probably not helped by having read about the CGHQ puzzle in the DT before attempting, which, I am sure, rather skewed my thinking.

    First read through – 25a only. A few more attempts and and few more dotted around. With the wonderful Cryptic Sue’s hints (although some of those needed as much figuring out as the clues) I managed a few more, and because of those and checking letters, a few more. All mainly down the west side – the east side looking awfully bare. In the end it had to be electronic assistance, even with the 5d anagram – I got the second word and in fact eventually the first, but I had never heard of it nor did it make sense, I had to seek Mr Google’s assistance and then all became clear.

    I was very relieved, when eventually reading the comments, that I was not alone in my struggles. My COTD is 23d because I actually worked it out but having never heard of the character, was pleased to find i was correct. That is always very satisfying. As said previously 15a and 24d I found amusing once the penny had dropped.

    Many thanks to Cryptic Sue, who has gone up even further in my admiration of her skills. I bow to her. Also thanks to the clever compiler at GCHQ and as also said previously, I can now see why I would never have been employed by that establishment.

      1. Thanks Sue. Ever so sorry, hadn’t realised I’d been so verbose. Looked so much less in the comment box ????

  79. Finished off this morning… and what fun!

    Many thanks CrypticSue for the heads up this was a bit different to usual.

  80. This puzzle was completely beyond me. Managed 4d, 11a and 23d, then gave up. I do however admire the advanced brains who are able to complete such a puzzle.
    Has been a pleasure to read the daily articles on cryptic crossword solving this week. Will bring many new readers to the cryptic party I am sure. Personally it was Pemberton and Shearsmith who inspired me to do my first cryptic. I’ll will forever be indebted to them.

  81. I was tempted into tackling this puzzle by the trailers leading up to it, and glad I did so. I needed a lie-in this morning as my end of the day clue-cracking took me well past midnight. However, achieving a full grid helped me sleep well.
    I enjoyed the thematic cluing – well done to the setter(s). As Gazza drolly noted, “name presumably withheld for security reasons” :-)
    My favourites amongst the thematic clues were the consecutive 18, 19 & 21 across, with my wordplay favourites being 10a (a satisfying PDM there), 12a (well-disguised definition) and the cleverly constructed 17a.
    Congratulations to all involved in this Centenary Celebration special, and thanks to CS for hosting the Saturday Crossword Club – what a lot of members this Club has!

  82. Have had a long break from the Telegraph cryptic crossword but was sufficiently intrigued by the weekly email from Chris Lancaster to have a look at yesterday’s. Rather surprised myself by finishing it. Am not convinced by my answer for 17a but think it has to be. Feel I am missing something in the Nina as it seems incomplete. Daren’t say more for fear of the naughty step.
    Am in awe of CrypticSue for getting the hints out – such a commitment to take this on without knowing what she is facing each Saturday. Deep respect!

      1. Yup, I must be definitely missing something. Can only wait for and look forward to the complete reveal next weekend.

  83. Finally got to the end just before midnight on Sunday!
    Enjoyed the challenge – I don’t like to give up!
    Thanks to GCHQ and CS.

  84. Not enjoyable at all for me at all. Got 3 clues so far and not sure of one of them. Given that I buy the paper just for the crossword, I shan’t bother next week

    1. We awon’t get another Centenary Prize Puzzle until 2125 so I think next Saturday’s Prize Puzzle should be a return to ‘normal’

  86. Genius. ****/****
    I am confident of winning the Bletchley prize.
    I’m on a roll, having won a photograph competition in 1951 in the Evening Standard followed by first prize in the Daily Mail crossword in 1965. Bring it on – and welcome back, Brian.

  87. Great puzzle despite some repetitive elements. An enjoyable and appropriate theme, & I was evidently fortunate to tune-in reasonably swiftly, finding this about the level of a late-week back-pager. Said with a confidence that could be undermined when I see the answer to 17a, for the answer’s definition in the Nina is (to me anyway) somewhat curious.

    Many thanks to the setter(s) and to CS

  88. Ooops, I’ve just found some notes from last weekend about this puzzle. I solved it on the Sunday, after spending Saturday looking at lionnesses and other animals. Anyway, a belated thank you to CrypticSue for the help: I think I ended up using most of your hints to finally get a full grid.

    I only filled in 5 answers on my first pass, and one of those was a guess, 4d, where I didn’t know the 007 honey.

    There were a few other terms I hadn’t heard of either, including 26a — which I previously hadn’t heard of when it was the answer to a crossword in 2021, but it meant something different then and having remembered that meaning, it was of no use in this puzzle!

    I enjoyed the theming and didn’t mind something like this as an occasional change, but I’m glad they aren’t all like this!

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