August 9, 2025 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

DT Vintage 13

Daily Telegraph Vintage No 13
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

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BD Rating – Difficulty ***     Enjoyment ****
(I don’t often do ratings – your experience may vary)

The Telegraph crossword has a long history of paying tribute to, and being appreciated by, British royalty. George V’s Silver Jubilee on May 6, 1935, was marked with a special puzzle offering “praise and thanksgiving”. Queen Elizabeth is said to have regularly devoted half an hour to the crossword. For the 100th birthday of the Queen Mother, a special Telegraph crossword about her life was commissioned, enlarged and carried down the Horse Guards Parade. If Her Majesty glanced at the crossword on the day she acceded to the throne, this is what she would have seen.

I expect that one or more of the other puzzles mentioned in the DT preamble above will appear here soon. I am sure Rossophile or Gazza would welcome assistance with blogs. “A volunteer is worth ten pressed men.”

Several things in this crossword wouldn’t be allowed these days, but I do like the image of The Queen having a go at this before heading off to her coronation.

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DT 31001 (hints)

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31001 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by Gazza)

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Crypticsue is busy today so it’s down to me to provide a few hints for the Saturday Prize Puzzle.

After last Saturday’s special Prize Puzzle we’re back to normal this week with a very enjoyable crossword from (I presume) one of our usual Saturday setters. There are seven anagrams here and I haven’t hinted any of them. If you’re really stuck on one of the clues I haven’t hinted (and you’re pretty sure that it’s not an anagram) I may provide a bit more help.
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