Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
A Mid-Year Blog Bash 17.5 perhaps?
25th July 2026
Following the last Birthday Bash, it was suggested that a mid-year get-together would be a good idea. The Old Joint Stock in Birmingham was suggested, and I have secured shared use of the Mezzanine Balcony for us.… Continue reading
Sunday Toughie No 215 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 8th of March 2026
Sunday Toughie No 216
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It is Light’s turn to have two Prize Puzzles this weekend. If yesterday was his 100th puzzle for The Telegraph is this his 101st? I don’t know for sure, as they may count the anonymous back pagers differently from Toughies. This is definitely his 14th Sunday Toughie as Light and with 8 so far in the other toughie, that leaves at least 79 anonymous backpage puzzles that have entertained us since he graduated from these shores. An impressive output in such a short time.
Anagrams and double definitions have hit the cutting room floor today, and don’t forget the maxim: When in doubt…
14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted at half. I will try and provide a nudge or two if you ask, but as it is Mother’s Day, my normal Coffee and Cake outing with Mama Bee will probably be Betty’s rather than the local Caffè Nero, I may take a little longer to reply
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie No 214 by proXimal
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 1st March 2026
The publication of the result contains the line;
The answer to 27a is misspelt. We apologise for the error.
Well done to J De Bruyn, Sheffield for winning
Sunday Toughie No 215
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Beam has provided a very pleasant and not too tough Toughie today. I was pleased to have something a little easier than last week’s, as no matter what tricks I used, I couldn’t get the puzzle until 00:10
Beam has brought us a generous and symmetric 16a and 16d clues today. When selecting the clues to hint, I found that the across selection was equally symmetric, so I let that guide an equally symmetric selection of downs. That may have left a few of the trickier clues unhinted, so I will endeavour to help with a bonus hint or two if you ask.
All the Beam™ trademarks are there, sweetheart, the Queen, single word answers and no anagrams. I spotted quite a few definitions by example? hence the question marks. I expect you will find the checkers to finish, as this was much more straightforward than last week.
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie No 213 by Dada
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 22nd February 2026
Sunday Toughie No 214
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proXimal is here again with all his Sunday Toughie trademarks. Tougher than usual I think, but not helped by my failure to find 27a in any dictionary! There appears to be a surplus I and the only source I can find suggests it is a common misspelling. Tomdisappointingsturges 65 will be very disappointed indeed if we allow misspellings to become commonplace.
We have 14a and 16d clues today and I have hinted half. I hope you find the checkers to get across the line.
Here we go, Folks…
Sunday Toughie No 212 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 15th of February 2026
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A day out at the Rhubarb Festival yesterday was very good (and tasty too), but quite tiring. Last time Dada was here (Sunday Toughie 204) I was a bit grumpy and wanted to express disapproval (7a) at getting a Dada to solve last night, but this was quite pleasant. I will obviously have to get used to seeing Dada twice on a Sunday quite often.
28 clues today split 13a/15d and I have hinted half. I hope you find the checkers to finish but I will try and give a nudge or too if time permits, around preparing the surplus of Rhubarb I bought yesterday.
Here We Go…
Sunday Toughie No 211 by Light
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 8th February 2026 Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 211 (Review)”