Listener Crossword 4718: Solution Notes
Linked by Vismut
Puzzle explanation
In the pairs of answers to linked clues, the last letter of the first answer was the same as the first letter of the second answer. The linking letters spelt out “Mary Macarthur”, who led the Cradley Heath women chain makers’ strike for a minimum wage in 1910. Chain links were drawn in the grid through CRADLEY HEATH, WOMEN CHAIN MAKERS and STRIKE. In the numbered clues, the last letter of each was the same as the first letter of the next, and these letters spelt “there’s no message here”. The puzzle was published on the day of the 2022 Women Chainmakers’ Festival, which took place in Mary Macarthur Gardens, Cradley Heath.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Answer (unclued letter) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Linked | ||
| IMA(M) | I(mplicates) M(an) A(fter) | |
| (M)OWRA | ((b)A(r)R(o)W (b)O(y)) < | |
| ARRACACH(A) | ARRA(y) + CACH(e) | |
| (A)STILBE | BEST * around (w)IL(d) | |
| SCREWE(R) | S + CREW + E | |
| (R)ANT | ANT | |
| MARR(Y) | RAM < + R | |
| (Y)EARN | EARN | |
| EBORACU(M) | ROBE < + A + CU | |
| (M)ALAR | A + (o)RAL < | |
| ULNARI(A) | URINAL * | |
| (A)COCK | COCK | |
| OTI(C) | I after OT | |
| (C)APON | AP + ON | |
| INAMORAT(A) | ANIMATOR * | |
| (A)LL AT SEA | TALL < + SEA(t) | |
| AMEE(R) | ÂME + E | |
| (R)EFEREE | (Sh)E(ila) + E in FREE | |
| DIE(T) | D(erby) I(n) E(psom) | |
| (T)IN | WIN − W | |
| POTLAC(H) | POT + LAC | |
| (H)EAT | EAT | |
| SAMSH(U) | SMASH * | |
| (U)NNATURALISED | (AND NEUTRAL) * around IS | |
| TWEE(R) | TWEE | |
| (R)ISPS | (bur)PS after (I + S) | |
| Across | ||
| 6 | DORADO | (R + A) in DODO |
| 7 | AEOLIAN | A + (NAIL + OE) < |
| 8 | ORTS | SORT with first letter moved to the end |
| 11 | GENU | GENIU(s) − I |
| 12 | ANNULLING | ANNUAL + LING − (quot)A |
| 16 | DUAL | (Ba)DU AL(bum) |
| 17 | SKIERS | 2 meanings |
| 18 | SATRAP | (SAT + A + P) around R |
| 19 | STEDD | ’S + TED + D |
| Down | ||
| 1 | RADIOPHONISTS | (ROD’S HIT + PIANO) * + S(tage) |
| 2 | ISOBRONTS | ISOS around BRONT(ë) |
| 3 | STRETTA | (E(xtra) T(uition) T(raining)) in ARTS * |
| 4 | PIAS | SPI(ce) * around A |
| 5 | SPICAE | SPICE around A |
| 9 | INDIAN RED | (GI ANDRÉ DERAIN − G − ERA) * |
| 10 | ANE | (l)ANE(s) |
| 13 | GRUYÈRE | (UP EASTER YARG) * − PASTA * |
| 14 | IMARET | MARE in IT |
| 15 | IRES | ((wi)SER I(nmate)) < |