Listener 4103: Annual Turnover by Ragtag

[midazolam]

Fairly straightforward debut by Ragtag this week. The basics of the theme we have seen in a listener a couple of years back as well as in the EV. I was wondering what the clashes had to do with it, but it's all confirmed in Chambers. I am surprised this aspect of the puzzle has not come up before.

[Zabadak]

It probably has: I have vague recollections of something similar. I thought, give the restrictions imposed by the theme, this was a very clever piece of construction. I left the 28ac 'til last, as It was fairly easy to see what was going on, but I still needed a second printed grid having started (sorry, Ragtag) in my lucky ballpoint. Also initially missed some of the added letters,as I felt there were one or two which were kind of optional. However, a very pretty début (if such it is) and thanks

[starwalker]

I also had problems with the location of one of the extra letters, but all is now resolved. The theme does ring a few bells from some time ago, but interestingly, this is not a debut, but a second outing by Ragtag - the first being in 1987 which was long before my Listener solving days.

[Ruthrobin]

I'm gazing at a complete grid with a pattern of clashes (seven) and 28 across that seems to say something - but only a ten letter-hint, and completely mystified. How do you do it - you aces?

[midazolam]

Interesting Starwalker, as it was that same year this thematic connection came up, created by another setter who is still producing Listeners today.

[Zabadak]

You should have twelve letters for the hint, but ten should give you a pretty good idea. I would venture that the link between the hint and 28ac is not immediately obvious. If you have the clashes in the right places, they should remind you of something.
As for how it's done (!) actually this week not much use of Electric Chambers - I genuinely believe this was one I would have cracked with just the book. Didn't even Google anything!

[Zabadak]

Incidentally, if I search the site with 4103 as the search term (or listener) at present I get no hits for this thread. Does it take a while, or is my browser (Chrome) messing things up? This happened a few weeks ago, when I entered what I thought was an empty field, only to find I was treading on someone's toes!

[dr b]

Did not get a chance to look at this till after dinner (that's midnight to you, as Graham Parker once sang in another context). I had lots of grading to get done this afternoon and then went to '80s night at my daughter's high school where she did a very fine rendition of "Vacation" by the Go-Gos. (I realize that this is far more about my life than any of you want to know.)

Fairly easy cluing for a Listener, I was thinking; got 28a pretty quick (thanks Word Wizard), but it took me way too long to realize what 28a was telling me to do, which is really inexcusable since I looked up the definition and everything. Oh well, once that finally struck me, the rest fell into place without too much trouble.

[dr b]

Z: I am also getting no hits for "Listener 4103"; seems like it should be showing up by now.

[dr b]

On the other hand if I go to Google and search for it, this page is the first hit. Perhaps in the site revamp the search facility got messed up.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

*smirks and runs away before she says owt daft like*

[catstail]

Glad to hear it is "fairly straightforward". I might have a chance with this one. Will let you know when the paper has arrived.

[silversolver]

An enjoyable and well-constructed puzzle. I agree that the clueing was pretty straightforward but I too struggled with finding all the extra letters until the final theme became clear. The instruction to start in pencil was a bit superfluous as I cannot imagine that many solvers would embark on any Listener crossword armed with anything else! I know that I always use a pencil or else most grids would quickly become illegible...

[pushmi-pullyu]

I not only always use a pencil but I usually make one or two enlarged photocopies of the grid so that I can make as much mess as I want.

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, apparently other people are having trouble finding the thread. I had it saved as a favourite and it came up normally. I realize now that I had 28ac all along, as I had simply made some obvious adjustments whilst solving. Yes, I didn't need to google anything either - for once, the book sufficed with the clear and relatively straight-forward cluing.

[contendo]

Can't make sense of 44dn but otherwise I've completed the grid. I've only got 9 of the surplus letters and they're not shrieking anything at me.

[midazolam]

looking up your answer in chambers, the first meaning of it is the definition. Countries tend to have only one abbreviation.

I haven't used a pencil in a long time and my grids are generally not that messy. Luckily I got what was going on early so made no mistakes. I also prefer to scribble out clashes rather than rub them out, so that when it comes to checking/transferring I have all the elements in front of me. I then print out a final to grid to send on.

[bobbycollins]

Put me in with the pencils brigade

Got everything bar two of the extra letters, but can't make anything with the other ten - not that I particularly need to.

Off subject, and purely out of curiosity..... We have just returned from Durham where the eldest is at uni. He and seven others are sharing a rather splendid town house in the centre of the city - 300 quid a month each. Quite a step up from my and the wife's days. Was he just lucky or do they all live in virtual luxury these days?

[dr b]

Bobbyc, certainly in the US universities compete on amenities (Lord knows they do not compete on price!). So most schools have very nice dorms, really good food (SO much better than what I had to eat back in the day), state-of-the-art fitness centers, etc. When I was helping my oldest move in a few weeks ago I insisted we eat in the dining hall for lunch as that may have been my last meal there. I will miss it.

USA/Lithuania basketball tipping off!! Woohoo!

[bobbycollins]

cheers, dr b, and Woohoo to you too - Blackpool have just won 2-0 away at Newcastle!!!!

[contendo]

Thanks Midazolam. Your advice was incomprehensible to me until I realised that I had 50 ac wrong My alternative was almost as good as the right one, but didn't quite explain the last letter. Finally polished it off, including the hint, which I got from Bradford (God bless her.