Herculis 01/08

[cheshunt]

3 down. Hard flexilble timber used for creating bows.  3 letters  (Oak, Elm or Box perhaps ????)

4 down.  Johann; first printer in Europe to use movable type and the printing press. - - - E - B - R -

9 across.  Unexpected violent windstorm accompanied by precipitation  4 blanks L blank 

[grannyg]

3d Ash
4d Gutenberg
9a Squall

[Plutus]

3d.  YEW

I always thought yew was used tp make bows, now

confirmed by my dictionary.

[sddsddean]

Its also why nearly all English churchyards have a Yew tree planted in them, so there would be a handy supply for the community.

[biley]

The answer for 3 down required here is ASH as grannyg says - the "S" of Ash being the first letter of 9 Across which is (again as grannyg says) SQUALL.

[cheshunt]

Thanks grannyg. Actually, I eventully worked them all out myself as soon as Gutenberg came to mind. He of the Bible ! Why I didn't think of him earlier goodness knows.