DT Quickie

[Aquagility]

Do any of you regulars bother with the Telegraph Quick Crossword? The one interesting aspect is that the first two across solutions make a (punning) phrase. If more that two words the clues are printed in italics.

I rather like today's - Wanda Swill Nevis Cease.

Discuss!

[johnalex]

. . . . reminds me of the tragic story of 24 employees who died in a toothpaste factory. They were all accidentally locked in the frozen storage room. The headlines in next day's paper read 'Tooth Company Freeze a Crowd' . . . .

[JerryB]

The DT quick seems to reserve it's more complex puns for Mondays, the other weekdays usually restricted to two-word puns.
One Christmas time, about 7 or 8 years ago, ALL of the across clues in one of the DT quick crosswords spelt out the first verse of "O Little Town of Bethlehem".
Also, it's not only the DT quick - the Times 2 has been known to include messages spelt out by reading the answers clockwise round the outside of the completed grid.

[Aquagility]

Thanks be that there are at least two brave people out there who are not ashamed to admit that they even know what the Quickie is!

[gen2]

Goodness me JerryB, was it really that long ago! I remember that Christmas one but would have said it was only 3 or 4 years back. How time flies!

[JerryB]

Yes, gen2, I agree. The reason I say it was that long ago is that I've done extensive searches for that crossword on the Telegraph crossword site, which goes back to 2001, and I can't find it. However, I know it was after summer 1998 (because I moved house then), so that means it must be Xmas 1998, 1999, or 2000.
The other thing I remember is that it wasn't set by one of their regular setters - it was submitted by a reader.
Aqua - I make a point of trying to do the quick before the cryptic, the same with the Times and my local - it's just a personal habit, really.
Has anybody else noticed the DT seems to have quietly dropped the Bert Dahner Memorial crossword - I read in Private Eye this was because McCarteney wouldn't fund the prize any more.