Charity Christmas Puzzle - By Gordon Gray

[Matakari]

www.christmaspuzzle.co.uk
CHARITY CHRISTMAS PUZZLE 2022:
As usual, the puzzle is made up of 40 clues that narrate a story. Each clue contains three definitions that lead to three answers and for each of these answers you are given the position of some of the letters to help you. The number of remaining letters to be found for each word is indicated by dashes. An example could be as given below. _ _ _ _ _ ERR _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ RIN _ _ _ _ UTA _ _ _ _ _ Sea/sons / greetings The answers being MEDITERRANEAN, OFFSPRING, SALUTATIONS
CHARITY CHRISTMAS PUZZLE 2022
23 - 15, 8 - 1
The initial letters, when read in a zig-zag manner, spell out a number of titles of a kind. One answer found in Chambers contains an accent. Answers to 6 clues are proper nouns that are not found in Chambers, The Puzzle once again includes homophone definitions; for example, an answer might be defined by ‘pair’; possible answers could include ‘COUPLE’, ‘AVOCADO’ and ‘SHAVE’. In total the Puzzle has 8 homophone definitions – Questions 1 to 5, 6 to 10, 11 – 15, etc., each contain one such definition.

Good morning, I’m pleased to have solved most of Gordon Gray’s Charity Puzzle for this year. An interesting and clever one for which I would like to make my donation early this year. I’m stuck on the last five for which I would appreciate some help. Many thanks in advance and a warm, peaceful and happy Christmas!

(A) T???BLE?????? (B) Have answer (C) Have answer TROUBLESOMELY?
23. … Charley Pitcher, who studies worms, had been a cheeky child …

(A) Have answer (B) O??SWO??? (C) Have answer_
30. … small biting insects or parasitic worms and …

(A) Have answer (B) S??LEN (C) Have answer
33. … a wheel shaped virus that causes gastroenteritis. Taken as a syrup-like medicine …

(A) Have answer (B) Have answer (C) E ? ? THE ?
34. … in different active strength it sells for …

(A) Have answer (B) Have answer (C) D ? ? LOD ? ?
37. … who likes foreigners was the person who initiated a prize, …

[Gill1941]

Came out 8th December and closing date 29th January.

[smouse]

A quiz were really you are just trying to match or beat your score from previous years

[JJ109]

33 Taken = stolen

[JJ109]

37 Dislodge (prise sounds like prize)

[Neveracrossword]

Matakari, this week's Listener is fairly ... doable (and quite small). I think you might enjoy it

PS Would you not consider sending in your quiz entry, unfinished, with a donation? Is the prize a substantial one?

[smouse]

There are roll of honour tables for 3 5 10 and 20 years for you to see your percentage correct as well as prizes.

[Neveracrossword]

Smouse, thanks for that. I'd like to feature in a Roll of Honour!

[Matakari]

Many thanks, jj109, I just got 33 and for 37 I was thinking apprise, but should really have got it. I’m annoyed at myself! What do you think of my 23 answer? Still looking at 30 and 34...
Thanks, NACW, for the Listener, I’ll be having a go at it. And incidentally, my donation goes yearly to the indefatigable Gordon whether I finish the or not, but I always prefer to submit a completed puzzle.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Matakari. I was surprised at your rush to get this off quickly, I know you (and AB) have done it many times before.

As you have got two of the three answers for 30 and 34, can you tell us which word, phrase, part of the clue relates to the answer you're needing?

I'm afraid I can't see how Troublesomely works, what are your answers for B and C?

[Matakari]

Thanks, NACW, these are the answers I have for 23B&C, 30A&C, 34A&B

( A ) T???BLE?????? ( B ) HELMINTHOLOGIST (C) JACKANAPES
23. … Charley Pitcher, who studies worms, had been a cheeky child …

(A) MOSQUITOES (B) O??SWO??? (C) NEMATODES
30. … small biting insects or parasitic worms and …

(A) INSOUCIANT (B) VIGOUR (C) E??THE?
34. … in different active strength it sells for …

[Abi77]

The setter has made a correction to 34C
It should read ???THE??

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Abi. My first thought was that it could be Brothel, where It/sex sells, is sold!

[Neveracrossword]

Sorry, that would need to be plural, Brothels - and maybe completely wrong!

[FoxLee2]

I don't really understand the quiz but two other words which fit 23 A are Troublemakers and Troubleshoots. Don't know if that is any help!

[Spotty Dog]

Here we have one of the better word puzzles, out for two days, and already you want to publish the answers. If you can't do it, leave it to those who can.

[Matakari]

Thanks Abi77for this correction! The first letter is E, so we now have:
E??THE??
BROTHELS does not apply, NACW, thanks!

[Matakari]

Thanks, FoxLee2, I've been looking at these as well, but
nothing clicks yet! Will keep mulling over it while watching France play England in what promises to be a spectacular, if not stressful, World Cup encounter.

[GeorgeIII]

It seems a bit off to try and get on a roll of honour when you are letting other people give you the answers!!
The quiz has only been out for a matter of hours.
At least give a decent attempt before recruiting the other "helpful" people on the net.

[cashier]

It is up to Matakari when to post clues for answers he wants nothing to do with anyone else. It is quite clearly headed, don't look if you don't want to help.

[Matakari]

Thanks, cashier, for appreciating the freedom we enjoy on the site!