Listener 4470 (Rod And Bill)

[Alekhine]

I couldn't see an earlier thread .. but I'm guessing that there must be one.

A curious puzzle. Some very easy clues, but coupled with a bit of trickery.

It was enjoyable, but some debate will ensue ... I'm sure.

[olichant]

Alekhine, I agree. It was easy to start with, but (for me) some of the thematic clues were very difficult even once I had realised what was going on. And it took me a long time to spot the final step. It all came together nicely in the end.

[AndrewG-S]

Agree with all the above, some very straightforward clues and some pretty intractable thematic clues. Plus a bit of a grid stare at the end as somewhat easy to go off on the wrong track. Enjoyable nevertheless, so thank you stick insect.

[Osirun]

I liked the concept better than the execution on this one. Still enjoyable though and the theme was relevant to my interests!

[starwalker]

Can't argue with any of the comments. Thanks Stick Insect.

[12barblues]

Curate's egg of a puzzle which in the end did not quite work for me. Sorry, Stick Insect.

[emcee]

I have to agree with 12barblues; not much enjoyment for me. Some clues were childishly simple and others (particularly a couple of thematic clues) were very obscure to cold solve.

[icynorth]

Not really my cup of tea, either. Although it's a nice working of the theme, I don't enjoy puzzles which biblically rely on Chambers.

But it exercised some little grey cells, so thank you, Stick Insect!

[Cruncher]

Wound up reading much more of the source than was good for my small brain before the penny dropped. Definitely a curate's egg for me

[upsetter]

80% of the clues were far too weak and dull, detracting from a skillful composition.

[Scorpius]

The puzzle was based on a good idea, especially using the thematic entry in Chambers, but I agree with emcee that many clues were facile, some with surfaces that barely made any sense. They needed a lot of polishing. The grid also needed some cleaning up since there were six obvious extraneous thematic items (four of one sort, two of the other). All could have been easily eliminated without affecting the essential material.

[Hagen]

After a few days away I was pleased to have a puzzle which was relatively straightforward. I've little to add to the above comments, except that the extraneous thematic items weren't a major distraction once the penny had dropped, and that the final stage (for once?) didn't involve much grid-staring. Thanks Stick Insect.

[Scree]

Some very easy clues, but then it got trickier.
Have completed the grid without solving one or two of the themed clues so will ponder before submitting. Liked the way the setter teased us about the final step, with likely groups of letters scattered around freely.

[sunny-dave]

Hmmm - a curate's egg, with the initial easy bits too trivial and the final hard bits rather too quirky - but fortunately some nice puzzling in-between.

Thanks Stick Insect