Ev 1231

[saladdodger]

Perhaps troll partner in second rate newspaper (8) .....my crossing letters won't help as this one is changed on entry into the grid

[TheFrogman]

ALLY (partner) in B RAG (second rate newspaper)

[saladdodger]

Thanks Froggie ... thought lyra had to be in there somewhere to balance things out with the other similar ones.

[devadolly]

Good Morning. I have almost finished answering the clues and have 8 of the ones that have to reduce but cannot see any connection with either each other or the title. Also, the letters I have don't seem to make anything logical (probably got the wrong letters anyway, am not very good at 'odd letters' etc.) heavy hints would be welcome.

[Nedne]

Hello Devadolly,

The ten words each need to be reduced by a word of 4 letters (five 4-letter words, each appearing twice). The resulting entries aren't real words.
The 4-letter words might/could be: Vauxhall, Jason, Bear, Italian currency (ish!),palates.

Kiki Dee hit from the early eighties.

I think I've got the 8-letter word but I can't make a connection. I don't think it is needed - the grid can be filled with just doing the adjustments to the words.

[devadolly]

Thank you for your help Nedne, will now go and ponder afresh, all seems very disjointed.

[DocHH]

devadolly,
The reason why you would remain awake is because the 5 are 3, unless you have light pollution? Unlikely in your neck of the woods!

[devadolly]

Got there! Many thanks....we have loads of light pollution Doc, we are an urban farm sadly!