The Villager prize crossword No.3

[debswa33]

7a Cream cake ???E??
3d Assistance in time of difficulty ???C???
1d Grassy river valley ???E (Dene/Dale/Vale)?

[squarebear]

7a could be eclair if the e is wrong.

[SpodoCommodo]

3d succour

[SpodoCommodo]

7a cheese? (cream cheese, cheesecake)

[debswa33]

Thanks SpodoComm

Square bear

7a Cream cake is now ???E?U
Could it be gateau? I thought it had an x on the end?

1d Grassy river valley ?A?E (dale or vale?)

[SpodoCommodo]

gateau is singular form of the word, the x makes it plural.

[dr b]

OED says:

dale: "the usual name of a river-valley between its enclosing ranges of hills or high land."

vale: "A more or less extensive tract of land lying between two ranges of hills, or stretches of high ground, and usually traversed by a river or stream; a dale or valley, esp. one which is comparatively wide and flat."

not much reason to choose one or the other, except that dale is "the usual name?"

[debswa33]

Thanks again SpodoComm

What about:

7a Exclusive circle of people ?A?E?U

[squarebear]

Mr Spodo is correct.

Not seen you here before SpodoCommodo but I must say I'm very impressed with your answers so far. Nice work!

[squarebear]

That one was gateau wasn't it?

[debswa33]

Thanks again SpodoComm

What about:

7a Exclusive circle of people ?N?R?U?

I thought it was INCROWD but that doesn't fit with succour

[dr b]

ingroup

[debswa33]

Thanks for your help dr b that last corner was driving me mad.