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Sad news, I think Araucaria was the setter of some of the alphabetical crosswords in The Puzzler which was my introduction to crosswords over 30 years ago.

I was hoping he'd live to 100 so the Queen could sent him an ANAGRAM.

So so sad. Araucaria has been my favourite setter for many years and has even managed to get my husband interested with his clever clues. I have heard that cancer is often less aggressive in older people, so I wish him the longest and most comfortable time possible and will now treasure every one of his creations

Hear hear to all the above; long may the Rev. Graham receive successful 13,15a - I can't imagine Bank holidays without him. I've heard it said that a vicar's stipend isn't much but the retirement plan is out of this world. Let's hope so.

Thanks for years of mostly pleasure from my favourite compiler. A Saturday with an alphabet puzzle........bliss. May he be as well and live as long as possible.

I think that like many of you I've been entertained, frustrated and eventually on completion, feeling good in the knowledge that I had managed to solve another puzzle from - simply in my view - the Master. Many, many thanks and may God bless you John Graham.

Sad news, indeed.

An absolutely brilliant crossword setter!

The fat lady has not sung yet, so I wish him as peaceful and pain free time as is possible.

Gods speed.

It may interest people here to know that news of Araucaria's way of communicating the fact of his illness has now reached the French media: on "France Inter" radio a moment ago there was a short report based, I think, on an item in the newspaper "Figaro" today,describing in brief the latest developments, including his wish to be informed if the quality of his clues deteriorated in the future!Incidentally, I discovered the French have two distinct words, "cruciverbiste" for us solvers, & "verbicruciste" for the setters -- considering that the passion for cryptics prevails almost exclusively in Anglo-Saxon cultures (that's true, isn't it?),isn't it time we introduced the latter term into the English language?! gk