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I misunderstood, Dryden. I don't send entries in, but for what it is worth, my empty cells have remained empty. On the subject of the gallows (I do remember the puzzle) was there no clemency ?

Meursault, I heard on the grapevine that the alternative portrayal of the gallows was accepted, but I won't know for sure until the personal statistics are issued next year.

I've generally found the marking to be very fair, and alternatives, if justifiable, are normally allowed.

You're sensible not sending entries in. It saves a lot of last-minute anxiety about trivial issues.

I can see why this grid must have been difficult to construct. Looking at Bradford's list of thematic items, there are not many to be found that allow the insertion of a letter to make another word. Hence, presumably, the three examples that simply have the unlovely item attached rather than crossing them.

Dryden, I hope your gallows kit passes inspection. On this puzzle, and I don't wish to be more critical than usual - if anything less. But surely the setter begins the construction from 21a, then spreads north and south of the parallel. There are only 3 items where both north and south are involved. The items at 16 and 17 down are simple artifices. The puzzle satisfies a bare minimum of sophistication.

Crumbs. Only Monday and i have a full grid! Needed the help here though to get me going, so thanks all. Now, I have two of the loveliness. A and P well known. But the rest? Do they all at least touch the blanks as inferred here? Can I really get away with the first two entries in Bradfords as two more of them? Are the others in there?

Lazy lazy me. Yes and yes RRRobbo!