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I quote from Granama's post - I think the only hints to the theme I've seen only made sense if you'd already cracked it!

This is a very sensible statement and most probably true, Granama. It's very difficult knowing what to do for the best.

Norah, my thoughts exactly. The "plain" Listener thread hardly ever gets used after an initial flurry on Friday evenings, so perhaps it would be a good idea to replace it with a "hints to the theme" thread.

What do others think?

My tuppence-worth would be to say that, mostly, this thread works fine. Perhaps the post mentioning the name was slightly over the line but, by and large, I think things are pretty fine as they are.

Thanks for the discussion, Norah, Loge etc. As a Listener struggler, I really appreciate the 'May Contain Answers' thread. The other thread was meant to be more for general appreciation, but it seems to be hardly used now.

I think the 'May Contain Answers' thread could accommodate hints, nudges, to the theme, without upsetting other users. A 'hints to the theme' thread could perhaps result in bigger and bigger 'hints' and take away some of the fun.

Malone, your last sentence raises a good point which hadn't occurred to me. You could well be right about this. Personally I'm happy with the status quo, but if two people have taken the trouble to email Norah to complain, obviously not everybody is. It's a difficult decision and I'm glad it's not me who has to make it.

To misquote Mark Twain: I am not the moderator of a crossword help forum and shall always try to do right and be good so that God will not make me one.

Thanks again, Loge. I definitely agree with Granama's point that the 'hints' to the theme made sense only if the puzzle had been cracked - but one or two Forum users must have felt differently. On the other hand, if the majority of people saw nothing untoward, particularly helpful or revealing, why change things?

Thanks for advice on 37, merentz and loge. The second letter is an unchecked, that's my problem now, as the two unfriendly possibles both have an A in second position and there's no A in the anagram.

Lumen, the second letter of the thematic item at 37 is not an A.

Malone, what you say makes good sense, as ever!

Thanks I have it now.

As it's now raining hard and gardening is not looking attractive, I have spent a few minutes increasing my knowledge of classical literature - starting from a very low base indeed. I have discovered that there is an appropriately named play by a chappie long since departed in an appropriate language. I assume that the writer in question probably translated aforesaid work - though I can find no evidence to support this.

I dislike loose ends but I think I am satisfied that I have at least partially tied this one off.

A lovely tribute to an obviously very clever man. Thank you Garrog