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Although I would be quite happy to return to one thread, there's a certain apprehension to that. It was the single thread that led to so much discord and acrimony and very heated posts.

Part of me feels that we should just treat the Listener the same as the other thematic crosswords. There,it's usually only hints and nudges , but the occasional answer does appear (pass the smelling salts, Ethel). The theme is usually alluded to, rather than detailed, though this may relax as time goes by. And guess what... posters have continued to post, in a happy, helpful, friendly fashion. Yes, there's the odd slip-up, but that isn't disastrous as the ongoing camaraderie bears out.

The Listener is often referred to as 'special' and I think that's why Norah has made so many attempts to keep everyone happy. Going by the events on here over the past few months, she seems to have set herself an impossible task.

What Malone said!

Malone, I am totally puzzled by the Listener Crossword and the angst it causes.

There are usually around 16 other Crosswords and Puzzles on the first page, including the Inquisitor, I rarely have to venture into any of them because they they police themselves quite nicely without any input from me.

What is it with the Listener? Why do I have to spend so much time each weekend monitoring it, Ploughty has gone so we can't blame him this week.

You're all lucky I've got the patience of a Saint and, as such, am trying to keep everyone happy. However, I really would like a weekend free of Listener aggro (please).

Thanks, Norah. Yes, it's a pretty thankless task you have set for yourself!

I am pleased to award you a weekend free of Listener aggro - that'll be 24th- 26th December (coincidentally, there's probably no Listener then).

Yes,lots of the other threads, particular crosswords, just trundle along quite happily. I don't do the Guardian puzzles, but the threads here seem interesting, fun, friendly , very popular - and i think they don't even give actual answers

Thanks Malone. You mean I can have Christmas off, Wow you are SO kind😍

As regards the Guardian, it must trundle along quite happily on its own because I don't remember venturing into it - I rest my case, as they say!

To DRXX message 79,

With respect to the Listener crossword threads on this website
it seems they serve the same purpose as the Listener thread on the
Answerbank website. They exist so a small self-appointed coterie of
pompous users can congratulate themselves on how bright they are
about solving the Listener crossword without any help.

Keep it simple - one thread - solvers policing themselves in a friendly way with no answers, as per Guardian Prize, Enigmatic variations. Genius, Inquisitor and others. . No problems on those threads. The odd Troll can be reported and sent back under the bridge, foll de roll !
Norah can get her life back to normal x

Yes, Jazzgirl, that would suit me! I think it;s good that help of all shapes and sizes features on the Forum. Some prize crosswords get answers, some don't - and some Members will help with those, others won't. Peaceful co-existence is the way forward!

Norah's already been given a weekend off, do you think she needs any more spoiling?

PS fol de rol
If solvers start squabbling or there's a punch-up, or girls' pigtails are pulled, no problem. All adds to the fun and unless it involves abuse or swearing who cares?

Unusually for me I'd finished this one on Saturday evening having also watched the magnificent performance by my beloved Cardiff Rugby (taking on the European Champions with 42 players unavailable and fielding the barmaid from the Dusty Forge, Ely, in the front row for the second half),
This makes me light-hearted and I would only say that we seem to be making Norah's job unnecessarily hard. Once again these threads are an enormous help to the third division of solvers. Malone is most generous and I was so sorry to see his/her contributions criticised. Please continue Malone.
In that spirit (and hope I'm not on the wrong thread) could someone help me parse 11 across. Is there a superfluous "K"?Also I'm looking for a superfluous N towards the end of the down clues but irritatingly seem to have an extra (and unnecessary) "A" in 12 down. It would be nice to resolve these anomalies so thanks from the sandbank.