Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

I agree that even if completion does not require it, it's worth sorting out Ds. They round it all off very nicely.

After finding the A's and what they become I was able to guess how the D's would behave based on the instructions. As a result I managed to sort those out pretty quickly, but for whatever reason sets B and C took me a bit of time after the entire grid was filled in. I'm very happy with the results and had a good amount of fun with this one.

Thanks Tringa!

Buzzb, the title is an anagram relating to the date of the introduction of the theme.

Good pick-up, Ukridge!

And a nice extra piece to the puzzle.

Interestingly in looking at the puzzles I always seem to be a lap and a half behind Gitto, though ( to oush the analogy) running int the same lane.
I'm struggling but not yet ready to give up.
I've found the NW corner particularly difficult. Is their HOPE that I have the last 6 letters of 1 down correct, The 7th letter I now have thanks to the dicussion above and the second letter is A.
Any hints appreciated.
thanks

A bit further on since my last post. I have found someone with the same surname as my original guess. "just one more chance?!!"

Even further on - nearly a complete grid. Other posters seemed to rate this puzzle so I'll persevere for a day or before going for walks in this pleasant weather with Mrs. Seal.

Given that could some kind should give me a nudge on 15 across, 17 across and 17 down. Then I'll sort into As, Bs, Cs and Ds,

Thanks to those who have posted already.

Evening William

All three are A

15 the second part of the wordplay started life as an abbreviation.

17a. Def is first two words

17d, soft leather is more known as a proper noun, place name.
Like woodlouse back at post 15, I cannot see the word to define the 7th word in set D, otherwise done. Can someone steer me towards that?

start at the beginning, lumen.