Ximenes Competition No. 247 Ximenes Slip | ◀ 245 | 249 ▶ | Other competitions
| No. | Date | Clue word | Clue type | Clues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 247 | Aug 1953 | VAMPIRE | normal | 18 |
| Award | Clue writer | Clue | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | F. L. Usher | Stoker’s nightmare: having to improvise a fire—and nothing to start it with! | vamp (f)ire; ref. Bram S., Dracula |
| Second | H. S. Tribe | Oh no, he wouldn’t stay late—but sang in execrable French while people slept | cryptic def.; undead; but sang (Fr.) = drank blood |
| Third | E. R. Prentice | One who returns to Graves after a surfeit of Claret? | cryptic def.; claret = blood |
| HC | E. S. Ainley | Without hot blood of some sort, I just have to make do | vamp + ire, & lit. |
| HC | T. Bilsborough | Abusive description of Chancellor is initial sign of Opposition anger about current measure | amp in v. ire |
| HC | J. A. Blair | See a reverse of “Requiescat in Pace” in me | v. a + RIP (rev.) in me, & lit. |
| HC | T. Dwyer | I get restless at nights and go out for a drink, but I always sponge on others! | cryptic def. |
| HC | J. A. Fincken | For something really bloodthirsty, read “The Siren and I” by Sapper | vamp I RE |
| HC | A. B. Gardner | An attacking bat, always restless in a grave situation and very liable to get out overnight | cryptic def.; cricket |
| HC | Maj A. H. Giles | A restless spirit often resorts to night-life and drinking when in the vein for it | cryptic def. |
| HC | S. Goldie | I’m a fast finisher when I’m in the vein, but personally I’m dead against the current rage for speed records | v. amp ire; ref. de Havilland V. jet, air speed record holder |
| HC | E. Gomersall | Stoker’s work provides one with an absorbing career! | cryptic def.; ref. Bram S., Dracula |
| HC | R. R. Greenfield | This plaguy bat needs repair with new leather and wax | vamp ire; cricket; carrier of rabies |
| HC | W. H. Joint | In the pram I’ve the makings a nightly terror | anag. |
| HC | J. P. Lloyd | Give me prime Virginia mixture, and I’ll suck my clay all night! | anag. incl. VA; clay = human body, tobacco pipe |
| HC | T. E. Sanders | Here see a potentially prime cause of anaemia | v. a + anag., & lit. |
| HC | C. Shaw | The sort of sucker to give a fur coat to one who will nobly promise a bit of encouragement | MP in vair + e |
| HC | G. H. Willett | I’ve sanguine hopes of a sleeper, having to travel with a pet | vamp ire |
Runners-Up in competition 247: