AZED CROSSWORD 1234

AVANT-PROPOS

1.  C. R. Gumbrell: Thus is French scholar expressing Schwarz’s opening piece for Chambers? ((s)avant pro pos, & lit.; ref. Chambers page vi).

2.  R. C. Teuton: ‘It’s written before introduction of volume, an ——’? Repeat arises – oops! that’s careless (a² + v + an + rpt (rev.) + anag., & lit.; ref. AZ comp 974).

3.  D. Price Jones: See in hilarious soap with Parton some up-front material (v in anag.).

VHC

D. Ashcroft: On appro’s VAT free: gets one a preliminary squint (anag.).

M. Barley: ‘Could consist of five paras on top’ – words seen before? (anag. incl. v; ref. AZ comp 974).

Mrs F. A. Blanchard: ’Ampshire town plan almost complete – work’s beginning ((H)avant propos(e)).

H. J. Bradbury: This may possibly introduce Shakespeare’s ‘Passionate Pilgrim’ or ‘Venus and Adonis’ to new overseas readers (anag. of first letters, & lit.).

Rev Canon C. M. Broun: 17th Century Bible with a part of it for Prince – old style preface (AV + a NT + pro P + OS; ref. opening dedication in the AV addressed to Prince James).

Mrs M. J. Cansfield: Preliminary approval’s not forthcoming without a bit of lobbying (anag. less l).

C. A. Clarke: Script that’s first and foremost porn. A TV soap is savaged (anag.; ref. ‘Brookside’ controversy).

M. Coates: Opening salvo, without line being wayward, traps one with many short legs forward (ant prop in anag. less l).

R. A. England: This proem is served up anew: apparently Morton approves! (comp. anag. incl. ap (= apparently), & lit.; ref. first prizewinner in AZ comp 974).

H. Freeman: Post-volume para? No – au contraire (anag. incl. v, & lit.).

J. C. Leyland: Word given before? One should do as with TV – pop a ‘(R)’ on (anag.; ref. AZ comp 974; (R) indicates repeat).

J. D. Lockett: It forms a leading section for Chambers (a vant pro pos, & lit.; see van²).

H. W. Massingham: A very anarchic pop star on the front pages (a v + anag.).

J. R. C. Michie: Preliminary matter, a state produced by smashing protons with power (a VA + anag. incl. P).

T. J. Moorey: With piece from Schwarz up front, this is accomplished for Chambers ((s)avant pro pos, & lit.; ref. Chambers page vi).

C. J. Morse: Cantona’s introduction makes a forward line work in flawed sport (a van + op in anag.; ref. Eric C.).

C. J. Napier: What prefaces academic volume: author’s name, title, pompous résumé of proposition or subject? (first letters & lit.).

J. R. Tozer: Suitably includes lines ahead of the main body (as in e.g. Henry V) (vant in apropos, & lit.; ref. Prologue to Henry V; see van²).

A. P. Vick: Preliminary fitting involves front and tail of coat (van + t, all in apropos).

R. J. Whale: What’s post contents? Sorted letters in poor Pat’s van (anag.; ref. Postman P.).

Sir David Willcocks: Order TV on appro as an introduction (anag.).

HC

W. Anderson, D. Appleton, Mrs B. Ayre, C. Boyd, E. J. Burge, Dr J. Burscough, B. Burton, W. Chandler, Ms S. C. Cockburn, V. Dixon, W. Duffin, Dr I. S. Fletcher, S. Goldie, E. Gomersall, G. I. L. Grafton, Ms J. Greatrex, Mrs E. Greenaway, P. F. Harkin, R. Hesketh, A. Hodgson, J. G. Hull, T. Jacobs, R. E. Kimmons, F. P. N. Lake, R. K. Lumsdon, Mrs J. Mackie, L. McLellan, C. G. Millin, A. Morgan-Richards, F. R. Palmer, R. J. Palmer, J. Pearce, Mrs E. M. Phair, Mrs A. Price, D. R. Robinson, C. Robson, J. H. Russell, J. Saynor, D. P. Shenkin, N. G. Shippobotham, R. W. Stephenson, Dr G. A. Styles, J. B. Sweeting, D. H. Tompsett, A. J. Wardrop, M. H. E. Watson, Dr M. C. Whelan, D. Williamson, W. Wynne Willson.
 

Comments
351 entries, roughly 30 of them with DAGOBA for DAGABA (‘Shrine for holy relics, reverse of worthless one, silver lined’), the result of carelessness mainly, I suspect. But who am I to talk of the carelessness of others? I’m still kicking myself for having given you AVANT-PROPOS again, and so relatively soon (five years) after the first time you had it. It certainly wasn’t deliberate – merely forgetfulness. I hope everyone (even those newer solvers who’d never clued it before) will accept my decision to judge it and award prizes in the usual way but to exclude it from the reckoning so far as the annual honours list is concerned. Those who remembered cluing it before – and several who had didn’t until reminded, from which I draw a crumb or two of comfort – were generously forgiving in their comments, but I really will take special steps to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. Twice is more than enough!
 
All of that said, there were plenty of good clues to choose from. Many said they felt they’d improved on their first effort and quite enjoyed having another crack at a tricky word. Several regulars deliberately abstained this month, which I can quite understand. Very few competitors (I think) resubmitted their first clue unchanged, though I restrained myself from looking at the earlier slip until my judgement was completed. If any subscribers to the slip would like a copy of the earlier AVANT-PROPOS slip, at no extra charge, please let me know and I’ll try to arrange it.
 
Further comment on this competition is probably superfluous. A rather nice Christmas anagram, which sadly reached me much too late for consideration, says it all: ‘Oh do set a normal clue: this won’t do with