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You will have seen the unfortunate news regarding John Tozer's health in Derek's latest newsletter, so it is rather nice that his clue has come out on top in our latest competition. A lovely example of the PD type and I am sure you will all join me in wishing John a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with him and his family at this difficult time. Hopefully we will have John back soon to entertain us with his consistently excellent cluemanship…
 
Seerat was just behind in second place – normally clues entered in capitals grate…but this was intended as a newspaper headline! Nice use of a switch between Keats and Yeats give Seerat a second podium of the year after a first place in January.
 
Not too far back in third, also gaining a second podium of the year, is Ed Hall. I loved the switch in the two versions here as well – Nigella and Nigel Lawson.
 
In what was a close-run contest all round, we had a tie for 4th spot. Dave Williams with a rather fruity effort (apologies if anybody was offended – I failed to spot this before opening the voting otherwise it would probably have been censored!), but it did raise a smile, especially if you were aware of Alex James' cheesy credentials! Vina completed the podium in that joint 4th place with another fine PD clue with a smooth surface in each version.
 
Thanks to all for the entertainment as always – and apologies to those who abhor PD! – back to normal for a good while now, whilst we send our best wishes to John and his family…

Voting Information

Voting is open until Midnight UK time on Thursday 16th June.
 
Please award FIVE points maximum to the clue you judge best: FOUR points for second, THREE for third, TWO for fourth, down to ONE point for fifth; but otherwise you may distribute your votes as you see fit including ½ marks for split voting – as long as you award no more than 15 points IN TOTAL and no more than 5 points to any one clue…
 
…and of course you may NOT VOTE for your own clue!
 
COMMENTS:
 
Your comments in general and on individual clues, however much or little you write, are always most welcome! Please remember that if any particular clue or clues do not find favour with you, it is more helpful to offer constructive criticism – many of our members are keen to learn and hone their clue writing skills through our competition – feedback may be useful for their future efforts!

Entry Information

Time for a little devilry methinks! – your challenge for May is a Printer's Devilry (PD) clue to SONY (4) by the closing date of MIDNIGHT BST SUNDAY 29th MAY.

A Printer's Devilry clue is a passage from which the 'printer' has removed a hidden answer, closing the gap and maybe taking liberties with the punctuation and spacing, but not disturbing the order of the remaining letters. There is no need to include a definition of SONY in your clue, but there is nothing to stop you if you so wish. However, from past experience, few judges give any extra merit for this unnecessary hard work!
 
The winner of one of our previous PD competitions will provide as an example:
 
Greens are happy to see we cycled
Answer: ASTER.
Undevilled version: Greens are happy to see waste recycled
 
Every passage, when complete, should make sense. NB Most, if not all, 'judges' will give preference to PD clues in which the breaks before and after the word omitted (before and after omission) do not occur at the ends or beginnings of words in the clue.
 
Please give the full undevilled version of your clue as the EXPLANATION – plus any additional notes required.