‘To fill the hour — that is happiness’ (given by initial letters of superfluous words in clues, and 3 4A) is a quotation by EMERSON (19). Thematically created entries at 12, 22, 31 and 33 are defined by 28, 34, 36 and 15D.

First prize Leslie Purkiss, Southend on Sea, Essex

Runners-up David Jenkinson, Matlock, Derbyshire;

C. McCullough, Uppingham, Rutland