When Stephen Clarke’s crosswords first appeared I too found them hard.
But after persevering and with a bit of help from Dr Google, I have managed to improve. And now I can often complete them, or at least keep coming back to it and slowly adding another answer.
So I urge the complainers to keep at it. The sense of accomplishment is worth it.
Unless you want to solve a crossword in five or ten minutes. In that case, sure, recycle those old ones and enjoy the deja vu.


For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.