Simon

I love the Sunday puzzles. i don't often complete - maybe 50% - but the sense of achievement when I do is worth it. On this occasion I feel I have nailed one of my favourite crosswords of all time. I got the 007 connections quite quickly but the italicised clues were a bit of a mystery until Shined Shield Delivered was unlocked. Totally magnificent and right up there with the best clues I've ever seen (and I've been doing crosswords for 50+ years). I've always felt that I could one day compile a decent crossword myself but this one tells me I'd rather be a solver any day. The level of skill is stratospheric. Thank you for making my day

These Thursday puzzles just get better and better. This was one of my all-time favo(u)rites - fun, witty and very clever. Huge congratulations to the compiler on a memorable debut

Another Thursday classic. Fun clues, head-slap (and polite applause) when I cottoned on to the theme (courtesy of Ensign), and a real sense of achievement when I completed. Can't ask for much more from my other side of the pond. Congratulations to the compiler

First of all I did it (not sure how and definitely not always the case on a Thursday) but I had no idea whatsoever how the theme fitted and I had to resort to Deb's comments. Blimey - that's one heck of a reveal. Hats off to the compiler - great work

Another superbly constructed grid. Very clever, lovely reveal. As a Brit I had absolutely no idea what 4-H leaders were but readily accept a bit of trans Atlantic knowledge-gap on occasions such as this. Bravo

Surprisingly quick solve for me too (close to a Tuesday PB) but the reveal wasn't apparent until I peeked (pekoed?) at the accompanying comments. Nice work. Gives me more time to solve today's Tiles which nearly killed me yesterday