Crossword editor’s desk: Prunella, Randolph and Mortimer

We say goodbye to a devoted solver and reveal the comedy classic behind a recent puzzle

Goodbye to Prunella Scales. I wish I had a video of this speech, as described by Simon Hoggart, that we could share in tribute:

There was a really nice party at the Guardian this week for Araucaria – John Graham – Britain’s best-loved crossword compiler. John, who was 90 on Wednesday, wore a badge like one of those on children’s birthday cards. It said “I’m 90”. Timothy WestPrunella Scales were there, and in a very funny speech West described how he and Scales had met and fallen in love while both doing an Araucaria crossword.

This wee beauty by Chameleon is worth a look, showing that the route taken can be as entertaining as the destination.