Widdersbel

Regular blogger for the FT Sunday News and World puzzles. I've been interested in all kinds of puzzles from an early age but didn't become a regular cryptic crossword solver until the early 2000s, when the Guardian cryptic was a way to help pass the long daily train commute. In 2008, searching the internet for assistance with a tricky puzzle, I came across fifteensquared. Learnt a lot from the blogs over the following years and eventually became a competent solver. Joined the blogging crew in 2023 - also made my debut the same year as a setter in the Indy under the alias Salty.

Financial Times 17,381 – Easter Jumbo Crossword by Neo

Sat April 15, 2023 at 11:40 amSat April 15, 2023 at 1:00 am by Widdersbel

The other FT Weekend puzzle for Saturday 8th April

A bumper selection of cryptic clues for the Easter weekend.

Financial Times 17,375 by Gaff

Sat April 8, 2023 at 11:02 amSat April 8, 2023 at 2:30 am by Widdersbel

Weekend puzzle #2 from the FT of Saturday 1st April

As the FT unusually put out two cryptics last weekend, I’m stepping in to help out Pete M so he doesn’t have to blog both himself. This one has a preamble stating that it is “A tribute to the composer who was born on this day 150 years ago.”

Financial Times 17,368 – FT News Puzzle by Neo

Thu January 22, 2026 at 4:11 pmSun March 26, 2023 at 8:00 am by Widdersbel

“A monthly cryptic crossword relating to the month’s topical events”

Find it on the FT website to print or solve interactively, or use the FT’s neat smartphone app.

Financial Times 17,343 – FT News Puzzle by Leonidas

Thu January 22, 2026 at 4:12 pmSun February 26, 2023 at 8:06 am by Widdersbel

Another enjoyable instalment of the online-only FT News Puzzle with clues relating to topical events, which comes out on the last Sunday of every month. Find it on the FT website to print or solve interactively, or use the FT’s neat smartphone app.

Financial Times 17,318 – FT News Puzzle by Julius

Thu January 22, 2026 at 4:12 pmSun January 29, 2023 at 7:00 am by Widdersbel

“A monthly cryptic crossword relating to the month’s topical events”

FT regular Julius has produced a smashing puzzle to launch this new online-only addition to the Pink’un’s cryptic series. Solve it on paper by printing from the FT website or use the slick smartphone app.