Crossword Genius

They happen to have a hole in the middle (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

events

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'they happen' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a hole in the middle' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'hole' could be 'vent' (vent is a kind of hole) and 'vent' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'es' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to have' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for events that I've seen before include "results" , "Important happenings or incidents" , "They take place" , "matters" , "Occurences, happenings" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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