A medium strength Jumbo this week, and one with a host of well-written clues. A nice one to chip away at during the day.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has given you the slip then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 8.1%

Across clues

1. Done – as a present? (7,2)

Answer: WRAPPED UP. Solution satisfies “done” and “as a present”.

6. Trading place accommodating a subject of David (5)

Answer: Jean-Paul MARAT (i.e. “a subject of David”, referring to Jacques-Louis David’s painting The Death Of Marat. Of course I looked it up). Solution is MART (i.e. “trading place”) wrapped around or “accommodating” A, like so: MAR(A)T.

9. Distinguishing feature in religious group, fancy (7)

Answer: SUSPECT (i.e. to “fancy” an outcome). Solution is USP (i.e. “distinguishing feature”, or Unique Selling Point) placed “in” SECT (i.e. “religious group”), like so: S(USP)ECT.

13. Board game goes quickly (5)

Answer: DARTS. Solution satisfies “board game” and “goes quickly”.

14. Heavy metal singer (7)

Answer: MERCURY. Solution satisfies a “heavy metal” and “singer”, Freddie Mercury.

15. Still at the crease, an opener for India and companion (9)

Answer: INANIMATE (i.e. “still”). Solution is IN (i.e. “at the crease” in a game of cricket) followed by AN, then I (i.e. “opener for India”, i.e. the first letter of “India”) and MATE (i.e. “companion”).

16. Shift altering when amended, chaps going in (11)

Answer: REALIGNMENT (i.e. “shift”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “when amended”) of ALTERING wrapped around or having “in” MEN (i.e. “chaps”), like so: REALIGN(MEN)T. This appeared in June 2nd’s Jumbo last year, just squeaking past my repeats threshold.

17. Dimmer say, speller given hints earlier (5,6)

Answer: LIGHT SWITCH (i.e. “dimmer say” – other styles of light switch are available). Solution is WITCH (i.e. “speller”, or one casting spells) placed after or having “earlier” LIGHTS (i.e. “hints”), like so: LIGHTS-WITCH.

18. Losing tie, I didn’t get that secured (6)

Answer: BEHIND (i.e. “losing”). Solution is BIND (i.e. “tie”) wrapped around or “securing” EH? (i.e. “I didn’t get that”), like so: B(EH)IND.

19. Line of waiters in country kitchen originally passing test (4,4)

Answer: TAXI RANK (i.e. “line of waiters”). Solution is IRAN (i.e. “country”) and K (i.e. “kitchen originally”, i.e. the first letter of “kitchen”) both placed after or “passing” TAX (i.e. to “test”), like so: TAX-(IRAN-K).

21. Server of hot food, carver? (6)

Answer: CHIPPY. Solution satisfies “server of hot food”, a fish and chip shop, and “carver”, slang for a carpenter.

25. Prison guards beginning to unlock very strong fastener (8)

Answer: CUFFLINK (i.e. “fastener”). Solution is CLINK (i.e. “prison”) wrapped around or “guarding” U (i.e. “beginning [letter] to unlock”) and FF (i.e. “very strong”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “fortissimo” in musical lingo), like so: C(U-FF)LINK.

26. Equally true, perhaps, depending on circumstances? (2,3,4,3,2)

Answer: AS THE CASE MAY BE (i.e. “depending on circumstances”). Not 100% on this one, but I think the solution is AS (i.e. “equally”) followed by THE CASE being the fact or reality of something (i.e. “true”), then MAYBE for “perhaps”.

28. Cuckoo, well onto perch? (5)

Answer: BARMY (i.e. “cuckoo” or mad). Solution is MY (i.e. “well”, both exclamations) placed after or “onto” BAR (i.e. “perch”), like so: BAR-MY.

29. Legendary character, I dealt in drugs (6)

Answer: ISOLDE (i.e. “legendary character”). When written as I SOLD E the solution also satisfies “I dealt in drugs”.

30. Top dog say, isn’t she out in front? (4,2,4)

Answer: BEST IN SHOW (i.e. “top dog”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of ISN’T SHE placed “in” BOW (i.e. “front” of a boat), like so: B(ESTINSH)OW.

33. Slave driver’s preview having to pack in a second kilometre! (10)

Answer: TASKMASTER (i.e. “slave driver”). Solution is TASTER (i.e. “preview”) wrapped around or “packing in” A, S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) and KM (ditto “kilometre”), like so: T(A-S-KM)ASTER.

35. Only chastity, apparently, for apprentice (6)

Answer: NOVICE (i.e. “apprentice”). When written as NO VICE the solution satisfies “only chastity, apparently”.

36. Polish tart filled with cream, primarily (5)

Answer: SCOUR (i.e. “polish”). Solution is SOUR (i.e. “tart” taste) wrapped around or “filled with” C (i.e. “cream, primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “cream”), like so: S(C)OUR.

38. Where the metacarpus is almost blue (4,3,7)

Answer: NEAR THE KNUCKLE. Solution satisfies “where the metacarpus is” and “almost blue”.

40. With Great Grimsby initially held, poor result for Labour (8)

Answer: STRUGGLE (i.e. “labour” – ignore the misleading capitalisation). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “poor”) of RESULT wrapped around or “holding” G (a recognised abbreviation of “great”) and G (“Grimsby initially”, i.e. the first letter of “Grimsby”), like so: STRU(G-G)LE.

42. Singer who was artist abandoning lead for silver (6)

Answer: ARGENT (i.e. “silver”, poetically). Solution is John “Singer” SARGENT (i.e. “who was artist”) once the first letter or “lead” has been “abandoned”.

43. White, wavy lines in costume (8)

Answer: RIESLING (i.e. “white” wine). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wavy”) of LINES placed “in” RIG (i.e. “costume”), like so: RI(ESLIN)G.

44. Instrument plucked, one of the strings pulled back coming free (6)

Answer: GRATIS (i.e. “free”). Solution is SITAR (i.e. “instrument plucked”) and G (i.e. “one of the strings”) all reversed (indicated by “pulled back”), like so: G-RATIS.

47. Anger ending in men, I like people to contain it (11)

Answer: INDIGNATION (i.e. “anger”). Solution is N (i.e. “ending in men”, i.e. the last letter of “men”) placed or “contained” in I, DIG (i.e. “like”) and NATION (i.e. “people”), like so: I-(N)-DIG-NATION.

50. Two kisses very close together (4,3,4)

Answer: NECK AND NECK. Solution satisfies “two kisses” and “very close together” in a race.

52. Dog: is it you that’s cut out to be feline killer? (9)

Answer: CURIOSITY (i.e. “feline killer”, proverbially). Solution is CUR (i.e. “dog”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “out”) of IS IT and YOU once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “that’s cut”), like so: CUR-IOSITY.

53. Half of capital city beyond river, most profound (7)

Answer: DEEPEST (i.e. “most profound”). Solution is PEST (i.e. “half of capital city”, Budapest) placed after or “beyond” DEE (i.e. Scottish “river” that’s been getting some love recently in these Jumbos), like so: DEE-PEST.

54. Organ containing old rope (5)

Answer: NOOSE (i.e. “rope”). Solution is NOSE (i.e. “organ”) wrapped around or “containing” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: N(O)OSE. Last appeared in July in grid 1567, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

55. Club sliced apart by twisting the knife (7)

Answer: MACHETE (i.e. “knife”). Solution is MACE (i.e. “club”) wrapped around or “sliced apart by” an anagram (indicated by “twisting”) of THE, like so: MAC(HET)E. Last appeared in grid 1565 back in July, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

56. That is picked out from candy in lounges (5)

Answer: LOLLS (i.e. “lounges”). Solution is LOLLIES (i.e. “candy”) with the IE removed (indicated by “that is picked out from…” – “i.e.” being another way of saying “that is”).

57. Pelted with rocks and seemingly scalped – the result? (5-4)

Answer: STONE-DEAD (i.e. “the result”, within the context of the clue). Solution is STONED (i.e. “pelted with rocks”) followed by HEAD once it’s first letter has been removed (indicated by “seemingly scalped”, given how scalping is the removal of the scalp from the top of one’s head), like so: STONED-EAD.

Down clues

1. Winger’s boot (5)

Answer: WADER. Solution satisfies “winger” or bird, and “boot”.

2. Welcome change, constitutional perhaps? (1,6,2,5,3)

Answer: A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. Solution satisfies “welcome change” and “constitutional perhaps”, taken to mean a walk outside.

3. Religious performance appals noisy delinquent (7,4)

Answer: PASSION PLAY (i.e. “religious performance”). “Delinquent” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of APPALS NOISY.

4. Old pianist spotted playing piece? (6)

Answer: Fats DOMINO (i.e. “old pianist”). Solution also satisfies “spotted playing piece”.

5. Cheese sandwich initially eaten by average couple? (8)

Answer: PARMESAN (i.e. “cheese”). Solution is S (i.e. “sandwich initially”, i.e. the first letter of “sandwich”) placed in or “eaten by” PAR and MEAN (i.e. “average couple”, as in how both words satisfy “average”), like so: PAR-ME(S)AN.

6. Big slope in Estonia spattered with mud (12)

Answer: MOUNTAINSIDE (i.e. “big slope”). “Spattered” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IN ESTONIA and MUD.

7. Blue blood vessel? (5,5)

Answer: ROYAL YACHT (i.e. “vessel”). Clue plays on “blue blood” being descriptive of royalty.

8. Bag that’s easily ripped, tearing finally (5)

Answer: THING (i.e. “bag” or fascination). Solution is THIN (i.e. “that’s easily ripped”) followed by G (i.e. “tearing finally”, i.e. the last letter of “tearing”). Appeared in grid 1570 back in August, in exactly the same place, and in exactly the same grid layout, so…

9. Gladiator fight cheers Caesar initially and people over here (9)

Answer: SPARTACUS (i.e. “gladiator”). Solution is SPAR (i.e. “fight”) followed by TA (i.e. “cheers”), then C (i.e. “Caesar initially”, i.e. the first letter of “Caesar”) and US (i.e. “people over here”).

10. Yodeller adds fine touch to piece (4,7)

Answer: SLIM WHITMAN (i.e. “yodeller” – apparently he held the record for the most consecutive weeks at number 1 in the UK – 11 with Rose Marie in 1955 – until Bryan Adams knocked him off the spot in 1991). Solution is SLIM (i.e. “fine”) followed by WHIT (i.e. a “touch” or small amount) and MAN (i.e. chess “piece”).

11. Retired performers, to be precise? (5)

Answer: EXACT (i.e. “precise”). When written as EX-ACT the solution also satisfies “retired performers”. Also appeared in grid 1571 back in August, and on odd intersecting letters, so…

12. Peg and article form part of a new set? (6)

Answer: TEETHE (i.e. to “form part of a new set” or teeth). Solution is TEE (i.e. “peg”) followed by THE (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the).

18. Drop in support for unpleasant gossip (10)

Answer: BACKBITING (i.e. “unpleasant gossip”). Solution is BIT (i.e. a “drop” of something) placed “in” BACKING (i.e. “support for”), like so: BACK(BIT)ING.

20. Broke down, or began to work? (6,2)

Answer: KICKED IN. Solution satisfies “broke down” e.g. a door, and “began to work”. Nicely done.

22. Lay out too much – as will hay fever sufferer? (3,7,3,4)

Answer: PAY THROUGH THE NOSE. Solution satisfies “lay out too much” and, playfully, “as will hay fever sufferer”.

23. Son fixes French dish (6)

Answer: SNAILS (i.e. “French dish”. Non. Just non). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) followed by NAILS (i.e. “fixes” in place).

24. Garments on, with limbs retaining temperature better, ultimately (10)

Answer: LEGWARMERS (i.e. “garments”). Solution is LEG (i.e. “on” side in cricket) followed by W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) and ARMS (i.e. “limbs”) once wrapped around or “retaining” E and R (i.e. “temperature better, ultimately”, i.e. the last letters of “temperature” and “better”), like so: LEG-W-ARM(ER)S.

27. Leader presiding over Norwegian banks (8)

Answer: GOVERNOR (i.e. “leader”). “Banks” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: PRESIDIN(G OVER NOR)WEGIAN.

31. Time passed, years – those Rip Van Winkle spent sleeping (6)

Answer: TWENTY (i.e. “those [years] Rip Van Winkle spent sleeping”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) followed by WENT (i.e. “passed”) and Y (a recognised abbreviation of “years”).

32. Mistress somewhere in Northern Europe in novel (4,8)

Answer: MOLL FLANDERS (i.e. “novel” by Daniel Defoe; curious after ROBINSON CRUSOE appeared in the last Jumbo!). Solution is MOLL (i.e. “mistress”) followed by FLANDERS (i.e. “somewhere in Northern Europe”).

34. Different egg ultimately incubated by animal in panto (6,5)

Answer: MOTHER GOOSE (i.e. “animal in panto”). Solution is OTHER (i.e. “different”) and G (i.e. “egg ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “egg”) both placed in or “incubated by” MOOSE (i.e. “animal”), like so: M(OTHER-G)OOSE.

36. Activity at social event where Conservative has punched traditional European (6,5)

Answer: SQUARE DANCE (i.e. “activity at social event”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) placed in or “punching” SQUARE (i.e. “traditional”) and DANE (i.e. “European”), like so: SQUARE-DAN(C)E. Appeared in grid 1575 back in September, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

37. Awfully sincere, old movie star (6,4)

Answer: SCREEN IDOL (i.e. “old movie star”). “Awfully” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SINCERE OLD.

39. Deport one treated badly having stolen kiss (9)

Answer: EXTRADITE (i.e. “deport”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “badly”) of I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and TREATED wrapped around or “stealing” X (i.e. “kiss”), like so: E(X)TRADITE.

41. Rats in underwear? (8)

Answer: KNICKERS. Solution satisfies “rats”, both being curse words, and “underwear”. I couldn’t help laughing when I twigged this one. Well played.

45. Friends, for example, meet groom briefly (6)

Answer: SITCOM (i.e. “Friends, for example”). Solution is SIT (i.e. “meet”) followed by COMB (i.e. “groom”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”), like so: SIT-COM.

46. Personal image, rubbish moreover (6)

Answer: TATTOO (i.e. “personal image”). Solution is TAT (i.e. “rubbish”) followed by TOO (i.e. “moreover”).

48. British physicist running current through heart, say, from below (5)

Answer: Paul DIRAC (i.e. “British physicist”). Solution is I (a recognised abbreviation of an electrical “current” used in physics) placed in or “through” CARD (i.e. “heart, say” – other suits are available) once reversed (indicated by “from below” – this being a down clue), like so: D(I)RAC. One I remembered from a previous puzzle.

49. Funny gags dully vacuous for Eden (5)

Answer: IDYLL (i.e. “Eden”). Solution is ILL (i.e. feeling “funny”) wrapped around or “gagging” DY (i.e. “dully vacuous”, i.e. the word “dully” with all its middle letters removed), like so: I(DY)LL.

51. Reported requirement for work as a baker? (5)

Answer: KNEAD (i.e. “work as a baker”). “Reported” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of NEED (i.e. “requirement”).

Ah, a Bank Holiday stinker. It’s been a while. Today’s puzzle also represents a Greatest Hits celebration of Jumbos gone by, with a whopping 25% of the solutions recycled from the past year. Given this setter strives to use every letter of the alphabet in their grids, it’s surprising to discover they are by some distance the biggest offender when it comes to abusing the office GridFill 4000^TM. If it wasn’t for their varied and inventive clueing then I’d have felt sorely cheated, having done a decent chunk of the Jumbo already.

Aaanyway, as ever you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has defeated you then you might find succour in my Just For Fun page, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 25%
Wow. Just wow.

Across clues

1. Extraordinary achiever, ultimately faithful and gallant (9)

Answer: CHEVALIER (i.e. a knight or “gallant”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “extraordinary”) of ACHIEVER and L (i.e. “ultimately faithful”, i.e. the last letter of “faithful”). Straight out the traps with a repeat, this one from only last month in grid 1606. This also appeared on odd intersecting letters, so:

6. Plant put down by small pasture on level (3-7)

Answer: COW-PARSLEY (i.e. “plant”). Solution is COW (i.e. to subdue the spirit of, or “put down”) followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and LEY (i.e. “pasture”, a variant spelling of lea) once these latter two have been placed “on” or after PAR (i.e. “level”), like so: COW-(PAR)-S-LEY. PARSELY appeared a couple of weeks ago, but I guess this is sufficiently different to warrant a meme.

12. Like a belief that has died, first one held (7)

Answer: DEISTIC (i.e. “like a belief”). Solution is DEC (i.e. “died”, short for deceased) wrapped around or “holding” IST (i.e. “first”, taking 1 to be its Roman numeral equivalent) and I (i.e. Roman numeral “one” again), like so: DE(IST-I)C.

13. Exercises serve my needs most of the time: measure of my progress? (9)

Answer: PEDOMETER (i.e. “measure of my progress” within the context of the clue). Solution is PE (i.e. “exercises”, specifically Physical Education) followed by DO ME (i.e. “serve my needs”) and TERM (i.e. a period of “time”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “most of”), like so: PE-DO-ME-TER.

14. Appropriate uniform on French page (5)

Answer: USURP (i.e. to forcefully take possession of, or to “appropriate”). Solution is U (“uniform” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by SUR (i.e. “on French”, i.e. the French for “on”) and P (a recognised abbreviation of “page”).

16. Four lovable OAPS primarily out for pleasure, purely? (6,2,4)

Answer: LABOUR OF LOVE (i.e. “for pleasure, purely”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of FOUR LOVABLE and O (i.e. “OAPS primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “OAPS”).

17. Brochure for goggles to be worn by group of workers (10)

Answer: PROSPECTUS (i.e. “brochure”). Solution is PRO (i.e. “for”) followed by SPECS (i.e. “goggles”) once wrapped around TU (i.e. “workers”, specifically a Trade Union), like so: PRO-SPEC(TU)S. Appeared in grid 1582 back in October, also on even intersecting letters, so…

19. Emotional person full of joy – and one using head: it’s different (14)

Answer: SENTIMENTALIST (i.e. “emotional person”). Solution is SENT (i.e. in an ecstatic state or “full of joy”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” again), then MENTAL (i.e. “using head”) and an anagram (indicated by “different”) of IT’S, like so: SENT-I-MENTAL-IST. SENTIMENTAL also appeared in grid 1590 on New Year’s Eve on odd intersecting letters, so…

22. King once originally legally installed in eastern bankrupt state? (8)

Answer: ETHELRED (i.e. “king once” around the turn of the (first) millennium). Solution is L (i.e. “originally legally”) placed “in” E (a recognised abbreviation of “eastern”) and THE RED (i.e. “bankrupt state”), like so: E-THE-(L)-RED. ETHELRED THE UNREADY appeared only a few weeks ago, but on odd intersecting letters. A similar clue too, at least for the ETHELRED bit. Made this an easier get, at least once I’d had a few letters filled in.

24. Cut out for duty? (6)

Answer: EXCISE. Solution satisfies “cut”, and a “duty” or tax.

25. Band of rock found in sea? Elaborate! (4,6)

Answer: DEEP PURPLE (i.e. “band of rock” – I heartily approve! (Insert devil horns emoji here)). Solution is DEEP (i.e. the “sea”) followed by PURPLE (i.e. “elaborate” or overly-ornate writing).

26. Rumour of some preconditions (2,3)

Answer: ON DIT (i.e. “rumour”). “Of some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: PREC(ON-DIT)IONS. Another repeat, and another from only last month, this time from grid 1607. It was on odd intersecting letters too, so:

29. Shut pipe down, finding rot (4)

Answer: TOSH (i.e. “rot” or rubbish). Solution is TO (i.e. “shut”, as in a door closed to) followed by SH (i.e. “pipe down” or shush).

30. Poet’s singular book on drink, so short (8)

Answer: Allen GINSBERG (i.e. “poet”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “singular”), B (ditto “book”) both placed “on” or after GIN (i.e. “drink”) and followed by ERGO (i.e. therefore or “so”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “short”), like so: GIN-(S-B)-ERG. You’ll probably know him well as he was only here two days ago in the last Jumbo, also on even intersecting letters. Wow, these memes are really starting to mount up, aren’t they?

32. As a man, like ties often? (3-6)

Answer: TWO-LEGGED. Solution satisfies “as a man” usually, and “like ties often”, referring to matches played over home and away legs.

34. Split kebab containing first class spread (2,1,6)

Answer: DO A RUNNER (i.e. “split”). Solution is DONER (i.e. “kebab”) wrapped around or “containing” A (i.e. “first class”) and RUN (i.e. “spread”), like so: DO(A-RUN)NER. Appeared back in June in grid 1562, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

35. Go after eg turning on my devices (8)

Answer: GADGETRY (i.e. “devices”). Solution is TRY (i.e. a “go”) placed “after” EG reversed (indicated by “turning”) once this has itself been placed “on” or after GAD (i.e. “my”, both exclamations), like so: GAD-GE-TRY.

36. Pupils no longer putting heads together making error (4)

Answer: BOOB (i.e. “error”). Solution is OB (i.e. a “pupil no longer”, specifically an Old Boy), two OBs placed “heads together” getting you BO-OB.

39. Staunch flow to bypass patient’s glands: every second counts! (5)

Answer: LOYAL (i.e. “staunch”). “Every second counts” indicates the solution is derived from the second letters of FLOW TO BYPASS PATIENT’S GLANDS. Appeared back in August in grid 1570, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

40. Powerful salesperson, flash, not stopped by Glasgow cops (10)

Answer: MONOPOLIST (i.e. “powerful salesperson”). Solution is MO (i.e. “flash” or short period of time) followed by NOT once wrapped around or “stopped by” POLIS (i.e. “Glasgow police”, or a Scots form of “police”. Also Irish, apparently), like so: MO-NO(POLIS)T.

42. Reportedly, need to pay does maybe shame (2,4)

Answer: OH DEAR (i.e. “shame”). “Reportedly” indicates homophone. Solution comprises homophones of OWE DEER (i.e. “need to pay does maybe” – a “doe” being a female deer). Also appeared only last month in grid 1609, also on even intersecting letters, so…

44. Japanese writing welcome newspaper anecdotes (8)

Answer: HIRAGANA (i.e. “Japanese writing” – over to Chambers: “the more widely used of the two Japanese systems of syllabic writing (the other being katakana)”). Solution is HI (i.e. “welcome”) followed by RAG (i.e. slang for a “newspaper”) and ANA (i.e. “anecdotes”, being “a collection of someone’s table talk or of gossip, literary anecdotes or possessions” (Chambers) – we’ve seen this a few times in Jumbos now. One worth keeping in mind). One nailed solely from the wordplay.

46. Novel mug excited connoisseur (8,6)

Answer: ROBINSON CRUSOE (i.e. “novel” by Daniel Defoe). Solution is ROB (i.e. to “mug”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “excited”) of CONNOISSEUR. Nicely done.

48. Number of hooters perhaps around one as traffic is queuing? (4,2,4)

Answer: NOSE TO TAIL (i.e. “as traffic is queuing”). Solution is NOSE TOTAL (i.e. “number of hooters perhaps”) wrapped “around” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” again), like so: NOSE-TOTA(I)L.

49. What’s done to cow’s carcass, etc: it’s awful (5,7)

Answer: SCARE TACTICS (i.e. “what’s done to cow” – recall COW from 6a). “Awful” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CARCASS ETC IT.

53. Spitfire having right to open vintage display (5)

Answer: SHREW (i.e. “spitfire” or hot-tempered woman). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”) placed in or “opening” SHEW (i.e. “vintage display”, or an archaic form of “show”), like so: SH(R)EW.

54. Loving to add to volume, becoming noisy (9)

Answer: CLAMOROUS (i.e. “noisy”). Solution is AMOROUS (i.e. “loving”) “added” to the end of CL (i.e. “volume”, in this case a centilitre), like so: CL-AMOROUS.

55. Expert on old card game subject to sanction (2,5)

Answer: ON APPRO (i.e. “subject to sanction”). Solution is PRO (i.e. “expert”) placed “on” or after O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and NAP (i.e. “old card game”, short for Napoleon apparently), like so: (O-NAP)-PRO.

56. Site of monastery one’s visiting announced quite secure (4,6)

Answer: HOLY ISLAND (i.e. “site of monastery”, Lindisfarne). Solution is I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one’s”) placed in or “visiting” a homophone (indicated by “announced”) of WHOLLY (i.e. “quite”) and LAND (i.e. to “secure”), like so: HOLY-(I’S)-LAND.

57. Wind up in hospital with child and dependants (7-2)

Answer: HANGERS-ON (i.e. “dependants”). Solution is ANGER (i.e. “wind up”) placed “in” H (a recognised abbreviation of “hospital” used on maps) and SON (i.e. “child”), like so: H-(ANGER)-SON. Already appeared this month in grid 1613, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

Down clues

1. Traces of clay left in model built to scale (5)

Answer: CLIMB (i.e. “scale”). “Traces of” indicates the solution is derived from the initial letters of CLAY LEFT IN MODEL BUILT. Also appeared in February in grid 1601, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

2. Gent, unclothed: so I like time in the buff! (10)

Answer: ENTHUSIAST (i.e. “buff”). Solution is EN (i.e. “gent, unclothed”, i.e. the word “gent” with its first and last letters removed) followed by THUS (i.e. “so”), then I, then AS (i.e. “like”) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”).

3. Once hard, melting fast (8)

Answer: ANCHORED (i.e. held “fast”). “Melting” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ONCE HARD.

4. Big map we all used off and on for drive (5)

Answer: IMPEL (i.e. “drive”). “Off and on” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of BIG MAP WE ALL.

5. Republican first lady turned politician is convert (9)

Answer: REDEVELOP (i.e. “convert”). Solution is RED (i.e. “republican” colour, e.g. in the US) followed by EVE (i.e. “first lady”, if The Bible is to be believed) and POL (short for “politician”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “turned”), like so: RED-EVE-LOP.

6. Tease band releasing second disc (4)

Answer: COMB (i.e. to “tease” fibres or hair into place). Solution is COMBO (i.e. “band”) once the “second” O or “disc”, referring to its shape, is removed or “released”.

7. Alert when keeping note of liquid? (6)

Answer: WATERY (i.e. “of liquid”). Solution WARY (i.e. “alert”) once wrapped around or “keeping” TE (a “note” of the sol-fa scale, i.e. your doh-ray-me etc), like so: WA(TE)RY.

8. Comprehensive answer put out by directors (6-3-5)

Answer: ACROSS-THE-BOARD (i.e. “comprehensive”). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, as in Q&A) followed by CROSS (i.e. “put out”) and THE BOARD (i.e. “directors” of an organisation).

9. Music-makers got in fights with girlfriend? (7-5)

Answer: SQUEEZE-BOXES (i.e. “music-makers”, accordions). Clue playfully satisfies “fights with girlfriend”, SQUEEZE being slang for a girlfriend.

10. Circle line is failing even at peak (7)

Answer: EQUATOR (i.e. imaginary “circle” around the earth). Solution is EQUAL (i.e. “even”) with the L removed (indicated by “line is failing…” – L being a recognised abbreviation of “line”) and the remainder followed by TOR (i.e. “peak”), like so: EQUA-TOR.

11. Youth with a mean statement from NY benefit office? (10)

Answer: ADOLESCENT (i.e. “youth”). When written as A DOLE’S CENT the solution also playfully satisfies “a mean statement from NY benefit office” – cents being US currency.

15. Seen to go with the job, as cheque might be? (9)

Answer: POSTDATED (i.e. “as cheque might be”). Solution is DATED (i.e. “seen”, amorously) placed after or “with” POST (i.e. “job”), like so: POST-DATED.

18. Relieved seeing that wise daughter protects you (8)

Answer: ASSUAGED (i.e. “relieved”). Solution is AS (i.e. “seeing that”), SAGE (i.e. “wise”) and D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) all wrapped around or “protecting” U (“you” – not something I can immediately see supported in my Chambers, but you do see it often enough in brand names, e.g. Phones 4u, Spudulike etc), like so: AS-S(U)AGE-D.

20. Moving scenery as required (9)

Answer: NECESSARY (i.e. “required”). “Moving” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SCENERY AS. Appeared in grid 1587 back in December, also on odd intersecting letters, and using most of the same clue too, so…

21. Ultimately not inspiring confidence when Society’s lost saving! (10)

Answer: TREASURING (i.e. “saving”). Solution is T (i.e. “ultimately not”, i.e. the last letter of “not”) followed by REASSURING (i.e. “inspiring confidence”) once one of the Ss is removed (indicated by “when Society’s lost” – S being a recognised abbreviation of “society”), like so: T-REASURING. Like GINSBERG, TREASURE appeared only two bloody days ago, also on odd intersecting letters, so have another meme…

23. Highpoint in resort is teashop opening on the front (10)

Answer: APOTHEOSIS (i.e. “highpoint”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “resort”) of IS TEASHOP and O (i.e. “opening on the front”, i.e. the first letter of “opening”). One I knew mostly from the second sentence of Stephen King’s The Gunslinger (the first book of his Dark Tower series), mostly because I had to get off my fat arse to get a dictionary to find out what an apotheosis was.

27. Well they mean to follow instructions – with one difference (2-7)

Answer: DO-GOODERS (i.e. “well they mean”. Indeed, wise Yoda). Solution is DOG (i.e. “to follow”) followed by ORDERS (i.e. “instructions”) once subjected to “one difference”, like so: DOG-O(R)DERS => DOG-O(O)DERS. This kind of vague, hand-wavy wordplay is rarely satisfying. Meanwhile, DO-GOODER appeared in 1605 (like CHEVALIER) but on even intersecting letters.

28. Flavoursome stuff from old poet at battle scene, seconds later (8,6)

Answer: CINNAMON STICKS (i.e. “flavoursome stuff”). Solution is Helvius CINNA (i.e. “old poet” of the late Roman Republic) followed by MONS (i.e. “battle scene” of the First World War) and TICKS (i.e. “seconds”).

31. What’s laid on the table? That’s also what it’s for (3,5)

Answer: EGG SPOON. One of those “& lit” things where the solution satisfies the clue as a whole. The solution could also comprise EGG (i.e. “what’s laid” by a hen) and SPOON, however the latter is derived. I thought a dictionary might list “table” as a shortened form of “tablespoon”, but nothing immediately jumped out at me. Bradford’s likes the usage, but I’d like to know why. As ever, if anyone offers up a satisfactory solution then I’ll update the post, otherwise I’m getting on with what remains of the day.

33. Make hot and spicy one, starter for guests, a brown colour? (12)

Answer: MULLIGATAWNY. Another unsatisfactory clue. I guess the solution is referring to a “hot and spicy” soup, recycling part of the clue to get MULL (i.e. “make hot and spicy”), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”, yet again), then G (i.e. “starter [letter] for guests”), then A and finally TAWNY (i.e. “brown colour”). Alternatively, the setter might be trying to pass off MULLIGATAWNY as a “colour”, but none of my dictionaries support it.

34. Stars using key to open public house across the pond (9)

Answer: DELPHINUS (i.e. “stars” – a win for my Bradford’s. As regular readers know, I can’t be hacked with made-to-fit trash, so this got short thrift the moment I had enough letters). Solution is DEL (i.e. “key”) followed by PH (i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “public house” – I guess “to open” is referring to initial letters thereof and is there only to help make the clue scan) and IN US (i.e. “across the pond”, referring to the United States).

37. As unaccompanied group, one might keep Pole outside? (10)

Answer: BARBERSHOP (i.e. “an unaccompanied group”, referring to a barbershop quartet). The remainder of the clue plays on how many barbers will have a stripy “pole” outside their place of business. Ignore the misleading capitalisation.

38. Evidently inferior charts slid off the wall (5-5)

Answer: THIRD-CLASS (i.e. “evidently inferior”). “Off the wall” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CHARTS SLID. Nicely worked.

41. Male garment and watch included with eighth sale item? (9)

Answer: LOINCLOTH (i.e. “male garment”). Solution is LO (i.e. “watch” or see, as in lo and behold) followed by INC (short for “included”) and LOT H (which playfully satisfies “eighth sale item”, H being the eighth letter of the alphabet). Appeared in grid 1605 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

43. Personal chaperone, too near hosts (3-2-3)

Answer: ONE-TO-ONE (i.e. “personal”). “Hosts” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: CHAPER(ONE-TOO-NE)AR.

45. Before ten, mostly unusual to consume very large port (7)

Answer: ROSARIO (i.e. “port” in Argentina – for made-to-fit constellations see also made-to-fit ports. Treat all such solutions with the contempt they deserve). Solution is IO (i.e. “ten” – I’m sure you can see why). “Before” this is placed RARE (i.e. “unusual”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder wrapped around or “consuming” OS (i.e. “very large”, a recognised abbreviation of “outsize”), like so: (R(OS)AR)-IO.

47. Rogue agents have pinched bug with drone (6)

Answer: CICADA (i.e. “bug with drone”). Solution is CAD (i.e. “rogue”) placed in or “pinched” by CIA (i.e. “agents”, specifically the Central Intelligence Agency of the US), like so: CI(CAD)A. Also appeared in grid 1595 back in January, also on even intersecting letters, so…

50. Touching what’s potentially deadly sticky stuff (5)

Answer: RESIN (i.e. “sticky stuff”). Solution is RE (i.e. “touching” on or regarding – think email replies) followed by SIN (i.e. “what’s potentially deadly”, referring to the seven deadly sins). Also appeared in grid 1580 back in October, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

51. One very quietly performing winning move (5)

Answer: IPPON (i.e. a “winning move” in judo or karate). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” again, again, again, again, again, again, again) followed by PP (i.e. “very quietly”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “pianissimo” used in musical lingo) and ON (i.e. “performing”). Another nailed solely from the wordplay.

52. Not exactly getting on, being unfriendly (4)

Answer: COLD (i.e. “unfriendly”). Solution is C (i.e. “not exactly”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) followed by OLD (i.e. “getting on”).

A relatively straightforward one this week. As regular visitors know, I don’t mind the easier ones! A low number of recent repeats was also a welcome factor. Let’s hope this trend continues.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has been giving you gyp then you might find my Just For Fun page of help, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks once again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 3.3%

Across clues

1. Place to drink in west Peru unfortunately overrun by bachelors (7)

Answer: BREWPUB (i.e. “place to drink”, or a pub that serves its own wacky brews). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unfortunately”) of W (a recognised abbreviation of “west”) and PERU all placed in or “overrun by” BB (i.e. “bachelors” – B being a recognised abbreviation thereof), like so: B(REWPU)B.

5. Runs after insect close to some other creatures (9)

Answer: ANTELOPES (i.e. “creatures”). Solution is LOPES (i.e. “runs”) placed “after” ANT (i.e. “insect”) and E (i.e. “close to some”, i.e. the last letter of “some”), like so: (ANT-E)-LOPES. We had ANTELOPE only last month in grid 1608, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

10. Grasp a bit of wood (4)

Answer: TWIG. Solution satisfies “grasp” or understand, and “a bit of wood”.

14. Winner angry about sixth in javelin getting a medal (8,5)

Answer: VICTORIA CROSS (i.e. “medal”). Solution is VICTOR (i.e. “winner”) and CROSS (i.e. “angry”) all wrapped “about” I (i.e. “sixth [letter] in javelin”) and A, like so: VICTOR-(I-A)-CROSS.

15. Canonises extraordinary biblical event (9)

Answer: ASCENSION (i.e. “biblical event”). “Extraordinary” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CANONISES. Nicely worked.

16. Stop working with Conservative friend, suppressing one little article (4,2,1,3)

Answer: CALL IT A DAY (i.e. “stop working”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) followed by ALLY (i.e. “friend”) once wrapped around or “suppressing” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), TAD (i.e. a “little”) and A (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the), like so: C-ALL(I-TAD-A)Y.

17. High society venerating Venus at times (7,4)

Answer: EVENING STAR (i.e. “Venus at times” – can also be Mercury, apparently). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “high”) of S (a recognised abbreviation of “society”) and VENERATING.

18. Is angry girl finally ejected from rides? (5)

Answer: FUMES (i.e. “is angry”). Solution is FLUMES (i.e. “rides” in amusement parks) with the L (i.e. “girl finally”, i.e. the last letter of “girl”) removed or “ejected”.

19. Swooped to arrest Harry’s pal, it’s said (10)

Answer: PRONOUNCED (i.e. “said”). Solution is POUNCED (i.e. “swooped “) wrapped around or “arresting” RON Weasley (i.e. “Harry [Potter]’s pal”), like so: P(RON)OUNCED.

21. Certify a temperature check (6)

Answer: ATTEST (i.e. “certify”). Solution is A followed by T (a recognised abbreviation of “temperature”) and TEST (i.e. “check”).

23. One receiving item of clothing found in a river (9)

Answer: ADDRESSEE (i.e. “one receiving item”). Solution is DRESS (i.e. “item of clothing”) placed “in” A and DEE (i.e. Scottish “river”), like so: A-D(DRESS)EE.

25. Vicar finished – prepare to move? (3,2)

Answer: REV UP (i.e. “prepare to move” motor vehicle). Solution is REV (i.e. “vicar”, short for reverend) followed by UP (i.e. “finished”).

26. Switch positions to get beer regularly discounted (2,5)

Answer: ON OFFER (i.e. “discounted”). Solution is ON OFF (i.e. electrical “switch positions”) followed by ER (i.e. “beer regularly”, i.e. every other letter of BEER).

28. Visionary bank employee is after loads of money (7-6)

Answer: FORTUNE-TELLER (i.e. “visionary”). Solution is TELLER (i.e. “bank employee”) placed “after” FORTUNE (i.e. “loads of money”). FORTUNE-TELLING appeared back in January in grid 1597, but on even intersecting letters.

31. Conservative position on playing fields? (5-4)

Answer: RIGHT-WING. Solution satisfies “Conservative” and “position on playing fields”.

33. Look – African country’s backed abandoning island test site (3,6)

Answer: LOS ALAMOS (i.e. atomic bomb “test site” in New Mexico). Solution is LO (i.e. “look”, as in lo and behold) followed by SOMALIA’S (i.e. “African country’s”) once the I has been removed (indicated by “abandoning island” – I being a recognised abbreviation of “island”), like so: LO-S’ALAMOS.

35. Criminal fetches pie, I go for some coins (6,2,5)

Answer: PIECES OF EIGHT (i.e. “some coins”). “Criminal” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of FETCHES PIE I GO.

37. Old Arab wins a race, newcomer admits (7)

Answer: SARACEN (i.e. “old Arab”). “Admits” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: WIN(S A RACE N)EWCOMER.

38. Range of addresses covering area (5)

Answer: URALS (i.e. mountain “range”). Solution is URLS (i.e. web “addresses”, short for Uniform Resource Locators) wrapped around or “covering” A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”), like so: UR(A)LS.

40. Turner finished study at last in solitary setting? (6,3)

Answer: LONDON EYE (i.e. a famous big wheel or “turner”). Solution is DONE (i.e. “finished”) and Y (i.e. “study at last”, i.e. the last letter of “study”) all placed “in” LONE (i.e. “solitary”), like so: LON(DONE-Y)E.

42. Something unique I do away with (3-3)

Answer: ONE-OFF (i.e. “something unique”). Solution is ONE (i.e. “I”) followed by OFF (i.e. kill or “do away with”).

44. Unconventional sort of complimentary booze (4,6)

Answer: FREE SPIRIT (i.e. “unconventional”). Solution is FREE (i.e. “complimentary”) followed by SPIRIT (i.e. “booze”).

46. For example, A&E records (5)

Answer: NOTES. Solution satisfies “for example, A&E” – both musical notes – and “records”.

48. Race brother frantically to become leader (11)

Answer: TORCHBEARER (i.e. “leader”). “Frantically” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of RACE BROTHER.

50. Hamming it up and going too far not concerning (10)

Answer: OVERACTING (i.e. “hamming it up”). Solution is OVERREACTING (i.e. “going too far”) with the RE removed (indicated by “not concerning” or regarding – think email replies).

52. Poet briefly following an elected official, at first quite slowly (9)

Answer: ANDANTINO (i.e. “quite slowly” in musical lingo). Solution is DANTE Alighieri (i.e. “poet”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”) and the remainder placed after or “following” AN. This is all then followed by IN (i.e. “elected”) and O (i.e. “official, at first”, or the first letter of “official”), like so: AN-(DANT)-IN-O.

53. Place for child beginning to be mature has food and game equipment (8,5)

Answer: CRIBBAGE BOARD (i.e. “game equipment”). Solution is CRIB (i.e. “place for child”) followed by B (i.e. “beginning to be”, i.e. the first letter of “be”), then AGE (i.e. “mature”) and BOARD (i.e. “food”, as in room and board).

54. Fruit chopped near a city (4)

Answer: LIMA (i.e. capital “city” of Peru). Solution is LIME (i.e. “fruit”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “chopped”) and the remainder followed by A, like so: LIM-A.

55. Dossier contains lady with a grand bird of prey (4,5)

Answer: FISH EAGLE (i.e. “bird of prey”). Solution is FILE (i.e. “dossier”) wrapped around or “containing” SHE (i.e. “lady”), A and G (a recognised abbreviation of “grand”), like so: FI(SHE-A-G)LE.

56. Queen put on a lot of perfume approaching unknown landscape (7)

Answer: SCENERY (i.e. “landscape”). Solution is ER (i.e. “queen”, specifically Elizabeth Regina) placed “on” or after SCENT (i.e. “perfume”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “a lot of…”). This is all then followed by Y (i.e. “unknown” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as unknowns), like so: SCEN-(ER)-Y.

Down clues

1. Reportedly drink a bunch (4)

Answer: BEVY (i.e. “a bunch”). “Reportedly” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of BEVVY (i.e. slang for a “drink”, short for beverage). That said, BEVY is an acceptable spelling, so the homophone wasn’t particularly needed.

2. Old flame – extremely critical pointed and shouted (9)

Answer: EXCLAIMED (i.e. “shouted”). Solution is EX (i.e. “old flame”) followed by CL (i.e. “extremely critical”, i.e. the first and last letters of “critical”) and AIMED (i.e. “pointed”).

3. Country’s crazy public school fee in paper (7,8,2,5)

Answer: PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (i.e. “country”). “Crazy” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of PUBLIC SCHOOL FEE IN PAPER.

4. Description of a city is hyped (5-2)

Answer: BUILT-UP. Solution satisfies “description of a city” and “hyped”.

5. Choices read out for church district (11)

Answer: ARCHDIOCESE (i.e. “church district”). “Out” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CHOICES READ.

6. Fellow reportedly in favour of boxing with piece of wood (3-2-4)

Answer: TWO-BY-FOUR (i.e. “piece of wood”). Solution is TOBY (i.e. “fellow’s” name) followed by a homophone (indicated by “reportedly”, again) of FOR (i.e. “in favour of”) wrapped around or “boxing” W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”), like so: T(W)OBY-FOUR.

7. Man perhaps following large thread (5)

Answer: LISLE (i.e. a type of “thread”). Solution is ISLE (i.e. “Man perhaps”, other isles are available) placed after or “following” L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”), like so: L-ISLE.

8. Song perhaps heard by footballer who’s trying to stop a fight (11)

Answer: PEACEKEEPER (i.e. “who’s trying to stop a fight”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “heard”) of PIECE (i.e. “song”) followed by KEEPER (i.e. “footballer”), like so: PEACE-KEEPER. Also appeared in grid 1570 back in August, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

9. What might be pulled by worker without a complaint? (6)

Answer: SICKIE. One of those “& lit” clues where the solution satisfies the clue in general. The clue plays on “complaint” being an illness, rather than a grievance.

11. Stretch outside street, making a high-pitched noise (7)

Answer: WHISTLE (i.e. “high-pitched noise”). Solution is WHILE (i.e. “stretch” or length of time) wrapped around or placed “outside” of ST (a recognised abbreviation of “street”), like so: WHI(ST)LE.

12. Military officer at peak time cuts power source (9)

Answer: GENERATOR (i.e. “power source”). Solution is GEN (i.e. “military officer”, short for a General) and TOR (i.e. “peak”) wrapped around or “cut” by ERA (i.e. another length of “time”), like so: GEN-(ERA)-TOR.

13. He thinks of battleground prepared for old warriors (7,2,3,5,5)

Answer: KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE (i.e. “old warriors”). “Prepared” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of HE THINKS OF BATTLEGROUND.

18. Scared of loud tirade (7)

Answer: FEARFUL (i.e. “scared”). Solution is F (i.e. “loud”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “forte” in musical lingo) followed by EARFUL (i.e. “tirade”).

20. Vehicle heading north uncovered barren region of Spain (7)

Answer: NAVARRE (i.e. “region of Spain”). Solution is VAN (i.e. “vehicle”) reversed (indicated by “heading north” – this being a down clue) and followed by ARRE (i.e. “uncovered barren”, i.e. the word “barren” with its first and last letters removed), like so: NAV-ARRE.

22. Cow with no hair scratching head underneath pine (8)

Answer: LONGHORN (i.e. “cow”). Solution is SHORN (i.e. “with no hair”) with its first letter removed (indicated by “scratching head”) and the remainder placed after or “underneath” – this being a down clue – LONG (i.e. to yearn or “pine” for), like so: LONG-HORN.

24. Irate with sons joining forces (8)

Answer: STEAMING (i.e. “irate”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “sons”) followed by TEAMING (i.e. “joining forces”).

27. Chuck’s brief liaison (5)

Answer: FLING. Solution satisfies to “chuck” and “brief liaison”.

29. Part of staircase in skyscraper is erected (5)

Answer: RISER (i.e. “part of staircase”). “In” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: SKYSCRAPE(R IS ER)ECTED.

30. US city home for French mathematician (7)

Answer: Pierre Simon LAPLACE (i.e. “French mathematician”). Solution is LA (i.e. “US city”, Los Angeles) followed by PLACE (i.e. “home”).

32. Estimate includes time left to make chicken (7)

Answer: GUTLESS (i.e. “chicken”). Solution is GUESS (i.e. “estimate”) wrapped around or “including” T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) and L (ditto “left”), like so: GU(T-L)ESS.

34. Certain figures having uncool origins (6,5)

Answer: SQUARE ROOTS (i.e. “figures”). Solution is SQUARE (i.e. “uncool”) followed by ROOTS (i.e. “origins”).

36. Learn beagle is changing – it’s not as big as it could be! (11)

Answer: ENLARGEABLE (i.e. “it’s not as big as it could be”). “Is changing” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LEARN BEAGLE.

37. Minor accident producing deficit (9)

Answer: SHORTFALL (i.e. “deficit”). When written as SHORT FALL the solution also satisfies “minor accident”.

39. Take a drink, perfecting way of removing liquid (9)

Answer: SIPHONING (i.e. “way of removing liquid”). Solution is SIP (i.e. “take a drink”) followed by HONING (i.e. “perfecting”).

41. Lessen the impact of a university from the south interrupting a degree (English) (9)

Answer: EXTENUATE (i.e. “lessen the impact of”). Solution is A and U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) reversed (indicated by “from the south” – this being a down clue) and placed in or “interrupting” EXTENT (i.e. “a degree” of). This is all then followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”), like so: EXTEN(U-A)T-E.

43. Title of organ recital ultimately upset music fan (7)

Answer: EARLDOM (i.e. “title”). Solution is EAR (i.e. “organ”) followed by L (i.e. “recital ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “recital”) and MOD (i.e. “music fan”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue), like so: EAR-L-DOM.

45. Drink last of liquor, slump over, and cry due to this? (4,3)

Answer: TEAR GAS (i.e. “cry due to this”). Solution is TEA (i.e. a “drink”) followed by R (i.e. “last [letter] of liquor”) and SAG (i.e. “slump”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “over”), like so: TEA-R-GAS.

47. Sculpture is a consolation (6)

Answer: RELIEF. Solution satisfies “sculpture” and “consolation”.

49. Look around park and castle on vacation (5)

Answer: RECCE (i.e. “look around”, military slang for reconnaissance). Solution is REC (i.e. “park”, short for recreation) followed by CE (i.e. “castle on vacation”, i.e. the word “castle” with all its middle letters removed).

51. Toy losing head in whirlpool (4)

Answer: EDDY (i.e. “whirlpool”). Solution is TEDDY (i.e. “toy”, a teddy bear) with its first letter removed (indicated by “losing head”).

Another relatively straightforward Jumbo this week, though one spiced up with a couple of exotic anagrams. I often find these underwhelming – you could have all the intersecting letters and still be none the wiser – but I did rather like the construction of 23a. There were relatively fewer repeats compared to recent weeks, too, which was welcome.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo is giving you night sweats then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 8.3%

(With thanks to Stephanie in the comments for correcting 1d)

Across clues

1. Chemical process? Whip article away from critical study (9)

Answer: CATALYSIS (i.e. “chemical process”). Solution is CAT (i.e. “whip”, specifically a cat-o-nine-tails) followed by ANALYSIS (i.e. “critical study”) once the AN has been removed (indicated by “article away from…” – an article being a word like a, an or the), like so: CAT-ALYSIS.

6. MD’s style? With energy, MD needs brain activated to work (7,6)

Answer: BEDSIDE MANNER (i.e. “MD’s style”, an MD being a Doctor of Medicine or Medicinae Doctor). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “activated to work”) of E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”) and MD NEEDS BRAIN.

13. Simplistic North America likely to shock, ousting leader (5)

Answer: NAÏVE (i.e. “simplistic”). Solution is NA (short for “North America”) followed by LIVE (i.e. “likely to shock”, e.g. a live electrical wire) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “ousting leader”), like so: NA-IVE.

14. Recalled musical success with theatre adopting right authority (11)

Answer: PREROGATIVE (i.e. “authority” or “right arising out of one’s rank, position or office” (Chambers)). Solution is EVITA (i.e. a “musical”) followed by GO (i.e. a “success”, informally) and REP (i.e. “theatre”, short for a repertory theatre) once wrapped around or “adopting” R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”). The whole is then reversed (indicated by “recalled”), like so: P(R)ER-OG-ATIVE.

15. Urban greenery needing a warm coat (5)

Answer: PARKA (i.e. “warm coat”). Solution is PARK (i.e. “urban greenery”) followed by A.

16. Paid me back: old character’s considered good about that (11)

Answer: REMUNERATED (i.e. “paid”). Solution is ME reversed (indicated by “back”) and placed in or having “about” it RUNE (i.e. “old character”) and RATED (i.e. “considered good”), like so: R(EM)UNE-RATED.

17. Strength in the lashes when fluttering (11)

Answer: HEALTHINESS (i.e. “strength”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “when fluttering”) of IN THE LASHES.

18. Secretary receiving an expert cure (7)

Answer: PANACEA (i.e. “cure”). Solution is PA (i.e. “secretary” or Personal Assistant) wrapped around or “receiving” AN and ACE (i.e. “expert”), like so: P(AN-ACE)A.

20. Item of poetry allowed after masterstroke (7)

Answer: COUPLET (i.e. “item of poetry”). Solution is LET (i.e. “allowed”) placed “after” COUP (i.e. “masterstroke”), like so: COUP-LET.

21. Military leader to be heading for Rome in a month (7)

Answer: OCTOBER (i.e. “month”). Solution is OC (i.e. “military leader”, an Officer Commanding or Officer in Chief) followed by TO BE and R (i.e. “heading for Rome”, or the first letter of “Rome”). Appeared in grid 1568 back in July, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

23. Ardennes? A great visit – brought about by this? (5,1,6,7)

Answer: TRAIN A GRANDE VITESSE, abbreviated to TGV, is France’s intercity train service. The solution therefore satisfies the clue as a whole, but is also formed from an anagram (indicated by “brought about”) of ARDENNES A GREAT VISIT. A very nicely worked clue, granted, but with the number of setters keen to squeeze French phrases and such into their grids I do wonder whether The Times should launch a French crossword. They already do one for Latin, so why not?

27. Minute almost needed to get ready (3)

Answer: TIN (i.e. “ready”, both slang for money). Solution is TINY (i.e. “minute”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “almost”).

28. Holy man blocking temptation shows distinction (6)

Answer: LUSTRE (i.e. “distinction”). Solution is ST (i.e. “holy man”, short for a saint) placed in or “blocking” LURE (i.e. “temptation”), like so: LU(ST)RE.

29. Legal statement is flexible, one having been moved back (6)

Answer: PLAINT (i.e. “legal statement”). Solution is PLIANT (i.e. “flexible”) with the I or Roman numeral “one” “moved back” a notch, like so: PL(I)ANT => PLA(I)NT.

31. Flag put back before lecture is to disappear (9)

Answer: EVAPORATE (i.e. “disappear”). Solution is PAVE (i.e. to “flag”) reversed (indicated by “put back”) and followed by ORATE (i.e. “lecture”), like so: EVAP-ORATE.

34. Animal secretion increasingly seen to rotate in ring (9)

Answer: PHEROMONE (i.e. “animal secretion”). Solution is MORE (i.e. “increasingly”) reversed (indicated by “seen to rotate”) and placed “in” PHONE (i.e. to “ring”), like so: PH(EROM)ONE.

35. Leg mostly surrounded by other legs is shining (6)

Answer: GLEAMS (i.e. “is shining”). Solution is LEG with its last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder placed in or “surrounded by” GAMS (i.e. “other legs” – GAM has several variant meanings, one being slang for “a human leg, especially female” (Chambers)), like so: G(LE)AMS. You could make an argument for GLEAMY, as GAMY can mean spirited or lively or having “legs”, but I think GLEAMS is a stronger candidate.

36. Stop recalling passion in case (6)

Answer: PERIOD (i.e. a full “stop”). Solution is IRE (i.e. “passion”) reversed (indicated by “recalled”) and placed “in” POD (i.e. “case”), like so: P(ERI)OD.

39. Some further airtime for African music (3)

Answer: RAI (i.e. “African music” – over to Chambers again: “a modern, N African form of popular music, blending traditional Arabic and Spanish with Western dance rhythms”). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: FURTHE(R AI)RTIME.

40. Indication of closure, as pilfering female pinching article confesses (4,3,3,4,5)

Answer: WHEN THE FAT LADY SINGS (i.e. “indication of closure”). Solution is WHEN (i.e. “as”), THEFT (i.e. “pilfering”) and LADY (i.e. “female”) all wrapped around or “pinching” A (i.e. “article”, already covered above). This is all then followed by SINGS (i.e. “confesses”), like so: (WHEN-THEF(A)T-LADY)-SINGS.

42. Mysterious shout still perhaps observed around tango (7)

Answer: CRYPTIC (i.e. “mysterious”). Solution is CRY (i.e. “shout”) followed by PIC (i.e. “still perhaps” or photograph) wrapped “around” T (“tango” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: CRY-P(T)IC.

43. Brief comment about Minister held back team (7)

Answer: EVERTON (i.e. a football “team”). Solution is NOTE (i.e. “brief comment”) reversed (indicated by “about”) and wrapped around or “holding” REV (i.e. “Minister”, short for reverend) once this has also been reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: E(VER)TON.

45. Herb ungrateful daughter planted in rings (7)

Answer: OREGANO (i.e. “herb”). Solution is REGAN (i.e. “ungrateful daughter” of William Shakespeare’s King Lear) “planted in” between O and O (both “rings”), like so: O(REGAN)O. Appeared in grid 1564 back in July, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

47. Trampled turf not gone, still retrievable (11)

Answer: UNFORGOTTEN (i.e. “still retrievable”). “Trampled” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TURF NOT GONE.

49. Not something you can see being developed by rival outlet (11)

Answer: ULTRAVIOLET (i.e. “not something you can see”). “Being developed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of RIVAL OUTLET.

51. A lot of shadows behind one house in the North (5)

Answer: IGLOO (i.e. “house in the North” or up in the Arctic). Solution is GLOOM (i.e. “shadows”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “a lot of…”) and the remainder placed “behind” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: I-GLOO. Appeared in grid 1578 back in October, also on odd intersecting letters, and using a very similar clue, so…

52. Lavender bed? It may be excessively flowery (6,5)

Answer: PURPLE PATCH. Solution playfully satisfies “lavender bed”, and also “it may be excessively flowery” – Chambers offers: “a passage of fine, or (often) over-ornate, writing”.

53. Thai people live in Bangkok and Yangon ultimately (5)

Answer: KAREN (i.e. “Thai people”). Solution is ARE (i.e. “live”) placed “in” between K and N (i.e. the last or “ultimate” letters of Bangkok and Yangon respectively), like so: K-(ARE)-N. Bradford’s to the rescue here.

54. American novel’s representation of sheltered year (3,10)

Answer: THE DEERSLAYER (i.e. “American novel” by James Fenimore Cooper – no, me neither). “Representation of” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SHELTERED YEAR.

55. Several years without unpleasantness, not seeing one rotting (9)

Answer: DECADENCE (i.e. “rotting”). Solution is DECADE (i.e. “several years”) followed by NICE (i.e. “without unpleasantness”) once the I has been removed (indicated by “not seeing [Roman numeral] one”), like so: DECADE-NCE.

Down clues

1. Shifted intercept on a line moving to the middle (11)

Answer: CENTREPITAL [EDIT: Thanks to Stephanie in the comments for correcting this one. Seems I’ve been making up words, which was rather presumptuous of me! The solution ought to have been CENTRIPETAL. The construction of the solution remains the same. Cheers, Stephanie! – LP] (i.e. “moving to the middle”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “shifted”) of INTERCEPT followed by A and L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”), like so: CENTREPIT-A-L.

2. The writer is restricted by lacking vitamin (7)

Answer: THIAMIN (i.e. “vitamin”). Solution is I AM (i.e. “the writer is”, from the point of view of the setter) placed in or “restricted by” THIN (i.e. “lacking”), like so: TH(I-AM)IN.

3. Extra bedtime story for a particular group? (3-2)

Answer: LIE-IN (i.e. “extra bedtime”). Solution is LIE (i.e. “story”) followed by IN (i.e. “a particular group” – could be a sporting reference, or might mean those in office. Most definitions focus on IN being membership of a group rather than the group itself, so I’m not quite sure what the setter is playing at here).

4. Transport boss to drink, thus requiring impounding of vehicle (10)

Answer: SUPERCARGO (i.e. “transport boss”). Solution is SUP (i.e. “to drink”) followed by ERGO (i.e. “thus”) once wrapped around or “impounding” CAR (i.e. “vehicle”), like so: SUP-ER(CAR)GO.

5. One doubts church can take part, as originally presented externally (7)

Answer: SCEPTIC (i.e. “one doubts”). Solution is CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England) and PT (short for “part”) both placed in or having “externally” around them SIC (i.e. “as originally presented”), like so: S(CE-PT)IC.

6. Terrifying family appearing with daughter in winter sport (13)

Answer: BLOODCURDLING (i.e. “terrifying”). Solution is BLOOD (i.e. kin or “family”) followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) once placed “in” CURLING (i.e. “winter sport”), like so: BLOOD-CUR(D)LING.

7. Had vigil arranged to enshrine end of supreme impresario (9)

Answer: Sergei DIAGHILEV (i.e. ballet “impresario” – again, me neither). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “arranged”) of HAD VIGIL wrapped around or “enshrining” E (i.e. “end [letter] of supreme”), like so: DIAGHIL(E)V.

8. Copying it involves chap securing it (7)

Answer: IMITANT (i.e. “copying”). Solution is IT wrapped around or “involving” MAN (i.e. “chap”) once this has itself been wrapped around or “securing” IT, like so: I(M(IT)AN)T.

9. Judge ousting Liberal in vote: constituency’s source of sudden exit (8,4)

Answer: EJECTION SEAT (i.e. “source of sudden exit”). Solution is ELECTION (i.e. “vote”) with the L (a recognised abbreviation of “Liberal”) replaced or “ousted” by J (ditto “judge”). This is then followed by SEAT (i.e. “constituency”), like so: E(L)ECTION-SEAT => E(J)ECTION-SEAT.

10. Person with job application having nothing in support (9)

Answer: APPOINTEE (i.e. “person with job”). Solution is APP (short for “application” or program) followed by O (i.e. “nothing”), then IN and TEE (i.e. “support” for a golf ball).

11. Take care of note, money-bag not opening (5)

Answer: NURSE (i.e. “take care of”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “note”) followed by PURSE (i.e. “money-bag”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “not opening”), like so: N-URSE.

12. Development of US careers brought about a new peace of mind (11)

Answer: REASSURANCE (i.e. “peace of mind”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “development of”) of US CAREERS wrapped “about” A and N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: REASSUR(A-N)CE. Appeared in grid 1602 a couple of months ago, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

19. Lively horse crossing North Mexican river (3,4)

Answer: CON BRIO (i.e. “lively” in musical lingo). Solution is COB (i.e. a short-legged “horse”) wrapped around or “crossing” N (a recognised abbreviation of “north”) and followed by RIO (i.e. “Mexican river” – I think this is Spanish for “river” rather than a reference to the Rio Grande), like so: CO(N)B-RIO.

22. Club rugby player receiving cheers making squad (9)

Answer: BATTALION (i.e. “squad”). Solution is BAT (i.e. “club”) followed by TA (i.e. “cheers”) and LION (i.e. “rugby player” of the British & Irish Lions rugby union team).

24. Australian effrontery, dismissing me in hard times (9)

Answer: AUSTERITY (i.e. “hard times”). Solution is AUS (short for “Australian”) followed by TEMERITY (i.e. “effrontery”) once the ME has been removed (indicated by “dismissing me”), like so: AUS-TERITY. AUSTERE appeared in grid 1589 back in December, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

25. Excellent blokes probing officer’s complaint (7)

Answer: AILMENT (i.e. “complaint”). Solution is AI (i.e. “excellent”, or A1 with the 1 replaced by its Roman numeral equivalent) followed by MEN (i.e. “blokes”) once placed in or “probing” LT (i.e. “officer”, specifically a lieutenant), like so: AI-L(MEN)T.

26. Most of story about Channel Island is describing rising heat (7)

Answer: THERMAL (i.e. “rising heat”). Solution is TALE (i.e. “story”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “most of…”) and the remainder wrapped “about” HERM (a “Channel Island” between Guernsey and Sark), like so: T(HERM)AL.

30. Mural in convent: reworked that less nearer the ceiling (3,4,6)

Answer: THE LAST SUPPER (i.e. “mural in Convent” of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “reworked”) of THAT LESS followed by UPPER (i.e. “nearer the ceiling”), like so: THELASTS-UPPER.

32. What superintended should do, no longer bothered by religious office (7)

Answer: OVERSEE (i.e. “what superintendent should do”). Solution is OVER (i.e. “no longer bothered by”) of SEE (i.e. “religious office”).

33. Be avoiding shift to wheat-farming, perhaps and fail (4,1,7)

Answer: COME A CROPPER (i.e. “fail”). Solution is BECOME A CROPPER (i.e. “shift to wheat-farming, perhaps”) with the BE removed (indicated by “be avoiding…”).

34. Air-stunt chap leaving rear of zeppelin, possibly? (11)

Answer: PARACHUTIST. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole (sometimes referred to as an “& lit” clue). Solution is also an anagram (indicated by “possibly”) of AIR-STUNT CHAP once the N has been removed (indicated by “leaving rear [letter] of zeppelin”).

37. Misbehaving is unnoticed? Stop (11)

Answer: DISCONTINUE (i.e. “stop”). “Misbehaving” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IS UNNOTICED.

38. Mostly stupid old man, mostly stupid in an individual way (10)

Answer: IDIOPATHIC (i.e. “in an individual way”). Solution is IDIOT (i.e. “stupid”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder followed by PA (i.e. “old man”, both informal references to one’s father) and THICK (i.e. “stupid”) once this too has had its last letter removed (also indicated by “mostly”), like so: IDIO-PA-THIC.

40. Swallowed river in entire oasis (5-4)

Answer: WATER-HOLE (i.e. “oasis”). Solution is ATE (i.e. “swallowed”) and R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”) both placed “in” WHOLE (i.e. “entire”), like so: W(ATE-R)HOLE.

41. English agree to retain English naval force for ever (9)

Answer: ETERNALLY (i.e. “for ever”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by TALLY (i.e. “agree”) once wrapped around or “retaining” E (again, “English”) and RN (i.e. “naval force”, the Royal Navy), like so: E-T(E-RN)ALLY.

43. Is French or Italian article seen in luxury resort? (7)

Answer: ESTORIL (i.e. “luxury resort” in Portugal, apparently). Solution is EST (i.e. “is French”, i.e. the French for “is”) followed by OR, then IL (i.e. “Italian article”, i.e. the masculine form of “the” in Italian).

44. Marked down as absent from Eastern delta (7)

Answer: NOTATED (i.e. “marked down”). Solution is NOT AT (i.e. “absent”) followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “Eastern”) and D (“delta” in the phonetic alphabet).

46. Feel bad, with bird losing foremost flying aid (7)

Answer: AILERON (i.e. “flying aid” on an aircraft’s wing). Solution is AIL (i.e. “feel bad”) followed by HERON (i.e. “bird”) once its first or “foremost” letter has been removed or “lost”, like so: AIL-ERON.

48. River’s ending in lake? Not so (5)

Answer: FALSE (i.e. “not so”). Solution is FAL’S (i.e. “river’s” – in this case a river in Cornwall followed by a contraction of “is”) followed by E (i.e. “ending [letter] in lake”).

50. Avoided abandoning Mum in a distressed state (5)

Answer: IRKED (i.e. “in a distressed state”). Solution is SHIRKED (i.e. “avoided”) with the SH removed (indicated by “abandoning Mum” – keeping Mum being another way of saying to keep quiet).

Another relatively straightforward run-out for Bank Holiday Monday, and another with a smattering of well-worked clues. I liked it except for… well, I’m sure you can guess by now.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has gotten up your nose then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids, and Happy Motörhead Day!

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 18.3%
(Cringe.)

Across clues

1. Stand in place with islands immersed in river (8)

Answer: DEPUTISE (i.e. to “stand in”). Solution is PUT (i.e. “place”) and IS (I is a recognised abbreviation of “island”, the S makes it plural) both “immersed in” DEE (i.e. “river” in Scotland), like so: DE(PUT-IS)E.

5. Ocean floor beginning to enshroud sailor (6)

Answer: SEABED (i.e. “ocean floor”). Solution is SEED (i.e. “beginning”) wrapped around or “enshrouding” AB (i.e. “sailor”, one of Able-Bodied rank), like so: SE(AB)ED.

9. Layer one’s rolled back in warehouse (7)

Answer: DEPOSIT (i.e. “layer”). Solution is I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one’s”) reversed (indicated by “rolled back”) and placed “in” DEPOT (i.e. “warehouse”), like so: DEPO(S’I)T. Appeared in grid 1608 only last month, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

14. Farmer grew worried about area becoming threat to life (4,7)

Answer: GERM WARFARE (i.e. “threat to life”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “worried”) of FARMER GREW wrapped “about” A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”), like so: GERMW(A)RFARE.

15. Prompt attention securing scutched fibres for such clothes? (5-2-4)

Answer: READY-TO-WEAR (i.e. “clothes”). Solution is READY (i.e. “prompt”) and EAR (i.e. “attention”) wrapped around or “securing” TOW (i.e. “scutched fibres”, a variant meaning of the word), like so: READY-(TOW)-EAR.

16. Comfort Labour’s leader drawing support (5)

Answer: EASEL (i.e. “drawing support”). Solution is EASE (i.e. “comfort”) followed by L (i.e. “Labour’s leader”, i.e. the first letter of “Labour”). Appeared in grid 1593 in January, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

17. Stone initially laid into box perhaps for bridge (7)

Answer: TRESTLE (i.e. a type of “bridge”). Solution is ST (a recognised abbreviation of “stone”) and L (i.e. “initially laid”, i.e. the first letter of “laid”) both placed “into” TREE (i.e. “box perhaps” – other varieties of tree are available), like so: TRE(ST-L)E. Appeared in grid 1583 back in November, also on odd intersecting letters, and also in exactly the same place, so…

18. Speech by ambassador in turban for example? (9)

Answer: HEADDRESS (i.e. “turban for example”). When written as HE ADDRESS the solution also playfully satisfies “speech by ambassador” – HE being a recognised abbreviation of “His Excellency”, if you observe such things.

19. Prodigal son coming first, being submissive (7)

Answer: SLAVISH (i.e. “submissive”). Solution is LAVISH (i.e. “prodigal”) placed after or having “first” S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”), like so: S-LAVISH. If I’m not mistaken this marks a solution being repeated from the previous grid for the third time in the last four puzzles. This also intersected on odd letters, so…

20. Sweet sauce, not quite cold, with some hot bananas (9,6)

Answer: CHOCOLATE MOUSSE (i.e. “sweet”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “bananas”) of SAUCE, COL (i.e. “not quite cold”, i.e. “cold” with its last letter removed) and SOME HOT.

22. Where standards may be set to be observed? (4,6)

Answer: ROSE GARDEN. Clue plays on “standards” being “a fruit tree or other tree grafted and trained so as to have an upright stem without branches” (Chambers). That’s about it, unless I’m missing something clever.

23. Place for Cologne firm located within baker’s base? (6)

Answer: FLACON (i.e. “place for cologne” – ignore the misleading capitalisation, a flacon is a perfume bottle). Solution is CO (i.e. “firm”, short for “company”) placed “within” FLAN (i.e. “baker’s base”), like so: FLA(CO)N.

25. Religious portrait the writer does? (4)

Answer: ICON (i.e. “religious portrait”). When written as I CON the solution playfully satisfies “the writer does” from the point of view of the setter, taking “do” to mean to swindle someone.

28. Site for oil and rubber industry? (7,7)

Answer: MASSAGE PARLOUR. Clue plays on “oil” used in massages, and massages being “rubs”. You get the idea. A very good clue.

30. Eccentric American avoiding press and public (2,6)

Answer: IN CAMERA (i.e. in private or “avoiding press and public”). “Eccentric” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of AMERICAN.

32. Lines on child’s foot (8)

Answer: INFANTRY (i.e. “foot” soldiers). Solution is RY (i.e. “lines”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a railway) placed “on” or after INFANT (i.e. “child”), like so: INFANT-RY. INFANTRYMAN appeared in grid 1598, but I’ll let it slide.

34. Corruptly helping rich to bank smallest amount, duke with impeccable morals? (4-10)

Answer: HIGH-PRINCIPLED (i.e. “with impeccable morals”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “corruptly”) of HELPING RICH wrapped around or “banking” IP (i.e. “smallest amount”, in this case 1 penny) and followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “duke”), like so: HIGHPRINC(IP)LE-D.

37. Soothing lotion taken from royal residence for test (4)

Answer: ORAL (i.e. “test”). Solution is BALMORAL (i.e. “royal residence”) with the BALM (i.e. “soothing lotion”) “taken from” it.

38. Reputation British sailors have around east (6)

Answer: RENOWN (i.e. “reputation”). Solution is RN (i.e. “British sailors”, the Royal Navy) and OWN (i.e. “have”) wrapped “around” E (a recognised abbreviation of “east”), like so: R(E)N-OWN.

39. Mugs people in street for an amount to be paid (10)

Answer: ASSESSMENT (i.e. the tax or “amount to be paid”). Solution is ASSES (i.e. “mugs”) followed by MEN (i.e. “people”) once placed “in” ST (a recognised abbreviation of “street”), like so: ASSES-S(MEN)T. Appeared in grid 1590 back in December, also on even intersecting letters, so…

43. EU boss, centrist, in lather with five: is it getting in the way? (15)

Answer: OBSTRUCTIVENESS (i.e. “getting in the way”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “in lather”) of EU BOSS CENTRIST and V (i.e. “[Roman numeral] five”).

45. Girl crossing mountain to find plant (7)

Answer: VERBENA (i.e. “plant”). Solution is VERA (i.e. “girl’s” name) wrapped around or “crossing” BEN (i.e. Scots or Irish “mountain”), like so: VER(BEN)A. One nailed from the wordplay.

47. Really old man needing time to follow a TV show (4,5)

Answer: SOAP OPERA (i.e. “TV show”). Solution is SO (i.e. “really”) followed by POP (i.e. “old man”, both slang for one’s father) and ERA (i.e. “time”) once these latter two have been placed “following” A, like so: SO-(A-(POP-ERA)).

49. Dave’s outside, sitting in coach to make deal (5-2)

Answer: TRADE-IN (i.e. “deal”). Solution is DE (i.e. “Dave’s outside”, i.e. the first and last letters of “Dave”) “sitting in” TRAIN (i.e. “coach”), like so: TRA(DE)IN.

51. Written in Sanskrit, he takes letter to Greeks (5)

Answer: THETA (i.e. “letter to Greeks”). “Written in” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: SANSKRI(T HE TA)KES. Appeared in grid 1605 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

52. All the musicians having a rhyme for this Little Richard hit? (5,6)

Answer: TUTTI FRUTTI (i.e. “Little Richard hit”). I’m guessing the solution is TUTTI (i.e. “all the musicians” in musical lingo) followed by FRUTTI, “a rhyme for [TUTTI]”. Given the letters of TUTTI are found on the outside of the solution, and that the clue contains the word “having”, I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m missing something clever. Appeared in grid 1575 back in September, and again in grid 1607 only last month, both on odd intersecting letters, so have a double meme…

53. Butler say leading Mrs Barker round cabin? No spacious dwelling (6,5)

Answer: RABBIT HUTCH (i.e. “no spacious dwelling”). Solution is RAB (i.e. “Butler say” – my Bradford’s liked it, but it needed a dip in my Brewer’s to explain why, being “the popular initialism of R.A. Butler (1902-82), Conservative minister of education in the Second World War”. Everyday knowledge, then) followed by BITCH (i.e. “Mrs Barker”, playfully referencing a female dog) once wrapped “round” HUT (i.e. “cabin”), like so: RAB-BIT(HUT)CH.

54. Plant science’s leading character featured in talk (7)

Answer: PARSLEY (i.e. “plant”). Solution is S (i.e. “science’s leading character”, or first letter of “science”) “featured in” PARLEY (i.e. “talk”), like so: PAR(S)LEY.

55. Communist swallowing fish eye (6)

Answer: REGARD (i.e. observe or “eye”). Solution is RED (i.e. “communist”) wrapped around or “swallowing” GAR (a kind of “fish” you often see used in cryptic crosswords, along with ide and ling), like so: RE(GAR)D.

56. Popular female, lightly cooked, died – it’s the radiation (8)

Answer: INFRARED (i.e. “radiation”). Solution is IN (i.e. “popular”) followed by F (a recognised abbreviation of “female”), then RARE (i.e. “lightly cooked”) and D (a recognised abbreviation of “died”). Gruesome and nicely worked!

Down clues

1. Wander like engineers on ship (7)

Answer: DIGRESS (i.e. “wander”). Solution is DIG (i.e. “like”) followed by RE (i.e. “engineers”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) and SS (i.e. “ship”, short for a steamship).

2. Rhythmic motion for each one – it’s lass dancing! (11)

Answer: PERISTALSIS (i.e. “rhythmic motion” of the alimentary canal). Solution is PER (i.e. “for each”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and an anagram (indicated by “dancing”) of IT’S LASS, like so: PER-I-STALSIS.

3. Terry’s thoroughly at home wearing brief Roman garment (9)

Answer: TOWELLING (i.e. “terry”, a type thereof). Solution is WELL (i.e. “thoroughly”) and IN (i.e. “at home”) both placed in or “wearing” TOGA (i.e. “Roman garment”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “brief”), like so: TO(WELL-IN)G.

4. Brick carrier one to ensure patient progress? (9-6)

Answer: STRETCHER-BEARER (i.e. “one to ensure patient progress”). Solution is STRETCHER (i.e. “brick” – one I weirdly remembered from an old Jumbo, this is a brick “laid horizontally with others in the forming of a wall” (Chambers)) followed by BEARER (i.e. “carrier”).

6. King excluding MP from immunity in vigorous action (8)

Answer: EXERTION (i.e. “vigorous action”). Solution is R (i.e. “king”, a recognised abbreviation of the Latin Rex) replacing or “excluding” the “MP” “from” EXEMPTION (i.e. “immunity”), like so: EXE(MP)TION => EXE(R)TION. For a long time my smutty mind couldn’t look past ERECTION, but I… uh… couldn’t get a grip on it.

7. Amusing character all for bear-hugs when sloshed (6,2,6)

Answer: BARREL OF LAUGHS (i.e. “amusing character”). “When sloshed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ALL FOR BEAR-HUGS. Nicely worked.

8. Lookout killing first crawler (10)

Answer: DEATHWATCH (i.e. “crawler”, apparently a kind of beetle). Solution is WATCH (i.e. “lookout”) with DEATH (i.e. “killing”) placed “first”.

9. Supervision at certain times, or 24-hour protection? (3,4)

Answer: DAY CARE. Solution satisfies “supervision at certain times”, if you take DAY to be the daylight hours, or, playfully, “24-hour protection” if you take DAY to be a period of 24 hours.

10. Dig to cover radioactive metal projecting slightly (5)

Answer: PROUD (i.e. “projecting slightly” from a plane surface). Solution is PROD (i.e. “dig”) wrapped around or “covering” U (i.e. “radioactive metal”, the chemical symbol of Uranium), like so: PRO(U)D.

11. 3D-viewer to see crop circles in southeast (11)

Answer: STEREOSCOPE (i.e. “3D-viewer”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “circles”) of TO SEE CROP placed “in” SE (a recognised abbreviation of “southeast”), like so: S(TEREOSCOP)E. Another well-worked clue.

12. News boss after party severely punished (8)

Answer: THRASHED (i.e. “severely punished”). Solution is ED (i.e. “news boss”, short for editor) placed “after” THRASH (slang for a “party”, apparently), like so: THRASH-ED.

13. Unclothed English seen after pub (4)

Answer: BARE (i.e. “unclothed”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) placed “after” BAR (i.e. “pub”), like so: BAR-E.

20. Contemporary army officer embracing Signora Peron? (6)

Answer: COEVAL (i.e. a “contemporary”). Solution is COL (i.e. “army officer”, short for colonel) wrapped around or “embracing”) EVA (i.e. “Signora Peron”), like so: CO(EVA)L.

21. Eastern art fiddle old Parisian chum conceals (7)

Answer: ORIGAMI (i.e. “eastern art”). Solution is RIG (i.e. “fiddle”) placed in or “concealed” by O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and AMI (i.e. “Parisian chum”, i.e. the French for “friend”), like so: O-(RIG)-AMI. Another double-repeat, first from grid 1589 back in December and again in March in grid 1604, both intersecting on odd letters, so have yourself another double meme…

22. Stay on putting graduate in control (6)

Answer: REMAIN (i.e. “stay on”). Solution is MA (i.e. “graduate”, specifically a Master of Arts) placed “in” REIN (i.e. “control”), like so: RE(MA)IN.

24. Poor vintner not one in for abstinence on a national scale? (15)

Answer: NONINTERVENTION (i.e. “abstinence on a national scale”, or not getting involved in the affairs of other countries). “Poor” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of VINTNER NOT ONE IN. My Chambers has this as a hyphenated word, which is a bit naughty of the setter.

26. Freestyle swimmer seen with tired wife on break (3-2,9)

Answer: ALL-IN WRESTLING (i.e. “freestyle” wrestling). Solution is LING (i.e. “swimmer”, or a type of fish – as mentioned earlier, this is another that is popular with cryptic crossword setters) placed after or “with” ALL-IN (i.e. “tired”), W (a recognised abbreviation of “wife”) and REST (i.e. “break”), like so: (ALL-IN-W-REST)-LING.

27. Outlaw in Paris said to be gang member (6)

Answer: BANDIT (i.e. “gang member”). Solution is BAN (i.e. to “outlaw”) followed by DIT (i.e. “in Paris said”, i.e. the French for “said”). BANDITOS appeared literally two days ago, again on even intersecting letters. I let INFANTRYMAN slide earlier, but won’t this.

29. Scrap by right boxing area in ring? (7)

Answer: ANNULAR (i.e. “ring” shaped). Solution ANNUL (i.e. “scrap”) and R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”) all wrapped around or “boxing” A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”), like so: ANNUL-(A)-R.

31. Emergency primarily concerning river: one in Oxford? (6)

Answer: CRISIS (i.e. “emergency”). Solution is C (i.e. “primarily concerning”, i.e. the first letter of “concerning”) followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), then ISIS (i.e. “[river] in Oxford”, an alternative name for the Thames).

33. Arsonist needing wood works in compound (11)

Answer: FIRESTARTER (i.e. “arsonist”). Solution is FIR (i.e. tree or “wood”) followed by ART (i.e. “works”) once placed “in” ESTER (i.e. “compound”), like so: FIR-EST(ART)ER.

35. One finding romance? (3,8)

Answer: LIE DETECTOR. Clue plays on “romances” traditionally being works of fiction or wonder, i.e. LIES. You get the idea.

36. An old lady having giggle about mysterious substance (10)

Answer: ANTIMATTER (i.e. “mysterious substance”). Solution is AN followed by MA (i.e. “old lady”, both slang for mother) once placed inside of or “having…about” it TITTER (i.e. “giggle”), like so: AN-TI(MA)TTER.

40. Rake perhaps one betraying revolutionary in Senior Common Room (9)

Answer: SCRATCHER (i.e. “rake perhaps”). Solution is RAT (i.e. “one betraying”) and CHE Guevara (i.e. “revolutionary”) both placed “in” SCR (short for “Senior Common Room”), like so: SC(RAT-CHE)R.

41. Employment found in sweltering work where roofer operates? (8)

Answer: HOUSETOP (i.e. “where roofer operates”). Solution is USE (i.e. “employment”) placed “in” HOT (i.e. “sweltering”) and OP (i.e. “work”, short for “opus”), like so: HO(USE)T-OP.

42. One able to fix broken marriages? (8)

Answer: REPAIRER (i.e. “one able to fix”). The clue also plays on “marriages” being PAIRS, and one fixing a broken marriage could be said to be a RE-PAIRER. Another I rather liked.

44. 150 – very old without doubt (7)

Answer: CLEARLY (i.e. “without doubt”). Solution is CL (i.e. “150” in Roman numerals) followed by EARLY (i.e. “very old”).

46. Ace assaulted and embarrassed (7)

Answer: ABASHED (i.e. “embarrassed”). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “ace” used on playing cards) followed by BASHED (i.e. “assaulted”).

48. Four? Five? All regularly seen in window (5)

Answer: ORIEL (i.e. a type of “window”). “Regularly” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of FOUR FIVE ALL. ORIEL WINDOW appeared in grid 1562 back in June, but this is sufficiently different to let slide.

50. Flower at first looks black in central Greece (4)

Answer: ELBE (i.e. “flower”, in this case a major river of Europe, as in how a river flows). Solution is L (i.e. “at first looks”, i.e. the first letter of “looks”) and B (a recognised abbreviation of “black” used in chess) both placed “in” EE (i.e. “central [letters of] Greece”), like so: E(L-B)E.

A reasonably straightforward one for the Coronation weekend. It was pleasant enough to chip away at with some nicely worked clues, though there were a couple of scruffy ones to contend with. Nothing outrageous, though.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has given you the slip then you might find my Just For Fun of use, where you’ll find links to solutions to hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay dry out there kids. If you can.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 18.3%
A new record! Not sure that’s something to celebrate, though.

Across clues

1. Material exploited the wrong way (5)

Answer: DENIM (i.e. “material”). Solution is MINED (i.e. “exploited”) reversed (indicated by “the wrong way”).

4. Clergyman has strength around good mate (2,5)

Answer: MR RIGHT (i.e. “good mate”). Solution is RR (i.e. “clergyman”, specifically a Right Reverend) placed in or “having…around” it MIGHT (i.e. “power”), like so: M(RR)IGHT.

8. Parasites in hotel are an irritation for child (7-2)

Answer: HANGERS-ON (i.e. “parasites”). Solution is H (“hotel” in the phonetic alphabet”) followed by ANGER (i.e. “are an irritation” – I would say this ought to be ANGERS given the phrasing) and SON (i.e. “child”).

13. Common promo on Sierra car component (5,4)

Answer: SPARK PLUG (i.e. “car component”). Solution is PARK (i.e. “common”) and PLUG (i.e. “promo”) both placed “on” or after S (“Sierra” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: S-(PARK-PLUG).

14. It attracts traveller with grand after tax return at first (13)

Answer: ELECTROMAGNET (i.e. “it attracts”). Solution is ROMA (i.e. “traveller”), G (a recognised abbreviation of “grand”) and NET (i.e. “after tax”) all placed after or having “at first” ELECT (i.e. “return” – think returning officers in elections), like so: ELECT-(ROMA-G-NET). ELECTROMAGNETIC appeared in grid 1597 back in January, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

15. All are excited to find energy drink (4,3)

Answer: REAL ALE (i.e. “drink”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “excited”) of ALL ARE followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”), like so: REALAL-E.

16. Craftsman has big fan not supplied with power (7)

Answer: ARTISAN (i.e. “craftsman”). Solution is PARTISAN (i.e. supporter or “big fan”) with the P (a recognised abbreviation of “power”) removed (indicated by “not supplied with…”).

17. Writer’s window of time, going over play (7)

Answer: Leo TOLSTOY (i.e. “writer”). Solution is SLOT (i.e. “window of time”) reversed (indicated by “going over”) and followed by TOY (i.e. “play”), like so: TOLS-TOY. He appeared in grid 1559 back in June, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

18. European left in indebted state with cash cut by a French king (8,3,7)

Answer: ETHELRED THE UNREADY (i.e. “king” of the English 968-1013, and again 1014-16). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) followed by L (ditto “left”) once placed “in” THE RED (i.e. “indebted state”). I can’t help feeling the word “the” has been erroneously cut somewhere, as the rest of the clue would suggest we’re putting UN (i.e. “a French”, i.e. the French for “a”) in between or “cutting” THE and READY (i.e. “cash”), like so: E-(THE-(L)-RED)-(THE-(UN)-READY). If a better solution comes to light then I’ll update the post.

21. African farmer’s dog, no cross (4)

Answer: BOER (i.e. “African farmer”). Solution is BOXER (i.e. breed of “dog”) with the X removed (indicated by “no cross”). Simple, but nicely worked all the same.

23. Kind of devil cheers with crazed passion in case of sin (9)

Answer: TASMANIAN (i.e. “kind of devil”). Solution is TA (i.e. “cheers”) followed by MANIA (i.e. “crazed passion”) once placed “in” SN (i.e. “case of sin”, i.e. the first and last letters of “sin”), like so: TA-S(MANIA)N. Appeared in grid 1610 – you can literally go back two pages in the Saturday Review supplement and see it there in the grid, so…

25. Heard you very noisily entering grotty place lacking air (6)

Answer: STUFFY (i.e. “lacking air”). Solution is U (i.e. “heard you”, i.e. a homophone of “you”) and FF (i.e. “very noisily”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “fortissimo” in musical lingo) both placed in or “entering” STY (i.e. “grotty place”), like so: ST(U-FF)Y.

26. Like member of extremist group, a loathsome person (6)

Answer: INSECT (i.e. “loathsome person”). When written as IN SECT the solution also satisfies “like member of extremist group”.

28. Thought French composer refused second helping (12)

Answer: DELIBERATION (i.e. “thought”). Solution is Léo DELIBES (i.e. “French composer” – me neither) with the S removed (indicated by “refused second” – S being a recognised abbreviation of “second”) and the remainder followed by RATION (i.e. “helping”), like so: DELIBE-RATION.

30. Scandalously old American in any film that’s out (10)

Answer: INFAMOUSLY (i.e. “scandalously”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and US (i.e. “American”) both placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “that’s out”) of ANY FILM, like so: INFAM(O-US)LY.

33. Hard to bear chorus with two notes (10)

Answer: BURDENSOME (i.e. “hard to bear”). Solution is BURDEN (i.e. “chorus” – over to Chambers for a variant meaning of BURDEN: “the part of a song repeated at the end of every stanza, a refrain”) followed by SO and ME (i.e. “two notes” of the sol-fa notation).

34. Father figure with discipline, one delivering the goods (7,5)

Answer: FREIGHT TRAIN (i.e. “one delivering the goods”). Solution is FR (a recognised abbreviation of the title “Father”) followed by EIGHT (i.e. “figure” or number) and TRAIN (i.e. “discipline”).

37. Help musician after opening note fades away (6)

Answer: ASSIST (i.e. “help”). Solution is BASSIST (i.e. “musician”) with the B removed (indicated by “after opening note fades away”). Appeared in grid 1597 back in January, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

39. Wise female subsequently among problem drinkers (6)

Answer: ATHENA (i.e. “wise female”, the Greek goddess of wisdom). Solution is THEN (i.e. “subsequently”) placed “among” AA (i.e. “problem drinkers”, Alcoholics Anonymous), like so: A(THEN)A.

40. Student of life drawing finally is in kind of book group (9)

Answer: BIOLOGIST (i.e. “student of life”). Solution is G (i.e. “drawing finally”, i.e. the last letter of “drawing”) and IS both placed “in” BIO (i.e. “kind of book”, short for biography) and LOT (i.e. “group”), like so: BIO-LO(G-IS)T.

42. Equipment close to antique plane (4)

Answer: KITE (i.e. “plane”). Solution is KIT (i.e. “equipment”) followed by E (i.e. “close to antique”, i.e. the last letter of “antique”). Appeared in grid 1584 in November, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

43. Party enforcer’s so-so joke, getting decent opportunity (4,5,2,3,4)

Answer: FAIR CRACK OF THE WHIP (i.e. “decent opportunity”). Solution also playfully satisfies “[political] party enforcer’s so-so joke”.

46. High-ranking journalist no longer holds key (7)

Answer: EXALTED (i.e. “high-ranking”). Solution is EX-ED (i.e. “journalist no longer”) wrapped around or “holding” ALT (i.e. “key” on a computer keyboard), like so: EX-(ALT)-ED. Appeared in grid 1602 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

47. Firm, large and fat cabbage (7)

Answer: COLLARD (i.e. a kind of “cabbage”). Solution is CO (i.e. “firm”, short for “company”) followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) and LARD (i.e. “fat”).

48. Troops to the west of area of land withdraw (7)

Answer: RETRACT (i.e. “withdraw”). Solution is RE (i.e. “troops”, the Royal Engineers of the British Army) placed “to the west of” – this being an across clue – TRACT (i.e. “area of land”).

50. Rick may be such a nuisance (4,2,3,4)

Answer: PAIN IN THE NECK. Solution satisfies “rick” and “a nuisance”.

51. Hard to make more beautiful equipment for a groom (9)

Answer: HAIRBRUSH (i.e. “equipment for a groom”). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “hard” used in grading pencils) followed by AIRBRUSH (i.e. “make more beautiful”).

52. Illegal traffickers having lead? They’ll get silver (7-2)

Answer: RUNNERS-UP (i.e. “they’ll get silver”). Solution is RUNNERS (i.e. “illegal traffickers”) followed by UP (i.e. “having [the] lead” in a game).

53. Free to get into act that’s talked down (7)

Answer: DERIDED (i.e. “talked down”). Solution is RID (i.e. “free”) placed “into” DEED (i.e. “act”), like so: DE(RID)ED.

54. Put away a goal, coming back after Derby’s second (5)

Answer: EATEN (i.e. having “put away” some grub). Solution is A and NET (i.e. “goal”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “coming back”). This is all then placed “after” E (i.e. “Derby’s second” letter), like so: E-(A-TEN).

Down clues

1. Lost in desert, I’d moved around, drinking nothing (11)

Answer: DISORIENTED (i.e. “lost”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “moved around”) of IN DESERT I’D wrapped around or “drinking” O (i.e. “nothing”), like so: DIS(O)RIENTED.

2. African native in area between two US cities (5)

Answer: NYALA (i.e. “African native”, a flavour of antelope). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”) placed “between” NY and LA (i.e. “two US cities”, New York and Los Angeles), like so: NY-(A)-LA. Appeared in grid 1605 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

3. Cook a cold, fat-free meat cut and keep nothing back (4,1,5,6)

Answer: MAKE A CLEAN BREAST (i.e. fully confess or “keep nothing back”). Solution is MAKE (i.e. “cook”) followed by A, then C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold” used on taps), then LEAN (i.e. “fat-free”) and BREAST (i.e. “cut of meat”).

4. Extra inspiring story is a source of drama (7)

Answer: MOLIERE (i.e. French playwright of the 17th century, or “a source of drama”). Solution is MORE (i.e. “extra”) wrapped around or “inspiring” LIE (i.e. “story”), like so: MO(LIE)RE.

5. Not keen about penning good Latin American music (9)

Answer: REGGAETON (i.e. “Latin American music”). Solution is NOT and EAGER (i.e. “keen”) reversed (indicated by “about”) and wrapped around or “penning” G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”), like so: REG(G)AE-TON. Appeared in grid 1605 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

6. Ace snooker shot pocketing balls is a heavenly sight (5,3,4)

Answer: GREAT RED SPOT (i.e. “heavenly sight” found on Jupiter). Solution is GREAT (i.e. “ace”) and POT (i.e. “snooker shot”) wrapped around or “pocketing” REDS (i.e. snooker “balls”), like so: GREAT-(REDS)-POT.

7. As we see it, admitting motive is criminal (10)

Answer: TREASONOUS (i.e. “criminal”). Solution is TO US (i.e. “as we see it”) wrapped around or “admitting” REASON (i.e. “motive”), like so: T(REASON)O-US. TREASON appeared on grid 1568 back in July, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

8. Try to sweet talk husband, one that’s put on weight (3,2)

Answer: HIT ON (i.e. “try to sweet talk”). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and TON (i.e. “weight”).

9. Regularly tried to bore nobody when lunch may be? (8)

Answer: NOONTIDE (i.e. “when lunch may be”). Solution is TID (i.e. “regularly tried”, i.e. every other letter of TRIED) placed in or “boring” NO-ONE (i.e. “nobody”), like so: NO-ON(TID)E.

10. Allow bishop to enter route to the north east (6)

Answer: ENABLE (i.e. “allow”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “bishop” used in chess) placed in or “entering” LANE (i.e. “route”) once reversed (indicated by “to the north” – this being a down clue). The whole is then followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “east”), like so: ENA(B)L-E. ENABLER appeared in grid 1561 back in June, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

11. Paper round’s beginning during fuel problem in summer (9)

Answer: SUNSTROKE (i.e. “problem in summer”). Solution is SUN (i.e. “[news]paper”) followed by R (i.e. “round’s beginning”, i.e. the first letter of “round”) once placed in or “during” STOKE (i.e. to “fuel”), like so: SUN-ST(R)OKE.

12. Basic facts, possibly lousy, shown with stark realism (5-6)

Answer: NITTY-GRITTY (i.e. “basic facts”). Solution is NITTY (i.e. “possibly lousy”) followed by GRITTY (i.e. “with stark realism”).

19. Ruthless manoeuvring hasn’t succeeded for con artist (7)

Answer: HUSTLER (i.e. “con artist”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “manoeuvring”) of RUTHLESS once one of the Ss has been removed (indicated by “hasn’t succeeded” – S being a recognised abbreviation of “succeeded”).

20. Rogue fed with fine Turkish gent (7)

Answer: EFFENDI (i.e. “Turkish gent”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rogue”) of FED and FINE. I rather enjoyed the gruesomeness of this clue!

22. Certain turbos periodically installed by cool car (16)

Answer: INCONTROVERTIBLE (i.e. “certain”). Solution is TRO (i.e. “turbos periodically”, i.e. every other letter of TURBOS) placed in or “installed by” IN (i.e. “cool”) and CONVERTIBLE (i.e. “car”), like so: IN-CON(TRO)VERTIBLE. Nicely worked.

24. Inundation from home above waterside grass (6)

Answer: INRUSH (i.e. “inundation”). Solution is IN (i.e. at “home”) followed by RUSH (i.e. “waterside grass”).

27. Keep reading about a quiet Afghan (6)

Answer: PASHTO (i.e. “Afghan”). Solution is PTO (i.e. “keep reading”, short for Please Turn Over) wrapped “about” A and SH (i.e. “quiet”), like so: P(A-SH)TO. Appeared in grid 1603 back in March, although that time it was on even intersecting letters. Shame the setter plumped for virtually the same clue…

29. Time on more deserted island’s lost for enticing sort (7)

Answer: TEMPTER (i.e. “enticing sort”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) followed by EMPTIER (i.e. “more deserted”) once the I has been removed (indicated by “island’s lost” – I being a recognised abbreviation of “island”), like so: T-EMPTER.

31. Head of state, liberal lacking originality (7)

Answer: SLAVISH (i.e. “lacking originality”). Solution is S (i.e. “head of state”, i.e. the first letter of “state”) followed by LAVISH (i.e. “liberal”).

32. Charlie leaves peach and biscuit (5,7)

Answer: CREAM CRACKER (i.e. “biscuit”). Solution is C (“Charlie” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by REAM (i.e. “leaves” of paper) and CRACKER (i.e. “peach”, both descriptive of excellent things).

33. British are short of vigour and sport, right? This may spice things up (5,6)

Answer: BLACK PEPPER (i.e. “this may spice things up”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) followed by LACK (i.e. “are short of”), then PEP (i.e. “vigour”), then PE (i.e. “sport”, or Physical Education), then R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”).

35. Worse than unacceptable clothing article given repair (3,1,5,2)

Answer: NOT A PATCH ON (i.e. “worse than”). Solution is NOT ON (i.e. “unacceptable”) wrapped around or “clothing” A (i.e. “article”, i.e. a word like a, an or the) and PATCH (i.e. “repair”), like so: NOT-(A-PATCH)-ON.

36. Favourite golfer finally holed a shot, a big driver (10)

Answer: PETROLHEAD (i.e. “a big driver”). Solution is PET (i.e. “favourite”) followed by R (i.e. “golfer finally”, i.e. the last letter of “golfer”) and an anagram (indicated by “shot”) of HOLED A, like so: PET-R-OLHEAD.

38. Being full from day one, a vessel circling round (9)

Answer: SATIATION (i.e. “being full”). Solution is SAT (i.e. “day”, short for Saturday), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), then A and TIN (i.e. “vessel”) once wrapped around or “circling” O (i.e. “round”), like so: SAT-I-A-TI(O)N.

40. Violence from e.g. gents in shell of burned building (9)

Answer: BLOODSHED (i.e. “violence”). Solution is LOO (i.e. “e.g. gents” – other loos are available) placed “in” BD (i.e. “shell of burned”, i.e. the first and last letters of “burned”) and followed by SHED (i.e. “building”), like so: B(LOO)D-SHED.

41. Toper I’d arrest after flipping bunch of crooks (8)

Answer: BANDITOS (i.e. “bunch of crooks”). Solution is SOT (i.e. drunkard or “toper”), I’D and NAB (i.e. “arrest”) all reversed (indicated by “after flipping”), like so: BAN-D’I-TOS.

44. Tested frames painter turned up and hung around (7)

Answer: TARRIED (i.e. loitered or “hung around”). Solution is TRIED (i.e. “tested”) wrapped around or “framing” RA (i.e. “painter”, specifically a Royal Academician) once reversed (indicated by “turned up” – this being a down clue), like so: T(AR)RIED.

45. Right back welcomed by team showing pace (6)

Answer: STRIDE (i.e. “pace”). Solution is RT (a recognised abbreviation of “right”, e.g. Rt Hon) reversed (indicated by “back”) and placed in or “welcomed by” SIDE (i.e. “team”), like so: S(TR)IDE.

47. Sound made by warbler, say, for a song on the radio (5)

Answer: CHEEP (i.e. “sound made by warbler, say”). “On the radio” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of CHEAP (i.e. going for “a song”).

49. Mature female having an affair when half-cut (5)

Answer: ADULT (i.e. “mature”). Solution is ADULTERESS (i.e. “female having an affair”) with the last “half cut”.

A mostly straightforward Jumbo though uneven in places, particularly around the bottom-right of the grid. As for those pesky repeats, you’ll see there are rather a lot of them. So many in fact that I felt I ought to add a fourth rule to be fairer to setters.

To recap, my rules for flagging repeated solutions are:
1) repeats older than a year don’t count
2) partial repeats don’t count, unless they’re in the same grid, and
3) derivative or variant forms of the same word or phrase do count.

I’ll add: 4) a repeat will not count if the intersecting letters differ to those of its previous appearance.

So if ANIMATE appears in one grid as A_I_A_E and as _N_M_T_ in another then I won’t count it as a repeat. On this occasion, this reduces the number of repeats from 9 to 7, which is still rather excessive. Carry on like this and I’ll have Michael Palin’s agent bending my ear.

Anyway, back to the script. You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has given you grief then you might find solace in my Just For Fun page, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts and opinions of solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 11.7%

Across clues

1. Former press baron enthralled by light rustic composition (9)

Answer: PASTORALE (i.e. “rustic composition”). Solution is David ASTOR (i.e. “former press baron” – he used to edit The Observer during the 50s and 60s, apparently) placed in or “enthralled by” PALE (i.e. “light”), like so: P(ASTOR)ALE.

6. English youth cutting borders in Florida marshes (10)

Answer: EVERGLADES (i.e. “Florida marshes”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by LAD (i.e. “youth”) once placed in or “cutting” VERGES (i.e. “borders”), like so: E-VERG(LAD)ES.

12. Part of plane where feathers once flew? (7)

Answer: COCKPIT. Solution satisfies “part of plane” and “where feathers once flew”, at least until the sport was outlawed.

13. Retired worker involved in dealing with mail after delivery (9)

Answer: POSTNATAL (i.e. “after delivery” of child). Solution is ANT (i.e. “worker”) reversed (indicated by “retired”) and placed in or “involved in” POSTAL (i.e. “dealing with mail”), like so: POS(TNA)TAL.

14. House built by Republican in Galician port (5)

Answer: VIRGO (i.e. “house” – signs of the zodiac are sometimes called houses). Solution is VIGO (i.e. “Galician port” – straight to Bradford’s here. Regular readers will know I can’t be arsed when setters crutch on ports and place names to get the job done) wrapped around or having “in” R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”), like so: VI(R)GO.

16. Questioner initially rather near riot got roughed up (12)

Answer: INTERROGATOR (i.e. “questioner”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “roughed up”) of R (i.e. “initially rather”, i.e. the first letter of “rather”) and NEAR RIOT GOT.

17. Incarceration of hospital doctor (name concealed by police) (10)

Answer: INTERNMENT (i.e. “incarceration”). Solution is INTERN (i.e. “hospital doctor”) followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “name”) once placed in or “concealed by” MET (i.e. London “police”), like so: INTERN-ME(N)T.

19. Reptile crook of sterner disposition reportedly stole first (3,11)

Answer: BOA CONSTRICTOR (i.e. “reptile”). Solution is CON (i.e. “crook”) and a homophone (indicated by “reportedly”) of STRICTER (i.e. “of sterner disposition”) both placed after or having “first” BOA (i.e. “stole”, garment), like so: BOA-(CON-STRICTOR).

22. Athlete from south runs into English dramatist (8)

Answer: SPRINTER (i.e. “athlete”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “south”) followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “runs” used in some ball games) once placed “into” Harold PINTER (i.e. “English dramatist”), like so: S-(P(R)INTER).

24. Introduce batting, however briefly (6)

Answer: INSTIL (i.e. “introduce”). Solution is IN (i.e. “batting” in some ball games) followed by STILL (i.e. “however”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”), like so: IN-STIL.

25. Water bear’s slow step heard (10)

Answer: TARDIGRADE (i.e. “water bear” – no, me neither). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “heard”) of TARDY (i.e. “slow”) and GRADE (i.e. “step”), like so: TARDI-GRADE.

26. Operatic princess with house in northwestern state (5)

Answer: IDAHO (i.e. “northwestern state” of the US). Solution is IDA (i.e. “operatic princess”, from the comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan) followed by HO (a recognised abbreviation of “house”).

29. Inappropriate reaction of daughter finally involved in mother’s ruin! (4)

Answer: GRIN (i.e. “inappropriate reaction”). Solution is R (i.e. “daughter finally”, i.e. the last letter of “daughter”) placed “in” GIN (i.e. “mother’s ruin”, slang thereof), like so: G(R)IN.

30. Get on well round the rightful Duke of Milan (8)

Answer: PROSPERO (i.e. “rightful Duke of Milan” from Shakespeare’s play The Tempest). Solution is PROSPER (i.e. “get on well”) followed by O (i.e. “round”).

32. Stunt paid for refurbishment, one argues (9)

Answer: DISPUTANT (i.e. “one argues”). “For refurbishment” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of STUNT PAID.

34. Kentish port’s very steep headland (9)

Answer: SHEERNESS (i.e. “Kentish port”). Solution is SHEER (i.e. “very steep”) followed by NESS (i.e. “headland”).

35. Boards in French schools (8)

Answer: ENTRAINS (i.e. “boards” a train). Solution is EN (i.e. “in French”, i.e. the French for “in”) followed by TRAINS (i.e. “schools”).

36. Smile broadly, supporting member perhaps (4)

Answer: BEAM. Solution satisfies “smile broadly” and “supporting member” of a structure.

39. Obtained hotel accommodation at first in Thuringian town (5)

Answer: GOTHA (i.e. “Thuringian town”). Solution is GOT (i.e. “obtained”) followed by H (“hotel” in the phonetic alphabet) and A (i.e. “accommodation at first”, i.e. the initial letter of “accommodation”). One nailed from the wordplay.

40. Reader worried by European voters (10)

Answer: ELECTORATE (i.e. “voters”). Solution is LECTOR (i.e. “reader” at a church service) and ATE (i.e. “worried”, as in what’s eating you?) both placed after or “by” E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”), like so: E-(LECTOR-ATE).

42. Superficial façade always associated with cleric (6)

Answer: VENEER (i.e. “superficial façade”). Solution is E’ER (poetic form of “always”) placed after or “with” VEN (i.e. “cleric”, short for the honorific “venerable”), like so: VEN-E’ER. A repeat from grid 1595 back in January, also intersecting on even letters, so…

44. Routine move to divide cost (8)

Answer: PRACTICE (i.e. “routine”). Solution is ACT (i.e. “move”) placed in or “dividing” PRICE (i.e. “cost”), like so: PR(ACT)ICE.

46. Ill-fated priest’s unexpected ally is crowned outside area (8,6)

Answer: CARDINAL WOLSEY (i.e. “ill-fated priest” who felt Henry VIII’s wrath after failing to negotiate an annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unexpected”) of ALLY IS CROWNED wrapped around or placed “outside” of A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”), like so: CARDIN(A)LWOLSEY.

48. Lacking formal tuition damaged the fat slug! (4-6)

Answer: SELF-TAUGHT (i.e. “lacking formal tuition”). “Damaged” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of THE FAT SLUG.

49. Duke in West Indies standing by a big tree (12)

Answer: WELLINGTONIA (i.e. “big tree”, a sequoia). Solution is ELLINGTON (i.e. “Duke”, famed jazz composer) placed “in” WI (short for “West Indies”) and followed “by” A, like so: W(ELLINGTON)I-A.

53. Powered brake mechanism installed in lesser Volvos (5)

Answer: SERVO (i.e. “powered brake mechanism”). “Installed in” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: LES(SER VO)LVOS.

54. Male animal in box, possibly, by front of this siege engine (9)

Answer: TREBUCKET (i.e. “siege engine” – my Chambers and Oxford don’t support this variant spelling of trebuchet, but, surprise, surprise, my Collin’s Concise is more than happy to back this one up). Solution is BUCK (i.e. “male animal”) placed “in” TREE (i.e. “box, possibly” – other flavours of tree are available) and followed by T (i.e. “front of this”, i.e. the first letter of “this”), like so: TRE(BUCK)E-T.

55. Solitary person’s responsibility, in East End principally (7)

Answer: EREMITE (i.e. “solitary person”, or hermit). Solution is REMIT (i.e. “responsibility”) placed “in” E (a recognised abbreviation of “east”) and E (i.e. “end principally”, i.e. the first letter of “end”), like so: E-(REMIT)-E.

56. Old office requisite – sort more suitable for auditors? (10)

Answer: TYPEWRITER (i.e. “old office requisite”). Solution is TYPE (i.e. “sort”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “for auditors”) of RIGHTER (i.e. “more suitable” – the question mark is a tacit admission from the setter that you’re not exactly going to find this in the dictionary, or at least under this definition).

57. Provided with glosses – and at Eton, somehow (9)

Answer: ANNOTATED (i.e. “provided with glosses” – a variant meaning of gloss is “an explanation given in a margin or between lines, e.g. of an obscure or unusual word” (Chambers)). “Somehow” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of AND AT ETON.

Down clues

1. Mine includes firm loops in ornamental edging (5)

Answer: PICOT (i.e. “loops in ornamental edging”). Solution is PIT (i.e. “mine”) wrapped around or “including” CO (i.e. “firm”, short for company), like so: PI(CO)T. A repeat from grid 1576 back in September, also intersecting on odd letters, so…

2. Note from police officer to man ultimately in charge (10)

Answer: SUPERTONIC (i.e. musical “note” – over to Chambers: “the second degree of the diatonic scale, e.g. D in the scale of C”). Solution is SUPER (i.e. “police officer”, short for superintendent) followed by TO, then N (i.e. “man ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “man”) and IC (a recognised abbreviation of “in charge”). This would have been a repeat from grid 1557, but on that occasion it intersected on even letters.

3. Shed you once observed engulfed by river (8)

Answer: OUTHOUSE (i.e. “shed”). Solution is THOU (i.e. “you once”, i.e. ye olde “you”) placed in or “engulfed by” OUSE (i.e. “river”), like so: OU(THOU)SE.

4. Record held by a hospital, a mark of high achievement (5)

Answer: ALPHA (i.e. “a mark of high achievement”). Solution is LP (i.e. “record”, specifically a Long Play) placed in or “held by” A, H (a recognised abbreviation of “hospital” used on maps) and A, like so: A-(LP)-H-A.

5. Firmly settled aim to keep clubs in doughy cake (9)

Answer: ENSCONCED (i.e. “firmly settled”). Solution is END (i.e. “aim”) wrapped around or “keeping” C (a recognised abbreviation of “clubs” used in card games) once first placed “in” SCONE (i.e. “doughy cake”), like so: EN(SCON(C)E)D.

6. Energy used by soldier, possibly, climbing mountain (4)

Answer: ETNA (i.e. “mountain”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”) followed by ANT (i.e. “solder, possibly” – other varieties of ant are available) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “climbing” – this being a down clue), like so: E-TNA.

7. Surviving former partner beat time (6)

Answer: EXTANT (i.e. “surviving”). Solution is EX (i.e. “former partner”) followed by TAN (i.e. to “beat”) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”).

8. Info about elderly rustic housing horse and bird (6,8)

Answer: GOLDEN PHEASANT (i.e. “bird”). Solution is GEN (i.e. “info”) wrapped “about” OLD (i.e. “elderly”) and followed by PEASANT (i.e. “rustic”) once this is itself wrapped around or “housing” H (i.e. “horse”, both slang for heroin), like so: G(OLD)EN-P(H)EASANT.

9. Appearing unexpectedly in church season, it promises to pay (12)

Answer: ADVENTITIOUS (i.e. “appearing unexpectedly”). Solution is ADVENT (i.e. “church season”) followed by IT and IOUS (i.e. “promises to pay”).

10. Fellow accepting a down payment (7)

Answer: EARNEST (i.e. “down payment” – a variant meaning is “payment given to confirm a contract” (Chambers)). Solution is ERNEST (i.e. “fellow’s” name) wrapped around or “accepting” A, like so: E(A)RNEST. A repeat from grid 1589 back in December, also intersecting on odd letters, so…

11. Son copying work outside back of school, writing carelessly (10)

Answer: SCRIBBLING (i.e. “writing carelessly”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) followed by CRIBBING (i.e. “copying”) once wrapped around or placed “outside” of L (i.e. “back of school”, i.e. the last letter of “school”), like so: S-CRIBB(L)ING. SCRIBBLE appeared in grid 1609 last month, but on odd intersecting letters.

15. Tom’s route travelling farthest from the centre (9)

Answer: OUTERMOST (i.e. “farthest from the centre”). “Travelling” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TOM’S ROUTE.

18. Pine club lying around old ship’s vessel (8)

Answer: LONGBOAT (i.e. “ship’s vessel”, specifically the “largest and strongest boat of a ship” (Chambers)). Solution is LONG (i.e. “pine” or yearn) followed by BAT (i.e. “club”) once wrapped “around” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: LONG-B(O)AT.

20. Teetotal surgeon in a hospital department carrying can (9)

Answer: ABSTINENT (i.e. “teetotal”). Solution is BS (i.e. “surgeon”, specifically a Bachelor of Surgery) placed in or “carried” by A and ENT (i.e. “hospital department”, specifically Ears, Nose and Throat), once these are also wrapped around or having “in” TIN (i.e. “can”), like so: A-(BS)-(TIN)-ENT. A repeat from grid 1583 back in November, also intersecting on odd letters, so…

21. Again evaluated beasts of burden kept in deer’s ground (10)

Answer: REASSESSED (i.e. “again evaluated”). Solution is ASSES (i.e. “beasts of burden”) placed in or “kept in” an anagram (indicated by “ground”) of DEER’S, like so: RE(ASSES)SED. REASSESS appeared in grid 1571 back in August, also intersecting on odd letters, so…

23. Polish saint, one possibly sheltering on river bank (4,6)

Answer: SAND MARTIN (i.e. “one possibly sheltering on river bank”). Solution is SAND (i.e. “polish”) followed by MARTIN (i.e. a “saint”).

27. Insight of a retired nurse once dividing goods for sale (9)

Answer: AWARENESS (i.e. “insight”). Solution is A followed by SEN (i.e. “nurse once”, specifically a State-Enrolled Nurse) reversed (indicated by “retired”) once placed in or “dividing” WARES (i.e. “goods for sale”), like so: A-WARE(NES)S.

28. Film made by barrister in Parisian bar (5,9)

Answer: BRIEF ENCOUNTER (i.e. 1945 “film”). Solution is BRIEF (i.e. “barrister”) followed by EN (i.e. “in Parisian”, i.e. the French for “in”) and COUNTER (i.e. “bar”).

31. Ultimate opening grabbed by English university man (8)

Answer: EVENTUAL (i.e. “ultimate”). Solution is VENT (i.e. “opening”) placed in or “grabbed by” E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”), U (ditto “university”) and AL (i.e. a “man’s” name), like so: E-(VENT)-U-AL.

33. Swimming movement of animal crossing river with oarsman? (12)

Answer: BREASTSTROKE (i.e. “swimming movement”). Solution is BEAST (i.e. “animal”) wrapped around or “crossing” R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”) and followed by STROKE (i.e. “oarsman”), like so: B(R)EAST-STROKE.

34. Indicators of wrongdoing restricting good jobs (9)

Answer: SIGNPOSTS (i.e. “indicators”). Solution is SIN (i.e. “wrongdoing”) wrapped around or “restricting” G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) and followed by POSTS (i.e. “jobs”), like so: SI(G)N-POSTS.

37. Arrive at bar at last, supporting tipsy reveller (10)

Answer: MERRYMAKER (i.e. “reveller”). Solution is MAKE (i.e. “arrive”, probably best followed with “it”) and R (i.e. “bar at last”, i.e. the last letter of “bar”) both placed after or “supporting” – this being a down clue – MERRY (i.e. “tipsy”), like so: MERRY-(MAKE-R).

38. Extradite soldiers at front of this carriage (10)

Answer: DEPORTMENT (i.e. “carriage” or demeanour). Solution is DEPORT (i.e. “extradite”) followed by MEN (i.e. “soldiers”) and T (i.e. “front of this”, i.e. the first letter of “this”).

41. Plant from brook in Airedale primarily associated with tailless fish (9)

Answer: RUDBECKIA (i.e. “plant” – another swift visit to Bradford’s was made here. I have the same disdain for plants as I do place names when it comes to Jumbos. They are seldom worth your time). Solution is BECK (i.e. “brook” or stream) and IA (i.e. “in Airedale primarily”, i.e. the first letters of “in” and “Airedale”) both placed after or “with” RUDD (i.e. a variety of “fish”, apparently) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “tailless”), like so: RUD-(BECK-IA). What on earth is this doing in a comparatively straightforward Jumbo? Entirely valid, yes, but this is the kind of trash you’d normally see in a stinker.

43. Mournful brass hat visiting factory (8)

Answer: PLANGENT (i.e. resounding “mournfully”). Solution is GEN (i.e. “brass hat”, specifically a general) placed in or “visiting” PLANT (i.e. “factory”), like so: PLAN(GEN)T.

45. The whole work unit overcomes variable hypersensitivity (7)

Answer: ALLERGY (i.e. “hypersensitivity”). Solution is ALL (i.e. “the whole”) followed by ERG (i.e. “work unit”, apparently 10^-7 joules. Not much work, then!) and Y (i.e. “variable” – setters more often refer to X, Y or Z in solutions as unknowns, but this works too).

47. Risk onset of hail disrupting outing, perhaps (6)

Answer: THREAT (i.e. “risk”). Solution is TREAT (i.e. “outing, perhaps” – I’d say it was a stretch, but my Bradford’s supports it) wrapped around or being “disrupted” by H (i.e. “outset of hail”, i.e. the first letter of “hail”), like so: T(H)REAT.

50. Tongue served in hotel at Inverness (5)

Answer: LATIN (i.e. “tongue” or language). “Served in” indicates the solution has been hidden in HOTE(L AT IN)VERNESS.

51. Start to need help capturing a water nymph (5)

Answer: NAIAD (i.e. “water nymph”). Solution is N (i.e. “start to need”, i.e. the first letter of “need”) and AID (i.e. “help”) wrapped around or “capturing” A, like so: N-AI(A)D. And for the second Jumbo running we have a repeat from the previous puzzle. And you wonder why I despair. Looks like NAIAD is another one to file alongside ERNST, RAITA and ELFIN. As this also appeared in grid 1569 back in August, have a double meme…

52. Make contented noises, setting up rights at university (4)

Answer: PURR (i.e. “make contented noises”). Solution is RR (i.e. “rights”, R being a recognised abbreviation of “right”) and UP (i.e. “at university”) all reversed (indicated by “setting up” – this being a down clue), like so: PU-RR.

A relatively straightforward one this week, which is fine by me. But ohhhhhh, those repeats. Those blasted bloody repeats. I blathered a lot about them last week, so I won’t repeat myself here, suffice to say I think it’s time for a switch in style.

You see, while it’s been fun ribbing Times setters for their collective bonk-on for the French, it seems they’ve either become wise to this or have gotten a good chunk of their Francophilia out of their system – at least for now. So instead let’s start tracking how often they (or, more likely, their software) keep hitting on the same solutions.

Let’s establish some rules to keep things fair:
1) repeats older than a year don’t count
2) partial repeats don’t count, unless they’re in the same grid, and
3) derivative or variant forms of the same word or phrase do count.

To demonstrate rule 2), if we had BRAIN and BRAINS TRUST then I wouldn’t count this as a repeat unless they were both in the same grid. To demonstrate rule 3), if we had BALLOON one week and BALLOONED shortly after then I’d count it as a repeat. I appreciate there’ll be an element of subjectivity about these rules, but, again, I’ll try to be fair.

Applying these rules to this week’s Jumbo, you will see there were a heck of a lot of repeats. Even I was surprised. Now, there are over a dozen setters of the Times Jumbo Cryptic so some repeats will be unavoidable, but it’ll be interesting to see if this is a one-off or a trend. It also means I get to use a new meme. Can you guess what it’ll be?

Anyway, back to normal service. Below you’ll find my completed grid along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has rattled your cage then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve set down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 11.7%
Pegs on noses may be necessary.

Across clues

1. Standing out for what could be potato worker? (11)

Answer: PROTUBERANT (i.e. “standing out”). Solution is PRO (i.e. “for”) followed by TUBER (i.e. “potato”) and ANT (i.e. “worker”).

7. Second of gumboots in template cobbled next to last (11)

Answer: PENULTIMATE (i.e. “next to last”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “cobbled”) of U (i.e. “second [letter] of gumboots”) and IN TEMPLATE.

13. No easy-going quality in exam set by one head (9)

Answer: TESTINESS (i.e. “no easy-going quality”). Solution is TEST (i.e. “exam”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and NESS (i.e. “head”, geographic features).

14. Practicality is getting into orbit? (7)

Answer: REALISM (i.e. “practicality”). Solution is IS “getting into” REALM (i.e. “orbit”), like so: REAL(IS)M.

15. Party reduced grass order (5)

Answer: DORIC (i.e. “order” – over to Chambers: “denoting one of the Greek orders of architecture distinguished by its simplicity and massive strength”). Solution is DO (i.e. “party”) followed by RICE (i.e. “grass”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “reduced”), like so: DO-RIC.

16. Note gold put on ring (6)

Answer: CORDON (i.e. “ring” or barrier encircling something). Solution is C (a musical “note”) followed by OR (i.e. “gold” or yellow in heraldry) and DON (i.e. “put on”).

17. Did badly in what thespians did, taking a lot of hits? (8)

Answer: ADDICTED (i.e. “taking a lot of [drug] hits”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “badly”) of DID placed in ACTED (i.e. “what thespians did”), like so: A(DDI)CTED.

18. As close as any new love, but not the first (7)

Answer: NEAREST (i.e. “as close as any”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) followed by DEAREST (i.e. “love”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “but not the first”), like so: N-EAREST.

20. Where competitors are saddled with drug tests after game (9,5,6)

Answer: BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS (i.e. “where competitors are saddled”). Solution is HORSE (i.e. “drug”, in this case slang for heroin) and TRIALS (i.e. “tests”) both placed “after” BADMINTON (i.e. “game”). Nicely done.

23. I had first of infections of the ear, making one thick-headed (7)

Answer: IDIOTIC (i.e. “thick-headed”). Solution is I’D (a contraction of “I had”) followed by I (i.e. “first [letter] of infections”) and OTIC (i.e. “of the ear”).

24. A grain’s processed for alcoholic drink (7)

Answer: SANGRIA (i.e. “alcoholic drink”). “Processed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A GRAIN’S. A repeat from grid 1605, only last month.

26. Plain girl in photograph, perhaps (7)

Answer: PROSAIC (i.e. “plain”). Solution is ROSA (i.e. “girl’s” name) placed “in” PIC (i.e. “photograph”), like so: P(ROSA)IC. Oof! Another repeat so soon after the last, and this one only appeared last week. It’s almost like… hmm, now, what’s that phrase again?…

28. Twenty-five pounds fraud when horse fails to show (4)

Answer: PONY (i.e. slang for “twenty-five pounds”). Solution is PHONY (i.e. “fraud”) once the H has been removed (indicated by “when horse fails to show”, H and “horse” being slang terms for heroin).

29. Memory aid is classic in omen myths showing only partial recall? (8)

Answer: MNEMONIC (i.e. “memory aid” – How I Wish I Could Calculate Pi is an example – the number of letters in each word of the phrase gives you the first seven digits of pi: 3.141592. Or it would do were the next digit not 6, but what are rounding rules between friends, eh?) “Showing only partial” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “recall” indicates the solution has been reversed, like so: CLASSI(C IN OMEN M)YTHS.

32. Found where one might study (9)

Answer: INSTITUTE. Solution satisfies to “found” or establish, and “where one might study” – Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for example.

35. Way of putting down surly worker (9)

Answer: SHORTHAND (i.e. “way of putting down” information). Solution is SHORT (i.e. “surly”) followed by HAND (i.e. “worker”).

36. Polemic answer resounded in tone (8)

Answer: HARANGUE (i.e. “polemic” – harangue can be a noun as well as a verb). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, as in Q&A) and RANG (i.e. “resounded”) both placed “in” HUE (i.e. “tone”), like so: H(A-RANG)UE.

37. Time fixed over trial (4)

Answer: TEST (i.e. “trial”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) and SET (i.e. “fixed”) all reversed (indicated by “over”), like so: TES-T. With repeats from last month and last week already in the bank, it’s rather amusing to have a partial repeat of 13a from the same bloody grid. It’s tempting to double-meme this one, as the use of TEST and TRIAL was also used in 20a, but let’s go easy. Too many memes and this will start looking like a Goodreads review.

39. Architect’s designed uniform new style (7)

Answer: Edwin LUTYENS (i.e. “architect”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “designed”) of U (“uniform” in the phonetic alphabet), N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and STYLE.

41. Language sometimes used by setter, often before breakfast (7)

Answer: ENGLISH (i.e. “language”). The remainder of the clue plays on how you get English “setters” and English “breakfasts”. I must admit having a wry smile when I read “language sometimes used by setter”.

44. Indicate what could be the harbour wall? (7)

Answer: PORTEND (i.e. “indicate”). When written as PORT END the solution playfully satisfies “what could be the harbour wall”. I rather liked this one.

45. Just purchase enamel, we’re told (2,3,4,2,4,5)

Answer: BY THE SKIN OF ONE’S TEETH (i.e. “just”). “We’re told” indicates homophone, in this case of BUY (i.e. “purchase”). The rest of the solution satisfies “enamel”. Another I rather liked.

49. Cheat careful handling business associate? (7)

Answer: CONTACT (i.e. “business associate”). Solution is CON (i.e. “cheat”) followed by TACT (i.e. “careful handling”).

50. Irish linked with O’Casey primarily: abroad, what’s the language of Seneca? (8)

Answer: IROQUOIS (i.e. “the language of Seneca”, a Native American tribe in New York State). Solution is IR (a recognised abbreviation of “Irish”) followed by O (i.e. “O’Casey primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “O’Casey”) and QUOIS (i.e. “abroad: what”, i.e. the French for “what”). One of those “look up words beginning with IRO in the dictionary” moments.

[EDIT – A few people in the comments were correct to flag this one as being slightly off. QUOI is French for “what”. The S, meanwhile, is the contraction of “is” carrying over from “what’s” within the clue, so the solution should read as IR-O-QUOI’S. Thanks all! – LP]

51. Endlessly short in government revenue chest (6)

Answer: THORAX (i.e. “chest”). Solution is HOR (i.e. “endlessly short”, i.e. the word “short” with both ends of the word removed) placed “in” TAX (i.e. “government revenue”), like so: T(HOR)AX.

53. Returning bad old fruit (5)

Answer: OLIVE (i.e. “fruit”). Solution is EVIL (i.e. “bad”) and O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) all reversed (indicated by “returning”), like so: O-LIVE.

54. Love like an old PM? Not that! (7)

Answer: CHERISH (i.e. “love”). Solution is THATCHERISH (i.e. “like an old PM”, Margaret Thatcher) with the THAT removed (indicated by “not that”).

55. Mostly keen about new journey round in train (9)

Answer: ENTOURAGE (i.e. “train” or retinue). Solution is EAGER (i.e. “keen”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder wrapped “about” N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and TOUR (i.e. “journey round”), like so: E(N-TOUR)AGE.

56. Care for dog that’s eaten rook – pointer, perhaps? (11)

Answer: TRENDSETTER (i.e. “pointer, perhaps” – the riddly question mark feels like an admission that the setter is dicking around here, possibly playing on trendsetters being those at the front or on point. I really hope there’s a better solution out there, though). Solution is TEND (i.e. “care for”) and SETTER (i.e. “dog”) all wrapped around or “eating” R (a recognised abbreviation of “rook” used in chess), like so: T(R)END-SETTER.

57. In hollow, I’m sheltering antelope that shows injury (11)

Answer: DISABLEMENT (i.e. “injury”). Solution is DENT (i.e. “hollow”) wrapped around or having “in” I’M once this is itself wrapped around or “sheltering” SABLE (i.e. “antelope”), like so: D(I(SABLE)’M)ENT.

Down clues

1. Coup when school has placed first (6)

Answer: PUTSCH (i.e. “coup”). Solution is SCH (a recognised abbreviation of “school”) placed after or “having…first” PUT (i.e. “placed”), like so: PUT-SCH.

2. Remark on job where one’s always on the lookout (11,4)

Answer: OBSERVATION POST (i.e. “where one’s always on the lookout”). Solution is OBSERVATION (i.e. a “remark”) followed by POST (i.e. “job”).

3. Steadiness of university supporting dreaming Walter losing heart (10)

Answer: UNIFORMITY (i.e. “steadiness”). Solution is UNI (short for “university”) followed by FOR (i.e. “supporting”) and MITTY (i.e. “dreaming Walter”, character in James Thurber’s short story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) once its middle letter has been removed (indicated by “losing heart”), like so: UNI-FOR-MITY.

4. Flat like number ten, but not thirteen (4)

Answer: EVEN (i.e. “flat”). Clue plays on “ten” being an EVEN number. “Thirteen”, meanwhile, is “not”.

5. Thorough idiot – I work for two – useless (9)

Answer: ASSIDUOUS (i.e. “thorough”). Solution is ASS (i.e. “idiot”) followed by I, then DUO (i.e. “work for two”, “duo” can refer to a duet), then US (i.e. “useless”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “unserviceable”).

6. Film appearing on surface like a mountain lake, perhaps (7)

Answer: TARNISH (i.e. “film appearing on surface”). The solution also playfully satisfies “like a mountain lake, perhaps”, a mountain lake being a TARN.

7. One with stamina in exercises beginning on ropes and one who will face walls (9)

Answer: PLASTERER (i.e. “one who will face walls” – face taken to mean “surface”). Solution is LASTER (i.e. “one with stamina”) placed “in” PE (i.e. “exercises”, or Physical Education) and R (i.e. “beginning [letter] on ropes”), like so: P(LASTER)E-R.

8. Nymph upsetting Diana (5)

Answer: NAIAD (i.e. “nymph”). “Upsetting” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of DIANA. A repeat from grid 1569, back in August, so…

9. Sweet tree just before fall (5,4)

Answer: LEMON DROP (i.e. “sweet”). Solution is LEMON (i.e. “tree”) followed by DROP (i.e. “fall”).

10. State capital is country port of Italy south (12)

Answer: INDIANAPOLIS (i.e. “state capital” of Indiana). Solution is INDIA (i.e. “country”) followed by NAPOLI (i.e. “port of Italy”) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “south”).

11. Broadcast not so much that’s stuffy (7)

Answer: AIRLESS (i.e. “stuffy”). Solution is AIR (i.e. “broadcast”) followed by LESS (i.e. “not so much”).

12. Get worked up being caught by it in river (6)

Answer: EXCITE (i.e. “get worked up”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” used in a number of ball games) and IT both placed “in” EXE (i.e. “river”), like so: EX(C-IT)E. A repeat from grid 1586 back in November, so…

19. Snake is a hoax when there’s nothing around (8)

Answer: ANACONDA (i.e. “snake”). Solution is A and CON (i.e. “hoax”) once placed in or having “around” it NADA (i.e. “nothing”), like so: A-NA(CON)DA.

21. Great feeling when sister, say, has run away (7)

Answer: ELATION (i.e. “great feeling”). Solution is RELATION (i.e. “sister, say”) once the R has been removed (indicated by “has run away” – R being a recognised abbreviation of “run” used in a number of ball games).

22. Code pact with changes agreed (8)

Answer: ACCEPTED (i.e. “agreed”). “With changes” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CODE PACT.

23. Naughtily suggest including headless kipper? (8)

Answer: IMPISHLY (i.e. “naughtily”). Solution is IMPLY (i.e. “suggest”) wrapped around or “including” FISH (i.e. “kipper”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “headless”), like so: IMP(ISH)LY. IMPISH appeared earlier this month in grid 1607, so…

25. Symphony penned by Beethoven in Thuringen (5)

Answer: NINTH (i.e. “symphony penned by Beethoven”). “Penned by” also indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: BEETHOVE(N IN TH)URINGEN.

27. Criminal menaced amateurs in gaming establishment (9,6)

Answer: AMUSEMENT ARCADE (i.e. “gaming establishment”). “Criminal” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of MENACED AMATEURS.

30. Patient’s admitted one day with wife – not around the weekend (7)

Answer: MIDWEEK (i.e. “not around the weekend”). Solution is MEEK (i.e. “patient”) wrapped around or “admitting” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), D (a recognised abbreviation of “day”) and W (ditto “wife”), like so: M(I-D-W)EEK.

31. My good current dog (5)

Answer: CORGI (i.e. “dog”). Solution is COR (i.e. “my” – both exclamations) followed by G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) and I (representative of an electrical “current” in physics).

33. Cat we have is chasing small shrew? (8)

Answer: SOURPUSS (i.e. a “shrew” or scold). Solution is OUR PUSS (i.e. “cat we have”) placed after or “chasing” S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”), like so: S-(OUR-PUSS).

34. Where the satnav is looking greatly superior (7,5)

Answer: STREETS AHEAD. Solution satisfies “where the satnav is looking” and “greatly superior”.

38. Energy-efficient dwelling where one goes to pot? (10)

Answer: GREENHOUSE (i.e. “where one goes to pot”). Solution is GREEN (i.e. “energy-efficient”) followed by HOUSE (i.e. “dwelling”).

40. Display a lot of glasses (9)

Answer: SPECTACLE (i.e. “display”). Solution is SPECTACLES (i.e. “glasses”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “a lot of”).

42. Boatman taking rest in Middle-earth kingdom (9)

Answer: GONDOLIER (i.e. “boatman”). Solution is LIE (i.e. “rest”) placed in or “taken” by GONDOR (i.e. “Middle-earth kingdom” of JRR Tolkien’s books), like so: GONDO(LIE)R. A repeat from grid 1567 back in July, so…

43. Convenience of shandies, mixed with tip of spoon (9)

Answer: HANDINESS (i.e. “convenience”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “mixed”) of SHANDIES and N (i.e. “tip of spoon”, in this case the last letter of “spoon”).

45. Book with story about tree blaze (7)

Answer: BONFIRE (i.e. “blaze”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “book”) followed by ONE (i.e. “story”, as in “have you heard the one about…” – you tend to hear this usage in jokes, so “story” is a bit of a stretch here) once wrapped “about” FIR (i.e. “tree”), like so: B-ON(FIR)E.

46. Red and juicy – satisfied eating it (7)

Answer: FLUSHED (i.e. “red”). Solution is LUSH (i.e. “juicy”) placed in or “eaten” by FED (i.e. “satisfied”), like so: F(LUSH)ED.

47. Confront a Conservative over expense (6)

Answer: ACCOST (i.e. “confront”). Solution is A followed by C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) and COST (i.e. “expense”).

48. Ace and ten Peter used badly (6)

Answer: EXPERT (i.e. “ace”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “used badly”) of X (i.e. “[Roman numeral] ten”) and PETER.

50. All over the place in record time (5)

Answer: INEPT (i.e. “all over the place”). Solution is IN followed by EP (i.e. “record”, specifically an Extended Play) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”).

52. Attempt cricketers mounted (4)

Answer: STAB (i.e. “attempt”). Solution is BATS (i.e. “cricketers”) reversed (indicated by “mounted” – this being a down clue).

A medium strength offering this week. It was okay, but a bit scruffy in places. My biggest beef, as will become apparent, lies perhaps more with the editor than with the setter.

It is common knowledge that some setters use software to help construct their grids – what I jokingly call the office GridFill 4000™ – but the number of times this results in solutions being repeated mere weeks apart is getting beyond a joke. Long-time readers will know this has been a near-constant theme of my posts since the beginning, and are probably as tired of me bleating about it as I am.

There are around 16 Times Jumbo setters so some repetition is understandable, but I do wonder whether a stronger editor ought to start laying down the law. If a setter is known to use software then place moratoria on certain solutions being used, or better still request certain grids be reworked, if the algorithm keeps picking the same solution each time. At the very least, space out the repeats a little more. The editor has that power at least.

Anyway, if you can stomach an internet loudmouth’s occasional grousing then you’ll find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has eluded you then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions to hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. They do make these posts worthwhile, especially when a Jumbo grinds my gears. As ever, it’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve put down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there, kids.

LP

FBV (French-By-Volume): 3.3%

With thanks to Mick Scott et al in the comments for repairing 16a

Across clues

1. Mundane arguments for backing organization of agents (7)

Answer: PROSAIC (i.e. “mundane”). Solution is PROS (i.e. “arguments for”) followed by CIA (i.e. “organisation of agents”, specifically the Central Intelligence Agency) once reversed (indicated by “backing”), like so: PROS-AIC.

5. More than one error in small volume is infuriating (8)

Answer: CLANGERS (i.e. “more than one error”). Solution is CL (i.e. “small volume”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a centilitre) followed by ANGERS (i.e. “is infuriating”).

9. Penny taken in by French writer’s university position (6)

Answer: CAMPUS (i.e. “university position”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of a “penny”) placed “in” Albert CAMUS (i.e. “French writer”), like so: CAM(P)US.

13. As result of performance on this, I queue in audition? (12,4)

Answer: INTELLIGENCE TEST. “In audition” indicates homophone, in this case “I queue” being heard as IQ, or Intelligence Quotient. An IQ is the “result of performance” in such a test. You get the idea.

14. Demon capturing rook, leading to mate (6)

Answer: FRIEND (i.e. “mate”). Solution is FIEND (i.e. “demon”) wrapped around or “capturing” R (a recognised abbreviation of “rook” in chess), like so: F(R)IEND.

16. Caught out in the open? Just the opposite (8)

Answer: COVERALL, a state of “covering or including everything” or, alternatively, “a one-piece garment for babies, covering arms, legs and body” (both Chambers). Given those options I suspect the setter is hinging this on the former definition rather than the latter, probably forming the solution from C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” used in a number of ball games) and OVER ALL (i.e. “out in the open” if you really, really, really squint your eyes). Good grief I hope a better explanation exists out there, otherwise someone needs to alert the RSPCCCC (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Cryptic Crossword Clues).

[EDIT: I was right to be suspicious as I’d ballsed this one up good and proper. Thanks to Mick Scott and others in the comments for pointing out this should have been COVERTLY, being C as described followed by OVERLY (i.e. “out in the open”). Thanks all! – LP]

17. Combined centres in almost accidental way (4)

Answer: MODE (i.e. “way” or manner). Solution comprises the “combined centres” of ALMOST and ACCIDENTAL.

18. Like some music that, with initial repetitions, may be adapted for harpsichord (9)

Answer: RHAPSODIC (i.e. “like some music”). Another where I take issue with the setter. The idea is that the letters of the solution form an anagram, indicated by “adapted”, of the word “harpsichord” if the first two letters, supposedly the “initial” part of the solution, are “repeated”. That’s a nope from me. I would argue an “initial” is a “letter beginning a word” (Chambers), not however many letters it takes to make a crossword clue work. Sloppy.

20. Classify as invalid after I had turned unhealthy-looking (8)

Answer: DISALLOW (i.e. “classify as invalid”). Solution is I’D (a contraction of “I had”) reversed (indicated by “turned”) and followed by SALLOW (i.e. “unhealthy-looking”).

21. Holder of position replaced, reprocessed, reorganized (11)

Answer: PREDECESSOR (i.e. “holder of position replaced”). “Reorganized” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of REPROCESSED.

24. Philosopher and noble talked intermittently (9)

Answer: ARISTOTLE (i.e. “philosopher”). Solution is ARISTO (i.e. “noble”, short for aristocrat) followed by TLE (i.e. “talked intermittently”, i.e. every other letter of TALKED).

25. In backward class, join top performers (8)

Answer: MAESTROS (i.e. “top performers”). Solution is SORT (i.e. “class”) and SEAM (i.e. “join”) all reversed (indicated by “backward”), like so: MAES-TROS. Come on, this is the third time MAESTRO or MAESTROS has appeared in Jumbos in little over three months. Maybe it’s time to retire it from the GridFill 4000™’s word pool for a while, huh?

26. Family with daughter, good-natured sort (4)

Answer: KIND (i.e. “good-natured sort”). Solution is KIN (i.e. “family”) followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”). The first clue containing all or part of the previous solution. Not sure if that was intentional.

29. Specialist knowing how to treat elders, for example (4,7)

Answer: TREE SURGEON. Clue plays on “elders” being a variety of TREE. You get the idea.

31. Doctor to charge NHS, be less than honest? (11)

Answer: SHORTCHANGE (i.e. “be less than honest”). “Doctor” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TO CHARGE NHS. Chambers suggests this solution ought to have been hyphenated. Poor show.

33. As far as possible, coat flask ahead of time (11)

Answer: FURTHERMOST (i.e. “as far as possible”). Solution is FUR (i.e. “coat”) followed by THERMOS (i.e. “flask”) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”).

36. Rapid succession of passes that may lead to scoring goal? (5,6)

Answer: SPEED DATING, “the practice of attending an organized social event during which people have a series of short meetings (speed dates) with potential romantic partners” (Chambers). Ask your parents, kids – speed dating went out of fashion about the same time as Burberry and tribal band tattoos. Anyway, the clue plays on “passes” being amorous advances such as one might endure during the event, and “scoring” being slang for pulling some hot piece of ass. Or whoever was left at the end.

38. As part of architectural essentials, what’s more? (4)

Answer: LESS. Clue plays on a motto of minimalist “architect” Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: “less is more”. Of course I looked it up. “As part of” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: ARCHITECTURA(L ESS)ENTIALS.

39. Uniform officer put together for fellow sharing quarters (8)

Answer: FLATMATE (i.e. “fellow sharing quarters”). Solution is FLAT (i.e. “uniform”) followed by MATE (i.e. ship’s “officer”).

41. One whose home is in a state, surrounded by water (9)

Answer: TASMANIAN. Clue plays on how TASMANIA is an island “state” of Australia and is thus “surrounded by water”.

44. Without wife, at sixes and sevens? Not eating enough (11 – not 10 as printed)

Answer: UNDERWEIGHT (i.e. “not eating enough”). Solution is UNDER EIGHT (i.e. “at sixes and sevens”, given they are both less than eight) wrapped around or placed “without” W (a recognised abbreviation of “wife”), like so: UNDER-(W)-EIGHT.

45. Concert I watch as person entitled to expect something (8)

Answer: PROMISEE (i.e. “person entitled to expect something”). Solution is PROM (i.e. “concert”) followed by I and SEE (i.e. “watch”).

48. Behind pool of money: let it be split, at last! (9)

Answer: FUNDAMENT (i.e. “behind” or arse, facetiously). Solution is FUND (i.e. “pool of money”) followed by AMEN (i.e. “let it be”) and T (i.e. “split, at last”, i.e. the last letter of “split”).

49. One feature of skirt that attracts attention (4)

Answer: AHEM (i.e. “that attracts attention”). When written as A HEM the solution also satisfies “one feature of skirt”.

50. Abraham Lincoln, initially, rebuilt palace (8)

Answer: ALHAMBRA (i.e. “the ‘palace’ of the Moorish kings of Granada in Spain” (Chambers)). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rebuilt”) of ABRAHAM and L (i.e. “Lincoln, initially”, i.e. the first letter of “Lincoln”).

52. Starting point for big win, though lacking leaders (6)

Answer: ORIGIN (i.e. “starting point”). Solution is formed from FOR BIG WIN once their first letters have been removed (indicated by “lacking leaders”).

53. Important IT role is new for teenager given new order (8,8)

Answer: SOFTWARE ENGINEER (i.e. “important IT role”). “Given new order” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IS NEW FOR TEENAGER.

54. Facility in middle of hospital entrance (6)

Answer: TALENT (i.e. “facility”). “In middle of” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: HOSPI(TAL ENT)RANCE.

55. Does, for example, have it in leather (8)

Answer: DEERSKIN. Solution satisfies “leather” and “does, for example, have it”. Nicely disguised.

56. Like fingers, but without hands passing over face (7)

Answer: DIGITAL (i.e. “like fingers”). The rest of the clue plays on DIGITAL clocks not having “hands” or “faces”. A recent repeat from grid 1597, making this an easy get.

Down clues

1. One likely to succeed, when finally put in charge (6)

Answer: PRINCE (i.e. “one likely to succeed”, regally speaking). Solution N (i.e. “when finally”, i.e. the last letter of “when”) placed “in” PRICE (i.e. cost or “charge”), like so: PRI(N)CE.

2. Size of a book, a volume penned by doctor, extremely abridged (6)

Answer: OCTAVO (i.e. “size of a book”). Hells bells, these constant repeats are getting ridiculous. You can literally go back two pages in the Saturday Review supplement and see OCTAVO in the solution to grid 1607. Before that: grid 1584, mere months ago. Ugh. Could this be another solution to remove from the GridFill 4000™’s word pool? I’d say so. If this keeps happening then you may as well ask ChatGPT to solve the Jumbo for you, as it’ll soon have enough permutations of clues to the same solutions to piece it all together. Then it’ll start wanging on about GridFill 4000™s, because, you know, plagiarism. Anyway, bear with me while I disdainfully copy and paste the definition from a couple of weeks ago: OCTAVO – “adjective: having eight leaves to the sheet; (conventionally) of a size so obtained, whether so folded or not. noun: a book printed on sheets so folded; (conventionally) a book of such a size…” (Chambers). Solution is A and V (a recognised abbreviation of “volume”) both placed in or “penned by” DOCTOR once the first and last letters have been removed (indicated by “extremely abridged”), like so: OCT(A-V)O.

3. Medical practitioner needs to go to France with substance (9)

Answer: ALLERGIST (i.e. “medical practitioner”). Solution is ALLER (i.e. “go to France”, i.e. the French for “go”) followed by GIST (i.e. “substance”).

4. Measure of coolness about female player securing prominence (5,6)

Answer: CHILL FACTOR (i.e. “measure of coolness”). Solution is C (i.e. “about”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”), F (a recognised abbreviation of “female”) and ACTOR (i.e. “player”) all wrapped around or “securing” HILL (i.e. a “prominence”), like so: C-(HILL)-F-ACTOR.

5. Rubbed it in hands (4)

Answer: CREW. Solution satisfies “rubbed it in”, past tense of crow, and “hands” of a ship.

6. Presenters with a warning about food king’s tucked into (11)

Answer: ANCHORWOMEN (i.e. “presenters”). Solution is AN OMEN (i.e. “a warning”) wrapped “about” CHOW (i.e. “food”), which is itself wrapped around or having “tucked in” R (i.e. “king”, a recognised abbreviation of the Latin Rex), like so: AN-(CHO(R)W)-OMEN.

7. With leader in Guardian, say, crush inferior competition (6,5)

Answer: GUTTER PRESS (i.e. “inferior competition” to The Times. Shots fired!) Solution is G (i.e. “leader [letter] in Guardian”) followed by UTTER (i.e. “say”) and PRESS (i.e. “crush”).

8. Reviving spiritual instruction’s pressing (9)

Answer: RESURGENT (i.e. “reviving”). Solution is RE’S (i.e. “spiritual instruction’s”, specifically Religious Education made possessive) followed by URGENT (i.e. “pressing”). The second clue containing all or part of the previous solution. Maybe it was intentional after all.

10. Ran in and stopped (8)

Answer: ARRESTED. Solution satisfies “ran in” and “stopped”.

11. Mixing up of insecticides is not empirically based (16)

Answer: PSEUDOSCIENTIFIC (i.e. fake science that “is not empirically based”). “Mixing” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of UP OF INSECTICIDES.

12. Attachment to vehicle that’s sped and is overturned (7)

Answer: SIDECAR (i.e. “attachment to vehicle”). Solution is RACED (i.e. “sped”) and IS all reversed or “overturned” – this being a down clue – like so: SI-DECAR.

15. Our confidant reveals end of scandal over job (8)

Answer: GATEPOST (i.e. “our confidant”, after the phrase “between you, me and the gatepost”). Solution is GATE (i.e. “end of scandal”, as in how -GATE gets slapped on the end of words to denote a scandal, after the Watergate scandal that did for Richard Nixon) followed by POST (i.e. “job”).

19. Intimate location for marriage announced, say, with love (5,3)

Answer: ALTER EGO (an internal or “intimate” self). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “announced”) of ALTAR (i.e. “location for marriage”) followed by EG (i.e. “say”, or for example) and O (i.e. “love”, a zero score in tennis).

22. Prodigal’s faults we must change (8)

Answer: WASTEFUL (i.e. “prodigal”). “Must change” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of FAULTS WE.

23. Like top US deputy, having evil power in relation to housing (4-12)

Answer: VICE-PRESIDENTIAL (i.e. “like top US deputy”). Solution is VICE (i.e. an “evil”) followed by P (a recognised abbreviation of “power”) and RESIDENTIAL (i.e. “in relation to housing”).

27. Moving cautiously after doctor, getting up from bed (8)

Answer: DREGDING (i.e. “getting up from [river] bed”). Solution is EDGING (i.e. “moving cautiously”) placed “after” DR (a recognised abbreviation of “doctor”), like so: DR-EDGING.

28. Which person covering area gives order to stop? (4)

Answer: WHOA (i.e. “order to stop”). Solution is WHO (i.e. “which person”) followed by or “covering” – this being a down clue – A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”).

30. Part of our capital also hoarded, but only part (4)

Answer: SOHO (i.e. “part of our capital” – The Times being a London newspaper). “But only part” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: AL(SO HO)ARDED.

32. Passed, having finished and understood (8)

Answer: OVERTOOK (i.e. “passed”). Solution is OVER (i.e. “finished”) followed by TOOK (i.e. “understood”, as in took onboard).

34. Repeated experience swallowing stimulant makes one carefree (8)

Answer: RELIEVED (i.e. “carefree”). Solution is RELIVED (i.e. “repeated experience”) wrapped around or “swallowing” E (i.e. “stimulant”, slang for the drug ecstasy), like so: RELI(E)VED.

35. In ideal way, mother embracing two sons as leader of tributes (11)

Answer: TOASTMASTER (i.e. “leader of tributes”). Solution is TO A T (i.e. “in an ideal way”) and MATER (i.e. “mother”) all wrapped around “two” separate Ss (S being a recognised abbreviation of “son”), like so: TO-A-(S)-T-MA(S)TER.

36. His job allows him to overlook church (11)

Answer: STEEPLEJACK. Clue plays on STEEPLES being part of churches, and how STEEPLEJACKS climb tall structures. You get the idea.

37. Record on one page how paper may be controlled (11)

Answer: DISCIPLINED (i.e. “controlled”). Solution is DISC (i.e. “record”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), then P (a recognised abbreviation of “page”) and LINED (i.e. “how paper may be”).

40. Highly-strung supporter of one kind of artist (9)

Answer: TIGHTROPE. Clue plays on the solution often being “strung” “high” above the ground, and tightrope walkers being a “kind of artist”.

42. Finding 17 or 51 in state becoming more mature (9)

Answer: AVERAGING (i.e. “17 or 51”, the solutions to 17a and 51d being MODE and MEAN respectively. Another I’d have taken issue with, as MODE is the most common value of a series of numbers and therefore different to the MEAN or AVERAGE… however, Chambers does offer this definition: “loosely, an ordinary or typical value, common run”. You win this one, setter). Solution is AVER (i.e. to “state”) followed by AGING (i.e. “becoming more mature”).

43. World’s response when Conservative rises to the top (8)

Answer: CREATION (i.e. “world” – the godless heathen in me would suggest the world happened rather than was created). Solution is REACTION (i.e. “response”) with the C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) “risen to the top” – this being a down clue – like so: REA(C)TION => (C)REATION.

44. Frank’s father coming in immediately after time (7)

Answer: UPFRONT (i.e. “frank”). Solution is FR (a recognised abbreviation of the title “father”) placed “in” UPON (i.e. “immediately”) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: UP(FR)ON-T.

46. Protest appearing in article, differently stressed (6)

Answer: OBJECT. Solution satisfies “protest” and “article”. The “differently stressed” part plays on how the word is said slightly differently between the two meanings, or at least by some. I reckon I say them the same, but that might be my accent.

47. Pub count incomplete – one can hold many pints (6)

Answer: BARREL (i.e. “one can hold many pints”). Solution is BAR (i.e. “pub”) followed by RELY (i.e. “count” on) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “incomplete”), like so: BAR-REL.

51. Represent base (4)

Answer: MEAN. Solution satisfies to “represent”, and “base” or reprehensible.