A good one this week, peppered with a number of well worked clues offering good progression throughout the puzzle, and marred only by a few repeats. You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful.

As ever, some housekeeping before we jump in: my Just For Fun page has links to the last eighty-odd Times Jumbo Cryptic crosswords if that’s your thing, meanwhile I’ve got some book reviews that I really ought to get back to (day job has dominated almost everything since lockdown, sadly – even eating into my Saturdays! Mondo bleh!) and a story I stuck on here a while ago.

Meanwhile, lockdown does have its moments, not least in seeing how people on telly are trying to make do with having no barber or hairdresser as the weeks go by. I’m somewhat ahead of the curve on this one, not having had the barnet cropped since mid-December. I’m currently somewhere between Noel Edmonds and Boomer from Blink 182’s “First Date” video. It’s… a look.

Anyway, to the solutions. Keep well, and I’ll see you next time.

LP

 

Across clues

1. Hit American football player around chest (11)

Answer: BLOCKBUSTER (i.e. “hit [movie]”). Solution is BLOCKER (i.e. “American football player”) wrapped “around” BUST (i.e. “chest”), like so: BLOCK(BUST)ER.

7. Not sorting out dressing Penny in long suit (6,5)

Answer: STRONG POINT (i.e. “long suit”, which, outside of card games, can mean “an advantage one has”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of NOT SORTING which is wrapped around or “dressing” P (a recognised abbreviation of “penny” – ignore the misleading capitalisation), like so: STRONG(P)OINT.

13. Vow to maintain eastern sense of beliefs (9)

Answer: IDEOLOGIC (i.e. “of beliefs”). Solution is I DO (i.e. “vow” during a wedding ceremony) wrapped around or “maintaining” E (a recognised abbreviation of “eastern”) and then followed by LOGIC (i.e. “sense”), like so: I-D(E)O-LOGIC.

14. One with a large bill, £1000, for making pangs (7)

Answer: PUFFING (i.e. “making pants”). Solution is PUFFIN (i.e. “one with a large bill”) followed by G (a recognised abbreviation of a grand, or “£1000”).

15. The end for Spaniard, delicate and attractive (5)

Answer: ELFIN (i.e. “delicate and attractive”). When read as EL FIN, the solution also satisfies “the end for Spaniard”, i.e. Spanish for “the end”.

16. Statuette’s weight that’s surprising (6)

Answer: GRAMMY (i.e. “statuette”). Solution is GRAM (i.e. “weight”) followed by MY (i.e. “that’s surprising”, as in an exclamatory “my!”).

17. Write some graffiti about military leadership (8)

Answer: PENTAGON (i.e. “[US] military leadership”). Solution is PEN (i.e. “write”) followed by TAG (i.e. “some graffiti”) and ON (i.e. “about”).

18. Learner driver’s equipment to hold bucket down (7)

Answer: TRAINEE (i.e. “learner”). Solution is TEE (i.e. “driver’s equipment [in golf]”) wrapped around or “holding” RAIN (i.e. “bucket down”), like so: T(RAIN)EE.

20. Frances’s well-mannered youth schooled till older, unfortunately (6,4,10)

Answer: LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY, a childrens book by “Frances” Hodgson Burnett’s “well-mannered youth”. “Schooled” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TILL OLDER UNFORTUNATELY.

23. Stray female cat initially missing after days (7)

Answer: DIGRESS (i.e. “stray”). Solution is TIGRESS (i.e. “female cat”) with its first letter removed (indicated by “initially missing”) and the remainder placed “after” D (a recognised abbreviation of “days”), like so: D-IGRESS.

24. Dismissed error when defending support for logs (7)

Answer: FIREDOG (i.e. “support for logs” in a fire – also called an andiron, if that helps). Solution is FIRED (i.e. “dismissed”) followed by OG (i.e. “error when defending”, specifically an Own Goal).

26. Front of bus gets cold: regularly colder transport (7)

Answer: BICYCLE (i.e. “transport”). Solution is B (i.e. “front of bus”, i.e. the first letter of “bus”) followed by ICY (i.e. “cold”), then CLE (i.e. “regularly colder”, i.e. every other letter of COLDER), like so: B-ICY-CLE. Nicely worked.

28. It may make cameo, just not fifty times (4)

Answer: ONYX (i.e. “it may make cameo”, as in a gem with a figure carved in relief). Solution is ONLY (i.e. “just”) with the L removed (indicated by “not [Roman numeral] fifty”) and X (i.e. “times”, as in the multiplication symbol), like so: ONY-X. Another well-worked clue.

29. Superior small hotel hosting aristocrat again (8)

Answer: SNOBBISH (i.e. “superior”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and H (“hotel” in the phonetic alphabet) wrapped around or “hosting” NOB (i.e. “aristocrat”) and BIS (i.e. musical lingo for “again”), like so: S-(NOB-BIS)-H.

32. Being old, one’s figure has cellulite at the edges (9)

Answer: EXISTENCE (i.e. “being”). Solution is EX (i.e. “old”, both taken to mean “former”) followed by I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” made possessive), then TEN (i.e. “figure”, basically just a number) and CE (i.e. “cellulite at the edges”, i.e. the first and last letters of “cellulite”), like so: EX-I’S-TEN-CE. Another good clue.

35. Miserable son, changeable in nature (9)

Answer: SATURNINE (i.e. “miserable”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “changeable”) of IN NATURE, like so: S-ATURNINE.

36. After turnover, flans providing unknown layer (8)

Answer: STRATIFY (i.e. “[to] layer”). Solution is TARTS (i.e. “flans”) reversed (indicated by “after turnover”) and then followed by IF (i.e. “provided”) and Y (i.e. “unknown” – setters love referring to X, Y and Z as unknowns in their clues), like so: STRAT-IF-Y.

37. Where you might find better or flipping remarkable person (4)

Answer: HERO (i.e. “remarkable person”). I’m reasonably confident of this one but am open to other solutions that fit. My solution is HE (i.e. “[one’s] better”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “His Excellency”) followed by OR once it has been reversed (indicated by “flipping”), like so: HE-RO. The “where you might find” seems to be there to make the clue scan better but it could also mean I’ve missed something. Also, without wanting to get too Wolfie Smith about it, nobody is anyone’s better. Don’t accept it. We all rub along together in this world as best we can. Well, at least two metres apart, anyway.
[EDIT: I was right to exercise a little caution on this one. Mark in the comments nails it, the solution being RENO (i.e. “where you might find better” as in a gambler), which, when reversed (indicated by “flipping”) gives you ONER, a “remarkable person”. Thanks, Mark! – LP]

39. Charity case writing in handbook losing account (7)

Answer: ALMSMAN (i.e. “charity case”). Solution is MS (a recognised abbreviation of manuscript, i.e. “writing”) placed “in” ALMANAC (i.e. “handbook”) once the AC has been removed (indicated by “losing account”, AC being a recognised abbreviation of “account”), like so: AL(MS)MAN.

41. Top Nazi entertaining East German entertainer (7)

Answer: HOSTESS (i.e. “entertainer”). Solution is Rudolph HESS (i.e. “top Nazi” – I guess “top” here is being taken to mean “elite”, as I’ve some faint knowledge there was someone above him…) which is wrapped around or “entertaining” OST (i.e. “East German”, i.e. the German for “east” – ignore the misleading capitalisation), like so: H(OST)ESS. Nicely worked.

44. Gold jumper? Extremely snazzy for the PM (7)

Answer: AUTOPSY (i.e. “PM”, a recognised abbreviation of “post-mortem”). Solution is AU (chemical symbol of “gold”) followed by TOP (i.e. “jumper”, both taken as items of clothing) and then SY (i.e. “extremely snazzy”, i.e. the first and last letters of “snazzy”), like so: AU-TOP-SY.

45. Token resistance, slowly changing, is subversive (20)

Answer: COUNTERREVOLITIONARY (i.e. “subversive”). Solution is COUNTER (i.e. “token”, say, in a board game) followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “resistance”) and EVOLUTIONARY (i.e. “slowly changing”). An easier get than it ought to have been as this solution and a good chunk of its clue also appeared in puzzle 1413 back in December. Back then the solution was hyphenated, a spelling backed up by my Chambers. A small niggle, I guess.

49. Colouring perhaps in French colour (1-6)

Answer: E-NUMBER (i.e. “colouring, perhaps” – other e-numbers covering stuff like flavourings, for example). Solution is EN (i.e. “in French”, i.e. the French for “in”) followed by UMBER (i.e. a brown earthy pigment or “colour”).

50. Pardoned sinner finally released (8)

Answer: REMITTED (i.e. “pardoned”). Solution is R (i.e. “sinner finally”, i.e. the last letter of “sinner”) followed by EMITTED (i.e. “released”).

51. Through which we look more banal, we hear (6)

Answer: CORNEA (i.e. “through which we look”). “We hear” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of CORNIER (i.e. “more banal”).

53. Some foul up industrial plant (5)

Answer: LUPIN (i.e. “plant”, and a particular favourite of Monty Python’s memorable highwayman, Dennis Moore, dum-dum-dum). “Some” indicates the solution is hidden in the clue, like so: FOU(L UP IN)DUSTRIAL.

54. Bit of rock clip released at first (7)

Answer: OUTCROP (i.e. “bit of rock”). Solution is CROP (i.e. “clip”) with OUT (i.e. “released”) placed before it or “at first”, like so: OUT-CROP.

55. Land’s politician accepting slip with modern tech (9)

Answer: TERRITORY (i.e. “land”). Solution is TORY (i.e. “politician”, specifically one from the Conservative Party) wrapped around or “accepting” ERR (i.e. “slip”) and IT (i.e. “modern tech”, specifically Information Technology), like so: T(ERR-IT)ORY.

56. When clasped by ex-PM, embrace in eatery (6,5)

Answer: GREASY SPOON (i.e. “eatery”). Solution is Charles GREY, 17th century Prime Minister (i.e. “ex-PM”) wrapped around or “clasping” AS (i.e. “when”) and then followed by SPOON (i.e. “[to] embrace”), like so: GRE(AS)Y-SPOON.

57. Trouble is doubled with current examiner (11)

Answer: SCRUTINISER (i.e. “examiner”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “trouble”) of IS and IS (indicated by “is doubled”), and also CURRENT.

Down clues

1. Partner in match accepting golf game (6)

Answer: BRIDGE (i.e. “game”). Solution is BRIDE (i.e. “partner in match” or wedding) wrapped around or “accepting” G (“golf” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: BRID(G)E.

2. Android perhaps doing medical work with void safety check (9,6)

Answer: OPERATING SYSTEM (i.e. “Android perhaps” – other OSes are available). Solution is OPERATING (i.e. “doing medical work”) followed by SY (i.e. “void safety”, i.e. the word SAFETY with all its middle letters removed) and STEM (i.e. “check”, both taken to mean restrict), like so: OPERATING-SY-STEM.

3. Silk worms covering awfully remote distance (10)

Answer: KILOMETRES (i.e. “distance”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “worms”) of SILK which is then placed around a further anagram (indicated by “awfully”) of REMOTE, like so: KIL(OMETER)S.

4. When topless, sudden increase in desire (4)

Answer: URGE (i.e. “desire”). Solution is SURGE (i.e. “sudden increase”) with the initial letter removed (indicated by “when topless”).

5. Marked as finished and rated (6,3)

Answer: TICKED OFF. Solution satisfies “marked as finished” and “rated”, i.e. scolded.

6. Place overgrown by grass is known (7)

Answer: REPUTED (i.e. “known”). Solution is PUT (i.e. “place”) placed in or “overgrown by” REED (i.e. “grass”), like so: RE(PUT)ED.

7. Protection for one quaking as fraud is around (9)

Answer: SAFEGUARD (i.e. “protection”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “quaking”) of AS FRAUD which “is [wrapped] around” EG (i.e. “for one”, as in “for example”), like so: SAF(EG)UARD.

8. What people do when in power shower, audibly (5)

Answer: REIGN. Solution satisfies “what people do when in power” and “shower, audibly”, i.e. a homophone of RAIN.

9. Distinguished chap’s outspoken staff in fun venue (5-4)

Answer: NIGHT-CLUB (i.e. “fun venue”). Solution is NIGHT, a homophone (indicated by “outspoken”) of KNIGHT (i.e. “distinguished chap”), which is then followed by CLUB (i.e. “staff”).

10. Design a carpet fibre to manufacture in advance (12)

Answer: PREFABRICATE (i.e. “manufacture in advance”). “Design” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A CARPET FIBRE.

11. Early period imagined? (7)

Answer: INFANCY (i.e. “early period”). When read as IN FANCY, the solution also satisfies “imagined”.

12. Someone with a burning desire may use this app (6)

Answer: TINDER (i.e. a dating “app”). Clue plays on how tinder, i.e. kindling, is used to help get stuff “burning”. You get the idea.

19. Go down in the pit briefly by India’s capital (8)

Answer: HELSINKI (i.e. “capital” of Finland). Solution is HELL (i.e. “the pit”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”) and the remainder placed “by” SINK (i.e. “go down”) and then followed by I (“India” in the phonetic alphabet”), like so: HEL-SINK-I.

21. Forget information about the Parisian court (7)

Answer: NEGLECT (i.e. “forget”). Solution is GEN (i.e. “knowledge”) which is reversed (indicated by “about”) and followed by LE (i.e. “the Parisian”, i.e. the French for “the”), then CT (a recognised abbreviation of “court”), like so: NEG-LE-CT.

22. Say what’s raised cash to oust English power (8)

Answer: HEGEMONY (i.e. “power”). Solution is EG (i.e. “say”, i.e. “for example”) and EH (i.e. “what[?]”, pardon?, hmm? etc) both reversed (indicated by “raised” – this being a down clue) and then followed by MONEY (i.e. “cash”) once the E has been removed (indicated by “to oust English” – E being a recognised abbreviation of “English”), like so: HE-GE-MONY.

23. Spirits lifted by Democrat in utter catastrophe (8)

Answer: DOOMSDAY (i.e. “catastrophe”). Solution is MOOD (i.e. “spirits”) which is reversed (indicated by “lifted” – this being a down clue) and then followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “Democrat”) once it has been placed “in” SAY (i.e. “utter”), like so: DOOM-S(D)AY.

25. Borders crossing close to notable French city (5)

Answer: REIMS (i.e. “French city”). Solution is RIMS (i.e. “borders”) wrapped around or “crossing” E (i.e. “close to notable”, i.e. the last letter of “notable”), like so: R(E)IMS. The wordplay was fairly obvious but took a quick Google to get right. Apologies to any French readers for not knowing your twelfth most populous city.

27. At the same time as computer, no one works (15)

Answer: CONTEMPORANEOUS (i.e. “at the same time”). “Works” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of AS COMPUTER NO ONE.

30. Rabbit on table – the rabbit cages (7)

Answer: BLETHER (i.e. “rabbit”, i.e. a variant form of blather). “Cages” indicates the solution is hidden in the clue, like so: TA(BLE THE R)ABBIT.

31. Mob’s stash picked up (5)

Answer: HORDE (i.e. “mob”). “Picked up” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of HOARD (i.e. “stash”).

33. Beneath one home, like hiding brother (5,3)

Answer: INFRA DIG (i.e. “beneath” in Latin). Solution is IN (i.e. “[at] home”) and DIG (i.e. “like”) wrapped around or “hiding” FRA (i.e. Italian for “brother” or friar), like so: IN-(FRA)-DIG.

34. Fee for good French detective, an investment drawn on? (7,5)

Answer: PREMIUM BONDS (i.e. “an investment drawn on”). Solution is PREMIUM (i.e. “fee”) followed by BON (i.e. “good French”, i.e. the French for “good”) and DS (i.e. “detective”, specifically a Detective Sergeant). Another recent repeat, making this an easier get.

38. Such a voice is resonant? It’s rolling (10)

Answer: STENTORIAN, a loud, carrying, powerful or “resonant” “voice”. “Rolling” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of RESONANT IT’S. Another nicely worked clue.

40. Infamous rejection of Olympic city by American? (9)

Answer: NOTORIOUS (i.e. “infamous”). Solution is NO TO RIO (i.e. “rejection of Olympic city” – Rio De Janeiro having hosted the 2016 Olympic Games) followed by US (i.e. “American”).

42. Smoother South Side club (5,4)

Answer: STEAM IRON (i.e. “smoother”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “south”) followed by TEAM (i.e. “side”) and IRON (i.e. “[golf] club”).

43. Angry about card player with another hat (9)

Answer: SOUWESTER (i.e. “hat” often worn by seamen). Solution is SOUR (i.e. “angry”) wrapped “about” WEST (i.e. “card player” in bridge) and E (i.e. “another”, being a recognised abbreviation of “east” – another player in bridge), like so: SOU(WEST-E)R.

45. Behind calves, oddly, trousers crease (7)

Answer: CRUMPLE (i.e. “crease”). Solution is RUMP (i.e. “behind”) which is placed in or “trousered” by CLE (i.e. “calves, oddly”, i.e. every other letter of CALVES), like so: C(RUMP)LE.

46. Month to get work for army type, in the main? (7)

Answer: OCTOPUS (i.e. a creature found “in the main” – “main” being another word for “sea” often used by setters in their clues). Solution is OCT (i.e. “month”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of October) followed by OPUS (i.e. artistic “work”). “Army type” perhaps hints that an octopus is a “marine” creature, but I might have missed something clever here.
[EDIT: Thanks to John in the comments for clarifying this one. Octopuses have eight limbs, also variously called tentacles, legs or “arms”. The clue is therefore playing on how octopuses are rather “army”. (Opens window to hear collective groans.) Cheers, John! – LP]

47. Issue when travelling in Spooner’s rented car (3,3)

Answer: JET LAG (i.e. “issue when travelling”). Solution is a “Spoonerism” of LET JAG (i.e. “rented car”).

48. A cutting sort, one speaking about wife (6)

Answer: SAWYER (i.e. “a cutting sort”, being one who cuts timber). Solution is SAYER (i.e. “one speaking”) wrapped “about” W (a recognised abbreviation of “wife”), like so: SA(W)YER.

50. Share not quite in proportion (5)

Answer: RATIO (i.e. “proportion”). Solution is RATION (i.e. “share”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “not quite”).

52. Time to go off for a jog (4)

Answer: TROT (i.e. “jog”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) followed by ROT (i.e. “to go off”).

A toughie this week, but sadly not an enjoyable one. It seems we have that one setter who loves to stuff their grids with dead people and places. Seriously, there are over ten place names in this one, and, yes, I’m counting DRESDEN CHINA as two places! Also AFRIKA KORPS, so sue me. These might be interesting to you, setter, but they’re boring as hell to solve. As regular visitors to these pages know, I like toughies that have me buried in the pages of a dictionary, not some bloody atlas. Ho hum. Maybe next time.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by. I hope you are keeping as well as can be during the lockdown. If you’ve come a cropper with this week’s puzzle, you can find my completed grid below, along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful.

While you’re here, I’ve got solutions to previous Times Jumbo Cryptic crosswords on my Just For Fun page, which you might find useful. I’ve also got some book reviews, back from when I had the time to read, and a story of mine that I put out a little while ago.

Okay, enough of me. On with the show. Stay healthy, folks. All being well, I’ll see you next time.

LP

1. Lend dame support, see! (2,3,6)

Answer: LO AND BEHOLD (i.e. “see”). Solution is LOAN (i.e. “lend”) followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “dame”) and BEHOLD (i.e. “support”).
[EDIT: Thanks to Andrew in the comments for clarifying that “dame” should be DBE (a recognised abbreviation of Dame of the British Empire), which then makes “support” HOLD, making the solution LOAN-DBE-HOLD. Thanks, Andrew! – LP]

7. Item for decorating bore inflammatory poster (5,6)

Answer: PAINT ROLLER (i.e. “item for decorating”). Solution is PAIN (i.e. “bore”, both words for a nuisance) followed by TROLLER (i.e. “inflammatory poster” on internet fora – surely these are just trolls, setter?)

13. Second old archbishop’s informal words (5)

Answer: SLANG (i.e. “informal words”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) followed by Cosmo LANG (i.e. “old archbishop” – we’ve seen this one before. Perhaps a tell of this particular setter).

14. About time to study alternative to spare tyre? (7)

Answer: RETREAD (i.e. “alternative to spare tyre”). Solution is RE (i.e. “about” – think email replies) followed by T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) and READ (i.e. “study”).

15. Woman, dismissing daughter, and in hurry to appear on stage (9)

Answer: STEPHANIE (i.e. “woman”). Solution is AND once the D has been removed (indicated by “dismissing daughter” – D being a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”), and the remainder then placed “in” HIE (i.e. to “hurry”). The whole is then preceded by or “appearing on” STEP (i.e. “stage”), like so: STEP-H(AN)IE. I doubt I am the only one who groans whenever the setter sticks a given name in their grid.

16. Prepare first off, an end to hostilities (9)

Answer: ARMISTICE (i.e. “an end to hostilities”). Solution is ARM (i.e. “prepare”) followed by IST (i.e. “first” – think of the I as a 1) and ICE (i.e. “off”, as in acting off with someone – yeah, I wasn’t keen either).

17. Readers of stuff sent out from different dime stores (10)

Answer: DOSIMETERS, which are devices used to measure radiation levels (i.e. “readers of stuff sent out”). “Different” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of DIME STORES.

20. Go on board immediately after this cautiously optimistic forecast? (7)

Answer: MAYFAIR (i.e. “GO on [Monopoly] board immediately after this”). When read as MAY FAIR the solution (kind of) satisfies “cautiously optimistic forecast”.

22. Disconcert gunrunner, vetting cases (7)

Answer: UNNERVE (i.e. “disconcert”). “Cases” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: GUNR(UNNER VE)TTING.

24. For example, a back payment covers substance for lab experiment? (7)

Answer: REAGENT (i.e. “substance for lab experiment”). Solution is EG (a recognised abbreviation of the Latin exempli gratia, or “for example”) and A, both reversed (indicated by “back”) and placed in or “covered” by RENT (i.e. “payment”), like so: RE(A-GE)NT.

25. Picadors, when thrown, scattered (8)

Answer: SPORADIC (i.e. “scattered”). “When thrown” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of PICADORS.

26. What’s not faked, unusually, about old Lear’s character (3,5,2,4)

Answer: THE AKOND OF SWAT (i.e. “Lear’s character” – referring to Edward Lear’s poem of the same name. No, me neither. ’s poetry, innit?) Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unusually”) of WHAT’S NOT FAKED wrapped “about” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: THEAK(O)NDOFSWAT.

28. Butcher’s with two floors, one heard (5)

Answer: DEKKO (i.e. “butcher’s”, both informal words for a look, the latter Cockney rhyming slang “butcher’s hook”). Solution is DECK and K.O. (i.e. “two floors” – the latter being a recognised abbreviation of knock out, or to “floor” someone). “One heard” indicates that for one of these, DECK, we want a homophone of the word, hence DEK-K.O. Clever, but sadly an easier get than it ought to have been having appeared in an earlier puzzle.

29. Wide crack in which to put leg (6)

Answer: GAPING (i.e. “wide”). Solution is PIN (i.e. an informal name for a “leg”) which is “put” in GAG (i.e. “crack”, both words for a joke), like so: GA(PIN)G.

30. Hides stolen picture from PC, perhaps (10)

Answer: SCREENSHOT (i.e. “picture from PC, perhaps” – the “perhaps” indicating you can take screenshots with other devices too). Solution is SCREENS (i.e. “hides”) followed by HOT (i.e. “stolen”). Nicely worked.

33. Come by before safety agency locks garden (10)

Answer: GETHSEMANE (i.e. a “garden” at the foot of the Mount of Olives). Solution is GETS (i.e. “come by”) followed by HSE (i.e. “safety agency”, specifically the Health and Safety Executive) and MANE (i.e. “locks”).
[EDIT: Thanks to Sue in the comments for the typo correction. I’d erroneously had this as GETHESMANE. Cheers, Sue! – LP]

35. Fifty disembarking from transport to the French African port (6)

Answer: BISSAU (i.e. “African port”). Solution is BLISS (i.e. “transport” – as in “ecstasy, or any strong emotion” (Chambers) with the L removed (indicated by “fifty disembarking” – L being fifty in Roman numerals) and the remainder followed by AU (i.e. “to the French”, i.e. the French for “to the” I suppose), like so: BISS-AU.

37. Parties to hold in a very small Swiss resort (5)

Answer: DAVOS (i.e. “small Swiss resort”). Solution is DOS (i.e. “parties”) wrapped around or “holding” A and V (a recognised abbreviation of “very”), like so: D(A-V)OS.

39. Cap all out of place: the suit and tie back (4,3,7)

Answer: TAKE THE BISCUIT (i.e. to “cap all”). “Out of place” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of THE SUIT and TIE BACK.

41. Tree from US city displayed by sticker book (8)

Answer: LABURNUM (i.e. “tree”). Solution is LA (i.e. “US city”, specifically Los Angeles) followed by BUR (i.e. “sticker” – also spelled burr, these are plant pods that cling to things that brush past them) and NUM (i.e. “book”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of the Book of Numbers in The Bible).

44. A New Jersey sailor visiting centre of Montserrat’s capital (3,4)

Answer: SAN JOSE (i.e. “capital” of Costa Rica). Solution is A, NJ (a recognised abbreviation of “New Jersey”) and OS (i.e. “sailor”, specifically an Ordinary Seaman) all placed in or “visiting” SE (i.e. “centre of Montserrat”, i.e. the middle two letters of MONTSERRAT), like so: S(A-NJ-OS)E.

45. Runs course on this country to the west’s language (7)

Answer: KURDISH (i.e. “language”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “runs” used in a number of ball games) and DISH (i.e. “course”) placed “on” or after UK (i.e. “this country”) once it has been reversed (indicated by “to the west” – this being an across clue), like so: KU-R-DISH.

46. In reducing mistreatment, sorted out public transport (7)

Answer: AUTOBUS (i.e. “public transport” for people who like to call prams perambulators and removal vans pantechnicons). Solution is ABUSE (i.e. “mistreatment”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “reducing”) and the remainder wrapped around an anagram (indicated by “sorted”) of OUT, like so: A(UTO)BUS.

47. Winding up following chief, hardly resting (10)

Answer: CHILLAXING (i.e. “resting” – yup, chillaxing has made it into the dictionary, folks; forever to be recognised and kept alive by the same wacky lexicographers who are keeping “felching” alive. Because they are, aren’t they? Or am I mistaken and we’re secretly a nation of felchers. Anyone? Show of hands? Oh. Once you’ve finished felching, of course. Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt. No, that’s fine. You, er, finish up there. With your felching. Hmm. I appear to have wandered off track…) Solution is AXING (i.e. “winding up”) placed after or “following” CH (a recognised abbreviation of “chief”) and ILL (i.e. “hardly”, as in “one could ill afford to…”), like so: FEL-CH-ING CH-ILL-AXING.

49. Old woman’s guarded on subject of sultan’s obsession (9)

Answer: MONOMANIA (i.e. “obsession”). Solution is MA (i.e. “old woman”, both taken to mean mother) wrapped around or “guarding” ON and OMANI (i.e. “subject of sultan”, specifically a citizen of Oman), like so: M(ON-OMANI)A.

53. Circle bound to be offering a variety of views? (9)

Answer: OPINIONED (i.e. “offering a variety of views”). Solution is O (i.e. “circle”) followed by PINIONED (i.e. “bound”).

54. Skilled communicator with gold stars on a roll? (7)

Answer: ORALIST (i.e. “skilled communicator”, as opposed to a felch– okay, I’ll stop now). Solution is OR (i.e. “gold” in heraldry) followed by A-LIST (a bit of a double header this one, in that this fits celebrities or “stars”, and also “a roll” – a roll being a list).

55. Council not available to handle conclusion to project (5)

Answer: JUNTA (i.e. “council”). Solution is JUT (i.e. “to project”) with the last or “concluding” letter T surrounded or “handled” by N/A (a recognised abbreviation of “not available”), like so: JU-N(T)A. Can’t say I’ve seen that kind of wordplay before. Might have to keep an eye on that one.

56. Dishevelled pair close to tank ask for Rommel’s men (6,5)

Answer: AFRIKA KORPS (i.e. “Rommel’s men”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “dishevelled”) of PAIR, K (i.e. “close to tank”, i.e. the last letter of “tank”) and ASK FOR.

57. Unfit person who likes undressing, briefly caught in the act (11)

Answer: DENATURISED (i.e. made “unfit” for human consumption, e.g. like with alcohol). Solution is NATURIST (i.e. “person who likes undressing”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”) and the remainder placed “in” DEED (i.e. “the act”), like so: DE(NATURIS)ED.

Down clues

1. Large snake, I’m afraid, cornering Mike in resort (3,6)

Answer: LAS PALMAS (i.e. “resort” and capital of Gran Canaria island of the Canary Islands). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) followed by ASP (i.e. “snake”) and ALAS (i.e. “I’m afraid”) once it has been wrapped around or “cornering” M (“Mike” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: L-ASP-AL(M)AS.

2. Saw that Tom can spy on Rex? (1,3,3,4,2,1,4)

Answer: A CAT MAY LOOK AT A KING, a phrase or “saw” meaning that even us lowly proles have rights. That’s reassuring. Clue riffs on “tom” being a male CAT – ignore the misleading capitalisation – and Rex being Latin for “king”. You get the idea.

3. Maybe take rabbit away from impressionist (5)

Answer: Edgar DEGAS (i.e. “impressionist” artist and sculptor – he had a thing for drawing ballerinas). When read as DE-GAS, the solution also jokingly satisfies “take rabbit away”, to rabbit and to gas being phrases meaning to talk a lot.

4. Forte! Is it that of a tattooist? (3-8)

Answer: EAR-PIERCING. Solution satisfies “forte” – being musical lingo for “loud” – and, given how a number of tattoo parlours also offer body piercing, “is it that of a tattooist”. Nicely played.

5. Possibly topless May Queen, one being pursued (2,3,3)

Answer: ON THE RUN (i.e. “being pursued”). Solution is MONTH (i.e. “possibly…May”, other months are available) with the first letter removed (indicated by “topless”) and the remainder followed by ER (i.e. “queen”, specifically Elizabeth Regina) and UN (i.e. “one” in French – I’m not keen when setters casually drop French indicators from their clues like this), like so: ONTH-ER-UN.

6. Ultimately spineless of French in short ducking a German product (7,5)

Answer: DRESDEN CHINA (i.e. “German product” – you might have seen plenty of it on twenty-episode-long binges of Bargain Hunt now that you’ve finished Netflix. #YayLockdown #NotYay). Solution is S (i.e. “ultimately spineless”, i.e. the last letter of “spineless”) and DE (i.e. “of French”, i.e. the French for “of”) placed “in” DRENCHING (i.e. “ducking” – think how they used to torture and kill witches women accused of witchcraft) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “short”), and then followed by A, like so: DRE(S-DE)NCHIN-A.

7. Flat tyres one can do without! (10)

Answer: PEDESTRIAN. Solution satisfies “flat”, as in boring, and “tyres one can do without”, what with a pedestrian being on foot ‘n all.

8. American’s not always away, we hear, after all (2,3)

Answer: IN SUM (i.e. “after all”). Solution is a homophone, indicated by “we hear”, of IN SOME (i.e. at home some of the time, or “not always away”). In “America” SOME is used to describe “a good deal more” or “a large amount”, which doesn’t quite fit the clue, but I get the idea. There could be a better solution out there on this one.

9. Where council sat to go over ground (5,6)

Answer: TRENT BRIDGE (i.e. “[cricket] ground”). Not sure on this one. I guess TRENT satisfies “where council sat” somehow. Perhaps it’s a historical reference, but nothing springs to mind. Meanwhile BRIDGE satisfies “to go over”.
[EDIT: Thanks to Steve and Andrew in the comments for their help on this one. “Where council sat” refers to the Council of TRENT, a big Catholic powwow that took place between 1545 and 1563 in Trento, Italy. Thanks both! – LP]

10. Trouble and strife, maybe bad for health (5,4)

Answer: OTHER HALF (i.e. “trouble and strife, maybe” – trouble and strife being Cockney rhyming slang for “wife” – the “maybe” part indicating that OTHER HALF covers partners too). “Bad” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of FOR HEALTH. Nicely worked.

11. Left one distant land for European city (4)

Answer: LINZ (i.e. “European city”, specifically the third-largest city in Austria. Okay, can you name the second-largest? Yeah, exactly. If you wanted cast-iron proof that the setter is dicking with you this week, consider how many proper words fit the letters L_N_. That the setter decided to say “sod the solvers, God I hate them, moaning at me all the time for filling my grids with place names just because I really like places and they come in really useful when I’ve buggered up the grid a bit… yeah, sod them all, I’m sticking another place name in”… it speaks volumes rather, doesn’t it?) Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and NZ (i.e. “distant land”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of New Zealand. Well, it’s distant relative to the UK, anyway…)

The second largest city in Austria, in case you wanted to know, is Graz.

12. Oscar one carried on plate overwhelms film director (4)

Answer: Nicolas ROEG (i.e. “film director”). Solution is O (“Oscar” in the phonetic alphabet) placed in or “carried on” REG (i.e. “[car number] plate”), like so: R(O)EG. “One” seems redundant in this clue, so I might not have this one quite right. Again, consider how many proper words fit the letters R_E_. This setter really, really, REALLY loves their dead people and places.
[EDIT – A quick brainwave before bedtime. “One” wasn’t redundant after all. “One carried on plate” refers to a car registration, often shortened to REG. Phew. I can sleep easier now. – LP]

18. Hands-free number? (3,2,4,2,7)

Answer: YES WE HAVE NO BANANAS, a song or “number” by Louis Prima, and the only reason I’ve not waged all-out war on this week’s setter. Solution riffs on how a hand is “a division of a bunch of bananas” (Chambers). If you need cheering up during this lockdown and fancy some upbeat, happy choons, then you could do a lot worse than firing up a bit of King Louis. Jump (jive and wail) to it!

19. Regulations and data about pick-up from Victoria? (8)

Answer: STATUTES (i.e. “regulations”). Solution is STATS (i.e. “data”) wrapped “about” UTE (i.e. “pick-up from Victoria”, an ute being what Aussies call a pick-up truck), like so: STAT(UTE)S.

21. Thrown in debt (2,1,4)

Answer: AT A LOSS. Solution satisfies “thrown”, as in confused or wrong-footed, and “in debt”.

23. Cast out to rehearse, expending energy for nothing (8)

Answer: EXORCISE (i.e. to “cast out” evil spirits and such). Solution is EXERCISE (i.e. “to rehearse”) with the middle E – a recognised abbreviation of “energy”- “expended for” or replaced by O (i.e. “nothing”), like so: EX(E)RCISE => EX(O)RCISE.

27. Singular witticisms, type occurring in yarn (4,4)

Answer: SPUN SILK (i.e. “yarn”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “singular”) followed by PUNS (i.e. “witticisms”) and ILK (i.e. “type”).

28. Fresh id’s one I get ready for computer (8)

Answer: DIGITISE (i.e. “get ready for computer”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “fresh”) of ID’S, I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and I GET.

31. Slip away carrying book, indeed (2,5)

Answer: NO DOUBT (i.e. “indeed”). Solution is NOD (i.e. “slip” – both words for a careless mistake) followed by OUT (i.e. “away”) once it has been wrapped around or “carrying” B (a recognised abbreviation of “book”), like so: NOD-OU(B)T.

32. Minister departs, placing inside contact details? (8,4)

Answer: VISITING CARD (i.e. “contact details” left in after visits. Think business cards, that kind of thing.) Solution is VICAR (i.e. “minister”) and D (a recognised abbreviation of died, i.e. “departs”) both wrapped around or having “inside” SITING (i.e. “placing”), like so: VI(SITING)CAR-D.

34. Old lady embracing English couple overheard Belgian dramatist (11)

Answer: Maurice MAETERLINCK (i.e. “Belgian dramatist” – (scans through list of works) – Nope.) Solution is MATER (i.e. “old lady”) wrapped around or “embracing” E (i.e. “English”) and then followed by a homophone (indicated by “overheard”) of LINK (i.e. “[to] couple”), like so: MA(E)TER-LINCK. Needless to say, I was straight to my Bradford’s the moment I read “Belgian dramatist”. Life is way too short to waste on solutions like this.

36. Struggling university secretary gets the bird (2,7,2)

Answer: UP AGAINST IT (i.e. “struggling”). Solution is U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) followed by PA (i.e. “secretary”, specifically a Personal Assistant), then GAINS (i.e. “gets”) and TIT (i.e. “bird”).

38. Foul slurs wrongly associated with curio (10)

Answer: SCURRILOUS (i.e. “foul”). “Wrongly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SLURS and CURIO.

40. Not smart enough to digest page in after-dinner article? (9)

Answer: TOOTHPICK (i.e. “after-dinner article”). Solution is TOO THICK (i.e. “not smart enough”) wrapped around or “digesting” P (a recognised abbreviation of “page”), like so: TOO-TH(P)ICK.

42. Made up much-loved account – boy’s bowled over (9)

Answer: MASCARAED (i.e. “made up” – my Chambers doesn’t want to know, but my Oxford backs this one up). Solution is DEAR (i.e. “much-loved”) followed by AC (a recognised abbreviation of “account”) and SAM (i.e. “boy”, as in a boy’s name) and the whole then reversed (indicated by “bowled over” – this being a down clue), like so: MAS-CA-RAED.

43. Back from church with claim to devotion – touching! (8)

Answer: CHAMPION (i.e. to promote or “back” something). Solution is CH (a recognised abbreviation of “church”) followed by AM PI (i.e. “claim to devotion” – PI is a shortened form of “pious”, so to say I AM PI is to claim one’s devotion to some god or other) and then ON (i.e. “touching”), like so: CH-AM-PI-ON.

48. One who’s left note upset timber producer (5)

Answer: ALDER (i.e. “timber producer”). Solution is RED (i.e. “one who’s left”, i.e. a socialist) and LA (i.e. “note” in the do-ray-me style) all reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue), like so: AL-DER.

50. Obliged you very informally to listen to officer (5)

Answer: MAJOR (i.e. army “officer”). “To listen to” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of both MADE (i.e. “obliged”) and YER (i.e. “you very informally”). Only just got that as I was typing this up. Not a fan.

51. Pro beginning on amateur arenas (4)

Answer: FORA (i.e. “arenas”, being a plural of “forum”). Solution is FOR (i.e. “pro”) followed by A (i.e. “beginning on amateur”, i.e. the first letter of “amateur”).

52. Revolving bar, one serving pork pies (4)

Answer: LIAR (i.e. “one serving pork pies” – more Cockney rhyming slang, in case anyone was in any doubt this is a London paper; this time “pork pies” = lies). Solution is RAIL (i.e. “bar”) reversed (indicated by “revolving”).

A decent puzzle for Bank Holiday Monday, despite a few recent repeats, though it didn’t quite seem so at the time! Got there in the end, I think. You can find my completed grid below along with explanations for my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them useful.

Some me-time again before we jump in: my Just For Fun page carries links for solutions to the last eighty-odd Times Jumbo Cryptics should that be of any use to you; my Reviews page, meanwhile, has some book reviews from a time back when I had the time to read; meanwhile I have a story of mine to help while away a spare half hour.

And so to the answers. Keep your chins up, peeps. Stay healthy and all being well I’ll see you for the next one.

LP

Across clues

1. Superior agent bringing government security (7,4)

Answer: PREMIUM BOND (i.e. “government security”). Solution is PREMIUM (i.e. “superior”) followed by James BOND (i.e. “agent”). Or Basildon Bond, for any Russ Abbot fans out there.

7. Two police informers that could feed many behind bars (6,5)

Answer: CANARY GRASS. Solution satisfies “two police informers” and “that could feed many behind bars” – its grain is often used as birdseed. Nicely worked.

13. Past master following surgeon’s work, an invasive procedure (9,8)

Answer: OPERATION OVERLORD (i.e. “an invasive procedure”, referring to the successful Allied invasion of Western Europe during WWII). Solution is OVER (i.e.” past”) followed by LORD (i.e. “master”) both placed after or “following” OPERATION (i.e. “surgeon’s work”), like so: OPERATION-OVER-LORD. An easier get, given this solution appeared a few months ago in puzzle 1414. I guess the setter didn’t get a paper that day.

14. Coat in two sizes gaining appreciation (5)

Answer: SMEAR (i.e. “[to] coat”). Solution is S and M (i.e. “two sizes”, specifically recognised abbreviations of “small” and “medium”) followed by EAR (i.e. “appreciation”, as in having an ear for something).

15. Agrees fares, as passenger does (4,2)

Answer: GETS ON. A triple-header, this, as the solution satisfies “agrees”, “fares” and “as passenger does”.

16. What’s lost by guru bottling medicine? (8)

Answer: SPILLAGE (i.e. “what’s lost”). Solution is SAGE (i.e. “guru”) wrapped around or “bottling” PILL (i.e. “medicine”), like so: S(PILL)AGE.

17. Concert stars from Emirates, heading off abroad (7)

Answer: MAESTRI (i.e. “concert stars”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “abroad”) of EMIRATES once the initial letter has been removed (indicated by “heading off”). Another easier get, the solution having recently appeared in puzzle 1431. The setter really must have a word with their newsagent, all these Saturday Times they seem to be missing.

19. I invested in second family home minimally well covered (9)

Answer: SKINNIEST (i.e. “minimally well covered” – I get it, as in a covering of skin, but bloody hell it’s a bit of a stretch). Solution is I placed or “invested” in S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”), KIN (i.e. “family”) and NEST (i.e. “home”), like so: S-KIN-N(I)EST.

21. Claiming everyone died escaping from border (8)

Answer: ALLEGING (i.e. “claiming”). Solution is ALL (i.e. “everyone”) followed by EDGING (i.e. “border”) once the D has been removed (indicated by “died escaping”, D being a recognised abbreviation of “died”), like so: ALL-EGING.

23. College coach not head of athletics (4)

Answer: TECH (i.e. “college”). Solution is TEACH (i.e. “coach”) with the A removed (indicated by “not head of athletics”, i.e. the first letter of “athletics”).

25. Tea service, third of plates going west (5)

Answer: ASSAM (i.e. “tea”). Solution is MASS (i.e. “[church] service”) followed by A (i.e. “third of plates”, i.e. the third letter of “plates”), all reversed (indicated by “going west” – this being an across clue), like so: A-SSAM.

27. Turn against one splitting party from the start (2,4)

Answer: DE NOVO (i.e. Latin for “from the start”). Solution is V (i.e. “against”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “versus”) and ONE placed in or “splitting” DO (i.e. “party”). The whole is then reversed (indicated by “turn”), like so: D(ENO-V)O. Some brute forcing of Chambers was needed here, me not being versed in dead languages n’ all.

28. Jazz musician’s men briefly recalled playing piece (4,6)

Answer: FATS DOMINO (i.e. “jazz musician”). Solution is STAFF (i.e. “men”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “recalled”), then followed by DOMINO (i.e. “playing piece”), like so: FATS-DOMINO. A clue that scans rather well.

30. Issue rebounding sound when phone card’s installed (8)

Answer: EMISSION (i.e. “issue”). Solution is NOISE (i.e. “sound”) wrapped around or “installing” SIM (i.e. “phone card”). The whole is then reversed (indicated by “rebounding”), like so: E(MIS)SION.

31. Get the better of twenty fielders not performing well (5,6,3)

Answer: SCORE POINTS OFF (i.e. “get the better of”). Solution is SCORE (i.e. “twenty”) followed by POINTS (i.e. some “fielders” in cricket) and OFF (i.e. “not performing well”).

34. Large whisky, say in local producing bad language (6,8)

Answer: DOUBLE NEGATIVE (i.e. “bad language” – The Times’ own Oliver Kamm might disagree…) Solution is DOUBLE (i.e. “large whisky”) followed by EG (i.e. “say”, as in “for example”) once it has been placed “in” NATIVE (i.e. “local”), like so: DOUBLE-N(EG)ATIVE. Another clue that scans rather well.

35. Pallid quality a bad sign in clarets, perhaps season’s first (8)

Answer: WAXINESS (i.e. “pallid quality”). Solution is A and X (i.e. “bad sign”, as in a sign off of teacher that you’ve gotten something wrong) placed “in” WINES (i.e. “clarets, perhaps”) and then followed by S (i.e. “season’s first”, i.e. the first letter of “season”), like so: W(A-X)INES-S.

38. Missile launchers stolen on board with prior support from medic (10)

Answer: SLINGSHOTS (i.e. “missile launchers”). Solution is HOT (i.e. “stolen”) placed in or “on board” SS (a recognised abbreviation of a “steamship” – the “on board” inferring we’re on a ship). This is then placed after (indicated by “with prior”) SLING (i.e. “support from medic”), like so: SLING-S(HOT)S.

40. Particular hamper engineers disposed of (6)

Answer: STRICT (i.e. “particular”). Solution is RESTRICT (i.e. “hamper”) with the RE removed (indicated by “engineers disposed of”, RE being the Royal Engineers of the British Army).

41. Right page in incorrect order? (5)

Answer: RECTO (i.e. “right page” of a book in publisher lingo – the left page being “verso”, in case you were wondering). “In” indicates the solution is hidden in the clue, likes so: INCOR(RECT O)RDER.

43. Weeper’s last, dying tear (4)

Answer: REND (i.e. to rip or “tear”). Solution is R (i.e. “weeper’s last”, i.e. the last letter of “weeper”) followed by END (i.e. “dying”).

44. Sound measures to seize half Russian’s capital (8)

Answer: BRUSSELS, “capital” of Belgium. Solution is BELS (i.e. “sound measures”) wrapped around or “seizing” RUSS (i.e. “half of Russian’s”, specifically the first half – the possessive ‘s included), like so: B(RUSS)ELS.

45. Beguiled consultant’s discipline criticised (9)

Answer: ENTRAPPED (i.e. “beguiled”, both taken as tricking someone into a course of action). Solution is ENT (i.e. “consultant’s discipline”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of the Ear Nose and Throat field of medicine) followed by RAPPED (i.e. “criticised”).

48. Pizza dish from region east of Golden State (7)

Answer: CALZONE (i.e. “pizza dish”). Solution is ZONE (i.e. “region”) placed after or “east of” – this being an across clue – CAL (a recognised abbreviation of California, nicknamed the “Golden State”), like so: CAL-ZONE. Chalk one to my Bradford’s here.

49. With united soul, wandering like a cloud (8)

Answer: CUMULOUS (i.e. “like a cloud” – dictionaries differ on this it seems. Chambers doesn’t recognise the word, suggesting CUMULOSE instead, while my Oxford chooses not to get involved at all. It’s left to my battered old Collins Concise to back the setter up on this one. (Puts red card back in pocket.)). Solution is CUM (i.e. Latin for “with”) followed by U (“uniform” in the phonetic alphabet a recognised abbreviation of “united”) and an anagram (indicated by “wandering”) of SOUL, like so: CUM-U-LOUS.
[EDIT – Thanks to Sue in the comments for the catch re: “united”. I must have been getting tired by this point! – LP]

50. Several hands needed for this dental work (6)

Answer: BRIDGE. Solution satisfies “several hands [of cards] needed for this” and “dental work”.

53. Civet spied in grass, often retreating (5)

Answer: FOSSA (i.e. “civet”). “Spied in” indicates the solution is hidden in the clue, while “retreating” indicates the solution has been reversed, like so: GR(ASS OF)TEN. One gotten by the wordplay alone, to be honest.

54. Centenarian hermit, funny old man of verse (3,7,7)

Answer: THE ANCIENT MARINER (i.e. “old man of verse”). “Funny” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CENTENARIAN HERMIT.

55. “Loos” misread in translation as more exclusive facilities? (6,5)

Answer: LADIES ROOMS (i.e. “more exclusive facilities”, taken in relation to the more generic “loos”). “In translation” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LOOS MISREAD.

56. Chance inaccuracy from tabloid (E for I) backing organised party (6,5)

Answer: RANDOM ERROR (i.e. “chance inaccuracy”). Solution is the Daily MIRROR (i.e. “tabloid”) with the I replaced by E (indicated by “(E for I)”) and then placed after or “backing” RAN (i.e. “organised”) and DO (i.e. “party”), like so: RAN-DO-MERROR.

Down clues

1. Stars helping to create something groundbreaking (11)

Answer: PLOUGHSHARE (i.e. “something groundbreaking”). Solution is PLOUGH (i.e. “stars”, as in the constellation) followed by SHARE (i.e. a “helping” of something).

2. European clubs wearing black kick out (5)

Answer: EJECT (i.e. “kick out”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) followed by C (ditto “clubs”, used in card games) once it has been placed in or “wearing” JET (i.e. “black”), like so: E-JE(C)T.

3. One in a state needed aid on a horse, desperately (7)

Answer: IDAHOAN (i.e. “one in a [US] state”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “desperately”) of AID ON A and H (a recognised abbreviation of “horse”).

4. Within minutes, trunk road’s put out of action (4)

Answer: MAIM (i.e. “put out of action”). Solution is M and M (a recognised abbreviation of “minute” made plural) with AI (i.e. “trunk road”, specifically the A1) placed “within” them, like so: M-(AI)-M.

5. Tempt with onion crackers, supremely strong (10)

Answer: OMNIPOTENT (i.e. “supremely strong”). “Crackers” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TEMPT and ONION.
[EDIT: Corrected from OMNIPRESENT, a . Thanks to Mark in the comments for the correction. – LP]

6. Unravelling vital code saved Vatican official (6,8)

Answer: DEVIL’S ADVOCATE (i.e. “Vatican official”, one played rather well by Rob Lowe in Sky One’s pretty good You Me and the Apocalypse, if I recall correctly). “Unravelling” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of VITAL CODE SAVED.

7. GPs might welcome these queries regularly during visits (4-4)

Answer: CURE-ALLS (i.e. “GPs might welcome these”). Solution is URE (i.e. “queries regularly”, i.e. every other letter of QUERIES) placed in or “during” CALLS (i.e. “visits”), like so: C(URE)ALLS. Another clue that scans rather well.

8. Ring through snout a form of restraint (5)

Answer: NOOSE (i.e. “form of restraint”). Solution is O (i.e. “ring”) placed in or “through” NOSE (i.e. “snout”), like so: NO(O)SE.

9. Beginnings of weak energy seen in puniest creatures (9)

Answer: RUDIMENTS (i.e. “beginnings”). Solution is DIM (i.e. “weak”) and E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”) placed “in” RUNTS (i.e. “puniest creatures”), like so: RU(DIM-E)NTS.

10. Records in diary reflected evangelist’s message (6)

Answer: GOSPEL (i.e. “evangelist’s message”). Solution is EPS (i.e. “records”, specifically Extended Plays – ask your parents, kids) placed “in” LOG (i.e. “record”) and the whole then reversed (indicated by “reflected”), like so: GO(SPE)L.

11. Achievement of a parent full of energy engaged in short flight (1,7,2,4,3)

Answer: A FEATHER IN ONES CAP (i.e. “achievement”). Solution is A, then FATHER (i.e. “parent”) wrapped around or “full of” E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”) followed by IN ON (i.e. “engaged in” something) and ESCAPE (i.e. “flight”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “short”), like so: A-F(E)ATHER-IN-ON-ESCAP.

12. Homeless aristo given a hearing forthwith (8,3)

Answer: STRAIGHT OFF (i.e. “forthwith”). Not got much of a hook on this one, so watch out. “Aristo” can be a TOFF, but I haven’t figured the rest of it. As ever, if I have a brainwave, or if some kind commenter swings by, then I’ll update the post.
[EDIT: Thanks to Steve in the comments for the quick turnaround on this one. The solution is a homophone (indicated by “given a hearing”) of STRAY TOFF (i.e. “homeless aristo”). Sometimes you just don’t see ’em. Thanks, Steve! – LP]

18. Convict’s singular ambition reduced (4,4)

Answer: SEND DOWN (i.e. “[to] convict”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “singular”) followed by END (i.e. “ambition”) then DOWN (i.e. “reduced”).

20. Having started outside, a lion is somehow confined (17)

Answer: INSTITUTIONALISED (i.e. “confined”). Solution is INSTITUTED (i.e. “started”) placed “outside” of an anagram (indicated by “somehow”) of A LION IS, like so: INSTITUT(IONALIS)ED.

22. Drink that’s right during interval? Pop (6)

Answer: GRAPPA (i.e. “drink”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”) placed in or “during” GAP (i.e. “interval”) and then followed by PA (i.e. “pop”, both terms for father), like so: G(R)AP-PA. Nicely worked.

24. On cruise ship, disheartened, drink more stout (8)

Answer: PORTLIER (i.e. “more stout”). Solution is PORT (i.e. “drink”) placed “on” top of – this being a down clue – LINER (i.e. “cruise ship”) once its middle letter has been removed (indicated by “disheartened”), like so: PORT-LIER.

26. Dress badly, something actor should never do, we’re told (8)

Answer: MISALIGN (i.e. “dress badly”). “We’re told” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of MISS A LINE (i.e. “something actor should never do”). This took bloody ages to get. Yes, I facepalmed when I finally twigged it.

29. Junior in service reserved bread for nursery breakfast? (7,7)

Answer: PRIVATE SOLDIER (i.e. “junior in [armed] service”). Solution is PRIVATE (i.e. “reserved”) followed by SOLDIER (i.e. “bread for … breakfast” – I guess the “nursery” bit is to indicate the eggs for which one would have soldiers).

32. Disorganised at home, like philanthropist (2,1,5)

Answer: IN A STATE (i.e. “disorganised”). Solution is IN (i.e. “at home”) followed by AS (i.e. “like”) and Henry TATE (i.e. sugar baron and “philanthropist” of old).

33. A fixed silver mounting for gemstones (6)

Answer: AGATES (i.e. “gemstones”). Solution is A followed by SET (i.e. “fixed”) and AG (chemical symbol of “silver”) once these latter two have been reversed (indicated by “mounting” – this being a down clue), like so: A-(GA-TES).

34. Inspector’s benevolence, almost total, is shocking (11)

Answer: DISGRACEFUL (i.e. “shocking”). Solution is DI’S (i.e. “inspector’s”, specifically a Detective Inspector’s) followed by GRACE (i.e. “benevolence”) and FULL (i.e. “total”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “almost”), like so: DI’S-GRACE-FUL.

36. Public official, speech back to front, to support queen (5-6)

Answer: SWORD-BEARER (i.e. “public official”). Solution is WORDS (i.e. “speech”) with the last letter placed first (indicated by “back to front”), then followed by BEAR (i.e. “to support”) and ER (i.e. “queen”, specifically Elizabeth Regina), like so: SWORD-BEAR-ER.

37. The unmissable “Sparkling sequin” by prolific author (4,3,3)

Answer: SINE QUA NON (i.e. “unmissable” – sigh… more dead language japes, this time a Latin phrase meaning “an indispensable condition”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “sparkling”) of SEQUIN followed by ANON (i.e. “prolific author”, being a recognised abbreviation of “anonymous” – a bit sneaky but I get the gist of it), like so: SINEQU-ANON.

39. Sprinter runs bearing singlet, one gathers (9)

Answer: HARVESTER (i.e. “one gathers”). Solution is HARE (i.e. “sprinter”) and R (a recognised abbreviation of “runs” used in a number of ball games) wrapped around or “bearing” VEST (i.e. “singlet”), like so: HAR(VEST)E-R.

42. American word for depot? (8)

Answer: TERMINUS (i.e. “depot”). When written as TERM IN US the solution also satisfies “American word for”. Nicely played.

46. Scots town has equipment for stylist wanting all-round trim (7)

Answer: AIRDRIE (i.e. “Scots town”). Solution is HAIRDRIER (i.e. “equipment for stylist”) once the first and last letters have been removed (indicated by “wanting all-round trim”). Best clue we’ve had for quite a while. Love it!

47. Elevated accountant given exclusive housing as compensation (6)

Answer: SOLACE (i.e. “compensation”). Solution is CA (a recognised abbreviation of a Chartered “Accountant”) placed in or given “housing” in SOLE (i.e.” exclusive”), like so: SOL(AC)E.

49. Socialist bound by firm principles (5)

Answer: CREDO (i.e. “principles”). Solution is RED (i.e. “socialist”) placed in or “bound by” CO (a recognised abbreviation of company, i.e. “firm”), like so: C(RED)O.

51. Thailand’s last queen raised money abroad (5)

Answer: DINAR (i.e. “money abroad”). Solution is D (i.e. “Thailand’s last”, i.e. the last letter of “Thailand”) followed by RANI (i.e. “queen”) once it has been reversed (indicated by “raised” – this being a down clue), like so: D-INAR.

52. Bishop put in a flash reading desk (4)

Answer: AMBO (i.e. “reading desk”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “bishop”) placed or “put in” A and MO (i.e. “flash”, both meaning a short period of time), like so: A-(M)-BO. One I got purely from the wordplay, to he honest.

Not so good this week, for me, thanks mainly to the setter playing a little too loose with the clues. We’ve certainly seen worse, mind. As ever, you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them useful.

Some me-time before we begin: you can find a bunch of previous solutions on my Just For Fun page, some book reviews here (still not reading, work still mental) and a story I did a while ago here. Go show them some love.

See you in a few days. Keep well, and I hope you are getting through this lockdown as best you can.

LP

Across clues

1. Calculates total, coming round to disagreeing (2,4)

Answer: AT ODDS (i.e. “disagreeing”). Solution is ADDS (i.e. “calculates total”) wrapped “round” TO, like so: A(TO)DDS.

5. Complex character is up for review by reference book (7)

Answer: OEDIPUS (i.e. “complex character”, referring to the Oedipus complex which sees people have the hots for their mum and bear ill-will toward their father). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “for review”) of IS UP placed after or “by” OED (i.e. “reference book”, specifically the Oxford English Dictionary), like so: OED-IPUS.

9. Rock tune, say, keeping daughter rocking (8)

Answer: UNSTEADY (i.e. “rocking”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rock”) of TUNE, SAY which is wrapped around D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”), like so: UNSTEA(D)Y.

13. Who were the two in the green cornfield, Will? (One not a large donkey!) (2,3,1,5,3,3,4)

Answer: IT WAS A LOVER AND HIS LASS, a line from a song in “Will” Shakespeare’s As You Like It. With a hey and a ho and a hey nonino; That o’er the “green cornfield” did pass. And so on. I guess the “large donkey” refers to L-ASS (L being a recognised abbreviation of “large”), but beyond that I don’t really care enough for Shakespeare to dig any deeper. Apologies to any Bard groupies out there.

14. Behind, race along, protected by this? (4,4)

Answer: SEAT BELT (i.e. “protected by this”, the clue suggesting we’re in a car race). Solution is SEAT (i.e. “behind”, i.e. the seat of one’s pants) followed by BELT (i.e. “race along”).

15. The speck of land to amaze the world (7)

Answer: ROCKALL, an uninhabitable islet out in the North Atlantic Ocean (i.e. “speck of land”). Solution is ROCK (i.e. “to amaze”) followed by ALL (i.e. “the world”). The perfect place from which to launch my plans for world domination, then.

16. Almost get up to peer (6)

Answer: ARISTO (i.e. “peer”, an abbreviated form of aristocrat). Solution is ARISE (i.e. “get up”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “almost”) and followed by TO, like so: ARIS-TO.

17. Cleans up with win here (10)

Answer: SWEEPSTAKE, a form of gambling one can “win”. Clue riffs on how a SWEEP “cleans up”. You get the idea.

20. At start of month, advice about offering from restaurant range (8,4)

Answer: MARITIME ALPS (i.e. “range”, being the southern bit of the Alps). Solution is MAR I (i.e. “start of month”, i.e. March 1st) followed by TIPS (i.e. “advice”) once it has been wrapped “about” MEAL (i.e. “offering from restaurant”), like so: MAR-I-TI(MEAL)PS.

23. Heartless Scotsman playing, a seaside feature (4)

Answer: PIER (i.e. “seaside feature”). Solution is PIPER (i.e. “Scotsman playing”) with the middle letter removed (indicated by “heartless”).

24. Greedyguts extremely glad about the chap waiting on us? (8)

Answer: GOURMAND (i.e. “greedyguts”). Solution is G and D (i.e. “extremely glad”, i.e. the first and last letters of “glad”) wrapped “about” OUR MAN (i.e. “chap waiting on us”), like so: G(OUR-MAN)D.

26. Was a Provost in Cambridge giving orders? (8)

Answer: RANKINGS (i.e. “orders”). When read as RAN KINGS the solution also satisfies “was a Provost in Cambridge”, a provost being someone running things, and Kings being a college at Cambridge University. Took a while to twig this, but I like it.

29. Reason for acquittal? The cynical moving to secure it (12)

Answer: TECHNICALITY (i.e. “reason for acquittal”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “moving”) of THE CYNICAL wrapped around or “securing” IT, like so: TECHNICAL(IT)Y. Well played.

30. Old writer intended to be unbiased (4-6)

Answer: OPEN-MINDED (i.e. “unbiased”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) followed by PEN (i.e. “writer”) and MINDED (i.e. “intended”).

32. Imaginary benefits of luxury items? (5,5)

Answer: FANCY GOODS (i.e. “luxury items”). Solution is FANCY (i.e. “imaginary”) followed by GOODS (i.e. “benefits”).

34. Counterpart of electric blue? (8,4)

Answer: SHOCKING PINK. Clue plays on how “electricity” can be SHOCKING and how “blue” and PINK are “counterparts” on a snooker table, balls valued at 5 and 6 points respectively. Yep. That’s definitely it. Definitely snooker. Nothing here about gender stereotypes, internet, move along please. (Looks left) (Looks right) Phew, that was a close one, folks. Do not feed the zealots.

36. Uniform for boys’ clubs perhaps – observe back first (4,4)

Answer: ETON SUIT (i.e. “uniform for boys’ clubs”, in case you’d forgotten the elitism that courses through each of these puzzles). Solution is SUIT (i.e. “clubs, perhaps”, referring to one of the suits in a pack of playing cards) with NOTE (i.e. “observe”) reversed (indicated by “back”) and placed “first”, like so: ETON-SUIT.

38. Heraldic motto, one accepted by a king (8)

Answer: ARMORIAL (i.e. “heraldic”). Solution is MORAL (i.e. “motto” – to be filed under “yeah, kinda“) wrapped around or “accepting” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and then placed after or “by” A and R (i.e. a recognised abbreviation of Rex, Latin for “king”), like so: A-R-MOR(I)AL.

39. With no hesitation rejected what’s a tiny bit elementary (4)

Answer: MUON, a subatomic particle (i.e. “a tiny bit elementary” – atoms being the smallest particle of an “element”). Solution is NO and UM (i.e. “hesitation”) both reversed (indicated by “rejected”), like so: MU-ON.

41. Out of doors show resolute mien wavering (3,2,7)

Answer: SON ET LUMIERE (i.e. “out of doors show” – think images projected on buildings or landmarks). “Wavering” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of RESOLUTE MIEN. I only got this as it also featured in a book of crosswords I’d picked up recently to fill a spare five minutes. I’ll probably see it half a dozen times throughout the week now.

43. A short Aussie bloke is caustic (10)

Answer: ASTRINGENT (i.e. “caustic”). Solution is A and STRINE (i.e. “Aussie”, over to my Chambers for this one: “a jocular name given to Australian English”. Okay, if you say so…) with its last letter removed (indicated by “short”) and then followed by GENT (i.e. “bloke”), like so: A-STRIN-GENT.

44. Mush! – but not moving (6)

Answer: STATIC. Solution satisfies “mush”, referring to white noise you used to get on TVs before things got digital – another one for the “yeah, kinda” file, I reckon – and “not moving”.

46. A run forward in wood left one shaken (7)

Answer: TIMBREL, a kind of tambourine (i.e. “one shaken”). Solution is TIMBER (i.e. “wood”) with the R (a recognised abbreviation of “run” used in several ball games) brought “forward” a notch, and then followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”), like so: TIMBRE-L.

48. These days I sleep rough outside, under them? (8)

Answer: PLEIADES, stars located in the constellation of Taurus (i.e. “sleep rough outside under them”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rough”) of I SLEEP wrapped around or “outside of” AD (i.e. “these days”, i.e. Anno Domini), like so: PLEI(AD)ES. The wordplay was pretty obvious but took a quick Google to get the right spelling, not to mention what exactly the clue was referring to!

50. Filling belt, not easy at first if expanded (5,7,3,6)

Answer: BACON LETTUCE AND TOMATO (i.e. “[sandwich] filling”). Solution is BELT with the E removed (indicated by “not easy at first”, i.e. the first letter of “easy”). The remainder, BLT, is an abbreviation which when “expanded” gets you the solution.

51. Some religious worries overwhelming rector finally (8)

Answer: BROTHERS (i.e. “some religious”). Solution is BOTHERS (i.e. “worries”) wrapped around or “overwhelming” R (i.e. “rector finally”, i.e. the last letter of “rector”), like so: B(R)OTHERS.

52. Spiritual authority has no solid ground, we hear (4,3)

Answer: HOLY SEE (i.e. “spiritual authority”). “We hear” indicates homophone. When written as HOLY SEA the solution also satisfies “has no solid ground”, inferring a seabed full of holes.

53. Goodness less than nothing for bloke (6)

Answer: GEEZER (i.e. “bloke”). Solution is GEE (i.e. “goodness”, both exclamations) followed by ZERO (i.e. “nothing”) with the last letter removed (indicated cheekily by “less than”), like so: GEE-ZER.

Down clues

2. Sudden pain not good for one stranded (5)

Answer: TWINE (i.e. “one stranded”, referring to strands of a rope). Solution is TWINGE (i.e. “sudden pain”) with the G removed (indicated by “not good”, G being a recognised abbreviation of “good”).

3. Sensible, where the fox goes to sleep? (4-2-5)

Answer: DOWN-TO-EARTH. Solution satisfies “sensible” and “where the fox goes to sleep”.

4. Such an account makes one nervous? (8)

Answer: SUSPENSE (i.e. type of “account”). Solution also satisfies “makes one nervous”.

5. Anything to protect wings of little nestling (5)

Answer: OWLET, a young owl (i.e. “little nestling”). Solution is OWT (i.e. “anything”) wrapped around or “protecting” LE (i.e. “wings of little”, i.e. the first and last letters of “little”), like so: OW(LE)T.

6. Welshman recited poetry of all kinds (7)

Answer: DIVERSE (i.e. “of all kinds”). Solution is DI (i.e. “Welshman recited”, i.e. a homophone of DAI) followed by VERSE (i.e. “poetry”).

7. Separate, if not entirely firm (4,7)

Answer: PART COMPANY (i.e. “separate”). Solution is PART (i.e. “not entirely”) followed by COMPANY (i.e. “firm”).

8. From clinic, volunteers get man sacked (5)

Answer: SANTA (i.e. “man sacked”, as in that jolly fellow who visited every house toward the end of 2019 leaving presents for everyone to find. See, conspiracy nuts, Covid-19 was Santa’s fault all along. It had nothing to do with 5G masts, you utter, utter pillocks.) Solution is SAN (i.e. “clinic”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “sanatorium”) followed by TA (i.e. “volunteers”, specifically the Territorial Army).

9. Pad out raised armrest (9)

Answer: UPHOLSTER (i.e. “pad out”). Solution is UP (i.e. “raised”) followed by HOLSTER (i.e. “armrest” – a bit of a stretch, another for the “yeah, kinda” file).

10. Russian band covers area (5)

Answer: SASHA (i.e. a “Russian” forename). Solution is SASH (i.e. “band [of fabric]”) followed by A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”).

11. Old people receive a note to get check-up (11)

Answer: EXAMINATION (i.e. “check-up”). Solution is EX (i.e. “old”) and NATION (i.e. “people”) wrapped around or “receiving” A and MI (i.e. “note” in the do-ray-mi style), like so: EX-(A-MI)-NATION.

12. Sat around to receive equipment, missing one item for office (7)

Answer: DESKTOP (i.e. “item for office”). Solution is POSED (i.e. “sat”) which is reversed (indicated by “around”) and then wrapped around or “receiving” KIT (i.e. “equipment”) once its I has been removed (indicated by “missing [Roman numeral] one”), like so: DES(KT)OP.

18. Fish: I help, turning and cutting a little piece (9)

Answer: WHITEBAIT (i.e. “fish”). Solution is I and ABET (i.e. “help”), which is reversed (indicated by “turning”). These are then placed in or “cutting” WHIT (i.e. “a little piece”, literally the smallest particle imaginable), like so: WH(I-TEBA)IT.

19. A case, half the same fruit (7)

Answer: AVOCADO (i.e. “fruit”). Setter wins. I’ve not got a hook on this, so watch out. If I have a brainwave overnight or if some kind soul stops by with the answer then I’ll update the post.
[EDIT: Nailed this one, finally. The solution is A followed by VOCATIVE (i.e. “case” – over to Chambers: “the case of a word when a person or thing is addressed”) chopped in “half” and followed by DO (a recognised abbreviation of “ditto”), like so: A-VOCA-DO. Chalk one to my Bradfords for the “case” bit. – LP]

21. Broadcaster ignoring us spoke about forty-five minutes? (5,4)

Answer: RADIO FOUR (i.e. “broadcaster”). Solution is RADIUS (i.e. “spoke” of a wheel) with the US removed or “ignored”, then followed by OF (i.e. “about”) and OUR (i.e. “forty-five minutes”, cunningly the last three-quarters of an HOUR), like so: RADI-OF-OUR.

22. Greek character buried in second tomb (8)

Answer: MONUMENT (i.e. “tomb”). Solution is NU (i.e. “Greek character”, specifically the thirteenth letter of the Greek alphabet) placed or “buried in” MOMENT (i.e. a “second”), like so: MO(NU)MENT.

25. Put back in control over country (9)

Answer: REINSTATE (i.e. “put back in”). Solution is REIN (i.e. “control”) placed ahead or “over” – this being a down clue – STATE (i.e. “country”).

27. One naïve politician that’s heard out hunting (9)

Answer: GREENHORN (i.e. “one naïve”). Solution is GREEN (i.e. “politician”) followed by HORN (i.e. “that’s heard out hunting”).

28. Can opener call with advantage? (4-4)

Answer: RING-PULL (i.e. “can opener”). Solution is RING (i.e. “call”) followed by PULL (i.e. “advantage”).

31. Mystic theologian the rack tortured (7)

Answer: Meister ECKHART (i.e. “mystic theologian” – yeah, me neither). “Tortured” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of THE RACK.

33. Join one group of workers up in state (11)

Answer: CONNECTICUT (i.e. “[US] state”). Solution is CONNECT (i.e. “connect”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and TUC (i.e. “group of workers”, being the Trades Union Congress) reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: CONNECT-I-CUT.

34. Regular disorder in city slammer (11)

Answer: SYMMETRICAL (i.e. “regular”). “Disorder” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CITY SLAMMER. Nicely done.

35. Little dog beginning to examine stone, say, in fruit (11)

Answer: POMEGRANATE (i.e. “fruit”). Solution is POM (i.e. “little dog”, specifically a Pomeranian) followed by E (i.e. “beginning to examine”, i.e. the first letter of “examine”) and GRANATE (i.e. a homophone – indicated by “say” – of GRANITE, i.e. “stone”).

37. Femme fatale sovereign arrests time after time (9)

Answer: TEMPTRESS (i.e. “femme fatale”). Solution is EMPRESS (i.e. “sovereign”) wrapped around or “arresting” T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) and then placed “after” T (ditto), like so: T-EMP(T)RESS.

40. Pound grand for penning one criminal without end (8)

Answer: LIFELONG (i.e. “without end” – I don’t agree with the setter on this one. Lifelong is not the same as endless, given that its predicated on the length of someone or something’s lifespan. That’s too many fouls, setter. (Points to all the “yeah, kinda” clues one by one.) (Wafts yellow card.)) Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of a “pound” of weight) and G (a recognised abbreviation of “grand”) wrapped around or “penning” I (i.e “[Roman numeral] one”) and FELON (i.e. “criminal”), like so: L-(I-FELON)-G.

42. Be stopping spin expert, heading off for Number Ten in a year (7)

Answer: OCTOBER (i.e. “Number Ten in a year”, referring to the tenth month of a calendar year). Solution is BE placed in or “stopping” DOCTOR (i.e. “spin expert”) once its initial letter has been removed (indicated by “heading off”), like so: OCTO(BE)R. A clue that scans rather well.

43. Very attentive king, visiting too briefly (3,4)

Answer: ALL EARS (i.e. “very attentive”). Solution is LEAR (i.e. “king”, referring to Shakespeare’s play) placed in or “visiting” ALSO (i.e. “too”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”), like so: AL(LEAR)S.

45. Happy to ignore good books for short story (5)

Answer: CONTE (i.e. “short story”). Solution is CONTENT (i.e. “happy”) with the final NT removed (indicated by “ignore good books”, NT being the New Testament of the Bible).

47. Equal contest that’s ready to ignite (5)

Answer: MATCH. Solution satisfies “equal” and “that’s ready to ignite”.

48. Minister to go quietly over brief at intervals (5)

Answer: PADRE (i.e. “minister”). Solution is PAD (i.e. “to go quietly”) which is followed by or placed “over” – this being a down clue – RE (i.e. “brief at intervals”, i.e. every other letter of the word BRIEF), like so: PAD-RE.

49. Be worn out before swallowing possibly lethal quantity (5)

Answer: ERODE (i.e. “be worn our” – wouldn’t this be “eroded”? (Feels for second yellow…)). Solution is ERE (i.e. poetic form of “before”) wrapped around or “swallowing” OD (i.e. “possibly lethal quantity”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of an “overdose”), like so: ER(OD)E.

A pretty good puzzle this week, I thought, despite a red-card offence committed by the setter. You can find my completed solution below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful.

Some housekeeping before we begin, as ever. My Just For Fun page has links to solutions for the last eighty-odd Times Jumbo Cryptic puzzles, which you might find useful. I’ve also got some other stuff knocking about the place in the shape of a bunch of book reviews and the odd story. Once I’ve properly broken this shit run of 16-hour workdays, I hope to get back to some reading again!

Anyway, that’s enough of my problems. I hope you are all trucking on as well as you can out there. Till next time, stay safe. I’m off to scoff a stinking-hot Bolognese for supper.

LP

Across clues

1. Opportunity to alter putting clubs for golf (6)

Answer: CHANCE (i.e. “opportunity”). Solution is CHANGE (i.e. “to alter”) with the G (“golf” in the phonetic alphabet) replaced with C (a recognised abbreviation of “clubs” in card games), like so: CHAN(G)E => CHAN(C)E.

4. Shorten and reduce, holding one part of speech back (10)

Answer: ABBREVIATE (i.e. “shorten”). Solution is ABATE (i.e. “reduce”) wrapped around or “holding” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and VERB (i.e. “part of speech”) once they have both been reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: AB(BREV-I)ATE.

10. Pressure to mount gay festival? (5)

Answer: PRIDE (i.e. “gay festival”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “pressure”) followed by RIDE (i.e. “to mount”).

14. Unfashionable clothing worn by queen – coat, perhaps (9)

Answer: OUTERWEAR (i.e. “coat, perhaps”). Solution is OUT (i.e. “unfashionable”) and WEAR (i.e. “clothing”) wrapped around or “worn by” ER (i.e. “queen”, specifically Elizabeth Regina), like so: OUT-(ER)-WEAR.

15. What could make teen go wild with Gran, pa and I? (10,3)

Answer: GENERATION GAP. Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wild”) of TEEN GO, GRAN, PA and I. The clue riffs on the differences of opinion and ideals between each generation, the so-called generation gap. Nicely played.

16. Division of FBI agents in position (7)

Answer: SEGMENT (i.e. “division”). Solution is G-MEN (i.e. “FBI agents”) placed “in” SET (i.e. “position”), like so: SE(G-MEN)T.

17. Dithering about nothing, is turning and twisting (7)

Answer: TORSION (i.e. “twisting”). Solution is TORN (i.e. “dithering”) placed around O (i.e. “nothing”) and IS once they’ve both been reversed (indicated by “turning”), like so: TOR(SI-O)N.

18. Oil many misused in maintenance (7)

Answer: ALIMONY (i.e. “maintenance”). “Misused” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of OIL MANY.

19. Note father drive round isle in Lesbos to shock society? (6,3,9)

Answer: EPATER LES BOURGEOIS – over to my Oxford for this one: “…shock people who have attitudes or views perceived and conventional or complacent”, i.e. “to shock society”. Solution is E (i.e. “[musical] note”) followed by PATER (i.e. “father”) – URGE (i.e. “drive”), O (i.e. “round”) and I (a recognised abbreviation of “isle”) are then placed in LESBOS, like so: E-PATER-LESBO(URGE-O-I)S. Flippin’ eck!

21. Metal necklace, not entirely light (4)

Answer: TORC (i.e. “metal necklace”). Solution is TORCH (i.e. “light”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “not entirely”).

24. Chord one’s found in jazz? (5)

Answer: THIRD (i.e. “chord”). The “one’s found in jazz” seems to relate to jazz chords, but I’m far from the expert on music needed to expand further on this one. Seriously, I took a look and I may as well have been reading a different language.
[EDIT: I’m changing the answer for this to TRIAD following Andrew’s kind input in the comments. A TRIAD is a “chord” of three notes; TRAD is a form of “jazz”, put “[Roman numeral] one” into TRAD, like so: TR(I)AD. See, I told you I was no expert! Thanks, Andrew! – LP]

26. Bother to supply water – that takes time where there’s gallons (8)

Answer: IRRITATE (i.e. “bother”). Solution is IRRIGATE (i.e. “to supply water”) with the T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) being replaced by G (a recognised abbreviation of “gallons”), like so: IRRI(G)ATE => IRRI(T)ATE.

27. Dangerous fairy, mostly very bad (8)

Answer: PERILOUS (i.e. “dangerous”). Solution is PERI (i.e. “fairy” from Persian mythology) followed by LOUSY (i.e. “very bad”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: PERI-LOUS.

29. Press Association’s to act as informant about some current growth in South America (6,5)

Answer: PAMPAS GRASS (i.e. “growth in South America”). Solution is PA’S (a recognised abbreviation of “Press Association”, along with ‘s – a contraction of “is”) and GRASS (i.e. “to act as informant”) wrapped “about” AMP (i.e. “some current”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of ampere) like so: P(AMP)A’S-GRASS.

30. Like financial modelling worked out core income with time (11)

Answer: ECONOMETRIC (i.e. “like financial modelling”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “worked out”) of CORE INCOME and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”).

32. All too graphic, young mink caught what’s in chicken’s pen? (7,4)

Answer: KITCHEN SINK (i.e. “all too graphic” – referring to films etc that focus on banal or sordid real-life situations). Solution is KIT (i.e. “young mink”) and C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” used in a number of ball games) followed by HEN’S INK (i.e. “what’s in chicken’s pen”).

35. See badly disliked people returning after revolutionary party fare (6,5)

Answer: CHEESE STRAW (i.e. “party fare”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “badly”) of SEE, then WARTS (i.e. slang for “disliked people”) reversed (indicated by “returning”). These are then both placed “after” CHE Guevara (i.e. “revolutionary”), like so: CHE-ESE-STRAW.

37. How to keep wild goose in pen? (8)

Answer: HOOSEGOW (i.e. “pen”, i.e. a US slang term for a prison). Solution is HOW wrapped around or “keeping” an anagram (indicated by “wild”) of GOOSE, like so: H(OOSEG)OW.

39. English National Opera gets by over interval (8)

Answer: SEMITONE (i.e. a kind of “interval” in musical lingo). Solution is ENO (i.e. “English National Opera”) and TIMES (i.e. “[multiply] by”) both reversed (indicated by “over”), like so: SEMIT-ONE.

40. Monster public protest before noon (5)

Answer: DEMON (i.e. “monster”). Solution is DEMO (i.e. “public protest”) followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “noon”).

43. Seaweed backed as vital component of diet (4)

Answer: IRON (i.e. “vital component of diet”). Solution is RONI (i.e. “seaweed” – a new one on me, but it’s there in the dictionary) reversed (indicated by “backed”).

44. Dull prior to time guarding top commander in restricted zone (10,8)

Answer: PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT (i.e. “restricted zone” – basically a pedestrianised street). Solution is PEDESTRIAN (i.e. “dull”) followed by PRE (i.e. “prior to”) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) wrapped around or “guarding”) C-IN-C (i.e. “top commander”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “commander-in-chief”), like so: PEDESTRIAN-PRE-(C-IN-C)-T.

47. Tall sedge of Pennsylvania pear genus (7)

Answer: PAPYRUS (i.e. “tall sedge”). Solution is PA (a recognised abbreviation of the US state “Pennsylvania”) followed by PYRUS (i.e. “pear genus” – another new one on me – quite the botanical adventure we’re on this week!).

48. Order of butterfly, new discovery initially (7)

Answer: COMMAND (i.e. “order”). Solution is COMMA (i.e. a kind of “butterfly”) followed by N and D (i.e. “new discovery initially”, i.e. the first letters of “new” and “discovery”).

50. Hardy councillor eclipses minor (7)

Answer: COLLIER (i.e. “minor” – no, setter, you’re not getting away with this one. “Minor” is not the same as a “miner”, not without some kind of homophone indicator at least. And don’t try to blame this on a typo either, as the E key is a fair old distance away from the O. To the setter sinbin with you…) Solution is OLLIE (i.e. “Hardy”, specifically Oliver Hardy, one half of Laurel & Hardy) placed in or “eclipsed by” CR (a recognised abbreviation of “councillor”), like so: C(OLLIE)R.

51. Too passionate in general, mostly about European proposal (13)

Answer: OVEREMOTIONAL (i.e. “too passionate”). Solution is OVERALL (i.e. “in general”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder wrapped “about” E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”) and MOTION (i.e. “proposal”), like so: OVER(E-MOTION)AL.

52. Small step initially taken in moon EVA which holds us all (5-4)

Answer: SPACE-TIME (i.e. “which holds us all”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by PACE (i.e. “step”), then T, I, M and E (i.e. “initially taken in moon EVA”, i.e. the initial letters of Taken In Moon EVA).

53. Found in tel, Egyptian poem (5)

Answer: ELEGY (i.e. “poem”). “Found in” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: T(EL EGY)PTIAN. What a weird clue!

54. Treeware material perhaps re-distributed as download (10)

Answer: SANDALWOOD (i.e. “treeware material perhaps” – a riddly reference to how sandals are “worn”). “Re-distributed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of AS DOWNLOAD.

55. Saint accommodated in particular part of church (6)

Answer: VESTRY (i.e. “part of church”). Solution is ST (a recognised abbreviation of “saint”) placed or “accommodated in” VERY (i.e. “particular”), like so: VE(ST)RY.

Down clues

1. Carbon oars fit within another part of ship (5,4)

Answer: CROWS NEST (i.e. “part of ship”). Solution is C (chemical symbol of “carbon”) followed by ROWS (i.e. “oars”) and NEST (i.e. “fit within another”).

2. Vision problem: a mist developed after sparkling wine, GM (11)

Answer: ASTIGMATISM (i.e. “vision problem”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “developed”) of A MIST which is placed “after” ASTI (i.e. “sparkling wine”) and GM, like so: ASTI-GM-ATISM.

3. Sheep carried in basic train (7)

Answer: CORTEGE (i.e. “train”). Solution is TEG (i.e. “sheep” – one I remembered from a previous puzzle) placed or “carried in” CORE (i.e. “basic”), like so: COR(TEG)E.

5. Chap holding eastern headgear (5)

Answer: BERET (i.e. “headgear”). Solution is BERT or BRET (i.e. “chap”, whichever takes your fancy) wrapped around or “holding” E (a recognised abbreviation of “eastern”), like so: B(E)RET; BER(E)T.

6. I got mirrors out, but there’s no signs of breathing here (5,6)

Answer: RIGOR MORTIS (i.e. “there’s no signs of breathing here”). “Out” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of I GOT MIRRORS.

7. Dressing in very fashionable plumed headdress (11)

Answer: VINAIGRETTE (i.e. “dressing”). Solution is V (a recognised abbreviation of “very”) followed by IN (i.e. “fashionable”) and AIGRETTE (i.e. “plumed headdress” – not something in my wardrobe that I can lay my hands on at the moment, I must confess).

8. Fixer’s rage after arrival (8)

Answer: ARRANGER (i.e. “fixer”). Solution is ANGER (i.e. “rage”) placed “after” ARR (a recognised abbreviation of “arrival”), like so: ARR-ANGER.

9. Another go locking up tons to send home (9)

Answer: EXTRADITE (i.e. “to send home”). Solution is EXTRA (i.e. “another”) and DIE (i.e. “go”) wrapped around or “locking up” T (a recognised abbreviation of “tons”), like so: EXTRA-DI(T)E.

10. Perceived horror occasioned by irrational aversion, primarily? (6)

Answer: PHOBIA, which satisfies pretty much the whole clue. “Primarily” indicates the solution is derived by the initial letters of Perceived Horror Occasioned By Irrational Aversion. Brilliant clue! Okay, setter, you can come out of the sinbin now.

11. Surrounded by sentiment: dead bird, cut short, our much loved (2,4,5)

Answer: IN GOOD ODOUR (i.e. “much loved” – a new phrase on me. I love it! Though, I must confess, after two weeks of being locked down, I’m not bodily in good odour…) Solution is IN (i.e. “surrounded by”) followed by GOO (i.e. “sentiment”), then DODO (i.e. “dead bird”) once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “cut short”), and finally followed by OUR, like so: IN-GOO-DOD-OUR.

12. English politician, vacant Tory with nothing inside (5)

Answer: EMPTY (i.e. “with nothing inside”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by MP (i.e. “politician”, specifically a Member of Parliament) and TY (i.e. “vacant Tory”, i.e. the word “Tory” with all the middle letters removed).

13. Fire tender serving vital fluid (6,6)

Answer: VESTAL VIRGIN (i.e. “fire tender” – I guess we’re equating “fire” to lust here, but all my interpretations of “fire tender” lead me to someone who takes care of one’s lust, not a woman of spotless chastity! But then my grotty mind does often languish in the gutter…) “Fluid” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SERVING VITAL.
[EDIT: Andrew also helpfully fleshes this one out: “[the] vestal virgins’ job was to maintain the sacred fire in the temples so they were fire tenders”. Thanks again, Andrew! – LP]

20. Composer and writer mostly keeping a home (8)

Answer: Alexander SCRIABIN (i.e. “composer”). Solution is SCRIBE (i.e. “writer”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder wrapped around or “keeping” A. This is then followed by IN (i.e. “[at] home”), like so: SCRI(A)B-IN. Chalk one to my Bradford’s here as I was in no mood to spend any time farting about deciphering yet another sodding composer.

22. Good earner’s to brag after market slump – that’s never right (4,3)

Answer: CASH COW (i.e. “good earner”). Solution is CROW (i.e. “to brag”) placed “after” CRASH (i.e. “market slump”), and then both Rs removed (indicated by “that’s never right” – R being a recognised abbreviation of “right”), like so: C(R)ASH C(R)OW => CASH COW.

23. Australian crook perished crossing oceans (8)

Answer: DISEASED (i.e. “Australian crook”, as in “G’day, Bruce. I’m feeling proper crook with this drongo plague. Throw another shrimp on the barbie, will you, sport…” Something like that, anyway. I can’t do the accent.) Solution is DIED (i.e. “deceased”) wrapped around or “crossing” SEAS (i.e. “oceans”), like so: DI(SEAS)ED.

25. Curtains on floor – it’s impossible to get one up from here (8)

Answer: DEATHBED (i.e. “it’s impossible to get one up from here” – not the cheeriest of solutions, given present circumstances). Solution is DEATH (i.e. “curtains”, as in “Haha! It’s curtains for you, Hippopotaman!” – a quote, I believe, from the last Marvel Avengers movie) followed by BED (i.e. “floor”).

28. Blackhead – with new sense of disappointment (8)

Answer: COMEDOWN (i.e. “sense of disappointment”). Solution is COMEDO (i.e. “blackhead” – chalk another one to my Bradford’s here) followed by W and N (recognised abbreviations of “with” and “new” respectively).

29. Father has carp stuffed with cold and hot cabbage (3,4)

Answer: PAK CHOI (i.e. “cabbage”). Solution is PA (i.e. “father”) followed by KOI (i.e. “carp”) wrapped around or “stuffed” with C and H (recognised abbreviations of “cold” and “hot” respectively), like so: PA-K(C-H)OI.

31. Midwife, 42, confused with bits? (12)

Answer: OBSTETRICIAN (i.e. “midwife”). The solution to 42d is REACTION. The solution is an anagram (indicated by “confused”) of REACTION and BITS.

33. Low air of old harbour set up on field (11)

Answer: TROPOSPHERE (i.e. “low air”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and PORT (i.e. “harbour”) both reversed (indicated by “set up” – this being a down clue) and followed by SPHERE (i.e. “field”, both terms for an area of something), like so: TROP-O-SPHERE.

34. Detained Arab outside Lima with a thievish nature (11)

Answer: KLEPTOMANIA (i.e. “with a thievish nature”). Solution is KEPT (i.e. “detained”) and OMANI (i.e. “Arab”, specifically one from Oman) wrapped around or placed “outside” of L (“Lima” in the phonetic alphabet), and then followed by A, like so: K(L)EPT-OMANI-A.

35. Awl, perhaps, that’s used in constructing case? (8,3)

Answer: CRIMINAL LAW (i.e. “that’s used in constructing case”). “Awl, perhaps” indicates the solution is itself a cryptic clue, specifically that “awl” is an anagram (indicated by “CRIMINAL”) of “LAW”.

36. Human habitual response is to interrupt rubbish Chopin? (11)

Answer: ROMANTICIST (i.e. “Chopin” – crikey, not much to go on here, was there?!) Solution is MAN (i.e. “human”), TIC (i.e. “habitual response”) and IS all placed in or “interrupting” ROT (i.e. “rubbish”), like so: RO(MAN-TIC-IS)T.

38. What can conceal feet Horace and Ovid initially used in old poetry (9)

Answer: OVERSHOES (i.e. “what can conceal feet”). Solution is H and O (i.e. “Horace and Ovid initially”, i.e. the first letters of “Horace” and “Ovid”) placed “in” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and VERSES (i.e. “poetry”), like so: O-VERS(H-O)ES.

41. Bad reputation’s not unknown round most of Conservatives (9)

Answer: NOTORIETY (i.e. “bad reputation”). Solution is NOT and Y (i.e. “unknown” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in their solutions as “unknowns”) wrapped “around” TORIES (i.e. “Conservatives”) once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “most of”), like so: NO(TORIE)T-Y.

42. Response of engineers leading to conflict (8)

Answer: REACTION (i.e. “response”). Solution is RE (i.e. “engineers”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) followed by ACTION (i.e. “conflict”).

45. Sheepdog, for example for one private school? (7)

Answer: COLLEGE (i.e. “private school”). Solution is COLLIE (i.e. “sheepdog”) with the I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) replaced by EG (i.e. “for example”), like so: COLL(I)E => COLL(EG)E.

46. Wanting a lot of good grass before day’s ending (6)

Answer: GREEDY (i.e. “wanting a lot”). Solution is G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) followed by REED (i.e. “grass”) and Y (i.e. “day’s ending”, i.e. the last letter of “day”). A clue that scans rather well. Keep rolling, stoners.

47. Some writing quietly got more intense? (5)

Answer: PROSE (i.e. “some writing”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “piano”, or “quietly” in musical lingo) followed by ROSE (i.e. “got more intense”).

49. Club is beginning to close, disrupting party (5)

Answer: DISCO (i.e. “club”). Solution is IS and C (i.e. “beginning to close”, i.e. the first letter of “close”) place in or “disrupting” DO (i.e. “party”), like so: D(IS-C)O.