A medium strength puzzle this week, and a decent one overall. The use of European words and places got a little wearisome after a while, but nothing that would send me all Dads Army. You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. You can also find links to previous solutions to these things on my Just For Fun page, should a recent Jumbo have given you gyp. While you’re here, I’ve also got some dusty old book reviews and a story of mine.

Till next time, stay safe, mask up, and keep flying the flag for NHS and key workers everywhere. It looks like we’ll be relying on them more and more the way things are going.

LP

Across clues

1. One may expand broadcast quiz (3,4)

Answer: AIR PUMP (i.e. “one may expand”, say, a tyre). Solution is AIR (i.e. “broadcast”) followed by PUMP (i.e. “quiz”).

5. Guy stranded without employment? (5,3)

Answer: BEACH BUM, being an informal description of “a young man who loafs about on the beach” (Chambers). I’m guessing the setter is playing on clichés of castaways on desert islands, who could be described as being “stranded” on a BEACH. A BUM, meanwhile, can somewhat uncharitably describe someone “without employment”. I hope I’m missing something clever here, because this feels a bit naff otherwise.
[EDIT: Thanks to Steve and a few others in the comments for pointing out that “strand” is another word for a BEACH, which makes for a much better fit. Thanks all! – LP]

9. Not many backed retaining old centre of Hull – that’s sad (6)

Answer: WOEFUL (i.e. “sad”). Solution is FEW (i.e. “not many”) reversed (indicated by “backed”) and wrapped around or “retaining” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”). This is then followed by UL (i.e. “centre of Hull”, i.e. the middle letters of “Hull”), like so: W(O)EF-UL.

13. Madly imperil secret plan, dispatching one undercover operator (7,9)

Answer: SCARLET PIMPERNEL, eponymous “undercover operator” of Baroness Orczy’s play and novel). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “madly”) of IMPERIL SECRET PLAN once one of the Is has been removed (indicated by “dispatching [Roman numeral] one”). Nicely worked.

14. It’s not really a souvenir of the Parisian experience (4,2)

Answer: DÉJÀ VU, that unsettling “experience” one sometimes has of reliving past events. “Parisian” hints at the solution being a French phrase. The first half of the clue appears to riff on the etymology of the word “souvenir”, which originates from the Latin subvenire, meaning “to come to mind”, and how a sense of déjà vu one experiences is often “not real”. Something like that, anyway.

16. One picks the French to invest in part of industry? (8)

Answer: SELECTOR (i.e. “one picks”). Solution is LE (i.e. “the French”, i.e. the masculine form of “the” in French) placed or “invested” in SECTOR (i.e. “part of industry”), like so: SE(LE)CTOR.

17. Source of meat initially modified in research centre (4)

Answer: LAMB (i.e. “source of meat”). Solution is M (i.e. “initially modified”, i.e. the first letter of “modified”) placed “in” LAB (i.e. “research centre”, i.e. a shortened form of “laboratory”), like so: LA(M)B.

18. Nagged, having concern about new quantity of grain? (9)

Answer: HENPECKED (i.e. “nagged”). Solution is HEED (i.e. “concern”) wrapped “about” N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and PECK (i.e. “quantity of grain” or dried goods in general – you may recall the tongue-twister “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers”), like so: HE(N-PECK)ED.

20. Metal worker preserves it in casing in March (8)

Answer: TINSMITH (i.e. “metal worker”). Solution is TINS (i.e. “preserves” taken as a verb rather than a noun) followed by IT once it has been placed “in” MH (i.e. “casing in March”, i.e. the first and last letters of “March”), like so: TINS-M(IT)H.

21. A constant matter about to be adopted by a US city business course (11)

Answer: ACCOUNTANCY (i.e. “business course”). Solution is A followed by C (a recognised abbreviation of “constant”), then COUNT (i.e. “matter”, as in counting for something), then C (i.e. “about”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) once it has been placed in or “adopted by” A and NY (i.e. “US city”, specifically New York), like so: A-C-COUNT-A-N(C)Y.

24. Medical specialist in Paris to go with main point (9)

Answer: ALLERGIST (i.e. “medical specialist”). Solution is ALLER (i.e. “in Paris to go”, i.e. the French for “to go”) followed by GIST (i.e. “main point”).

25. Stifling any sense of air, time and energy, except when outside (8)

Answer: TUNELESS (i.e. “stifling any sense of air” – “air” in this case being another word for a piece of music or TUNE). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) followed by E (ditto “energy”) once placed in or having “outside” UNLESS (i.e. “except when”), like so: T-UN(E)LESS.

26. Record of payment providing backing for objections (4)

Answer: STUB (i.e. “record of payment”, say in a chequebook). Solution is BUTS (i.e. “objections”) reversed (indicated by “backing for…”).

29. Vital current – not electric current – in mortal bodies, possibly (11)

Answer: BLOODSTREAM (i.e. “vital current”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “possibly”) of MORTAL BODIES once the I has been removed (indicated by “not electric current”, the recognised abbreviation of which being I). Nicely worked.

31. Feeling of home – it’s recalled in feature of cathedral city (11)

Answer: DOMESTICITY (i.e. “feeling of home”). Solution is IT’S reversed (indicated by “recalled”) and placed “in” between DOME (i.e. “feature of cathedral”) and CITY, like so: DOME-(S’TI)-CITY.

33. Fake very soon scaled down, university subsequently getting involved (11)

Answer: INAUTHENTIC (i.e. “fake”). Solution is IN A TICK (i.e. “very soon”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “scaled down”) and the remainder wrapped around or “involving” U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) and THEN (i.e. “subsequently”), like so: IN-A-(U-THEN)-TIC.

36. Enchant with a lot of sensation? There’s a cost (8,3)

Answer: ENTRANCE FEE (i.e. “cost”). Solution is ENTRANCE (i.e. “enchant”) followed by FEEL (i.e. “sensation”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “a lot of”), like so: ENTRANCE-FEE.

38. Article dismissed by a European source (4)

Answer: GERM (i.e. “source”, as in a germ of an idea). Solution is GERMAN (i.e. “European”) with the AN removed (indicated by “article dismissed” – an article being a word like a, an or the).

39. Larger part of river includes one form of water (8)

Answer: MOISTURE (i.e. “form of water”). Solution is MOST (i.e. “larger part of”) and URE (i.e. “river”) wrapped around or “including” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: MO(I)ST-URE.

41. Sign of winter? Many people adopting hairstyle protecting wearer ultimately (9)

Answer: HOARFROST (i.e. “sign of winter”). Solution is HOST (i.e. “many people”) wrapped around or “adopting” AFRO (i.e. “hairstyle”) which is itself wrapped around or “protecting” R (i.e. “wearer ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “wearer”), like so: HO(A(R)FRO)ST.

44. Reveal all Earth is following food article (4,3,4)

Answer: DISH THE DIRT (i.e. “reveal all”). Solution is DIRT (i.e. “earth” – ignore the misleading capitalisation) placed after or “following” DISH (i.e. “food”) and THE (i.e. “article”).

45. Tormented and unfeeling, hogging seats near the front? (8)

Answer: HARROWED (i.e. “tormented”). Solution is HARD (i.e. “unfeeling”) wrapped around or “hogging” ROW E (i.e. “seats near the front” – I’ll admit this made me smile when I twigged it), like so: HAR(ROW-E)D.

48. Article in Spanish justifying online study (1-8)

Answer: E-LEARNING (i.e. “online study”). Solution is EL (i.e. “article in Spanish”, i.e. the Spanish for “the”) followed by EARNING (i.e. “justifying”).

49. Rabbit not coming forward round end of garden (4)

Answer: CONY (i.e. “rabbit”). Solution is COY (i.e. “not coming forward”) wrapped “round” N (i.e. “end of garden”, i.e. the last letter of “garden”), like so: CO(N)Y.

50. Hoping I will participate in a period of growth (8)

Answer: ASPIRING (i.e. “hoping”). Solution is I placed or “participating” in A and SPRING (i.e. “period of growth”), like so: A-SP(I)RING.

52. City girl calling in medic (6)

Answer: MADRID (i.e. “city”). Solution is MAID (i.e. “girl”) wrapped around or “calling in” DR (i.e. “medic”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “doctor”), like so: MA(DR)ID.

53. Give up and offer a free cake? (5,2,3,6)

Answer: THROW IN THE SPONGE. Solution satisfies “give up” and “offer a free cake”.

54. Place to slightly shift commitment (6)

Answer: PLEDGE (i.e. “commitment”). Solution is PL (a recognised abbreviation of “place”) followed by EDGE (i.e. “to slightly shift”).

55. Plan sending back some puddings for one year (8)

Answer: STRATEGY (i.e. “plan”). Solution is TARTS (i.e. “some puddings”) reversed (indicated by “sending back”) and followed by EG (i.e. “for one”, or for example) and Y (a recognised abbreviation of “year”), like so: STRAT-EG-Y.

56. Democrat attack involving that man repelled conservative (3-4)

Answer: DIE-HARD (i.e. “conservative” – both taken to mean dyed-in-the-wool or resistant to change). Solution is D (a recognised abbreviation of “Democrat”) and RAID (i.e. “attack”) wrapped around or “involving” HE (i.e. “that man”). The whole is then reversed (indicated by “repelled”), like so: DI(EH)AR-D.

Down clues

1. Making no changes without singular source of temporary help (6)

Answer: ASSIST (i.e. “help”). Solution is AS IS (i.e. “making no changes”) wrapped around or placed “without” S (a recognised abbreviation of “singular”) and followed by T (i.e. “source of temporary”, i.e. the first letter of “temporary”), like so: AS-(S)-IS-T.

2. Recover after injection of illegal drug? Come off it! (6)

Answer: REALLY (i.e. “come off it”, both taken as expressions of disbelief). Solution is RALLY (i.e. “recover”) wrapped around or having “injected” E (i.e. “illegal drug”, as in the street name for the drug “ecstasy”), like so: R(E)ALLY.

3. United, note, more daring but losing lead – that’s less fortunate (9)

Answer: UNLUCKIER (i.e. “less fortunate”). Solution is U (a recognised abbreviation of “united”) and N (ditto “note”) followed by PLUCKIER (i.e. “more daring”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “losing head”), like so: U-N-LUCKIER.

4. Supportive influence that may be not partisan (6,5)

Answer: PATRON SAINT (i.e. “supportive influence”). “That may be” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of NOT PARTISAN.

5. Naval prison has transport to release indefinite number (4)

Answer: BRIG (i.e. “naval prison”). Solution is BRING (i.e. to “transport”) with the N removed (indicated by “to release indefinite number”).

6. First star, rich, with yacht gutted, heads for his marina, having brainwave (5,6)

Answer: ALPHA RHYTHM (i.e. “brainwave”). Solution is ALPHA (i.e. the brightest or “first star” of a constellation) followed by RH and YT (i.e. “rich [and] yacht gutted”, i.e. the first and last letters or “rich” and “yacht”), then HM (i.e. “heads for his marina”, i.e. the first letters of “his” and “marina”).

7. Foolish to run a quantity of water into the sack (4-7)

Answer: HARE-BRAINED (i.e. “foolish”). Solution is HARE (i.e. “to run”) followed by RAIN (i.e. “a quantity of water”) once it has been placed “into” BED (slang for which being “the sack”), like so: HARE-B(RAIN)ED.

8. Not fair, misprinting a clue and hint (9)

Answer: UNETHICAL (i.e. “not fair”). “Misprinting” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A CLUE and HINT.

10. About to interrupt unhappy poet with cheers for lyrical work (8)

Answer: OPERETTA (i.e. “lyrical work”). Solution is RE (i.e. “about” – think email replies) placed in or “interrupting” an anagram (indicated by “unhappy”) of POET and then followed by TA (i.e. “cheers”), like so: OP(ER)ET-TA.

11. Genuine onions, feted after modification – becoming this? (12,4)

Answer: FRANKENSTEIN FOOD. Solution is FRANK (i.e. “genuine”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “after modification”) of ONIONS FETED, like so: FRANK-ENSTEINFOOD. Clue riffs on how genetically modified food sources are sometimes called Frankenstein foods. The arguments against GM food never quite stacked up for me. In the red corner: using science to help improve the resilience, quality and quantity of food sources the world over; in the blue corner: lowering global demand for food, however that’s achieved. Resorting to GM techniques is less than ideal, I agree, but I’m not quite ready to ally myself to the Utopia project just yet.

12. Country railway bringing in uniform for washing (7)

Answer: LAUNDRY (i.e. “washing”). Solution is LAND (i.e. “country”) and RY (a recognised abbreviation of “railway”) wrapped around or “bringing in” U (“uniform” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: LA(U)ND-RY.

15. Investigations start to identify lodges as accommodation for Queen (8)

Answer: INQUESTS (i.e. “investigations”). Solution is I (i.e. “start to identify”) and NESTS (i.e. “lodges”) wrapped around or “accommodating” QU (a recognised abbreviation of “Queen”), like so: I-N(QU)ESTS.

19. Abuse is matter dealt with criminally (8)

Answer: MISTREAT (i.e. “abuse”). “Dealt with criminally” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IS MATTER. Nicely worked.

22. Speculation publication reflected on kitschy jewellery (8)

Answer: GAMBLING (i.e. “speculation”). Solution is MAG (i.e. “publication”) reversed (indicated by “reflected”) and followed by BLING (i.e. “kitschy jewellery”), like so: GAM-BLING.

23. A significant point for sightseers in three different cities (10,6)

Answer: CLEOPATRA’S NEEDLE. These were ancient Egyptian obelisks that were shipped to and re-erected in each of London, Paris and New York. Clue riffs on how needles are “pointed”. You get the idea.

27. Cry with pity about English in German city (8)

Answer: BAYREUTH (i.e. “German city”, though a not entirely populous one). Solution is BAY (i.e. “cry”) followed by RUTH (i.e. “pity”) once it has been placed “about” E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”), like so: BAY-R(E)UTH.

28. Start of chat with police officer’s on record (4)

Answer: DISC (i.e. “record”). Solution is C (i.e. “start of chat”, i.e. the first letter of “chat”) placed “on” or after DI’S (i.e. “police officer’s”, specifically Detective Inspector), like so: DI’S-C.

30. Old-fashioned, overlooking small charge (4)

Answer: DUTY (i.e. “charge”). Solution is DUSTY (i.e. “old-fashioned”) with the S removed (indicated by “overlooking S” – S being a recognised abbreviation of “small”).

32. American subject not entirely uninteresting, having embraced a spy (4,4)

Answer: MATA HARI (i.e. “spy”). Solution is MATH (i.e. “American subject” – a reference to how they drop the S of “maths”) followed by ARID (i.e. dry or “uninteresting”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “not entirely”). This is then all wrapped around or “embracing” A, like so: MAT(A)H-ARI.

34. Drunk in middle of week? Lush endlessly mysterious (8)

Answer: ESOTERIC (i.e. “mysterious”). Solution is SOT (i.e. “drunk”) placed “in” EE (i.e. “middle of week”, i.e. the middle letters of “week”), and then followed by RICH (i.e. “lush”) once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “endlessly”), like so: E(SOT)E-RIC.

35. Scathing over soft drink – not something to be swallowed (7,4)

Answer: CAUSTIC SODA (i.e. “not something to be swallowed”). Solution is CAUSTIC (i.e. “scathing”) followed by SODA (i.e. “soft drink”).

36. Flying in the plane behind European jumbo (11)

Answer: ELEPHANTINE (i.e. “jumbo”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “flying”) of IN THE PLANE placed after or “behind” E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”), like so: E-LEPHANTINE.

37. Unoccupied toilet observed in a bit (2,1,5,3)

Answer: AT A LOOSE END (i.e. “unoccupied”). Solution is LOO (i.e. “toilet”) and SEEN (i.e. “observed”) both placed “in” A TAD (i.e. “a bit”), like so: A-TA(LOO-SEEN)D. Weird how this phrase also appeared a couple of weeks ago.

40. Supports popular weapon (9)

Answer: SLINGSHOT (i.e. “weapon”). Solution is SLINGS (i.e. “supports”) followed by HOT (i.e. “popular”).

42. Sense initially employed when going about small scamp’s inheritance (3,6)

Answer: FEE SIMPLE (i.e. “inheritance”). Solution is FEEL (i.e. “sense”) and E (i.e. “initially employed”, i.e. the first letter of “employed”) wrapped “about” S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and IMP (i.e. “scamp”), like so: FEE(S-IMP)L-E. One of those gotten from the wordplay and a check in the dictionary, if I’m honest.

43. Looking to trap large bird (8)

Answer: STARLING (i.e. “bird”). Solution is STARING (i.e. “looking”) wrapped around or “trapping” L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”), like so: STAR(L)ING.

44. Imagine challenge, avoiding a big cat climbing (5,2)

Answer: DREAM UP (i.e. “imagine”). Solution is DARE (i.e. “challenge”) with the A removed (indicated by “avoiding a”) and followed by PUMA (i.e. “big cat”) once reversed (indicated by “climbing” – this being a down clue), like so: DRE-AMUP.

46. Contend girl’s name should be taken up for city (6)

Answer: VIENNA (i.e. “city”, continuing the setter’s little jaunt around Europe). Solution is VIE (i.e. “contend”) followed by ANN (i.e. “girl’s name”) once reversed (indicated by “should be taken up” – this being a down clue), like so: VIE-NNA.

47. America’s first intent to acquire is not in dispute (6)

Answer: AGREED (i.e. “not in dispute”). Solution is A (i.e. “America’s first”, i.e. the first letter of “America”) followed by GREED (i.e. “intent to acquire”).

51. Runs from random check (4)

Answer: STAY (i.e. “check” or to block). Solution is STRAY (i.e. “random”) once the R has been removed (indicated by “runs from” – R being a recognised abbreviation of “runs” used in some ball games).

This was probably the easiest Jumbo Cryptic since I started doing these posts. By the time I’d finished it I was surprised to find no scribbles or workings dotted around the grid. Not that I’m complaining, mind. It’s nice to have a good chunk of Saturday left!

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them useful. If a recent Jumbo cryptic has gotten the better of you, then you might be interested in my Just For Fun page, which has links to the last 100+ of these things. Meanwhile, there are also some book reviews and a story of mine.

Till next time, keep well, mask up, and keep flying the flag for NHS and key workers everywhere. Let’s hope another lockdown doesn’t come to pass.

LP

Across clues

1. Note on flying mammals incorporating first of innovative material (7)

Answer: BATISTE (i.e. “material”). Solution is TE (i.e. “note”, in the do-ray-me style) placed “on” or after BATS (i.e. “flying mammals”) once it has been wrapped around or “incorporating” I (i.e. “first of innovative”, i.e. the first letter of “innovative”), like so: BAT(I)S-TE.

5. Married man goes round introducing current yearbook (7)

Answer: ALMANAC (i.e. “yearbook”). Solution is M (a recognised abbreviation of “married”) with ALAN (i.e. “man”) placed “round” it, and then followed by AC (i.e. “[alternating] current”), like so: AL(M)AN-AC.

9. One who butts in, talking of rosaceous tree (7)

Answer: MEDDLER (i.e. “one who butts in”). “Talking of” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of MEDLAR (i.e. “rosaceous tree”).

13. Appallingly great van tax: it’s extortionate! (11)

Answer: EXTRAVAGANT (i.e. “extortionate”). “Appallingly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of GREAT VAN TAX.

14. Eminent university entertained by bad American music groups (11)

Answer: ILLUSTRIOUS (i.e. “eminent”). Solution is U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) placed in or “entertained by” ILL (i.e. “bad”), US (i.e. “American”) and TRIOS (i.e. “groups”), like so: ILL-US-TRIO(U)S.

15. Admitted being possessed (5)

Answer: OWNED. Solution satisfies “admitted [being]” and “possessed”.

16. South Carolina celebrity digesting Berlioz’s last piece (7)

Answer: SCHERZO (i.e. a lively “[musical] piece”). Solution is SC (state abbreviation of “South Carolina”) followed by HERO (i.e. “celebrity”) once it has been wrapped around or “digesting” Z (i.e. “Berlioz’s last”), like so: SC-HER(Z)O.

17. Doctor regularly quelled barmen that can be counted (9)

Answer: NUMERABLE (i.e. “can be counted”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “doctor”) of ULE (i.e. “regularly quelled”, i.e. every other letter of QUELLED) and BARMEN.

18. Warning describing fate of inquisitive Somali? (9,6,3,3)

Answer: CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT (i.e. “warning”). Clue plays on how Somali can describe a breed of cat, not just a Somali national. You get the idea.

23. Booked, being unforthcoming (8)

Answer: RESERVED. Solution satisfies “booked” and “unforthcoming”.

25. He abandons the city man’s Asian headdress (6)

Answer: TURBAN (i.e. “man’s Asian headdress”). Solution is T (i.e. “he abandons the”, i.e. the word THE without the HE) followed by URBAN (i.e. “the city”).

27. Middle East scholar taken at first with trailing plant (7)

Answer: ARABIST (i.e. “Middle East scholar”). Solution is T (i.e. “taken at first”, i.e. the first letter of “taken”) placed after or “with” ARABIS (i.e. “trailing plant”).

30. Fruit pie originally making us podgy (5)

Answer: PLUMP (i.e. “podgy”). Solution is PLUM (i.e. “fruit”) followed by P (i.e. “pie originally”, i.e. the first letter of “pie”).

32. One leaves Moroccan port carrying a N American singer (7)

Answer: TANAGER (i.e. “N American singer” – a bird). Solution is TANGIER (i.e. “Moroccan port”) with the I removed (indicated by “[Roman numeral] one leaves…”) and the remainder wrapped around or “carrying” A, like so: TAN(A)GER. One I remembered from a previous puzzle, if I’m honest.

33. Report of husky animal producing material for violin bows (9)

Answer: HORSEHAIR (i.e. “material for violin bows”). Solution is formed of homophones (indicated by “report of”) of HOARSE (i.e. “husky”) and HARE (i.e. “animal”).

35. New paperback briefly covering large variety of fruit (4,5)

Answer: CRAB APPLE (i.e. “variety of fruit”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “new”) of PAPERBACK once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”), wrapped around or “covering” L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”), like so: CRABAPP(L)E.

36. Greek hero’s article initially edited in S America (7)

Answer: THESEUS (i.e. “Greek hero”). Solution is THE (i.e. “article”, as in a word like a, an or the) followed by E (i.e. “initially edited”, i.e. the first letter of “edited”) once it has been placed “in” S and US (i.e. “America”), like so: THE-S-(E)-US.

37. Spot where builders work, so to speak (5)

Answer: SIGHT (i.e. “spot”). “So to speak” indicates homophone. Solution is an homophone of SITE (i.e. “where builders work”).

38. Pull fish back on the sheltered side (7)

Answer: LEEWARD (i.e. “on the sheltered side”). Solution is DRAW (i.e. “pull”) and EEL (i.e. “fish”) all reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: LEE-WARD.

40. Way to go on horseback, or walk with long steps? (6)

Answer: STRIDE (i.e. “walk with long steps”). Solution is ST (i.e. “way”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “street”) followed by RIDE (i.e. “to go on horseback”).

41. Musician married in centre of Boston – about fifty (8)

Answer: MINSTREL (i.e. “musician”). Solution is M (a recognised abbreviation of “married”) followed by IN, then ST (i.e. “centre of Boston”, i.e. the middle letters of BOSTON), then RE (i.e. “about” – think email replies) and L (i.e. “[Roman numeral] fifty”).

44. Regimental NCO’s favour given to leading cloth-worker? (13-8)

Answer: QUARTERMASTER-SERGEANT (i.e. “regimental NCO” or Non-Commissioning Officer). Solution is QUARTER (i.e. “favour”) followed by MASTER (i.e. “leading”), then SERGE (i.e. “cloth”) and ANT (i.e. “worker”).
[EDIT: Thanks to Greg for the correction. I’d incorrectly had NCO as Non-Commanding Officer. Cheers, Greg! – LP)

48. Naughtily bend a rule? That can be tolerated (9)

Answer: ENDURABLE (i.e. “that can be tolerated”). “Naughtily” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of BEND A RULE.

50. Bill a continental noble rings about (7)

Answer: ACCOUNT (i.e. “bill”). Solution is A then COUNT (i.e. “continental noble”) once it has been wrapped around or “ringed” C (i.e. “about”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of “circa”), like so: A-C(C)OUNT.

53. Operatic princess with house in US state (5)

Answer: IDAHO (i.e. “US state”). Solution is IDA (i.e. “operatic princess” from Gilbert & Sullivan’s Princess Ida) followed by HO (a recognised abbreviation of “house”).

54. Clear water flowing round managed health resort (11)

Answer: TRANSPARENT (i.e. “clear”). Solution is [River] TRENT (i.e. “water”) wrapped or “flowing around” RAN (i.e. “managed”) and SPA (i.e. “health resort”), like so: T(RAN-SPA)RENT.

55. Medallist initially whips ring with pronounced force (11)

Answer: PRIZEWINNER (i.e. “medallist”). Solution is W (i.e. “initially whips”, i.e. the first letter of “whips”) and INNER (i.e. “ring” around a bullseye) placed after or “with” a homophone (indicated by “pronounced”) of PRISE (i.e. to “force [open]”), like so: PRIZE-(W-INNER).

56. Tried again to pick up daughter after scripture lesson (7)

Answer: REHEARD (i.e. “tried again” in court). Solution is HEAR (i.e. “pick up”) and D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) both placed “after” RE (i.e. “scripture lesson”, specifically Religious Education), like so: RE-(HEAR-D).

57. Turtle abandoning quiet tract of land (7)

Answer: TERRAIN (i.e. “tract of land”). Solution is TERRAPIN (i.e. “turtle”) once the P has been removed (indicated by “abandoning quiet” – P being a recognised abbreviation of “piano”, or quiet in musical lingo).

58. Doctor in broadcast regularly riled Lanarkshire town (7)

Answer: AIRDRIE (i.e. “Lanarkshire town”). Solution is DR (a recognised abbreviation of “doctor”) placed “in” AIR (i.e. “broadcast”) and IE (i.e. “regularly riled”, i.e. every other letter of RILED), like so: AIR-(DR)-IE.

Down clues

1. Rupees invested in wager relating to French national (6)

Answer: BRETON (i.e. “French national”). Solution is R (i.e. “Rupees”) placed or “invested” in BET (i.e. “wager”) and followed by ON (i.e. “relating to”), like so: B(R)ET-ON.

2. Giant bird with bill seen around part of UK (7)

Answer: TITANIC (i.e. “gigantic”). Solution is TIT (i.e. “bird”) followed by AC (i.e. “bill”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “account”) once wrapped “around” NI (i.e. “part of UK”, i.e. Northern Ireland), like so: TIT-A(NI)C.

3. One defaming Cuban perhaps, ignoring tip with hesitation (9)

Answer: SLANDERER (i.e. “one defaming”). Solution is ISLANDER (i.e. “Cuban perhaps” – other islands are available) with the first letter removed (indicated by “ignoring tip”) and the remainder followed by ER (i.e. “hesitation”), like so: SLANDER-ER.

4. English vehicle primarily serving Welshman (5)

Answer: EVANS (i.e. “Welshman”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by VAN (i.e. “vehicle”) and S (i.e. “primarily serving”, i.e. the first letter of “serving”).

5. Arthropod from Irish islands I’d seen outside church (8)

Answer: ARACHNID (i.e. “arthropod”). Solution is ARAN (i.e. “Irish islands”) and I’D placed “outside” of CH (a recognised abbreviation of “church”), like so: ARA(CH)N-I’D.

6. It measures oxygen escaping from shooting star? (5)

Answer: METER (i.e. “it measures”). Solution is METEOR (i.e. “shooting star”) with the O removed (indicated by “oxygen escaping” – O being the chemical symbol of oxygen).

7. Toff, one breathing in ozone in African capital (7)

Answer: NAIROBI (i.e. “African capital”). Solution is NOB (i.e. “toff”) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) wrapped around or “breathing in” AIR (i.e. “ozone”), like so: N(AIR)OB-I.

8. Man guarding only boss in honorary military rank (7-2-5)

Answer: COLONEL-IN-CHIEF (i.e. “honorary military rank”). Solution is COLIN (i.e. “man” – basically a man’s name) wrapped around or “guarding” LONE (i.e. “only”) and followed by CHIEF (i.e. “boss”), like so: CO(LONE)LIN-CHIEF.

9. Communicators collectively aimed to disperse after service (4,5)

Answer: MASS MEDIA (i.e. “communicators collectively”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “to disperse”) of AIMED placed “after” MASS (i.e. “[religious] service”).

10. Ancient city adopted by the German engraver (5)

Answer: Albrecht DURER (i.e. “engraver”). Solution is UR (i.e. “Ancient city” often used by setters in their solutions) placed in or “adopted by” DER (i.e. “the German”, i.e. the German for “the”), like so: D(UR)ER.

11. Play what irate motorists do perhaps when tailgated? (4,4,2,5)

Answer: LOOK BACK IN ANGER. Solution satisfies a “play” by John Osborne, and “what irate motorists do perhaps when tailgated”.

12. Particular deference (7)

Answer: RESPECT. Solution satisfies “particular” (as in “with respect to”) and “deference” (as in “have respect for”).

19. Excel with regard to start of this surgical procedure (7)

Answer: OVERTOP (i.e. “excel”). Solution is OVER (i.e. “with regard to”) followed by T (i.e. “start of this”, i.e. the first letter of “this”) and OP (i.e. “surgical procedure”).

20. Engineer urges on extremely tardy kid (9)

Answer: YOUNGSTER (i.e. “kid”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “engineer”) of URGES ON and TY (i.e. “extremely tardy”, i.e. the first and last letters of “tardy”).

21. Archbishop initially overwhelmed by male archdeacon’s goodness (7)

Answer: HEAVENS (i.e. “goodness” – both taken as exclamations). Solution is A (i.e. “archbishop initially”, i.e. the first letter of “archbishop”) placed in or “overwhelmed by” HE (i.e. “male”) and VEN’S (i.e. “archdeacon’s” – VEN being a recognised abbreviation of “venerable”), like so: HE-(A)-VEN’S.

22. Republican in sun hat, mostly relaxed and very hot (8)

Answer: TROPICAL (i.e. “very hot”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”) placed “in” TOPI (i.e. “sun hat”) and followed by CALM (i.e. “relaxed”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: T(R)OPI-CAL.

24. Outside America, herb served at first with mother’s hot food (8,3,4)

Answer: SAUSAGES AND MASH (i.e. “food”). Solution is US (i.e. “America”) with SAGE (i.e. “herb”) placed “outside” of it, then S (i.e. “served at first”, i.e. the first letter of “served”), then AND (i.e. “with”), then MA’S (i.e. “mother’s”) and H (a recognised abbreviation of “hot”), like so: SA(US)GE-S-AND-MA’S-H.

26. Man involved in drinking spree, a pub employee (9)

Answer: BARTENDER (i.e. “pub employee”). Solution is ART (i.e. “man”, specifically a shortened form of Arthur) placed or “involved in” BENDER (i.e. “drinking spree”), like so: B(ART)ENDER.

28. Device controlling flow of fuel – or choke? (8)

Answer: THROTTLE. Solution satisfies “device controlling flow of fuel” and “choke”.

29. European articles on country gents ultimately apt for playing down (14)

Answer: UNDERSTATEMENT (i.e. “playing down”). Solution is UN and DER (i.e. “European articles”, i.e. the French for “a” and the German for “the”) followed by STATE (i.e. “country”), then MEN (i.e. “gents”) and T (i.e. “ultimately apt”, i.e. the last letter of “apt”).

31. Country bumpkin’s pulse a surgeon felt in the end (7)

Answer: PEASANT (i.e. “country bumpkin”). Solution is PEAS (i.e. “pulse”) followed by A, then N and T (i.e. “surgeon felt in the end”, i.e. the last letters of “surgeon” and “felt”).

34. Harsh call arresting Cleopatra’s killer (7)

Answer: RASPING (i.e. “harsh”). Solution is RING (i.e. “call”) wrapped around or “arresting” ASP (i.e. “Cleopatra’s killer”), like so: R(ASP)ING.

39. Necessity for game identified by river managers (9)

Answer: DARTBOARD (i.e. “necessity for game [of darts]”). Solution is DART (i.e. “river” in Devon) followed by BOARD (i.e. “managers”).

42. Alarm if one is kept ultimately for a soil loosener (9)

Answer: SCARIFIER (i.e. “soil loosener”). Solution is SCARE (i.e. “alarm”) wrapped around or “keeping” IF and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), and then followed by R (i.e. “ultimately for”, i.e. the last letter of “for”), like so: SCAR(IF-I)E-R.

43. Native of Lima perhaps, salesman turning up with one in posh vehicle (8)

Answer: PERUVIAN (i.e. “native of Lima perhaps”). Solution is REP (i.e. “salesman”) reversed (indicated by “turning up” – this being a down clue) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) once placed “in” U (i.e. “posh” – U being an abbreviation used to describe the upper class) and VAN (i.e. “vehicle”), like so: PER-U-V(I)AN.

44. One searching for game in macaque’s territory (7)

Answer: QUESTER (i.e. “one searching for game” – a quest is a variant spelling of queest, a kind of wood pigeon). “In” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: MACA(QUE’S TER)RITORY.

45. Kitchen device misplaced at store (7)

Answer: TOASTER (i.e. “kitchen device”). “Misplaced” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of AT STORE.

46. Item of footwear found in coach? (7)

Answer: TRAINER. Solution satisfies “item of footwear” and “coach”.

47. Origin of condiment, reportedly (6)

Answer: SOURCE (i.e. “origin”). “Reportedly” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of SAUCE (i.e. “condiment”).

49. One adheres to WI religion – partly, for a start (5)

Answer: RASTA (i.e. “one adheres to WI religion”). “Partly” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: FO(R A STA)RT.

51. Dried kernels represented by Constable, the artist? (5)

Answer: COPRA (i.e. “dried kernels” of coconuts). Solution is COP (i.e. “constable” – ignore the misleading capitalisation) followed by RA (i.e. “artist”, specifically a Royal Academician).

52. Governor dipping into Times – a character! (5)

Answer: THETA (i.e. “a character” of the Greek alphabet). Solution is HE (i.e. “governor” – a recognised abbreviation of His Excellency) placed “into” T and T (recognised abbreviations of “time”, i.e. “times” – ignore the misleading capitalisation) and followed by A, like so: T(HE)T-A.

Another medium strength puzzle this week, and a pretty good one too. You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful.

You can find links to solutions for the past 100+ of these things on my Just For Fun page, should that be of any use to you. I’ve also got some mouldy old book reviews and a story of mine, should any of that appeal.

Till next time, stay safe, mask up and keep giving thumbs to NHS and key workers everywhere, especially as infections and hospital admissions continue to tick up again.

LP

Across clues

1. Liberal’s comic – phoney person who leaves the less well-off behind? (6,7)

Answer: SOCIAL CLIMBER (i.e. “person who leaves the less well-off behind”). “Phoney” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LIBERAL’S COMIC.

8. Sign of unity between partners in business, say (9)

Answer: AMPERSAND. Clue plays on how you sometimes see ampersand characters or “signs” in business names, e.g. Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble, Steptoe & Son etc.

13. Dog rescuers on the road carrying equipment (5)

Answer: AKITA (i.e. a breed of “dog”). Solution is AA (i.e. “rescuers on the road”, specifically the Automobile Association) wrapped around or “carrying” KIT (i.e. “equipment”), like so: A(KIT)A.

14. All decline perversely to accept large invention of physicist (7,4)

Answer: DANIELL CELL (i.e. an early innovation in battery technology and “invention of physicist” John Frederic Daniell). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “perversely”) of ALL DECLINE wrapped around or “accepting” L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”), like so: DANIE(L)CELL.

15. Celebrate outside with jazzy music (5)

Answer: SWING (i.e. “jazzy music”). Solution is SING (i.e. “celebrate”) wrapped around or placed “outside” of W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”), like so: S(W)ING.

16. Spiritual band? (3,6)

Answer: DOG COLLAR (i.e. “band”). Clue plays on how collars worn by the clergy are called dog collars.

17. Danger when last character comes forward presenting dagger (4)

Answer: KRIS (i.e. “dagger” with a wavy blade). Solution is RISK (i.e. “danger”) with the “last character coming forward”, like so: RIS(K) => (K)RIS.

18. A job had for one leaving the fold (8)

Answer: APOSTATE (i.e. “one leaving the fold”). Solution is A followed by POST (i.e. “job”) and ATE (i.e. “had”).

20. Least known artist ahead of others (6)

Answer: RAREST (i.e. “least known”). Solution is RA (i.e. “artist”, specifically a Royal Academician) followed by or placed “ahead of” REST (i.e. “others”).

21. Given a chance to do business favourably where customers come in? (2,3,6,5)

Answer: ON THE GROUND FLOOR. Solution satisfies “given a chance to do business favourably” and “where customers come in”.

24. Computer software has changed, right? We are mad (9)

Answer: SHAREWARE (i.e. “computer software” created to be shared rather than for profit). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “changed”) of HAS followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”), then another anagram (indicated by “mad”), this time of WE ARE, like so: SHA-R-EWARE.

26. Loveless city wanting end to crime – it’s hairy (7)

Answer: BRISTLE (i.e. “it’s hairy” – what, a single bristle?) Solution is BRISTOL (i.e. “city”) with the O removed (indicated by “loveless” – “love” being a zero score in tennis). The remainder is then followed by E (i.e. “end to crime”, i.e. the last letter of “crime”), like so: BRISTL-E.

27. Beliefs of left-winger disrupting firm (5)

Answer: CREDO (i.e. “beliefs”). Solution is RED (i.e. “left-winger”) placed in or “disrupting” CO (i.e. “firm”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “company”), like so: C(RED)O.

29. Once again tackling study with relish? (12)

Answer: READDRESSING (i.e. “once again tackling”). Solution is READ (i.e. “study”) and DRESSING (i.e. “relish”).

31. Woman, 51, wanting man? Lady losing heart should be taking care (10)

Answer: DILIGENTLY (i.e. “taking care”). Solution is DI (i.e. “woman”, i.e. a shortened form of a woman’s name, Diana) followed by LI (i.e. “51” in Roman numerals), then GENT (i.e. “man”) and LY (i.e. “lady losing heart”, i.e. the word “lady” with all its middle letters removed), like so: DI-LI-GENT-LY.

33. Academic Scotsman maybe joining club in European country (10)

Answer: MACEDONIAN (i.e. “in European country”, specifically Macedonia, funnily enough). Solution is DON (i.e. “academic”) and IAN (i.e. “Scotsman” – a bit of wordplay I’ve never liked) both placed behind or “joining” MACE (i.e. “club”), like so: MACE-DON-IAN.

35. Elements of opera, ballet or pantomime? (4,3,5)

Answer: SONG AND DANCE (i.e. “pantomime”, both taken to mean a right old palaver). Clue plays on how SONG is an “element” of “opera”, likewise DANCE of “ballet”.

38. Poet giving answers to binary question (5)

Answer: Alfred NOYES (i.e. “poet”). When written as NO YES the solution also satisfies “answers to binary question”.

39. Role of singer that comes in last bit of Idomeneo (7)

Answer: SECONDO (i.e. “role of singer”, specifically the lower part of a duet). When written as SECOND O, the solution also satisfies “that comes in last of Idomeneo”, i.e. how the second O of the word appears at the end.

40. Happy one, a politician mostly the combative type (9)

Answer: GLADIATOR (i.e. “combative type”). Solution is GLAD (i.e. “happy”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), then A and TORY (i.e. “politician”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: GLAD-I-A-TOR.

42. High-level words of wisdom for disciples (6,2,3,5)

Answer: SERMON ON THE MOUNT. Solution satisfies “high-level words” and “words of wisdom for [Christ’s] disciples”.

44. What sounds like Cockney’s ascent of mountain in a little bath! (6)

Answer: EYECUP (i.e. “a little bath”). “What sounds like” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of HIKE UP (i.e. “ascent of mountain”) once the H has been removed (indicated by “Cockney’s”, as in how Cockneys are forever dropping their bleedin’ aitches, presumably in those gaps when they’re not eating winkles and pickled eggs.)

47. One praising international community – record is excellent ultimately (8)

Answer: EULOGIST (i.e. “one praising”). Solution is EU (i.e. “international community”, specifically the European Union) followed by LOG (i.e. “record”), then IS, and T (i.e. “excellent ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “excellent”).

49. Some aliens of Universe to go around in these? (4)

Answer: UFOS. Clue riffs on how aliens used to gad about the skies in Unidentified Flying Objects back when spotting them was an easy way to get oneself into the papers. Ah, the days. (Puts away pan lids.) “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “to go around” indicates the solution has been reversed, like so: ALIEN(S OF U)NIVERSE.

50. No cure sadly – time to offer support (9)

Answer: ENCOURAGE (i.e. “to offer support”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “sadly”) of NO CURE followed by AGE (i.e. “time”), like so: ENCOUR-AGE.

52. Noise of family beginning to gather (5)

Answer: CLANG (i.e. “noise”). Solution is CLAN (i.e. “family”) followed by G (i.e. “beginning to gather”, i.e. the first letter of “gather”).

53. Needless description of someone left in the lurch? (8-3)

Answer: UNCALLED-FOR (i.e. “needless”). “Lurch” can describe a whitewash or a very one-sided game. I understand a game of bridge involves calls, so I’m assuming a right thumping might leave you UNCALLED-FOR. If I’m on the wrong track and a better solution comes to the fore, I’ll update the post.

54. Wind to go suddenly, backing east (5)

Answer: TRADE (i.e. “wind” – the trade winds, blowing around the Earth’s equator, were often ridden by captains of sailing ships). Solution is DART (i.e. “to go suddenly”) reversed (indicated by “backing”) and then followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “east”).

55. Possible colour of water, surprisingly subtle, hiding fish (5,4)

Answer: STEEL BLUE (i.e. “possible colour of water” – I’d run the taps a little longer, setter). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “surprisingly”) of SUBTLE wrapped around or “hiding” EEL (i.e. “fish”), like so: ST(EEL)BLUE.

56. Troublemaker and others come down in street – sort of control needed (4-9)

Answer: SELF-RESTRAINT (i.e. “sort of control”). Solution is ELF (i.e. “troublemaker”), REST (i.e. “others”) and RAIN (i.e. “come down”) all placed “in” ST (a recognised abbreviation of “street”), like so: S(ELF-REST-RAIN)T.

Down clues

1. Flags code of behaviour (9)

Answer: STANDARDS. Solution satisfies “flags” and “code of behaviour”.

2. First of children to hang around, one holding on to mum maybe? (7)

Answer: CLINGER (i.e. “one holding on to mum maybe”). Solution is C (i.e. “first of children”, i.e. the first letter of “children”) followed by LINGER (i.e. “to hang around”).

3. Terribly sad poet, alone, powerless, not sure what to do (2,1,5,3)

Answer: AT A LOOSE END (i.e. “not sure what to do”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “terribly”) of SAD POET ALONE once the P has been removed (indicated by “powerless” – P being a recognised abbreviation of “power”).

4. Old king engaging divine cook (6)

Answer: CODDLE (i.e. to “cook”). Solution is COLE (i.e. “old king”, the merry old soul) wrapped around or “engaging” DD (i.e. “divine”, one definition being a theologian. DD is a recognised abbreviation of Divinitatis Doctor or Doctor of Divinity), like so: CO(DD)LE.

5. I travel around north European country, heading off in state of bliss? (9)

Answer: IGNORANCE (i.e. “state of bliss”, as in the phrase “ignorance is bliss”). Solution is I followed by GO (i.e. “travel”) once it has been wrapped around N (a recognised abbreviation of “north”). This is then followed by FRANCE (i.e. “European country”) once the initial letter has been removed (indicated by “heading off”), like so: I-G(N)O-RANCE.

6. Use far too much bread? (5,3,4)

Answer: BREAK THE BANK (i.e. “use far too much”). Clue plays on how “bread” is an informal word for money. That’s about it, I guess.

7. Rich Greek character has new kitchen device (7,3)

Answer: ROLLING PIN (i.e. “kitchen device”). Solution is ROLLING (a slang word for “rich”, as in “rolling in it”) followed by PI (i.e. “Greek character”, specifically the sixteenth letter of the Greek alphabet) and N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”).

8. Church music ignoring scripture? Excuse me! (4)

Answer: AHEM (i.e. “excuse me!”). Solution is ANTHEM (i.e. “church music”) with the NT removed (indicated by “ignoring scripture” – NT being a recognised abbreviation of the New Testament of The Bible).

9. Pre-Napoleon’s win, a terrible historical conflict (13,3)

Answer: PELOPONNESIAN WAR (i.e. “historical conflict”). “Terrible” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of PRE-NAPOLEON’S WIN A. Wordplay was obvious but took a while to grind out, my knowledge of ancient Greek wars being not all that hot.

10. Cunning plans soldier finally employs (5)

Answer: RUSES (i.e. “cunning plans”). Solution is R (i.e. “soldier finally”, i.e. the last letter of “soldier” – a sneaky attempt to misdirect solvers jaded by the number of times army-related abbreviations are used in cryptic clues) followed by USES (i.e. “employs”).

11. Disturbed, thanks to being led by a soldier (7)

Answer: AGITATO (i.e. “disturbed” in musical lingo). Solution is TA (i.e. “thanks”) and TO placed after or “being led by” A and GI (i.e. “soldier”, as if to prove my point), like so: (A-GI)-TA-TO.

12. Old illustration of tragedy with Europe being torn apart (13)

Answer: DAGUERREOTYPE (i.e. “old illustration”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “being torn apart”) of TRAGEDY and EUROPE.

19. See an object bringing detestation (8)

Answer: LOATHING (i.e. “detestation”). Solution is LO (i.e. “see”, as in “lo and behold”) followed by A THING (i.e. “an object”).

22. Record poem about cult hero (5)

Answer: FICHE (i.e. “record”). Solution is IF (i.e. “poem” by Rudyard Kipling) reversed (indicated by “about”) and followed by CHE Guevara (i.e. “cult hero”).

23. Perform digital operation to cause somebody delight or embarrassment? (4,4,4,4)

Answer: MAKE ONE’S TOES CURL. Solution satisfies “perform digital operation” – toes being the digits of one’s feet – and “to cause somebody delight or embarrassment”.

25. Lots without leader would embrace roguish state of disorder (7)

Answer: ANARCHY (i.e. “state of disorder”). Solution is MANY (i.e. “lots”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “without leader”) and the remainder wrapped around or “embracing” ARCH (i.e. “roguish”), like so: AN(ARCH)Y.

28. Old lover with money, oddly cute and gone forever (7)

Answer: EXTINCT (i.e. “gone forever”). Solution is EX (i.e. “old lover”) followed by TIN (a slang word for “money”) and CT (i.e. “oddly cute”, i.e. every other letter of CUTE), like so: EX-TIN-CT.

29. Anecdotes consisting of touching little episodes – about a hundred (13)

Answer: REMINISCENCES (i.e. “anecdotes”). Solution is RE (i.e. “touching”, both taken to mean “regarding” – think email replies) followed by MINI (i.e. “little”) and SCENES (i.e. “episodes”) once this latter has been wrapped “about” C (i.e. “a hundred” expressed as a Roman numeral), like so: RE-MINI-SCEN(C)ES.

30. Big town faced with damage – lack of provisions (8)

Answer: SCARCITY (i.e. “lack of provisions”). Solution is CITY (i.e. “big town”) placed after or “facing” SCAR (i.e. “damage”), like so: SCAR-CITY.

32. King’s indication of approval perhaps for something in the garden? (8-4)

Answer: SOLOMON’S-SEAL (i.e. “something in the garden”). Solution is SOLOMON’S (i.e. a “king’s”) followed by SEAL (i.e. “indication of approval”).

34. Party music, something that’s found very lacking (5)

Answer: DISCO (i.e. “party music”). Solution is DISCOVERY (i.e. “something that’s found”) with the VERY removed (indicated by “very lacking”).

36. Girl possibly destined to travel by bicycle and boat to deliver bomb (5,6)

Answer: DAISY CUTTER (i.e. “bomb”). Solution is DAISY (i.e. “girl possibly destined to travel by bicycle”, a reference to the song Daisy Bell (Bicycle Made For Two), which features the famous line “Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do…”) followed by CUTTER (i.e. “boat”).

37. Divine being descends from heaven in watery South American location (5,5)

Answer: ANGEL FALLS (i.e. “watery South American location”). Solution also satisfies “divine being descends from heaven”.

40. Sad end of gnu and end of tiger sought by killer? (6,3)

Answer: GUNNED FOR (i.e. “sought by killer”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “sad”) of END OF GNU and R (i.e. “end of tiger”, i.e. the last letter of “tiger”).

41. Play in which one type of theatre is meeting with grudge (9)

Answer: REPRESENTS (i.e. “play”). Solution is REP (i.e. “type of theatre” – rep being short for a repertory theatre) followed by RESENT (i.e. “grudge” – wouldn’t that be “begrudge” or RESENTMENT?)

43. Announcement about rental agreement (7)

Answer: RELEASE (i.e. “announcement”). Solution is RE (i.e. “about” – again, think email replies) followed by LEASE (i.e. “rental agreement”).

45. Fellow at lunchtime maybe gets a bit of food (7)

Answer: CHAPATI (i.e. “bit of food”). Solution is CHAP (i.e. “fellow”) followed by AT I (i.e. “at lunchtime”, think of it as “at 1[pm]” with the 1 replaced by its Roman numeral equivalent).

46. Lots of heart binding saints (6)

Answer: SCORES (i.e. “lots”). Solution is CORE (i.e. “heart”) placed in S and S (i.e. “saints”, S being a recognised abbreviation of “saint”), like so: S(CORE)S.

48. Energy and ambition having no place for a Russian author (5)

Answer: Nikolai GOGOL (i.e. “Russian author”). Solution is GO (i.e. “energy”) followed by GOAL (i.e. “ambition”) with the A removed (indicated by “having no place for a”), like so: GO-GOL.

51. Top celebrity enthralling millions (4)

Answer: ACME (i.e. “top”). Solution is ACE (i.e. “celebrity”) wrapped around or “enthralling” M (a recognised abbreviation of “millions”), like so: AC(M)E.

A medium strength puzzle this week for those able to get their hands on a copy following Extinction Rebellion’s protest. While a mere crossword is of course literally nothing compared to the fate of the planet, let alone the news itself, it does seem this particular protest was less about the damage we are doing to the environment and more how 80%+ of our national newspapers are owned by just three companies, News UK Newspapers, part of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, being the largest. This is without doubt a poor state of affairs but blocking the newspapers you don’t like doesn’t feel like much of a solution, at least to this pseudonymous nobody. More worrying for XR perhaps is how their cause is increasingly being piggybacked by other agendas which, while undoubtedly important and justified, risk turning the group into merely another unfocused hard-left outfit.

Anyway, putting real life to one side for ten minutes (or 4-5 hours, if you’re me typing this) here’s my solution for this week’s puzzle for anyone who does their Jumbo Cryptics online, or who were able to get a copy (hat-tip to my local corner shop, who very kindly let me have the parts of the paper that did arrive), or for those who are curious of what they missed, or for those who have bought The Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword Book 23 in 2024 and are wondering 1) why it’s 40°C outside in September, 2) whatever happened to Extinction Rebellion, and 3) how on earth 10a is ABBOT.

As ever you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. Meanwhile, there’s other stuff knocking about the place: further solutions can be found on my Just For Fun page, there’s some dusty old book reviews and a story of mine.

Till next time (which will be a few days late as I’ll be away from my laptop next weekend, lockdowns permitting), take care, mask up and keep the flag flying for NHS and key workers everywhere.

LP

Across clues

1. Biting as Arctic’s winds (9)

Answer: SARCASTIC (i.e. “biting”). “Winds” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of AS ARCTIC’S. Nicely worked.

6. Supplier of ecstasy to be our sponsor, it’s said (7)

Answer: BACCHUS (i.e. “supplier of ecstasy”, specifically, according to Wikipedia, “the god of the grape-harvest, winemaking and wine, of fertility, orchards and fruit, vegetation, insanity, ritual madness, religious ecstasy, festivity and theatre”… that’s one hell of a business card). “It’s said” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of BACK US (i.e. “be our sponsor”).

10. Superior rating given to second-rate back (5)

Answer: ABBOT (i.e. “superior” in charge of an abbey). Solution is AB (i.e. “rating”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of Able-Bodied, a rating given to skilled sailors marking them above ordinary sailors) followed by TO and B (i.e. “second-rate”, or B-grade) once these latter two have been reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: AB-(B-OT).

13. With energy, note, old German chaser’s a stayer (7)

Answer: ENDURER (i.e. “stayer”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”) followed by N (ditto “note”) and Albrecht DURER (i.e. “old German” artist and theorist). I believe “chaser” merely means DURER is placed after E and N, but I might have missed something clever.
[EDIT: Ong’ara comes up with the goods in the comments, highlighting that an alternative meaning of “chase” is to decorate by engraving, a discipline that Durer had dabbled in. Thanks, Ong’ara! – LP]

14. Explosive start setting one back a bit (5)

Answer: NITRO (i.e. “explosive”). Solution is INTRO (i.e. “start”) with the I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) moved “back a bit”, like so: (I)NTRO => N(I)TRO.

15. Close one’s rubbish bin – huge odour after emptying! (9)

Answer: NEIGHBOUR (i.e. “close one”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rubbish”) of BIN HUGE and OR (i.e. “odour after emptying”, i.e. the word “odour” with all its middle letters removed).

16. Seize chance to stop working with metal piping? (6,5,3,4,2,3)

Answer: STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT (i.e. “seize chance”). Solution is STRIKE (i.e. “to stop working”) followed by WHILE THE IRON IS HOT (i.e. “with metal piping [hot]”).

17. Big cat seeing gap, quietly escaping into yard, briefly (6)

Answer: COUGAR (i.e. “big cat”). Solution is GAP with the P removed (indicated by “quietly escaping” – P being a recognised abbreviation of “piano”, or quietly in musical lingo) placed into COURT (i.e. “yard”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”), like so: COU(GA)R.

18. Old statesman rarely any take to at first (8)

Answer: Jomo KENYATTA, former Prime Minister and President of Kenya (i.e. “old statesman”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rarely”) of ANY TAKE and T (i.e. “to at first”, i.e. the first letter of “to”).

19. One selling joints in bar in Montmarte, not cheap (7)

Answer: BUTCHER (i.e. “one selling joints” of meat). Solution is BUT (i.e. “bar”, as in “best bar none”) followed by CHER (i.e. “in Montmarte, not cheap”, i.e. the French for “dear” – the use of other languages by setters to get the job done gets a bit tiresome in these things from time to time, but this is at least a word supported by my Chambers. Not sure I’m pretentious enough to use it, mind).

22. Lots of ladies, perhaps, one visiting old grandmother of Samuel (10)

Answer: JOHNSONIAN (i.e. “of [Dr] Samuel” Johnson, lexicographer and memorable guest star of Blackadder The Third). Solution is JOHNS (i.e. “lots of ladies, perhaps” – other flavours of toilet are available) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) once it has been placed in or “visiting” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and NAN (i.e. “grandmother”), like so: JOHNS-O-N(I)AN.

23. Bearing wine: unfamiliar accompaniment to duty-free purchase? (7,5)

Answer: AIRPORT NOVEL (i.e. “accompaniment to duty-free purchase”). Solution is AIR (i.e. “bearing”) followed by PORT (i.e. “wine”) and NOVEL (i.e. “unfamiliar”).

27. Foreign drama that’s painful under any circumstances (5)

Answer: NOHOW (i.e. “under any circumstances” – the definition for this is “in no way”, which seems entirely the opposite, but then my brain isn’t especially great at double-negatives). Solution is NOH (i.e. “foreign drama”, specifically a traditional Japanese drama) followed by OW (i.e. “that’s painful”).

29. In line, getting reading to be picked up (7)

Answer: QUEUING (i.e. “in line”). “Picked up” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of CUEING. I can’t help thinking there’s a typo in this clue; that it should read “getting ready” rather than “getting reading”. Happy to be corrected otherwise.

30. Motivating force behind religious teaching one runs in SE Asia (3,5)

Answer: RED RIVER (i.e. “one runs in SE Asia”, and most other parts of the world it seems). Solution is RE (i.e. “religious teaching”, i.e. a recognised abbreviation of Religious Education”) with DRIVER (i.e. “motivating force”) placed “behind” it, like so: RE-DRIVER.

32. Capital Radio presenter blocking call and not available (8)

Answer: NDJAMENA (i.e. “capital” of Chad). Solution is DJ (i.e. “radio presenter” – ignore the misleading capitalisation) placed in or “blocking” NAME (i.e. “call”) and followed by N/A (i.e. “not available), like so: N(DJ)AME-N/A.

34. Be effective after all, maybe, protecting large layer of skin (7)

Answer: CUTICLE (i.e. “layer of skin”). Solution is CUT ICE (i.e. “be effective after all, maybe” – the phrase “cut no ice” means to be ineffective) wrapped around or “protecting” L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”), like so: CUT-IC(L)E.

36. Students gathering for one drink (5)

Answer: NEGUS (i.e. “drink”, specifically “a drink of port or sherry mixed with hot water, sweetened and spiced” (Chambers)). Solution is NUS (i.e. “students” – specifically the National Union of Students) wrapped around or “gathering” EG (i.e. “for one”, as in “for example”), like so: N(EG)US.

39. Folk with primitive homes: all deserve modernising with WC (4-8)

Answer: CAVE-DWELLERS (i.e. “folk with primitive homes”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “modernising”) of ALL DESERVE and WC.

41. One in haste cut sticks to deliver huge blows (10)

Answer: HURRICANES (i.e. “huge blows”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) placed “in” between HURRY (i.e. “haste”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “cut”) and CANES (i.e. “sticks”), like so: HURR-(I)-CANES.

44. Writer embracing year performing as poet (7)

Answer: BYRONIC (i.e. “as poet”, specifically as Lord Byron). Solution is BIC (i.e. “writer”, i.e. a Bic biro) wrapped around or “embracing” YR (a recognised abbreviation of “year”) and ON (i.e. “performing”), like so: B(YR-ON)IC.

46. Appropriate to put on a very loud alarm (8)

Answer: AFFRIGHT (i.e. “alarm”). Solution is RIGHT (i.e. “appropriate”) placed “on” or after A and FF (i.e. “very loud”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “fortissimo” in musical lingo), like so: A-FF-RIGHT.

48. Soft, ultimately tuneless humming (6)

Answer: SPONGY (i.e. “soft”). Solution is S (i.e. “ultimately tuneless”, i.e. the last letter of “tuneless”) followed by PONGY (i.e. “humming”).

50. Do colours? I polish crucifix ring fits inside, to be exact (3,4,2,3,5,4,2)

Answer: DOT ONES IS AND CROSS ONES TS (i.e. “to be exact”). Solution is DO followed by TONES (i.e. “colours”), then I, then SAND (i.e. “polish”), then CROSS (i.e. “crucifix”), then O (i.e. “ring”) and NESTS (i.e. “fits inside”), like so: DO-TONES-I-SAND-CROSS-O-NESTS. Blimey!

53. Rocket, perhaps, that has wartime success within reach? (9)

Answer: VEGETABLE (i.e. “rocket, perhaps”). Solution is VE (i.e. “wartime success”, specifically Victory in Europe) followed by GETABLE (i.e. “within reach”).

54. Triumphant cry on clinching record, that’s followed by “Bravo” (5)

Answer: ALPHA (i.e. “that’s followed by “Bravo”” in the phonetic alphabet). Solution is AHA (i.e. “triumphant cry”) wrapped around or “clinching” LP (i.e. “record”), like so: A(LP)HA.

55. Shakespearean jester, one sharing top billing with duke (7)

Answer: COSTARD (i.e. “Shakespearean jester”, specifically a comic figure in Love’s Labour’s Lost who, incidentally, uses the word honorificabilitudinitatibus in Act V – another reason why I’ll never make it as a stage actor). Solution is CO-STAR (i.e. “one sharing top billing”) followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “duke”).

56. Period before series concluded (3-2)

Answer: RUN-UP (i.e. “period before”). Solution is RUN (i.e. “series”) followed by UP (i.e. “concluded”).

57. Repeat xray that’s distorted on one side (2,5)

Answer: EX PARTE (i.e. “on one side” only, from the Latin and used in legalese). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “that’s distorted”) of REPEAT and X (i.e. “xray” in the phonetic alphabet”).

58. Vanquish, having finished with commanding position (9)

Answer: OVERWHELM (i.e. “vanquish”). Solution is OVER (i.e. “having finished”) followed by W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) and HELM (i.e. “commanding position”).

Down clues

1. Mends fencing in king’s colours (5)

Answer: SKEWS (i.e. “colours”). Solution is SEWS (i.e. “mends”) wrapped around or “fencing in” K (a recognised abbreviation of “king”), like so: S(K)EWS.

2. To be cavalier with good horse, very hurried training required (4,9,4)

Answer: RIDE ROUGHSHOD OVER (i.e. “to be cavalier with”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “training required”) of GOOD HORSE, V (a recognised abbreviation of “very”) and HURRIED.

3. Language review is a frank assessment, primarily (9)

Answer: AFRIKAANS (i.e. “language”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “review”) of IS A FRANK and A (i.e. “assessment, primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “assessment”).

4. Reading, perhaps, absorbing personnel in cast (6)

Answer: THROWN (i.e. “cast”). Solution is TOWN (i.e. “Reading, perhaps”) wrapped around or “absorbing” HR (i.e. “personnel”, i.e. Human Resources), like so: T(HR)OWN.

5. Kind of legal position for player in case (11)

Answer: CONSIDERATE (i.e. “kind”). Solution is ONSIDE (i.e. “legal position for player”) placed “in” CRATE (i.e. “case”), like so: C(ONSIDE)RATE.

6. I’ll be seeing you around Thursday, in passing (2,3,3)

Answer: BY THE BYE (i.e. “in passing” – can be spelled BY or BYE). Solution is BYE-BYE (i.e. “I’ll be seeing you”) wrapped “around” TH (a recognised abbreviation of “Thursday”), like so: BY(TH)E-BYE.

7. Way to make up yarn of note, not the first time (7)

Answer: CROCHET (i.e. “way to make up yarn”). Solution is CROTCHET (i.e. “[musical] note”) with the first T removed (indicated by “not the first time” – T being a recognised abbreviation of “time”).

8. Deliver one international player to each sporting official (11)

Answer: HANDICAPPER (i.e. “sporting official”). Solution is HAND (i.e. “deliver”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), then CAP (i.e. “international player”) and PER (i.e. “to each”).

9. One visibly upset crossing mountain, meeting British person descending it? (9)

Answer: SKIBOBBER (i.e. “person descending [mountain]”). Solution is SOBBER (i.e. “one visibly upset”) wrapped around KI (i.e. “mountain”, specifically K1 in Pakistan with the 1 replaced by I) and B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”), like so: S(KI-B)OBBER.

10. Seeing a crime being committed possibly, but not believing (7)

Answer: ATHEIST (i.e. “not believing”). When written as AT HEIST, the solution also satisfies “seeing a crime being committed possibly”.

11. Some raised cash to oblige assassin (5)

Answer: John Wilkes BOOTH (i.e. “assassin” who killed Abraham Lincoln). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “raised” indicates the solution has been reversed – this being a down clue – like so: CAS(H TO OB)LIGE.

12. Act utterly crazily – not unknown to be upset (4,6)

Answer: TURN TURTLE (i.e. “to be upset”, as in turning a turtle over onto its shell, rendering it helpless). Solution is TURN (i.e. “act” or performance) followed by an anagram (indicated by “crazily”) of UTTERLY once the Y has been removed (indicated by “not unknown” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in their solutions as unknowns).

17. One living in southern US around early summer (5)

Answer: CAJUN (i.e. “one living in southern US”). Solution is CA (i.e. “around”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) followed by JUN (i.e. “early summer”, as in a shortened form of June).

20. Individual’s own urge to confront hosts gets to look stupid (4,3,2,4,4)

Answer: HAVE EGG ON ONES FACE (i.e. “look stupid”). A bit of a clunky mess, this one. Rather than follow the phrasing of the clue, I’ll merely point out the individual bits, i.e. HAVE (i.e. “hosts”), EGG ON (i.e. “urge”), ONE’S (i.e. “own”) and FACE (i.e. “to confront”).

21. Where we learn which of our neighbours is special (6)

Answer: UNIQUE (i.e. “special”). Solution is UNI (i.e. “where we learn”, as in a shortened form of university) followed by QUE (i.e. “which of our neighbours”, i.e. the French for “which”).

24. Leave time to visit trendy, small bars (6)

Answer: INGOTS (i.e. “bars”). Solution is GO (i.e. “leave”) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) placed in or “visiting” IN (i.e. “trendy”) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”), like so: IN-(GO-T)-S.

25. New, excellent service gets you to Scottish destination (5)

Answer: NAIRN (i.e. a “Scottish destination”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) followed by AI (i.e. “excellent”, i.e. A1 with the 1 replaced by I) and RN (i.e. “service”, specifically the Royal Navy).

26. Wheels put together with track one assembled (3,3)

Answer: KIT CAR (i.e. “wheels put together”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “assembled”) of TRACK and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”).

28. Open country show – hope grandma will attend, finally (5)

Answer: WEALD (i.e. “open country”). “Finally” indicates that the solution is derived from the last letters of SHOW HOPE GRANDMA WILL ATTEND.

31. Flat, shell-like blocks in need of water? (6)

Answer: DREARY (i.e. “flat”). Solution is EAR (i.e. “shell-like”) placed in or “blocking” DRY (i.e. “in need of water”), like so: DR(EAR)Y.

33. Winning the lot, Bill tends to get emotional (1,5,5)

Answer: A CLEAN SWEEP (i.e. “winning the lot”). Solution is AC (i.e. “bill”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “account” – ignore the misleading capitalisation) followed by LEANS (i.e. “tends”) and WEEP (i.e. “to get emotional”).

35. Shiftless viewer specifically into You Tubers? (5,6)

Answer: COUCH POTATO (i.e. “shiftless viewer”). Not fully on board with this one, I’m afraid. I get that tubers gets you POTATO, but that’s about it from me.
[EDIT: Upon reflection, I think there’s nothing more to this one than potatoes = tubers and that the setter is merely cracking wise. (Sighs. Shrugs shoulders.) – LP]

37. Weakling is first, say? Nothing odd in that (5)

Answer: SISSY (i.e. “weakling”). “Nothing odd in that” indicates the solution can be derived by taking every other letter of IS FIRST SAY.

38. Copper, corrupt, one has arrested by senior underworld investigator in suit? (5,5)

Answer: SCUBA DIVER (i.e. “underworld investigator in suit”). Solution is CU (chemical symbol of “copper”), BAD (i.e. “corrupt”) and I’VE (i.e. “one has”, i.e. a contraction of “I have”) all placed in or “arrested by” SR (a recognised abbreviation of “senior”), like so: S(CU-BAD-I’VE)R.

40. Sporting saxe blue cape not such a crime! (9)

Answer: EXCUSABLE (i.e. “not such a crime”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “sporting”) of SAXE BLUE and C (a recognised abbreviation of “Cape”).

42. Wife, under arrest in Grammar School, with a sharp object (6,3)

Answer: COPING SAW (i.e. “a sharp object” used to cut curves). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “wife”) placed after or “under” – this being a down clue – COP (i.e. “arrest”), IN, GS (a recognised abbreviation of “Grammar School”), W (ditto “with”) and A, like so: (COP-IN-GS-A)W.

43. A viewer of EastEnders Christmas special? (5,3)

Answer: MINCE PIE. Solution satisfies “Christmas special” and “a viewer of EastEnders”, as in the cockney rhyming slang for “eye”. Nicely worked.

45. Reflected on points put by, say, Cork Express (7)

Answer: NONSTOP (i.e. “express”). Solution is NO (i.e. “reflected on”, i.e. the word “on” reversed) followed by NS (i.e. “points”, specifically recognised abbreviations of north and south) and TOP (i.e. “cork” – ignore the misleading capitalisation).

47. Stuff in the end not just a source of amusement (7)

Answer: FUNFAIR (i.e. “a source of amusement”). Solution is F (i.e. “stuff in the end”, i.e. the last letter of “stuff”) followed by UNFAIR (i.e. “not just”).

49. Autopsy check’s far from complete, mind (6)

Answer: PSYCHE (i.e. “mind”). “Far from complete” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: AUTO(PSY CHE)CK.

51. Cross when hearing match lost (5)

Answer: TIGON (i.e. a “cross” between a tiger and lion created purely because some heartless sods thought “why not?”. Ditto ligers.) “When hearing” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of TIE GONE (i.e. “match lost”).

52. Instant good advice to follow up in place of evil? (5)

Answer: SODOM (i.e. “place of evil”). Solution is MO (i.e. “instant” or moment) followed by DOS (i.e. “good advice”, as in dos and don’ts). The whole is then reversed (indicated by “to follow up” – this being a down clue”), like so: SOD-OM.