A medium strength puzzle this week, and another offering steady progression throughout. One of the better ones, for my money.

As ever you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If you’re scratching your head over a recent Jumbo, then my Just For Fun page has links to solutions to the past 100+ of these things. If you’re still scratching your head then I’d recommend changing shampoos or a nit comb. Meanwhile there are also some ancient book reviews and a story of mine knocking about the place.

Thanks again for the kind and constructive comments. They are appreciated and do help when it comes to composing these posts. It’s always interesting to hear the hot takes from seasoned solvers, returnees and newbies once they’ve put their pens down, because that’s exactly what you are getting from me each week. My aim with these posts has always been to make the Jumbos less daunting for fellow solvers, not only by pointing out the cryptic indicators, abbreviations and other sneaky tricks setters use, but also to be honest and fess up when I reach for a reference book, Wikipedia etc, or if I’ve lost my rag with a particular clue. Secondary aim: occasional silliness. So if you are new to these things, welcome aboard. We’re always learning here.

Till next time, stay safe, mask up and keep flying the flag for the NHS and key workers everywhere.

LP

Across clues

1. Marshal nabs macho vehicle (6,3)

Answer: HANSOM CAB (i.e. “vehicle”). “Marshal” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of NABS MACHO.

6. Swamp dweller with reason to drop round after a time (5,8)

Answer: WATER MOCCASIN (i.e. “swamp dweller”, specifically a poisonous aquatic snake found in the US). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) and OCCASION (i.e. “reason”) once the second O has been removed (indicated by “to drop round”), the latter placed “after” A and TERM (i.e. “time”), like so: W-(A-TERM)-OCCASIN.

13. Go wrong again perhaps making organic polymer (5)

Answer: RESIN. Solution satisfies “organic polymer” and, when written as RE-SIN, “go wrong again perhaps”.

14. In attendance, ready for what the patient may play (7,4)

Answer: WAITING GAME (i.e. “what the patient may play”). Solution is WAITING (i.e. “in attendance”, as in ready and waiting) followed by GAME (i.e. “ready”).

15. Reference book a seaman recalled? (5)

Answer: ATLAS (i.e. “reference book”). Solution is A followed by SALT (i.e. “seaman”) once reversed (indicated by “recalled”).

16. Sauce ingredient, bay perhaps, I’d switched during outbreak (11)

Answer: HORSERADISH (i.e. “sauce ingredient”). Solution is HORSE (i.e. “bay perhaps” – other flavours of horse are available) followed by I’D once reversed (indicated by “switched”) and placed “during” RASH (i.e. “outbreak”), like so: HORSE-RA(D’I)SH.

17. Run across again, never returning in opposite direction (2-9)

Answer: RE-ENCOUNTER (i.e. “run across again”). Solution is NE’ER (poetic form of “never”) reversed (indicated by “returning”) and followed by COUNTER (i.e. “in opposite direction”, e.g. counter-clockwise), like so: RE’EN-COUNTER.

18. Pets, 1000 or so bitten by mites (7)

Answer: TOMCATS (i.e. “pets”). Solution is M (i.e. “1000” as a Roman numeral) and CA (i.e. “or so”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) both placed in or “bitten by” TOTS (i.e. “mites” or young children), like so: TO(M-CA)TS.

20. Happen to disagree (4,3)

Answer: FALL OUT. Solution satisfies “happen” and “to disagree”. Simple, but nicely done.

21. Almost everyone prepared for contest provided with bell or buzzer (7)

Answer: ALARMED (i.e. “provided with bell or buzzer”). Solution is ALL (i.e. “everyone”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “almost”) and the remainder followed by ARMED (i.e. “prepared for contest”), like so: AL-ARMED.

23. Director’s work throughout evening race not final (2,3,4,2,3,5)

Answer: IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (i.e. “director’s work”, in this case a 1967 film starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger). Clue plays on “heats” being athletic rounds held before a “final”. “Throughout evening” gets you IN…THE NIGHT. You get the idea.

27. Border to clip: there’s no time (3)

Answer: RIM (i.e. “border”). Solution is TRIM (i.e. “to clip”) once the T has been removed (indicated by “there’s no time” – T being a recognised abbreviation of “time”).

28. Accepting ridiculous wage, Grace returns to make trifle (6)

Answer: GEWGAW (i.e. a “trifle” – not the dessert but a toy or trifling object of little value). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ridiculous”) of WAGE placed in or “accepted” by GW (i.e. “Grace”, specifically ye olde cricketer WG Grace, the original beard to be feared), once reversed (indicated by “returns”) like so: G(EWGA)W.
[EDIT: Thanks to Mick in the comments for the fix. I mistakenly had “GW” rather than “WG” Grace. Cheers, Mick! – LP]

29. A hidden danger in Wisconsin for native deer (6)

Answer: WAPITI (i.e. “native deer” – well, native to the US anyway). Solution is A and PIT (i.e. “hidden danger”) both placed “in” WI (US state abbreviation of “Wisconsin”), like so: W(A-PIT)I. I couldn’t open Bradford’s quick enough when I saw “native deer”. Life’s too short.

31. It should put the squeeze on secure online publishers? (9)

Answer: WINEPRESS (i.e. “it should put the squeeze on”). Solution is WIN (i.e. “secure”) followed by E-PRESS (i.e. “online publishers”, playing on how “e” used to be prefixed to stuff to denote they related to online – the riddly question mark acknowledges this isn’t really a recognised word).

34. From rocks below cliff, endless game bird’s cries? (9)

Answer: SCREECHES (i.e. “bird’s cries”). Solution is SCREE (i.e. “rocks below cliff”) followed by CHESS (i.e. “game”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “endless”), like so: SCREE-CHES.

35. Sponsored child playing by gallery (6)

Answer: GODSON (i.e. “sponsored child”). Solution is ON (i.e. “playing”) placed after or “by” GODS (i.e. “gallery” in a theatre, as in being up in the gods), like so: GODS-ON.

36. Troops contemplate official inspection (6)

Answer: REVIEW (i.e. “official inspection”). Solution is RE (i.e. “troops”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) followed by VIEW (i.e. “contemplate”).

39. Nice street plant with medicinal properties (3)

Answer: RUE. Solution satisfies “Nice street” – Nice being a French city and the French for “street” being RUE – and “plant with medicinal properties”.

40. Labour unaided as punishment? (8,11)

Answer: SOLITARY CONFINEMENT (i.e. “punishment”). The first half of the clue plays on the following meaning of CONFINEMENT: “the time during which a woman is confined to bed during labour and immediately after giving birth” (thank you, Chambers). So, to do this alone or “unaided” gets you the solution.

42. Teams, ignoring the odds, breaching more limits (7)

Answer: EXTREMA (i.e. mathematical “limits” – I had to check my Oxford here as Chambers didn’t want to know). Solution is EM (i.e. “teams, ignoring the odds”, i.e. every other letter of TEAMS) placed in or “breaching” EXTRA (i.e. “more”), like so: EXTR(EM)A.

43. Trip carrying spades, toppling (7)

Answer: OUSTING (i.e. “toppling”). Solution is OUTING (i.e. “trip”) wrapped around or “carrying” S (a recognised abbreviation of “spades” used in card games), like so: OU(S)TING.

45. Impulsive Shakespearean spiced up secondary line (7)

Answer: HOTSPUR (i.e. “impulsive Shakespearean” – specifically the nickname of Henry Percy, who was characterised in Shakespeare’s play Henry V). Solution is HOT (i.e. “spiced up”) followed by SPUR (i.e. an offshoot or branch or “secondary line”).

47. What monitors rate of receding waters over distance in US (11)

Answer: SPEEDOMETER (i.e. “what monitors rate”). Solution is DEEPS (i.e. “waters”) reversed (indicated by “receding”) and followed by O (a recognised abbreviation of “over” used in cricket) and METER (i.e. “distance in US”, referring to the US’s variant spelling of “metre”), like so: SPEED-O-METER.

49. Underground resistance in Tyneside, where we live (11)

Answer: NETHERWORLD (i.e. “underground”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “resistance” used in physics) placed “in” NE (i.e. “Tyneside”, situated in NE England) and THE WORLD (i.e. “where we live”), like so: NE-THE-(R)-WORLD.

51. Roadway cutting through landscape (5)

Answer: VISTA (i.e. “landscape”). Solution is ST (i.e. “roadway”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “street”) placed in or “cutting” VIA (i.e. “through”), like so: VI(ST)A.

52. Pernicious agents altered Nixon’s route (11)

Answer: NEUROTOXINS (i.e. “pernicious [chemical] agents”). “Altered” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of NIXON’S ROUTE.

53. Gregarious beast now in river? (5)

Answer: HIPPO (i.e. social or “gregarious beast”). Solution is HIP (i.e. “now in” as in hip and happening, daddios) followed by PO (i.e. a “river” in Italy – a favourite of some setters).

54. Distant management unlikely to check supplies (6,7)

Answer: REMOTE CONTROL (i.e. “distant management”). Solution is REMOTE (i.e. “unlikely”) followed by CONTROL (i.e. “to check [supplies]”).

55. Explosive piece by right-winger with exaggerated content (9)

Answer: GUNCOTTON (i.e. “explosive” – specifically one “prepared by saturating cotton with nitric and sulphuric acids” (Chambers)). Solution is GUN (i.e. “piece” – a slang word) followed by CON (i.e. “right-winger”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of Conservative) wrapped around or “containing” OTT (i.e. “exaggerated” or Over The Top), like so: GUN-C(OTT)ON. A new one on me, I admit. I now want to read a murder mystery where the victim wore explosive underwear.

Down clues

1. A third night in action’s critical (4-7)

Answer: HARD-HITTING (i.e. “critical”). “In action” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A THIRD NIGHT.

2. Remedy lack of alcohol, importing case of Sekt (7)

Answer: NOSTRUM (i.e. “remedy”). Solution is NO RUM (i.e. “lack of alcohol”) wrapped around or “importing” ST (i.e. “case of Sekt”, i.e. the first and last letters of “Sekt”), like so: NO-(ST)-RUM.

3. Cat previously possessing heart of mouse (5)

Answer: OUNCE (i.e. “cat”, specifically the magnificent snow leopard). Solution is ONCE (i.e. “previously”) wrapped around or “possessing” U (i.e. “heart of mouse”, i.e. the middle letter of MOUSE), like so: O(U)NCE.

4. Frighten with talk about origin of sinister plant (3,7)

Answer: COW PARSLEY (i.e. “plant”). Solution is COW (i.e. to “frighten” or bully) followed by PARLEY (i.e. “talk”) once wrapped “about” S (i.e. “origin of sinister”, i.e. the first letter of “sinister”), like so: COW-PAR(S)LEY.

5. Public official’s pledge whenever female’s arrested (7)

Answer: BAILIFF (i.e. “public official”). Solution is BAIL (i.e. “pledge”) followed by IF (i.e. provided or “whenever”) once wrapped around or “arresting” F (a recognised abbreviation of “female”), like so: BAIL-I(F)F.

6. Women’s boat crew promoting Olympic event (13)

Answer: WEIGHTLIFTING (i.e. “Olympic event”). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “women”) followed by EIGHT (i.e. rowing or “boat crew”) then LIFTING (i.e. “promoting”).

7. Insect little one on horse carrying current source of infection (5,4)

Answer: TIGER MOTH (i.e. “insect”). Solution is TOT (i.e. “little one” or small child) followed by or “on” – this being a down clue – H (slang for heroin; another being “horse”). The whole is then wrapped around or “carrying” I (a recognised abbreviation of an electric “current” used in physics) and GERM (i.e. “source of infection”), like so: T(I-GERM)OT-H.

8. Time to block payment for chemical (7)

Answer: REAGENT (i.e. “chemical”). Solution is AGE (i.e. “time”) placed in or “blocking” RENT (i.e. “payment”), like so: RE(AGE)NT.

9. Demanding too much rushing after balls (12)

Answer: OVERCHARGING (i.e. “demanding too much”). Solution is CHARGING (i.e. “rushing”) placed “after” OVER (i.e. a series of deliveries or “balls” in cricket).

10. Fuel worker nursing cut arm gets treatment for bleeding, maybe (9)

Answer: COAGULANT (i.e. “treatment for bleeding, maybe”). Solution is COAL (i.e. “fuel”) and ANT (i.e. “worker”) wrapped around or “nursing” GUN (i.e. “arm”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “cut”), like so: COA(GU)L-ANT.

11. Fork left raised in shed accidentally (5)

Answer: SPLIT (i.e. “fork”). Solution is SPILT (i.e. “shed accidentally”) once the L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”) has been knocked back a notch or “raised” – this being a down clue – like so: SPI(L)T => SP(L)IT.

12. Visionary shows wit, keeping up outrageous skills (11)

Answer: NOSTRADAMUS (i.e. “visionary”). Solution is NOUS (i.e. “wit”) wrapped around or “keeping” MAD (i.e. “outrageous”) and ARTS (i.e. “skills”) once they’ve been reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: NO(STRA-DAM)US.

19. Expert manufacturer of sugar and salt (7)

Answer: ACETATE (i.e. “salt”). Solution is ACE (i.e. “expert”) followed by Henry TATE (i.e. “manufacturer of sugar”).

22. Apply strengthening treatment to car before one’s garaged (9)

Answer: MERCERISE (i.e. “apply strengthening” to cotton, presumably the non-explosive variety, using caustic soda). Solution is MERC (i.e. “car”, short for Mercedes) and ERE (poetic form of “before”) once wrapped around or “garaging” I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one’s”), like so: MERC-ER(I’S)E. Another new one on me, but not exactly something that’ll stick around.

24. Most raffish doctor was tired by end of shift (9)

Answer: TAWDRIEST (i.e. “most raffish”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “doctor”) of WAS TRIED followed by T (i.e. “end of shift”, i.e. the last letter of “shift”), like so: TAWDRIES-T.

25. Conversion of two cardinals, habit-clad (7)

Answer: TRANSIT (i.e. “conversion”). Solution is N and S (i.e. “two cardinals”, referring to the cardinal points North and South on a compass) placed in or “clad” by TRAIT (i.e. “habit”), like so: TRA(NS)IT.

26. Crazed women about when nights are darkest? (3,4)

Answer: NEW MOON (i.e. “when nights are darkest”, i.e. when the moon lies directly between the earth and the sun and therefore doesn’t appear in the night sky). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “crazed”) of WOMEN followed by ON (i.e. “about”), like so: NEWMO-ON.

30. Part of circuit needing installation in office before spring (9,4)

Answer: INDUCTION COIL (i.e. “part of [electrical] circuit”). Solution is INDUCTION (i.e. “installation [of new staff] in office”) followed by COIL (i.e. “spring”).

32. Set out here (7)

Answer: PRESENT. Solution satisfies “set out” and “here”. Again, simple but nicely done.

33. Choral society’s vocal line distressed choirman (12)

Answer: PHILHARMONIC. Not 100% on this one, as the definition I have in Chambers is merely “fond of music”. Might refer to a specific organisation, but there seem to be a few to choose from. Whatever. My solution, for what it’s worth, is PHIL-HARMONIC, the latter chunk being an anagram (indicated by “distressed”) of CHOIRMAN. As for PHIL, “vocal” could indicate a homophone, but I’m not twigging much of a link between “line” and “fill”, or whatever the homophone is supposed to be. If a kind soul sheds light on this one, I’ll update the post. Moving on…
[EDIT: Thanks to John in the comments, who points out that “line” can be “fill” in terms of lining one’s pockets. Sounds good to me. Cheers, John! – LP]

34. Evaluate bank customer’s application to protect PC (11)

Answer: SCREENSAVER (i.e. “application to protect PC” – specifically a program that helps to prevent screen burn by blanking the screen or displaying an animation. I’m guessing the setter wrote this one on a laptop…) Solution is SCREEN (i.e. “evaluate”) followed by SAVER (i.e. “bank customer”).

37. Qualified journalist following one sort of drink with another (7,4)

Answer: WATERED DOWN (i.e. “qualified” – a meaning of the word is to moderate or mitigate). Solution is ED (i.e. “journalist”, specifically a shortened form of “editor”) placed after or “following” WATER (i.e. “one sort of drink”) and followed by DOWN (i.e. “another [sort of drink]”, this time its verb form, i.e. downing a drink), like so: WATER-(ED)-DOWN.

38. Pongy child under the briny when most tourists come (4,6)

Answer: HIGH SEASON (i.e. “when most tourists come”). Solution is HIGH (i.e. “pongy”) and SON (i.e. “child”) once this latter has been placed after or “under” – this being a down clue – SEA (i.e. “the briny”), like so: HIGH-(SEA)-SON.

40. Firm dates to be arranged without delay (9)

Answer: STEADFAST (i.e. “firm”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “to be arranged”) of DATES followed by FAST (i.e. “without delay”), like so: STEAD-FAST.

41. Bank errors I’ve sorted out (9)

Answer: RESERVOIR (i.e. “bank”). “Sorted out” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ERRORS I’VE.

43. Old-fashioned cycle is all that’s produced (3-4)

Answer: OUT-TURN (i.e. “all that’s produced”). Solution is OUT (i.e. “old-fashioned”) followed by TURN (i.e. “cycle”).

44. Scanty garment’s a bit of a fiddle (1-6)

Answer: G-STRING. Solution satisfies “scanty garment” and “bit of a fiddle”, as in the stringed instrument. Would you think any less of me if I said this was the first clue I got?

46. Defence of area: exercises in sector (7)

Answer: PARAPET (i.e. “defence”). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”) and PE (i.e. “exercises”, specifically Physical Education), both placed “in” PART (i.e. “sector”), like so: PAR(A-PE)T.

48. Course records on order (5)

Answer: EPSOM (i.e. “[race]course”). Solution is EPS (i.e. “records”, as in extended-play records) followed by OM (i.e. “order”, specifically the Order of Merit).

50. Elm tree with a ring cut (5)

Answer: WAHOO (i.e. “elm tree”). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “with”) followed by A and HOOP (i.e. “ring”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “cut”), like so: W-A-HOO. Chalk one to my Bradford’s here, though I perhaps ought to have remembered this one from a previous puzzle.

A fairly straightforward puzzle this week with a smattering of exotic (but deducible) solutions and a few decent clues. I don’t mind the easier ones! Gives me more time to ponder this week’s mathematical Listener Crossword…

Anyway, you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo is looking a bit gappy then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, in which you will find links to the last 100+ of these things. Also there’s the usual ancient book reviews and a story of mine.

Thanks once again for the kind comments. They are much appreciated. Till next time, stay safe, mask up and keep supporting the NHS and key workers everywhere. It’s great that Covid infection levels are markedly dropping, but this rubbish has got some months to run yet.

LP

Across clues

1. Exhausted, American journalist on horseback (4,2)

Answer: USED UP (i.e. “exhausted”). Solution is US (i.e. “American”) followed by ED (i.e. “journalist”, specifically a shortened form of “editor”) and UP (i.e. “on horseback”).

5. Opening large part of church (7)

Answer: CHANCEL (i.e. “part of church”). Solution is CHANCE (i.e. “opening” or opportunity) followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”).

9. Fly in food sent back? Do nothing (8)

Answer: STAGNATE (i.e. “do nothing”). Solution is GNAT (i.e. “fly”) placed “in” EATS (i.e. “food”) once reversed (indicated by “sent back”), like so: STA(GNAT)E.

13. Song always associated with religious magazine (3,5,3,10)

Answer: ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER (i.e. Jimi Hendrix “song”). Solution is ALL ALONG (i.e. “always”) followed by THE WATCHTOWER (i.e. “religious magazine” of the Jehovah’s Witnesses).

14. To co-operate, take part in a game prior to social function (4,4)

Answer: PLAY BALL (i.e. “to co-operate”). Solution is PLAY (i.e. “take part in a game”) followed by or placed “prior to” BALL (i.e. “social function”).

15. Given the wrong role in film netting endless money (7)

Answer: MISCAST (i.e. “given the wrong role in film”). Solution is MIST (i.e. “film” – think condensation) wrapped around or “netting” CASH (i.e. “money”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “endless”), like so: MIS(CAS)T. Nice bit of recycling.

16. Bad storm skirting North Carolina (6)

Answer: RANCID (i.e. “bad”). Solution is RAID (i.e. “storm”) wrapped around or “skirting” NC (US state abbreviation of “North Carolina”), like so: RA(NC)ID.

17. British chieftain’s time in capital, mostly, note with us (10)

Answer: CARACTACUS (i.e. “British chieftain” who resisted the Roman conquest of Britain a few years back). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) placed in CARACAS (i.e. “capital” of Venezuela) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”). This is then followed by C (i.e. musical “note”) and US, like so: CARAC(T)A-C-US. One you’re going to know or not know. Chalk one to my Bradford’s.

20. Ostensibly promote excitement by winning flight (4,8)

Answer: KICK UPSTAIRS (i.e. “ostensibly promote”). Solution is KICK (i.e. “excitement”, as in getting one’s kicks) followed by UP (i.e. “winning”) and STAIRS (i.e. “flight”).

23. Briefly examine item of jewellery (4)

Answer: STUD (i.e. “item of jewellery”). Solution is STUDY (i.e. “examine”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “briefly”).

24. Measure of paper covering AGM’s awkward situation (8)

Answer: QUAGMIRE (i.e. “awkward situation”). Solution is QUIRE (i.e. “measure of paper”) wrapped around or “covering” AGM, like so: QU(AGM)IRE. Giggedy.

26. Fresh buns – adjust heat to brown? (8)

Answer: SUNBATHE (i.e. “to brown”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “fresh”) of BUNS followed by another anagram (this time indicated by “adjust”) of HEAT, like so: SUNB-ATHE. Nicely worked.

29. Lends farmer a clapped out old warhorse (8,4)

Answer: FLANDERS MARE (i.e. “old warhorse”). “Clapped out” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LENDS FARMER A.

30. A head entertaining lecturer in Rhode Island, a Scot (10)

Answer: ABERDONIAN (i.e. “a Scot”). Solution is A followed by BEAN (informal word for a “head”) once wrapped around or “entertaining” DON (i.e. “lecturer”), but not before this has been placed “in” RI (US state abbreviation of “Rhode Island”), like so: A-BE(R(DON)I)AN.

32. Few ordered in England originally, being ostentatiously modern! (10)

Answer: NEWFANGLED (i.e. “modern”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ordered”) of FEW placed inside another anagram (indicated by “originally”) of ENGLAND, like so: N(EWF)ANGLED.

34. Inhalant supplied to order? (6,6)

Answer: FRIAR’S BALSAM (“inhalant” of benzoin, storax, tolu and aloes, according to Chambers, whatever the hell they are. Sounds like supernal crack to me). Clue plays on how godly types organise themselves into “orders”. You get the idea. One of those “look up ‘friar’ in Chambers and see what happens” moments.

36. Faculty I refer to in speech (8)

Answer: EYESIGHT (i.e. “faculty”). “In speech” indicates solution is a homophone of I CITE (i.e. “I refer to”).

38. Learned line to utter repeatedly (8)

Answer: LITERATE (i.e. “learned”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”) followed by ITERATE (i.e. “to utter repeatedly”).

39. Ballerina finally retiring, becoming pale (4)

Answer: ASHY (i.e. “pale”). Solution is A (i.e. “ballerina, finally”, i.e. the last letter of “ballerina”) followed by SHY (i.e. “retiring”).

41. Here, rest assured (4,2,4,2)

Answer: TAKE IT FROM ME. Solution satisfies “here” (as in ‘have this’) and “rest assured”.

43. Bother involving religious instruction given by cunning old bishop’s assistant (10)

Answer: ARCHPRIEST (i.e. “old bishop’s assistant”). Solution is PEST (i.e. “bother”) wrapped around or “involving” RI (a recognised abbreviation of “religious instruction”). This is then fronted “by” ARCH (i.e. “cunning”), like so: ARCH-P(RI)EST.

44. Fool can in turn with comedian (6)

Answer: NITWIT (i.e. “fool”). Solution is TIN (i.e. “can”) reversed (indicated by “in turn”) and followed by WIT (i.e. “comedian”), like so: NIT-WIT.

46. Show former partner and husband small piece about island (7)

Answer: EXHIBIT (i.e. “show”). Solution is EX (i.e. “former partner”) followed by H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”) and BIT (i.e. “small piece”) once wrapped “about” I (a recognised abbreviation of “island”), like so: EX-H-(I)-BIT.

48. Study including data about European rat (8)

Answer: RENEGADE (i.e. “rat”). Solution is READ (i.e. “study”) wrapped around or “including” GEN (i.e. “data”) once reversed (indicated by “about”), and followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “European”), like so: RE(NEG)AD-E.

50. Poet’s literary colleagues do, upset about poem’s ending (6,6,9)

Answer: SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE (i.e. “poet”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “upset”) of LITERARY COLLEAGUES DO wrapped “about” M (i.e. “poem’s ending”, i.e. the last letter of “poem”). Nicely done.

51. Fifteen from Ireland – some settle in sterling (8)

Answer: LEINSTER (i.e. “fifteen from Ireland” – a reference to the rugby team). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: SETT(LE IN STER)LING.

52. Seeing that on, this must be genuine (7)

Answer: SINCERE (i.e. “genuine”). Solution is SINCE (i.e. “seeing that”) followed by RE (i.e. “on” or regarding – think email replies).

53. Fast, agent crossing river to the west (6)

Answer: SPEEDY (i.e. “fast”). Solution is SPY (i.e. “agent”) wrapped around DEE (i.e. Scottish “river”) once reversed (indicated by “to the west” – this being an across clue), like so: SP(EED)Y.

Down clues

2. Delay beginning to seem unlikely (5)

Answer: STALL (i.e. “delay”). Solution is S (i.e. “beginning to seem”, i.e. the first letter of “seem”) followed by TALL (i.e. “unlikely”, as in a tall order or a tall tale).

3. Child’s toy with red and navy floppy hat (5,6)

Answer: DOLLY VARDEN (i.e. “hat”). Solution is DOLL (i.e. “child’s toy”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “floppy”) of RED and NAVY, like so: DOLL-YVARDEN.

4. Friend, old singer, in a place in California (4,4)

Answer: PALO ALTO (i.e. “place in California”, though not one that sprang to mind). Solution is PAL (i.e. “friend”) followed by O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and ALTO (i.e. “singer”).

5. Waterway with biblical town on left (5)

Answer: CANAL (i.e. “waterway”). Solution is CANA (i.e. “biblical town” in which Jesus did his water-into-wine trick. Fun fact: Paolo Veronese’s painting The Wedding Feast at Cana is not just immensely impressive, it’s also impressively immense, coming in just shy of 7m x 10m) followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”).

6. Employed by us, now and again? (2,5)

Answer: AT TIMES. Solution satisfies “employed by us” – “us” being a reference to the Times newspaper – and “now and again”.

7. What may be brought with a Stilton? Check – see if keen, being curious (6,5)

Answer: CHEESE KNIFE (i.e. “what may be brought with a Stilton”). Solution is CH (a recognised abbreviation of “check” used in chess) followed by an anagram (indicated by “being curious”) of SEE IF KEEN, like so: CH-EESEKNIFE.

8. Pounds carried by monk’s beast of burden (5)

Answer: LLAMA (i.e. “beast of burden”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “pounds” of weight, after the Latin libra) followed by LAMA (i.e. Buddhist “monk”).

9. Weird curses involving wrecked tea clippers (9)

Answer: SECATEURS (i.e. “clippers”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “weird”) of CURSES wrapped around or “involving” another anagram (indicated by “wrecked”) of TEA, like so: SEC(ATE)URS. Nicely worked.

10. Change flag when heading off (5)

Answer: ALTER (i.e. “change”). Solution is FALTER (i.e. to tire or “flag”) once the first letter has been removed (indicated by “when heading off”).

11. From time to time was successful, turned up with a profit (3,3,5)

Answer: NOW AND AGAIN (i.e. “from time to time”). Solution is WON (i.e. “was successful”) reversed (indicated by “turned up” – this being a down clue) and followed by AND (i.e. “with”), A and GAIN (i.e. “profit”), like so: NOW-AND-A-GAIN. A weird one given the solution was used in the clue for 6d.

12. Row involving stray dog (7)

Answer: TERRIER (i.e. “dog”). Solution is TIER (i.e. “row”) wrapped around or “involving” ERR (i.e. to “stray”), like so: T(ERR)IER.

18. Big guns, hostile placed in middle of major road (9)

Answer: ARTILLERY (i.e. “big guns”). Solution is ILL (i.e. “hostile”) once “placed in” ARTERY (i.e. “main road”), like so: ART(ILL)ERY.

19. Brief local authority by telephone (7)

Answer: COUNSEL (i.e. to advise or “brief”). “By telephone” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of COUNCIL (i.e. “local authority”).

21. Gallant French actor and singer (9)

Answer: CHEVALIER. Solution satisfies “gallant” and “French actor and singer”, i.e. Maurice Chevalier.

22. Swimmers also not good climbing on board ship (4,4)

Answer: SAND DABS (i.e. “swimmers”). Solution is AND (i.e. “also”) and BAD (i.e. “not good”), the latter reversed (indicated by “climbing” – this being a down clue) and both placed in or “on board” SS (i.e. “ship”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a steamship), like so: S(AND-DAB)S. One gotten purely through the wordplay, to be honest.

25. After fine, slate major championship (5,4)

Answer: GRAND SLAM (i.e. “major championship”). Solution is GRAND (i.e. “fine”) with SLAM (i.e. to “slate”) placed “after” it.

27. Senior teacher having pains causes problems (9)

Answer: HEADACHES (i.e. “problems” – rather prescient considering I’ve been battling one all day). Solution is HEAD (i.e. “senior teacher”) followed by ACHES (i.e. “pains”).

28. Names within top party (3,5)

Answer: HEN NIGHT (i.e. “party”). Solution is N and N (recognised abbreviations of “name”) placed “within” HEIGHT (i.e. “top”), like so: HE(NN)IGHT.

31. Unreliable quote about a bishop coming over (7)

Answer: ERRATIC (i.e. “unreliable”). Solution is CITE (i.e. “quote”) placed “about” A and RR (i.e. “bishop”, specifically a Right Reverend). The whole is then reversed (indicated by “coming over” – this being a down clue), like so: E(RR-A)TIC.

33. Angler: he was in form spinning (11)

Answer: FISHERWOMAN (i.e. “angler”). “Spinning” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of HE WAS IN FORM.

34. Plump, her tanned literary sleuth (6,5)

Answer: FATHER BROWN (G. K. Chesterton’s “literary sleuth”). Solution is FAT (i.e. “plump”) followed by HER and BROWN (i.e. “tanned”).

35. Advanced up cliff (7-4)

Answer: LEADING-EDGE (i.e. “advanced”). Solution is LEADING (i.e. “up”) followed by EDGE (i.e. “cliff”).

37. Fairly good hotel in a street in resort, close to pier (5-4)

Answer: THREE-STAR (i.e. “fairly good hotel”). Solution is H (“hotel” in the phonetic alphabet) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “resort”) of A STREET and followed by R (i.e. “close to pier”, i.e. the last letter of “pier”), like so: T(H)REESTA-R. Another nice bit of recycling.

40. Outraged at university, current members (2,2,4)

Answer: UP IN ARMS (i.e. “outraged”). Solution is UP (i.e. “at university” – something I’ve seen used far more in cryptic crosswords than anywhere else) followed by IN (i.e. “current”, as in hip and happening, my dudes) and ARMS (i.e. “members” – limbs are sometimes referred to “members”).

42. Leader in another paper under discussion (2,5)

Answer: AT ISSUE (i.e. “under discussion”). Solution is A (i.e. “leader in another”, i.e. the first letter of “another”) followed by TISSUE (i.e. “paper”). Bless you.

43. Item the Parisian found under lorry (7)

Answer: ARTICLE (i.e. “item”). Solution is LE (i.e. “the Parisian”, i.e. the French for “the”) placed after or “under” ARTIC (i.e. “lorry”) – this being a down clue – like so: ARTIC-LE.

45. Pay for another nurse (5)

Answer: TREAT. Solution satisfies to sub or “pay for another” and “nurse”.

47. Former US president in state of confusion, they say (5)

Answer: Rutherford B. HAYES (i.e. “former US president”). “They say” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of HAZE (i.e. “state of confusion”).

48. Bohemian poet’s anger about Keats, primarily (5)

Answer: Rainer Maria RILKE (i.e. “Bohemian poet”). Solution is RILE (i.e. “anger”) wrapped “about” K (i.e. “Keats, primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “Keats”), like so: RIL(K)E.

49. Fear about being caught by the old man (5)

Answer: DREAD (i.e. “fear”). Solution is RE (i.e. “about” – think email replies) placed in or “being caught by” DAD (i.e. “the old man”), like so: D(RE)AD.

Another medium strength offering this week, though thankfully one with tidier clueing. Another decent one, all told, despite a few niggly repeats. You can find my competed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has done for you, then you might find succour in my Just For Fun page, where I’ve links to solutions for the last 100+ of these things. Meanwhile there are the usual dusty old book reviews and a story of mine.

Thanks again for the kind comments, folks. They are much appreciated, and it’s always interesting to hear other solvers’ experiences or takes on these things. Till next time, keep safe, wrap up well and keep the flag flying for the NHS and key workers everywhere.

LP

(Thanks to Barry in the comments for the spelling fix)

Across clues

1. To reduce pollution try to avoid misunderstandings (5,3,3)

Answer: CLEAR THE AIR. Solution satisfies “to reduce pollution” and “try to avoid misunderstandings”. A bit clunky, IMLTHO. Chambers offers this: “to simplify the situation and relieve tension”.

7. Court formality concluded with warning signal (4,7)

Answer: STAR CHAMBER (i.e. English “court” sitting between 1487 and 1641). Solution is STARCH (i.e. stiffness or “formality”) followed by AMBER (i.e. “warning signal”).

13. Response to enquiry about what can improve tonic water? Don’t be unreasonable! (3,6,2,1,5)

Answer: THE ANSWER IS A LEMON. Solution satisfies “response to enquiry about what can improve tonic water” and, supposedly, “don’t be unreasonable”. Chambers offers this definition: “(inf) one is given an unsatisfactory answer or no answer at all”. Not quite making the connection there, if I’m honest. Maybe that’s the point.

14. Instrument in Purcell overture (5)

Answer: CELLO (i.e. musical “instrument”). “In” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: PUR(CELL O)VERTURE.

15. Pay for place in comfortable position (6)

Answer: SETTLE. Solution satisfies “pay” and “place in comfortable position”.

16. Man dying in bath with hot on somewhere in Greece (8)

Answer: MARATHON. Solution is Jean-Paul MARAT, a key player of the French Revolution who was assassinated and left “dying in bath”, followed by H (a recognised abbreviation of “hot”) and ON. The frequent use of repeated solutions in these things doesn’t half get on my wick. This solution appeared only a few weeks ago in 1477. It also appeared a little further back in 1450 with a very similar clue. The irony of me repeating a recent moan about recent repeats is not lost on me.

17. Comic brother or sister consumed by anger (7)

Answer: RISIBLE (i.e. “comic”). Solution is SIB (a recognised abbreviation of “sibling”, i.e. “brother or sister”) placed in or “consumed by” RILE (i.e. to “anger”), like so: RI(SIB)LE.

19. Gradually easing glove in to soak (9)

Answer: REMITTENT (i.e. “gradually easing”). Solution is MITTEN (i.e. “glove”) placed “in” RET (i.e. “to soak”), like so: RE(MITTEN)T.

21. Skill of a king – is taking time in effort (8)

Answer: ARTISTRY (i.e. “skill”). Solution is A followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of the Latin Rex, meaning “king”) followed by IS and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) once both placed “in” TRY (i.e. “effort”), like so: A-R-T(IS-T)RY.

23. Leader to cry when overthrown by rebels ultimately (4)

Answer: BOSS (i.e. “leader”). Solution is SOB (i.e. “to cry”) reversed (indicated by “overthrown” – works better in down clues, but okay) and followed “by” S (i.e. “rebels ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “rebels”), like so: BOS-S.

25. One acting insincerely is a problem (5)

Answer: POSER. Solution satisfies “one acting insincerely” and “problem”.

27. Cheated excessively by relations (4,2)

Answer: TOOK IN (i.e. “cheated”). Solution is TOO (i.e. “excessively”) followed by KIN (i.e. “relations”).

28. Drink from cask, bidding woman to follow (4,6)

Answer: PINA COLADA (i.e. “drink”). Solution is PIN (i.e. “cask”) followed by ACOL (a system or “bidding” in a game of bridge (thank you, Chambers)) and ADA (i.e. “woman”, basically a woman’s name).

30. Recluses as before having small amounts of money (8)

Answer: EREMITES (i.e. “recluses”). Solution is ERE (poetic form of “before”) followed by MITES (i.e. “small amounts of money” – one definition of the word is “an old Flemish coin of very little value” (Chambers again)).

31. A foreign school to which the girl returned and finished being “not understood” (14)

Answer: UNCOMPREHENDED (i.e. “not understood”). Solution is UN (i.e. “a foreign”, i.e. the word “a” in French) followed by COMP (i.e. “school”, specifically a shortened form of “comprehensive”), then HER (i.e. “the girl”) once reversed (indicated by “returned”), and finally ENDED (i.e. “finished”), like so: UN-COMP-REH-ENDED.

34. A wise confessor sorted out conflict in America (3,2,9)

Answer: WAR OF SECESSION (i.e. “conflict in America”, another name for the American Civil War of the 1860s). “Sorted out” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A WISE CONFESSOR.
[EDIT: Thanks to Barry in the comments for the fix. I’d written CESESSION, which clearly ain’t right. Cheers, Barry! – LP]

35. Spread out sample on tissue (8)

Answer: NEOPLASM (i.e. a morbid new growth of “tissue” (Chambers)). “Spread out” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SAMPLE ON.

38. Determination in respect of letters being filled in grid? (10)

Answer: RESOLUTION (i.e. “determination”). Solution is RE (i.e. “in respect of” – think email replies) followed by SOLUTION (i.e. “letters being filled in [crossword] grid”).

40. Catch superior – the foreign female for Bond? (6)

Answer: COPULA (i.e. to join or “bond” – ignore the misleading capitalisation. It’s from this word we get “copulate”, fnar, fnar). Solution is COP (i.e. “catch”, as in “cop a load of this”) followed by U (i.e. “superior” – U is a somewhat overworked abbreviation used to denote the upper class) and LA (i.e. “the foreign female”, i.e. the feminine form of “the” in French, the masculine form being “le”).

41. Significant points made by eg Canterbury fellow on return journey (5)

Answer: NODES (i.e. “significant points”). Solution is SE DON (i.e. “eg Canterbury fellow”, SE being a recognised abbreviation of “south-east”, the area of England in which you’d find Canterbury) reversed (indicated by “on return journey”), like so: NOD-ES.

43. Something dirty and greyish-brown, little good (4)

Answer: DUNG (i.e. “something dirty”). Solution is DUN (i.e. “greyish-grown”) followed by G (a recognised abbreviation or “little” form of “good”).

44. Pill mum gets swallowed – something seen at meal time (5,3)

Answer: TABLE MAT (i.e. “something seen at meal time”) Solution is TABLET (i.e. “pill”) wrapped around or “swallowing” MA (i.e. “mum”), like so: TABLE(MA)T.

45. Cosmetic making girl yell audibly (4,5)

Answer: FACE CREAM (i.e. “cosmetic”). “Audibly” indicates homophone. Solution comprises homophones of FAY (i.e. “girl”, basically a girl’s name) and SCREAM (i.e. “yell”).

48. Model no longer, having got “wide” (7)

Answer: EXAMPLE (i.e. “model”). Solution is EX (i.e. “no longer”) followed by AMPLE (i.e. “having got ‘wide’” – are you calling me fat, setter?!). More repeats (chunter, mumble, grumble…)

49. One in a hurry requiring second attachment to computer (8)

Answer: SPRINTER (i.e. “one in a hurry”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “second”) followed by PRINTER (i.e. “attachment to computer”).

50. Relation mostly bagging ducks with it? Hardly (6)

Answer: UNCOOL (i.e. “…with it? Hardly”) Solution is UNCLE (i.e. “relation”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder wrapped around or “bagging” OO (i.e. “ducks” – a duck is a zero batting score in cricket), like so: UNC(OO)L.

53. Judge maybe in German city (5)

Answer: TRIER. Solution is “judge maybe”, as in how criminals are tried in court, and “German city”.

54. It’s shocking – can make your hair stand on end! (6,11)

Answer: STATIC ELECTRICITY. Solution satisfies “it’s shocking” and “can make your hair stand on end”.

55. Ordinary members in rows not facing each other (4,3,4)

Answer: RANK AND FILE. Solution satisfies “ordinary members” and “rows not facing each other”.

56. Attempted to get adored venue redeveloped (11)

Answer: ENDEAVOURED (i.e. “attempted”). “Redeveloped” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ADORED VENUE.

Down clues

1. Disaster when going after pet? What drink’s got knocked over? (11)

Answer: CATASTROPHE (i.e. “disaster”). Solution is AS (i.e. “when”) placed “after” CAT (i.e. “pet”). This is then followed by EH (i.e. “what”, as in eh? what? pardon?) and PORT (i.e. “drink”) once reversed (indicated by “knocked over” – this being a down clue), like so: CAT-AS-(TROP-HE).

2. Put up in the rectory (5)

Answer: ERECT (i.e. “put up”). “In” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: TH(E RECT)ORY.

3. Phone one way and phone another way – it can be hairy (7)

Answer: RINGLET (i.e. “it can be hairy”). Solution is RING (i.e. “phone”) and TEL (a recognised abbreviation of “telephone”, i.e. “phone”). The “one way”/”another way” bits comment on how TEL is reversed while RING is not, making RING-LET.

4. Act as a seller making one cough up (4)

Answer: HAWK. Solution satisfies “act as a seller” and “cough up”.

5. A loveless pain in the neck fighting a release of emotional tension (10)

Answer: ABREACTION (i.e. “a release of emotional tension”, specifically “the resolution of a neurosis by reviving forgotten or repressed ideas of the event first causing it” (Chambers)). Solution is A followed by BORE (i.e. “pain in the neck”) once the O has been removed (indicated by “loveless” – “love” being a zero score in tennis), then ACTION (i.e. “fighting”), like so: A-BRE-ACTION. Chalk one to my Bradford’s here.

6. Practice of one type of religious person? Samaritan is far different (14)

Answer: RASTAFARIANISM (i.e. “practice of one type of religious person”). “Different” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SAMARITAN IS FAR.

7. Chemical having advantage? The reverse, leading to resentment (8)

Answer: SULPHATE (i.e. “chemical”). Solution is PLUS (i.e. “advantage”) “reversed” and followed by HATE (i.e. “resentment”), like so: SULP-HATE.

8. Notice minutes for business proceedings (5)

Answer: ADMIN (i.e. “business proceedings”). Solution is AD (i.e. “notice”, shortened form of “advertisement”) followed by MIN (a recognised abbreviation of “minutes”).

9. Plant urns may be stored in such places (9)

Answer: CINERARIA. Solution satisfies “plant” and cremation “urns may be stored in such places”. Nice work, but it took my Bradford’s to help nail this one.

10. Bill with amount to be paid for buttonhole (6)

Answer: ACCOST (i.e. to “buttonhole”, as in detaining someone with talk). Solution is AC (i.e. “bill”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “account”) followed by COST (i.e. “amount to be paid”).

11. One blackballed don sacked, displaying signs of excommunication (4,4,3,6)

Answer: BELL BOOK AND CANDLE. Over to Chambers yet again: “a phrase popularly used in reference to a form of excommunication ending, ‘Do to (i.e. shut) the book, quench the candle, ring the bell’.” “Sacked” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ONE BLACKBALLED DON.

12. State that would briefly provide religious instruction (5,6)

Answer: RHODE ISLAND (i.e. US “state”). Clue plays on how its state abbreviation, RI, is itself a recognised abbreviation of “religious instruction”.

18. Woman almost taken in by mischief-maker is an arty type (8)

Answer: AESTHETE (i.e. “arty type”). Solution is ESTHER (i.e. “woman”, basically a woman’s name) with its last letter removed (indicated by “almost”) and the remainder placed or “taken in” to ATE (Greek goddess of mischief, i.e. “mischief-maker”), like so: A(ESTHE)TE.

20. I am not involved with enterprises creating false account? (17)

Answer: MISREPRESENTATION (i.e. “false account”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “involved”) of I AM NOT and ENTERPRISES.

22. Elusive little son getting cheeky (6)

Answer: SLIPPY (i.e. “elusive”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation or “little” form of “son”) followed by LIPPY (i.e. “cheeky”).

24. Folksy detective dismissing learner with a joke (8)

Answer: HOMESPUN (i.e. “folksy”). Solution is Sherlock HOLMES (i.e. “detective”) with the L removed (indicated by “dismissing learner” – L being a recognised abbreviation of “learner” used on driver L-plates) and the remainder followed by PUN (i.e. “joke”), like so: HOMES-PUN.

26. Number of cats and dogs? (8)

Answer: RAINFALL (i.e. raining “cats and dogs”). No idea on “number”, though. Could be a musical “number”, but I often file “musicals” under “Things I’d Rather Not Experience, Thanks” along with “sandpapering my eyeballs”. If anyone sheds light on this one then I’ll update the post.
[EDIT: Thanks to Chris in the comments for cracking this one. It seems the setter is trying to be clever (hence the riddly question mark), playing on how “footfall” is a way of describing the number of people entering a premises. A tumbleweed clue if there ever was one. Cheers, Chris! – LP]

29. Number behold prisoner having entered tremulously to make legal plea (4,10)

Answer: NOLO CONTENDERE (i.e. “legal plea” where someone agrees to do the time but not admit to the crime). Solution is NO (a recognised abbreviation of “number”) followed by LO (i.e. “behold”, as in “lo and behold”), then CON (i.e. “prisoner”) and an anagram (indicated by “tremulously”) of ENTERED, like so: NO-LO-CON-TENDERE.

32. Stylishness of English member, one belonging to a previous generation, not half (8)

Answer: ELEGANCE (i.e. “stylishness”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by LEG (i.e. “member”) and the first “half” of ANCESTOR (i.e. “one belonging to a previous generation”), like so: E-LEG-ANCE.

33. Start back in ground that has buried “liquid gold” (6)

Answer: RECOIL (i.e. “start back”). Solution is REC (shortened form of a recreational “ground”) with OIL (i.e. “liquid gold”) following or “buried” beneath it – this being a down clue.

34. Bowler rated “fantastic”, the best there is (5-6)

Answer: WORLD-BEATER (i.e. “the best there is”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “fantastic”) of BOWLER RATED.

36. What could make me spoiled, my being in the wrong job? (11)

Answer: MISEMPLOYED (i.e. “being in the wrong job”). “What could make” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ME SPOILED MY.

37. Duck out of putting Polish high explosive in casing of metal (10)

Answer: BUFFLEHEAD (i.e. a “duck” found over in North America. Also a stupid fellow, apparently. I’ll have to remember that one). Solution is BUFF (i.e. “polish” – ignore the misleading capitalisation) followed by HE (a recognised abbreviation of “high explosive”) once placed “in” LEAD (i.e. “metal”), like so: BUFF-LE(HE)AD.

39. Old rocker entertaining party-goers went over the top maybe? (9)

Answer: TRAVERSED (i.e. “went over the top [of something] maybe”). Solution is TED (i.e. “old rocker”, aka a Teddy boy) wrapped around or “entertaining” RAVERS (i.e. “party-goers”), like so: T(RAVERS)ED.

42. Gradually pay off in a short time, extra income restricting debt finally (8)

Answer: AMORTISE (i.e. “gradually pay off”). Solution is A followed by MO (i.e. “short time”), then RISE (i.e. “extra income”) once wrapped around or “restricting” T (i.e. “debt finally”, i.e. the last letter of “debt”), like so: A-MO-R(T)ISE.

46. I am supporting part of hospital restricted by firm making a bit of money (7)

Answer: CENTIMO (i.e. “a bit of money” – a bit can refer to a coin). Solution is I’M (a contraction of “I am”) placed after or “supporting” – this being a down clue – ENT (i.e. “part of hospital”, specifically Ear Nose and Throat). These are then placed in or “restricted by” CO (a recognised abbreviation of “company”, i.e. “firm”), like so: C(ENT-I’M)O.

47. Old city region entertained by religious group (6)

Answer: SPARTA (i.e. “old city”). Solution is PART (i.e. “region”) placed in or “entertained by” SA (i.e. “religious group”, specifically the Salvation Army), like so: S(PART)A.

49. Teacher went through water to land on island (5)

Answer: SWAMI (i.e. a Hindu “teacher”). Solution is SWAM (i.e. “went through water”) followed by I (a recognised abbreviation of “island”).

51. East End dealer providing something for basket-weaver? (5)

Answer: OSIER (i.e. a willow whose twigs are used to make baskets, so “something for basket-weaver”). Solution is HOSIER (i.e. “dealer” of knitted goods and grundies) with the H removed (indicated by “East End” – as in ‘ow all ‘em Cockneys are always droppin’ their bleedin’ aitches, innit, QueenMumGawwwBlessah).

52. Covered colonnade in street area with zero occupation (4)

Answer: STOA (i.e. “covered colonnade”). Solution is ST (a recognised abbreviation of “street”) and A (ditto “area”) wrapped around or “occupied” by O (i.e. “zero”), like so: ST-(O)-A. One I remembered from a previous puzzle, if I’m honest.

A very similar puzzle to last week, being of medium strength and offering decent progression, but also being let down by some untidy clueing. Looks like we’ve hit one of those patches.

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 has done for you, then you might find my Just For Fun page useful, where you’ll find links to the last 100+ of these things. Meanwhile there’s the usual old book reviews and a story of mine.

Thanks again for the kind comments and messages. They are much appreciated. Till next time, stay safe, mask up – in fact, wrap up well in general, it’s bitter out there – and keep flying the flag for the NHS and key workers everywhere.

LP

Across clues

1. Dancing legend in bank that was for well-to-do people (6,7)

Answer: MIDDLE ENGLAND (i.e. “well-to-do people”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “dancing”) of LEGEND placed “in” MIDLAND (i.e. “bank that was”, referring to the Midland Bank, which was taken over by HSBC in the 1990s), like so: MID(DLEENG)LAND.

8. Asian to show fear endlessly outside a burial chamber (9)

Answer: PAKISTANI (i.e. “Asian”). Solution is PANIC (i.e. “to show fear”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “endlessly”) and the remainder wrapped around or placed “outside” of A and KIST (i.e. a word for chest or coffin or “burial chamber” used up in Scotland or Northern England, though not one I can ever attest to hearing), like so: P(A-KIST)ANI.

13. Two-wheeler parked in Clifton Gardens (5)

Answer: TONGA (i.e. a “two-wheeler” in India). “In” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: CLIF(TON GA)RDENS.

14. When reversing around headland, move steadily, arriving at anchorage (5,4)

Answer: SCAPA FLOW (i.e. “anchorage” in the Orkney Islands). Hmm. Another week, another untidy clue. I guess the solution was supposed to be AS (i.e. “when”) “reversed” and wrapped “around” CAP, then followed by FLOW (i.e. “move steadily”), like so: S(CAP)A-FLOW. Trouble is CAP is not a headland. CAPE, yes; CAP, no. None of my go-to reference books support this one (Chambers; Oxford; Collins Concise; Bradford’s). Looks like an “endlessly” indicator has been missed, but I’m happy to be corrected. On a different tack, I learned something new from this one: that the word “scarper” was in part derived from the solution, being the Cockney rhyming slang for “go”.

15. Nick sees parrot initially quiet in cage (3,4)

Answer: COP SHOP (i.e. “nick”, both slang for police stations). Solution is P (i.e. “parrot initially”, i.e. the first letter of “parrot”) and SH (i.e. “quiet”) all placed “in” COOP (i.e. “cage”), like so: CO(P-SH)OP.

16. Erica, keeping well, finally to rearrange spa (6,6)

Answer: HEALTH RESORT (i.e. “spa”). Solution is HEATH (i.e. “erica”) wrapped around or “keeping” L (i.e. “well, finally”, i.e. the last letter of “well”) and then followed by RESORT (i.e. “rearrange”), like so: HEA(L)TH-RESORT.

17. Note refusal to talk about current ability to recover (10)

Answer: RESILIENCE (i.e. “ability to recover”). Solution is RE (i.e. “note” in the doh-ray-me style; can be spelled re or ray) followed by SILENCE (i.e. “refusal to talk”) once wrapped “about” I (a recognised abbreviation of an electrical “current” used in physics), like so: RE-SIL(I)ENCE.

18. Hunter to be storing silver in box for return (6)

Answer: EAGLET (i.e. a young eagle or “hunter”). Solution is AG (chemical symbol for “silver”) placed or “stored” in TELE (i.e. “box”, i.e. a shortened form of the word “television”) once reversed (indicated by “for return”), like so: E(AG)LET.
[EDIT: Chris makes a good point in the comments, that EAGLET is a “hunter to be”, i.e. a young eagle, rather than just a “hunter”. Cheers, Chris! – LP]

19. Lug instrument and books round room (8)

Answer: OTOSCOPE (i.e. “lug instrument” – lug being a slang word for an ear). Solution is OT (i.e. “books”, specifically the Old Testament of The Bible) followed by O (i.e. “round”) and SCOPE (i.e. “room”).

21. Small arachnids in the country (6)

Answer: STICKS (i.e. “the country”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by TICKS (i.e. “arachnids”).

24. Sailor man brawling with bruiser (10)

Answer: SUBMARINER (i.e. “sailor”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “brawling”) of MAN and BRUISER.

26. Gated community in California? (3,9)

Answer: SAN FRANCISCO, a city in “California”. “Gated” plays on the Golden Gate Bridge, arguably the city’s most famous landmark.

29. East onto A40 for one taking wheel (4)

Answer: AXLE (i.e. “one taking wheel”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “east”) placed “onto” the end of A and XL (i.e. “40” in Roman numerals), like so: (A-XL)-E.

30. Partner previously generous succeeded in cases (8)

Answer: EXAMPLES (i.e. “cases”). Solution is EX (i.e. “partner previously”) followed by AMPLE (i.e. “generous”) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “succeeded”).

31. Old singers and actors abandon one (8)

Answer: CASTRATI (i.e. “old singers”). Solution is CAST (i.e. “actors”) followed by RAT (i.e. to desert or “abandon”) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”). A recent repeat, appearing also in 1477. Repeats often make my teeth itch, especially when they happen in close succession, and oh boy do they happen a lot. Solvers may recall a time when the artist Max Ernst appeared so often in these things he practically had a residency. They do little to dispel a nagging suspicion I have that some setters are merely seeding grids with a few solutions and clicking a button somewhere to autocomplete the rest. (I know The Times exclusively use(d?) software to produce the Codeword puzzles, for example. They fessed up to it when solvers noted how often MOIST was appearing in the top left of the grid.) I really hope I’m wrong, but, if not, let’s shake up the word pool a little, eh, setters? Or at least use a different app once in a while.

34. See it in Country Life (8)

Answer: VITALITY (i.e. “life”). Solution is V (i.e. “see”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of vide, Latin for “see”) followed by IT once placed “in” ITALY (i.e. “country”), like so: V-ITAL(IT)Y.

35. Check when boarding earlier vessel (8)

Answer: SCHOONER (i.e. “vessel”). Solution is CH (a recognised abbreviation of “check” used in chess) placed in or “boarding” SOONER (i.e. “earlier”), like so: S(CH)OONER.

36. First man, first male to forsake brothel-keeper (4)

Answer: ADAM (i.e. “first man” in The Bible). Solution is MADAM (i.e. “brothel-keeper”) with the “first” M removed or “forsaken” – M being a recognised abbreviation of “male”.

39. State London borough has empty properties to rent (3,9)

Answer: NEW HAMPSHIRE (i.e. US “state”). Solution is NEWHAM (i.e. “London borough”) followed by PS (i.e. “empty properties”, i.e. the word “properties” with all its middle letters removed) and HIRE (i.e. “to rent”).

40. Chemist needing a drug – he runs out of stock (10)

Answer: APOTHECARY (i.e. “chemist”). Solution is A followed by POT (i.e. “drug”, i.e. marijuana), then HE, then CARRY (i.e. “stock”) once one of the Rs has been removed (indicated by “runs out of…” – R being a recognised abbreviation of “runs” used in several ball games), like so: A-POT-HE-CARY.

43. Rebellion when peacekeepers take break? (6)

Answer: UNREST (i.e. “rebellion”). Solution is UN (i.e. “peacekeepers”, specifically the United Nations) followed by REST (i.e. “take break”).

44. Firms paid in charge for appearances only (8)

Answer: COSMETIC (i.e. “for appearances only”). Solution is COS (i.e. “firms”, being a recognised abbreviation of “company” made plural) followed by MET (i.e. “paid”) and IC (a recognised abbreviation of “in charge”).

45. Meat for each basket holding food (6)

Answer: HAMPER (i.e. “basket holding food”). Solution is HAM (i.e. “meat”) followed by PER (i.e. “for each”).

49. Spinning line, TV sage is one preaching (10)

Answer: EVANGELIST (i.e. “one preaching”). “Spinning” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LINE TV SAGE.

51. Plymouth has a busted temperature controller (12)

Answer: HYPOTHALAMUS (i.e. “temperature controller” in the brain). “Busted” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of PLYMOUTH HAS A. Very nicely done.

53. Midshipman, after discarding two hearts, holds the king (7)

Answer: OLDSTER (i.e. “midshipman” – chalk one to my Bradford’s here). Solution is HOLDS THE once the two Hs have been removed (indicated by “discarding two hearts” – H being a recognised abbreviation of “hearts” used in card games) and the remainder followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of Rex, Latin for “king”), like so: (H)OLDS-T(H)E-R => OLDS-TE-R.

54. Range shown by decidedly English singer (9)

Answer: FIELDFARE (i.e. “singer” – a bird, specifically a member of the thrush family. Fun fact: the Latin for “thrush” is Turdus, in case you were wondering which family of birds was responsible for redecorating your car). Solution is FIELD (i.e. “range”) followed by FAR (i.e. “decidedly”) and E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”). Chalk another to my Bradford’s.

55. Sweetheart in wood one obtaining tree resin (5)

Answer: ELEMI (i.e. “tree resin”). Solution is E (i.e. “sweetheart”, i.e. the middle letter of “sweet”) placed “in” ELM (i.e. “wood”) and followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: EL(E)M-I. Weirdly, one I knew.

56. Practical once confined to breathe one’s last inside (9)

Answer: EXPEDIENT (i.e. “practical”). Solution is EX (i.e. former or “once”) and PENT (i.e. “confined”) wrapped around or having “inside” DIE (i.e. “to breathe one’s last”), like so: EX-PE(DIE)NT.

57. Set gathered together for an evening meal? (6,7)

Answer: DINNER SERVICE (i.e. “set”). Clue plays on DINNER being “an evening meal” and how people can “gather together” for a church SERVICE. You get the idea.

Down clues

1. Beyond compare in Lima, introduced to dull game (9)

Answer: MATCHLESS (i.e. “beyond compare”). Solution is L (“Lima” in the phonetic alphabet) placed in or “introduced to” MAT (i.e. “dull”) and CHESS (i.e. “game”), like so: MAT-CH(L)ESS.

2. Half-hidden area witch guards in old city for locals (3,4)

Answer: DEN HAAG (i.e. “city” in the Netherlands, better known here as The Hague. Quite what makes it the “old city for locals” is beyond the rudimentary search I’m prepared to give it. Probably something to do with its history. Whatever. If a kind soul swings by with the info, then I’ll update the post). Solution is DEN (i.e. “half-hidden”, specifically the latter half) followed by HAG (i.e. “witch”) once wrapped around or “guarding” A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”), like so: DEN-H(A)AG.
[EDIT: Thanks to Graham in the comments for a speedy resolution to this one. Looks like I was overthinking it. “For locals” merely suggests DEN HAAG is the Dutch or local name of the city. Cheers, Graham! – LP]

3. Dishevelled lady we hate to precede (4,3,3)

Answer: LEAD THE WAY (i.e. “to precede”). “Dishevelled” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of LADY WE HATE.

4. Guarantee rebuke when scratching head (6)

Answer: ENSURE (i.e. “guarantee”). Solution is CENSURE (i.e. “rebuke”) once its initial letter has been removed (indicated by “scratching head”).

5. Willing to talk over carrying weight in hand luggage (9,3)

Answer: GLADSTONE BAG (i.e. “hand luggage”). Solution is GLAD (i.e. “willing”) and GAB (i.e. “to talk”), the latter reversed (indicated by “over” – this being a down clue), both wrapped around or “carrying” STONE (i.e. “weight”), like so: GLAD-(STONE)-BAG.

6. Work to support corruption in Africa deserved arrest (1,4,3)

Answer: A FAIR COP (i.e. “deserved arrest”). Solution is OP (i.e. “work”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “opus”) placed under or “supporting” – this being a down clue – an anagram (indicated by “corruption in”) of AFRICA, like so: AFAIRC-OP.

7. Valley at last supplied with beer (4)

Answer: DALE (i.e. “valley”). Solution is D (i.e. “at last supplied”) followed by ALE (i.e. “beer”).

8. What’s ultimately convoluted in government publicity? Patter has it? (6-4)

Answer: POWDER-PUFF (i.e. “patter has it” – referring to the action of applying makeup). Solution is D (i.e. “what’s ultimately convoluted”, i.e. the last letter of “convoluted”) placed “in” POWER (i.e. “government”) and followed by PUFF (i.e. “publicity”), like so: POW(D)ER-PUFF.

9. Start to work, breaking habit of finishing early (4,2)

Answer: KICK IN (i.e. “start to work”). Solution is KICKING (i.e. “breaking habit”) once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “finishing early”).

10. Devious pundit that is taking in guy – one in fashionable set (12)

Answer: SOPHISTICATE (i.e. “one in fashionable set”). Solution is SOPHIST, “a captious or intentionally fallacious reasoner” (Chambers), i.e. “devious pundit”, followed by IE (i.e. “that is”, i.e… er… “i.e.”!) wrapped around CAT (i.e. “guy”, or hep cat for all you Jazz Club enthusiasts out there. Niiiiice…) like so: SOPHIST-I(CAT)E.

11. Starters of aubergine served with chicken pasty (5)

Answer: ASHEN (i.e. “pasty”). Solution is A and S (i.e. “starters of aubergine served”, i.e. the first letters of “aubergine” and “served”) followed by HEN (i.e. “chicken”).

12. Art school illusion is magical at first (13)

Answer: IMPRESSIONISM (i.e. “art school”). Solution is IMPRESSION (i.e. “illusion”) followed by IS and M (i.e. “magical at first”, i.e. the first letter of “magical”).

20. Greek ferryman outside gym finds young female companion (8)

Answer: CHAPERON (i.e. “young female companion”, as in one accompanying the young female rather than the young female herself – can be spelled with or without an ‘e’ at the end). Solution is CHARON (i.e. “Greek ferryman”, i.e. the ferryman of Greek myth who carried the spirits of the dead across the river Styx) wrapped “outside” of PE (i.e. “gym”, specifically Physical Education), like so: CHA(PE)RON.

22. Charlie, fool with artillery, one anticipating disaster (9)

Answer: CASSANDRA (i.e. “one anticipating disaster”, another from Greek myth, this time one who was doomed to prophesy terrible events and never be believed). Solution is C (i.e. “Charlie” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by ASS (i.e. “fool”), then AND (i.e. “with”) and RA (i.e. “artillery”, specifically the Royal Artillery of the British Army).

23. Team with pace to avoid tackles (8)

Answer: SIDESTEP (i.e. “avoid tackles”). Solution is SIDE (i.e. “team”) followed by STEP (i.e. “pace”).

25. One shouting loudly when taking in Turin’s original campanile (4-5)

Answer: BELL-TOWER (i.e. “campanile”). Solution is BELLOWER (i.e. “one shouting loudly”) wrapped around or “taking” T (i.e. “Turin’s original”, i.e. the first letter of “Turin”), like so: BELL(T)OWER.

27. Expedition to the French metropolis must cross river (8)

Answer: ALACRITY (i.e. “expedition”, taken to mean “with speed” rather than a trip out somewhere). Solution is A LA (i.e. “to the French”, i.e. the French for “to the”) followed by CITY (i.e. “metropolis”) once wrapped around or “crossing” R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: A-LA-C(R)ITY.

28. Mushrooms springing up with cap incomplete in colourful range (8)

Answer: SPECTRUM (i.e. “colourful range”). Solution is CEPS (i.e. “mushrooms”) reversed (indicated by “springing up” – this being a down clue) and followed by TRUMP (i.e. “cap”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “incomplete”), like so: SPEC-TRUM.

29. Arrival with banker – certain people taking risks (13)

Answer: ADVENTURESOME (i.e. “taking risks”). Solution is ADVENT (i.e. “arrival”) followed by URE (i.e. “banker” – in this case referring to a river) and SOME (i.e. “certain people”).

32. Perceptive about poet quoted on the radio (5-7)

Answer: CLEAR-SIGHTED (i.e. “perceptive”). Solution is C (i.e. “about”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) followed by Edward LEAR (i.e. “poet”), then a homophone (indicated by “on the radio”) of CITED (i.e. “quoted”).

33. Bug quietly installed, make speech for examiners (12)

Answer: INSPECTORATE (i.e. “examiners”). Solution is INSECT (i.e. “bug”) wrapped around or having “installed” P (a recognised abbreviation of “piano” or “quietly” in musical lingo), then followed by ORATE (i.e. “make speech”), like so: INS(P)ECT-ORATE.

37. Who at first becomes unsettled loses plot (6,1,3)

Answer: THROWS A FIT (i.e. “loses plot” – both phrases expressing rage). “Becomes unsettled” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of WHO AT FIRST.

38. Leave track having broken rule that’s applied to bikes (10)

Answer: DERAILLEUR (i.e. “that’s applied to bikes”, specifically the little doodad that moves the chain up and down the gears). Solution is DERAIL (i.e. “leave track”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “broken”) of RULE, like so: DERAIL-LEUR.

41. Hosiery designed when king’s visiting county (9)

Answer: YORKSHIRE (i.e. “county”). Another untidy clue for me. The solution was probably supposed to be an anagram (indicated by “designed”) of HOSIERY wrapped around or having “visiting” R and K, both recognised abbreviations of “king”, the former being the Latin “Rex”, the latter an abbreviation used in chess or cards, like so: YO(R-K)SHIRE. Trouble is, “king’s” is singular, being a contraction of “king is”. Had the clue finished “…kings visit county” then all would be good. Either that or the setter forgot there are two Rs in YORKSHIRE. Again, I’m happy to be furnished with a better solution, but as it stands this feels like another balls-up.

42. The old duke in disgrace remained at home (6,2)

Answer: STAYED IN (i.e. “remained at home”). Solution is YE (i.e. “the old”, i.e. ye olde “the”) and D (a recognised abbreviation of “duke”) both placed “in” STAIN (i.e. “disgrace”), like so: STA(YE-D)IN.

46. Pipe assembly round mass blocks, one in ancient city (7)

Answer: POMPEII (i.e. “ancient city”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “assembly”) of PIPE wrapped around or “blocked” by O (i.e. “round”) and M (a recognised abbreviation of “mass”) and followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: P(O-M)PEI-I.

47. Sci-fi author having a bit of fun in church (6)

Answer: Arthur C CLARKE (i.e. “sci-fi author”). Solution is LARK (i.e. “a bit of fun”) placed “in” CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England), like so: C(LARK)E. This nerd approves.

48. Motor turns (6)

Answer: WHEELS. Solution satisfies a slang word for “motor” car, and “turns”. If you heard a faint “gaahhh!” on the wind on Saturday afternoon and wondered where it came from, that was me finally nailing this one.

50. Tot to sound reasonable (3,2)

Answer: ADD UP. Solution satisfies “tot” and “to sound reasonable”.

52. Crook from north found in sack (4)

Answer: BEND (i.e. “crook”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “north”) placed “in” BED (i.e. “sack”, a slang word for bed), like so: BE(N)D.

More musical accompaniment was had this week, inspired largely by the earworm that is the Deep Stone Lullaby theme recently added to the videogame Destiny 2 (my current timesink). The theme appears in a rare moment of peace between frenetic firefights in the Deep Stone Crypt raid and is, to this ageing gamer’s ears, the best piece of original music to grace a videogame for a long, long time.

How long a time? Probably since 2011’s Skyrim, thoughts of which drew me to its sublime (and comprehensive) soundtrack on Spotify. If you’re after some background music to work to, or are looking for something to help fill that Game Of Thrones hole in your life, then you could do a lot worse than this. Standing Stones is a spine-tingling highlight. Enjoy! – LP