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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LP

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

Across clues

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

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

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

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

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

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

14. Practicality is getting into orbit? (7)

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

15. Party reduced grass order (5)

Answer: DORIC (i.e. “order” – over to Chambers: “denoting one of the Greek orders of architecture distinguished by its simplicity and massive strength”). Solution is DO (i.e. “party”) followed by RICE (i.e. “grass”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “reduced”), like so: DO-RIC.

16. Note gold put on ring (6)

Answer: CORDON (i.e. “ring” or barrier encircling something). Solution is C (a musical “note”) followed by OR (i.e. “gold” or yellow in heraldry) and DON (i.e. “put on”).

17. Did badly in what thespians did, taking a lot of hits? (8)

Answer: ADDICTED (i.e. “taking a lot of [drug] hits”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “badly”) of DID placed in ACTED (i.e. “what thespians did”), like so: A(DDI)CTED.

18. As close as any new love, but not the first (7)

Answer: NEAREST (i.e. “as close as any”). Solution is N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) followed by DEAREST (i.e. “love”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “but not the first”), like so: N-EAREST.

20. Where competitors are saddled with drug tests after game (9,5,6)

Answer: BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS (i.e. “where competitors are saddled”). Solution is HORSE (i.e. “drug”, in this case slang for heroin) and TRIALS (i.e. “tests”) both placed “after” BADMINTON (i.e. “game”). Nicely done.

23. I had first of infections of the ear, making one thick-headed (7)

Answer: IDIOTIC (i.e. “thick-headed”). Solution is I’D (a contraction of “I had”) followed by I (i.e. “first [letter] of infections”) and OTIC (i.e. “of the ear”).

24. A grain’s processed for alcoholic drink (7)

Answer: SANGRIA (i.e. “alcoholic drink”). “Processed” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of A GRAIN’S. A repeat from grid 1605, only last month.

26. Plain girl in photograph, perhaps (7)

Answer: PROSAIC (i.e. “plain”). Solution is ROSA (i.e. “girl’s” name) placed “in” PIC (i.e. “photograph”), like so: P(ROSA)IC. Oof! Another repeat so soon after the last, and this one only appeared last week. It’s almost like… hmm, now, what’s that phrase again?…

28. Twenty-five pounds fraud when horse fails to show (4)

Answer: PONY (i.e. slang for “twenty-five pounds”). Solution is PHONY (i.e. “fraud”) once the H has been removed (indicated by “when horse fails to show”, H and “horse” being slang terms for heroin).

29. Memory aid is classic in omen myths showing only partial recall? (8)

Answer: MNEMONIC (i.e. “memory aid” – How I Wish I Could Calculate Pi is an example – the number of letters in each word of the phrase gives you the first seven digits of pi: 3.141592. Or it would do were the next digit not 6, but what are rounding rules between friends, eh?) “Showing only partial” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “recall” indicates the solution has been reversed, like so: CLASSI(C IN OMEN M)YTHS.

32. Found where one might study (9)

Answer: INSTITUTE. Solution satisfies to “found” or establish, and “where one might study” – Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for example.

35. Way of putting down surly worker (9)

Answer: SHORTHAND (i.e. “way of putting down” information). Solution is SHORT (i.e. “surly”) followed by HAND (i.e. “worker”).

36. Polemic answer resounded in tone (8)

Answer: HARANGUE (i.e. “polemic” – harangue can be a noun as well as a verb). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, as in Q&A) and RANG (i.e. “resounded”) both placed “in” HUE (i.e. “tone”), like so: H(A-RANG)UE.

37. Time fixed over trial (4)

Answer: TEST (i.e. “trial”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) and SET (i.e. “fixed”) all reversed (indicated by “over”), like so: TES-T. With repeats from last month and last week already in the bank, it’s rather amusing to have a partial repeat of 13a from the same bloody grid. It’s tempting to double-meme this one, as the use of TEST and TRIAL was also used in 20a, but let’s go easy. Too many memes and this will start looking like a Goodreads review.

39. Architect’s designed uniform new style (7)

Answer: Edwin LUTYENS (i.e. “architect”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “designed”) of U (“uniform” in the phonetic alphabet), N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and STYLE.

41. Language sometimes used by setter, often before breakfast (7)

Answer: ENGLISH (i.e. “language”). The remainder of the clue plays on how you get English “setters” and English “breakfasts”. I must admit having a wry smile when I read “language sometimes used by setter”.

44. Indicate what could be the harbour wall? (7)

Answer: PORTEND (i.e. “indicate”). When written as PORT END the solution playfully satisfies “what could be the harbour wall”. I rather liked this one.

45. Just purchase enamel, we’re told (2,3,4,2,4,5)

Answer: BY THE SKIN OF ONE’S TEETH (i.e. “just”). “We’re told” indicates homophone, in this case of BUY (i.e. “purchase”). The rest of the solution satisfies “enamel”. Another I rather liked.

49. Cheat careful handling business associate? (7)

Answer: CONTACT (i.e. “business associate”). Solution is CON (i.e. “cheat”) followed by TACT (i.e. “careful handling”).

50. Irish linked with O’Casey primarily: abroad, what’s the language of Seneca? (8)

Answer: IROQUOIS (i.e. “the language of Seneca”, a Native American tribe in New York State). Solution is IR (a recognised abbreviation of “Irish”) followed by O (i.e. “O’Casey primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “O’Casey”) and QUOIS (i.e. “abroad: what”, i.e. the French for “what”). One of those “look up words beginning with IRO in the dictionary” moments.

[EDIT – A few people in the comments were correct to flag this one as being slightly off. QUOI is French for “what”. The S, meanwhile, is the contraction of “is” carrying over from “what’s” within the clue, so the solution should read as IR-O-QUOI’S. Thanks all! – LP]

51. Endlessly short in government revenue chest (6)

Answer: THORAX (i.e. “chest”). Solution is HOR (i.e. “endlessly short”, i.e. the word “short” with both ends of the word removed) placed “in” TAX (i.e. “government revenue”), like so: T(HOR)AX.

53. Returning bad old fruit (5)

Answer: OLIVE (i.e. “fruit”). Solution is EVIL (i.e. “bad”) and O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) all reversed (indicated by “returning”), like so: O-LIVE.

54. Love like an old PM? Not that! (7)

Answer: CHERISH (i.e. “love”). Solution is THATCHERISH (i.e. “like an old PM”, Margaret Thatcher) with the THAT removed (indicated by “not that”).

55. Mostly keen about new journey round in train (9)

Answer: ENTOURAGE (i.e. “train” or retinue). Solution is EAGER (i.e. “keen”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder wrapped “about” N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”) and TOUR (i.e. “journey round”), like so: E(N-TOUR)AGE.

56. Care for dog that’s eaten rook – pointer, perhaps? (11)

Answer: TRENDSETTER (i.e. “pointer, perhaps” – the riddly question mark feels like an admission that the setter is dicking around here, possibly playing on trendsetters being those at the front or on point. I really hope there’s a better solution out there, though). Solution is TEND (i.e. “care for”) and SETTER (i.e. “dog”) all wrapped around or “eating” R (a recognised abbreviation of “rook” used in chess), like so: T(R)END-SETTER.

57. In hollow, I’m sheltering antelope that shows injury (11)

Answer: DISABLEMENT (i.e. “injury”). Solution is DENT (i.e. “hollow”) wrapped around or having “in” I’M once this is itself wrapped around or “sheltering” SABLE (i.e. “antelope”), like so: D(I(SABLE)’M)ENT.

Down clues

1. Coup when school has placed first (6)

Answer: PUTSCH (i.e. “coup”). Solution is SCH (a recognised abbreviation of “school”) placed after or “having…first” PUT (i.e. “placed”), like so: PUT-SCH.

2. Remark on job where one’s always on the lookout (11,4)

Answer: OBSERVATION POST (i.e. “where one’s always on the lookout”). Solution is OBSERVATION (i.e. a “remark”) followed by POST (i.e. “job”).

3. Steadiness of university supporting dreaming Walter losing heart (10)

Answer: UNIFORMITY (i.e. “steadiness”). Solution is UNI (short for “university”) followed by FOR (i.e. “supporting”) and MITTY (i.e. “dreaming Walter”, character in James Thurber’s short story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) once its middle letter has been removed (indicated by “losing heart”), like so: UNI-FOR-MITY.

4. Flat like number ten, but not thirteen (4)

Answer: EVEN (i.e. “flat”). Clue plays on “ten” being an EVEN number. “Thirteen”, meanwhile, is “not”.

5. Thorough idiot – I work for two – useless (9)

Answer: ASSIDUOUS (i.e. “thorough”). Solution is ASS (i.e. “idiot”) followed by I, then DUO (i.e. “work for two”, “duo” can refer to a duet), then US (i.e. “useless”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “unserviceable”).

6. Film appearing on surface like a mountain lake, perhaps (7)

Answer: TARNISH (i.e. “film appearing on surface”). The solution also playfully satisfies “like a mountain lake, perhaps”, a mountain lake being a TARN.

7. One with stamina in exercises beginning on ropes and one who will face walls (9)

Answer: PLASTERER (i.e. “one who will face walls” – face taken to mean “surface”). Solution is LASTER (i.e. “one with stamina”) placed “in” PE (i.e. “exercises”, or Physical Education) and R (i.e. “beginning [letter] on ropes”), like so: P(LASTER)E-R.

8. Nymph upsetting Diana (5)

Answer: NAIAD (i.e. “nymph”). “Upsetting” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of DIANA. A repeat from grid 1569, back in August, so…

9. Sweet tree just before fall (5,4)

Answer: LEMON DROP (i.e. “sweet”). Solution is LEMON (i.e. “tree”) followed by DROP (i.e. “fall”).

10. State capital is country port of Italy south (12)

Answer: INDIANAPOLIS (i.e. “state capital” of Indiana). Solution is INDIA (i.e. “country”) followed by NAPOLI (i.e. “port of Italy”) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “south”).

11. Broadcast not so much that’s stuffy (7)

Answer: AIRLESS (i.e. “stuffy”). Solution is AIR (i.e. “broadcast”) followed by LESS (i.e. “not so much”).

12. Get worked up being caught by it in river (6)

Answer: EXCITE (i.e. “get worked up”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” used in a number of ball games) and IT both placed “in” EXE (i.e. “river”), like so: EX(C-IT)E. A repeat from grid 1586 back in November, so…

19. Snake is a hoax when there’s nothing around (8)

Answer: ANACONDA (i.e. “snake”). Solution is A and CON (i.e. “hoax”) once placed in or having “around” it NADA (i.e. “nothing”), like so: A-NA(CON)DA.

21. Great feeling when sister, say, has run away (7)

Answer: ELATION (i.e. “great feeling”). Solution is RELATION (i.e. “sister, say”) once the R has been removed (indicated by “has run away” – R being a recognised abbreviation of “run” used in a number of ball games).

22. Code pact with changes agreed (8)

Answer: ACCEPTED (i.e. “agreed”). “With changes” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CODE PACT.

23. Naughtily suggest including headless kipper? (8)

Answer: IMPISHLY (i.e. “naughtily”). Solution is IMPLY (i.e. “suggest”) wrapped around or “including” FISH (i.e. “kipper”) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “headless”), like so: IMP(ISH)LY. IMPISH appeared earlier this month in grid 1607, so…

25. Symphony penned by Beethoven in Thuringen (5)

Answer: NINTH (i.e. “symphony penned by Beethoven”). “Penned by” also indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: BEETHOVE(N IN TH)URINGEN.

27. Criminal menaced amateurs in gaming establishment (9,6)

Answer: AMUSEMENT ARCADE (i.e. “gaming establishment”). “Criminal” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of MENACED AMATEURS.

30. Patient’s admitted one day with wife – not around the weekend (7)

Answer: MIDWEEK (i.e. “not around the weekend”). Solution is MEEK (i.e. “patient”) wrapped around or “admitting” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), D (a recognised abbreviation of “day”) and W (ditto “wife”), like so: M(I-D-W)EEK.

31. My good current dog (5)

Answer: CORGI (i.e. “dog”). Solution is COR (i.e. “my” – both exclamations) followed by G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) and I (representative of an electrical “current” in physics).

33. Cat we have is chasing small shrew? (8)

Answer: SOURPUSS (i.e. a “shrew” or scold). Solution is OUR PUSS (i.e. “cat we have”) placed after or “chasing” S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”), like so: S-(OUR-PUSS).

34. Where the satnav is looking greatly superior (7,5)

Answer: STREETS AHEAD. Solution satisfies “where the satnav is looking” and “greatly superior”.

38. Energy-efficient dwelling where one goes to pot? (10)

Answer: GREENHOUSE (i.e. “where one goes to pot”). Solution is GREEN (i.e. “energy-efficient”) followed by HOUSE (i.e. “dwelling”).

40. Display a lot of glasses (9)

Answer: SPECTACLE (i.e. “display”). Solution is SPECTACLES (i.e. “glasses”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “a lot of”).

42. Boatman taking rest in Middle-earth kingdom (9)

Answer: GONDOLIER (i.e. “boatman”). Solution is LIE (i.e. “rest”) placed in or “taken” by GONDOR (i.e. “Middle-earth kingdom” of JRR Tolkien’s books), like so: GONDO(LIE)R. A repeat from grid 1567 back in July, so…

43. Convenience of shandies, mixed with tip of spoon (9)

Answer: HANDINESS (i.e. “convenience”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “mixed”) of SHANDIES and N (i.e. “tip of spoon”, in this case the last letter of “spoon”).

45. Book with story about tree blaze (7)

Answer: BONFIRE (i.e. “blaze”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “book”) followed by ONE (i.e. “story”, as in “have you heard the one about…” – you tend to hear this usage in jokes, so “story” is a bit of a stretch here) once wrapped “about” FIR (i.e. “tree”), like so: B-ON(FIR)E.

46. Red and juicy – satisfied eating it (7)

Answer: FLUSHED (i.e. “red”). Solution is LUSH (i.e. “juicy”) placed in or “eaten” by FED (i.e. “satisfied”), like so: F(LUSH)ED.

47. Confront a Conservative over expense (6)

Answer: ACCOST (i.e. “confront”). Solution is A followed by C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) and COST (i.e. “expense”).

48. Ace and ten Peter used badly (6)

Answer: EXPERT (i.e. “ace”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “used badly”) of X (i.e. “[Roman numeral] ten”) and PETER.

50. All over the place in record time (5)

Answer: INEPT (i.e. “all over the place”). Solution is IN followed by EP (i.e. “record”, specifically an Extended Play) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”).

52. Attempt cricketers mounted (4)

Answer: STAB (i.e. “attempt”). Solution is BATS (i.e. “cricketers”) reversed (indicated by “mounted” – this being a down clue).

A medium strength offering this week. It was okay, but a bit scruffy in places. My biggest beef, as will become apparent, lies perhaps more with the editor than with the setter.

It is common knowledge that some setters use software to help construct their grids – what I jokingly call the office GridFill 4000™ – but the number of times this results in solutions being repeated mere weeks apart is getting beyond a joke. Long-time readers will know this has been a near-constant theme of my posts since the beginning, and are probably as tired of me bleating about it as I am.

There are around 16 Times Jumbo setters so some repetition is understandable, but I do wonder whether a stronger editor ought to start laying down the law. If a setter is known to use software then place moratoria on certain solutions being used, or better still request certain grids be reworked, if the algorithm keeps picking the same solution each time. At the very least, space out the repeats a little more. The editor has that power at least.

Anyway, if you can stomach an internet loudmouth’s occasional grousing then you’ll find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has eluded you then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions to hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for the kind words and input. They do make these posts worthwhile, especially when a Jumbo grinds my gears. As ever, it’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve put down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there, kids.

LP

FBV (French-By-Volume): 3.3%

With thanks to Mick Scott et al in the comments for repairing 16a

Across clues

1. Mundane arguments for backing organization of agents (7)

Answer: PROSAIC (i.e. “mundane”). Solution is PROS (i.e. “arguments for”) followed by CIA (i.e. “organisation of agents”, specifically the Central Intelligence Agency) once reversed (indicated by “backing”), like so: PROS-AIC.

5. More than one error in small volume is infuriating (8)

Answer: CLANGERS (i.e. “more than one error”). Solution is CL (i.e. “small volume”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a centilitre) followed by ANGERS (i.e. “is infuriating”).

9. Penny taken in by French writer’s university position (6)

Answer: CAMPUS (i.e. “university position”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of a “penny”) placed “in” Albert CAMUS (i.e. “French writer”), like so: CAM(P)US.

13. As result of performance on this, I queue in audition? (12,4)

Answer: INTELLIGENCE TEST. “In audition” indicates homophone, in this case “I queue” being heard as IQ, or Intelligence Quotient. An IQ is the “result of performance” in such a test. You get the idea.

14. Demon capturing rook, leading to mate (6)

Answer: FRIEND (i.e. “mate”). Solution is FIEND (i.e. “demon”) wrapped around or “capturing” R (a recognised abbreviation of “rook” in chess), like so: F(R)IEND.

16. Caught out in the open? Just the opposite (8)

Answer: COVERALL, a state of “covering or including everything” or, alternatively, “a one-piece garment for babies, covering arms, legs and body” (both Chambers). Given those options I suspect the setter is hinging this on the former definition rather than the latter, probably forming the solution from C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” used in a number of ball games) and OVER ALL (i.e. “out in the open” if you really, really, really squint your eyes). Good grief I hope a better explanation exists out there, otherwise someone needs to alert the RSPCCCC (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Cryptic Crossword Clues).

[EDIT: I was right to be suspicious as I’d ballsed this one up good and proper. Thanks to Mick Scott and others in the comments for pointing out this should have been COVERTLY, being C as described followed by OVERLY (i.e. “out in the open”). Thanks all! – LP]

17. Combined centres in almost accidental way (4)

Answer: MODE (i.e. “way” or manner). Solution comprises the “combined centres” of ALMOST and ACCIDENTAL.

18. Like some music that, with initial repetitions, may be adapted for harpsichord (9)

Answer: RHAPSODIC (i.e. “like some music”). Another where I take issue with the setter. The idea is that the letters of the solution form an anagram, indicated by “adapted”, of the word “harpsichord” if the first two letters, supposedly the “initial” part of the solution, are “repeated”. That’s a nope from me. I would argue an “initial” is a “letter beginning a word” (Chambers), not however many letters it takes to make a crossword clue work. Sloppy.

20. Classify as invalid after I had turned unhealthy-looking (8)

Answer: DISALLOW (i.e. “classify as invalid”). Solution is I’D (a contraction of “I had”) reversed (indicated by “turned”) and followed by SALLOW (i.e. “unhealthy-looking”).

21. Holder of position replaced, reprocessed, reorganized (11)

Answer: PREDECESSOR (i.e. “holder of position replaced”). “Reorganized” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of REPROCESSED.

24. Philosopher and noble talked intermittently (9)

Answer: ARISTOTLE (i.e. “philosopher”). Solution is ARISTO (i.e. “noble”, short for aristocrat) followed by TLE (i.e. “talked intermittently”, i.e. every other letter of TALKED).

25. In backward class, join top performers (8)

Answer: MAESTROS (i.e. “top performers”). Solution is SORT (i.e. “class”) and SEAM (i.e. “join”) all reversed (indicated by “backward”), like so: MAES-TROS. Come on, this is the third time MAESTRO or MAESTROS has appeared in Jumbos in little over three months. Maybe it’s time to retire it from the GridFill 4000™’s word pool for a while, huh?

26. Family with daughter, good-natured sort (4)

Answer: KIND (i.e. “good-natured sort”). Solution is KIN (i.e. “family”) followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”). The first clue containing all or part of the previous solution. Not sure if that was intentional.

29. Specialist knowing how to treat elders, for example (4,7)

Answer: TREE SURGEON. Clue plays on “elders” being a variety of TREE. You get the idea.

31. Doctor to charge NHS, be less than honest? (11)

Answer: SHORTCHANGE (i.e. “be less than honest”). “Doctor” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TO CHARGE NHS. Chambers suggests this solution ought to have been hyphenated. Poor show.

33. As far as possible, coat flask ahead of time (11)

Answer: FURTHERMOST (i.e. “as far as possible”). Solution is FUR (i.e. “coat”) followed by THERMOS (i.e. “flask”) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”).

36. Rapid succession of passes that may lead to scoring goal? (5,6)

Answer: SPEED DATING, “the practice of attending an organized social event during which people have a series of short meetings (speed dates) with potential romantic partners” (Chambers). Ask your parents, kids – speed dating went out of fashion about the same time as Burberry and tribal band tattoos. Anyway, the clue plays on “passes” being amorous advances such as one might endure during the event, and “scoring” being slang for pulling some hot piece of ass. Or whoever was left at the end.

38. As part of architectural essentials, what’s more? (4)

Answer: LESS. Clue plays on a motto of minimalist “architect” Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: “less is more”. Of course I looked it up. “As part of” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: ARCHITECTURA(L ESS)ENTIALS.

39. Uniform officer put together for fellow sharing quarters (8)

Answer: FLATMATE (i.e. “fellow sharing quarters”). Solution is FLAT (i.e. “uniform”) followed by MATE (i.e. ship’s “officer”).

41. One whose home is in a state, surrounded by water (9)

Answer: TASMANIAN. Clue plays on how TASMANIA is an island “state” of Australia and is thus “surrounded by water”.

44. Without wife, at sixes and sevens? Not eating enough (11 – not 10 as printed)

Answer: UNDERWEIGHT (i.e. “not eating enough”). Solution is UNDER EIGHT (i.e. “at sixes and sevens”, given they are both less than eight) wrapped around or placed “without” W (a recognised abbreviation of “wife”), like so: UNDER-(W)-EIGHT.

45. Concert I watch as person entitled to expect something (8)

Answer: PROMISEE (i.e. “person entitled to expect something”). Solution is PROM (i.e. “concert”) followed by I and SEE (i.e. “watch”).

48. Behind pool of money: let it be split, at last! (9)

Answer: FUNDAMENT (i.e. “behind” or arse, facetiously). Solution is FUND (i.e. “pool of money”) followed by AMEN (i.e. “let it be”) and T (i.e. “split, at last”, i.e. the last letter of “split”).

49. One feature of skirt that attracts attention (4)

Answer: AHEM (i.e. “that attracts attention”). When written as A HEM the solution also satisfies “one feature of skirt”.

50. Abraham Lincoln, initially, rebuilt palace (8)

Answer: ALHAMBRA (i.e. “the ‘palace’ of the Moorish kings of Granada in Spain” (Chambers)). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rebuilt”) of ABRAHAM and L (i.e. “Lincoln, initially”, i.e. the first letter of “Lincoln”).

52. Starting point for big win, though lacking leaders (6)

Answer: ORIGIN (i.e. “starting point”). Solution is formed from FOR BIG WIN once their first letters have been removed (indicated by “lacking leaders”).

53. Important IT role is new for teenager given new order (8,8)

Answer: SOFTWARE ENGINEER (i.e. “important IT role”). “Given new order” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of IS NEW FOR TEENAGER.

54. Facility in middle of hospital entrance (6)

Answer: TALENT (i.e. “facility”). “In middle of” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: HOSPI(TAL ENT)RANCE.

55. Does, for example, have it in leather (8)

Answer: DEERSKIN. Solution satisfies “leather” and “does, for example, have it”. Nicely disguised.

56. Like fingers, but without hands passing over face (7)

Answer: DIGITAL (i.e. “like fingers”). The rest of the clue plays on DIGITAL clocks not having “hands” or “faces”. A recent repeat from grid 1597, making this an easy get.

Down clues

1. One likely to succeed, when finally put in charge (6)

Answer: PRINCE (i.e. “one likely to succeed”, regally speaking). Solution N (i.e. “when finally”, i.e. the last letter of “when”) placed “in” PRICE (i.e. cost or “charge”), like so: PRI(N)CE.

2. Size of a book, a volume penned by doctor, extremely abridged (6)

Answer: OCTAVO (i.e. “size of a book”). Hells bells, these constant repeats are getting ridiculous. You can literally go back two pages in the Saturday Review supplement and see OCTAVO in the solution to grid 1607. Before that: grid 1584, mere months ago. Ugh. Could this be another solution to remove from the GridFill 4000™’s word pool? I’d say so. If this keeps happening then you may as well ask ChatGPT to solve the Jumbo for you, as it’ll soon have enough permutations of clues to the same solutions to piece it all together. Then it’ll start wanging on about GridFill 4000™s, because, you know, plagiarism. Anyway, bear with me while I disdainfully copy and paste the definition from a couple of weeks ago: OCTAVO – “adjective: having eight leaves to the sheet; (conventionally) of a size so obtained, whether so folded or not. noun: a book printed on sheets so folded; (conventionally) a book of such a size…” (Chambers). Solution is A and V (a recognised abbreviation of “volume”) both placed in or “penned by” DOCTOR once the first and last letters have been removed (indicated by “extremely abridged”), like so: OCT(A-V)O.

3. Medical practitioner needs to go to France with substance (9)

Answer: ALLERGIST (i.e. “medical practitioner”). Solution is ALLER (i.e. “go to France”, i.e. the French for “go”) followed by GIST (i.e. “substance”).

4. Measure of coolness about female player securing prominence (5,6)

Answer: CHILL FACTOR (i.e. “measure of coolness”). Solution is C (i.e. “about”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”), F (a recognised abbreviation of “female”) and ACTOR (i.e. “player”) all wrapped around or “securing” HILL (i.e. a “prominence”), like so: C-(HILL)-F-ACTOR.

5. Rubbed it in hands (4)

Answer: CREW. Solution satisfies “rubbed it in”, past tense of crow, and “hands” of a ship.

6. Presenters with a warning about food king’s tucked into (11)

Answer: ANCHORWOMEN (i.e. “presenters”). Solution is AN OMEN (i.e. “a warning”) wrapped “about” CHOW (i.e. “food”), which is itself wrapped around or having “tucked in” R (i.e. “king”, a recognised abbreviation of the Latin Rex), like so: AN-(CHO(R)W)-OMEN.

7. With leader in Guardian, say, crush inferior competition (6,5)

Answer: GUTTER PRESS (i.e. “inferior competition” to The Times. Shots fired!) Solution is G (i.e. “leader [letter] in Guardian”) followed by UTTER (i.e. “say”) and PRESS (i.e. “crush”).

8. Reviving spiritual instruction’s pressing (9)

Answer: RESURGENT (i.e. “reviving”). Solution is RE’S (i.e. “spiritual instruction’s”, specifically Religious Education made possessive) followed by URGENT (i.e. “pressing”). The second clue containing all or part of the previous solution. Maybe it was intentional after all.

10. Ran in and stopped (8)

Answer: ARRESTED. Solution satisfies “ran in” and “stopped”.

11. Mixing up of insecticides is not empirically based (16)

Answer: PSEUDOSCIENTIFIC (i.e. fake science that “is not empirically based”). “Mixing” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of UP OF INSECTICIDES.

12. Attachment to vehicle that’s sped and is overturned (7)

Answer: SIDECAR (i.e. “attachment to vehicle”). Solution is RACED (i.e. “sped”) and IS all reversed or “overturned” – this being a down clue – like so: SI-DECAR.

15. Our confidant reveals end of scandal over job (8)

Answer: GATEPOST (i.e. “our confidant”, after the phrase “between you, me and the gatepost”). Solution is GATE (i.e. “end of scandal”, as in how -GATE gets slapped on the end of words to denote a scandal, after the Watergate scandal that did for Richard Nixon) followed by POST (i.e. “job”).

19. Intimate location for marriage announced, say, with love (5,3)

Answer: ALTER EGO (an internal or “intimate” self). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “announced”) of ALTAR (i.e. “location for marriage”) followed by EG (i.e. “say”, or for example) and O (i.e. “love”, a zero score in tennis).

22. Prodigal’s faults we must change (8)

Answer: WASTEFUL (i.e. “prodigal”). “Must change” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of FAULTS WE.

23. Like top US deputy, having evil power in relation to housing (4-12)

Answer: VICE-PRESIDENTIAL (i.e. “like top US deputy”). Solution is VICE (i.e. an “evil”) followed by P (a recognised abbreviation of “power”) and RESIDENTIAL (i.e. “in relation to housing”).

27. Moving cautiously after doctor, getting up from bed (8)

Answer: DREGDING (i.e. “getting up from [river] bed”). Solution is EDGING (i.e. “moving cautiously”) placed “after” DR (a recognised abbreviation of “doctor”), like so: DR-EDGING.

28. Which person covering area gives order to stop? (4)

Answer: WHOA (i.e. “order to stop”). Solution is WHO (i.e. “which person”) followed by or “covering” – this being a down clue – A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”).

30. Part of our capital also hoarded, but only part (4)

Answer: SOHO (i.e. “part of our capital” – The Times being a London newspaper). “But only part” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: AL(SO HO)ARDED.

32. Passed, having finished and understood (8)

Answer: OVERTOOK (i.e. “passed”). Solution is OVER (i.e. “finished”) followed by TOOK (i.e. “understood”, as in took onboard).

34. Repeated experience swallowing stimulant makes one carefree (8)

Answer: RELIEVED (i.e. “carefree”). Solution is RELIVED (i.e. “repeated experience”) wrapped around or “swallowing” E (i.e. “stimulant”, slang for the drug ecstasy), like so: RELI(E)VED.

35. In ideal way, mother embracing two sons as leader of tributes (11)

Answer: TOASTMASTER (i.e. “leader of tributes”). Solution is TO A T (i.e. “in an ideal way”) and MATER (i.e. “mother”) all wrapped around “two” separate Ss (S being a recognised abbreviation of “son”), like so: TO-A-(S)-T-MA(S)TER.

36. His job allows him to overlook church (11)

Answer: STEEPLEJACK. Clue plays on STEEPLES being part of churches, and how STEEPLEJACKS climb tall structures. You get the idea.

37. Record on one page how paper may be controlled (11)

Answer: DISCIPLINED (i.e. “controlled”). Solution is DISC (i.e. “record”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), then P (a recognised abbreviation of “page”) and LINED (i.e. “how paper may be”).

40. Highly-strung supporter of one kind of artist (9)

Answer: TIGHTROPE. Clue plays on the solution often being “strung” “high” above the ground, and tightrope walkers being a “kind of artist”.

42. Finding 17 or 51 in state becoming more mature (9)

Answer: AVERAGING (i.e. “17 or 51”, the solutions to 17a and 51d being MODE and MEAN respectively. Another I’d have taken issue with, as MODE is the most common value of a series of numbers and therefore different to the MEAN or AVERAGE… however, Chambers does offer this definition: “loosely, an ordinary or typical value, common run”. You win this one, setter). Solution is AVER (i.e. to “state”) followed by AGING (i.e. “becoming more mature”).

43. World’s response when Conservative rises to the top (8)

Answer: CREATION (i.e. “world” – the godless heathen in me would suggest the world happened rather than was created). Solution is REACTION (i.e. “response”) with the C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) “risen to the top” – this being a down clue – like so: REA(C)TION => (C)REATION.

44. Frank’s father coming in immediately after time (7)

Answer: UPFRONT (i.e. “frank”). Solution is FR (a recognised abbreviation of the title “father”) placed “in” UPON (i.e. “immediately”) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: UP(FR)ON-T.

46. Protest appearing in article, differently stressed (6)

Answer: OBJECT. Solution satisfies “protest” and “article”. The “differently stressed” part plays on how the word is said slightly differently between the two meanings, or at least by some. I reckon I say them the same, but that might be my accent.

47. Pub count incomplete – one can hold many pints (6)

Answer: BARREL (i.e. “one can hold many pints”). Solution is BAR (i.e. “pub”) followed by RELY (i.e. “count” on) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “incomplete”), like so: BAR-REL.

51. Represent base (4)

Answer: MEAN. Solution satisfies to “represent”, and “base” or reprehensible.

A toughie this week, but one that was pleasant enough to chip away at during the day.

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

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once the dust has settled. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

Across clues

1. Bad feeling, locked in taxi in high temperature (5,5)

Answer: CABIN FEVER (i.e. “bad feeling, locked in”). Solution is CAB (i.e. “taxi”) followed by IN, then FEVER (i.e. “high temperature”).

6. Junior officer hit worker, perhaps a civilian (12)

Answer: NON-COMBATANT (i.e. “a civilian” during wartime). Solution is NON-COM (i.e. “junior officer”, short for a non-commissioned officer) followed by BAT (i.e. “hit”) and ANT (i.e. “worker, perhaps” – other flavours of ant are available).

14. Hair that is short and curly (7)

Answer: PIGTAIL. Solution satisfies “hair” and “that is short and curly”, referring to the tail of a pig.

15. Loudly disapprove of unproductive sort of logic (7)

Answer: BOOLEAN (i.e. “sort of logic”, and the basis of pretty much every programming language going). Solution is BOO (i.e. “loudly disapprove”) followed by LEAN (i.e. “unproductive”).

16. Subtle Greek character skipped away from head (7)

Answer: NUANCED (i.e. “subtle”). Solution is NU (i.e. “Greek character”, specifically the thirteenth letter of the Greek alphabet) followed by DANCED (i.e. “skipped”) once the first letter has been removed (indicated by “away from head”), like so: NU-ANCED.

17. Drop flier back (4)

Answer: DRIB (i.e. a “drop” or trickle). Solution is BIRD (i.e. “flier”) reversed (indicated by “back”).

18. Bog’s depths initially repel (6)

Answer: OFFEND (i.e. “repel”). Solution is OF FEN (i.e. “bog’s”, read as “of a bog”) followed by D (i.e. “depths initially”, i.e. the first letter of “depths”).

20. Briefly left top of hill for cooked breakfast (8)

Answer: PORRIDGE (i.e. “cooked breakfast”). Solution is PORT (i.e. “left” in shipspeak) with the last letter removed (indicated by “briefly”) and the remainder followed by RIDGE (i.e. “top of hill”), like so: POR-RIDGE.

24. Novel warning widely posted by one relatively interfering (3,7,2,8,3)

Answer: BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU (i.e. “novel warning widely posted”, referring to the notices plastered everywhere in George Orwell’s novel 1984). Clue plays on BROTHER being a “relative”. You get the idea.

25. Go back into part of prison perhaps visibly upset (7)

Answer: WEEPING (i.e. “visibly upset”). Solution is PEE (i.e. “go” or take a leak) reversed (indicated by “back”) and placed “into” WING (i.e. “part of prison perhaps” – other buildings have wings), like so: W(EEP)ING.

26. Daughter arrived after the start in her finery (6,2)

Answer: DOLLED UP (i.e. “in her finery”). Solution is D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) followed by ROLLED UP (i.e. “arrived”) once the first letter has been removed (indicated by “after the start”), like so: D-(OLLED-UP).

27. Heard nothing new? Shame (2,4)

Answer: OH DEAR (i.e. “shame”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “new”) of HEARD and O (i.e. “nothing”).

29. Pounded, flee across with or without changing course (2,3,4,5)

Answer: AS THE CROW FLIES (i.e. “without changing course”). “Pounded” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of FLEE ACROSS WITH.

31. Breaks down domain name and puts up online (8)

Answer: COMPOSTS (i.e. “breaks down”). Solution is COM (i.e. top-level “domain name”) followed by POSTS (i.e. “puts up online”).

34. One writing around book length in illegible hand (8)

Answer: SCRIBBLE (i.e. “in illegible hand”). Solution is SCRIBE (i.e. “one writing”) wrapped “around” B (a recognised abbreviation of “book”) and L (ditto “length”), like so: SCRIB(B-L)E.

36. Lacking energy hears public transport’s convenient for work (8,6)

Answer: TRISTRAM SHANDY (i.e. a “work” by Laurence Sterne; full title: The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman). Solution is TRIES (i.e. “hears” in court) with the E removed (indicated by “lacking energy” – E being a recognised abbreviation of energy) and the remainder followed by TRAM’S (i.e. “public transport’s”) and HANDY (i.e. “convenient”), like so: TRIS-TRAM’S-HANDY.

39. Be little affected by one’s having broken sleep (6)

Answer: RESIST (i.e. “be little affected by”). Solution is I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one’s”) placed in or “breaking” REST (i.e. “sleep”), like so: RES(I’S)T.

41. Publicises journey and its starting point? (8)

Answer: AIRSTRIP (i.e. “[journey’s] starting point”). Solution is AIRS (i.e. “publicises”) followed by TRIP (i.e. “journey”).

43. Running around indoors, mute (7)

Answer: SORDINO (i.e. a “mute” or “damper to soften or deaden the sound of an instrument” (Chambers)). “Running around” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of INDOORS.

46. Short notice badly deceives, if mistranslated (10,13)

Answer: CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENT (i.e. a “short notice”). “Badly” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of DECEIVES IF MISTRANSLATED.

47. Finally putting a drink before tortoise (8)

Answer: GALAPAGO (i.e. “tortoise”). Solution is G (i.e. “finally putting”, i.e. the last letter of “putting”) followed by A, then LAP (i.e. “drink”) and AGO (i.e. “before”).

48. Stay with sober group around November in the country (6)

Answer: GUYANA (i.e. “country”). Solution is GUY (i.e. “stay” or rope) followed by AA (i.e. “sober group”, specifically Alcoholics Anonymous) once wrapped “around” N (i.e. “November” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: GUY-A(N)A.

49. With others behind, returning (2,2)

Answer: ET AL (i.e. “with others”). Solution is LATE (i.e. “behind”) reversed (indicated by “returning”).

53. Impressive genes, not extremely common to both sexes (7)

Answer: EPICENE (i.e. “common to both sexes”). Solution is EPIC (i.e. “impressive”) followed by ENE (i.e. “genes, not extremely”, i.e. the word “genes” with its first and last letters removed).

54. Finds at home, and allows to escape (7)

Answer: INVENTS (i.e. “finds”). Solution is IN (i.e. “at home”) followed by VENTS (i.e. “allows to escape”).

56. I waste time inhaling drug, for preference (7)

Answer: IDEALLY (i.e. “preference”). Solution is I and DALLY (i.e. “waste time”) wrapped around or “inhaling” E (slang for the “drug” ecstasy), like so: I-D(E)ALLY.

57. With caginess, Gill breaking barrier to progress (5,7)

Answer: GLASS CEILING (i.e. “barrier to progress”). “Breaking” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CAGINESS GILL.

58. Revolutionary used to take month out, given another job (10)

Answer: REDEPLOYED (i.e. “given another job”). Solution is RED (i.e. “revolutionary”) followed by EMPLOYED (i.e. “used”) once the M has been removed (indicated by “to take month out” – M being a recognised abbreviation of “month”), like so: RED-EPLOYED.

Down clues

1. Raised bids to fiddle inside female’s lovely mouth? (6,3)

Answer: CUPID’S BOW (i.e. “lovely mouth” – over to Chambers: “the human lips shaped (either naturally or by lipstick) like [an archery bow in the shape of a double-curve]”). Solution is UP (i.e. “raised”) and an anagram (indicated by “to fiddle”) of BIDS both placed “inside” COW (i.e. “female”), like so: C(UP-IDSB)OW.

2. Appeal from gambler including encouraging line (7,6)

Answer: BEGGING LETTER (i.e. “appeal”). Solution is BETTER (i.e. “gambler”) wrapped around or “including” EGGING (i.e. “encouraging”) and L (a recognised abbreviation of “line”), like so: B(EGGING-L)ETTER.

3. Bread not available? Some is short (4)

Answer: NAAN (i.e. “bread”). Solution is N/A (i.e. “not available”) followed by ANY (i.e. “some”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “is short”), like so: N/A-AN.

4. Singer is suitable to hear, girl and boy admit (4,10)

Answer: ELLA FITZGERALD (i.e. “singer”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “to hear”) of FITS (i.e. “is suitable”) placed between or “admitted” by ELLA and GERALD (i.e. names of a “girl and boy”), like so: ELLA-(FITZ)-GERALD.

5. Decline to start eating big breakfast (3)

Answer: EBB (i.e. “decline”). “To start” indicates the solution is derived from the initial letters of Eating Big Breakfast.

7. Visiting Australia, you call to attract attention (4)

Answer: OYEZ (i.e. “call to attract attention” from, say, a town crier). Solution is YE (i.e. ye olde “you”) “visiting” or placed in OZ (i.e. “Australia”), like so: O(YE)Z.

8. Association opposed to tourism in resort (10)

Answer: CONSORTIUM (i.e. “association”). Solution is CON (i.e. “opposed to”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “in resort”) of TOURISM, like so: CON-SORTIUM.

9. Working through month with pay at the end, as a rule (8)

Answer: MONARCHY (i.e. a form of “rule”). Solution is ON (i.e. “working”) placed in or “through” MARCH (i.e. “month”) and followed by Y (i.e. “pay at the end”, i.e. the last letter of “pay”), like so: M(ON)ARCH-Y.

10. A teacher’s maintaining veto on knowing the latest emergency order (7,4)

Answer: ABANDON SHIP (i.e. “emergency order”). Solution is A and DON’S (i.e. “teacher’s”) wrapped around or “maintaining” BAN (i.e. “veto”). This is all then followed by HIP (i.e. “knowing the latest”), like so: (A-(BAN)-DON’S)-HIP.

11. Perfect model car – vault over it (9)

Answer: ARCHETYPE (i.e. “perfect model”). Solution is E TYPE (i.e. make of “car”, a Jaguar – interesting after DAIMLER last week. Are Times setters angling for new cars now? Ker-ching!) placed after or having “over it” – this being a down clue – ARCH (i.e. “vault” – I disagree. Vaults can be formed of arched ceilings, but I don’t think that’s sufficient to make a direct leap from “vault” to ARCH), like so: ARCH-(E-TYPE).

12. Wonder about leaving tideway in an orderly state (4)

Answer: TIDY (i.e. “in an orderly state”). Solution is TIDEWAY with the EWA removed (indicated by “wonder about leaving” – AWE being “wonder” and “about” being a reversal indicator).

13. Valid legal document is a business asset (8)

Answer: GOODWILL (i.e. “a business asset”, though perhaps not one you’re going to see on a balance sheet). Solution is GOOD (i.e. “valid”) followed by WILL (i.e. “legal document”).

19. Scans the hill, so calling to start game (4,4)

Answer: EYES DOWN (i.e. a “calling to start game” of bingo). Solution is EYES (i.e. “scans”) followed by DOWN (i.e. “hill” – Chambers offers “a treeless upland” to support this, but not much else. My Bradford’s likes it, though).

21. Punch may have this effect – reportedly makes tea (6)

Answer: BRUISE (i.e. “punch may have this effect”). “Reportedly” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of BREWS (i.e. “makes tea”).

22. Small widows’ veils ending up at the cleaners (8)

Answer: SWEEPERS (i.e. “cleaners”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by WEEPERS (i.e. “widows’ veils”). “Ending up” in a down clue can be a cryptic indicator of a final letter moving place, but I think on this occasion it is merely to be read as “resulting in”. Meanwhile, it’s odd to have WEEPERS and WEEPING in the same grid. Suggests there may have been some algorithmic assistance to this week’s puzzle.

23. Supply US with energy for island (8)

Answer: GUERNSEY (i.e. “island”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “supply”, as in being supple) of US and ENERGY.

28. Uniformed man’s authority over fine corps (14)

Answer: COMMISSIONAIRE (i.e. “uniformed man”). Solution is COMMISSION (i.e. “authority”) followed by AI (i.e. “fine”, i.e. “A1” with the 1 replaced by its Roman numeral equivalent) and RE (i.e. “corps”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army).

29. Painting a leaf wrapping stone (8)

Answer: ABSTRACT (i.e. “painting”). Solution is A and BRACT (i.e. “leaf” – over to Chambers again: “a leaf (often modified) that bears a flower in its axil”) “wrapped” around ST (a recognised abbreviation of “stone”), like so: AB(ST)RACT.

30. Rest period, at the test match? (5,3)

Answer: LORD’S DAY (i.e. “rest period”, Sunday). Clue plays on LORDS being a “test match” ground.

32. Given an errand, one people credit with tender emotion (13)

Answer: SENTIMENTALLY (i.e. “with tender emotion”). Solution is SENT (i.e. “given an errand”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), then MEN (i.e. “people”) and TALLY (i.e. concur or “credit”).

33. Permanent quality something brought on stage (8)

Answer: PROPERTY. Solution satisfies “permanent quality” and “something brought on stage”, often shortened to “prop”.

35. Where to find the finest vintages, we hear – they fly off the shelves (4,7)

Answer: BEST SELLERS (i.e. “they fly off the shelves”). “We hear” indicates homophone, in this case of BEST CELLARS (i.e. “where to find the finest vintages”).

37. Wounded horse with weapons (6)

Answer: HARMED (i.e. “wounded”). Solution is H (i.e. “horse”, both slang for heroin) followed by ARMED (i.e. “with weapons”).

38. This could suggest girl left meat dish (5,5)

Answer: MIXED GRILL (i.e. “meat dish”). Solution is MIXED GRIL (i.e. “this could suggest girl”, i.e. how GRIL is an anagram (indicated by MIXED) of “girl”) followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”).

40. In paradise almost furiously anxious at first to uphold peace (7-2)

Answer: SHANGRI-LA (i.e. “paradise” of James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon). Solution is ANGRILY (i.e. “furiously”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “almost”) and the remainder followed by A (i.e. “anxious at first”, i.e. the initial letter of “anxious”). This is all preceded by or “upholding” – this being a down clue – SH (i.e. “peace” – Chambers suggests this used to be directive to be silent), like so: SH-(ANGRIL-A). Another conspicuous repeat, appearing only a couple of months ago in grid 1600.

42. Storming round Virginia wreaking destruction (8)

Answer: RAVAGING (i.e. “wreaking destruction”). Solution is RAGING (i.e. “storming”) wrapped “round” VA (US state abbreviation of “Virginia”), like so: RA(VA)GING.

44. Defeated by a better dramatist? (9)

Answer: OUTPLAYED (i.e. “defeated”). Clue plays on “dramatists” wot write PLAYS. You get the idea.

45. Perhaps bishop’s uniform (2,1,5)

Answer: OF A PIECE (i.e. homogenous or “uniform”). Clue also satisfies “perhaps bishop’s”, read possessively – a bishop being a chess PIECE.

50. Composer committed to chamber group (4)

Answer: Alban BERG (i.e. “composer”). “Committed to” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: CHAM(BER G)ROUP.

51. River that is a feature of some German names (4)

Answer: AVON (i.e. “river”). Solution is A followed by VON (i.e. “feature of some German names”).

52. Divorced from old wife, chap collapsed (4)

Answer: FELL (i.e. “collapsed”). Solution is FELLOW (i.e. “chap”) once removing or “divorcing” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and W (ditto “wife”).

55. Get to appear shortly (3)

Answer: SEE (i.e. understand or “see”). Solution is SEEM (i.e. “appear”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “shortly”).

Another medium-strength Jumbo, much like Saturday’s, and another winner in my book. The clueing wasn’t quite as inventive, but there’s always something nice about concisely-written clues. (Less typing for a start.)

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

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

LP

Across clues

1. Provide with some flexibility (6)

Answer: SUPPLY. Solution satisfies “provide” and “with some flexibility”, as in being supple.

4. Those spotted in historical Croatian region? (10)

Answer: DALMATIANS. Solution satisfies “those spotted”, referring to the breed of dogs, and “in historical Croatian region”, Dalmatia.

10. Preserve licence, say, for dog (5)

Answer: CANID (i.e. “dog”). Solution is CAN (i.e. “preserve”) followed by ID (i.e. “licence, say” – I’m guessing something like a driving licence or shotgun licence).

14. A bloke carrying boy round drink (9)

Answer: AMERICANO (i.e. coffee “drink”). Solution is A followed by MAN (i.e. “bloke”) once wrapped around or “carrying” ERIC (i.e. “boy’s” name), then O (i.e. “round”), like so: A-M(ERIC)AN-O.

15. Godfather in agreement, perhaps, with important oil supplier (7,6)

Answer: NODDING DONKEY (i.e. “oil supplier”). Solution is DON (i.e. “godfather”, probably referring to a Mafia don) placed “in” NODDING (i.e. “agreement, perhaps”) and KEY (i.e. “important”), like so: NODDING-(DON)-KEY. Disappointing that this solution appeared only a few weeks ago in grid 1601. Conspicuous repeats like this happen way too often in Jumbos. It’s enough to get certain internet non-entities dusting off their pet conspiracy theories… rant, rave, GridFill 4000^TM, froth, seethe and so forth.

16. Disinfected blister I left to shrink (7)

Answer: STERILE (i.e. “disinfected”). “To shrink” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, stripping away the outer letters of BLI(STER I LE)FT. Nicely worked.

17. Car manufacturer close to Oxford, one intending to import first of Ladas (7)

Answer: DAIMLER (i.e. “car manufacturer”). Solution is D (i.e. “close of Oxford”, i.e. the last letter of “Oxford”) followed by AIMER (i.e. “one intending”) once wrapped around or “importing” L (i.e. “first [letter] of Ladas”), like so: D-AIM(L)ER. There has been some interesting commentary in the main paper over the weekend about the differences between crosswords in US and British newspapers. In my (limited) experience, US crosswords are somewhat more forgiving in what they will allow in their grids: company names especially. It’s perhaps not surprising when you consider the large number of intersecting solutions in US grids, but I do prefer the relative restraint exercised by the Brits. Until this solution, anyway. Kerching!

18. Dissertation originally by old maestro, dramatised (7)

Answer: OVERDID (i.e. “dramatised”, presumably with a ‘dying swan’ flourish). Solution is D (i.e. “dissertation originally”, i.e. the first letter of “dissertation”) placed “by” or after O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and Giuseppe VERDI (i.e. “maestro”), like so: (O-VERDI)-D.

19. That criticism was just some advice to headgear’s buyer? (2,3,3,4,4,2)

Answer: IF THE CAP FITS WEAR IT, a phrase suggesting someone should accept an appropriate “criticism” made of them. The rest of the clue riffs on CAPS being “headwear” and so on. You get the idea.

21. Second before now (4)

Answer: BACK. Solution satisfies “second” or to support, and “before now”.

24. Ship returning banks on European currency (5)

Answer: KRONA (i.e. “European currency”). Solution is ARK (i.e. “ship”) reversed (indicated by “returning”) and wrapped around or “banking” ON, like so: KR(ON)A.

26. Knowledge gathered about fall in old French province (8)

Answer: LORRAINE (i.e. “old French province”). Solution is LORE (i.e. “knowledge gathered”) wrapped “about” RAIN (i.e. “fall”), like so: LOR(RAIN)E.

27. Slow gin, a strange motor fuel! (8)

Answer: GASOLINE (i.e. “motor fuel”). “Strange” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of SLOE GIN A.

29. Serve grotty stuff and give the game away? (4,3,4)

Answer: DISH THE DIRT. Solution playfully satisfies “serve grotty stuff” and “give the game away” – my Chambers disagrees, suggesting it’s purely about spreading malicious gossip, but my Oxford just about supports it.

30. One’s as stupid, apparently, when news is slow (5,6)

Answer: SILLY SEASON (i.e. “when news is slow”). The first half of the clue plays on how “one’s as” is an anagram of SEASON. SILLY, meanwhile, is sometimes used as an anagram indicator; SILLY = “stupid”, you get the idea.

32. Sticky bat compiler wielded (11)

Answer: PROBLEMATIC (i.e. “sticky”). “Wielded” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of BAT COMPILER.

35. Put down location of bench in sporting arena (6,5)

Answer: SQUASH COURT (i.e. “sporting arena”). Solution is SQUASH (i.e. extinguish or “put down”) followed by COURT (i.e. “location of bench”, legally speaking).

37. Embarrassed: like you reportedly? (8)

Answer: SHEEPISH (i.e. “embarrassed”). The rest of the clue plays on “you” being a homophone (indicated by “reportedly”) of a “ewe”; like a “ewe” could be said to be SHEEPISH. Again, you get the idea.

39. Sneakiness evident if loading lorry with last of merchandise (8)

Answer: ARTIFICE (i.e. “sneakiness”). Solution is IF is placed in or “loaded” into ARTIC (i.e. “lorry”) and E (i.e. “last [letter] of merchandise”), like so: ART(IF)IC-E.

40. See you grabbing tail of sleek otter (5)

Answer: TARKA (i.e. “otter”, after Henry Williamson’s novel Tarka The Otter). Solution is TARA (i.e. “see you”) wrapped around or “grabbing” K (i.e. “tail of sleek”, i.e. the last letter of “sleek”), like so: TAR(K)A.

43. Heading off, poach bird (4)

Answer: TEAL (i.e. “bird”). Solution is STEAL (i.e. “poach”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “heading off”).

44. Exaggerate awfully witty Orwellian oath (3,2,2,4,1,6)

Answer: LAY IT ON WITH A TROWEL (i.e. “exaggerate”). “Awfully” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of WITTY ORWELLIAN OATH.

47. Emotional teacher’s first lecture (7)

Answer: TEARFUL (i.e. “emotional”). Solution is T (i.e. “teacher’s first” letter) followed by EARFUL (i.e. “lecture”).

48. Samples in vegetables eyed, first of swedes eaten (7)

Answer: TASTERS (i.e. “samples”). Solution is TATERS (i.e. “vegetables eyed” – an “eye” can be “the seed-bud of a potato” (Chambers)) wrapped around or “eating” S (i.e. “first [letter] of swedes”), like so: TA(S)TERS.

50. A way past disagreement on reflection, initially (2,5)

Answer: AT FIRST (i.e. “initially”). Solution is A and ST (i.e. “way”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a “street”), the latter placed after or “past” RIFT (i.e. “disagreement”) once reversed (indicated by “on reflection”), like so: A-(TFIR)-ST.

51. For each family conflict, gesture old pretender (6,7)

Answer: PERKIN WARBECK (i.e. “old pretender” – he tried to claim he was one of the two princes supposedly murdered in the Tower of London, playing on the uncertainly of the time. Can’t say I’d heard of him, but interesting all the same). Solution is PER (i.e. “for each”) followed by KIN (i.e. “family”), then WAR (i.e. “conflict”) and BECK (i.e. a nod or “gesture”).

52. Arguably, what might grip opera lover about a show from the 80’s (5,4)

Answer: MIAMI VICE (i.e. TV “show from the 80’s”). Solution is MIMI VICE (playfully, “what might grip opera lover” – Mimi is a character from Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème. Yes, I looked it up) wrapped “about” A, like so: MI(A)MI-VICE. For much of the puzzle I’d convinced myself this was going to be THAT’S LIFE, if only so I could then post a video of that dog saying “sausages”. Such cultural highpoints will have to wait, sadly.

53. Nothing in eastern half of country, Switzerland (5)

Answer: ZILCH (i.e. “nothing”). Solution is ZIL, the “eastern half” of Brazil (i.e. a “country”) – this being an across clue – followed by CH (country code of “Switzerland”, standing for Confoederatio Helvetica).

54. Semi-intelligible character wanting land redistributed: do nothing about that (6,4)

Answer: DONALD DUCK (i.e. “semi-intelligible character” of Walt Disney). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “redistributed”) of LAND placed in or having “about” it DO and DUCK (i.e. “nothing”, a zero score in some sports), like so: DO-(NALD)-DUCK.

55. Broadcast dark period piece (6)

Answer: KNIGHT (i.e. chess “piece”). “Broadcast” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of NIGHT (i.e. “dark period”).

Down clues

1. Laugh initially nailed by halfwits, instant comedy (9)

Answer: SLAPSTICK (i.e. “comedy”). Solution is L (i.e. “laugh initially”, i.e. the first letter of “laugh”) placed in or “nailed by” SAPS (i.e. “halfwits”) and followed by TICK (i.e. an “instant”), like so: S(L)APS-TICK.

2. High-sounding holy shrouds on canvas (11)

Answer: PRETENTIOUS (i.e. “high-sounding”). Solution is PIOUS (i.e. “holy”) wrapped around or “shrouding” RE (i.e. “on” or regarding – think email replies) and TENT (i.e. “canvas”), like so: P(RE-TENT)IOUS.

3. Remove from church where US city is icebound (7)

Answer: LAICISE (i.e. “remove from church”). Solution is LA (i.e. “US city”, Los Angeles) followed by IS once placed in or “bound” by ICE, like so: LA-IC(IS)E.

5. Nothing consumed by hungry duck (5)

Answer: AVOID (i.e. “duck” or dodge). Solution is O (i.e. “nothing”) placed in or “consumed by” AVID (i.e. greedily “hungry”), like so: AV(O)ID.

6. Characteristic of chaps crossing perfect stretch of water (5,6)

Answer: MENAI STRAIT (i.e. “stretch of water” separating Anglesey and the Welsh mainland). Solution is MEN’S TRAIT (i.e. “characteristic of chaps”) wrapped around or “crossing” AI (i.e. “perfect”, i.e. A1 with the 1 replaced by its Roman numeral equivalent), like so: MEN(AI)’S-TRAIT.

7. Game involving king in victories that are tight? (11)

Answer: TIDDLYWINKS (i.e. “game”). Solution is TIDDLY WINS (i.e. “victories that are tight” – “tight” and TIDDLY being words for being drunk) wrapped around or “involving” K (a recognised abbreviation of “king” used in chess), like so: TIDDY-WIN(K)S.

8. Song in a code relating to hives (8)

Answer: APIARIAN (i.e. “relating to [bee]hives”). Solution is ARIA (i.e. “song”) placed “in” A and PIN (i.e. “code”, or Personal Identification Number), like so: A-PI(ARIA)N.

9. Miss warning: “broadcast on air” (9)

Answer: SIGNORINA (i.e. Italian “miss”). Solution is SIGN (i.e. “warning”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “broadcast”) of ON AIR, like so: SIGN-ORINA.

10. Herb, Charlie and Romeo (6)

Answer: CLOVER (i.e. “herb”). Solution is C (“Charlie” in the phonetic alphabet) followed by LOVER (i.e. “Romeo”).

11. Women wanting fig leaves for plant (5,6)

Answer: NAKED LADIES (i.e. “plant”, albeit not one I’ll be doing a Google image search for). Solution playfully satisfies “women wanting fig leaves”, given how fig leaves were sometimes used in artworks to cover up naughty bits.

12. Sober plug for spirit (5)

Answer: DRYAD (i.e. “spirit” or wood nymph). Solution is DRY (i.e. “sober”) followed by AD (i.e. “plug”, short for advertisement).

13. Nine of diamonds? (8,4)

Answer: BASEBALL TEAM. Clue plays on how baseball is played on a “diamond”, and how there are “nine” players in a team. Nicely worked.

20. Ordinal throwing relationship in river (8)

Answer: FORTIETH (i.e. “ordinal”, a word that indicates the position within a sequence). Solution is TIE (i.e. “relationship”) “thrown…into” FORTH (a “river” in Scotland), like so: FOR(TIE)TH.

22. Holding underwater device with all toes, maybe, look up (7)

Answer: KEEPNET (i.e. “holding underwater device” used by anglers to keep their catches alive). Solution is TEN (i.e. “all toes, maybe” – well, obviously except anyone from (insert your local backwater town here)) and PEEK (i.e. “look”) all reversed (indicated by “up”- this being a down clue), like so: KEEP-NET.

23. Current failure has United team in first position going the wrong way (5,3)

Answer: POWER CUT (i.e. electrical “current failure”). Solution is U (a recognised abbreviation of “United”) and CREW (i.e. “team”) placed “in” TOP (i.e. “first position”). This is all then reversed (indicated by “going the wrong way”), like so: PO(WERC-U)T.

25. Insect has taken fly off gazelle, say (8)

Answer: ANTELOPE (i.e. “gazelle, say” – other antelopes are available). Solution is ANT (i.e. “insect”) followed by ELOPE (i.e. “fly off” secretly, usually to marry).

28. Tailored suit, dull coats for musician (8)

Answer: FLAUTIST (i.e. “musician”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “tailored”) of SUIT placed in or “coated” by FLAT (i.e. “dull”), like so: FLA(UTIS)T.

29. Matter dropped when top side hammered (7)

Answer: DEPOSIT (i.e. “matter dropped”). “Hammered” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TOP SIDE.

31. Old Middle Eastern leader a long way off grabbed by sailor with effort, after capsizing (6,6)

Answer: YASSER ARAFAT (i.e. “old Middle Eastern leader”). Solution is AFAR (i.e. “a long way off”) placed in or “grabbed by” TAR (slang for a “sailor”) and followed by ESSAY (i.e. “effort” or to attempt). The whole is then reversed (indicated by “after capsizing” – this being a down clue), like so: YASSE-RA(RAFA)T.

33. More than 35 imperial gallons of oil in a pickle (4,1,6)

Answer: OVER A BARREL. Solution satisfies “more than 35 imperial gallons of oil” and “in a pickle”. Love the imagery. That’s one hell of a pickle!

34. Alloy wheels stolen, be furious! (6,5)

Answer: CARBON STEEL (i.e. “alloy”). Solution is CAR (i.e. “wheels”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “furious”) of STOLEN BE, like so: CAR-BONSTEEL.

35. Last of vermouth in drink drunk on the rocks, perhaps? (11)

Answer: SHIPWRECKED (i.e. “on the rocks, perhaps”). Solution is H (i.e. “last [letter] of vermouth”) placed “in” SIP (i.e. “drink”) and followed by WRECKED (i.e. “drunk”), like so: S(H)IP-WRECKED.

36. Enduring war, tragically futile (11)

Answer: UNREWARDING (i.e. “futile”). “Tragically” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ENDURING WAR.

38. Drunk welcome beyond Devon etc (9)

Answer: SWALLOWED (i.e. “drunk”). Solution is ALLOWED (i.e. “welcome” or admitted willingly) placed after or “beyond” SW (i.e. “Devon etc”, i.e. its location in England, a recognised abbreviation of “south-west”), like so: SW-ALLOWED.

41. Share fortune soldiers locked up with key (9)

Answer: ALLOTMENT (i.e. “share”). Solution is LOT (i.e. “fortune”) and MEN (i.e. “soldiers”, unreconstructedly) all placed in or “locked up with” ALT (i.e. a “key” on a computer keyboard), like so: AL(LOT-MEN)T.

42. Plunge has sea bird catching a fly, say (8)

Answer: DIPTERAN (i.e. “fly, say” – the solution is a creature with two wings). Solution is DIP (i.e. “plunge”) followed by TERN (i.e. “sea bird”) once wrapped around or “catching” A, like so: DIP-TER(A)N. One recalled from a previous puzzle, eventually.

45. Punk with green hair brushed up (7)

Answer: RUFFIAN (i.e. “punk”). Solution is NAIF (i.e. “green” or naïve) and FUR (i.e. “hair”) all reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: RUF-FIAN. Nicely worked.

46. Piscatorial, maybe, and cold? (6)

Answer: OFFISH (i.e. “cold”). When written as OF FISH the solution also satisfies “piscatorial”. Another I rather liked.

47. Stone to kill, sent skywards (5)

Answer: TOPAZ (i.e. “stone”). Solution is TO and ZAP (i.e. “kill”) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “sent skywards” – this being a down clue), like so: TO-PAZ.

49. Plant philosopher pulled up (5)

Answer: SUMAC (i.e. “plant”). Solution is Albert CAMUS (i.e. “philosopher”) once reversed (indicated by “pulled up” – again, this being a down clue).

A medium strength Jumbo for the Easter weekend, and one that offered the kind of steady progression that I always like… well, that was until the bottom-right corner. Thankfully there was nothing too egregious here, just a little snaggy in places. A healthy dollop of good clues made up for all this and more.

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

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

LP

FBV (French-By-Volume): 3.2%
(finished with dashes of German and Italian for a cosmopolitan tang)

Across clues

1. Incorrect statement about Disney character, about right for tycoon? (9)

Answer: PLUTOCRAT (i.e. “tycoon”). Solution is PLUTO CAT (i.e. “incorrect statement about Disney character” – Pluto being a dog, not a cat) wrapped “about” R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”), like so: PLUTO-C(R)AT.

6. Bout follows live match (5)

Answer: BEFIT (i.e. “match”). Solution is FIT (i.e. “bout”) placed after or “following” BE (i.e. “live”), like so: BE-FIT.

9. Henry returning to pay in haste (7)

Answer: HOTFOOT (i.e. “haste”). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “Henry”, a unit of measurement of electrical inductance) followed by TO reversed (indicated by “returning”), then FOOT (i.e. “to pay”), like so: H-OT-FOOT.

13. Thus overlooked, boy did play, strangely (5)

Answer: ODDLY (i.e. “strangely”). The first part of the clue plays on how the solution cryptically satisfies “thus overlooked, boy did play”, as in how the solution is derived by removing or “overlooking” the odd letters of BOY DID PLAY.

14. Not the clergy’s records being recalled in particular (7)

Answer: SPECIAL (i.e. “particular”). Solution is LAIC (i.e. “not the clergy’s”, or of lay people) and EPS (i.e. “records”, specifically Extended Plays) all reversed (indicated by “being recalled”), like so: SPE-CIAL.

15. Had food finally landed in appropriate place, at long last? (9)

Answer: BELATEDLY (i.e. “at long last”). Solution is ATE (i.e. “had food”) and D (i.e. “finally landed”, i.e. the last letter of “landed”) both placed “in” BELLY (i.e. “appropriate place” for food, in the context of the clue), like so: BEL(ATE-D)LY.

16. Wide river: manage to cross it in pain (3-8)

Answer: FAR-REACHING (i.e. “wide”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), REACH (i.e. “manage to cross it”) and IN all placed “in” (a bit of recycling, if I’m not mistaken) FAG (i.e. “pain”, as in a tiresome task or person), like so: FA(R-REACH-IN)G.

[EDIT: Thanks to Chris in the comments for providing a much cleaner solution, being FARE (i.e. “manage”) wrapped around or “crossing” R (“river”, as described) and followed by ACHING (i.e. “in pain”), like so: FAR(R)E-ACHING. Cheers, Chris! – LP]

17. Suffering from cold several times bonfires must be built (11)

Answer: FROSTBITTEN (i.e. “suffering from cold”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “must be built”) of TTT (i.e. “several times”, T being a recognised abbreviation of “time”. On this occasion we want three of them) and BONFIRES.

18. Bounded around home, healthy and with energy (6)

Answer: FINITE (i.e. “bounded”). Solution is IN (i.e. at “home”) with FIT (i.e. “healthy”) placed “around” it. This is all then followed by E (a recognised abbreviation of “energy”), like so: F(IN)IT-E.

19. Both mum and aunt finally, sadly, showing little character (3,5)

Answer: TOM THUMB (i.e. “little character” of folklore). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “sadly”) of BOTH MUM and T (i.e. “aunt finally”, i.e. the last letter of “aunt”).

21. Disturbance over waiter’s tip, followed by row (6)

Answer: UPROAR (i.e. “disturbance”). Solution is UP (i.e. complete or “over”) followed by R (i.e. “waiter’s tip”, in this case the back end of “waiter”) and OAR (i.e. “row”).

25. Stud resembling star affixed to cape (8)

Answer: CASANOVA (i.e. “stud”). Solution is AS A (i.e. “resembling”) and NOVA (i.e. “star”) all placed after or “affixed to” C (a recognised abbreviation of “cape”), like so: C-(AS-A-NOVA).

26. Be received by television station’s original founder (2,4,3,5)

Answer: GO DOWN THE TUBES (i.e. to “founder”). Solution is GO DOWN THE TUBE (i.e. “be received by television” – TUBE being slang for a television set) followed by S (i.e. “station’s original”, i.e. the first letter of “station”).

28. Settlements: a single one ultimately that hurt the Poles (5)

Answer: TOWNS (i.e. “settlements”). Solution is T (i.e. “settlements: a single one ultimately” – I think the setter is referring to a single settlement here, the last or “ultimate” letter of the word being T) followed by OW (i.e. “that hurts”) and NS (i.e. “poles”, short for north and south).

29. Musical works tell a story, radical on reflection (6)

Answer: LIEDER (i.e. “musical works”). Solution is LIE (i.e. “tell a story”) followed by RED (i.e. a “Radical”) once reversed (indicated by “on reflection”), like so: LIE-DER.

30. Titled lord, frightfully musical! (2,8)

Answer: DR DOLITTLE (i.e. “musical” film of 1968 starring Rex Harrison, based on the children’s books of Hugh Lofting). “Frightfully” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of TITLED LORD.

33. Shopkeeper with quiet way of working getting in touch (10)

Answer: FISHMONGER (i.e. “shopkeeper”). Solution is SH (i.e. “quiet”) and MO (i.e. “way of working”, short for Modus Operandi) both placed “in” FINGER (i.e. “touch”), like so: FI(SH-MO)NGER.

35. Old dictator seeing money accrued after election is endless (3,3)

Answer: POL POT (i.e. “old dictator” of Cambodia). Solution is POT (i.e. “money accrued”) placed “after” POLL (i.e. “election”) once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “is endless”).

36. Kid is very loud after tea (5)

Answer: CHAFF (i.e. to “kid”). Solution is FF (i.e. “very loud”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of fortissimo used in musical lingo) placed “after” CHA (i.e. “tea”), like so: CHA-FF.

38. Nonsense about basic fitness of course good reason for scepticism (11,3)

Answer: CREDIBILITY GAP (i.e. “reason for scepticism”). Solution is CRAP (i.e. “nonsense”) wrapped “about” EDIBILITY (i.e. “basic fitness of course”) and G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”), like so: CR(EDIBILITY-G)AP.

40. For physicist, a very disastrous error having a doctor round (8)

Answer: Amadeo AVOGADRO (i.e. Italian “physicist”). Solution is A followed by V (a recognised abbreviation of “very”), then OG (i.e. “disastrous error”, short for an Own Goal), then A, then DR (short for “doctor”) and O (i.e. “round”). One pieced together solely from the wordplay.

42. One going left hot drink close to pram: naughty! (6)

Answer: IMPISH (i.e. “naughty”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) followed by H (a recognised abbreviation of “hot” used on taps), SIP (i.e. a “drink”) and M (i.e. “close to pram”, i.e. the last letter of “pram”) once these latter three have all been reversed (indicated by “going left” – this being an across clue), like so: I-(M-PIS-H).

43. Shrink understood Leo – only for so long (6-2)

Answer: TOODLE-OO (i.e. “so long”). “Shrink” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, removing the outer letters of UNDERS(TOOD LEO O)NLY.

44. What bishops may grasp about different men (6)

Answer: CROOKS (i.e. “what bishops may grasp”). Solution is C (i.e. “about”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) followed by ROOKS (i.e. “men” – chess pieces are sometimes referred to as men). “Different” seems surplus to requirements, so I might not have this 100% right.

[EDIT: Thanks again to Chris for clarifying “different” within the clue. I hadn’t twigged bishops being chess pieces too. Cheers, Chris! – LP]

47. Soft and runny porridge: that is a French dish (8,3)

Answer: PERIGORD PIE (i.e. “French dish” of meat and truffles. Sounds good to me). Solution is P (i.e. “soft”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “piano” used in musical lingo) followed by an anagram (indicated by “runny”) of PORRIDGE, then IE (i.e. “that is”, i.e. “i.e.” short for the Latin id est), like so: P-ERIGORDP-IE.

50. Something deceptive in the case of latest Mob suspect (5,6)

Answer: FALSE BOTTOM (i.e. “something deceptive in the [suit]case”). “Suspect” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of OF LATEST MOB.

52. Notwithstanding popular image, enemy in retreat (2,5,2)

Answer: IN SPITE OF (i.e. “notwithstanding”). Solution is IN (i.e. “popular”) followed by SPIT (i.e. “image” or exact replica) and FOE (i.e. “enemy”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “in retreat”), like so: IN-SPIT-EOF.

53. Wind got of husband’s casual reference to couple? (7)

Answer: MEANDER (i.e. to “wind”). When written as ME AND ‘ER the solution playfully satisfies “husband’s casual reference to couple”.

54. Chap fifty yards back, bang in the middle (5)

Answer: DYLAN (i.e. “chap’s” name). Solution is L (i.e. “[Roman numeral] fifty”) and YD (a recognised abbreviation of “yards”) all reversed (indicated by “back”). This is then followed by AN (i.e. “bang in the middle”, i.e. the middle letters of “bang”), like so: (DY-L)-AN.

55. Camel at the back, one with humps, for example, not unnaturally (7)

Answer: LITOTES (i.e. “for example, not unnaturally” – over to Chambers: “affirmation by negation of the contrary”). Solution is L (i.e. “camel at the back”, i.e. the last letter of “camel”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and TOTES (i.e. “humps” or carries). One I remembered from a previous Jumbo.

56. Four German couples appearing at end of Huckleberry Finn? (5)

Answer: YACHT (i.e. “finn” – this defeated my Chambers and Oxford dictionaries, but a quick Google suggests this is a type of dinghy used in competitive racing). Solution is ACHT (i.e. “four German couples”, i.e. the German for “eight”) placed after or “at” Y (i.e. “end of Huckleberry”, i.e. the last letter of “Huckleberry”), like so: Y-ACHT.

57. Festival queen, depressed, finding comfort in retirement (9)

Answer: EIDERDOWN (i.e. “comfort in retirement” or in having some kip). Solution is EID (i.e. Muslim “festival”) followed by ER (i.e. “queen”, specifically Elizabeth Regina) and DOWN (i.e. “depressed”).

Down clues

1. What demonstrates strength of spirit (5)

Answer: PROOF. Solution satisfies “what demonstrates” and “strength of spirit”. Nicely worked.

2. Very young infants have small playgroup, independently (5,4,3,5)

Answer: UNDER ONE’S OWN STEAM (i.e. “independently”). Solution is UNDER-ONES (i.e. “very young infants”) followed by OWNS (i.e. “have”) and TEAM (i.e. “playgroup”).

3. Neat Yankee fellow seen with medical department’s hospital equipment (6,5)

Answer: OXYGEN TENTS (i.e. “hospital equipment”). Solution is OX (i.e. “neat”, a variant meaning) followed by Y (“Yankee” in the phonetic alphabet), then GENT (i.e. “fellow”) and ENT’S (i.e. “medical department’s” – ENT being short for Ear Nose and Throat).

4. For these jobs the academic not always in the end cut out (6)

Answer: RESECT (i.e. “cut out”, supposedly a section of bone). “Always in the end” indicates the solution is derived from the last letters of “foR thesE jobS thE academiC noT“.

5. Bash we do with champagne (3,5)

Answer: THE WIDOW (i.e. “champagne”, specifically Veuve Clicquot. Veuve is French for “widow”). “Bash” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of WE DO WITH. Another nicely worked clue.

6. Link with firms keeping judge and journalist in work (7,5)

Answer: BRIDGET JONES (i.e. “journalist in work” by novelist Helen Fielding). Solution is BRIDGE (i.e. “link”) followed by TONES (i.e. “firms” up) once wrapped around or “keeping” J (a recognised abbreviation of “judge”), like so: BRIDGE-T(J)ONES. It’s always nice to see relatively recent cultural references sneaking into Jumbos every now and again.

7. Conflict with rank in decline, mostly (4,4,2)

Answer: FALL FOUL OF (i.e. “conflict with”). Solution FOUL (i.e. “rank”) placed “in” FALL OFF (i.e. “decline”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: FALL-(FOUL)-OF.

8. Disapproved of cheers? The opposite! (5)

Answer: TABOO (i.e. “disapproved of”). Solution is TA (i.e. “cheers”) followed by BOO (i.e. “the opposite” of cheers).

9. Deception lethal, FT ruthlessly demonstrates (4-5)

Answer: HALF-TRUTH (i.e. “deception”). “Demonstrates” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: LET(HAL FT RUTH)LESSLY.

10. Sound disapproving note about one franc confection (5,6)

Answer: TUTTI FRUTTI (i.e. “confection”). Solution is TUT-TUT (i.e. “sound disapproving”) and TI (i.e. musical “note” of the sol-fa scale) wrapped “about” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and FR (a recognised abbreviation of “franc”), like so: TUT-T(I-FR)UT-TI.

11. Report of case for Oxonian: E Morse? (2,3)

Answer: ON DIT (i.e. “report” – another that defeats my Chambers, but my Oxford supports it, supposedly being a rumour or piece of gossip). Solution is ON (i.e. “case for Oxonian”, i.e. the first and last letters of “Oxonian”) followed by DIT (i.e. “E Morse”, i.e. the letter E in Morse code, a single dit). Can’t say I’ve ever heard the phrase but I do like the construction of the clue, playing on Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse, whose first name is Endeavour. Very nicely done.

12. Object after husband’s made track difficult (6)

Answer: TRYING (i.e. “difficult”). Solution is THING (i.e. “object”) once the H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”) has been swapped for or “made” into RY (i.e. “track”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “railway”), like so: T(H)ING => T(RY)ING.

18. Expert’s characteristic, confrontational position (4,2,4)

Answer: FACE TO FACE (i.e. “confrontational position”). When written as FACET OF ACE the solution also satisfies “expert’s characteristic”.

20. Stony ridge linked to football training (8)

Answer: BANKRUPT (i.e. “stony” broke). Solution is BANK (i.e. “ridge”) followed by RU (i.e. “football”, specifically Rugby Union) and PT (i.e. “training”, specifically Physical Training).

22. Poor old constable to bat, getting a pair – that was funny! (6,3,8)

Answer: Bud ABBOTT AND Lou COSTELLO (i.e. “a pair – that was funny”. I concur! I loved their horror cross-overs as a young un). “Poor” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of OLD CONSTABLE TO BAT. Another winner.

23. What you see before eruption upset island paradise (6)

Answer: AVALON (i.e. “island paradise” where King Arthur was supposedly laid to rest). Solution is NO LAVA (i.e. “what you see before eruption”) all reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue). The down clues are knocking it out of the park this week!

24. Life’s good for flourishing South London area (4,2,4)

Answer: ISLE OF DOGS (i.e. “London area”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “for flourishing”) of LIFE’S GOOD followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “south”), like so: ISLEOFDOG-S.

27. Old monk’s high point joining order (8)

Answer: BENEDICT (i.e. “old monk”). Solution is BEN (i.e. a mountain peak or “high point”) followed by EDICT (i.e. “order”).

31. Old firm keeping tax returns in book (6)

Answer: OCTAVO (i.e. “book”. Over to Chambers again: “adjective: having eight leaves to the sheet; (conventionally) of a size so obtained, whether so folded or not. noun: a book printed on sheets so folded; (conventionally) a book of such a size…”). Solution is O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”) and CO (i.e. “firm”, short for company) once wrapped around or “keeping” VAT (i.e. “tax”, specifically Value Added Tax) once reversed (indicated by “returns”), like so: O-C(TAV)O. A relatively recent repeat with much the same clue, making this a much easier get.

32. What’s Easter – and Lent – without a taste of eggs! (7,5)

Answer: MOVABLE FEAST (i.e. “Easter”, a festival that shifts about according to the first full moon after the spring equinox). The rest of the clue leaves me cold – religion has that effect on me – but it could be MOVABLE FAST (i.e. “Lent”) wrapped around or placed “without” E (i.e. “a taste of eggs”, i.e. the first letter of “eggs”).

34. Millions, unhealthy and lean, are those up for spam? (7,4)

Answer: MAILING LIST (i.e. “are those up for spam” – categorically not!) Solution is M (a recognised abbreviation of “millions”) followed by AILING (i.e. “unhealthy”) and LIST (i.e. to “lean”).

36. Red oligarch’s broadcast one offering a mouthpiece for Havana? (5,6)

Answer: CIGAR HOLDER (i.e. “one offering a mouthpiece for Havana”). “Broadcast” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of RED OLIGARCH.

37. Promoter with loudspeaker outside party, back to get under one’s skin (10)

Answer: HYPODERMIC (i.e. “under one’s skin”). Solution is HYPER (i.e. “promoter”) and MIC (i.e. “loudspeaker” – I think the setter’s really stretching it here. A microphone on its own isn’t going to amplify your voice. Don’t believe me? Take a mic to the bar of a packed nightclub and let me know how you get on) placed “outside” of DO (i.e. “party”) once reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: HYP(OD)ER-MIC.

39. Ann with shires working thus? (2,7)

Answer: IN HARNESS (i.e. “thus” within the context of the clue, referring to “shire” horses). “Working” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of ANN and SHIRES.

41. US president collected papers for one from the South (8)

Answer: Calvin COOLIDGE (i.e. “US president” of the 1920s). Solution is COOL (i.e. “collected”) followed by ID (i.e. “papers”) and EG (i.e. “for one” or for example) once reversed (indicated by “from the South” – this being a down clue), like so: COOL-ID-GE.

45. University fellow stretched, evidently, to a higher level (6)

Answer: UPHILL (i.e. “to a higher level”). Solution is U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”) followed by PHILL (i.e. “fellow stretched, evidently” – i.e. the man’s name PHIL with the last letter repeated).

46. Old-fashioned daughter walked on over (6)

Answer: RETROD (i.e. “walked on over”). Solution is RETRO (i.e. “old-fashioned”) followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”). Took a while to twig.

48. Put back a class of biblical scholars? (5)

Answer: RESET (i.e. “put back” to a previous state). When written as RE SET the solution satisfies “class of biblical scholars” – RE being Religious Education.

49. Having the effects of inflation drag on years (5)

Answer: PUFFY (i.e. “having the effects of inflation”). Solution is PUFF (i.e. “drag” of a cigarette) followed by Y (a recognised abbreviation of “years”).

51. Opera that’s performed in French but not in Italian (5)

Answer: MANON (i.e. “opera that’s performed in French” by Jules Massenet – no, me neither). When written as MA NON the solution also satisfies “but not” in Italian. I got this latter bit by spotting the phrase “ma non troppo” in my Chambers, supposedly meaning “but not too much” in musical lingo. There might be more to this clue, but I’m not seeing it.

A medium strength Jumbo this week with a dash of misdirection and invention to toughen up proceedings. Overall I liked it, though some of the clues were so tenuous or vague as to be virtually useless. Case in point, 6a: how many species across the animal kingdom are classed as predators? More than three, I’d wager. And from that we’re supposed to make the leap from “robust hunter” to WOLF SPIDER? Throw me a frickin’ bone here.

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

Thanks again for the kind words and input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once the dust has settled. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

FBV (French-By-Volume): 1.7%

(With thanks to Chris in the comments for fixing 25a)

Across clues

1. Making meaty meal, criticise and complain (5,4)

Answer: ROAST BEEF (i.e. “meaty meal”). Solution is ROAST (i.e. “criticise”) followed by BEEF (i.e. a “complaint”).

6. Robust hunter nasty about fox initially needing rest (4,6)

Answer: WOLF SPIDER (i.e. “robust hunter” (looks to camera; shakes head)). Solution is LOW (i.e. base or “nasty”) reversed (indicated by “about”) and followed by F (i.e. “fox initially”, i.e. the first letter of “fox”), then SPIDER (i.e. a “rest” for a snooker cue), like so: WOL-F-SPIDER.

12. Beginning to secure wartime bomb outside body (2,5)

Answer: IN VITRO (i.e. “outside [the] body”). Solution is INTRO (i.e. “beginning”) wrapped around or “securing” VI (i.e. “wartime bomb”, in this case the V-1 flying bomb with the 1 replaced with its Roman numeral equivalent), like so: IN(VI)TRO.

13. Reckless American lawman taken with Soviet wickedness? (9)

Answer: DAREDEVIL (i.e. “reckless”). Solution is DA (i.e. “American lawman”, specifically a District Attorney) followed by RED (i.e. “Soviet”) and EVIL (i.e. “wickedness”).

14. Floridan location where monkey heard? (5)

Answer: TAMPA (i.e. “Florida location”). “Heard” indicates homophone. Solution is a homophone of TAMPER (i.e. to “monkey” with).

16. Enchantress keeps sum for conversion with pirate bound (12)

Answer: CIRCUMSCRIBE (i.e. to draw a line around or to “bound” something). Solution is CIRCE (i.e. “enchantress” of Greek myth) wrapped around or “keeping” an anagram (indicated by “for conversion”) of SUM along with CRIB (i.e. to copy or “pirate”), like so: CIRC(UMS-CRIB)E.

17. Exhausted – given hand when leaving? (7,3)

Answer: CLAPPED OUT. Solution satisfies “exhausted” and “given hand when leaving”.

19. Maybe daughters into bordello as poor (5,9)

Answer: BLOOD RELATIONS (i.e. “maybe daughters”). “Poor” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of INTO BORDELLO AS.

22. Say setter loves the German sort affecting virtue? (2-6)

Answer: DO-GOODER (i.e. “sort affecting virtue”). Solution DOG (i.e. “setter”) followed by OO (i.e. “loves” – “love” being a zero score in tennis) and DER (i.e. “the German”, i.e. the German for “the”).

24. Highland beer without cask (6)

Answer: ALPINE (i.e. “highland”). Solution is ALE (i.e. “beer”) wrapped around or placed “without” PIN (i.e. “cask”), like so: AL(PIN)E.

25. Lie in comfort in Paris and dance for sport at court (10)

Answer: RACKETBALL (i.e. “sport at court”). Not 100% sure here, so watch out. My solution, for what it’s worth, is RACK (i.e. “lie in comfort”, though quite how is beyond me, my Chambers and my Bradford’s. While RACK has several variant meanings, none leap out at me that qualifies the “in comfort” part. Quite the opposite, in fact) followed by ET (i.e. “in Paris and”, i.e. the French for “and”) and BALL (i.e. “dance” event).

[EDIT: Scratch that, the answer is BASKETBALL (i.e. “sport at court”). Solution is BASK (i.e. “lie in comfort”) followed by ET and BALL as described above, i.e. the French for “and” along with a “dance” event. Thanks to Chris in the comments for fixing this one! – LP]

26. Lizard shy about kiss lacking in pressure (5)

Answer: GECKO (i.e. “lizard”). Solution is GO (i.e. “shy” – Chambers backs this one up, listing “shy” as “an attempt, shot” under a variant meaning) wrapped “about” PECK (i.e. “kiss”) once the P has been removed (indicated by “lacking in pressure” – P being a recognised abbreviation of “pressure”), like so: G(ECK)O.

29. Stones in road in stockbroker belt (4)

Answer: KERB (i.e. “stones in road” – weird, I always thought they were part of the pavement. No wonder drivers are pissed off. If it’s not potholes ruining car suspensions its ruddy great kerbstones set into the road. What a waste of taxpayers’ money). “In” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: STOCKBRO(KER B)ELT.

30. Australian native came upon the vacant compartment (8)

Answer: ROOMETTE (i.e. “compartment”). Solution is ROO (i.e. “Australian native”, short for kangaroo) followed by MET (i.e. “came upon”) and TE (i.e. “the vacant”, i.e. the word “the” with its middle letter removed).

32. Skinless meat served in huge pot for gourmet (9)

Answer: EPICUREAN (i.e. “gourmet”). Solution is EA (i.e. “skinless meat”, i.e. the word “meat” with its first and last letters removed) placed or “served in” EPIC (i.e. “huge”) and URN (i.e. “pot”), like so: EPIC-UR(EA)N.

34. Electricity generator in Post Office nicked by subversive group (9)

Answer: PHOTOCELL (i.e. “electricity generator”, a shortened form of photoelectric cell). Solution is PO (i.e. short for “Post Office”) wrapped around or having “in” HOT (i.e. “nicked” or stolen) and followed by CELL (i.e. “subversive group”), like so: P(HOT)O-CELL.

35. No information, doctor admitted, on a steroid men produce (8)

Answer: ANDROGEN (i.e. “steroid men produce”). Solution is NO and GEN (i.e. “information”) wrapped around or “admitting” DR (a recognised abbreviation of “doctor”). This is all then placed “on” or after A, like so: A-(N(DR)O-GEN).

36. Have sudden inspiration? (4)

Answer: GASP. Clue plays on “inspiration” being an intake of breath.

39. Snatching grouper’s tail, ray finds another fish (5)

Answer: BREAM (i.e. “fish”). Solution is R (i.e. “grouper’s tail”, i.e. the last letter of “grouper”) placed in or being “snatched” by BEAM (i.e. “ray” of light), like so: B(R)EAM.

40. Older issue detectable in both aspects of Marxism-Leninism? (4-6)

Answer: BACK-NUMBER (i.e. “older issue” of a publication). The solution cryptically satisfies “detectable in both aspects of Marxism-Leninism”, as in how “MarXISm-LENINism” contains the NUMBERS “six” and “nine” respectively once reversed or BACKED. I rather liked this one when I finally twigged it.

42. Sally’s grabbing Penny’s white-tipped flower parts? (6)

Answer: RAPIDS (i.e. “white-tipped flower parts”, taking “flower” to be a river, as in how a river flows). Solution is RAID’S (i.e. “sally’s” – a sally being an onrush) wrapped around or “grabbing” P (a recognised abbreviation of a “penny”), like so: RA(P)ID’S. Another I liked once the… er… penny dropped.

44. This exponent of spin may be fired (8)

Answer: REVOLVER. Solution satisfies an example or “exponent of spin”, and something that “may be fired”.

46. Consumer needs analysis, having abused car makers there (6,8)

Answer: MARKET RESEARCH (i.e. “consumer needs analysis”). “Abused” indicates anagram. Solution is an anagram of CAR MAKERS THERE.

48. Wife perhaps not tolerant enough to see brilliant child? (10)

Answer: WUNDERKIND (i.e. “brilliant child”). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “wife”) followed by UNDER-KIND (i.e. “perhaps not tolerant enough”, playfully).

49. One’s almost in for changes to keep satellite country’s exceptionalist policy (12)

Answer: ISOLATIONISM (i.e. “country’s exceptionalist policy”). Solution is I’S (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one’s”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “for changes”) of ALMOST IN once wrapped around or “keeping” IO (i.e. “satellite” or moon of Jupiter), like so: I’S-OLAT(IO)NISM.

53. State imprisoning upper-class caught being impudent (5)

Answer: SAUCY (i.e. “being impudent”). Solution is SAY (i.e. to “state”) wrapped around or “imprisoning” U (a recognised abbreviation of the “upper-class”) and C (ditto “caught”, used in a number of ball games), like so: SA(U-C)Y.

54. Element one among former students Greek character backed (9)

Answer: ALUMINIUM (i.e. chemical “element”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) placed “among” ALUMNI (i.e. “former students”) and followed by MU (i.e. “Greek character”, specifically the twelfth letter of the Greek alphabet) once reversed (indicated by “backed”), like so: ALUM(I)NI-UM.

55. Tundra dwellers in estate for instance; one about to lose coat (7)

Answer: CARIBOU (i.e. North American reindeer, or “tundra dwellers”). Solution is CAR (i.e. “estate for instance” – other flavours of car are available) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one” again) and BOU (i.e. “about to lose coat”, i.e. the word “about” with the first and last letters removed).

56. Uncompromising army corps not so fast invading? (10)

Answer: RELENTLESS (i.e. “uncompromising”). Solution is RE (i.e. “army corps”, specifically the Royal Engineers of the British Army) and LESS (i.e. “not so”) wrapped around or being “invaded” by LENT (i.e. a “fast” or period of fasting), like so: RE-(LENT)-LESS.

57. Relevant document to be landed with? (5,4)

Answer: TITLE DEED. Clue plays on the “document” in question being one that proves a right to possession, in this case of “land”.

Down clues

1. Lunar vehicle runs past (5)

Answer: ROVER (i.e. “lunar vehicle”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “runs” used in a number of ball games) followed by OVER (i.e. “past”).

2. Phenomenal temperature found in a measurement at sea (10)

Answer: ASTOUNDING (i.e. “phenomenal”). Solution is T (a recognised abbreviation of “temperature”) placed “in” A and SOUNDING (i.e. “measurement at sea”, in this case of depth), like so: A-S(T)OUNDING.

3. Criminal haul lifted, then dropped in gardener’s store (8)

Answer: TOOLSHED (i.e. “gardener’s store”). Solution is LOOT (i.e. “criminal haul”) reversed (indicated by “lifted” – this being a down clue) and followed by SHED (i.e. “dropped”), like so: TOOL-SHED.

4. Senior worker joining renounces whiskey (5)

Answer: ELDER (i.e. “senior”). Solution is WELDER (i.e. “worker joining”) with the W removed (indicated by “renounces whiskey” – “whiskey” being W in the phonetic alphabet).

5. Passion shown by Casablanca café owner welcoming British liner (9)

Answer: FIREBRICK (i.e. “liner” of a furnace). Solution is FIRE (i.e. “passion”) and RICK Blaine (i.e. “Casablanca café owner” in the 1940s film) wrapped around or “welcoming” B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”), like so: FIRE-(B)-RICK.

6. What cranes do in Kurosawa depictions (4)

Answer: WADE (i.e. “what cranes do”, referring to the birds). “In” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: KUROSA(WA DE)PICTIONS.

7. Animated Roman historian pens article in Spanish (6)

Answer: LIVELY (i.e. “animated”). Solution is Titus Livius, known to the English as LIVY (i.e. “Roman historian” – no, me neither) wrapped around or “penning” EL (i.e. “article in Spanish”, i.e. the Spanish for “the” – an article being a word like a, an or the), like so: LIV(EL)Y.

8. Magical being in south for new medical, announced without endorsement (4-10)

Answer: SELF-PROCLAIMED (i.e. “announced without endorsement”). Solution is ELF (i.e. “magical being”) placed “in” between S (a recognised abbreviation of “south”), PRO (i.e. “for” or in favour of) and an anagram (indicated by “new”) of MEDICAL, like so: S-(ELF)-PRO-CLAIMED.

9. Where Pheidippides made his name eventually? (2,3,4,3)

Answer: IN THE LONG RUN. Solution playfully satisfies “where Pheidippides made his name” – he was the messenger who ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of the Greek victory in the Battle of Marathon, dying shortly afterwards – and “eventually”. Another I rather liked.

10. Old women almost ruined timber (7)

Answer: ELMWOOD (i.e. “timber”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ruined”) of OLD WOMEN once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “almost”).

11. Very dark ground – defender has got left inside (5-5)

Answer: PITCH-BLACK (i.e. “very dark”). Solution is PITCH (i.e. sporting “ground”) followed by BACK (i.e. “defender”) once wrapped around or having “inside” L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”), like so: PITCH-B(L)ACK.

15. Rum neat for working PM (9)

Answer: AFTERNOON (i.e. “pm” – ignoring the misleading capitalisation). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rum” or strange) of NEAT FOR followed by ON (i.e. “working”), like so: AFTERNO-ON.

18. Complete stop by noted criminal (3-2-3)

Answer: END-TO-END (i.e. “complete”). Solution is END (i.e. “stop”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “criminal”) of NOTED.

20. Forward contract that holds work up intentionally (2,7)

Answer: ON PURPOSE (i.e. “intentionally”). Solution is ON (i.e. “forward” or onwards) and PURSE (i.e. “contract”) wrapped around OP (i.e. “work”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “opus”) once this has been reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: ON-PUR(PO)SE.

21. Branch with a large notice that ought to cause a stir (5,5)

Answer: ALARM CLOCK (i.e. “that ought to cause a stir”). Solution is ARM (i.e. “branch”) placed after or “with” A and L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) and followed by CLOCK (i.e. to “notice”), like so: A-L-(ARM)-CLOCK.

23. Spiteful fellow filled pastry case, discarding middle portion (10)

Answer: MALEVOLENT (i.e. “spiteful”). Solution is MALE (i.e. “fellow”) followed by VOL AU VENT (i.e. “filled pastry case”) once the “middle portion”, AU V, has been removed or “discarded”, like so: MALE-VOLENT.

27. Sound’s shortened in shout to encourage knight (9)

Answer: CHEVALIER (i.e. “knight”). Solution is VALID (i.e. “sound”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “shortened”) and the remainder placed “in” CHEER (i.e. “shout to encourage”), like so: CHE(VALI)ER.

28. Business meeting might disintegrate rapidly (5,9)

Answer: POWER BREAKFAST (i.e. “business meeting”). Solution is POWER (i.e. “might”) followed by BREAK (i.e. “disintegrate”) and FAST (i.e. “rapidly”).

31. End of violent film showing rail worker (8)

Answer: TRAINMAN (i.e. “rail worker”). Solution is T (i.e. “end of violent”, i.e. the last letter of “violent”) followed by RAIN MAN (i.e. 1988 “film”).

33. Preservative starchy and dry that drives out vermin (12)

Answer: FORMALDEHYDE (i.e. “preservative”). Solution is FORMAL (i.e. “starchy”) followed by DEHYDRATE (i.e. to “dry”) once the RAT (i.e. “vermin”) has been removed or “driven out”, like so: FORMAL-DEHYDE.

34. On the rise, winning fights outside clubs in local tours (3-6)

Answer: PUB CRAWLS (i.e. “local tours” – “locals” being another word for public houses). Solution is UP (i.e. “winning”) reversed (indicated by “on the rise” – this being a down clue) followed by BRAWLS (i.e. “fights”) once wrapped around or placed “outside” of C (a recognised abbreviation of “clubs” used in card games), like so: PU-B(C)RAWLS.

37. River mouth reconstructed in South America after death (10)

Answer: POSTHUMOUS (i.e. “after death”). Solution is PO (i.e. a “river” in Italy) followed by an anagram (indicated by “reconstructed”) of MOUTH once placed between or “in” S (a recognised abbreviation of “south”) and US (i.e. “America”, or the United States), like so: PO-(S-(THUMO)-US).

38. People use bad language about old Hippodrome? (10)

Answer: RACECOURSE (i.e. “Hippodrome”, an ancient Greek stadium used for chariot racing). Solution is RACE (i.e. “people”) followed by CURSE (i.e. “use bad language”) once wrapped “about” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: RACE-C(O)URSE.

41. Rough and ready fashion garment (9)

Answer: MAKESHIFT (i.e. “rough and ready”). Solution is MAKE (i.e. to “fashion”) followed by SHIFT (i.e. “garment”).

43. One may feel cold coming into shelter with drink (8)

Answer: TENTACLE (i.e. “one may feel”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold” used on taps) placed “into” TENT (i.e. “shelter”) and ALE (i.e. “drink”), like so: TENT-A(C)LE.

45. Commercial enterprise opening beside river in Yorkshire (7)

Answer: VENTURE (i.e. “commercial enterprise”). Solution is VENT (i.e. “opening”) followed by URE (i.e. “river in Yorkshire”).

47. Confidence lacking – fund issues currency in central areas (6)

Answer: UNSURE (i.e. “confidence lacking”). “In central areas” indicates the solution is derived from the middle letters of FUND ISSUES CURRENCY.

50. The writer is drunk outside – over this presumably! (5)

Answer: LIMIT (i.e. “over this presumably” within the context of the clue). Solution is I’M (i.e. “the writer is”, from the point of view of the setter; a contraction of I AM) placed in or having “outside” LIT (i.e. “drink”), like so: L(I’M)IT.

51. Looking towards the North, name UK region about to blossom (2,3)

Answer: IN BUD (i.e. “about to blossom”). Solution is DUB (i.e. to “name”) and NI (i.e. “UK region”, Northern Ireland) all reversed (indicated by “looking towards the north” – this being a down clue).

52. Collide momentarily with runners when cycling (4)

Answer: KISS (i.e. “collide momentarily”). Solution is SKIS (i.e. “runners”) with the letters “cycled”, in this case the first letter placed last, like so: (S)KIS => KIS(S).