A relatively straightforward Jumbo, which is fine by me. I did quite like some of the anagramming this week. I can imagine every Black Cat praying Sunderland OUTPLAYS THE TOON in the FA Cup next month rather than it go to a PENALTY SHOOT-OUT.

Now that the competition deadline has passed, you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If an earlier Jumbo has given you the bum’s rush 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. Till next time, stay safe out there kids and all the best for 2024.

LP

Across clues

1. Perfectly execute piece by Queen in tense situation (9)

Answer: NAILBITER (i.e. “tense situation”). Solution is NAIL (i.e. “perfectly execute”) followed by BIT (i.e. “piece”) and ER (i.e. “Queen”, specifically Elizabeth Regina).

6. Naturally upright piano is pinched by bailed criminal? (7)

Answer: BIPEDAL (i.e. “naturally upright”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “piano” used in musical lingo) placed in or “pinched by” an anagram (indicated by “criminal”) of BAILED, like so: BI(P)EDAL.

10. Extent of some musical exercise (5)

Answer: SCALE. Solution satisfies “extent” and, I guess, “of some musical exercise” – Chambers has this for SCALE: “a succession of [definite tones] performed in ascending or descending order of pitch through one octave or more”. If I’m honest, I got this more because I mistakenly thought “of some” indicated the solution had been hidden in the clue, something like MU(SICAL E)XERCISE.

13. Less interesting to carry first piece of pine for joiner (7)

Answer: STAPLER (i.e. “joiner”). Solution is STALER (i.e. “less interesting”) wrapped around or “carrying” P (i.e. “first piece of pine”, i.e. the first letter of “pine”), like so: STA(P)LER.

14. Party with only bottles? That’s impossible! (2,3,2)

Answer: NO CAN DO (i.e. “that’s impossible”). Solution also playfully satisfies “party with only bottles”.

15. Young ladies help in section of clothes shop? (7)

Answer: MAIDENS (i.e. “young ladies”). Solution is AID (i.e. “help”) placed “in” MENS (i.e. “section of clothes shop”), like so: M(AID)ENS.

16. Folk at hairdresser to rent film? (7,2,3,4,3)

Answer: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (i.e. 1981 “film”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rent”, as in torn) of FOLK AT HAIRDRESSER TO.

17. Unlimited wine served by new tavern (3)

Answer: INN (i.e. “tavern”). Solution is WINE with the first and last letters removed (indicated by “unlimited”) and the remainder followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: IN-N.

18. Nullify weapon, once called outside? (6)

Answer: NEGATE (i.e. “nullify”). Solution is GAT (i.e. “weapon”, slang for a gun) placed in or having “outside” of it NÉE (i.e. “once called”, often seen against a married woman’s maiden name), like so: NÉ(GAT)E.

20. Stir unknown drink (6)

Answer: WHISKY (i.e. a “drink”). Solution is WHISK (i.e. “stir”) followed by Y (i.e. “unknown” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as “unknowns”).

21. Cathedral with no time to get wine in the morning service, finally (5,4)

Answer: NOTRE DAME (i.e. a “cathedral”). Solution is NO followed by T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), then RED (a variety of “wine”), then AM (i.e. “in the morning”) and E (i.e. “service, finally”, i.e. the last letter of “service”).

23. Falls when carrying sauce around: something for teatime? (5,5)

Answer: SUGAR LUMPS (i.e. “something for teatime”). Solution is SLUMPS (i.e. “falls”) wrapped around or “carrying” RAGU (i.e. “sauce”) once reversed (indicated by “around”), like so: S(UGAR)LUMPS.

25. Posh fireman adapted light opera (3,8)

Answer: HMS PINAFORE (i.e. a “light opera” by Gilbert & Sullivan). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “adapted”) of POSH FIREMAN.

29. Frequently seen back in internet forum (5)

Answer: OFTEN (i.e. “frequently”). “Seen…in” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “back” indicates the solution has been reversed, like so: INTER(NET FO)RUM.

30. Potter’s vehicle picks up everyone for dance venue (8)

Answer: BALLROOM (i.e. “dance venue”). Solution is BROOM (i.e. Harry “Potter’s vehicle”) wrapped around or “picking up” ALL (i.e. “everyone”), like so: B(ALL)ROOM.

31. Mess about with egg on plant (8)

Answer: LARKSPUR (i.e. “plant”). Solution is LARK (i.e. “mess about”) followed by SPUR (i.e. to “egg on”).

34. Yearns to get trendy? It’s unlikely to succeed (4,4)

Answer: LONG SHOT (i.e. “it’s unlikely to succeed”). Solution is LONGS (i.e. “yearns”) followed by HOT (i.e. “trendy”).

36. Cheeky minx undressed by stretch of water (8)

Answer: INSOLENT (i.e. “cheeky”). Solution is IN (i.e. “minx undressed”, i.e. the word “minx” with the first and last letters removed) followed by SOLENT (i.e. “stretch of water” separating the Isle of Wight and mainland Britain).

37. Moorland is common spot for a fire – there’s no end of tinder! (5)

Answer: HEATH (i.e. “moorland”). Solution is HEARTH (i.e. “common spot for a fire”) with the R removed (indicated by “there’s no end of tinder” – R being the last letter of “tinder”).

39. To the east of city, sailor with a large can produces ruckus (11)

Answer: HULLABALLOO (i.e. “ruckus”). Solution is HULL (i.e. English “city”) followed by AB (i.e. “sailor”, specifically one of Able-Bodied rank), then A, then L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”), then LOO (i.e. “can”, both slang for a toilet). “To the east of…” just means AB, A, L and LOO are all placed after HULL, this being an across clue.

41. Custom metal road I designed (6-4)

Answer: TAILOR-MADE (i.e. “custom”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “designed”) of METAL ROAD I.

43. Pound next to main place for stray dogs? (9)

Answer: BATTERSEA (i.e. “place for stray dogs”, referring to the Battersea Dogs Home). Solution is BATTER (i.e. to beat or “pound”) followed by SEA (i.e. “main” or the high sea).

45. Briefly rest at night, initially wearing hat (6)

Answer: CATNAP (i.e. “briefly rest”). Solution is AT and N (i.e. “night, initially”, i.e. the first letter of “night”) all placed in or “wearing” CAP (i.e. “hat”), like so: C(AT-N)AP.

47. Digit I got wrong in binomial equation at first (3,3)

Answer: BIG TOE (i.e. “digit”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wrong”) of I GOT placed “in” BE (i.e. “binomial equation at first” i.e. the first letters of “binomial” and “equation”), like so: B(IGTO)E.

49. Miner’s strike in Korea? (3)

Answer: ORE (i.e. “miner’s strike”, playfully). “In” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: K(ORE)A.

50. Detective and soldier wearing item of clothing next to one reptile (7,12)

Answer: PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR (i.e. “detective”). Solution is PRIVATE (i.e. “soldier”) followed by IN VEST (i.e. “wearing item of clothing”), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and GATOR (i.e. “reptile”, short for alligator).

52. After the setter retreats, couple cuddle (7)

Answer: EMBRACE (i.e. “cuddle”). Solution is ME (i.e. “the setter”, from the point of view of… um… the setter) reversed (indicated by “retreats”) and followed by BRACE (i.e. a “couple”), like so: EM-BRACE.

53. Anxious people may have these pets (7)

Answer: KITTENS. Solution satisfies “anxious people may have these” and “pets”.

54. Worry use of computers is set in stone (7)

Answer: AGITATE (i.e. “worry”). Solution is IT (i.e. “use of computers”, short for Information Technology) placed or “set in” AGATE (i.e. a semi-precious “stone”), like so: AG(IT)ATE.

55. Magical being dividing two irrational numbers by 11? (5)

Answer: PIXIE (i.e. “magical being”). Solution is PI and E (both “irrational numbers”, being a number that cannot be expressed as a numerical fraction – the former the ratio between the circumference of a circle and its diameter, the latter being the base of natural logarithms) wrapped around or “divided” by XI (i.e. “11” expressed in Roman numerals), like so: PI-(XI)-E. Being a bit of a nerd, I rather liked this one.

56. Homework includes beginning to trim brown plant (7)

Answer: DITTANY (i.e. “plant”). Solution is DIY (i.e. “homework”, in this case Do-It-Yourself) wrapped around or “including” T (i.e. “beginning to trim”, i.e. the first letter of “trim”) and TAN (i.e. “brown”), like so: DI(T-TAN)Y.

57. Sneaked about between two points, exhibiting nudity (9)

Answer: NAKEDNESS (i.e. “exhibiting nudity”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “about”) of SNEAKED placed in “between” N and S (i.e. “two points” of the compass, north and south respectively), like so: N(AKEDNES)S.

Down clues

1. Around London area, there’s no call for jewellery (4,4)

Answer: NOSE RING (i.e. “jewellery”). Solution is SE (i.e. “London [postcode] area”) placed in or having “around” it NO and RING (i.e. “call”), like so: NO-(SE)-RING.

2. Middle-Easterner occasionally fiery on a TV trivia show (5)

Answer: IRAQI (i.e. “Middle-Easterner”). Solution is IR (i.e. “occasionally fiery”, i.e. every other letter of FIERY) followed by A and QI (i.e. a BBC “TV trivia show”).

3. News update – paintings heading north inside fast vehicle (6,5)

Answer: BULLET TRAIN (i.e. “fast vehicle”). Solution is BULLETIN (i.e. “news update”) wrapped around or having “inside” of it ART (i.e. “paintings”) once reversed (indicated by “heading north” – this being a down clue), like so: BULLET(TRA)IN.

4. Defeat not considered after article is cut short (6)

Answer: THRASH (i.e. “defeat”). Solution is RASH (i.e. “not considered”) placed “after” THE (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the) once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “is cut short”), like so: TH-RASH.

5. Freedom to explore factory? That’s standard (3-2-3-4)

Answer: RUN-OF-THE-MILL (i.e. “standard”). When written without hyphens the solution also playfully satisfies “freedom to explore factory”.

6. Composer – American – pens introduction to concerto for God (7)

Answer: BACCHUS (i.e. Roman “god” of wine). Solution is Johann Sebastian BACH (i.e. “composer”) and US (i.e. “American”) all wrapped around or “penning” C (i.e. “introduction to concerto”, i.e. the first letter of “concerto”), like so: BA(C)CH-US.

7. Outplays the Toon after smashing finale of match? (7,5-3)

Answer: PENALTY SHOOT-OUT (i.e. “finale of [football] match”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “after smashing”) of OUTPLAYS THE TOON.

8. Has meal, eating scraps and chips ultimately producing fatigue (10)

Answer: DROWSINESS (i.e. “fatigue”). Solution is DINES (i.e. “has meal”) wrapped around or “eating” ROWS (i.e. “scraps” or fights) and followed by S (i.e. “chips ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “chips”), like so: D(ROWS)INES-S.

9. Criticise meat with a stew – half’s missing! (7)

Answer: LAMBAST (i.e. “criticise”). Solution is LAMB (i.e. “meat”) followed by A and ST (i.e. “stew – half’s missing”, specifically the last half).

10. Picky person mostly returned fish (11)

Answer: STICKLEBACK (i.e. “fish”). Solution is STICKLER (i.e. “picky person”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder followed by BACK (i.e. “returned”), like so: STICKLE-BACK.

11. A chap hosting another chap over coffee (9)

Answer: AMERICANO (i.e. variety of “coffee”). Solution is A and MAN (i.e. “chap”) wrapped around or “hosting” ERIC (i.e. “another chap”, in this case a man’s name) and followed by O (a recognised abbreviation of “over” used in cricket), like so: A-M(ERIC)AN-O.

12. Spirit from church beneath German city (7)

Answer: ESSENCE (i.e. “spirit”). Solution is CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England) placed after or “beneath” – this being a down clue – ESSEN (i.e. “German city”), like so: ESSEN-CE.

19. Muscle reduced on heavyweight pig (7)

Answer: GLUTTON (i.e. “pig”). Solution is GLUTE (i.e. “muscle”, an informal reference to a gluteus muscle) with the last letter removed (indicated by “reduced”) and the remainder followed by TON (i.e. “heavyweight”), like so: GLUT-TON.

22. Drink drivers perhaps raised fuss (4,4)

Answer: CLUB SODA (i.e. “drink”). Solution is CLUBS (i.e. “drivers”) followed by ADO (i.e. “fuss”) once reversed (indicated by “raised” – this being a down clue), like so: CLUBS-ODA.

24. Choristers with grant to reform music group (6,9)

Answer: STRING ORCHESTRA (i.e. “music group”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “to reform”) of CHORISTERS and GRANT.

26. Not doing anything in first part of play being shown (8)

Answer: INACTION (i.e. “not doing anything”). Solution is IN followed by ACT I (i.e. “first part of play”) and ON (i.e. now playing or “being shown”).

27. Crude craft: what’s keeping it seaworthy, ultimately? (6)

Answer: EARTHY (i.e. “crude”). Solution is ART (i.e. “craft”) placed in or being “kept by” EH (i.e. “what”, pardon? etc) and followed by Y (i.e. “seaworthy, ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “seaworthy”), like so: E(ART)H-Y.

28. Green tower rising above a hotel (6)

Answer: MOOLAH (i.e. “green”, both slang terms for money). Solution is LOOM (i.e. “tower” over) reversed (indicated by “rising” – this being a down clue) and followed by A and H (“hotel” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: MOOL-A-H.

32. Praise extremely punctual inspection (7)

Answer: PLAUDIT (i.e. “praise”). Solution is PL (i.e. “extremely punctual”, i.e. the first and last letters of “punctual”) followed by AUDIT (i.e. “inspection”).

33. Shop needs elastic pants? (12)

Answer: DELICATESSEN (i.e. “shop”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “pants”, being another word for rubbish) of NEEDS ELASTIC.

35. Will the poet seek a phrase that’s unusual? (11)

Answer: SHAKESPEARE (i.e. “Will the poet”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “that’s unusual”) of SEEK A PHRASE.

37. Funky composer picked up small flier (11)

Answer: HUMMINGBIRD (i.e. “small flier”). Solution is HUMMING (i.e. “funky”, smelly) followed by a homophone (indicated by “picked up”) of William BYRD (i.e. “composer”), like so: HUMMING-BIRD.

38. Quick to secure a target in shopping centre (4,6)

Answer: FLEA MARKET (i.e. “shopping centre”). Solution is FLEET (i.e. “quick”) wrapped around or “securing” A and MARK (i.e. “target”), like so: FLE(A-MARK)ET.

40. Place for post improved security, according to Spooner (6,3)

Answer: LETTER BOX (i.e. “place for post”). Solution is a “Spoonerism” of BETTER LOCKS (i.e. “improved security”).

42. Brave? Not nearly so much around summit of Everest (8)

Answer: FEARLESS (i.e. “brave”). Solution is FAR LESS (i.e. “not nearly so much”) wrapped “around” E (i.e. “summit of Everest”, i.e. the first letter of “Everest”), like so: F(E)AR-LESS.

43. Drinking session with bar turned upside down and filled with slime (5-2)

Answer: BOOZE-UP (i.e. “drinking session”). Solution is PUB (i.e. “bar”) reversed (indicated by “turned upside down” – this being a down clue) and wrapped around or “filled with” OOZE (i.e. “slime”), like so: B(OOZE)UP.

44. Dispatch contains a bit of extra money for allowance (7)

Answer: STIPEND (i.e. “allowance”). Solution is SEND (i.e. “dispatch”) wrapped around or “containing” TIP (i.e. “a bit of extra money”), like so: S(TIP)END.

46. One on a beach, perhaps close to ugly factory (7)

Answer: TANNERY (i.e. “factory”). Solution is TANNER (i.e. “one on a beach, perhaps” – other flavours of beachgoer are available) followed by Y (i.e. “close to ugly”, i.e. the last letter of “ugly”).

48. A trooper’s first strategy – charge! (6)

Answer: ATTACK (i.e. “charge”). Solution is A followed by T (i.e. “troop’s first [letter]”) and TACK (i.e. “strategy”).

51. Made fun of Oolong and Darjeeling, say, in speech (5)

Answer: TEASE (i.e. “made fun of”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “in speech”) of TEAS (i.e. “Oolong and Darjeeling, say”).

A relatively straightforward grid as a whole, spiced up in places with a few exotics – not all of them terribly fair, I would argue. The clues were a mixed bag too. Oh well. Now that the deadline has passed for the competition, you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If you’ve found an old unfinished Jumbo down the back of the sofa then you can find a few hundred previous solutions via my Just For Fun page.

Thanks as always for the kind words. I think, by the time you read this, it’ll be a couple of days before Christmas, so I hope you have a good un! Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

Across clues

1. Man in vehicle by court primarily delivering building material? (9)

Answer: CEDARWOOD (i.e. “building material”). Solution is ED (i.e. a “man’s” name) placed “in” CAR (i.e. “vehicle”). This is then followed by WOO (i.e. to “court” someone) and D (i.e. “primarily delivering”, i.e. the first letter of “delivering”), like so: C(ED)AR-WOO-D. One! One forename, ah-ah-ahh!

6. Dog with quick wits that is brought from the east (4,3)

Answer: SHAR PEI (i.e. “dog”). Solution is SHARP (i.e. “with quick wits”) followed by IE (i.e. “that is”, i.e. “i.e.”, short for the Latin id est) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “brought from the east” – this being an across clue), like so: SHARP-EI. One I remembered from its last appearance, if I’m honest.

10. Woman originally housing soldiers in old volunteer force (5)

Answer: THORA (i.e. “woman’s” name). Solution is H (i.e. “originally housing”, i.e. the first letter of “housing”) and OR (i.e. “soldiers”, specifically the Other Ranks of the British Army), both placed “in” TA (i.e. “old volunteer force”, namely the Territorial Army), like so: T(H-OR)A. Two! Two forenames! Ah-ah-ahh!

13. Song, and in French, digested by a girl (7)

Answer: ARIETTA (i.e. a “song” or short aria). Solution is ET (i.e. “and in French”, i.e. the French for “and”) placed in or “digested by” A and RITA (i.e. a “girl’s” name). Three! Three forenames! Ah-ah-ahh!

14. Church council looking into heresy, no doubt (5)

Answer: SYNOD (i.e. “church council”). “Looking into” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: HERE(SY NO D)OUBT.

15. Informers Swiss hero pursues, as mentioned in speech (9)

Answer: TELLTALES (i.e. “informers”). Solution is William TELL (i.e. “Swiss hero”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “as mentioned in speech”) of TAILS (i.e. “pursues”), like so: TELL-TALES.

16. Brutal purge in which massive cuts were made in a dark period? (3,5,2,3,4,6)

Answer: THE NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES (i.e. “brutal purge” – the phrase relates to a number of historical events of political upheaval and betrayal. The phrase was first used to describe the night of 30th June 1934, when Adolf Hitler seized command of the Sturmabteilung, a Nazi paramilitary organization, ordering the murder of its leaders. It was also used to describe when then Prime Minister Harold Macmillan sacked a third of his cabinet in 1962 after a bad by-election). The rest of the clue plays on NIGHT being “a dark period” and “massive cuts” being made by LONG KNIVES. You get the idea.

17. Suit bishop wore finally at a south coast resort (6)

Answer: BEHOVE (i.e. “suit”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “bishop” used in chess) followed by E (i.e. “wore finally”, i.e. the last letter of “wore”) and HOVE (i.e. an English “south coast resort”).

18. Reindeer skin boots principally for one’s kin, surprisingly (8)

Answer: FINNESKO (i.e. “reindeer skin boots”). Solution is F (i.e. “principally for”, i.e. the first letter of “for”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “surprisingly”) of ONE’S KIN, like so: F-INNESKO. One I knew thanks to a pub in Norwich, The Reindeer, which for a short time was part of the Firkin brewery chain, when it became the Finnesko & Firkin.

19. Solicit alms with soldiers – gunners, to be sure (7)

Answer: BEGORRA (i.e. “to be sure” – ehhhhh, I’m not convinced. They’re both Irish expressions, to be sure, but is that enough? There’s no equivalence to my eye: BEGORRA is an outburst – By God! – while “to be sure” is an expression of agreement. Would you argue equivalence between expressions like “gercha” and “have a butcher’s” because they’re associated with cockneys? I doubt it. I might be barking up the wrong tree, but I think this is worthy of a yellow card). Solution is BEG (i.e. “solicit alms”) followed by OR (i.e. “soldiers”, the Other Ranks again, copied and pasted from 10a) and RA (i.e. “gunners”, specifically the Royal Artillery of the British Army).

22. Self-righteous tailors randomly caught by microphone (10)

Answer: MORALISTIC (i.e. “self-righteous”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “randomly”) of TAILORS placed in or “caught by” MIC (short for “microphone”), like so: M(ORALIST)IC.

23. Like some calm weather, but opposed to coming round on visits (12)

Answer: ANTICYCLONIC (i.e. “like some calm weather” – a tad ironic given the UK is being battered by not one but two storms today!) Solution is ANTI (i.e. “opposed to”) followed by CYCLIC (i.e. “coming round”) once wrapped around or “visited” by ON, like so: ANTI-CYCL(ON)IC.

27. Old boy with son backing antisocial youth (5)

Answer: YOBBO (i.e. “antisocial youth”). Solution is OB (a recognised abbreviation of “old boy”) and BOY (i.e. “son”) all reversed (indicated by “backing”), like so: YOB-BO. A somewhat underwhelming clue.

29. Distraught, losing right to arrest a zealot (7)

Answer: FANATIC (i.e. “zealot”). Solution is FRANTIC (i.e. “distraught”) with the R removed (indicated by “losing right” – R being a recognised abbreviation of “right”) and A being placed inside of or “arrested by” the remainder, like so: F(R)ANTIC => FANTIC => FAN(A)TIC.

30. Like some believers, cite this in translation (8)

Answer: THEISTIC (i.e. “like some believers”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “in translation”) of CITE THIS.

32. Sporting type’s wife taking break by the French river (8)

Answer: WRESTLER (i.e. “sporting type”). Solution is W (a recognised abbreviation of “wife”) followed by REST (i.e. a “break”), then LE (i.e. “the French”, i.e. the masculine form of “the” in French) and R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”).

34. Skilled craftsman’s perch over in Irish islands (7)

Answer: ARTISAN (i.e. “skilled craftsman”). Solution is SIT (i.e. to “perch”) reversed (indicated by “over”) and placed “in” ARAN (i.e. “Irish islands”), like so: AR(TIS)AN.

36. Inflexible Democrat on Swiss mountain (5)

Answer: RIGID (i.e. “inflexible”). Solution is D (a recognised abbreviation of “Democrat”) placed “on” or after RIGI (i.e. a “Swiss mountain” – never heard of it), like so: RIGI-D.

39. Gratifying at first to welcome member during trial (5-7)

Answer: HEART-WARMING (i.e. “gratifying”). Solution is T and W (i.e. “at first to welcome”, i.e. the first letters of “to” and “welcome”), together with ARM (i.e. “member” or limb), placed in or “during” HEARING (i.e. “trial”), like so: HEAR(T-W-ARM)ING.

41. Standard Shakesperean clown (10)

Answer: TOUCHSTONE. Solution satisfies a criterion or “standard”, and also “Shakespearean clown” in his play As You Like It.

44. Big cat beginning to paw part of flowering plant (7)

Answer: PANTHER (i.e. “big cat”). Solution is P (i.e. “beginning [letter] to paw”) followed by ANTHER (i.e. “part of flowering plant” – one I remembered, but only working backwards from the whole solution. I recall having one of my customary rants when ANTHER appeared in a run of similarly exotic solutions).

46. Teaching union’s nightmare: it may be about Brazil (8)

Answer: NUTSHELL (i.e. “it may be about Brazil”). When written as NUT’S HELL the solution also playfully satisfies “teaching union’s nightmare”, the NUT being the National Union of Teachers.

48. Eg armadillo’s plates going from back to front (6)

Answer: ANIMAL (i.e. “eg armadillo” – other species are available). Solution is LAMINA (i.e. “plates”) reversed (indicated by “going from back to front”). Nicely done.

50. Stupid, compared with a couple of brief political policies? (2,5,2,3,5,6)

Answer: AS THICK AS TWO SHORT PLANKS (i.e. “stupid”). Clue plays on THICK being “stupid”, AS being “compared with”, TWO being “a couple”, SHORT being “brief” and PLANKS being “political policies” – Chambers offers: “the principles or aims that form the platform or programme of a political party”.

53. Panel team designed, giving identification on door? (9)

Answer: NAMEPLATE (i.e. “giving identification on door”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “designed”) of PANEL TEAM.

54. Russian girl, one at home in Burlington House (5)

Answer: IRINA (i.e. “Russian girl”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) followed by IN (i.e. “at home”) once placed “in” RA (i.e. “Burlington House”, home to the Royal Academy – I’ve seen this usage a couple of times, but I never seem to remember it), like so: I-R(IN)A. Come on, now, it’s bad enough when setters resort to using forenames to plug gaps in their grids, but reaching for those of other countries is another level. This is just made-to-fit nonsense by someone too lazy to rework an awkward spot in their grid. Also… four! Four forenames! Ah-ah-ahhhh.

55. Gap left by cutter observed at entrance (3,4)

Answer: SAW GATE (i.e. “gap left by cutter” – I guess “groove” didn’t… er… cut it). Solution is SAW (i.e. “observed”) followed by GATE (i.e. “entrance”).

56. Part of Canada our country invested in over there (5)

Answer: YUKON (i.e. “part of Canada”). Solution is UK (i.e. “our country”, The Times being a British newspaper) placed or “invested in” YON (i.e. “over there”, poetically), like so: Y(UK)ON.

57. It’s fine for example to go outside and meet (7)

Answer: SATISFY (i.e. “meet”). Solution is TIS (i.e. “it’s”, specifically an archaic contraction of “it is”) and F (a recognised abbreviation of “fine” used in grading pencils) both placed in or having “outside” of them SAY (i.e. “for example”), like so: SA(TIS-F)Y.

58. One dispatches ungulates crossing east part of this ancient city (9)

Answer: DESTROYER (i.e. “one dispatches”). Solution is DEER (i.e. “ungulates”, being a hoofed animal) wrapped around or “crossing” S (i.e. “east part of this”, i.e. the last letter of “this” – this being an across clue) and TROY (i.e. “ancient city”), like so: DE(S-TROY)ER.

Down clues

1. Cunning service personnel appearing in court (5)

Answer: CRAFT (i.e. “cunning”). Solution is RAF (i.e. military “service”, the Royal Air Force) placed “in” CT (a recognised abbreviation of “court”), like so: C(RAF)T.

2. Act uncompromisingly, make another trip round difficult obstacle (5,1,4,7)

Answer: DRIVE A HARD BARGAIN (i.e. “act uncompromisingly”). Solution is DRIVE AGAIN (i.e. “make another trip”) wrapped “round” HARD (i.e. “difficult”) and BAR (i.e. “obstacle”), like so: DRIVE-A(HARD-BAR)GAIN.

3. Getting back from river late for a change (9)

Answer: RETRIEVAL (i.e. “getting back”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “for a change”) of RIVER LATE.

4. Roman poet lowers head, finding herbaceous plant (6)

Answer: ORACHE (i.e. “herbaceous plant”). Solution is HORACE (i.e. “Roman poet”) with the first letter or “head” moved along or “lower” – this being a down clue – like so: (H)ORACE => ORAC(H)E.

5. Former princess’s place and character (11)

Answer: DISPOSITION (i.e. “character”). When written as DI’S POSITION the solution also playfully satisfies “former princess’s place”.

6. A woman overwhelmed by offspring’s composition (8)

Answer: SONATINA (i.e. musical “composition”). Solution is A and TINA (i.e. “woman’s” name) both placed beneath or “overwhelmed by” – this being a down clue – SON (i.e. “offspring”), like so: SON-(A-TINA). Five! Five forenames! Ah-ah-ahhh!

7. Deal with daughter wearing a formal garment (7)

Answer: ADDRESS (i.e. “deal with”). Solution is D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) placed in or “wearing” A and DRESS (i.e. “formal garment”), like so: A-(D)-DRESS.

8. Way old register is kept ultimately for medical specialist (11)

Answer: PATHOLOGIST (i.e. “medical specialist”). Solution is PATH (i.e. “way”) followed by O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), then LOG (i.e. “register”), then IS and T (i.e. “kept ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “kept”).

9. Bilge Lily turned out, in badly formed characters (9)

Answer: INELIGIBLY (i.e. “in badly formed characters”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “turned out”) of BILGE LILY.

10. Pupil mostly to keep on at producing alloy (7)

Answer: TUTENAG (i.e. an “alloy” of zinc and copper). Solution is TUTEE (i.e. “pupil”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder followed by NAG (i.e. “keep on at”), like so: TUTE-NAG.

11. Some poor lovelorn wooer of Catherine the Great (5)

Answer: Grigory ORLOV (i.e. “wooer of Catherine the Great”). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: PO(OR LOV)ELORN.

12. A standpoint limiting sibling’s aid (10)

Answer: ASSISTANCE (i.e. “aid”). Solution is A followed by STANCE (i.e. “standpoint”) once wrapped around or “limiting” SIS (i.e. “sibling”, short for sister), like so: A-S(SIS)TANCE.

17. Uneven universal politician in past (5)

Answer: BUMPY (i.e. “uneven”). Solution is U (a recognised abbreviation of “universal” in film classification) and MP (i.e. “politician” or Member of Parliament) all placed “in” BY (i.e. “past”), like so: B(U-MP)Y.

20. Blow-by-blow account of London Marathon, possibly? (7,10)

Answer: RUNNING COMMENTARY. Solution satisfies “blow-by-blow account” and, playfully, with a little recycling, “account of London Marathon, possibly”.

21. Handy American source of power English brought up (6)

Answer: USEFUL (i.e. “handy”). Solution is US (i.e. “American”) followed by FUEL (i.e. “source of power”) once the E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) has been moved back a couple of notches (indicated by “brought up” – this being a down clue), like so: US-FU(E)L => US-(E)FUL.

24. Fine point involving diamonds initially touted in New York (6)

Answer: NICETY (i.e. “fine point”). Solution is ICE (slang for “diamonds”) and T (i.e. “initially touted”, i.e. the first letter of “touted”) both placed “in” NY (a recognised abbreviation of “New York”), like so: N(ICE-T)Y.

25. Genuine upset about top of solid beam (5)

Answer: LASER (i.e. “beam”). Solution is REAL (i.e. “genuine”) reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue) and wrapped “about” S (i.e. “top of solid”, i.e. the first letter of “solid”), like so: LA(S)ER.

26. Struggle to produce a little music (6)

Answer: STRAIN. Solution satisfies “struggle” and “a little music”.

28. Assault where film actors may be working (5)

Answer: ONSET (i.e. “assault”). When written as ON SET the solution also satisfies “where film actors may be working”.

31. Girl of pleasant disposition supporting Brussels (6)

Answer: EUNICE (i.e. “girl’s” name). Solution is NICE (i.e. “of pleasant disposition”) placed after or “under” – this being a down clue – EU (i.e. the European Union, commonly referred to as “Brussels” after the location of its headquarters), like so: EU-NICE. Six! Six forenames! Ah-ah-ahhh!

33. Evocative of short dresses in modern setting (11)

Answer: REMINISCENT (i.e. “evocative of”). Solution is MINIS (i.e. “short dresses”) placed or “set in” RECENT (i.e. “modern”), like so: RE(MINIS)CENT.

35. Does it weigh more than an ounce? Yes and no (4,7)

Answer: SNOW LEOPARD. The clue plays on how a variant meaning of “ounce” is a SNOW LEOPARD, their weights equivalent as they are one and the same thing, but also that the animal will weigh more than an “ounce” of weight. You get the idea.

37. Live to prosper, though lacking love (5)

Answer: DWELL (i.e. reside within or “live”). Solution is DO WELL (i.e. “to prosper”) with the O removed (indicated by “though lacking love” – “love” being a zero score in tennis).

38. Fellow rested extremely comfortably in priest’s office (10)

Answer: CHAPLAINCY (i.e. “priest’s office”). Solution is CHAP (i.e. “fellow”) followed by LAIN (i.e. “rested”) and CY (i.e. “extremely comfortably”, i.e. the first and last letters of “comfortably”).

40. A day old Turkic ruler heard son’s foreign language (9)

Answer: AFRIKAANS (i.e. “foreign language”). Solution is A followed by FRI (i.e. “day”, short for Friday), then a homophone (indicated by “heard”) of KHAN (i.e. “old Turkic ruler”) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “son”), like so: A-FRI-KAAN-S.

42. Bloomer made by tabloid upset about womaniser (9)

Answer: SUNFLOWER (i.e. “bloomer”). Solution is SUN (i.e. UK “tabloid” newspaper) followed by RE (i.e. “about” – think email replies) and WOLF (i.e. “womaniser”) once these last two have been reversed (indicated by “upset” – this being a down clue), like so: SUN-(FLOW-ER).

43. Sexual abstinence enjoys benefit at last in Westminster, say (8)

Answer: CHASTITY (i.e. “sexual abstinence”). Solution is HAS (i.e. “enjoys”) and T (i.e. “benefit at last”, i.e. the last letter of “benefit”) both placed “in” CITY (i.e. “Westminster, say”), like so: C(HAS-T)ITY.

45. Instrument popular around island, it keeps one’s thatch in place (7)

Answer: HAIRPIN (i.e. “it keeps one’s thatch in place”). Solution is HARP (i.e. musical “instrument”) and IN (i.e. “popular”) all wrapped “around” I (a recognised abbreviation of “island”), like so: HA(I)RP-IN.

47. Urbanites acknowledge having connections outside (7)

Answer: TOWNIES (i.e. “urbanites”). Solution is OWN (i.e. “acknowledge”) placed in or having “outside” of it TIES (i.e. “connections”), like so: T(OWN)IES.

49. Way a group of agents identifies stagnation (6)

Answer: STASIS (i.e. “stagnation”). Solution is ST (i.e. “way”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “street”) followed by A and SIS (i.e. “group of agents”, specifically Secret Intelligence Service, or MI6).

51. Cats originally kept in Siberian city (5)

Answer: TOMSK (i.e. “Siberian city”). Solution is TOMS (i.e. “cats”) followed by K (i.e. “originally kept”, i.e. the first letter of “kept”). I dunno, Russian princes, Russian girls and now Russian cities. Looks like we’ve got another one, Senator McCarthy. Book ’em, Danno.

52. Weapon European leader kept in box (5)

Answer: SPEAR (i.e. “weapon”). Solution is E (i.e. “European leader”, i.e. the first letter of “European” – a little redundant given E is already a recognised abbreviation of “European”) placed or “kept in” SPAR (i.e. to “box”), like so: SP(E)AR.

A toughie, but, for the most part, a goodie. Now that the prize deadline has passed you can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If an earlier Jumbo has given you grief 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 continued encouragement. It does mean a lot. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

With thanks to omniscient for correcting 28a

Across clues

1. Part of brain from large mammal found in front of learning centre (11)

Answer: HIPPOCAMPUS (i.e. “part of brain”). Solution is HIPPO (i.e. “large mammal”, short for hippopotamus) followed by CAMPUS (i.e. “learning centre”).

7. Leading positions in profession or craft after tide turned (11)

Answer: EDITORSHIPS (i.e. “leading positions in [newspaper] profession”). Solution is OR and SHIPS (i.e. seafaring “craft”) both placed “after” TIDE once it has been reversed (indicated by “turned”), like so: EDIT-(OR-SHIPS).

13. Cutting ends off pendant or charm (9)

Answer: TRENCHANT (i.e. “cutting”). Solution is T and R (i.e. “ends off pendant or”, i.e. the last letters of “pendant” and “or”) followed by ENCHANT (i.e. “charm”).

14. Since parking, stop – perhaps on this (7)

Answer: ASPHALT. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, being a road surface, but also comprises AS (i.e. “since” or because of), P (a recognised abbreviation of “parking” used on maps and signage) and HALT (i.e. “stop”).

15. Before close of play, big match is liable to boil over (5)

Answer: TESTY (i.e. “liable to boil over”). Solution is Y (i.e. “close of play”, i.e. the last letter of “play”) with TEST (i.e. “big match”) placed “before” it, like so: TEST-Y.

16. Make defensive move as learner in class (6)

Answer: CASTLE (i.e. “make defensive move” in chess). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “learner”, as seen on L-plates) placed “in” CASTE (i.e. social “class”), like so: CAST(L)E.

17. Lip in great pain, working in a filthy plant (8)

Answer: AGRIMONY (i.e. “plant”). A triple-header with a difference. Usually in triple-headers the solution satisfies three phrases or words in the clue, but in this case a little more work is required. Solution is RIM (i.e. “lip”) placed “in” AGONY (i.e. “great pain”), like so: AG(RIM)ONY. The solution is also ON (i.e. “working” or operational) placed “in” A and GRIMY (i.e. “filthy”), like so: A-GRIM(ON)Y. I like the inventiveness of this one.

18. Power behind punt, say, that’s in beastly kicker’s leg (7)

Answer: PASTERN (i.e. “that’s in beastly kicker’s leg” – over to Chambers for this bit of esoterica: “the part of a horse’s foot from the fetlock to the hoof, where the shackle is fastened”. Good grief, I have a hard enough time with human anatomy!) Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “power”) followed by ASTERN (i.e. “behind punt, say” – other types of boat are available).

20. Early cross-channel fare, somewhat reduced? (11,9)

Answer: CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST (i.e. “early cross-channel fare”). The remainder of the clue plays on how continental breakfasts (rolls and coffee) aren’t quite the full English (sausage, bacon, egg, beans, streaky bacon, fried mushrooms, tomato, toast and smoky bacon, all washed down with two cups of builder’s and a ciggie).

23. Collectively backs excuse (7)

Answer: DEFENCE. Solution satisfies “collectively backs”, i.e. the defenders in a football team, and “excuse”.

24. Cunning about what, oddly, could be “across” clue (7)

Answer: ATHWART (i.e. “across” – not a word I’ve seen in the wild, but Chambers is happy enough with it). Solution is ART (i.e. “cunning”) wrapped “about” an anagram (indicated by “oddly”) of WHAT, like so: A(THWA)RT.

26. Observed how plain such a cake is (7)

Answer: NOTICED (i.e. “observed”). When written as NOT ICED the solution also satisfies “how plain such a cake is”.

28. Assumed choice of directions (4)

Answer: WORE (i.e. “assumed”). When written as W OR E the solution playfully satisfies “choice of directions”, specifically recognised abbreviations of “west” and “east” respectively.

[EDIT: Thanks to omniscient in the comments for flagging this one. The solution turned out to be WORN, not WORE, with N being short for “north”, another direction. The editor’s decision is final and all that, but I’d love to know the reason for picking one and not the other. Both words are spun from WEAR: WORE being its past tense form, WORN being its past participle form. Hardened grammarians might argue a world of difference between the two, but, in the context of a cryptic crossword where tortuous use of language is not only permitted but damn-near mandatory, you cannot put a cigarette paper between the two forms. I would argue such ambiguity demonstrates poor grid awareness from the setter, and a poor show from the editor too. Indeed, given the deteriorating standard of Jumbo Cryptics – particularly with the constant stream of repeated solutions – I’m growing ever more convinced the editor is publishing these things sight-unseen. – LP]

29. Careless hit-and-run (8)

Answer: SLAPDASH (i.e. “careless”). Solution is SLAP (i.e. “hit”) followed by DASH (i.e. “run”).

32. Remove ends from bin and show price, see (9)

Answer: BISHOPRIC (i.e. “see” or diocese). Solution is BIN, SHOW and PRICE once the last letters have been removed from each (indicated by “remove ends from…”).

35. Conservative on offer as candidate (9)

Answer: CONTENDER (i.e. “candidate”). Solution is CON (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) followed by TENDER (i.e. “offer”, as in tendering one’s resignation).

36. Holds working meeting with partners – they’re past it (3-5)

Answer: HAS-BEENS (i.e. “they’re past it”). Solution is HAS (i.e. “holds”) followed by BEE (i.e. “working meeting”) and NS (i.e. “partners” in a game of bridge, being recognised abbreviations of “north” and “south” respectively).

37. Major component of body paint, as you can hear (4)

Answer: LIMB (i.e. “major component of body”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “as you can hear”) of LIMN, apparently an archaic word meaning to draw or paint. I like how the clue scans, but, blimey, who would have known that?!

39. Female player’s phrase for county official (7)

Answer: SHERIFF (i.e. “county official”). Solution is SHE (i.e. “female”) followed by RIFF (i.e. “player’s phrase”, musically speaking).

41. Priestess in play producing model scene (7)

Answer: DIORAMA (i.e. “model scene”). Solution is IO (i.e. a “priestess” of the goddess Hera in Greek mythology. She was turned into a cow, because of course she was. That’s the least bizarre aspect of the story. I’d love some of whatever those Greeks were smoking) placed “in” DRAMA (i.e. “play”), like so: D(IO)RAMA.

44. Start working, seeing expert about strained back (7)

Answer: ACTUATE (i.e. “start working”). Solution is ACE (i.e. “expert”) wrapped “about” TAUT (i.e. “strained”) once reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: AC(TUAT)E.

45. Novel tool for fixing moccasins? (3,4,2,3,8)

Answer: THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS (i.e. a “novel” by James Fenimore Cooper). Clue plays on a variant meaning of LAST, being “a shoemaker’s model of the foot on which boots and shoes are made or repaired” (Chambers). “Moccasins”, meanwhile, are footwear of a type worn by Native Americans, such as the MOHICANS. You get the idea. Hella sneaky, setter. I like it.

49. Ignore young woman that’s found in sailor’s arms (7)

Answer: CUTLASS (i.e. a sword “that’s found in sailor’s arms”, probably taking arms to be short for armaments). Solution is CUT (i.e. “ignore”) followed by LASS (i.e. “young woman”).

50. A monarch in state you reportedly banished? Just the opposite (8)

Answer: CONTRARY (i.e. “just the opposite”). Solution is A and R (i.e. “monarch”, can be either a recognised abbreviation of Regina (Latin for “queen”) or Rex (Latin for “king”)) both placed “in” COUNTRY (i.e. “state”) once the U has been removed (indicated by “you reportedly banished”, “you” being a homophone of the letter U), like so: CONTR(A-R)Y.

51. Achieves satisfaction succeeding king, making fortune (6)

Answer: KISMET (i.e. fate or “fortune”). Solution is IS MET (i.e. “achieves satisfaction”) placed after or “succeeding” K (a recognised abbreviation of “king” used in chess), like so: K-(IS-MET).

53. Published chapter for Animal Farm? (5)

Answer: RANCH (i.e. “animal farm”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation and formatting). Solution is RAN (i.e. “published”) followed by CH (a recognised abbreviation of “chapter”).

54. Run in a person who’s brutish in a row (7)

Answer: ABREAST (i.e. arranged “in a row”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “run” used in a number of ball games) placed “in” A and BEAST (i.e. “person who’s brutish”), like so: A-B(R)EAST.

55. Depressed surface for putting on mix of colours (4-5)

Answer: BLUE-GREEN (i.e. “mix of colours”). Solution is BLUE (i.e. “depressed”) followed by GREEN (i.e. “surface for putting on” in golf).

56. Cool stall in Billingsgate once? (11)

Answer: STANDOFFISH (i.e. “cool”). When written as STAND OF FISH the solution also playfully satisfies “stall in Billingsgate” – Billingsgate Fish Market is the largest of its kind inland in the UK. It was moved to the Isle of Dogs in the early 1980’s, hence the “once” of the clue. Nicely done.

57. With excessive publicity, head lost in passion, was lying about kiss? (11)

Answer: OVEREXPOSED (i.e. “with excessive publicity”). Solution is LOVE (i.e. “passion”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “head lost in…”) and the remainder followed by REPOSED (i.e. “was lying”) once wrapped “about” X (i.e. symbolic of a “kiss”), like so: OVE-RE(X)POSED.

Down clues

1. Snag about English becoming advanced in scientific applications (2-4)

Answer: HI-TECH (i.e. “advanced in scientific applications”). Solution is HITCH (i.e. “snag”) wrapped “about” E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”), like so: HIT(E)CH.

2. Way to get pear juice for newsworthy event (5,10)

Answer: PRESS CONFERENCE (i.e. “newsworthy event”). Clue plays on how one can use a PRESS to juice fruit, and how CONFERENCE is a variety of pear.

3. Being romantic and madly nostalgic about university (10)

Answer: OSCULATING (i.e. “being romantic”, specifically another word for kissing, albeit one I’d struggle to call romantic. “Hey, baby, how about you and me osculate sometime?” Oof. Good luck with that. You’re going to need your thickest chest rug and some weapons-grade Hai Karate there). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “madly”) of NOSTALGIC wrapped “about” U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”), like so: OSC(U)LATING.

4. Being raised from bed, we hear, not at home (4)

Answer: AWAY (i.e. “not at home”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “we hear”) of AWEIGH (i.e. “being raised from [sea] bed”, as in the phrase “anchors aweigh”).

5. Simplistic and muddled again about old part of South America (9)

Answer: PATAGONIA (i.e. “part of South America”, and also home to a colony of Welsh settlers since the mid-1850s). Solution is PAT (i.e. “simplistic”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “muddled”) of AGAIN once wrapped “about” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: PAT-AG(O)NIA.

6. Taken in by host, am I naming what allows me to stay? (7)

Answer: STAMINA (i.e. “what allows me to stay” the distance). “Taken in by” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: HO(ST AM I NA)MING.

7. Plant motivation for Brexit? That’s about right (9)

Answer: EUPHORBIA (i.e. “plant”). Solution is EU PHOBIA (i.e. “motivation for Brexit”, playfully) wrapped “about” R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”), like so: EU-PHO(R)BIA. One nailed solely from the wordplay, perhaps unsurprisingly.

8. Wine country including even parts of rift valley (5)

Answer: ITALY (i.e. “wine country”). “Even parts of” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of RIFT VALLEY.

9. Vociferous striker’s dismissal announced (9)

Answer: OUTSPOKEN (i.e. “vociferous”). Solution is OUT (i.e. “striker’s dismissal” in, say, a game of cricket) followed by SPOKEN (i.e. “announced”).

10. Contentment is found in assembled clique (12)

Answer: SATISFACTION (i.e. “contentment”). Solution is IS placed “in” between SAT (i.e. “assembled”) and FACTION (i.e. “clique”), like so: SAT-(IS)-FACTION.

11. Test cricket, for instance, includes pressure (7)

Answer: INSPECT (i.e. “test”). Solution is INSECT (i.e. “cricket, for instance”) wrapped around or “including” P (a recognised abbreviation of “pressure”), like so: INS(P)ECT.

12. Saw, for example, what Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is (6)

Answer: SAYING (i.e. a phrase or “saw”). Solution is SAY (i.e. “for example”) followed by IN G (i.e. “what Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is”. One of those pieces of music you’ll know immediately when you hear it, but I doubt anyone’s first thought would be “Ah, yes, that’s in G major”).

19. Convertible used lane that’s not closed (8)

Answer: UNSEALED (i.e. “that’s not closed”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “convertible”) of USED LANE.

21. Each piece of furniture that’s OK to demolish (7)

Answer: EATABLE (i.e. “that’s OK to demolish”, demolish being an informal word for devouring hungrily). Solution is EA (a recognised abbreviation of “each”) followed by TABLE (i.e. “piece of furniture”).

22. Finish off puzzle with bad clue, somehow open to improvement (8)

Answer: EDUCABLE (i.e. “open to improvement”). Solution is E (i.e. “finish off puzzle”, i.e. the last letter of “puzzle”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “somehow”) of BAD CLUE, like so: E-DUCABLE.

23. County players directed towards ground (8)

Answer: DOWNCAST (i.e. “directed towards ground”). Solution is DOWN (i.e. an Irish “county”) followed by CAST (i.e. “players” or actors).

25. Former political leader seen in the Athenaeum (5)

Answer: Edward HEATH (i.e. “former political leader”). “Seen in” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: T(HE ATH)ENAEUM.

27. Religious leader with holy book, as opposed to ordinals (8,7)

Answer: CARDINAL NUMBERS (i.e. “as opposed to ordinals” – cardinals denote quantity (e.g. 1, 2, 3), while ordinals denote position (e.g. 1st, 2nd, 3rd)). Solution is CARDINAL (i.e. “religious leader”) followed by NUMBERS (i.e. “holy book”, Numbers is a book of the Old Testament of The Bible).

30. Deliver ring covered by favourite semi-precious mineral (7)

Answer: PERIDOT (i.e. “semi-precious mineral”). Solution is RID (i.e. “deliver”) and O (i.e. “ring”) both placed in or “covered by” PET (i.e. “favourite”), like so: PE(RID-O)T.

31. Book whose author shows off (5)

Answer: HOSEA (i.e. another “book” of the Old Testament. So soon after the last one? Ease up there, vicar. Have some consideration for us filthy non-believers, eh?) “Shows off” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: W(HOSE A)UTHOR.

33. Newspaper articles about British lie exposed? (8)

Answer: SUNBATHE (i.e. “lie exposed”). Solution is SUN (i.e. a “newspaper” in the UK) followed by A and THE (both “articles”, as in words like a, an or the). This is all then wrapped “about” B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”), like so: SUN-(B)-A-THE.

34. Newspaper holding its boss up longed for some sort of accommodation (4-8)

Answer: SEMI-DETACHED (i.e. “sort of accommodation”). Solution is TIMES (another “newspaper”) wrapped around or “holding” ED (i.e. “its boss”, short for an editor). This is all then reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue) and followed by ACHED (i.e. “longed for”), like so: (SEMI(DE)T)-ACHED.

38. Ready for seasonal deliveries, replenishing store (8,2)

Answer: STOCKING UP. Solution satisfies “ready for seasonal deliveries”, specifically a visit from Santa Claus, and also “replenishing store”.

40. Employees supporting plant that upholds standards (9)

Answer: FLAGSTAFF (i.e. “that upholds standards”, a standard being a regimental flag). Solution is STAFF (i.e. “employees”) placed after or “supporting” – this being a down clue – FLAG (i.e. “plant”, reed-grass).

42. German who scored away excited a bench (9)

Answer: Jacques OFFENBACH (i.e. “German who scored”, a composer). Solution is OFF (i.e. “away”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “excited”) of A BENCH, like so: OFF-ENBACH.

43. Exemplary commander whose conclusion is framed in British English (9)

Answer: ADMIRABLE (i.e. “exemplary”). Solution is ADMIRAL (i.e. “commander”) with its last letter or “conclusion” placed “in” between B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) and E (ditto “English”), like so: ADMIRA(L)-B-E => ADMIRA-B-(L)-E.

45. Famous liner docked – a queen (7)

Answer: TITANIA (i.e. “queen” of the fairies). Solution is TITANIC (i.e. “famous [ocean] liner”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “docked”) and the remainder followed by A, like so: TITANI-A.

46. Character of Hamlet seen in his first speech, mainly (7)

Answer: HORATIO (i.e. “character of Hamlet”). Solution is H (i.e. “his first”, i.e. the first letter of “his”) followed by ORATION (i.e. “speech”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mainly”), like so: H-ORATIO.

47. One great singer cut short as victim of aerial tragedy (6)

Answer: ICARUS (i.e. “victim of aerial tragedy” in Greek mythology). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) followed by Enrico CARUSO (i.e. “great singer”, apparently. A bit before my time) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “cut short”), like so: I-CARUS.

48. In early afternoon, daughter made up (6)

Answer: ATONED (i.e. “made up” for). Solution is AT ONE (i.e. “in early afternoon”) followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”).

50. Right in the middle of tooth, one kind of canine (5)

Answer: CORGI (i.e. “kind of canine”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”) placed “in the middle of” COG (i.e. “tooth” of a gearwheel) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: CO(R)G-I.

52. Last girl in a series named annually (4)

Answer: JUNE. Clue plays on a “series” of calendar months which are also “girl’s” names: April, May and June. The solution is the “last” of these.

All righty then. The prize deadline for this one has finally passed, so… hello again! If you have returned to these climes after all this time then welcome back and thank you for your patience. Thanks also for the incredible feedback left in the comments these last couple of weeks. I was genuinely taken aback and intrigued to read the range of views expressed. I’ll pick up on a few before getting to all the juicy solutions.

One theme that developed in the comments was that I should thumb my nose to The Times and continue publishing timely solutions. Believe me, the temptation to do this is strong – the habit is a hard one to break! – but it’s probably better I don’t escalate things now I’m on their radar.

There were also a few comments questioning the wisdom of a national newspaper running a prize crossword in this internet age, given how easy it is to get the answers (and often far quicker than I can publish). Honestly, I don’t have a view on this as I’ve never entered the competition, but I’ve always given serious consideration to any negative feedback in this regard. While The Times hasn’t directly given me any grief, I do know they’d prefer I didn’t publish solutions while the competition is running. It’s hard to continue publishing timely solutions with that in mind.

A final theme, and one I found heartening, was how helpful several of you find the posts and comments here. Ultimately, for me, that’s what it’s all about. Years ago I was inspired to start writing Jumbo cryptic solutions after 1) feeling much too bullish having fully completed a few of them on the trot and believing I was king of all crosswords, but also 2) seeing a comment left on Amazon for one of the annual Jumbo cryptic books wishing that someone would explain some of the answers.

Before this starts becoming an essay, I would like to close this out by saying to anyone who feels their cryptic fu has improved thanks to my posts, you and me both, chum! I look back at my earlier posts and wince at the stuff that used to trip me up. Before that I used to do Jumbos and give up halfway through, wrongly believing a dictionary to be cheating. And you don’t want to know how many years I spent casually giving up on cryptic crosswords not twigging that “up” was a reversal indicator in down clues. The truth is, what really upped my game with cryptic crosswords was the same as for any skill – practice, and it’s the same for you too. I might help you with the odd clue, much the same as people here help me when I’m stuck, but, really, the gains you have made have all been self-earned. Keep it up!

Righto, time for me to stop waffling. Thanks again for the kind words. Till next time, wrap up well and stay safe out there kids.

LP

Across clues

1. Case made for mummy’s confinement? (11)

Answer: SARCOPHAGUS. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking mummy to be of the Egyptian variety. A sarcophagus would be the casket or “case” they would be buried in.

7. Land using stone passage we hear (7,4)

Answer: EMERALD ISLE (i.e. “land”, in this case an informal name for Ireland). Solution is EMERALD (i.e. a precious “stone”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “we hear”) of AISLE (i.e. “passage”).

13. Engineer reminds open branch to get guard dog (9,8)

Answer: DOBERMANN PINSCHER (i.e. “guard dog”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “engineer”) of REMINDS OPEN BRANCH.

14. Conservative member of the House of Lords rebuffed toady (5)

Answer: CREEP (i.e. “toady”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “Conservative”) followed by PEER (i.e. “member of the House of Lords”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “rebuffed”), like so: C-REEP.

15. Journalist having something to learn by holding papers back (6)

Answer: EDITOR (i.e. “journalist”). Solution is ROTE (i.e. “something to learn by”) wrapped around or “holding” ID (i.e. “papers”, short for identity). The whole is then reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: ED(IT)OR.

16. Dallas Cowboy’s dispute with Republican (8)

Answer: WRANGLER (i.e. “Dallas cowboy”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation. We’re not dealing with the American Football team here). Solution is WRANGLE (i.e. “dispute”) followed by R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”).

17. Criticise manoeuvre moving ring in glittering array (7)

Answer: PANOPLY (i.e. “glittering array”). Solution is PAN (i.e. to “criticise”) followed by PLOY (i.e. a “manoeuvre”) once the O (i.e. “ring”) has been “moved” like so: PAN-PL(O)Y => PAN-(O)PLY.

19. Large settlement of rank furthers claims (9)

Answer: FRANKFURT (i.e. a “large settlement”, in this case a city in Germany). “Claims” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: O(F RANK FURT)HERS.

21. Repeatedly bomb China (8)

Answer: EGGSHELL (i.e. delicate “China”). “Repeatedly” indicates we’re seeking multiple words satisfying “bomb”, in this case EGG and SHELL, the former being slang for a bomb or mine.

23. Clubs inspired by United in the past (4)

Answer: ONCE (i.e. “in the past”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “clubs” used in some card games) placed in or “inspired by” ONE (i.e. “united”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation), like so: ON(C)E.

25. One involved in endless task that is boring vocal group (5)

Answer: CHOIR (i.e. “vocal group”). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) placed “in” CHORE (i.e. “task”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “endless”), like so: CHO(I)R.

27. Top gangster struggled without cover (6)

Answer: HOODIE (i.e. garment or “top”). Solution is HOOD (i.e. “gangster”) followed by VIED (i.e. “struggled”) once the first and last letters have been removed (indicated by “without cover”), like so: HOOD-IE.

28. Trap left criminal corporation without millions (7,3)

Answer: LOBSTER POT (i.e. “trap”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”) followed by MOBSTER (i.e. “criminal”) and POT (i.e. “corporation” – we’ve seen this a few times now, a variant meaning of “corporation” is an archaic reference to a pot belly). The M is then removed from all this (indicated by “without millions” – M being a recognised abbreviation of “millions”), like so: L-OBSTER-POT. Very nicely worked.

30. Careless fielders at cover dropping ball (8)

Answer: SLIPSHOD (i.e. “careless”). Solution is SLIPS (i.e. some “fielders” in a game of cricket) followed by HOOD (i.e. “cover”) once one of the Os has been removed (indicated by “dropping ball”), like so: SLIPS-HOD. Another good un.

31. Present that’s small: maybe a foot? (8,6)

Answer: STOCKING FILLER. Solution satisfies a Christmas “present that’s small”, and, playfully, “maybe a foot”.

34. Topic has Labour developing fear of being hemmed in (14)

Answer: CLAUSTROPHOBIA (i.e. “fear of being hemmed in”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by ”developing”) of TOPIC HAS LABOUR. Another excellent clue.

35. Host introducing song with welcome for musician (8)

Answer: MARIACHI (i.e. “musician”). Solution is MC (i.e. “host” or Master of Ceremonies) wrapped around or “introducing” ARIA (i.e. a “song”) and followed by HI (i.e. “welcome”), like so: M(ARIA)C-HI.

38. Unhappy person reduced masculine subject matter (10)

Answer: MALCONTENT (i.e. “unhappy person”). Solution is MALE (i.e. “masculine”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “reduced”) and the remainder followed by CONTENT (i.e. “subject matter”), like so: MAL-CONTENT.

40. Charity’s first to move east to set up accommodation (6)

Answer: ENCAMP (i.e. “set up accommodation”). Solution is MENCAP (i.e. a “charity”) with the “first” letter “moved east” or to the right – this being an across clue – like so: (M)ENCAP => ENCA(M)P.

41. Try to persuade prisoner to avoid scorn (5)

Answer: TEMPT (i.e. “try to persuade”). Solution is CONTEMPT (i.e. “scorn”) with the CON removed (indicated by “prisoner to avoid”…)

43. Moderate support terminated prematurely (4)

Answer: EASE (i.e. to “moderate”). Solution is EASEL (i.e. “support”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “terminated prematurely”).

44. Disciplinarian’s right to stop unruly inmate (8)

Answer: MARTINET (i.e. “disciplinarian”, apparently after a French general during the reign of Louis XIV). Solution is RT (a recognised abbreviation of “right”, e.g. in the title Rt Hon) placed in or “stopping” an anagram (indicated by “unruly”) of INMATE, like so: MA(RT)INET.

45. Bribe small number disrupting series (9)

Answer: SWEETENER (i.e. “bribe”). Solution is WEE (i.e. “small”) and TEN (i.e. a “number”) both placed in or “disrupting” SER (a recognised abbreviation of “series”), like so: S(WEE-TEN)ER.

48. Scene involving figures primarily in office during crisis (7)

Answer: DIORAMA (i.e. “scene involving figures”). Solution is I and O (i.e. “primarily in office”, i.e. the first letters of “in” and “office”) both placed in or “during” DRAMA (i.e. “crisis”), like so: D(IO)RAMA.

49. Animal puppet (8)

Answer: CREATURE. Solution satisfies “animal” and “puppet”, the latter found fairly deep in CREATURE’s definitions; Chambers has: “a person completely under one’s control, a dependant, instrument or puppet”. A new one on me.

50. Vehicle in which one would arrive late? (6)

Answer: HEARSE (i.e. “vehicle”). The remainder of the clue plays on how “late” is used to describe someone who is deceased, and how a HEARSE is used to carry the deceased to their funeral.

53. Sex appeal of older men perplexes her initially (5)

Answer: OOMPH (i.e. “sex appeal”). “Initially” indicates the solution is derived from the initial letters of Of Older Men Perplexes Her.

54. Aide is not upset about newspaper’s transfer of ownership (17)

Answer: DENATIONALISATION (i.e. “transfer of ownership” from the state to the private sector). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “upset”) of AIDE IS NOT wrapped “about” NATIONAL (i.e. “newspaper”), like so: DE(NATIONAL)ISATION.

55. Very bright child reportedly drowned (3-8)

Answer: SUN-DRENCHED (i.e. “very bright”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “reportedly”) of SON (i.e. “child”) followed by DRENCHED (i.e. “drowned” or sodden).

56. Union member backing protest about time and space for rest breaks? (7,4)

Answer: SITTING ROOM (i.e. “space for rest breaks”). Solution is GROOM (i.e. “union member”, taking “union” to mean a marriage) placed after or “backing” SIT-IN (i.e. “protest”) once wrapped “about” T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: (SIT-(T)-IN)-GROOM.

Down clues

1. Team produces unexpected results? (4,7)

Answer: SIDE EFFECTS (i.e. “unexpected results”). Solution is SIDE (i.e. “team”) followed by EFFECTS (i.e. “produces”). Simple but nicely worked.

2. Key books in religious studies: his speciality? (5)

Answer: RABBI, the “his” within the context of the clue. Solution is A (i.e. a musical note or “key”), B and B (i.e. “books” – B being a recognised abbreviation of “book”) all placed “in” RI (i.e. “religious studies”, in this case a recognised abbreviation of Religious Instruction), like so: R(A-BB)I.

3. What’s fitting for rower from Havard or Yale we’re told? (7)

Answer: OARLOCK (i.e. “what’s fitting for rower from Harvard” – an OARLOCK being another word for a rowlock, “a contrivance serving as fulcrum for an oar” (Chambers)). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “we’re told”) of OR followed by LOCK (i.e. “Yale”, a variety thereof).

4. Leader deceived about office finally (4)

Answer: HEAD (i.e. “leader”). Solution is HAD (i.e. “deceived”) wrapped “about” E (i.e. “office finally”, i.e. the last letter of “office”), like so: H(E)AD.

5. Taxonomic groups split into individuals of similar age (10)

Answer: GENERATION (i.e. “individuals of similar age”). Solution is GENERA (i.e. “taxonomic groups”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “split”) of INTO, like so: GENERA-TION.

6. Literary genre almost fits iconic scene in novel format (7,7)

Answer: SCIENCE FICTION (i.e. “literary genre”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “in novel format”) of FITS once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “almost”) and ICONIC SCENE.

7. Anagram aligns with edges of eligible fodder (8)

Answer: ENSILAGE (i.e. “fodder” – ENSILAGE can describe silage as well as the process itself). Solution is an anagram (indicated by… er… “anagram”) of ALIGNS and EE (i.e. “edges of eligible”, i.e. the first and last letters of “eligible”).

8. Some number subtracted from lower number (5)

Answer: ETHER (i.e. “number” or anaesthetic, as in how it numbs). Solution is NETHER (i.e. “lower”) with the N removed (indicated by “some number subtracted from…” – N can be a variable that represents any number).

9. Killer returned and cut down European in citadel (9)

Answer: ACROPOLIS (i.e. a “citadel”, especially in Athens). Solution is ORCA (i.e. “killer” whale) reversed (indicated by “returned”) and followed by POLISH (i.e. “European”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “cut down”), like so: ACRO-POLIS.

10. Becoming fairly good (6)

Answer: DECENT. Solution satisfies “becoming” or to look presentable, and “fairly good”. Again, simple but nicely worked.

11. What slows up journey having dropped off Bobby? (8,9)

Answer: SLEEPING POLICEMAN (i.e. “what slows up journey”, a speed bump). Solution is SLEEPING (i.e. “having dropped off”) followed by POLICEMAN (i.e. “bobby”, slang thereof).

12. Person no longer having to accommodate issue? (5-6)

Answer: EMPTY-NESTER. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “issue” to mean offspring.

18. Game associated with US includes quiet period of heightened activity (4,4)

Answer: RUSH HOUR (i.e. “period of heightened activity”). Solution is RU (i.e. “game”, specifically Rugby Union) and OUR (i.e. “associated with us”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation) wrapped around or “including” SHH (i.e. “quiet” – Chambers allows a second H), like so: RU-(SHH)-OUR.

20. A ridiculous ban on women’s lib includes old lady and elusive creature (10,7)

Answer: ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN (i.e. “elusive creature”). Solution is A followed by an anagram (indicated by “ridiculous”) of BAN ON WOMEN’S LIB once wrapped around or “including” MA (i.e. “old lady”, both informal references to one’s mother), like so: A-BOMINABLESNOW(MA)N.

22. Get lost, missing first suitable walk (4,2)

Answer: HOOF IT (i.e. to “walk”). Solution is SHOO! (i.e. “get lost”) with its first letter removed (indicated by “missing first”) and the remainder followed by FIT (i.e. “suitable”), like so: HOO-FIT.

24. Gathering welcomes little male chauvinist? Hardly (8)

Answer: FEMINIST (i.e. “male chauvinist? Hardly”). Solution is FEST (i.e. “gathering”) wrapped around or “welcoming” MINI (i.e. “little”), like so: FE(MINI)ST.

26. One opposing current measures is tortured to some extent (8)

Answer: RESISTOR (i.e. “one opposing [electrical] current”). “To some extent” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: MEASU(RES IS TOR)TURED.

29. Get ready to put TV channels into effect? (6,8)

Answer: ACTION STATIONS. Solution satisfies a call to “get ready” and, playfully, “to put TV channels into effect”, given channels are sometimes also called stations.

32. Secures Greek fruit (8)

Answer: GRAPPLES (i.e. “secures”). Solution is GR (a recognised abbreviation of “Greek”) followed by APPLES (i.e. “fruit”).

33. Way to secure deal for instrument (6)

Answer: SPINET (i.e. a musical “instrument” akin to a harpsichord). Solution is ST (i.e. “way”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a “street”) wrapped around or “securing” PINE (i.e. “deal” – we’ve seen this a couple of times in Jumbos; a variant definition of “deal” is “a fir or pine board of a standard size” (Chambers)), like so: S(PINE)T.

34. Committee introduces conclusion in dutiful summary (11)

Answer: COMPENDIOUS (i.e. “summary”, taken as an adjective). Solution is COM (a recognised abbreviation of “committee”) followed by END (i.e. “conclusion”) once placed in or “introduced” to PIOUS (i.e. “dutiful”), like so: COM-P(END)IOUS.

36. Lay to rest strange cases for one new breach in rules? (11)

Answer: INTERREGNUM (i.e. “breach in rules”). Solution is INTER (i.e. “lay to rest” or bury) and RUM (i.e. “strange”) once wrapped around or “casing” EG (i.e. “for one”, or for example) and N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), like so: INTER-R(EG-N)UM.

37. Attendant’s vehicle, right outside, to the rear of church property (10)

Answer: MANSERVANT (i.e. “attendant”). Solution is VAN (i.e. “vehicle”) placed in or having “outside” of it RT (a recognised abbreviation of “right”, already covered). This is all then placed “to the rear of” MANSE (i.e. “church property”), like so: MANSE-R(VAN)T.

39. Great Dane wrecked open-air restaurant (3,6)

Answer: TEA GARDEN (i.e. “open-air restaurant”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wrecked”) of GREAT DANE. Another I really liked.

42. Bankrupt’s case undoubtedly involves owing money (8)

Answer: INDEBTED (i.e. “owing money”). Solution is BT (i.e. “bankrupt’s case”, i.e. the first and last letters of “bankrupt”) placed in or “involved” by INDEED (i.e. “undoubtedly”), like so: INDE(BT)ED.

46. Insect eating through round sea cucumber (7)

Answer: TREPANG (i.e. “sea cucumber”). Solution is GNAT (i.e. “insect”) wrapped around or “eating” PER (i.e. “through”, as in the phrase “as per”). The whole is then reversed (indicated by “round”), like so: T(REP)ANG. Bradford’s to the rescue here.

47. State hospital opening up in due course (6)

Answer: LATHER (i.e. a distressed “state”). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “hospital” used on maps) placed in or “opening up” LATER (i.e. “in due course”), like so: LAT(H)ER.

49. Shell company originally needed Switzerland (5)

Answer: CONCH (i.e. “shell”). Solution is CO (a recognised abbreviation of “company”) followed by N (i.e. “originally needed”, i.e. the first letter of “needed”) and CH (i.e. country code of “Switzerland”, short for Confederazione Helvetica).

51. Horny individual maybe picked up mocking refusal (5)

Answer: RHINO (i.e. “horny individual”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “picked up”) of WRY (i.e. “mocking”) followed by NO (i.e. “refusal”), like so: RHI-NO.

52. Hide structure from one following advice (4)

Answer: TIPI (i.e. “hide structure”, a variant spelling of TEPEE). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) placed after or “following” TIP (i.e. “advice”), like so: TIP-I.