Less a Jumbo this week than Who’s Who. Had I known that not only was MAHATMA GANDHI here but also HENRY THE EIGHTH, CARDINAL WOLSEY and ALFRED THE GREAT, not to mention Daniel DEFOE and Doris DAY, then I’d have brought my bleedin’ autograph book. And don’t think I didn’t spot ANNA KARENINA in there rubbing shoulders with HYACINTH Bucket out of Keeping Up Appearances and – best of all – one of the actual WHEELIEs from Chorlton and the Wheelies. Esteemed company indeed!

Now that the competition deadline has passed here is my completed grid along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them useful. If a recent Jumbo has given you a proper slapping then my Just For Fun page might help, where you’ll find links to solutions to hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for your comments and patience. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

Across clues

1. Writer Jane – typical American – penning principally erotic fiction (5)

Answer: Daniel DEFOE (i.e. “writer”). Solution is DOE (i.e. “Jane – typical American”) wrapped around or “penning” E and F (i.e. “principally erotic fiction”, i.e. the first letters of “erotic” and “fiction”), like so: D(E-F)OE.

4. Say 2000 guineas initially captured Alfa Romeo vintage model? (7,3)

Answer: CLASSIC CAR (i.e. “vintage model”). Solution is CLASSIC (i.e. “say 2000 guineas” – other horse races of the English Classics are available) followed by C, A and R (i.e. “initially captured Alfa Romeo”, i.e. the first letter of “captured”, “Alfa” and “Romeo”).

9. Nearly new frame for Canaletto artwork (6)

Answer: FRESCO (i.e. “artwork”). Solution is FRESH (i.e. “new”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “nearly”) and the remainder followed by CO (i.e. “frame for Canaletto”, i.e. the first and last letters of “Canaletto”), like so: FRES-CO.

14. Soldier in red gear going on manoeuvres (9)

Answer: GRENADIER (i.e. “soldier”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “going on manoeuvres”) of IN RED GEAR.

15. Wow, Bernard Levin no longer popular? That’s surprisingly novel! (5,3,5)

Answer: BRAVE NEW WORLD (i.e. “novel” by Aldous Huxley). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “that’s surprising”) of WOW BERNARD LEVIN once the IN has been removed (indicated by “no longer popular”).

16. Elite forces circling around send for The Blues (7)

Answer: SADNESS (i.e. “The Blues”). Solution is SAS (i.e. “elite forces”, the Special Air Service) wrapped around or “circling” SEND once it has been reversed (indicated by “around”), like so: SA(DNES)S.

17. Hurricane winds becoming more earthy (9)

Answer: RAUNCHIER (i.e. “more earthy”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “winds”) of HURRICANE.

18. Yellow Sea for French shellfish? (5)

Answer: ORMER (i.e. a “shellfish”). Solution is OR (i.e. “yellow” or gold in heraldry) followed by MER (i.e. “sea for French”, i.e. the French for “sea”). One nailed from the wordplay.

19. Spooner lets me off when pinching the first bit of egg flip (4,4,6)

Answer: LOSE ONE’S TEMPER (i.e. “flip”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “off”) of SPOONER LETS ME wrapped around or “pinching” E (i.e. “the first bit of egg”, i.e. the first letter of “egg”), like so: LOS(E)ONESTEMPER.

22. Launch parody (4-3)

Answer: TAKE-OFF. Solution satisfies “launch” and a “parody”.

25. Cursed wicked spirit renounced religious belief when killing knight (10)

Answer: IMPRECATED (i.e. “cursed”). Solution is IMP (i.e. “wicked spirit”) followed by RECANTED (i.e. “renounced religious belief”) once the N has been removed (indicated by “when killing knight” – N being a recognised abbreviation of “knight” used in chess), like so: IMP-RECATED.

27. Gasbag bishop shampoos little Christopher before the start of evensong (12)

Answer: BLATHERSKITE (i.e. “gasbag”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “bishop”, again used in chess) followed by LATHERS (i.e. “shampoos”), KIT (i.e. “little Christopher”, a shortened form of the name) and E (i.e. “start [letter] of evensong”). This has appeared in Jumbos a couple of times already, but it’s still a cool word.

30. Familiar extremes of temperature during month (5)

Answer: MATEY (i.e. “familiar”). Solution is TE (i.e. “extremes of temperature”, i.e. the first and last letters of “temperature”) placed “during” MAY (i.e. “month”), like so: MA(TE)Y.

31. Blag dealer of supply (8)

Answer: FREELOAD (i.e. “blag”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “supply”, as in being supple) of DEALER OF.

32. Child catching Greek character who was an old monster (8)

Answer: MINOTAUR (i.e. “an old monster”). Solution is MINOR (i.e. “child”) wrapped around or “catching” TAU (i.e. “Greek character”, the nineteenth letter of the Greek alphabet), like so: MINO(TAU)R.

35. Liberated grass-covered meadows (8)

Answer: RELEASED (i.e. “liberated”). Solution is REED (i.e. “grass”) wrapped around or “covering” LEAS (i.e. “meadows”), like so: RE(LEAS)ED.

36. From superior keyboard instrument we hear something flowery (8)

Answer: HYACINTH (i.e. “something flowery”). Solution comprises homophones (indicated by “we hear”) of HIGHER (i.e. “superior”) and SYNTH (i.e. “keyboard instrument”, short for synthesiser).

37. Riviera city accommodating eastern relative (5)

Answer: NIECE (i.e. “relative”). Solution is NICE (i.e. “Riviera city”) wrapped around or “accommodating” E (a recognised abbreviation of “eastern”), like so: NI(E)CE. Hello. Mystic Poll here. I’m reaching out deep into the spectral realm, calling out to the spirits, beseeching their wisdom and foresight. I think… yes! I think I can hear them! They are saying that we will see this solution again very soon, something about a “Jumbo 1659”. How mysterious. What’s that? No, your uncle Derek wasn’t there. That’ll be £20, please.

39. Top brass in the army? (7,5)

Answer: TRUMPET MAJOR. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, being “a head trumpeter in a regiment” (Chambers), while also playing on TRUMPETs being “brass” musical instruments.

41. Down, lacking energy, daughter always makes time for the old man (7,3)

Answer: FATHER’S DAY (i.e. “time for the old man”). Solution is FEATHERS (i.e. “down”) with the first E removed (indicated by “lacking energy” – E being a recognised abbreviation of “energy”) and the remainder followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) and AY (i.e. yes or “always”), like so: FATHERS-D-AY.

43. Cold, solitary, eating variable pie from Italy (7)

Answer: CALZONE (i.e. “pie from Italy”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold” used on water taps) and ALONE (i.e. “solitary”) once wrapped around or “eating” Z (i.e. “variable” – setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as unknowns or variables), like so: C-AL(Z)ONE.

45. Diocesan rally organised to defend women’s church leader (8,6)

Answer: CARDINAL WOLSEY (i.e. 16th Century “church leader”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “organised”) of DIOCESAN RALLY wrapped around or “defending” W (a recognised abbreviation of “women”), like so: CARDINAL(W)OLSEY.

48. Talk about the introduction of regional map (5)

Answer: CHART (i.e. “map”). Solution is CHAT (i.e. “talk”) wrapped “about” R (i.e. “introduction of regional”, i.e. the first letter of “regional”), like so: CHA(R)T.

49. Well-bred one from stable background? (9)

Answer: RACEHORSE. Another where the solution satisfies the clue as a whole, this time playing on horses, breeding, stables etc. You get the idea.

51. Follow upper-class, Liberal, boring online partner? (7)

Answer: EMULATE (i.e. “follow”). Solution is U (a recognised abbreviation of the “upper-class”) and L (ditto “Liberal”) both placed in or “boring” E-MATE (i.e. “online partner”, playfully, as in how the prefix e- is stuck on words to make them online-related), like so: E-M(U-L)ATE.

53. Panama hat, mag and his sandwiches… a peaceful chap (7,6)

Answer: MAHATMA GANDHI (i.e. “a peaceful chap”). “Sandwiches” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: PANA(MA HAT MAG AND HI)S. You don’t often see hidden solutions as long as this. Impressive work!

54. Foolish, sick arbitrator, ultimately good (3-6)

Answer: ILL-JUDGED (i.e. “foolish”). Solution is ILL (i.e. “sick”) followed by JUDGE (i.e. “arbitrator”) and D (i.e. “ultimately good”, i.e. the last letter of “good”).

55. Register Nick held with both hands (6)

Answer: LEDGER (i.e. “register”). Solution is EDGE (i.e. to “nick” a ball in cricket) placed in or “held” by L and R (i.e. “both hands”, respectively recognised abbreviations of “left” and “right”), like so: L-(EDGE)-R.

56. Chronic weak person eschewing R&B (10)

Answer: INVETERATE (i.e. “chronic”). Solution is INVERTEBRATE (i.e. “weak person”) with “R&B” removed or “eschewed”.

57. Healthy appetite by the end of day (5)

Answer: LUSTY (i.e. “healthy”). Solution is LUST (i.e. “appetite”) followed by Y (i.e. “the end [letter] of the day”).

Down clues

1. Be really into established summary publication (6)

Answer: DIGEST (i.e. “summary publication”). Solution is DIG (i.e. “be really into”) followed by EST (short for “established”).

2. Centre of military operations in theatre of war? (5,8)

Answer: FIELD HOSPITAL. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, playing on surgical “operations” rather than military ones.

3. Delete answer posed in Gaelic language (5)

Answer: ERASE (i.e. “delete”). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, as in Q&A) placed “in” ERSE (i.e. “Gaelic language”), like so: ER(A)SE.

4. Tory crossing boundaries becomes a Red (7)

Answer: CRIMSON (i.e. “red”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation). Solution is CON (i.e. “Tory”, in this case a short form of “Conservative”) wrapped around or “crossing” RIMS (i.e. “boundaries”), like so: C(RIMS)ON.

5. It helps to improve the atmosphere after one’s kicked up a stink (3,9)

Answer: AIR FRESHENER. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole. Quite a straightforward one.

6. Took over undersea vessel, American, coming up on the sea (8)

Answer: SUBSUMED (i.e. “took over”). Solution is SUB (i.e. “undersea vessel”, short for submarine) followed by US (i.e. “American”) reversed (indicated by “coming up” – this being a down clue) and MED (i.e. “sea”, short for Mediterranean), like so: SUB-SU-MED.

7. Runs first-class cricket club at the borders for fun in Ireland (5)

Answer: CRAIC (i.e. “fun in Ireland”). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “runs” used in a number of ball games) and AI (i.e. “first class”, i.e. A1 with the 1 replaced by its Roman numeral equivalent) both placed in or having “at the borders” CC (a recognised abbreviation of “cricket club”), like so: C(R-AI)C.

8. Improve a real-time broadcast receiving Oscar (10)

Answer: AMELIORATE (i.e. “improve”). Solution is A followed by an anagram (indicated by “broadcast”) of REAL-TIME once wrapped around or “receiving” O (“Oscar” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: A-MELI(O)RATE.

10. Argument with rugby forward where he sticks his oar in? (7)

Answer: ROWLOCK (i.e. “where he sticks his oar in”). Solution is ROW (i.e. “argument”) followed by LOCK (i.e. “rugby forward”).

11. I chuck bombs skyward, just missing a Republican hothead in Italy (9)

Answer: Mount STROMBOLI (i.e. a volcano or “hothead in Italy”). Solution is I LOB MORTARS (i.e. “I chuck bombs”) reversed (indicated by “skyward” – this being a down clue) once the A and R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”) have first been removed, like so: STROM-BOL-I.

12. Earlier file force deleted (5)

Answer: OLDER (i.e. “earlier”). Solution is FOLDER (i.e. “file”) with the F removed (indicated by “force deleted” – F being a recognised abbreviation of “force”).

13. Twice-divorced royal female going on-line, getting a date? (5,3,6)

Answer: HENRY THE EIGHTH (i.e. “twice-divorced royal”. It’s one way to describe him, I suppose). Solution is HEN (i.e. “female” bird) followed by or “going on” RY (i.e. “line”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “railway”) and THE EIGHTH (i.e. “a date”).

20. Time metaphorically affected the Opposition (5,4)

Answer: ENEMY CAMP (i.e. “the Opposition”). Solution is ENEMY (i.e. “time metaphorically”, after the phrase “time is the enemy”) followed by CAMP (i.e. an “affected” manner).

21. Large hollowed out yucca in colonnade having multiple fibrous stems (8)

Answer: POLYARCH (i.e. “having multiple fibrous stems” botanically). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) and YA (i.e. “hollowed out yucca”, i.e. the word “yucca” with all its middle letters removed) both placed “in” PORCH (i.e. “colonnade”), like so: PO(L-YA)RCH.

23. Iris surely fled in a tizzy (5-2-3)

Answer: FLEUR-DE-LYS (i.e. “iris”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “in a tizzy”) of SURELY FLED.

24. One reporting on those who make scenes? (4,6)

Answer: FILM CRITIC. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, playing on movie “scenes” rather than melodramatic ones.

26. Old King Aethelred laboured with graft (6,3,5)

Answer: ALFRED THE GREAT (i.e. “old king”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “laboured”) of AETHELRED and GRAFT. Nicely worked.

28. Rascal (and German!) coming in to make a half century (9)

Answer: SCOUNDREL (i.e. “rascal”). Solution is UND (i.e. “and German”, i.e. the German for “and”) placed or “coming in” SCORE L (i.e. “make a half century”, using the Roman numeral for 50), like so: SCO(UND)RE-L.

29. Actor entertaining game fan of drama (8)

Answer: PLAYGOER (i.e. “fan of drama”). Solution is PLAYER (i.e. “actor”) wrapped around or “entertaining” GO (an ancient board “game”), like so: PLAY(GO)ER.

33. EU’s ban angered ground beef producer (8,5)

Answer: ABERDEEN ANGUS (i.e. “beef producer”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ground”) of EU’S BAN ANGERED.

34. Book – aka Inner Circles – and article not available earlier (4,8)

Answer: ANNA KARENINA (i.e. “book” by Leo Tolstoy). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “circles”) of AKA INNER placed after or having “earlier” AN (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the) and N/A (short for “not available”), like so: AN-N/A-KARENINA.

38. Observe answer in projecting feature’s links leading to Hunter? (5,5)

Answer: WATCH CHAIN (i.e. “links leading to hunter” – a hunter being “a watch whose face is protected with a metal case” (Chambers)). Solution is WATCH (i.e. “observe”) followed by A (a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, already covered) once placed “in” CHIN (i.e. “projecting [facial] feature”), like so: WATCH-CH(A)IN.

40. Freed, if not let outside hospital (9)

Answer: UNLEASHED (i.e. “freed”). Solution is UNLEASED (i.e. “not let”) wrapped around or placed “outside” of H (a recognised abbreviation of “hospital”), like so: UNLEAS(H)ED.

42. Russian fighter nearly fell from sky? What a pain! (8)

Answer: MIGRAINE (i.e. “pain”). Solution is MIG (i.e. “Russian fighter” jet) followed by RAINED (i.e. “feel from sky”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “nearly”), like so: MIG-RAINE.

44. Month compiler uncovered a group of eight musicians (7)

Answer: OCTETTE (i.e. “group of eight musicians”). Solution is OCT (i.e. “month”, short for October) followed by SETTER (i.e. crossword “compiler”) once the first and last letters have been removed (indicated by “uncovered”), like so: OCT-ETTE.

46. Trick husband, taken in by little fib (7)

Answer: WHEELIE (i.e. “trick” on a bicycle. Trickier on a unicycle). Solution is H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”) placed “in” WEE (i.e. “little”) and LIE (i.e. “fib”), like so: W(H)EE-LIE.

47. Boom that was said to attract Doris’s attention? (6)

Answer: HEYDEY (i.e. “boom” or good times). When written as HEY DAY the solution playfully satisfies “that was said to attract Doris’s attention”, referring to actress Doris Day.

48. Pack animal arrived, then left (5)

Answer: CAMEL (i.e. “pack animal”). Solution is CAME (i.e. “arrived”) followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”). Simple, but nicely done.

50. Strategy to reduce risk beginning to hurt margin (5)

Answer: HEDGE (i.e. “strategy to reduce risk”). Solution is H (i.e. “beginning [letter] to hunt”) followed by EDGE (i.e. “margin”).

52. General regularly puts out ally (5)

Answer: USUAL (i.e. “general”). “Regularly” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of PUTS OUT ALLY.

A reasonably straightforward Jumbo this week. It was okay, but a bit dull to write up. There seemed a slight overreliance on names or the first/last letters of things which made it a bit samey. No biggie, though.

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 a recent Jumbo has you befuddled 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 your comments and patience. I appreciate this whole waiting-for-the-deadline-to-pass regime is a pain in the arse. The alternative is to revert back to publishing solutions shortly after publication, but keep in mind that a request to stop by The Times would put the mockers on these posts.

Anyway, on with the show. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

Across clues

1. Firm well-organised factor (11)

Answer: COEFFICIENT (i.e. “factor”, or “a numerical or literal expression for a factor of a quantity in an algebraic term” (Chambers)). Solution is CO (i.e. “firm”, short for company) followed by EFFICIENT (i.e. “well-organised”).

7. Coat ornament Glynis wore at last, one of five (6)

Answer: SEQUIN (i.e. “coat ornament”). Solution is S and E (i.e. “Glynis wore at last”, i.e. the last letter of “Glynis” and “wore”) followed by QUIN (i.e. “one of five”).

10. Affected male in close fitting headgear (4)

Answer: CAMP (i.e. an “affected” manner). Solution is M (a recognised abbreviation of “male”) placed “in” CAP (i.e. “close fitting headgear”), like so: CA(M)P.

14. Fellow engaging an expert where alcohol may be served (7)

Answer: TAPROOM (i.e. “where alcohol may be served”). Solution is TOM (i.e. “fellow’s” name) wrapped around or “engaging” A PRO (i.e. “an expert”), like so: T(A-PRO)OM.

15. Agree the sun god is a will o’ the wisp (7)

Answer: CHIMERA (a bit tenuous, this, but I reckon this is “any idle or wild fancy” (Chambers), taking a “fancy” to be something “capriciously departing from the ordinary” (also Chambers). A “will o’ the wisp” or ignis fatuus, meanwhile, is “the light produced by combustion of marsh gas, which may lead a traveller into danger; any delusive ideal or hope that may lead one astray” (also, also Chambers). I guess there’s some overlap in amongst that lot). Solution is CHIME (i.e. “agree”) followed by RA (i.e. “the [Egyptian] sun god”).

16. Club employee’s dishonest cheque? (7)

Answer: BOUNCER. Solution satisfies “club employee” and, playfully, a “dishonest cheque”.

17. Fashionable artist frames them regularly, that’s for sure (13)

Answer: INCONTESTABLE (i.e. “for sure”). Solution is IN (i.e. “fashionable”) and John CONSTABLE (i.e. “artist”) wrapped around or “framing” TE (i.e. “them regularly”, i.e. every other letter of THEM), like so: IN-CON(TE)STABLE.

18. Talmudic scholar, poor performer, accepting return of evil (9)

Answer: RABBINIST (i.e. “Talmudic scholar”). Solution is RABBIT (i.e. “poor performer” or “inferior player at golf, cricket etc” (Chambers)) wrapped around or “accepting” SIN (i.e. “evil”) once reversed (indicated by “return of…”), like so: RABBI(NIS)T.

19. Solicitor catching river fish (5)

Answer: TROUT (i.e. “fish”). Solution is TOUT (i.e. “solicitor”, to solicit being to tout) wrapped around or “catching” R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”), like so: T(R)OUT.

21. Desire for travelling west and touring Ulster (10)

Answer: WANDERLUST (i.e. “desire for travelling”). Solution W (a recognised abbreviation of “west”) followed by AND, then an anagram (indicated by “touring”) of ULSTER, like so: W-AND-ERLUST.

23. Be tedious, like the north wind (6)

Answer: BOREAS (i.e. “the north wind”). Solution is BORE (i.e. “be tedious”) followed by AS (i.e. “like”).

25. Framework retailed outside popular eating-place (8)

Answer: SCAFFOLD (i.e. “framework”). Solution is SOLD (i.e. “retailed”) wrapped around or placed “outside” of CAFF (i.e. “eating-place”, in this case a slang or “popular” word for a CAFÉ), like so: S(CAFF)OLD.

26. Defiance regarding ringers enveloping us in terrible noise (14)

Answer: REBELLIOUSNESS (i.e. “defiance”). Solution is RE (i.e. “regarding” – think email replies) followed by BELLS (i.e. “ringers”) once wrapped around or “enveloping” US once first placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “terrible”) of NOISE, like so: RE-BELL(IO(US)NES)S.

29. Fuss associated with bishop’s parsley, for example (7)

Answer: POTHERB (i.e. “parsley, for example”). Solution is POTHER (i.e. “fuss”) followed by B (a recognised abbreviation of “bishop” used in chess).

30. Means to record a dupe raving about very little (9)

Answer: AUDIOTAPE (i.e. “means to record”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “raving”) of A DUPE wrapped “about” IOTA (i.e. “very little”), like so: AUD(IOTA)PE.

31. Instrument produced by girl at bar (5)

Answer: BANJO (i.e. musical “instrument”). Solution is JO (i.e. “girl’s” name) placed after or “by” BAN (i.e. to “bar” someone entry), like so: BAN-JO.

32. Verbal greeting to woman, one that laughs maniacally? (5)

Answer: HYENA (i.e. “one that laughs maniacally”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “verbal”) of HI (i.e. “greeting”) followed by ENA (i.e. “woman’s” name), like so: HY-ENA.

34. Opposed to sparkling wine, consuming soft hors-d’oeuvres (9)

Answer: ANTIPASTI (i.e. “hors-d’oeuvres”). Solution is ANTI (i.e. “against”) and ASTI (i.e. “sparkling wine”) all wrapped around or “consuming” P (i.e. “soft”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “piano” used in musical lingo), like so: ANTI-(P)-ASTI.

37. Increased entitlement – honest! (7)

Answer: UPRIGHT (i.e. “honest”). Solution is UP (i.e. “increased”) followed by RIGHT (i.e. “entitlement”).

39. Typical letters about one given time in charge (14)

Answer: CHARACTERISTIC (i.e. “typical”). Solution is CHARACTERS (i.e. “letters”) wrapped “about” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”). This is all then followed by T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) and IC (ditto “in charge”), like so: CHARACTER(I)S-T-IC.

41. Police officer’s bloomer, a catastrophe! (8)

Answer: DISASTER (i.e. “a catastrophe”). When written as DI’S ASTER the solution also satisfies “police officer’s bloomer”, a DI being a Detective Inspector.

43. Revealing novel accepted by agent (6)

Answer: SKIMPY (i.e. “revealing”). Solution is KIM (i.e. a “novel” by Rudyard Kipling) placed in or “accepted by” SPY (i.e. “agent”), like so: S(KIM)PY.

44. Least distinguished weaver ultimately fails in test (10)

Answer: BOTTOMMOST (i.e. “least distinguished”). Solution is Nick BOTTOM (i.e. “weaver” of William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream) followed by S (i.e. “ultimately fails”, i.e. the last letter of “fails”) once placed “in” MOT (i.e. motor suitability “test”), like so: BOTTOM-MO(S)T.

45. Wee tipple taken before a play (5)

Answer: DRAMA (i.e. “play”). Solution is DRAM (i.e. “wee tipple”) followed by A.

48. Boyfriend, very shortly, to accommodate painter (9)

Answer: INAMORATO (i.e. “boyfriend”). Solution is IN A MO (i.e. “very shortly”) and TO all wrapped around or “accommodating” RA (i.e. “painter”, specifically a Royal Academician), like so: IN-A-MO-(RA)-TO. One remembered from its previous appearance, if I’m honest.

49. Vulgarity involving four sons, late teens, sadly (13)

Answer: TASTELESSNESS (i.e. “vulgarity”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “sadly”) of LATE TEENS and SSSS (i.e. “four sons”, S being a recognised abbreviation of “son”).

51. Formal note about a church dignitary, perhaps (7)

Answer: PRIMATE (i.e. “church dignitary”). Solution is PRIM (i.e. “formal”) and TE (i.e. “note” of the sol-fa scale) all wrapped “about” A, like so: PRIM-(A)-TE.

52. Beg politician to penetrate current body of learning (7)

Answer: IMPLORE (i.e. “beg”). Solution is MP (i.e. “politician” or Member of Parliament) placed in or “penetrating” I (a recognised abbreviation of an electrical “current” used in physics) and LORE (i.e. “body of learning”), like so: I-(MP)-LORE.

53. Diplomat starts to acquire this hirsute growth (7)

Answer: ATTACHÉ (i.e. “diplomat”). Solution is A and T (i.e. “starts to acquire this”, i.e. the first letters of “acquire” and “this”) followed by TACHE (i.e. “hirsute growth”, short for moustache).

54. Republican with cash in Limpopo (4)

Answer: RAND (i.e. “cash in Limpopo”, a province of South Africa). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”) followed by AND (i.e. “with”).

55. Dry American conspirator (6)

Answer: BRUTUS (i.e. “conspirator” against Julius Caesar). Solution is BRUT (i.e. unsweetened or “dry” wine) followed by US (i.e. “American”).

56. Disheartened after new heater damaged pottery (11)

Answer: EARTHENWARE (i.e. “pottery”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “damaged”) of AR (i.e. “disheartened after”, i.e. the word “after” with all its middle letters removed) and NEW HEATER.

Down clues

1. Downy plant principally cultivated where money is made (7)

Answer: CATMINT (i.e. “downy plant”). Solution is C (i.e. “principally cultivated”, i.e. the first letter of “cultivated”) followed by AT MINT (i.e. “where money is made”).

2. In the club collecting gold? It makes you spit! (11)

Answer: EXPECTORANT (i.e. “it makes you spit”). Solution is EXPECTANT (i.e. pregnant or “in the club”) wrapped around or “collecting” OR (i.e. “gold” in heraldry), like so: EXPECT(OR)ANT.

3. Scowl, initially feeling narked about argument (5)

Answer: FROWN (i.e. “scowl”). Solution is F and N (i.e. “initially feeling narked”, i.e. the first letters of “feeling” and “narked”) wrapped “about” ROW (i.e. “argument”), like so: F(ROW)N.

4. A fluttery type, Miss London SE5? (10,6)

Answer: CAMBERWELL BEAUTY (a butterfly or “a fluttery type”). Solution also playfully satisfies “Miss London SE5”, being the postcode area of CAMBERWELL.

5. Thrilling, going out without chaperone at first (8)

Answer: EXCITING (i.e. “thrilling”). Solution is EXITING (i.e. “going out”) wrapped around or placed “without” C (i.e. “chaperone at first”, i.e. the first letter of “chaperone”), like so: EX(C)ITING.

6. American anemone maybe little daughter found under seamstress’s cap (11)

Answer: THIMBLEWEED (i.e. “American anemone”). Solution is WEE (i.e. “little”) and D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) both placed after or “under” – this being a down clue – THIMBLE (i.e. “seamstress’s cap”), like so: THIMBLE-(WEE-D).

7. Kid moved from side to side when speaking (5)

Answer: SUEDE (i.e. “kid”, short for kidskin). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “when speaking”) of SWAYED (i.e. “moved from side to side”).

8. A bird struggling with icy squall – like oystercatcher, for example (14)

Answer: QUADRISYLLABIC (i.e. “like oystercatcher, for example” – other four-syllabled words are available). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “struggling”) of A BIRD and ICY SQUALL.

9. Take in this person’s sacred writings, forking out pounds (6)

Answer: IMBIBE (i.e. “take in”). Solution is I’M (i.e. “this person’s”, taken to be a shortened form of “this person is” or I AM) followed by BIBLE (i.e. “sacred writings”) once the L has been removed (indicated by “forking out pounds”, L being a recognised abbreviation of a pound weight or a pound sterling, both derived from the Latin libra), like so: I’M-BIBE.

11. Chap welcoming male faculty head, like a man of principle? (11)

Answer: ARCHIMEDEAN (i.e. “like a man of principle”, Archimedes’ principle being “that a body weighed when immersed wholly or partly in a fluid shows a loss of weight equal to the weight of fluid it displaces” (Chambers)). Solution is ARCHIE (i.e. “chap’s” name) wrapped around or “welcoming” M (a recognised abbreviation of “male”) and followed by DEAN (i.e. “faculty head”), like so: ARCHI(M)E-DEAN.

12. Yellow mineral used in two-fifths of happy ceremonies (7)

Answer: PYRITES (i.e. “yellow mineral”). Solution is PY (i.e. “two-fifths of happy”, specifically the last two-fifths) followed by RITES (i.e. “ceremonies”).

13. Rebellious Greek character can finally woo you and me (8)

Answer: MUTINOUS (i.e. “rebellious”). Solution is MU (i.e. “Greek character”, specifically the thirteenth letter of the Greek alphabet) followed by TIN (i.e. “can”), then O (i.e. “finally woo”, i.e. the last letter of “woo”) and US (i.e. “you and me”).

20. Material from Welsh river consumed going north (7)

Answer: TAFFETA (i.e. “material”). Solution is TAFF (i.e. “Welsh river”) followed by ATE (i.e. “consumed”) once reversed (indicated by “going north” – this being a down clue), like so: TAFF-ETA.

22. Stop at sea and tell tales? (3,2)

Answer: LIE TO. Solution satisfies “stop at sea” and “tell tales”.

24. Sort itself out? The rivers Welland and Nene do it (4,3,2,3,4)

Answer: COME OUT IN THE WASH. Solution satisfies “sort itself out” and “the rivers Welland and Nene do it”.

25. Like some Greek odes thus entertaining husband with download (7)

Answer: SAPPHIC (i.e. “like some Greek odes”). Solution is SIC (i.e. Latin for “thus”) wrapped around or “entertaining” H (a recognised abbreviation of “husband”) once placed after or “with” APP (i.e. a “download”), like so: S(APP-H)IC.

27. Duck run into by old two-wheeled vehicle (7)

Answer: SCOOTER (i.e. “two-wheeled vehicle”). Solution is SCOTER (i.e. a northern sea “duck”) wrapped around or “run into by” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: SC(O)OTER.

28. Perform with hesitation, disturbing one scientist or another (14)

Answer: BACTERIOLOGIST (i.e. “another [scientist]”). Solution is ACT (i.e. “perform”) and ER (i.e. a sound of “hesitation”) both placed in or “disturbing” BIOLOGIST (i.e. “scientist”), like so: B(ACT-ER)IOLOGIST.

31. Save money at first – help girl that pulls pints (7)

Answer: BARMAID (i.e. “girl that pulls pints”). Solution is BAR (i.e. except or “save” for) followed by M (i.e. “money at first”, i.e. the first letter of “money”) and AID (i.e. “help”).

33. Investigation into axeman rampaging around island (11)

Answer: EXAMINATION (i.e. “investigation”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “rampaging”) of INTO AXEMAN wrapped “around” I (a recognised abbreviation of “island”), like so: EXAM(I)NATION.

35. Put forward ideas originally received in mail (5)

Answer: POSIT (i.e. “put forward”). Solution is I (i.e. “ideas originally”, i.e. the first letter of “ideas”) placed or “received in” POST (i.e. “mail”), like so: POS(I)T.

36. Old detector of tremors Moses copies ineptly (11)

Answer: SIESMOSCOPE (i.e. “old detector of tremors”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ineptly”) of MOSES COPIES.

38. Get up a chart cracking up latex-derived substance (5-6)

Answer: GUTTA-PERCHA (i.e. “latex-derived substance”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “cracking up”) of GET UP A CHART. Another remembered from its previous Jumbo appearance.

40. A very quiet cricket ground securing king’s favour (8)

Answer: APPROVAL (i.e. “favour”). Solution is A, PP (i.e. “very quiet”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of pianissimo in musical lingo) and OVAL (i.e. “cricket ground” in London) all wrapped around or “securing” R (a recognised abbreviation of “king”, short for the Latin Rex).

42. Ancestor’s warning over plantigrade mammal (8)

Answer: FOREBEAR (i.e. “ancestor”). Solution is FORE (i.e. “warning” shout in golf) followed by BEAR (i.e. “plantigrade animal” – plantigrade denotes something that walks fully on the soles of its feet). The solution was relatively easy but, come on, setter, did you really think we’d make the leap from “plantigrade mammal” to BEAR? Or did you just want to show off a bit? Be honest now.

43. Captain’s second course at breakfast, perhaps? (7)

Answer: SKIPPER (i.e. “captain”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of a “second”) followed by KIPPER (i.e. “course at breakfast, perhaps”).

46. Stern Liberal leaving Ulster, in paper regularly (7)

Answer: AUSTERE (i.e. “stern”). Solution is ULSTER with the L removed (indicated by “Liberal leaving…” – L being a recognised abbreviation thereof) and the remainder placed “in” AE (i.e. “paper regularly”, i.e. every other letter of PAPER), like so: A(USTER)E.

47. Rush about centre of Leeds in motorised vehicle (6)

Answer: CAREER (i.e. “rush”). Solution is RE (i.e. “about” or regarding – think email replies again) and E (i.e. “centre [letter] of Leeds”) both placed “in” CAR (i.e. “motorised vehicle”), like so: CA(RE-E)R.

49. Thanks old man originally supplying savoury snacks (5)

Answer: TAPAS (i.e. small dishes or “savoury snacks”). Solution is TA (i.e. “thanks”) followed by PA (i.e. “old man”, both informal references to one’s father) and S (i.e. “originally supplying”, i.e. the first letter of “supplying”).

50. Glossy fabric used by dressmakers at Inverness (5)

Answer: SATIN (i.e. “glossy fabric”). “Used by” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: DRESSMAKER(S AT IN)VERNESS.

A toughie this week, but for the most part this was a goodie. TRAPINA got up my nose, but a bevy of well-worked clues more than made up for it.

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 a recent Jumbo has tread on your toes then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to hundreds of the things.

Thanks again for your comments and patience. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

Across clues

1. Eliot accepts welcome from Adam, perhaps, and so does Nick (7)

Answer: THIEVES (i.e. “does nick”, ignoring the misleading capitalisation). Solution is TS (i.e. “Eliot”, the poet) wrapped around or “accepting” HI EVE (i.e. “welcome from Adam, perhaps”, Biblically speaking), like so: T(HI EVE)S.

5. See head or tail of small horse obscured by pet (7)

Answer: PONTIFF (i.e. Holy “See head”). Solution is PONY (i.e. “small horse”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “tail of…obscured”) and the remainder followed by TIFF (i.e. “pet” or huff), like so: PON-TIFF.

9. American means to open and cancel bill (4-3)

Answer: PULL-TAB (i.e. “American means to open”, e.g. a ring-pull on, say, a delicious can of Pepsi Max. Lime flavour, if any advertising reps are reading this. Worth a try). Solution is PULL (i.e. to “cancel”) followed by TAB (i.e. “bill”, say, at a bar).

13. Scandal marred Legoland’s progress, somehow (6,5)

Answer: MUDDLE ALONG (i.e. “progress, somehow”). Solution is MUD (i.e. “scandal”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “marred”) of LEGOLAND, like so: MUD-DLEALONG.

14. Early in the day, indeed, for broadcaster to supply something cheesy! (6,5)

Answer: MORNAY SAUCE (i.e. “something cheesy”). Solution is MORN (i.e. “early in the day”) followed by AY (i.e. “indeed”, variant spelling of “aye”) and a homophone (indicated by “for broadcaster”) of SOURCE (i.e. “to supply”), like so: MORN-AY-SAUCE.

15. Career endlessly, becoming exhausted (3-2)

Answer: ALL-IN (i.e. “exhausted”). Solution is CALLING (i.e. one’s “career”) with both the first and last letters removed (indicated by “endlessly”).

16. Parents rating entertainer for teenager? (3,4)

Answer: POP STAR (i.e. “entertainer for teenager”). Solution is POPS (i.e. “parents” – POP is an informal word for one’s father in the US, short for poppa) followed by TAR (i.e. “rating” – this refers to a rank of a sailor; TAR, meanwhile, is an informal word for a sailor).

17. Biscuit base is mixed (9)

Answer: HOBNOBBED (i.e. socialised or “mixed”). Solution is HOBNOB (i.e. “biscuit” – also delicious, in case any McVities reps are in the room. Hey, your boy’s gotta eat) followed by BED (i.e. “base”). Nicely worked.

18. One applied to head Corporate Challenge organised around English pub (21)

Answer: ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPH (i.e. “one applied to head” to detect brain activity). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “orgainsed”) of CORPORATE CHALLENGE wrapped “around” E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) and PH (i.e. “pub”, short for Public House), like so: ELECTROENC(E-PH)ALOGRAPH.

23. Exquisite present, amongst other things (8)

Answer: ETHEREAL (i.e. “exquisite” – I don’t think there’s much overlap here. You could argue both satisfy “heavenly”, but only if you play on two different meanings of “heavenly”. Very iffy). Solution is HERE (i.e. “present”) placed in or “amongst” ET AL (Latin for “and other”, or, in this case “other things”), like so: ET-(HERE)-AL.

25. Trouble set back crook (6)

Answer: DOGLEG (i.e. a sharp bend or “crook”). Solution is DOG (i.e. to “trouble” someone) followed by GEL (i.e. “set”) once reversed (indicated by “back”), like so: DOG-LEG.

27. A little embroidery more than enough to occupy sister (7)

Answer: SAMPLER (i.e. “a little embroidery”). Solution is AMPLE (i.e. “more than enough”) placed in or “occupying” SR (a recognised abbreviation of the title “Sister”), like so: S(AMPLE)R.

30. Colleagues work after getting time off (5)

Answer: OPPOS (i.e. “colleagues” – Chambers offers: “a person who is allotted to one as partner, opponent etc”). Solution is OP (i.e. “work”, short for opus) followed by POST (i.e. occupation or “work”) once the T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”) has been removed (indicated by “off”), like so: OP-POS.

32. Publicises furious golfer’s embarrassing error (3,4)

Answer: AIR SHOT (i.e. “golfer’s embarrassing error”). Solution is AIRS (i.e. “publicises”) followed by HOT (i.e. “furious”).

33. Verbal agreement to follow play without rehearsing in full (3-6)

Answer: JAM-PACKED (i.e. “full”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “verbal”) of PACT (i.e. “agreement”) placed after or “following” JAM (i.e. “play without rehearsing”).

35. Snappy banker’s line (9)

Answer: CROCODILE. Solution satisfies “snappy banker” – this refers to how crocs can often be found at the water’s edge, e.g. riversides – and “line” of, say, schoolchildren.

36. Director after ale half-heartedly fed (7)

Answer: Ingmar BERGMAN (i.e. film “director”). Solution is BER (i.e. “ale half-heartedly”, i.e. BEER with one of its middle Es removed) followed by G-MAN (i.e. “fed” or FBI agent in the US).

37. Swimmer brightly coloured alien craft circles around (5)

Answer: TETRA (i.e. a fish or “swimmer brightly coloured”). Solution is ET (i.e. “alien” or Extra-Terrestrial) and ART (i.e. “craft”) each reversed (indicated by “circles around”), like so: TE-TRA.

38. Scoffed as one unhorsed, as it were? (7)

Answer: DERIDED (i.e. “scoffed”). When written as DE-RIDED the solution also playfully satisfies “unhorsed”. The “as it were” is an acknowledgement that DE-RIDED isn’t exactly a word you’re going to find in the dictionary.

40. Chief regularly had to try being casually friendly (6)

Answer: CHATTY (i.e. “being casually friendly”). Solution is CH (a recognised abbreviation of “chief”) followed by ATTY (i.e. “regularly had to try”, i.e. every other letter of HAD TO TRY).

41. British-made – and broken! (8)

Answer: BREACHED (i.e. “broken”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “British”) followed by REACHED (i.e. “made”).

44. Stolen motorboat blonde resolved to get back no matter what (3,4,6,6,2)

Answer: BET ONE’S BOTTOM DOLLAR ON (i.e. to “back no matter what”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “resolved”) of STOLEN MOTORBOAT BLONDE.

48. Fiercest when moved to defend one’s rights (9)

Answer: RECTIFIES (i.e. “rights”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “when moved”) of FIERCEST wrapped around or “defending” I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”), like so: RECT(I)FIES.

50. Dancer pushed back against discrimination charge (7)

Answer: Rudolph NUREYEV (i.e. “dancer”). Solution is V (i.e. “against”, short for versus), EYE (i.e. “discrimination”) and RUN (i.e. “charge”) all reversed (indicated by “pushed back”), like so: NUR-EYE-V. Very nicely done.

53. Find fancy uniform needed by page (3,2)

Answer: DIG UP (i.e. “find”). Solution is DIG (i.e. to “fancy”) followed by U (“uniform” in the phonetic alphabet) and P (a recognised abbreviation of “page”).

54. Primitive missile part prepared for battle? (11)

Answer: QUARRELSOME (i.e. “prepared for battle”). Solution is QUARREL (a square-headed crossbow arrow or “primitive missile”) followed by SOME (i.e. “part”).

55. Asian dish: one nice roasted (11)

Answer: INDOCHINESE (i.e. “Asian”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “roasted”) of DISH ONE NICE.

56. Used to 53 thousand in hex, due to be converted (7)

Answer: EXHUMED (i.e. descriptive of one who “used to 53” – the solution to 53a being DIG UP). Solution is M (i.e. “[Roman numeral] thousand”) placed in an anagram (indicated by “to be converted”) of HEX DUE, like so: EXHU(M)ED.

57. Request to have part of component re-attached (7)

Answer: ENTREAT (i.e. “request to have”). “Part of” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: COMPON(ENT RE-AT)TACHED.

58. Major attempt to get to grips with old prejudice (7)

Answer: BIGOTRY (i.e. “prejudice”). Solution is BIG (i.e. “major”) and TRY (i.e. “attempt”) all wrapped around or “getting to grips with” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: BIG-(O)-TRY.

Down clues

1. Host poking spot on family pet? (6)

Answer: TOMCAT (i.e. “pet”). Solution is MC (i.e. “host” or Master of Ceremonies) placed in or “poking” TO A T (i.e. “spot on”), like so: TO-(MC)-A-T.

2. Scandinavian girl retaining flat mostly as favour (7)

Answer: INDULGE (i.e. to “favour”). Solution is INGE (i.e. “Scandinavian girl’s” name) wrapped around or “retaining” DULL (i.e. “flat”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: IN(DUL)GE.

3. University books, always of poetry, with one of a series on offer (9)

Answer: VOLUNTEER (i.e. “offer”). Solution is U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”), NT (i.e. “books”, specifically the New Testament of The Bible) and E’ER (i.e. “always of poetry”) all placed after or “with” VOL (i.e. “one of a series”, short for volume), like so: VOL-(U-NT-E’ER).

4. A little current beneath the bottom left quagmire (5)

Answer: SWAMP (i.e. “quagmire”). Solution is AMP (i.e. “a little [electric] current”) placed after or “beneath” – this being a down clue – SW (i.e. “the bottom left”, short for the South-West), like so: SW-AMP.

5. Twin bears scorn (4-4)

Answer: POOH-POOH (i.e. “scorn”). The solution also playfully satisfies “twin bears”, referring to AA Milne’s Winnie-The-Pooh repeated twice.

6. When it’s black, chess piece can be picked up (5)

Answer: NIGHT (i.e. “when it’s black” outside). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “picked up”) of KNIGHT (i.e. “chess piece”).

7. One’s just consuming small dip (7)

Answer: IMMERSE (i.e. “dip”). Solution is I’M (i.e. “one’s”, a contraction of I AM) and MERE (i.e. “just”) once wrapped around or “consuming” S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”), like so: I’M-MER(S)E.

8. With carpeting coming, hoping to clear the bar? (3,3,4,4)

Answer: FOR THE HIGH JUMP. Solution satisfies “with carpeting coming” – carpeting being another word for a ticking-off – and, playfully, “hoping to clear the bar”.

9. Record misfortunes involving amateur drama promoters (9)

Answer: PLAYBILLS (i.e. theatre posters or “drama promoters”). Solution is PB (i.e. “record”, short for Personal Best) and ILLS (i.e. “misfortunes”) all wrapped around or “involving” LAY (i.e. “amateur”), like so: P(LAY)B-ILLS.

10. One used to catch and miss nothing (5)

Answer: LASSO (i.e. “one used to catch”). Solution is LASS (i.e. “miss” or young woman) followed by O (i.e. “nothing”).

11. Picture, thus, executioner, grabbing doctor by collar (9,6)

Answer: THUMBNAIL SKETCH (i.e. “picture”). Solution is THUS and Jack KETCH (i.e. 17th Century English “executioner” notorious for some of his messy executions) all wrapped around or “grabbing” MB (i.e. “doctor”, specifically a Medicinae Baccalaureus or Bachelor of Medicine) and NAIL (i.e. to seize or “collar”), like so: THU(MB-NAIL)S-KETCH.

12. Measure a fraction of a loaf? (7)

Answer: BREADTH (i.e. “measure”). Solution also satisfies “a fraction of a loaf”, jokingly adding the fractional suffix -TH to a “loaf” of BREAD. I rather liked this one when it clicked.

19. Sicilian town in a region to the north (7)

Answer: TRAPANI (i.e. “Sicilian town”). Solution is IN A and PART (i.e. “region”) all reversed (indicated by “to the north” – this being a down clue), like so: TRAP-A-NI. Made. To. Fit.

20. Disliking the new iPhone, ordered with a slightly smaller box (9)

Answer: NEOPHOBIA (i.e. “disliking the new”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ordered”) of IPHONE, A and BOX once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “slightly smaller”).

21. Tumbler seen at different types of bar (7)

Answer: GYMNAST (i.e. “tumbler”). The remainder of the clue plays on different types of gym equipment, unless I’m missing something clever.

22. Celebrated, note, with big beam when speaking (8)

Answer: REJOICED (i.e. “celebrated”). Solution is RE (i.e. “note” of the sol-fa scale) followed by a homophone (indicated by “when speaking”) of JOIST (i.e. “big beam”), like so: RE-JOICED.

24. A pledge from the MD, not one wallowing in power! (11,4)

Answer: HIPPOCRATIC OATH (i.e. “a pledge from the MD”, in this case a Medicinae Doctor or Doctor of Medicine). The remainder of the clue plays on HIPPOS “wallowing”, and also how part of the modern oath includes the line: “But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God”. That’s my take anyway. If a cleverer solution comes to light then I’ll update the post.

26. Time trial is hit: so copied exactly? (9)

Answer: LITERATIM (i.e. without the change of a letter, or “so copied exactly”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “is hit”) of TIME TRIAL.

28. Forest dweller on doorstep’s outside with key (3,5)

Answer: RED PANDA (i.e. “forest dweller”). Solution is RE (i.e. “on” or regarding – think email replies) followed by DP (i.e. “doorstep’s outside”, i.e. the first and last letters of “doorstep”), then AND (i.e. “with”) and A (i.e. musical “key”).

29. Instructions for kids once put out by clubs in raw verse form (5,5,4)

Answer: GREEN CROSS CODE (i.e. “instructions for kids once”). Solution is CROSS (i.e. “put out”) and C (a recognised abbreviation of “clubs” used in some card games) both placed “in” GREEN (i.e. “raw”) and ODE (i.e. “verse form”), like so: GREEN-(CROSS-C)-ODE.

31. Fall from great height taking green light up mountain (7)

Answer: SNOWDON (i.e. a “mountain” in Wales). Solution is SNOW (i.e. “fall from great height”) followed by NOD (i.e. “green light”) once reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: SNOW-DON.

34. For this, among relatives is boxer? (7)

Answer: MONGREL (i.e. “boxer”, a bulldog cross). “Among” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: A(MONG REL)ATIVES.

39. Girl calmed down and concentrated (9)

Answer: DISTILLED (i.e. “concentrated”). Solution is DI (i.e. “girl’s” name) followed by STILLED (i.e. “calmed down”).

42. Drag in big works for this? (9)

Answer: ABRIDGING. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, and is also an anagram (indicated by “works”) of DRAG IN BIG.

43. Busy, you had use of computers for work on paper (4-4)

Answer: COPY-EDIT (i.e. “work on [news]paper”). Solution is COP (i.e. “busy”, both slang words for a policeman) followed by YE’D (i.e. “you had” contracted in ye olde form) and IT (i.e. “use of computers”, or Information Technology).

44. Fifteenth café? That, for Paris, would be extravagant (7)

Answer: BAROQUE (i.e. “extravagant”). Solution is BAR O (i.e. “fifteenth café”, O being the fifteenth letter of the alphabet) followed by QUE (i.e. “that, for Paris”, i.e. the French for “that”).

45. Function female solarium won’t do? (7)

Answer: TANGENT (i.e. trigonometrical “function”). When written as TAN GENT the solution also playfully satisfies a situation where a “female solarium won’t do”.

46. Skip unused items fall into? (7)

Answer: NEGLECT. Solution satisfies to “skip” over, and also a state in which “unused items fall into”.

47. Female leaving to eat, stopping to observe fast (6)

Answer: SPEEDY (i.e. “fast”). Solution is FEED (i.e. “to eat”) with the F removed (indicated by “female leaving…”, F being a recognised abbreviation thereof) and the remainder placed in or “stopping” SPY (i.e. “to observe”), like so: SP(EED)Y.

49. One-hour drive is the habit of the pilgrim (5)

Answer: IHRAM (i.e. “habit of the pilgrim”, or “the seamless white cotton garment worn by Muslim pilgrims to Mecca” (Chambers)). Solution is I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and H (a recognised abbreviation of “hour”) followed by RAM (i.e. to “drive” an object with force).

51. Hike evenly, tread in step (5)

Answer: RAISE (i.e. “hike”). “Evenly” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of TREAD IN STEP.

52. Words of verse passed on, roughly penned (5)

Answer: VOCAB (i.e. “words”, short for vocabulary). Solution is V (a recognised abbreviation of “verse”) followed by OB (i.e. “passed on”, short for the Latin obiit) once wrapped around or “penning” CA (i.e. “roughly”, short for “circa”), like so: V-O(CA)B.

A medium strength Jumbo that was spiced up with a sprinkling of general knowledge solutions. A few were a bit drab – call me weird but minerals and organic compounds will never get my blood racing – but overall this was a decent enough puzzle to chew on.

Now that the competition deadline is over 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 made mincemeat of your crosswording skills then you might find succour in my Just For Fun page, where you’ll find links to solutions to hundreds of the things.

As ever, thanks for your comments and patience. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

Across clues

1. Something slimy in effect left sink needing an overhaul? (9)

Answer: GASTROPOD (i.e. “something slimy”, e.g. a slug or snail). Solution is DO (i.e. “effect”), PORT (i.e. “left” in shipspeak) and SAG (i.e. “sink”) all reversed (indicated by “needing an overhaul”), like so: GAS-TROP-OD.

6. Reused manuscript is in France: father stumbles upon it (10)

Answer: PALIMPSEST (i.e. “reused manuscript”). Solution is EST (i.e. “is in France”, i.e. the French for “is”) placed after or “upon” PA (i.e. informal word for a “father”) and LIMPS (i.e. “stumbles”), like so: (PA-LIMPS)-EST.

12. In North America, run into terrible chap’s old band (7)

Answer: NIRVANA (i.e. “old band” – for all the impact grunge had on rock music, it’s surprising how short its heyday lasted). Solution is R (a recognised abbreviation of “run” used in a number of ball games) placed “into” IVAN (i.e. “terrible chap”, Ivan The Terrible), which is itself placed “in” NA (a recognised abbreviation of “North America”), like so: N(I(R)VAN)A.

13. Assembled vehicles working for frontiersman (3,6)

Answer: KIT CARSON (i.e. American “frontiersman”). Solution is KIT CARS (i.e. “assembled vehicles”) followed by ON (i.e. “working” or operational).

14. Scum, something on lip quaffing last of beer (5)

Answer: TRASH (i.e. “scum”). Solution is TASH (i.e. “something on lip”, informal word for a moustache) wrapped around or “quaffing” R (i.e. “last [letter] of beer”), like so: T(R)ASH.

16. Whoops, retiring primates squeezed tight! (12)

Answer: CHEESEPARING (i.e. “tight” or miserly). Solution is CHEERING (i.e. “whoops”) wrapped around or “squeezing” APES (i.e. “primates”) once reversed (indicated by “retiring”), like so: CHEE(SEPA)RING.

17. Cultural learning from politician I’m referring to after a Republican (3,7)

Answer: ART HISTORY (i.e. “cultural learning”). Solution is THIS TORY (i.e. “politician I’m referring to”) placed “after” A and R (a recognised abbreviation of “Republican”), like so: A-R-(THIS-TORY).

19. Best picture? (2,4,2,2,4)

Answer: AS GOOD AS IT GETS. Solution satisfies “best” and “picture”, specifically a 1998 movie starring Jack Nicholson. Best clue of the puzzle. Very nicely done.

22. One living on Crete, say, smearing on fourth of lotion (8)

Answer: ISLANDER (i.e. “one living on Crete, say”). Solution is SLANDER (i.e. “smearing”) placed “on” or after I (i.e. “fourth [letter] of lotion”), like so: I-SLANDER.

24. One taking deliveries of cherries, maybe, finding means to access container (6)

Answer: OPENER. Solution satisfies “one taking deliveries of cherries, maybe” – a cherry is slang for a new ball in cricket – and also “means to access container”. Another pleasing clue.

25. Scale mountain finally, a ridge etc formed around it (10)

Answer: CENTIGRADE (i.e. temperature “scale”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “formed”) of A RIDGE ETC placed “around” N (i.e. “mountain finally”, i.e. the last letter of “mountain”), like so: CE(N)TIGRADE.

26. Capital where vessel remains (5)

Answer: TUNIS (i.e. “capital” city of Tunisia). When written as TUN IS the solution also satisfies “vessel remains”.

29. Handsome orderly (4)

Answer: TIDY. Solution satisfies “handsome” or large amount, and “orderly”.

30. Simple life forms: some that sit or proceed backwards (8)

Answer: PROTISTA (i.e. “simple life forms”). “Some” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “backwards” indicates the solution has been reversed, like so: TH(AT SIT OR P)ROCEED. Took ages to twig as I couldn’t look beyond “protozoa”.

32. How scrabbling after change is for character in phone box? (6,3)

Answer: DOCTOR WHO (i.e. TV show “character in phone box”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “scrabbling”) of HOW placed “after” DOCTOR (i.e. to “change”).

34. Undemanding, see, show for cissies? (3-6)

Answer: LOW-IMPACT (i.e. “undemanding”). Solution is LO (i.e. “see”, as in lo and behold) followed by WIMP ACT (playfully, a “show for cissies”).

35. Stretch between last parts of theatre production, the interval (8)

Answer: ENTR’ACTE (i.e. “interval” – over to Chambers: “the interval between acts in a play”). Solution is TRACT (i.e. “stretch”) placed “between” E N and E (i.e. “last parts of theatre production, the”, i.e. the last letters of “theatre”, “production” and “the”), like so: EN(TRACT)E. Bradford’s to the rescue here.

36. Problem making comeback with old player (4)

Answer: MUSO (i.e. “player” or musician). Solution is SUM (i.e. mathematical “problem”) reversed (indicated by “making comeback”) and followed by O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: MUS-O.

39. Rock, one stuck on front of swimming trunks (5)

Answer: TORSI (i.e. “trunks”, specifically the plural of torso). Solution is TOR (i.e. “rock”) followed by I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) once first placed “on” or after S (i.e. “front of swimming”, i.e. the first letter of “swimming”), like so: TOR-S-I.

40. Mineral with a use, ‘til metamorphosing (10)

Answer: ANDALUSITE (i.e. “mineral”). Solution is AND (i.e. “with”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “metamorphosing”) of A USE ‘TIL, like so: AND-ALUSITE.

42. Report of sandpiper on river, naturally! (3,3)

Answer: WHY NOT (i.e. “naturally” – I always thought the solution was an expression of agreement, along the lines of “Shall we?” “Why not.”, but here the setter seems to suggest it’s an expression of certainty. I’m not so sure). Solution comprises homophones (indicated by “report of”) of KNOT (i.e. “sandpiper”) and WYE (i.e. a “river”), the former placed “on” or after the latter, like so: WYE-KNOT.

44. Lead surprisingly transformed volatile character in organic compound (8)

Answer: ALDEHYDE (i.e. “organic compound”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “surprisingly”) of LEAD followed by HYDE (i.e. “volatile character” of Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde), like so: ALDE-HYDE.

46. Piper to manage small gallery in Florida or Oklahoma, say (9,5)

Answer: PANHANDLE STATE (i.e. “Florida or Oklahoma, say”, given their location in south-eastern US’s sticky-out-bit). Solution is PAN (i.e. “piper” of folklore) followed by HANDLE (i.e. “to manage”), then S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) and TATE (i.e. a famous art “gallery”).

48. Girl speaks about love where keepers sought? (10)

Answer: GOALMOUTHS (i.e. “where keepers [are] sought”). Solution is GAL (informal word for “girl”) and MOUTHS (i.e. “speaks”) all wrapped “about” O (i.e. “love”, a zero score in tennis), like so: G(O)AL-MOUTHS.

49. For example, you are in this gym occupied by hate figures (7,5)

Answer: PRESENT TENSE (i.e. “for example, you are in this”. In the past tense the sentence would be “you were in this”, though I could be missing something clever). Solution is PE (i.e. “gym” or Physical Education) wrapped around or “occupied by” RESENT (i.e. “hate”) and TENS (i.e. “figures” or numbers), like so: P(RESENT-TENS)E.

53. Sullen fellow with catapult faced by principal in college (5)

Answer: CHURL (i.e. “sullen fellow”). Solution is HURL (i.e. to “catapult”) placed after or “by” C (i.e. “principal in college”, i.e. the first letter of “college”), like so: C-HURL.

54. Narrow trousers beginning to chafe on boy with black belt, maybe stage performer (3,6)

Answer: TAP DANCER (i.e. “stage performer”). Solution is TAPER (i.e. “narrow”) wrapped around or “trousering” C (i.e. “beginning [letter] to chafe”) once placed after or “on” DAN (i.e. “boy with black belt, maybe” – a DAN is a level of proficiency in martial arts, but could also be playing on it being a “boy’s” name), like so: TAP(DAN-C)ER.

55. Workable bringing wine into company (7)

Answer: PLASTIC (i.e. “workable”). Solution is ASTI (i.e. “wine” variety) placed “into” PLC (i.e. “company”, specifically a Public Limited Company), like so: PL(ASTI)C.

56. Queen’s rocker, perhaps, loopy thing (4,6)

Answer: CAT’S CRADLE (i.e. “loopy thing”, or “a pastime in which a string looped around the fingers and passed from player to player is transformed from one symmetrical pattern to another” (Chambers)). Solution is CAT’S (i.e. “queen’s” – the female of the species) followed by CRADLE (i.e. a baby “rocker, perhaps”).

57. Chicken, less hot, to start smoking outside: cool it! (7,2)

Answer: LIGHTEN UP (i.e. “cool it”). Solution is HEN (i.e. “chicken”) with the H removed (indicated by “less hot” – H being a recognised abbreviation thereof used on water taps) and the remainder placed in or having “outside” of it LIGHT UP (i.e. “start smoking”), like so: LIGHT-(EN)-UP.

Down clues

1. Wolf down in valley (5)

Answer: GORGE. Solution satisfies to “wolf down” food, and “valley”.

2. Old skyscraper where packer keeps things boxed, sometimes? (5,5)

Answer: SEARS TOWER (i.e. “old skyscraper” in Chicago, a former world’s tallest building. These days it’s called the Willis Tower, which is just begging for a Die Hard reference). Solution is STOWER (i.e. “packer”) wrapped around or “keeping” EARS (i.e. “things boxed”, or giving someone a clip around the ear), like so: S(EARS)TOWER.

3. Return with scythe and fruit (8)

Answer: REAPPEAR (i.e. “return”). Solution is REAP (i.e. to “scythe”) followed by PEAR (i.e. “fruit”).

4. Game with pressure more satisfactory, might one say? (5)

Answer: POKER (i.e. card “game”). Solution is P (a recognised abbreviation of “pressure”) followed by OKER (i.e. “more satisfactory, might one say?”, playing on how the suffix -er is appended to some words to indicate more of the same, e.g. high and higher, fast and faster, etc).

5. Fruity thing and naughty thing united in romantic event (4,5)

Answer: DATE NIGHT (i.e. “romantic event”). Solution is DATE (i.e. “fruity thing”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “naughty”) of THING.

6. Sort of work – that isn’t! (4)

Answer: PLAY. Solution satisfies “sort of [artistic] work” and an activity “that isn’t [work]”.

7. Passion relating to brilliant appearance (6)

Answer: LUSTRE (i.e. “brilliant appearance”). Solution is LUST (i.e. “passion”) followed by RE (i.e. “relating to” – think email replies).

8. Team fixing matches, nice try! (10,4)

Answer: MANCHESTER CITY (i.e. football “team”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “fixing”) of MATCHES NICE TRY.

9. Sense of achievement is observed after day with party (12)

Answer: SATISFACTION (i.e. “sense of achievement”). Solution is IS placed “after” SAT (i.e. “day”, short for Saturday) and followed by FACTION (i.e. “party”), like so: SAT-(IS)-FACTION.

10. Main dishes of a brasserie ultimately served up covered in soil (7)

Answer: SEAFOOD (i.e. “main dishes” – “main” is another word for the high sea). Solution is OF A and E (i.e. “brasserie ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “brasserie”) all reversed (indicated by “served up” – this being a down clue) and placed or “covered in” SOD (i.e. “soil”), like so: S(E-A-FO)OD.

11. A fight to finish off innings in boisterous play (10)

Answer: KNOCKABOUT (i.e. “boisterous play”). Solution is A and BOUT (i.e. “fight”) placed after or “finishing off” KNOCK (i.e. informal reference to an “innings” in cricket), like so: KNOCK-(A-BOUT).

15. Film about battle in house – there it is! (3,6)

Answer: HEY PRESTO (i.e. “there it is!”). Solution is ET (i.e. “film”, specifically ET: The Extra-Terrestrial) placed “about” YPRES (i.e. “battle” of the First World War, technically a series of battles). This is all then placed “in” HO (a recognised abbreviation of “house”), like so: H(E(YPRES)T)O.

18. Male relative has time, still (8)

Answer: STAGNANT (i.e. “still”). Solution is STAG (i.e. “male”), followed by NAN (i.e. “relative”, a grandmother) and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”).

20. Look hard to retain objective, being Welsh leader (9)

Answer: Owain GLENDOWER (i.e. 15th century “Welsh leader”). Solution is GLOWER (i.e. “look hard”) wrapped around or “retaining” END (i.e. “objective”), like so: GL(END)OWER. One nailed from the wordplay and a check on Google, if I’m honest.

21. Clumsiness in patois oddly written into musical composition (10)

Answer: INEPTITUDE (i.e. “clumsiness”). Solution is IN followed by PTI (i.e. “patois oddly written”, i.e. every other letter of PATOIS) once placed or “written into” ETUDE (i.e. “musical composition” used to help train or test musical skill), like so: IN-E(PTI)TUDE.

23. Novelist Amis, say, in flier (4,6)

Answer: SAND MARTIN (i.e. bird or “flier”). Solution is George SAND (i.e. “novelist” – no, me neither. Her real name was Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin de Francueil. I’d have picked a shorter pen name too) followed by MARTIN (i.e. “Amis, say” – other famous Martins are available).

27. Gold coin freshly minted somewhere in Oceania (3,6)

Answer: NEW GUINEA. Solution satisfies “gold coin freshly minted” and “somewhere in Oceania”.

28. Basic food registered in basic hotel, say (5,3,6)

Answer: BREAD AND BUTTER (i.e. “basic food”). Solution is READ (i.e. “registered”) placed “in” B AND B (i.e. “basic hotel”, or Bed & Breakfast) and followed by UTTER (i.e. “say”), like so: (B-(READ)-AND-B)-UTTER.

31. Drop what you’re carrying, huge amount (8)

Answer: SHEDLOAD (i.e. “huge amount”). When written as SHED LOAD the solution also satisfies “drop what you’re carrying”.

33. Northern Ireland deception covered up by London commoners, heading off complete chaos (12)

Answer: OMNISHAMBLES (i.e. “complete chaos”). Solution is NI (short for “Northern Ireland”) and SHAM (i.e. “deception”) placed in or “covered up by” WOMBLES (i.e. “London commoners”, from Wimbledon Common to precise) once its first letter has been removed (indicated by “heading off”), like so: OM(NI-SHAM)BLES.

34. Slow destruction of Earth and rising of smoke follows conclusion of all (9)

Answer: LETHARGIC (i.e. “slow”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “destruction of”) of EARTH followed by CIG (i.e. “smoke”, slang for a cigarette) once reversed (indicated by “rising of…” – this being a down clue). This is all then placed after or “following” L (i.e. “conclusion of all”, i.e. the last letter of “all”), like so: L-(ETHAR-GIC).

37. Where shell may be found that’s novel? (2,3,5)

Answer: ON THE BEACH. Solution satisfies “where shell may be found”, and is also an apocalyptic “novel” by Nevil Shute, one I think I’ll add to my to-be-read mountain.

38. Ride on and straight out (5,5)

Answer: GHOST TRAIN (i.e. fairground “ride”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of AND STRAIGHT. I rather liked this one.

41. Clear, ship turned round (9)

Answer: SPHERICAL (i.e. “round”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “turned”) of CLEAR SHIP.

43. Where pink might be seen in a couple of snooker shots? (5,3)

Answer: PLANT POT. Solution satisfies “where pink might be” – pink being a variety of flower – and also “a couple of snooker shots”. Nicely worked.

45. Copper impressed by the lifting up of a fat claret drinker? (7)

Answer: DRACULA (i.e. “claret drinker”, “claret” being a slang word for blood). Solution is CU (i.e. chemical symbol of “copper”) placed in or “impressed by” A and LARD (i.e. “fat”) once these have been reversed (indicated by “lifted up” – this being a down clue), like so: DRA(CU)L-A.

47. Cast I see standing in shot (6)

Answer: SHAPED (i.e. “cast”). Solution is HA! (i.e. “I see”) placed or “standing in” SPED (i.e. raced or “shot”), like so: S(HA)PED.

50. Buck having pulled out gun, finally – shoot! (5)

Answer: SPRIG (i.e. “shoot”). Solution is SPRING (i.e. to “buck”) with the N (i.e. “gun, finally”, i.e. the last letter of “gun”) removed (indicated by “having pulled out”).

51. Court verdict – going down then? (3,2)

Answer: NOT UP. Solution satisfies “court verdict” – this is a phrase in tennis describing when a player fails to hit a ball before it has bounced twice – and, by inference, “going down then”.

52. Residing in Poland, an Eastern European (4)

Answer: DANE (i.e. “European”). “Residing in” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: POLAN(D AN E)ASTERN.