A relatively straightforward Jumbo leading into Christmas, save for the odd bit of devious misdirection. One clue a little too devious.

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 buggered then my Just For Fun page might be of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

Righto. Onto the next one in three, two, one…

LP

Across clues

1. Worms regularly found next to pillar inside no frills recycling facility (7,4)

Answer: COMPOST HEAP (i.e. “recycling facility” in your garden. Also a favourite place for cats to kip, if our old family cat was any judge). Solution is OM (i.e. “worms regularly”, i.e. every other letter of WORMS) and POST (i.e. “pillar”) both placed “inside” of CHEAP (i.e. “no frills”), like so: C(OM-POST)HEAP.

7. Strangely proper, sweet kids may exert such an influence (6,5)

Answer: PESTER POWER (i.e. “kids may exert such an influence”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “strangely”) of PROPER SWEET.

13. Chat show host maybe at breaks changing celebs (17)

Answer: CONVERSATIONALIST (i.e. “chat show host maybe”). Solution is AT placed in or “breaking” CONVERSION (i.e. “changing”) and A-LIST (i.e. “celebrities”), like so: CONVERS(AT)ION-A-LIST.

14. Extremely rare, specialist copy (5)

Answer: REPRO (i.e. “copy”, short for reproduction). Solution is RE (i.e. “extremely rare”, i.e. the first and last letters of “rare”) followed by PRO (i.e. “specialist”).

15. Bad plonk, free (6)

Answer: PUTRID (i.e. “bad”). Solution is PUT (i.e. “plonk” down) followed by RID (i.e. to “free” oneself of something).

16. Legally acquire scribes for an auditor (2,6)

Answer: BY RIGHTS (i.e. “legally”). Solution comprises homophones (indicated by “for an auditor”) of BUY (i.e. “acquire”) and WRITES (i.e. “scribes”).

17. Flash, loose foreign police officer (7)

Answer: MOUNTIE (i.e. “foreign police officer”). Solution is MO (i.e. “flash”, short for a moment) followed by UNTIE (i.e. “loose”).

19. Resolved to relive oil producer (5,4)

Answer: OLIVE TREE (i.e. “oil producer”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “resolved”) of TO RELIEVE.

21. Palace staff worry endlessly about protecting carriage (8)

Answer: SERVANTS (i.e. “palace staff”). Solution is STRESS (i.e. “worry”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “endlessly”) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “about”). This is then wrapped around or “protecting” VAN (i.e. “carriage”), like so: SER(VAN)TS.

23. Flower seen in odd places in The Fens (4)

Answer: TEES (i.e. “flower” or river, as in how a river flows). “Seen in odd places” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of THE FENS.

25. Popular TV feature added to a magazine? (5)

Answer: INSET (i.e. “feature added to a magazine”). Solution is IN (i.e. “popular”) followed by SET (i.e. “TV”).

27. Dismal days breed animosity in the end (6)

Answer: DREARY (i.e. “dismal”). Solution is D (a recognised abbreviation of “days”) followed by REAR (i.e. “breed”) and Y (i.e. “animosity in the end”, i.e. the last letter of “animosity”).

28. Neglected person recalled in novel (10)

Answer: CINDERELLA (i.e. “neglected person”. Chambers goes one further, asserting “a despised and neglected person or thing”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “novel”) of RECALLED IN.

30. Water container covered in kind of green waste (8)

Answer: SEWERAGE (i.e. “waste”). Solution is EWER (i.e. “water container”) placed in or “covered in” SAGE (i.e. a plant or “kind of green”), like so: S(EWER)AGE.

31. In France, a proper source of drugs is not seized (14)

Answer: UNAPPROPRIATED (i.e. “not seized”). Solution is UN (i.e. “in France, a”, i.e. the French for “a”) followed by APPROPRIATE (i.e. “proper”) and D (i.e. “source of drugs”, i.e. the first letter of “drugs”).

34. Work produced by digital artist? (6,8)

Answer: FINGER PAINTING. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “digital” to mean the digits of one’s hand. Simple, but nicely done.

35. Takes steps to include official introductions (8)

Answer: PREFACES (i.e. “introductions”). Solution is PACES (i.e. “takes steps”) wrapped around or “including” REF (i.e. “official”, short for referee), like so: P(REF)ACES.

38. An elite unit lacking one injured soldier (10)

Answer: LIEUTENANT (i.e. “soldier”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “injured”) of AN ELITE UNIT once one of the Is has been removed (indicated by “lacking [Roman numeral] one”).

40. Simple collection of data secures account (6)

Answer: FACILE (i.e. “simple”). Solution is FILE (i.e. “collection of data”) wrapped around or “securing” AC (a recognised abbreviation of “account”), like so: F(AC)ILE.

41. Wow some vacuous fools (5)

Answer: GEESE (i.e. “fools”). Solution is GEE (i.e. “wow”) followed by SE (i.e. “some vacuous”, i.e. the word “some” with all of its middle letters removed).

43. Unyielding, dismissing son’s argument (4)

Answer: TIFF (i.e. “argument”). Solution is STIFF (i.e. “unyielding”) with the S removed (indicated by “dismissing son” – S being a recognised abbreviation of “son”).

44. Article kept in school: it’s inside, alarmed (8)

Answer: AGITATED (i.e. “alarmed”). Solution is A (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the) followed by GATED (i.e. kept in school” – Chambers offers this for a transitive verb form of GATE: “to punish (students or schoolchildren) by imposing a curfew or by confinement to school precincts”). This is all wrapped around or having “inside” of it, IT, like so: A-G(IT)ATED.

45. Marx perhaps had to leave when initially attacked with a weapon (9)

Answer: HARPOONED (i.e. “attacked with a weapon”). You’re on your own here, I’m afraid. The closest I can get assumes The Times has screwed up the clue (rare, but not unheard of). I’m guessing the solution is HARPO GONE (i.e. “Marx … had to leave”) with the G or “initial” letter of GONE removed. (Does “attacked” count as a removal indicator, though?) Quite where the D comes from is anyone’s guess. If someone comes along with the actual answer then I’ll update the post. I’m not wasting any more time on it.

[EDIT: Big thanks to DM in the comments for clearing this one up. I just couldn’t see this for the life of me. The solution is HARPO (i.e. “Mark perhaps”) followed by ONED, which is OWNED (i.e. “had”) with the W removed (indicated by “to leave when initially”, i.e. the first letter of “when”). Cheers, DM! – LP]

48. Kitty grabbing hold of one large recoiling furry mammal (7)

Answer: POLECAT (i.e. “furry mammal”). Solution is POT (i.e. purse or “kitty”) wrapped around or “grabbing hold of” ACE (i.e. “one” on playing cards) and L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) once these have been reversed (indicated by “recoiling”), like so: PO(L-ECA)T.

49. Get support acquiring piano for musician (8)

Answer: BAGPIPER (i.e. “musician”). Solution is BAG (i.e. to “get”) followed by PIER (i.e. “support” of an arch or bridge) once wrapped around or “acquiring” P (a recognised abbreviation of “piano” in musical lingo), like so: BAG-PI(P)ER.

50. Live around a mile beyond the eastern edge of Liverpool, still (6)

Answer: BECALM (i.e. “still”). Solution is BE (i.e. “live”) followed by CA (i.e. “around”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “circa”) and M (a recognised abbreviation of “mile”) once the latter has been placed after or “beyond” L (i.e. “eastern edge of Liverpool”, i.e. the last letter of “Liverpool”, this being an across clue), like so: BE-CA-(L)-M.

53. English police officers rejected sergeant’s last order (5)

Answer: EDICT (i.e. “order”). Solution is E (a recognised abbreviation of “English”) followed by CID (i.e. “police officers”, specifically the Criminal Investigation Department) once reversed (indicated by “rejected”), then T (i.e. “sergeant’s last [letter]”), like so: E-DIC-T.

54. A number of people? (17)

Answer: ANAESTHESIOLOGIST. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, taking “number” to be someone administering an anaesthetic, given how they numb. Good clue.

55. Get mad, then settle and come to an understanding (3,3,5)

Answer: SEE THE LIGHT (i.e. “come to an understanding”). Solution is SEETHE (i.e. “get mad”) followed by LIGHT (i.e. to land or “settle”).

56. Outwardly snarky new essay about revolutionary music producer (11)

Answer: SYNTHESISER (i.e. “music producer”). Solution is SY (i.e. “outwardly snarky”, i.e. the first and last letters of “snarky”) followed by N (a recognised abbreviation of “new”), then THESIS (i.e. “essay”) and RE (i.e. “about” or regarding – think email replies) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “revolutionary”), like so: SY-N-THESIS-ER.

Down clues

1. Rackets created by accountant with company fraudsters (11)

Answer: CACOPHONIES (i.e. “rackets”). Solution is CA (i.e. “accountant”, specifically a Chartered Accountant) followed by CO (a recognised abbreviation of “company”) and PHONIES (i.e. “fraudsters”).

2. Artist requiring mostly brass and tin to start with (5)

Answer: Claude MONET (i.e. “artist”). Solution is MONEY (i.e. “brass”, slang thereof) with its last letter removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder followed by T (i.e. “tin to start with”, i.e. the first letter of “tin”), like so: MONE-T.

3. Previous issue brought up I must introduce (3-4)

Answer: ONE-TIME (i.e. “previous”). Solution is EMIT (i.e. “issue”) reversed (indicated by “brought up” – this being a down clue). This is then placed after or “introduced” by ONE (i.e. “I”, taken as a Roman numeral).

4. Chore that’s beginning or ending on request (4)

Answer: TASK (i.e. “chore”). Solution is T (i.e. “that’s beginning or ending”, i.e. the first or last letter of “that”, take your pick) followed by ASK (i.e. “request”).

5. Basic telly never thrown out (5-5)

Answer: ENTRY-LEVEL (i.e. “basic”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “thrown out”) of TELLY NEVER.

6. Correspondence from someone who’s shy? (10,4)

Answer: PROMISSORY NOTE. Solution satisfies the clue as a whole, being essentially an IOU, and taking “shy” to mean being short of what’s demanded. Nicely done.

7. Thieves with craving for ultimately breaking into post offices (8)

Answer: POACHERS (i.e. “thieves”). Solution is ACHE (i.e. “craving”) and R (i.e. “for ultimately”, i.e. the last letter of “for”) all placed in or “breaking” POS (i.e. PO being short for “post office”, and made plural), like so: PO(ACHE-R)S.

8. Exclusive hotel’s abandoned southern Europeans (5)

Answer: SWISS (i.e. “Europeans”). Solution is SWISH (i.e. “exclusive”) with the H removed (indicated by “hotel’s abandoned” – “hotel” being H in the phonetic alphabet) and the remainder followed by S (a recognised abbreviation of “southern”), like so: SWIS-S.

9. Evaluated drug said to suppress the onsets of intense migraines (9)

Answer: ESTIMATED (i.e. “evaluated”). Solution is E (i.e. “drug”, short for ecstasy) and STATED (i.e. “said”) once wrapped around or “suppressing” I and M (i.e. “onsets of intense migraines”, i.e. the first letters of “intense” and “migraines”), like so: E-ST(I-M)ATED.

10. Each serving of coffee maybe reported to recover energy (4,2)

Answer: PERK UP (i.e. “recover energy”). Solution is PER (i.e. “each”) followed by a homophone (indicated by “reported”) of CUP (i.e. “serving of coffee maybe”), like so: PER-KUP.

11. With a time inside, escapee will then possibly make a fresh start (4,3,5,5)

Answer: WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN (i.e. “make a fresh start”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “possibly”) of ESCAPEE WILL THEN wrapped around or having “inside” of it A and T (a recognised abbreviation of “time”), like so: WIPETHESL(A-T)ECLEAN.

12. State that is American at heart? (5,6)

Answer: RHODE ISLAND (i.e. US “state”). Clue plays on how the state’s abbreviation, RI, can be found in the middle or “heart” of AMERICAN. Another nicely worked clue.

18. Recalled piece about old commercial deficit (5,3)

Answer: TRADE GAP (i.e. “commercial deficit”). Solution is PART (i.e. “piece”) wrapped “about” AGED (i.e. “old”) and the whole then reversed (indicated by “recalled”), like so: TRA(DEGA)P.

20. Classic Christmas movie crammed in fantastic ideas of winter (3,1,9,4)

Answer: IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (i.e. “classic Christmas movie”). Solution is FULL (i.e. “crammed”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “fantastic”) of IDEAS OF WINTER, like so: ITSAWONDER(FULL)IFE.

22. Area by train lines home to birds (6)

Answer: AVIARY (i.e. “home to birds”). Solution is A (a recognised abbreviation of “area”) followed by VIA (i.e. “by”) and RY (i.e. “train lines”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of a railway).

24. Bachelor drops ciggie: it’s mental exhaustion (5,3)

Answer: BRIAN FAG (i.e. “mental exhaustion”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “bachelor”) followed by RAIN (i.e. “drops”) and FAG (i.e. “ciggie”, both slang for a cigarette).

26. Floods ripped through rock formations (8)

Answer: TORRENTS (i.e. “floods”). Solution is RENT (i.e. “ripped”) placed in or “through” TORS (i.e. “rock formations” or hills), like so: TOR(RENT)S.

29. Bread products also found in nice shops we supply (4,10)

Answer: OPEN SANDWICHES (i.e. “bread products”). Solution is AND (i.e. “also”) placed “in” an anagram (indicated by “supply”, or being supple) of NICE SHOPS WE, like so: OPENS(AND)WICHES.

32. Flower garden to some extent messed up when pruned (8)

Answer: PARTERRE (i.e. “flower garden”). Solution is PART (i.e. “to some extent”) followed by ERRED (i.e. “messed up”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “when pruned”), like so: PART-ERRE. Chalk one to my Bradford’s. Trust me, I’m not a flowers guy.

33. Permit curbing pub singer? (6)

Answer: LINNET (i.e. “singer”, specifically a songbird). Solution is LET (i.e. “permit”) wrapped around or “curbing” INN (i.e. “pub”), like so: L(INN)ET. One nailed solely from the wordplay.

34. Thought advice restricts writers (4-3,4)

Answer: FELT-TIP PENS (i.e. “writers”). Solution is FELT (i.e. “thought”) followed by TIP (i.e. “advice”) and PENS (i.e. “restricts”).

36. Silly preset mode restricting key measuring device (11)

Answer: SPEEDOMETER (i.e. “measuring device”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “silly”) of PRESET MODE wrapped around or “restricting” E (i.e. musical “key”), like so: SPEEDOMET(E)R.

37. Where to find sailors working when lots of tourists are around (4,6)

Answer: HIGH SEASON (i.e. “when lots of tourists are around”). Solution is HIGH SEAS (i.e. “where to find sailors”) followed by ON (i.e. “working”).

39. Weird thing following everybody when it gets dark (9)

Answer: NIGHTFALL (i.e. “when it gets dark”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “weird”) of THING followed by F (a recognised abbreviation of “following”) and ALL (i.e. “everybody”), like so: NIGHT-F-ALL.

42. Theatre packed up in crates, e.g. at storerooms (5,3)

Answer: STAGE SET. The solution satisfies the clue as a whole. “Packed … in” also indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, while “up” indicates the solution has been reversed – this being a down clue, like so: CRA(TES E.G. AT S)TOREROOMS.

46. Heavy, heavy blow above American boxing ring (7)

Answer: ONEROUS (i.e. “heavy”). Solution is ONER (i.e. “heavy blow”, one that’s thrown me before, so I remembered it this time around) and US (i.e. “American”) wrapped around or “boxing” O (i.e. “ring”), like so: ONER-(O)-US.

47. Stop for something to drink (6)

Answer: SCOTCH. Solution satisfies to “stop” and “something to drink”. Another simple but well-worked clue.

49. Report about heroin and another narcotic (5)

Answer: BHANG (i.e. “narcotic”). Solution is BANG (i.e. “report” or an explosive noise) wrapped “about” H (slang name for “heroin”), like so: B(H)ANG.

51. First sign of tooth decay? Not the first (5)

Answer: ARIES (i.e. “first sign” of the zodiac). Solution is CARIES (i.e. “tooth decay”) with the first letter removed (indicated by “not the first”).

52. Lucre stashed by desperados habitually (4)

Answer: DOSH (i.e. “lucre”). “Stashed by” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: DESPERA(DOS H)ABITUALLY.

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”).

https://youtube.com/watch?v=z4Hfv00eqoI%3Fsi%3D5X1jMOaKlpfdLYTd

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.

Just a quick post to say I intend to delay my solution to the Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1645 until after the prize deadline. This will probably be the shape of things to come following word on the grapevine that The Times would prefer I didn’t give all the answers away to their prize Jumbo so quickly.

Don’t worry, I’ve not found a dead bloody dictionary in my bed or anything so dramatic. In the past, though, whenever anyone has criticised the timeliness of my solutions, I’ve always said I’d stop posting them if I found I was spoiling everyone’s fun.

I don’t think that’s quite the case here. I don’t believe many of you come here just to copy my completed grid. You’re here to clear up unknowns. You’re here to see what others thought of the Jumbo. You’re here because you glanced over the cryptic clues of a recent Jumbo and finally succumbed to their allure.

I’ve always intended for my solutions to be the kind of thing you’d read having either just completed the puzzle yourself or having given up after a bloody good try. (They’ve also been a great way for me to get help when I get stuck!)

With all that said, delayed solutions obviously present something of a change. I genuinely don’t know whether delaying solutions will kill off my posts, but I do anticipate a noticeable drop-off in engagement. I hope I’m wrong, but I’ll watch what happens over the coming few weeks with interest. I’m keen to at least post solutions up to and including Jumbo Cryptic 1650 (Boxing Day, I believe). This will mark a near-complete run of 300 Jumbo solutions. (I missed Jumbo 1532 as it was an online-only puzzle.) We’ll see what happens after that.

As ever, thank you for the kind words and input. Till next time, wrap up well and stay safe out there, kids.

LP

A medium strength Jumbo this week, and another pretty good one. I’ll skip over mentioning the repeats as I’ll have more to say on that below. You lucky, lucky people.

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 rained on your parade then you might find my Just For Fun page, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

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

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 12.9%

Across clues

1. Big belts? (9)

Answer: STRAPPING. Solution satisfies “big” and, taken as a collective, “belts”.

6. Game to show quantity of film a film idol trimmed (7)

Answer: CANASTA (i.e. “game”). Solution is CAN (i.e. “quantity of film”) followed by A and STAR (i.e. “film idol”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “trimmed”), like so: CAN-A-STA. Appeared only a few weeks ago in grid 1639, also on odd intersecting letters. More on this later, but, in the meantime, have a meme…

10. Promotional material backing corporation statistic (5)

Answer: DATUM (i.e. “statistic”). Solution is AD (i.e. “promotional material”, short for advertisement) reversed (indicated by “backing”) and followed by TUM (i.e. “corporation”, an archaic description of a pot belly – setters love using this variant meaning, so it’s one worth keeping in mind), like so: DA-TUM. Another that appeared very recently in grid 1641, and again on odd intersecting letters. Again, more on this in a mo.

13. Repartee of comedienne, perhaps, becomes wasted (7)

Answer: WITHERS (i.e. “becomes wasted”). When written as WIT HERS the solution also playfully satisfies “repartee of comedienne, perhaps”.

14. Late, with daughter slipping out and son coming in? It’s a strain (7)

Answer: OVERUSE (i.e. “strain”). Solution is OVERDUE (i.e. “late”) with the D removed (indicated by “with daughter slipping out” – D being a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”) and S (ditto “son”) “coming in”, like so: OVER(D)UE => OVERUE => OVERU(S)E.

15. Insects not beginning to circulate disease (7)

Answer: RICKETS (i.e. “disease”). Solution is CRICKETS (i.e. “insects”) with a C removed (indicated by “not beginning to circulate”, i.e. the first letter of “circulate”).

16. Soon relieved with riddles worked out? Their successes aren’t remembered (3,8,5,3)

Answer: OLD SOLDIERS NEVER DIE (i.e. “their successes aren’t remembered” – the line is from an old army ballad, the full line being “old soldiers never die, they just fade away”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “worked out”) of SOON RELIEVED and RIDDLES.

17. Punt to end of line (3)

Answer: TOE (i.e. to “punt”). Solution is TO followed by E (i.e. “end [letter] of line”).

18. Medicine man apparently not the real article (6)

Answer: SHAMAN (i.e. “medicine man”). Solution is SHAM (i.e. “not…real”) followed by AN (i.e. “article”, being a word like a, an or the).

20. Train stops working when given to US railway (6)

Answer: DIESEL (i.e. a type of “train”). Solution is DIES (i.e. “stops working”) followed by EL (i.e. “US railway” – we’ve seen this a few times now, an “el” is apparently US slang for an elevated railway. I’ve still yet to hear or see it used).

21. Attempt to restrain tutor, heading off betrayal (9)

Answer: TREACHERY (i.e. “betrayal”). Solution is TRY (i.e. “attempt”) wrapped around or “restraining” TEACHER (i.e. “tutor”) once the first letter has been removed (indicated by “heading off”), like so: TR(EACHER)Y.

23. Query from rabbit had put cows out (5,2,3)

Answer: WHAT’S UP DOC? (i.e. “query from rabbit”, specifically Bugs Bunny). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “out”) of HAD PUT COWS.

25. Crown and money absorbing a wicked Biblical King, a tragic character (7,4)

Answer: CAPTAIN AHAB (i.e. “a tragic character” from Herman Melville’s novel Moby Dick). Solution is CAP (i.e. “crown”) followed by TIN (slang for “money”) once wrapped around or “absorbing” A. This is all then followed by AHAB (i.e. “a wicked Biblical king”), like so: CAP-T(A)IN-AHAB.

So, then: repeats. We do get quite a lot of them, don’t we? Around 10% each week, if the last six months are anything to go by. That’s quite high considering the millions of potential solutions that could make it into a Jumbo each year versus the 3,600-ish solutions that do. That’s just the way it is, I suppose. A 10% rate seems to be the norm, and no amount of bellyaching from an internet nonentity is going to change that.

This will therefore be my last week spent keeping track of repeats (don’t all cheer at once, please). As a parting shot, I thought I’d jot down some final thoughts on the matter.

Of the 6-8 repeats we get each week, the majority are, to be fair, reasonably inoffensive. Often these are mundane five or seven letter words that barely register as repeats, only coming to light once I’ve searched my various lists. Meanwhile, several other solutions appear so often in crosswords (not just Jumbos) that they are a cliché. You can almost smell the shame from any setter resorting to their use. (ORIGAMI is a prime example.) At least with these repeats one can have a little fun.

A smallish number of repeats, however, are rather suspicious. These are the faintly obscure ones, solutions that you might not expect setters to immediately reach for when starting out a grid, and so become all the more memorable when they get repeated. These solutions are like buses, seldom seen until two or three arrive in quick succession. CAPTAIN AHAB is one such suspicious solution, having also appeared barely a month ago in grid 1640. A five letter solution such as DATUM getting repeated? Fine. I can see how that can happen. A seven letter solution like CANASTA? A little less likely, but, sure, let’s give the setters the benefit of the doubt. What, then, are the chances of CAPTAIN AHAB being chosen again so soon? Somewhat narrower, don’t you think? Or how about a dirty great phrase such as THROW ONE’S HAT IN THE RING, which appeared in grids 1632 and 1638? As I’ve said before, this keeps happening in Times Jumbos and I’m curious as to why.

Over the years I’ve had a lot of fun on these pages ribbing setters for crutching on the office GridFill 4000 to get the job done. It’s a silly conspiracy theory of mine, granted, but one that’s not too far from the truth. We know that several setters use crossword solver tools to help fill their grids. The Times probably has one specifically tailored to its style guide. Maybe what is happening is a grid being approved for publication and any new solutions from it being added to the tool’s database for future use. Maybe what we are seeing is merely a new solution being added to the database and it being picked up shortly afterwards by another setter using the tool, thinking “ooh, I’ve not seen that one before, that’s a good one”. Maybe, but it still sounds a little far-fetched.

We’ll probably never know why the same solutions sometimes keep appearing in close succession. It might just be one of those things.

Still. It’s bloody annoying, though. Have a meme.

29. A pair one left for over four weeks (5)

Answer: APRIL (i.e. “over four weeks”, given April is 30 days long). Solution is A followed by PR (a recognised abbreviation of “pair”), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”).

30. Flower, one adapted to the desert, to weaken after setback (8)

Answer: CAMELLIA (i.e. “flower”). Solution is CAMEL (i.e. “one adapted to the desert”) followed by AIL (i.e. “to weaken”) once this latter has been reversed (indicated by “after setback”), like so: CAMEL-LIA. One nailed solely from the wordplay.

31. Certainly needing pen to depict classic Western scene (2,6)

Answer: OK CORRAL (i.e. “classic Western scene”, referencing the site of a famous gunfight in 1881). Solution is OK (i.e. “certainly”, both affirmations) followed by CORRAL (i.e. to “pen” something).

34. Song session interrupted by a waster (8)

Answer: LAYABOUT (i.e. “waster”). Solution is LAY (i.e. a “song”) and BOUT (i.e. “session”) wrapped around or “interrupted by” A, like so: LAY-(A)-BOUT.

36. Council worker, say, finding waste outside old chemical company (8)

Answer: OFFICAL (i.e. “council worker, say”). Solution is OFFAL (i.e. “waste”) wrapped around or placed “outside” of ICI (i.e. “old chemical company”, specifically Imperial Chemical Industries, which, after a series of demergers during the 1990s, was eventually taken over in 2008), like so: OFF(ICI)AL.

37. Animated film and book having curtailed range (5)

Answer: BAMBI (i.e. “animated film”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “book”) followed by AMBIT (i.e. “range”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “curtailed”), like so: B-AMBI.

39. Tweet about more efficient way to keep Tube open? (4,7)

Answer: PIPE CLEANER (i.e. “way to keep tube open” – ignoring the misleading capitalisation). Solution is PIPE (i.e. to chirp or “tweet about”) followed by CLEANER (i.e. “more efficient”).

41. Fastener twisted round tree – a point one observes (10)

Answer: EYEWITNESS (i.e. “one observes”). Solution is TIE (i.e. “fastener”) reversed (indicated by “twisted”) and wrapped “round” YEW (i.e. “tree”). This is all then followed by NESS (i.e. a geographic “point”), like so: E(YEW)IT-NESS.

43. France formerly curtailed expression of affection in Paris – it’s socially awkward (9)

Answer: GAUCHERIE (i.e. “socially awkward”). Solution is GAUL (i.e. “France formerly”) with its last letter removed (indicated by “curtailed”) and the remainder followed by CHERIE (i.e. “expression of affection in Paris”), like so: GAU-CHERIE.

45. Nearly all soccer team appearing amongst international set (6)

Answer: INTENT (i.e. mind “set”). Solution is TEN (i.e. “nearly all soccer team”, being a team of eleven) placed in or “amongst” INT (a recognised abbreviation of “international”), like so: IN(TEN)T.

47. Entertained two Americans with edition (6)

Answer: AMUSED (i.e. “entertained”). Solution is AM and US (i.e. “two Americans”, the former being a recognised abbreviation thereof) followed by ED (a recognised abbreviation of “edition”).

49. Eggs on, very assiduously at first (3)

Answer: OVA (i.e. “eggs”). “At first” indicates the solution is derived from the first letters of ON VERY ASSIDUOUSLY.

50. Romantic comedy about sex involving four? It regularly takes over part of London (7,4,8)

Answer: NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL (i.e. “it regularly takes over part of London”). Solution is NOTTING HILL (i.e. a “romantic comedy” movie from 1999) followed by CARNAL (i.e. “about sex”) once wrapped around or “involving” IV (i.e. “four” expressed in Roman numerals), like so: NOTTING-HILL-CARN(IV)AL.

52. Cut short attempt to confiscate weapon? One can’t be serious (7)

Answer: TRIFLER (i.e. “one can’t be serious”). Solution is TRY (i.e. “attempt”, again) with its last letter removed (indicated by “cut short”) and the remainder wrapped around or “confiscating” RIFLE (i.e. “weapon”), like so: T(RIFLE)R. We had TRIFLE in grid 1635 only a couple of months ago, and TRIFLED in grid 1605 further back in March, on all occasions on odd intersecting letters, so…

53. Very long time to accept Scottish mountain plant (7)

Answer: VERBENA (i.e. “plant”). Solution is V (a recognised abbreviation of “very”) followed by ERA (i.e. a “long time”) once wrapped around or “accepting” BEN (i.e. “Scottish mountain”), like so: V-ER(BEN)A. Another repeat, this time from grid 1614 in May, on odd intersecting letters, so…

54. Jazz music with German backing is in fashion (7)

Answer: RAGTIME (i.e. “Jazz music”). Solution is MIT (i.e. “with German”, i.e. the German for “with”) reversed (indicated by “backing”) and placed “in” RAGE (i.e. “fashion”, as in being all the rage), like so: RAG(TIM)E.

55. Stop Frenchman entering company area (5)

Answer: COMMA (i.e. “stop” or punctuation mark). Solution is M and M (i.e. “Frenchmen” – M being a recognised abbreviation of the title “Monsieur”) both placed in or “entering” CO (a recognised abbreviation of “company”) and A (ditto “area”), like so: CO-(MM)-A.

56. Pedants possibly man rebuffed in places (7)

Answer: PURISTS (i.e. “pedants possibly”). Solution is SIR (i.e. “man”) reversed (indicated by “rebuffed”) and placed “in” PUTS (i.e. “places”), like so: PU(RIS)TS.

57. Ill-repute that is close to merit, embraced by committed left-winger? (9)

Answer: NOTORIETY (i.e. “ill-repute”). Solution is IE (i.e. “that is”, i.e. “i.e.”!) and T (i.e. “close to merit”, i.e. the last letter of “merit”) all placed in or “embraced by” NO TORY (i.e. “committed left-winger”), like so: NO-TOR(IE-T)Y.

Down clues

1. Wood’s supporter saying supplier of water needed around middle of April (8)

Answer: SAWHORSE (i.e. “wood’s supporter” in carpentry). Solution is SAW (i.e. a phrase or “saying”) followed by HOSE (i.e. “supplier of water”) once wrapped “around” R (i.e. “middle [letter] of April”), like so: SAW-HO(R)SE.

2. Cheers up, with Republican around, becoming valued (5)

Answer: RATED (i.e. “valued”). Solution is TA (i.e. “cheers”) reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), and placed in or having “around” it RED (i.e. “Republican”), like so: R(AT)ED.

3. Flying creature that could shift to protect lady (11)

Answer: PTERODACTYL (i.e. prehistoric “flying creature”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “shift”) of PROTECT LADY.

4. Imprisoned those who could all be on strike? (6)

Answer: INSIDE (i.e. slang for “imprisoned”). When written as IN SIDE the solution also satisfies “those who could all be on strike”, referring to a cricket team – being the active batsman is known as being “on strike”.

5. Some go and decide to change efficient structure (8,4)

Answer: GEODESIC DOME (i.e. “efficient structure” – over to Chambers: “a light strong dome made by combining a grid of triangular or other straight-line elements within a section of a sphere”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “to change”) of SOME GO and DECIDE.

6. Doubles up regarding participating in court events (7)

Answer: CREASES (i.e. “doubles up” with laughter). Solution is RE (i.e. “regarding” – think email replies) placed “in” CASES (i.e. “court cases”), like so: C(RE)ASES.

7. Lively Nice venue with soul I start to like for the food there? (8,7)

Answer: NOUVELLE CUISINE (i.e. French “food”, within the context of the clue). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “lively”) of NICE VENUE, SOUL, I and L (i.e. “start [letter] of like”).

8. Unfairly classify as not having a single-track mind? (10)

Answer: STEREOTYPE (i.e. “unfairly classify”). When written as someone being a STEREO TYPE the solution also playfully satisfies “not having a single-track mind”.

9. Cut a passage in middle of movement (7)

Answer: ABRIDGE (i.e. to “cut”). Solution is A followed by BRIDGE (i.e. “passage in middle of movement”, musically).

10. A month ultimately for key conclusion: none softening (11)

Answer: DECRESCENDO (i.e. “softening” in musical lingo). Solution is DEC (i.e. “a month”, in this case December) followed by R (i.e. “ultimately for”, i.e. the last letter of “for”), then ESC (i.e. a “key” on a computer keyboard, short for Escape), then END (i.e. “conclusion”) and O (i.e. “none”).

11. Leader in Times left the I upset? Just a fraction (9)

Answer: TWENTIETH (i.e. “just a fraction”). Solution is T (i.e. “leader in Times”, i.e. its first letter) followed by WENT (i.e. “left”) and an anagram (indicated by “upset”) of THE I, like so: T-WENT-IETH.

12. My pen’s written about former monarch, an inscrutable figure (7)

Answer: MYSTERY (i.e. “an inscrutable figure”). Solution is MY followed by STY (i.e. “pen”) once wrapped “about” ER (i.e. “former monarch”, specifically Elizabeth Regina), like so: MY-ST(ER)Y. I get why ER has elicited phrasings such as “former monarch” in clues following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last year, but isn’t this a little redundant? Does ER not also describe Queen Elizabeth I?

19. Wrong to seal off hot waste receptacle (7)

Answer: ASHTRAY (i.e. “waste receptacle”). Solution is ASTRAY (i.e. “wrong”) wrapped around or “sealing off” H (a recognised abbreviation of “hot” on water taps), like so: AS(H)TRAY.

22. Constant routine kept up in month: a critical moment (8)

Answer: JUNCTURE (i.e. “a critical moment”). Solution is C (a recognised abbreviation of “constant”) and RUT (i.e. “routine”), the latter reversed (indicated by “kept up” – this being a down clue). These are all then put “in” JUNE (i.e. “a month”), like so: JUN(C-TUR)E.

24. Beach Boys song is fair carolling when broadcast (10,5)

Answer: CALIFORNIA GIRLS (i.e. “Beach Boys song”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “when broadcast”) of IS FAIR CAROLLING.

26. Caffeine, say – help keeping all OK, if stimulated (8)

Answer: ALKALOID (i.e. “caffeine, say”). Solution is AID (i.e. “help”) wrapped around or “keeping” an anagram (indicated by “if stimulated”) of ALL OK, like so: A(LKALO)ID.

27. Island keeping temperature in cold sea (6)

Answer: BALTIC (i.e. “sea”). Solution is BALI (i.e. an “island”) wrapped around or “keeping” T (a recognised abbreviation of “temperature”) and followed by C (a recognised abbreviation of “cold”, again on water taps), like so: BAL(T)I-C.

28. Race involving everyone amongst Republicans (6)

Answer: GALLOP (i.e. to “race”). Solution is ALL (i.e. “everyone”) placed “amongst” GOP (i.e. “Republicans” in the US, known as the Grand Old Party), like so: G(ALL)OP.

32. Rebels to replace one with a ME king (7)

Answer: RAMESES (i.e. Egyptian “king”, a few thereof). Solution is RISES (i.e. “rebels”) with the I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) “replaced” by A and ME, like so: R(I)SES => R(A-ME)SES.

33. Benefit from experience, as it happens, with large gain (4,3,5)

Answer: LIVE AND LEARN (i.e. “benefit from experience”). Solution is LIVE (i.e. “as it happens”) followed by AND (i.e. “with”), then L (a recognised abbreviation of “large”) and EARN (i.e. “gain”).

35. Composer doubling third part, obsessing over one A – wild songs etc (11)

Answer: BACCHANALIA (i.e. “wild songs etc”). Solution is Johann Sebastian BACH (i.e. “composer”) with the C or “third part” of the surname repeated or “doubled”. This is then followed by ANAL (i.e. “obsessing”), then I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) and A, like so: BACCH-ANAL-I-A.

37. One offering account from row thirteen, possibly: a person getting on? (4,7)

Answer: BANK MANAGER (i.e. “one offering account”). Solution is BANK M (i.e. “row thirteen, possibly”, remembering that M is the thirteenth letter of the alphabet) followed by AN AGER (i.e. “a person getting on”). Appeared in grid 1594 in January, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

38. A French minister, upset, about to contradict atheist (10)

Answer: UNBELIEVER (i.e. “atheist”). Solution is UN (i.e. “a French”, i.e. the French for “a”) and REV (i.e. “minister”, short for reverend), the latter reversed or “upset” – this being a down clue. The whole is then wrapped “about” BELIE (i.e. “to contradict”), like so: UN-(BELIE)-VER.

40. Artist with a lot of inclination to participate in exclusive mingling of styles? (9)

Answer: PLURALISM (i.e. “mingling of styles”). Solution is RA (i.e. “artist”, specifically a Royal Academician) and LIST (i.e. “inclination”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “a lot of…”). This is all then placed “in” PLUM (i.e. choice or “exclusive”), like so: PLU(RA-LIS)M.

42. Praise overlooking a railway affair? (8)

Answer: ADULTERY (i.e. “affair”). Solution is ADULATE (i.e. “praise”) with an A removed (indicated by “overlooking a”) and the remainder followed by RY (a recognised abbreviation of “railway”), like so: ADULTE-RY.

43. Knowing tune’s picked up with habitual response (7)

Answer: GNOSTIC (i.e. “knowing”). Solution is SONG (i.e. “tune”) reversed (indicated by “picked up” – this being a down clue) and followed by TIC (i.e. “habitual response”), like so: GNOS-TIC.

44. Not fully a sailor, being bowled over in restrictive situation (3,4)

Answer: RAT TRAP (i.e. “restrictive situation”). Solution is PART (i.e. “not fully”) and TAR (slang for a “sailor”) all reversed (indicated by “bowled over”).

46. Instant power provided by small muscle (7)

Answer: TRICEPS (i.e. “muscle”). Solution is TRICE (i.e. “instant”) followed by P (a recognised abbreviation of “power”) and S (ditto “small”).

48. One copying standard hill climbing (6)

Answer: PARROT (i.e. “one copying”). Solution is PAR (i.e. “standard”) followed by TOR (i.e. “hill”) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “climbing” – this being a down clue), like so: PAR-ROT.

51. Gripping item, involving old singer (5)

Answer: VOICE (i.e. “singer”). Solution is VICE (i.e. “gripping item”) wrapped around or “involving” O (a recognised abbreviation of “old”), like so: V(O)ICE. Appeared in grid 1602 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

A relatively straightforward Jumbo this week, which is fine by me! There were a few too many repeats for my liking (so what’s new?) but, again, there were a number of well-crafted clues to make up for it.

You can find my completed grid below along with explanations of my solutions where I have them. I hope you find them helpful. If a recent Jumbo has given you 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 input. It’s always interesting to hear the thoughts of other solvers once they’ve sent down their pens. Till next time, stay safe out there kids.

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 11.7%

Across clues

1. In favour of National Trust, getting round quickly (6)

Answer: PRONTO (i.e. “quickly”). Solution is PRO (i.e. “in favour of”) followed by NT (a recognised abbreviation of the “National Trust”) and O (i.e. “round”).

4. One adding type of fertilizer including iodine and gold (10)

Answer: COMPOSITOR (i.e. “one adding type”, print-wise). Solution is COMPOST (i.e. “fertilizer”) wrapped around or “including” I (chemical symbol of “iodine”) and followed by OR (“gold” in heraldry), like so: COMPOS(I)T-OR.

10. Soldier returning in vehicle in Havana? (5)

Answer: CIGAR (i.e. “Havana”, a variety thereof). Solution is GI (i.e. US “soldier”) reversed or “returned” and placed “in” CAR (i.e. “vehicle”), like so: C(IG)AR.

14. Plant I weed less is all over the place (9)

Answer: EDELWEISS (i.e. “plant”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “all over the place”) of I WEED LESS. Nicely worked, but this appeared in grid 1623 only a few months ago, and also on odd intersecting letters. Have a meme.

15. Weapon material is rank (5,8)

Answer: LANCE CORPORAL (i.e. “rank”). Solution is LANCE (i.e. “weapon”) followed by CORPORAL (i.e. “material” or having a body).

16. In part, thespian is touring player (7)

Answer: PIANIST (i.e. “player”). “In part” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: THES(PIAN IS T)OURING.

17. Overwhelm small dam (7)

Answer: SMOTHER (i.e. “overwhelm”). Solution is S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”) followed by MOTHER (i.e. “dam”, in relation to livestock – one worth keeping in mind given its frequent usage in cryptic crosswords). Appeared in grid 1601 in February, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

18. Slander about drug carrier endlessly returning by New York (7)

Answer: CALUMNY (i.e. “slander”). Solution is CA (a recognised abbreviation of “circa”, i.e. “about”) followed by MULE (i.e. “drug carrier”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “endlessly”) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “returning”). This is then all followed by NY (short for “New York”), like so: CA-LUM-NY.

19. Dull transoceanic journey where one shouldn’t get run down (10,8)

Answer: PEDESTRIAN CROSSING (i.e. “where one shouldn’t get run down”). Solution is PEDESTRIAN (i.e. “dull”) followed by CROSSING (i.e. “transoceanic journey”).

21. Booster, say, with millions put in post (4)

Answer: JAMB (i.e. “post”). Solution is JAB (i.e. “booster, say” – other flavours of vaccine are available) wrapped around or having “put in” M (a recognised abbreviation of “millions”), like so: JA(M)B.

24. Dart, perhaps, to tear the number “4” from board (5)

Answer: RIVER (i.e. “Dart, perhaps”, the River Dart is found in Devon). Solution is RIVE (i.e. “to tear”) followed by R (i.e. “the number ‘4’ from board”, i.e. the fourth letter of “board”).

26. Pounced on a doctor with uniform removed (8)

Answer: AMBUSHED (i.e. “pounced on”). Solution is A followed by MB (i.e. “doctor”, a Medicinae Baccalaureus or Doctor of Medicine), then U (“uniform” in the phonetic alphabet) and SHED (i.e. “removed”).

27. Nice grassy areas surrounded by pine (8)

Answer: PLEASANT (i.e. “nice”). Solution is LEAS (i.e. “grassy areas”) placed in or “surrounded by” PANT (i.e. to “pine” or yearn for).

29. Roman poet has sections with no page in which people fight (7,4)

Answer: MARTIAL ARTS (i.e. “in which people fight”). Solution is MARTIAL (i.e. “Roman poet” – another we’ve seen a few times in Jumbos now) followed by PARTS (i.e. “sections”) once the P has been removed (indicated by “with no page” – P being a recognised abbreviation of “page”).

30. Arranged a late lunch I imagine (11)

Answer: HALLUCINATE (i.e. “imagine”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “arranged”) of A LATE LUNCH I.

32. Drunken order for brass hats (4,7)

Answer: HIGH COMMAND (i.e. “brass hats”, military slang thereof). Solution is HIGH (i.e. “drunken”) followed by COMMAND (i.e. “order”).

35. Figure with many faces or icon heads arranged oddly (11)

Answer: ICOSAHEDRON (i.e. “figure with many faces” – 20 to be exact). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “arranged oddly”) of OR ICON HEADS.

37. Ability to work out odd menu with a spicy character (8)

Answer: NUMERACY (i.e. “ability to work out” sums). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “odd”) of MENU followed by RACY (i.e. “with a spicy character”), like so: NUME-RACY.

39. Tungsten mass perhaps gone for scrap (5,3)

Answer: WRITE OFF (i.e. to “scrap”). Solution is W (chemical symbol of “tungsten”) followed by RITE (i.e. “mass perhaps” – other religious rites are available) and OFF (i.e. “gone”).

40. Who brought us prize book in Christmas wrapping? (5)

Answer: Alfred NOBEL (i.e. “who brought us prize”). Solution is B (a recognised abbreviation of “book”) placed or “wrapped” in NOEL (i.e. “Christmas”), like so: NO(B)EL.

43. Egyptian cross at Nut, Khonsu and Horus’s origins (4)

Answer: ANKH (i.e. “Egyptian cross”). “Origins” indicates the solution is derived from the initial letters of At Nut Khonsu and Horus.

44. Main qualm that limits UK’s ability to move to the right? (7,11)

Answer: CENTRAL RESERVATION (i.e. “that limits UK [driver]’s ability to move to the right” on the road). Solution is CENTRAL (i.e. “main”) followed by RESERVATION (i.e. “qualm”).

47. Entertainer’s rubbish on seaside promenade (7)

Answer: PIERROT (i.e. a clown or “entertainer”). Solution is ROT (i.e. “rubbish”) placed “on” or after PIER (i.e. “seaside promenade”), like so: PIER-ROT.

48. Throne Chinese dynasty’s threatening (7)

Answer: LOOMING (i.e. “threatening”). Solution is LOO (i.e. “throne”, both slang words for the toilet) followed by MING (i.e. “Chinese dynasty”).

50. What are often dropped both sides of Harwich? (7)

Answer: AITCHES (i.e. “what are often dropped” in speech). Solution also satisfies “both sides of Harwich”, given the town begins and ends with H.

51. Unfortunately overrates true discoveries of value (8-5)

Answer: TREASURE TROVE (i.e. “discoveries of value”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “unfortunately”) of OVERRATES TRUE.

52. Repeated a couple of points about land free from prejudices (9)

Answer: ENLIGHTEN (i.e. to “free from prejudices”). Solution is E and N (i.e. “a couple of points” on a compass, East and North respectively) “repeated” and placed “about” LIGHT (i.e. to “land” a boat, say), like so: E-N-(LIGHT)-E-N.

53. Peevish note written by pen (5)

Answer: TESTY (i.e. “peevish”). Solution is TE (i.e. musical “note” of the sol-fa scale) followed by STY (i.e. animal “pen”).

54. Blow about past number returning penniless (5-5)

Answer: STONY-BROKE (i.e. “penniless”). Solution is STROKE (i.e. a “blow”) wrapped “about” BY (a prefix denoting something that is “past”) and NO (a recognised abbreviation of “number”) once these two have been reversed (indicated by “returning”), like so: ST(ON-YB)ROKE. Appeared in grid 1599 in February, though on that time on even intersecting letters.

55. Girl’s pretty halting initially in Scandinavian (6)

Answer: DAPHNE (i.e. “girl’s” name). Solution is P and H (i.e. “pretty halting initially”, i.e. the first letter of “pretty” and “halting”) both placed “in” DANE (i.e. “Scandinavian”), like so: DA(P-H)NE.

Down clues

1. Who took children’s dish and ladle (one’s coming a bit late) (4,5)

Answer: PIED PIPER (i.e. “who took children” in folklore). Solution is PIE (i.e. “dish”) followed by DIPPER (i.e. “ladle”) once the I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) has been moved back a notch (indicated by “coming a bit late”), like so: PIE-D(I)PPER => PIE-DP(I)PER.

2. Man – not Charlie – rushed port repeatedly (4,3,4)

Answer: OVER AND OVER (i.e. “repeatedly”). Solution is COVE (i.e. slang for a “man”) with the C removed (indicated by “not Charlie” – Charlie being C in the phonetic alphabet) and the remainder followed by RAN (i.e. “rushed”) and DOVER (i.e. an English “port”), like so: OVE-RAN-DOVER.

3. No countrymen admit wearing formal attire outside (7)

Answer: TOWNIES (i.e. “no countrymen”). Solution is OWN (i.e. “admit”) placed in or “wearing” TIES (i.e. “formal attire”), like so: T(OWN)IES.

5. What’s green and round in its present state (5)

Answer: OASIS (i.e. “what’s green” – a bit vague, but okay). Solution is O (i.e. “round”, again) followed by AS IS (i.e. “in its present state”). Appeared in grid 1590 in December, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

6. Collie’s paws ruined bed linen (11)

Answer: PILLOWCASES (i.e. “bed linen”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “ruined”) of COLLIE’S PAWS.

7. Fault heard with plate on quiet gear system (11)

Answer: SYNCHROMESH (i.e. “gear system” – over to Chambers: “of a gear in which the speeds of the driving and driven members are automatically synchronized before coupling, so as to avoid shock and noise in gear-changing”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “heard”) of SIN (i.e. “fault”) followed by CHROME (i.e. “plate”) and SH (i.e. “quiet”), like so: SYN-CHROME-SH. One nailed solely from the wordplay, unsurprisingly.

8. Speculate chap needs increase in pay (8)

Answer: THEORISE (i.e. “speculate”). Solution is THEO (i.e. “chap’s” name) followed by RISE (i.e. “increase in pay”).

9. Where crown may conceal trouble with origin over channel (4,5)

Answer: ROOT CANAL (i.e. “where crown may conceal trouble”, dentally speaking). Solution is ROOT (i.e. “origin”) followed by CANAL (i.e. “channel”).

10. A prune served up under copper dome (6)

Answer: CUPOLA (i.e. “dome”). Solution is A and LOP (i.e. to cut or “prune”) all reversed (indicated by “served up” – this being a down clue) and placed after or “under” (again, down clue) CU (chemical symbol of “copper”), like so: CU-(POL-A).

11. Letter about a right cold dish mostly being mixed spices (5,6)

Answer: GARAM MASALA (i.e. “mixed spices”). Solution is GAMMA (i.e. third “letter” of the Greek alphabet) wrapped “about” A and R (a recognised abbreviation of “right”). This is then followed by SALAD (i.e. “cold dish”) once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”), like so: G(A-R)AMMA-SALA.

12. Put down again for broadcast (5)

Answer: RELAY (i.e. “broadcast”). When written as RE-LAY the solution also satisfies “put down again”.

13. Queen given choice fruit (8,4)

Answer: VICTORIA PLUM (i.e. “fruit”). Solution is VICTORIA (i.e. “Queen” of England a while ago) followed by PLUM (i.e. excellent or “choice”).

20. Wild boar are left living among trees (8)

Answer: ARBOREAL (i.e. “living among trees”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “wild”) of BOAR ARE followed by L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”), like so: ARBOREA-L.

22. Bird attacked another one (7)

Answer: BITTERN (i.e. “bird”). Solution is BIT (i.e. “attacked”) followed by TERN (“another [bird]”).

23. I am inclined to follow girl from Near East region (8)

Answer: GALILEAN (i.e. “from Near East region”, in this case Galilee in Israel). Solution is I LEAN (i.e. “I am inclined”) placed after or “following” GAL (slang for “girl”), like so: GAL-(I-LEAN).

25. Pass passenger vehicle with daughter (8)

Answer: RAILCARD (i.e. a “pass” entitling the owner to lower train fares). Solution is RAILCAR (i.e. “passenger vehicle”) followed by D (a recognised abbreviation of “daughter”).

28. Policemen outside work go after nearly all drinks (8)

Answer: ALCOPOPS (i.e. “drinks”). Solution is COPS (i.e. “policemen”) wrapped “outside” of OP (i.e. “work”, short for “opus”). All this is then placed “after” ALL once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “nearly”), like so: AL-(COP(OP)S). ALCOPOP appeared in grid 1597 in January, but on that occasion it was on odd intersecting letters.

29. Fixation about house plant (7)

Answer: MAHONIA (i.e. “plant”). Solution is MANIA (i.e. “fixation”) wrapped “about” HO (a recognised abbreviation of “house”), like so: MA(HO)NIA. Another nailed from the wordplay alone.

31. Stun with Stafford stable, not streets beyond one’s pocket (12)

Answer: UNAFFORDABLE (i.e. “beyond one’s pocket”). “Not streets” indicates the solution is derived from STUN, STAFFORD and STABLE once the ST (a recognised abbreviation of “street”) has been removed from each. I liked the invention in this one.

33. Willing footballers who mind business on the park? (11)

Answer: GAMEKEEPERS (i.e. those “who mind business on the park”. You could also take a scatological slant to this if you squint hard enough. Bloody dogs…) Solution is GAME (i.e. “willing”) followed by KEEPERS (i.e. “footballers”).

34. Hide science from mistaken Margot Doyle (11)

Answer: DERMATOLOGY (i.e. “hide science”, or science of the skin). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “mistaken”) of MARGOT DOYLE.

35. Bury railway has a river between the lines (11)

Answer: INTERLINEAR (i.e. “between the lines”). Solution is INTER (i.e. to “bury”) followed by LINE (i.e. “railway”), then A and R (a recognised abbreviation of “river”). Looks like we’ve caught another setter abusing the office GridFill 4000™. This solution appeared only a couple of months ago, not once but twice, and on successive weeks no less. On all occasions the solution appeared on odd intersecting letters, so have a double meme…

36. Box of buns from waffle store (6,5)

Answer: RABBIT HUTCH (i.e. “box of buns” – a bun is a playful name for a rabbit. Also a squirrel, apparently). Solution is RABBIT (i.e. “waffle”, both slang terms for excessive chatting) followed by HUTCH (i.e. a “store”). Appeared in grid 1614 in May, also on odd intersecting letters. So tempted to stick a hat trick meme on this, but I’ll be kind.

38. Rears cute funny animals (9)

Answer: CREATURES (i.e. “animals”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “funny”) of REARS CUTE.

41. Years ago full-length trousers included inside of red (4,5)

Answer: LONG SINCE (i.e. “years ago”). Solution is LONGS (i.e. “full-length trousers”) followed by INC (a recognised abbreviation of “included”) and E (i.e. “inside of red”, i.e. the middle letter of “red”).

42. Dagger twirls oddly in fight (8)

Answer: STILETTO (i.e. “dagger”). Solution is TIL (i.e. “twirls oddly”, i.e. every other letter of TWIRLS) placed “in” SET-TO (i.e. “fight”), like so: S(TIL)ET-TO. Appeared in grid 1628 in August, also on even intersecting letters, so…

45. Iguana roaming about top of the island (7)

Answer: ANTIGUA (i.e. an “island”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “roaming”) of IGUANA wrapped “about” T (i.e. “top of the”, i.e. the first letter of “the”), like so: AN(T)IGUA. Appeared in grid 1582, also on odd intersecting letters, but just outside my threshold for a recent repeat.

46. Lively, loud and dangerous (6)

Answer: FRISKY (i.e. “lively”). Solution is F (i.e. “loud”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of “forte” used in musical lingo) followed by RISKY (i.e. “dangerous”). Another nicely worked clue.

47. What child might do to cute animal is unimportant (5)

Answer: PETIT (i.e. “unimportant” – over to Chambers again: “a form of ‘petty’, in sense of insignificant, now obsolete except in legal and other French terms”). When written as PET IT the solution also satisfies “what child might do to cute animal”.

49. Like moussaka with feta? Good smell (5)

Answer: GREEK (i.e. “like moussaka with feta”, both Greek foodstuffs). Solution is G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) followed by REEK (i.e. “smell”).

A toughie this week, but, like last week’s Jumbo, a goodie. And like, last week’s Jumbo, this too was also riddled with recent repeats. Can’t have it all, I guess. Still, the variety of wordplay and the quality of the clues made this another winner.

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 trampled your daisies (in November? whatever) then you might find my Just For Fun page of use, where you’ll find links to solutions for hundreds of the things.

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

LP

RBV (Repeats-By-Volume): 15%.
Oof! That’s some super-strength stuff right there. Careful now.

Across clues

1. What’s becoming green in tap regularly (7)

Answer: DECORUM (i.e. “what’s becoming”). Solution is ECO (i.e. “green” or ecological) placed “in” DRUM (i.e. “tap regularly”), like so: D(ECO)RUM. A recent repeat straight off the bat, appearing in grid 1624 back in July, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

5. An officer grabbing weapon is causing panic (8)

Answer: ALARMIST (i.e. “causing panic”). Solution is A LT (i.e. “an officer”, in this case an abbreviation of lieutenant) once wrapped around or “grabbing” ARM (i.e. “weapon”) and IS, like so: A-L(ARM-IS)T.

9. Honour brief desire to produce dagger (6)

Answer: OBELUS (i.e. a typographical “dagger” symbol). Solution is OBE (i.e. “honour”, specifically the Order of the British Empire) followed by LUST (i.e. “desire”) once the last letter has been removed (indicated by “brief”), like so: OBE-LUS.

13. An obsession one has to ensure a word is initially spelled correctly? (1,3,2,4,6)

Answer: A BEE IN ONE’S BONNET (i.e. “an obsession”). Remainder of the clue plays on B (“BEE”) being the “initial” letter of BONNET. You get the idea.

14. Inquisitive on vacation after seeing that small swimsuit! (6)

Answer: COSSIE (i.e. “swimwear”, slang for a swimming costume). Solution is IE (i.e. “inquisitive on vacation”, i.e. the first and last letters of “inquisitive”) placed “after” COS (i.e. “seeing that”, or an informal form of “because”) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “small”), like so: (COS-S)-IE.

16. Kindly be inclined in good time to give out answer (8)

Answer: TENDERLY (i.e. “kindly”). Solution is TEND (i.e. “be inclined”) followed by EARLY (i.e. “in good time”) once the A has been removed (indicated by “to give out answer” – A being a recognised abbreviation of “answer”, as in Q&A), like so: TEND-ERLY. Appeared in grid 1628 in August, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

17. God, seeing Eden’s downfall, reflecting (4)

Answer: ZEUS (i.e. Greek “god”). Solution is SUEZ (i.e. Anthony “Eden’s downfall” – a reference to the Suez Crisis of 1956 – Eden was Prime Minister at the time) reversed (indicated by “reflecting”). Nicely worked.

18. Joker’s beaten partner’s king (9)

Answer: PRANKSTER (i.e. “joker”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “beaten”) of PARTNER’S and K (a recognised abbreviation of “king” used in chess).

20. German engineer, one outside Grand Hotel with a port (8)

Answer: BENGHAZI (i.e. “port” city of Libya). Solution is Carl BENZ (i.e. “German engineer”) and I (i.e. “[Roman numeral] one”) all wrapped “outside” of G (a recognised abbreviation of “grand”), H (“Hotel” in the phonetic alphabet) and A, like so: BEN(G-H-A)Z-I. Unsurprisingly I was straight to Bradford’s the moment I saw “port” in the clue. I have no time for filler.

21. Occasionally sitting in the veranda? No, nightly (4,3,4)

Answer: EVER AND ANON (i.e. “occasionally”). “Sitting in” indicates the solution has been hidden in the clue, like so: TH(E VERANDA NO N)IGHTLY.

24. Blocks money order, leading to lack of books at high school (9)

Answer: MONOLITHS (i.e. “blocks”). Solution is MO (a recognised abbreviation of “money order”) followed by NO LIT (i.e. “lack of books”, LIT being short for literature) and HS (a recognised abbreviation of “high school”).

25. Court official is upset when getting stick (8)

Answer: TIPSTAFF (i.e. “court official” – over to Chambers: “an officer who carries [a tipstaff], a sheriff’s officer”). Solution is TIP (i.e. to “upset”) followed by STAFF (i.e. “stick”).

26. Slip passed on after it’s been returned (4)

Answer: BOOB (i.e. “slip” or error). Solution is OB (i.e. “passed on”, specifically a recognised abbreviation of obiit, Latin for died) placed “after” BO (i.e. the same reversed or “returned”), like so: BO-OB. Appeared in grid 1618 back in May, also on even intersecting letters, so…

29. Fumed after party at university put off (11)

Answer: DISCOURAGED (i.e. “put off”). Solution is RAGED (i.e. “fumed”) placed “after” DISCO (i.e. “party”) and U (a recognised abbreviation of “university”), like so: (DISCO-U)-RAGED.

31. Prince’s friend’s bloomer, caught by storm in New Zealand (11)

Answer: ROSENCRANTZ (i.e. “Prince’s friend”, a minor character in William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark). Solution is ROSE (i.e. “bloomer” or flower) followed by C (a recognised abbreviation of “caught” in some ball games) and RANT (i.e. “storm”) once these two have been placed “in” NZ (short for “New Zealand”), like so: ROSE-(N(C-RANT)Z).

33. Realised elm needs replanting in the country (in shade) (7,4)

Answer: EMERALD ISLE (i.e. “country”, an informal reference to Ireland). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “replanting”) of REALISED ELM. The “in shade” bit probably refers to EMERALD being a colour, but I could be wrong.

36. Timid person’s exploit to speak of and celebrate (11)

Answer: MILQUETOAST (i.e. “timid person”, after a character created by American cartoonist HT Webster). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “to speak of”) of MILK (i.e. to “exploit”) followed by TOAST (i.e. “celebrate”), like so: MILQUE-TOAST. One I knew, strangely enough, thanks to a read of sci-fi website Clarkesworld’s submission guidelines several years ago, which made me wonder what on earth “Milquetoast” meant. I guess it stuck with me ever since.

38. Small piece of music, any of just six, evidently (4)

Answer: NOTE (i.e. “small piece of music”). When written as NOT E the solution also playfully satisfies “any of just six, evidently”, there ordinarily being seven musical notes: A, B, C, D, E, F and G. NOTED appeared in grid 1585 last November, and NOTES appeared in grid 1616 in May, on both occasions also on odd intersecting letters. I’m claiming them, so…

39. Boxer maybe as eyes gouged I’d condemned (5,3)

Answer: GUIDE DOG (i.e. “boxer maybe as eyes” – do boxers make good guide dogs? I genuinely don’t know). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “condemned”) of GOUGED I’D.

41. Stand for body that’s round say and containing more fat? (9)

Answer: BUTTERIER (i.e. “containing more fat”). Solution is BIER (i.e. a “stand for [dead] body”) wrapped “round” UTTER (i.e. “say”), like so: B(UTTER)IER.

44. Meeting upset good number (3-8)

Answer: GET-TOGETHER (i.e. a “meeting”). Solution is GET TO (i.e. “upset”) followed by G (a recognised abbreviation of “good”) and ETHER (i.e. “number”, taken to mean something that numbs).

45. Needle in water removing gallons for time (8)

Answer: IRRITATE (i.e. to “needle”). Solution is IRRIGATE (i.e. to “water”) with the G (a recognised abbreviation of “gallons”) swapped “for” T (ditto “time”), like so: IRRI(G)ATE => IRRI(T)ATE.

48. With full mug of coffee for knocking back after loaf (4-5)

Answer: MOON-FACED (i.e. “with full mug”, mug being slang for a face). Solution is DECAF (i.e. “coffee”, short for decaffeinated) reversed (indicated by “knocking back”) and placed “after” MOON (i.e. to “loaf” or to wander listlessly – I’d make a so-so gesture here. I’d argue loafing is a sedentary thing).

49. Leave no longer just what you want (4)

Answer: EXIT (i.e. to “leave”). Solution is EX (i.e. “no longer”) followed by IT (i.e. “just what you want”).

50. I agree to extract lead from each mine (4,4)

Answer: VERY WELL (i.e. “I agree”). Solution is EVERY (i.e. “each”) with its first letter removed (indicated by “extract lead from…”) and the remainder followed by WELL (i.e. a “mine”).

52. Mischief from The Gunners, quietly leaving trophy (6)

Answer: RASCAL (i.e. a “mischief”). Solution is RA (i.e. “The Gunners”, in this case the Royal Artillery) followed by SCALP (i.e. “trophy”) once the P has been removed (indicated by “quietly leaving”… P being a recognised abbreviation of “piano” used in musical lingo), like so: RA-SCAL.

53. Book fair after so long? Goodness! (8,2,6)

Answer: FAREWELL MY LOVELY (i.e. a “book” by Raymond Chandler). Solution is LOVELY (i.e. “fair”) placed “after” FAREWELL (i.e. “so long”) and MY (i.e. “goodness” – both exclamations).

54. Secretary receives steadfast backing, mostly, for receiving bribes (6)

Answer: PAYOLA (i.e. “bribes”. Another I knew, but it’s worth a visit to Chambers for the definition: “a secret payment or bribe to secure a favour, especially the promotion of a commercial product by a disc jockey”, supposedly this is a combination of “pay” and “Victrola”, a make of gramophone). Solution is PA (i.e. “secretary” or Personal Assistant) wrapped around or “receiving” LOYAL (i.e. “steadfast”) once its last letter has been removed (indicated by “mostly”) and the remainder reversed (indicated by “backing”), like so: P(AYOL)A.

55. In the midst of wrongdoing, property gets developed (8)

Answer: GESTATED (i.e. “developed”). Solution is ESTATE (i.e. “property”) placed “in” GD (i.e. “the midst of wrongdoing”, i.e. the middle letters of “wrongdoing”), like so: G(ESTATE)D.

56. Problem queen gets dispensing with formalities (7)

Answer: SUMMARY (i.e. “dispensing with formalities”). Solution is SUM (i.e. a mathematical “problem”) followed by MARY (i.e. “Queen” of Scots). Appeared in grid 1583 last November, just within my threshold for a recent repeat. It appeared on odd intersecting letters too, so…

Down clues

1. Lack of soil below delta (6)

Answer: DEARTH (i.e. “lack”). Solution is EARTH (i.e. “soil”) placed after or “below” – this being a down clue – D (“delta” in the phonetic alphabet), like so: D-EARTH.

2. Assisting actor maybe in line that needs to be spoken (6)

Answer: CUEING (i.e. “assisting actor maybe”). Solution is a homophone (indicated by “that needs to be spoken”) of QUEUING (i.e. “in line”).

3. Muddle her allies create (5,4)

Answer: RAISE HELL (i.e. to “create” trouble). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “muddle”) of HER ALLIES.

4. One not content with single job having second working barge (11)

Answer: MOONLIGHTER (i.e. “one not content with single job”). Solution is MO (i.e. a “second” or short moment) followed by ON (i.e. “working” or operational) and LIGHTER (i.e. a “barge”). MOONLIGHT appeared in grid 1603 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters. I’m claiming it, so…

5. Couple in bar turning round, making you jump (4)

Answer: AXEL (i.e. a “jump” in figure skating). Solution is AXLE (i.e. a “bar” between two wheels) with the last “couple” of letters “turned round” or reversed, like so: AX(LE) => AX(EL).

6. Short books about splitting up piloted (11)

Answer: ABBREVIATED (i.e. “short”). Solution is B and B (i.e. “books”, recognised abbreviations thereof) and RE (i.e. “about” or regarding – think email replies) all placed in or “splitting up” AVIATED (i.e. “piloted”), like so: A(B-B-RE)VIATED.

7. Vessel with big hole’s one letting water escape? (11)

Answer: MINESWEEPER (i.e. a ship or “vessel”). Solution is MINE’S (i.e. “big hole” in the ground, followed by a contraction of “is”) followed by WEEPER (i.e. “one letting water escape”).

8. Pastries dumped in freezing shower most likely to go off (9)

Answer: SLEEPIEST (i.e. “most likely to go off”). Solution is PIES (i.e. “pastries”) placed “in” SLEET (i.e. “freezing shower”), like so: SLEE(PIES)T.

10. Ordered to grasp stick as means of obstruction (8)

Answer: BLOCKADE (i.e. “means of obstruction”). Solution is BADE (i.e. “ordered”) wrapped around or “grasping” LOCK (i.e. to seize up or “stick”), like so: B(LOCK)ADE.

11. Film star also painting, for a change (4,5,2,5)

Answer: LAST TANGO IN PARIS (i.e. a 1972 “film” starring some butter. Supposedly, I mean. I wouldn’t know). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “for a change”) of STAR ALSO PAINTING.

12. Admit use of bad language hasn’t ended (5,2)

Answer: SWEAR IN (i.e. to “admit”, say, into office). Solution is SWEARING (i.e. “use of bad language”) with the last letter removed (indicated by “hasn’t ended”).

15. Nuisance having to accommodate pilots being stretched for fuel (8)

Answer: PARAFFIN (i.e. “fuel”). Solution is PAIN (i.e. “nuisance”) wrapped around or “accommodating” RAF (i.e. “pilots”, specifically the Royal Air Force) once the last letter has been repeated (indicated by “being stretched” – can’t say I’ve seen this wordplay too often), like so: PA(RAFF)IN. Appeared in grid 1592 back in December, but on that occasion it was on odd intersecting letters.

19. Planet Mercury, for instance, that’s mostly methane (5,3)

Answer: MARSH GAS (i.e. “that’s mostly methane”). Solution is MARS (i.e. “planet”) followed by HG (chemical symbol of “mercury”) and AS (i.e. “for instance”). Nicely worked.

22. Hint at the outset someone’s doing me wrong (8)

Answer: SMIDGEON (i.e. a “hint” of something). Solution is S (i.e. “at the outset someone”, i.e. the first letter of “someone”) followed by an anagram (indicated by “wrong”) of DOING ME, like so: S-MIDGEON.

23. Until you assent to otherwise, showing nothing off (16)

Answer: UNOSTENTATIOUSLY (i.e. “showing nothing off”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “otherwise”) of UNTIL YOU ASSENT TO.

27. Light year, perhaps, minus space and time: a fashionable expression (4,4)

Answer: BUZZ TERM (i.e. “a fashionable expression”). Solution is BUZZ (i.e. “light year, perhaps, minus space”, i.e. removing the space between “light” and “year” to get the surname of BUZZ Lightyear) followed by TIME (i.e. “term”).

28. Document from court cases for whenever important (4)

Answer: WRIT (i.e. “document from court”). “Cases for” indicates the solution is derived from the first and last letters of WHENEVER IMPORTANT.

30. Even things in cloakroom picked up and not put down (4)

Answer: ORAL (i.e. “not put down” in writing). “Even” indicates the solution is derived from every other letter of CLOAKROOM, while “picked up” indicates those letters are reversed – this being a down clue. Appeared in grid 1614 in May, but on that occasion it was on even intersecting letters.

32. European city’s food variable, note, and seconds revolting! (8)

Answer: SALZBURG (i.e. “European city” in Austria). Solution is GRUB (i.e. “food”) followed by Z (i.e. “variable”, setters love referring to X, Y or Z in solutions as unknowns or variables), then LA (i.e. “note” of the sol-fa scale) and S (a recognised abbreviation of “seconds”). The whole is then reversed (indicated by “revolting” or uprising – this being a down clue), like so: S-AL-Z-BURG. Another very nicely worked clue. Probably my favourite of the puzzle.

34. EU accede to reform: a throw of the dice? (5-3)

Answer: DEUCE-ACE (i.e. “a throw of the dice”, specifically a throw of two and a one). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “to reform”) of EU ACCEDE.

35. Green light, maybe, that motorist hopes to avoid? (11)

Answer: ENDORSEMENT. Solution satisfies “green light” and “what motorist hopes to avoid”, being a record of an offence on one’s driver’s licence. Appeared in grid 1602 back in March, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

36. August publication, then November, provided at minimum cost abroad (11)

Answer: MAGNIFICENT (i.e. “august”). Solution is MAG (i.e. “publication”, short for magazine) followed by N (“November” in the phonetic alphabet), then IF (i.e. “provided”, as in a conditional statement) and I CENT (i.e. “minimum cost abroad”, the I taken to mean 1).

37. Incumbent upon you, indeed, to be very busy (2,2,3,4)

Answer: UP TO THE EYES (i.e. “very busy”). Solution is UP TO THEE (i.e. “incumbent upon you”) followed by YES (i.e. “indeed”).

40. Take water from earth – dyed, curiously (9)

Answer: DEHYDRATE (i.e. “take water from”). Solution is an anagram (indicated by “curiously”) of EARTH DYED. Appeared in grid 1596 in January, also on odd intersecting letters, so…

42. Fitness to chase record, the first requirement for a competitor? (5,4)

Answer: ENTRY FORM (i.e. “first requirement for a competitor”). Solution is FORM (i.e. “fitness”) placed after or “chasing” ENTRY (i.e. “record”).

43. Left party to beat up bouncer of course (4,4)

Answer: GOLF BALL (i.e. “bouncer of [golf] course”). Solution is L (a recognised abbreviation of “left”), LAB (i.e. “party”, short for the Labour Party) and FLOG (i.e. “to beat”) all reversed (indicated by “up” – this being a down clue), like so: GOLF-BAL-L.

44. Fool somersaulting over ditch is a sucker (7)

Answer: GUMDROP (i.e. “a sucker” or sweet). Solution is MUG (i.e. “fool”) reversed (indicated by “somersaulting”) and followed by DROP (i.e. to “ditch”), like so: GUM-DROP.

46. No longer nurse a lonely heart, say, if looking up old dramatist (6)

Answer: SENECA the Younger (i.e. “old dramatist”). Solution is SEN (i.e. “no longer nurse”, specifically the old State Enrolled Nurse) followed by ACE (i.e. “lonely heart, say” – other suits of playing cards are available – I loved this when I twigged it) once the latter has been reversed (indicated by “looking up” – this being a down clue), like so: SEN-ECA.

47. Like soil often put in church yard primarily (6)

Answer: CLAYEY (i.e. “like soil often”). Solution is LAY (i.e. “put”) placed “in” CE (i.e. “church”, specifically the Church of England). This is all then followed by Y (i.e. “yard primarily”, i.e. the first letter of “yard”), like so: C(LAY)E-Y. I think it’s a close race between this and BUTTERIER for the worst word I’ve seen all week.

51. Made off, following light (4)

Answer: FLED (i.e. “made off”). Solution is F (a recognised abbreviation of “following”) followed by LED (i.e. “light”, specifically a Light Emitting Diode”).