CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Bill about to enter woodland that’s divine (8)

5 Make sense of marine unit (6) 9 Funny chap Eric brought to head for indolence (8) 10 Pipe in underground passage changed at the entrance (6) 12 Holy group beginning to voice our relish (6) 13 Moving with aim to settle in Herts town (8) 15 Unnatural pose to employ in embrace (7) 16 Money put down — little time to waste for Oriental drink (4) 20 What curiously is the opposite of 22? (4) 21 Commanding officer with onset of hunger tucked into cheese roll (7)

25 Sort of business person no longer given beer (8) 26 Settle down temporarily in enclosure with a politician (6) 28 Country artist starts to enjoy landscape on far side of island (6) 29 Fellow hugging one companion, soldier going round American state (8) 30 Good American, he had demonstrated sentimentality (6) 31 Despatched from ’ere in a few words? (8) DOWN

1 Fragile insect around is getting maiden hiding (6) 2 Bank inadequate — this person’s experience for a second time (6) 3 Conservative is on adventure to achieve victorious outcome (8) 4 Band of specially trained troops on top of hotel (4) 6 Old boys in maul after reunion (6)

7 Give one award for playing for being put at a disadvantage (8) 8 Traduced mum showing furrowed brow, we hear? (8) 11 City offering quiet repose? No, upset! (7) 14 Trip in vessel ending in Greece with happiness spreading round (7) 17 Always getting caught in police trap, manoeuvring car? (8) 18 Seductive females full of anger — they want blood! (8)

19 Bird — that which covers short distance (8) 22 From what we hear, discharges stop abruptly (6)

23 Sheep falling over trap in border area (6) 24 Victoria describes one drunkard (6) 27 Ms Blyton turns up to have a meal (4)