CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Bird breathin’ in short gasps (6) 4 Part of a circle social worker

joined at end of month (6)

8 Herb is eccentric character, a bit

mad at first (8)

10 Precious stones, as seen

framing entrance (6)

11 Get away from sound

of insect (4)

12 Scot-free? (3-7)

13 See smartness coming out in

second examination? (12)

16 A present for fantastic teacher, primarily one looking after child (6-6)

20 Conservative initially hesitates to change a set of principles (10)

21 Scottish island participating in

tributes (4)

22 Cite a theologian confronting

head of Unitarian church (6) 23 Getting money after end of

school education? (8) 24 Modified version has her

confused (6) 25 Interpret Advent or Christmas

poem? (6)

DOWN

1 More than one costermonger

works, receiving attention (8) 2 Sweet nonsense (5)

3 Huge Madame occupying home

– Kent region? (7) 5 Revolutionary hugging a radical

in an absurd act (7)

6 White material broken up in

blast area (9)

7 Young singer that may be nine in

indoor game? (6) 9 Government department’s

small and it’s real crazy! (11) 14 What sledgehammer doesn’t offer? One can be easily fooled (4,5) 15 Example of an insect c

hanging form (8) 17 Electrical units should make

sense – I’m confused (7) 18 Way to get exam success

over time (7)

19 Boss as one making earnest

appeal, but not quietly (6) 21 Music-maker’s message of

hostility to little woman? (5)