the crosswords

CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS 1 Defence provided by a regimental mascot? (7) 5 A letter written in a dismal phase (5) 8 He may dig graves; also get a choir arranged (13) 9 Direction from the governor that must be obeyed (5) 10 Properties on the US Atlantic seaboard (7) 11 A division of the church (6) 12 Put on gear that’s strangely colourful (6) 15 Significant work at the bank (7) 17 Turnover in coats (5) 19 Finished announcement shows exaggeration (13) 20 One of five is unaccountable (5) 21 After the start of the trial, argue the

cause of crime (7) DOWN 1 Open grassland (5) 2 They have the best times of anyone (6-7) 3 Fitness training starts pains but bears fruit (7) 4 A scoop for the gardening correspondent? (6) 5 A contest in speaking roughly (5) 6 It takes all types, producing newspapers (8,5) 7 A performer rates it differently (7) 11 Starts displays (4,3) 13 Free of duty (7) 14 Horrified - has the wrong tag showing outside (6) 16 The edition in use is inaccurate (5) 18 Reveal the style of the French (3,2)

QUICK CLUES

ACROSS 1 Tropical cyclone (7) 5 Northwest US state (5) 8 Peppermint-flavoured liqueur (5,2,6) 9 A troublesome thing (5) 10 Literature (7) 11 Cheerful (6) 12 Elegant and refined in manners (6) 15 Ignorant (7) 17 Austere (5) 19 Depart from accepted conduct (4,3,2,4) 20 To store for future use (3,2) 21 Higher education institution (7) DOWN 1 Unspoken (5) 2 Headlong (13) 3 Partly coincide (7) 4 Obelisk (6) 5 Maladroit (5) 6 Nevertheless (2,3,4,4) 7 Superintend (7) 11 Advise (7) 13 Soothing (7) 14 Feverish (6) 16 Nut from the oak (5) 18 Female relative (5)