thecrosswords

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Bella’s forming attachments (6) 4 Injured by swindle in Japanese currency (8) 9 Full of zeal for a new trend (6) 10 Arm on the leg (5,3) 12 Close tight (4) 13 Stays will alter a waist (5) 14 Make a recording of a band (4) 17 Not the first team to enter the fray (6,6) 20 Captain to die by order - on the guillotine? (12) 23 There’ll be questions asked if this programme is broadcast (4) 24 Prepared for prayer? (5) 25 I leave the chief cook in charge (4) 28 Tune carried aloft (8) 29 Private room taken by tourists (6) 30 Man involved in armed robbery enjoys the fun (8) 31 Craft project (6)

DOWN

1 Spare property? (8) 2 Not the best of times for a poor repair? (3,5) 3 A brief note expresses the policy (4) 5 Go into battle and win some ground (4,3,5) 6 Terrible ruler of vain disposition (4) 7 Remove a child going to sleep (6) 8 Ill feeling (6) 11 hey threaten us with blows (4,8) 15 Finger the back of a book (5) 16 Floral plate design (5) 18 Two short of a complete score (8) 19 How a bright idea comes to you? (2,1,5) 21 Crush in court? (6) 22 Part of an Elgar composition - in D Minor? (6) 26 Crop growth (4) 27 Ground rent deposit (4)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 On the land (6) 4 Deeply moving (8) 9 Be aggrieved by (6) 10 Resign from office (4,4) 12 Eminence (4) 13 Odd (5) 14 Be unsuccessful (4) 17 Get the better of tactically (12) 20 Remote place (4,2,6) 23 Parched (4) 24 For this reason (5) 25 Game played on horseback (4) 28 Sensational (8) 29 Humiliating failure (6) 30 Kudos based on achievements (8) 31 Causing horror (6)

DOWN

1 Without definite aim (2,6) 2 Pause in doubt (8) 3 Grade of advancement (4) 5 Superficially (2,3,7) 6 Stare open-mouthed (4) 7 Hooded waterproof jacket (6) 8 Confused state (6) 11 Incongruous (3,2,7) 15 Cold dish of vegetables (5) 16 Piece of work for barrister (5) 18 Statue of gigantic size (8) 19 Visionary speculation (8) 21 Short of money (4,2) 22 Closing scene (6) 26 Completely engrossed (4) 27 Habitually untruthful person (4)