Cryptic Crossword

ACROSS

2. Spread to take wing for such a pretty creature (9) 8. She must hold that bird (3) 9. The modern part of this lyric poetry (3) 10. Renewed confidence guaranteed again (9) 11. Notices some blemishes (5) 14. That brutal one with the hooked claw (5) 17. I’ll wager it’s that little Betty (3) 19. It’s such a neat-looking tree (6) 20. The editor was in a duel but got away cunningly (6) 21. Shows spirit in the beginning (3) 23. The dandies left out their failures (5) 26. A carpet always has some flower part showing (5) 29. Get rid of this one! (9) 30. To inhale it makes one practically gasp (3) 31. Your mother demands silence (3) 32. Do re-elect somehow this great conductor (9)

DOWN

1. Some even use such a planetary body to advantage (5) 2. Or rub it up the wrong way and it will become beastly (5) 3. To win they must include only mates (5) 4. Make certain you find the right answer (6) 5. Initially the tree is planted at the top of the street (5) 6. Why get left with 9. Across to sing like that? (5) 7. She gets on like the bird she’s become (5) 12. Is eyed like a classy one (5) 13. At the start, the trumpeter appears unbeatable (5) 15. This morning employ it to entertain them (5) 16. A final letter from Greece? (5) 17. Begin to begin to seek charity (3) 18. Often ends with a perfect score (3) 22. Most win and start dictating how to charge them (6) 23. How Smithy is able to make money? (5) 24. So, to a bee it looks overweight (5) 25. Despite mostly expressing ill will? (5) 26. It takes a pal to recognise a Greek as famous as he (5) 27. He met them and produced this motif (5) 28. It’s all about mother and that beast from Peru (5)

Solution in next month’s issue.