Cryptic crossword

ACROSS 1. Lofty involved in plaything, completely (7)

4. Gossip with Alice’s fourth giver of tea-party (7)

8. Round of duty or return made with no end of tax (4) 9. Coupling with screw-threads and nurl bucket is made from (10)

11. A road that provides a place to meet for sport (6)

12. How to creep round net backwards, being made to hide reality (8)

14. Lacking interest in tip, a cheat might turn to it (9)

15. Lab dish of minced tripe (5)

17. According to the key, Los Angeles is not backward (5)

18. The decking of a modern New Theatre transposition (9) 19. Purr best when upset — it agitates one so (8)

21. Column with box for reception of letters (6)

23. Making one suffer to belong, crib being broken (10)

24. Such drill is directed at devotional exercises (4)

25. Leasehold arrangement can yet be broken around the North (7)

26. Evil omen that is strongly influential and about right (7) DOWN 1. She bullies Hilary, a nag turning to torture first (9)

2. Accustomed from birth, Ron, both men aren’t switched (2,3,6,4)

3. It’s not my year to swap Open University each half (4)

4. One engaged to execute work will grow less, or finish it - (10) 5. Mature person had ultimatum to reveal (5)

6. Going for it – off the deep end? (6,3,6)

7. Ruff’s mate is concerned with woman (5)

10. Dry measure turns blue to show half in the middle (6)

13. Duke leaves something traditionally consumed at Wimbledon (10)

15. Learned man I’d overturned in craft he was poling (6)

16. In time at school, ten change for committal ceremony (9) 19. Embroidered knot to pick endlessly apart (5)

20. Top of pagri removed around town (5)

22. Snack to take a picture of (4)