CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

3 Playfellow? (9) 8 & 23 Dn Where you’ll find the times are changing? (4-4) 9 Dominating - like a school replete with teachers? (9) 10 This may hold the wine for a tradesman, we hear (6) 11 He is involved in a dubious act (5) 14 There will be a time-lag if this is too slow (5) 15 Record part of the scale (4) 16 Part of the score a choir manage to achieve (5) 18 A curse the witness may be under (4) 20 Superfluous letter disclosed to the public (5) 21 Ground with unlimited space all round (5) 24 Natural tendency to make a great effort (6) 25 Exactly locates the golfer’s target with compass directions! (3-6) 26 Look over southern vessel (4) 27 Bringing about a lowering of French classification (9)

DOWN

1 Cane out! I’d change what goes on in school! (9) 2 Deadlock produced by a companion out of condition (9) 4 Bring up right close to a sound receiver (4) 5 This will provide a light competitive encounter (5) 6 Painting in brown material is checked (6) 7 The ego is trodden underfoot, we hear (4) 9 A key for the army officer (5) 11 Violent impact producing commercial failure (5) 12 Patience that gives a certain range of latitude (9) 13 This clue is appropriate to the subject (9) 17 They entertain the crowds (5) 19 Basket to prove an obstacle to progress (6) 22 Made an effort, but produced an irritating effect (5) 23 See 8 Across 24 Weapon used in the closest engagements (4)

Friday’s solutions:

Across: 1 Fact. 3 Lavender. 8 Airs. 9 Contempt. 11 Reinvestment. 13 Cheers. 14 Clothe. 17 Treating with. 20 Couriers. 21 Spar. 22 Dredging. 23 Arid. Down: 1 Flat-race. 2 Carmine. 4 Arouse. 5 Entomology. 6 Demon. 7 Rate. 10 Overlaying. 12 Tethered. 15 Tripper. 16 Citron. 18 Route. 19 Aced.