CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

6 Improvised funny poem outside curtains (14)

9 Open gallery in gaol designed

to house Joe (6)

10 A few men returned carrying

British hat (8)

11 Judge arranged a set time (8)

13 It’s left to children, say, to

crack clay potty (6)

15 Rubbish trick involving European fellow (6)

17 Unreliable guy ordered

goods (3,3)

19 Made runs — 20 followed by

500 (6)

20 Fleece essayist’s nearest and

dearest (8)

22 Collier welcomes first government bigwig (8)

24 Some hide chum married on

the rebound (6)

26 Atypical match beside a lake

bordering abbey (14)

DOWN

1 Re-enactment of event could

give tourist concern (14)

2 Small label’s not for ladies (4)

3 Graceful runner, one with a

limp sadly, turns up … (6)

4 … in this class in African country mother’s holding (8)

5 Bring up seat (4)

7 Unusual story about English

shellfish (6)

8 Nice lounge bars turned out

completely different (14)

12 Deduce nitric oxide has been

removed from big fire (5)

14 11 hotel clients waste time (5)

16 Settler’s sober about 4 (8)

18 Fellow cut across river for

equivalent of 10p once (6)

21 Loco-free capital (6)

23 Press club (4)

25 Snake’s digestive problem?

(4)