The BIG crossword

ACROSS

8 Went on to add “with grass all round” (7)

9 Small, for a barman (4-5) 13 Opposed to docking the tail, one says (5)

14 Said they bring electricity into the city (5)

15 Great if you have the wherewithal (7)

16 Stretch out his tongue (7) 17 You’ll get no flannel from him! (5) 18 Attacked for returning the money (5)

20 Catching a few fish would be the answer (5)

22 Either terribly neat or highly decorated (6)

23 Shuts up and gets on (6) 25 Local fury at the numerous firings (7)

27 Has a quietening effect, which puzzles one (7)

30 Demolish in a fight (4-2) 31 Flowers that may be intended for the hair (6)

32 Name of one of those corgis the Queen has? (5)

35 Losing no time, pop back in to free (5)

36 Otherwise it will get angry and fed up (5)

37 Increases when the pet cat is about to be returned (5,2)

39 Not the little girl in the furniture shop (7)

41 They think one is the carer (5) 42 Impale, on the point, the fruit (5) 43 About the electricity – it’s happening repeatedly (9)

44 He’s the first one to get on and take a look around (7)

DOWN

1 Kinds of information it takes time to get (6)

2 Are better than the other polishes? (8)

3 Failed when one found the floor wouldn’t support one? (4,7) 4 After creating a stir, moves in for good (5-4)

5 It identifies the persevering and industrious individual (7)

6 It’s wonderful to get away with cheating (7,3)

7 Had quit the side (4)

10 Goes further than mere overtures (6)

11 Figure out “32 Down” is from the country (7)

12 Catches and holds tightly (6) 19 Pester people in the run-up (7) 21 Prepares the way when one takes the star to have a drink (5,2) 24 Engenders excitement that doesn’t leave unmoved (6,1,4) 26 Ringing approximately at (5,5) 28 Some meant to work outside the home (9)

29 In pain, somehow did provide the extra writing (7)

30 Splits and there are peals of laughter (6)

32 Nice new pants the ale carried splashes (8)

33 Complain to the authorities about the noise (6) 34 Supporters who have plenty of stamina (7)

38 Cooked on low or high (6) 40 Was the first one to go in for the ballad type of song (4)