CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Was about to negotiate with soldiers, initially, but then withdraws (8) 5 Sharpens up some strong operations, in short (6)

10 While it’s right to mourn, one can also express alarm (4,5)

11 Volunteer to get away, with little hesitation (5)

12 Is about to turn up Latin characters who are quite dependent ... (7)

13 ... and, in the past, read about Latin characters to try to find out more (7)

14 Did the bottom group find a lower vein of ore? (8)

17 Is about to arrange a replay, on track (5) 19 In top form, tried to drop one who’s renowned (5)

21 Is about to redeem organisation able to rescue one (8)

24 It’s too much having to meet up in order to take charge (7)

25 Might an artist have to follow an outline when stuck in the daily grind? (3,4) 27 Wine produced in area of Brazil and Jamaica, or in Spain? (5)

28 Having arranged an instrument, is a little boy classified? (9)

29 At the end of the day, a staff officer, say, followed anyway (4,2)

30 Read, etc, about new wine bottle (8)

DOWN

1 With respect, go through the entire garden area (6)

2 It’s time to turn over to catch some fish (5) 3 Impress a raven, eg, to compose a work of art (7)

4 Notice a stain, thanks to a new tailor, initially (5)

6 A military force had little hesitation to take on a cavalryman (7)

7 Going the wrong way, taking force into 18 down (3,6) 8 Well up, working with second operators (8) 9 Had a distressed attitude, and was influenced by it (8)

15 First officer was most important, in the main (6,3)

16 Noticed very sour reaction by an assessor (8)

18 Was old flame, initially, in sequence? By all means (2,6)

20 Imposes a ban on girls at local premises (7) 22 At the start, it’s one new state in the EU (7) 23 A senior academic could be a book-worm (6)

25 Was a little rascal out of place in some fields? (5)

26 A small group can be of real value (5)