WEEKEND CROSSWORD

Dear Reader,

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic we are suspending competition entries for all our prize crosswords.

Puzzles will continue to appear as normal but no entries will be accepted or prizes given.

We hope to return to normal as soon as possible.

The solution to this week’s cryptic crossword will appear next Saturday as usual. Stay safe!

Joy Yates, Editorial Director

ACROSS 1 Be selective in more ways than one ( 4,3,6)

10 Base metal first is shining ( 5)

11 Man at church service endlessly in mid- November ( 9)

12 Last round but one but not at Silverstone ( 9)

13 Strong laird included part of egg ( 5)

14 Match item of furniture ( 7)

16 Artist’s depiction of upholder of dictatorship ( 7)

18 Cleo manoeuvred one in island race, a flier ( 4,3)

20 Language of love ( 7)

21 Pasta recipe for starters ( 5)

23 Dismissed soldier moving to rodeo farm ( 9)

25 None won so outrageously without help ( 2,4,3)

26 Signal, possible epidemic contained ( 5)

27 Pick of one’s Quaker pals? ( 4,2,7)

DOWN 2 I knock religion ( 5)

3 Bird finds produce of the earth with furry skin ( 4,5)

4 One arranged to include pit representative ( 7)

5 Metal headband round leader of tribe ( 7)

6 Due to have nothing on the side ( 5)

7 Amounts I’m revising, it’s the result of adding up ( 9)

8 Stain official reproducing forgery ( 13)

9 Coppers stride out having team spirit ( 6,2,5)

15 Musical instrument going under the hammer ( 9)

17 Amid confusion, baler turned out to be wonderful ( 9)

19 Change direction at junction ( 7)

20 One should clarify the matter ( 7)

22 As white as a piece of paper ( 5)

24 Leading, and by how much perhaps ( 5)