SOLUTION to Peter Chamberlain No. 894:

Across - 1 Commuter, 9 Equivoke, 10 News, 11 Sledgehammer, 13 Stud, 14 Handbarrow, 16 Fathead, 17 Varsity, 20 Lumberjack, 21 Afar, 22 Cat’s- whiskers, 25 Hard, 26 Taxpayer, 27 Olympiad. Down - 2 Operetta, 3 Missed the bus, 4 Take the air, 5 Reagent, 6 Push, 7 Zoom, 8 Wear away, 12 Marksmanship, 15 Blackberry, 16 Felicity, 18 Tia Maria, 19 Maestro, 23 Text, 24 Hiya.