the crosswords
CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS
1 Of all the trees, only the ashes will be left after this (6,4) 6 Posh sort of business (4) 10 Going with some hesitation to tender (5) 11 Early leaf of nominal importance (5,4) 12 Keep making jam (8) 13 Decrease in newspapers (5) 15 They may be responsible for reports from the front (7) 17 Receives and deceives (5,2) 19 Mountain woman who was tempted to take things easy (7) 21 A fabulous horseman (7) 22 Come together in an emergency (5) 24 Take care if it changes - it’s a trick (8) 27 Cash a cheque and I get a note in exchange (9) 28 Vital statistical centre (5) 29 Season or sea son? (4) 30 Drama put right after direction from the author? (10)
DOWN
1 Infantry base (4) 2 Respect shown in a testimonial (9) 3 In the streets see alternative groups (5) 4 They’re bought and sold but not as presents (7) 5 Go back to the nunnery (7) 7 A swell in the avenue (5) 8 Requests put with an attempt at jocularity (10) 9 Is said to be ordered in advance (8) 14 Mere agents might make them (10) 16 Weather men caught in a flurry of sleet (8) 18 Looking for loose change sir? (9) 20 A number walk wearily around - it’s hard work (7) 21 It has its place in the canteen (7) 23 Kingsize is unusually large (5) 25 We infer a reduction in numbers (5) 26 Let it be one sort of square in another (4)
QUICK CLUES ACROSS
1 Unable to make headway (6,4) 6 Coarse file (4) 10 Anarchy (5) 11 Outgoing sociable person (9) 12 Revelatory (8) 13 Attack violently (3,2) 15 Left out (7) 17 Deputy (5-2) 19 Habitual doubter (7) 21 Endeavour (7) 22 Tremble (5) 24 Space between (8) 27 To free from blame (9) 28 Tolerate (5) 29 Be abundant (4) 30 Upside down (5-5)
DOWN
1 Help with financial support (4) 2 Informal source of information (9) 3 Frame supporting a painting (5) 4 Strongly resisting change (7) 5 Testimony (7) 7 Thoroughly proficient (5) 8 Terminate (3,2,3,2) 9 Continuous (8) 14 Following as result (10) 16 Ragged (8) 18 Outward bearing (9) 20 Northern US city (7) 21 Suitability (7) 23 In agreement (2,3) 25 Refute (5) 26 Approve (4)