CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Aries, when bleeped, ran wild (8)

7. In this way America produced its march composer (5)

8. Referee’s signal to stop US campaign tour (7)

9. Is annoyed to have lent Ted the change (7)

10. His high-and-mightiness, where writers are concerned (4)

12. Speechlessness is golden, they say (7)

14. One is relieved to be in his hands (7)

17. It returns within the perimeter, where the mud is deep (4)

18. A point ahead which will get a van in difficulties (7)

21. What enthusiast is offered to eat with a flourish (7)

22. It will bring forth the go-ahead in woman (5)

23. Energy the Engineers used in supplying foliage (8)

DOWN

1. What are eight doing? Arguing about how it’s pronounced! (6)

2. Masculine-sounding trousers in which the post is carried (8)

3. Performs in sections of the play (4)

4. Things that happen, like horse competitions (6)

5. An edict from the Pope during rising prices on the Exchange (4)

6. What canoeist needs is to walk through the water (6)

7. Once it’s established, the bill is paid in full (7)

11. Car used wrongly for a romantic undertaking (7)

13. Formally propose team in no other way (8)

14. It is concerned with the opinion a critic gives one (6)

15. A smoke for a midshipman to have in his coat (6)

16. Once halved, rely on changing sticks (6)

19. A gas one could mix with nitrogen (4)

20. At one time, cone was put out (4)