CRYPTIC CLUES

ACROSS

8 A quiet mother, perhaps, it’s plain to see (8) 9 Release the laces, no sole adjustment is required (6) 10 Regular leader leaves mammals being culled, and shows signs of achievement (6) 11 Mass killing fails to start this sound of merriment (8) 12 Musical sound from the church or deanery? (5) 13 Give conclusive evidence which may be taken from the Book of Proverbs (5) 14 A man with a part to play (5) 16 Have a really strong heart initially, which is severe (5) 18 Evaluate a students’ group in the USA (5) 20 …Normal USA group involved with the first two pieces of luck (5) 25 It’s weird, being unique (8) 26 LA long confused with a quantity of drink (6) 27 Follows and pesters horticultural supporters (6) 28 Colouring gap in tin structure (8)

DOWN

1 Sh! Pal’s about to create some movement in the sea! (6) 2 Change of anorak. Go with a jumper? Not in this part of the world! (8) 3 Feta’s produced for the banquet (5) 4 Lay it out in another part of the world (5) 5 It’s reportedly permitted to be the opposite of sotto voce (5) 6 Take the trouble to rob the members (6) 7 Gets to serve ice recipe? (8) 15 Streams of poor dogs securing tenant’s money (8) 17 Downright curiously bales out (8) 19 Spitting image gets a large drink (6) 21 Sum for a horse, collectively (6) 22 Front is really seen thus initially, or initial! (5) 23 Covers up with regular and permanent strong opening pieces (5) 24 A profit. Not for the first time! (5)