Times Cryptic #26854

2017-10-12

Solve on Times →

Across

1a

A boy is opening beer for tailor (11)

7a

Halfpenny collar? (3)

9a

Old Nick's auntie harnessing large ox (9)

10a

Catch girl close to rodeo (5)

11a

Star's in bed for a smoke (7)

12a

What baffles one listener, two of them keeping quiet (7)

13a

The Spanish besieging a grand old African capital (5)

15a

We EU solvers need to get organised (9)

flowerflowerflower
17a

Oscar-winning UK films distributed with 100 traditional tunes (4,5)

19a

Letter from Greek ambassador stops Times article (5)

flowerflowerflower
20a

Packed theatre rented middle of field (7)

22a

Issue eggs, round, very classy, after hours (7)

24a

Block some entertaining others (5)

flowerflowerflower
25a

Pineapple contains popular syrup (9)

27a

Reportedly fails to catch married lady's address (3)

28a

Running is not compulsory, taking in a long period (11)

Down

1d

Bar university cutting lead (3)

2d

Former law officer often seen with ruff? (5)

3d

No longer in use, my empty old menageries impressing king (7)

4d

Much travelled bird, one under 21 (9)

5d

Inspire revolutionary EU health indicator (5)

6d

Extend green ground outside city (7)

7d

Valets abused in French company? Such is life there (4,2,3)

8d

Familiar stars split tiller (11)

11d

Calcium, lithium, fluorine or nickel, I'm thinking, make up rare metal (11)

14d

Islands, quiet in the past, engaged in festivities (9)

16d

Eg Tommy presenting diamond to Norma perhaps (4,5)

18d

Top conductor West gets strong, up to no good (7)

19d

East End star meets mate in Paris, giving big wave (7)

21d

Bird heading off hound (5)

23d

Dress boxer with coat of green (5)

26d

Every so often reveal catch (3)