Thursday, March 16, 2016

Daily Nation Complex Crossword Of Thursday, March 16, 2016
By Edwin Korir. Eldoret, Kenya.

Across Clues

1a For reflection, left a minute in pilgrimage at mausoleum (3,5)
TAJ MAHAL – there’s some fiddly wordplay here. Start with L(eft) and A (from the clue) then insert M(inute) into one of the spellings of the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. Append AT (from the clue) and, finally, reverse the lot (for reflection).

6a River featuring during deputy’s leave (6)
DECAMP – the name of a river in East Anglia gets inserted into an abbreviation for deputy.

9a Night light is unfinished, causing chaos (6)
BEDLAM – start with a night light (3,4) and drop the last letter. The usual term for the light has ‘side’ in it and Chambers doesn’t list the shortened form required here.

10a One offering ‘A stew, sir?’, taking order (8)
WAITRESS – an anagram (taking order) of A STEW SIR. This sketch always cracks me up:

11a Marciano cooked food from the old country? (8)
MACARONI – an anagram (cooked) of MARCIANO. Rocky Marciano, undefeated as the world heavyweight boxing champion in the 1950s, was a US citizen born to Italian immigrants.

12a Greek man really discontented in practice? The opposite (6)
THEORY – a Greek male forename is followed by the dis-contented form of R[eall]Y.

13a Voices rant on possibly in this (12)
CONVERSATION – an anagram (possibly) of VOICES RANT ON.

16a In the style of a gnome? (12)
PROVERBIALLY – a cryptic definition where the setter wants to mislead us into thinking that a gnome is a small creature, whereas its meaning here is a maxim or pithy saying.

19a Actor    not fully developed (6)
CALLOW – double definition, the second an adjective meaning immature or inexperienced.

21a Current measure with hard Latin put in favoured treatise (8)
PAMPHLET – insert the abbreviation for a measure of electric current together with the abbreviations for hard and Latin into an adjective meaning favoured or cherished.

23a Transported con’s last in jail but being reformed (8)
JUBILANT – insert the last letter of [co]N into an anagram (being reformed) of JAIL BUT.

24a Pass by Italian ladies missing sun (6)
IGNORE – drop the abbreviation for sun from the plural form of the Italian word for lady.

25a Come to rest in seat with high back (6)
SETTLE – double definition, the first a verb to come to rest or plonk oneself down.

26a Broadcaster with kind of entertainment opening that’s over one’s head (8)
SKYLIGHT – charade of a satellite broadcaster and a type of entertainment requiring little mental effort to enjoy.

Down Clues

2d In regions, start to need stadia (6)
ARENAS – another word for regions with the starting letter of N[eed] inserted in it.

3d Island state engaged in formal talks (5)
MALTA – hidden (engaged) in the clue.

4d One presumably not having to deal with letter? (9)
HOMEOWNER – cryptic definition of someone who doesn’t have to pay rent to a landlord.

5d Crime world‘s wise old bird placed in criminal file (3,4)
LOW LIFE – place the name of the old bird that symbolises wisdom into an anagram (criminal) of FILE.

A wise old owl lived in an oak,
The more he saw, the less he spoke
The less he spoke, the more he heard,
Now, wasn’t he a wise old bird?

6d Meaning of piled-up snow (5)
DRIFT – double definition, the first a meaning or general intention.

7d Trade in a chippy? (9)
CARPENTRY – chippy is a slang term for a specific type of tradesman so the answer is his or her trade. We’re obviously meant to think of chippy as a chip shop but the clue doesn’t really cut the mustard for me – ‘trade of a chippy’ fine, but how does ‘trade in a chippy’ work?

8d Breakfast ingredient    to expand enormously (8)
MUSHROOM – double definition, the second a verb to expand quickly or snowball.

13d Polite composer broadcast — it’s for royalty’s benefit? (5,4)
CIVIL LIST – this is the annual sum of money provided by the taxpayer to keep our head of state in the style to which she’s become accustomed. An adjective meaning polite or courteous is followed by what sounds like (broadcast) a Hungarian composer.

14d Only fool wearing surprised expression — or glumness (9)
SOLEMNITY – start with an adjective meaning only or solitary then insert a fool or ninny into an expression of surprise.

15d Prize  honey (8)
TREASURE – double definition, the second a term of endearment.

17d Momentum one found with working of temp (American) (7)
IMPETUS – string together the Roman numeral for one, an anagram (working) of TEMP and a two-letter abbreviation for American.

18d Explore curved building in Kent? (6)
SEARCH – split the answer 2,4 and it could be a curved building or structure in the region of the UK where Kent is to be found.

20d Make material depiction of European in part of sea (5)
WEAVE – insert the abbreviation for European into what you may see on the surface of the sea.

22d Language in church in dispute (5)
HINDI – as often happens the final down clue features a hidden word.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Daily Nation Complex Crossword Of Wednesday, March 2, 2016.
By Edwin Korir. Eldoret, Kenya.

Across

1a    Course created by a man from St Andrews? (5)
ASCOT: We begin with a nice simple charade (or Lego clue if you prefer): just the A from the clue and then someone hailing from the part of the world where St Andrew lies.  The result is a racecourse oft seen in crosswords

4a    One’s time of arrival (8)
BIRTHDAY: The time of year – the exact date, in fact – when one arrived in the world

8a     Burly Pat reformed in a very sudden way (8)
ABRUPTLY: Our first anagram of the day is of BURLY PAT, indicated in the clue by reformed

9a    Team members’ weapons (8)
SIDEARMS: Another word for team or squad then some members, in this case limbs

11a    Soft-hearted moneylender who enters office uninvited (7)
USURPER: A niftily indicated insertion of P (soft-hearted) into a moneylender who would probably be charging excessive rates of 10d

13a     Need month off, as recovering (2,3,4)
ON THE MEND:  An anagram (off) of NEED MONTH.  Fun though it was, I hope the revellers at Saturday’s celebration don’t need anywhere near this long to recover!

15a    Fishmonger who has a monopoly? (4,11)
SOLE DISTRIBUTOR: Read one way, the answer means someone who deals with one particular type of fish; read another (s)he is the only fishmonger around.  The first word went straight in but I needed a couple of checkers for the second

18a     Ships  in which sherry may be served (9)
SCHOONERS: A pair of definitions that are often seen next to each other in crossword clues.  A sailing ship and a large sherry glass

21a     Marks exercises during exam, causing uproar (7)
TEMPEST: Inside (during) an exam, insert the abbreviations for (Deutsche) Marks and some school exercises (not the type requiring an exercise book)

22a    Courteous and kind?  Goodness me! (8)
GRACIOUS: Another brace of definitions, the first having a royal flavour.  The second one could loan its me to the answer without any meanings changing

24a    Boring task for the affluent (4-2-2)
WELL-TO-DO: The (de-hyphenated) answer could describe the situation if one had to bore a shaft for the purposes of obtaining water

25a     A translation that creates antipathy (8)
AVERSION: The A from the clue and (a) translation or edition

26a    Grounds which are worth seeing, one hears (5)
SITES: Another common homophone – a word which sounds like (one hears) nice views or tourist attractions

Down

1d    Secretary uses name Susan, I fancy (10)
AMANUENSIS: A literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts.  Constructed by taking the letters in NAME SUSAN I and rearranging them (fancy).  A new word for me

2d    Musical  baggage carrier (8)
CAROUSEL: This is a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, from which comes You’ll Never Walk Alone.  It’s also something travellers spend ages watching in the hope that at some time their luggage will appear safe and sound and not turn out to have been send to Tibet.  (Unless they’re in Tibet)

3d    Maximum rate for a spinner? (3,5)
TOP SPEED: This means the maximum velocity for anything, but could possibly indicate the rate of revolution of a spinning children’s toy

4d    Equine animals making canine sounds (4)
BAYS: Reddish-brown or chestnut horses with black points.  Barks or howls

5d    Take things the wrong way? (6)
THIEVE: The wrong way here means immorally and so the answer is a word meaning pilfer

6d    Educational measure? (6)
DEGREE: An academic rank conferred by a college or university.  Or a measure – for example, of temperature or angle

7d    Boys may turn into aggressive teenagers (4)
YOBS: It’s an anagram, indicated by may turn into

10d    Return from the capital (8)
INTEREST: Monetary return on an investment

12d    Philosopher offers wine and gold when entertaining us (8)
ROUSSEAU: The philosopher is Jean-Jacques, French writer, composer and political theorist of the Enlightenment.  He is formed of a colour of wine into which is inserted (entertaining) the final word of the clue, all followed by the chemical symbol for gold.  Readers of the comments section may recall that Hanni recently experimented with making this type of wine using an unorthodox but apparently valid method.  The verdict: “awful”

14d    Misrepresented in edicts or orders (10)
DIRECTIONS: I had a momentary brain-fail here trying to work out how on earth the answer could mean misrepresented.  That is of course actually the anagram indicator, and the definition is underlined.  The rest of the clue gives the letters you need

16d    Business leader takes a walk to see source of blackberries (8)
BRAMBLES: Take the first letter (leader) of Business and then add a verb meaning walks for pleasure

17d    Become established down under? (4,4)
TAKE ROOT: Nothing to do with our antipodean friends – we are only penetrating a little way down here.  The cryptic part of the clue refers to the underground part of a plant which keeps it embedded

19d    It gives one who is stiff a ride (6)
HEARSE: A particularly pleasing surface for those with a certain kind of mind, but with the chestnut flavour meaning of stiff, the answer is something of an anticlimax.  This poor stiff is being transported to his or her final resting place

20d    Experts know them to be edible bulbs (6)
ONIONS: Those who are skilled or knowledgeable are said to know their these  They are edible bulbs, delicious in a multitude of preparations

22d    Miss going to a festival (4)
GALA: A lass and then the A from the clue

23d    Singer who is said never to give an encore (4)
SWAN: If the word song is affixed to the end of the answer there will be no further performance – not today, nor ever.  That term comes from a classical legend that this creature sings at death

Thursday, February 25 2016

Daily Nation Complex Crossword Of Thursady, February 25, 2016.
By Edwin Korir. Eldoret, Kenya.


Across Clues
7a Master criminal amusing friend endlessly, in the morning back inside (2,6)
FU MANCHU – string together an adjective meaning amusing and a friend without the final letter. Finally insert the abbreviation for ‘in the morning’ reversed and you’ve constructed a fictional Oriental criminal genius.

9a Boast about a century in Polish city (6)
CRACOW – a verb to boast or brag contains A (from the clue) and the abbreviation for century.

10a When one chooses a woven cloth (2,4)
AT WILL – A (from the clue) and a woven fabric.
11a Put one in mind of watch left Eisenhower (4,4)
LOOK LIKE – a verb to watch is followed by the abbreviation for left and the nickname of President Eisenhower.
12a Expecting interfering parents and their children to intervene (2,3,6,3)
IN THE FAMILY WAY – a phrase (2,3,3) meaning interfering or impeding one’s progress has a word for parents and their children as a unit inserted (to intervene).
15a Expression of incredulity seen originally in a poem (2,2)
AS IF – the first letter of seen goes inside A (from the clue) and the title of a famous Kipling poem.
17a Bird, headless chicken (5)
RAVEN – remove the first letter (headless) from an adjective meaning chicken or cowardly.
19a Fall in ditch (4)
DROP – double definition, the second a verb to ditch or dump.
20a Sponge made by winning team, unhappy with loaf (6-4,4)
UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE – string together an adverb meaning winning or ahead, a sporting team, an adjective meaning unhappy or depressed and a small loaf.

23a T.S. Eliot wrong about leading edge of table knife (8)
STILETTO – an anagram (wrong) of T S ELIOT containing the first letter (leading edge) of table.
25a Number collecting wood for burning (2,4)
ON FIRE – a small number contains wood from a coniferous tree.
27a Forms an opinion on    book (6)
JUDGES – double definition, the second being the name of an Old Testament book.
28a Musical item making racket — surefire winner, opening in Oliver! (8)
CONCERTO – knit together a slang term for a racket or swindle, an informal word for a sure-fire winner and the opening letter of Oliver! Strictly speaking it should be the wordplay that makes the definition, not the other way round.
Down Clues
1d Only son entering project (4)
JUST – the abbreviation for son goes inside a verb to project or stick out.
2d Drive away one’s husband following disqualification (6)
BANISH – the Roman numeral for one, the ‘S and the abbreviation for husband all follow a disqualification (from driving, for example).
3d Lower   middle (4)
BULL – double definition, the first a creature that lows and the second the round bit at the centre of a target.

4d Hard in small unfriendly place of learning (6)
SCHOOL – insert the abbreviation for hard (a category of pencil) into S(mall) and an adjective meaning unfriendly or frosty.
5d Dedicated hospital given permission (8)
HALLOWED – the abbreviation for hospital is followed by a past participle meaning given permission.
6d Sweated labour in New York — OK, possibly, if supporting daughter (6-4)
DONKEY-WORK – an anagram (possibly) of NEW YORK OK follows (supporting, in a down clue) the abbreviation for daughter.
8d Pick up telephone of rising Republican (4,3)
CALL FOR – start with a verb to telephone or ring, add the reversal (rising) of OF and finish with the abbreviation for Republican.
13d Flower in autumn? It’s out around end of November (10)
NASTURTIUM – an anagram (out) of AUTUMN IT’S contains the last letter of November.
14d Proposed relocation day (5)
MOVED – a relocation or transfer is followed by the abbreviation for day.
16d Strong wind getting up breaks safety device in part of plane (8)
FUSELAGE – a strong wind (rating 8 on the Beaufort Scale) is reversed (getting up) and inserted (breaks) into an electrical safety device.
18d Its effect in the sky gets no women excited? (3,4)
NEW MOON – this is an anagram (excited) of NO WOMEN. There is a theory (which isn’t supported by much scientific opinion and is probably bunkum) that women get friskier during the opposite phase to the answer so that could mean that they don’t get very excited in this phase. The question mark is certainly needed here.
21d Hate extremely delicate examination (6)
DETEST – the outer (extremely) letters of delicate are followed by an examination.
22d Connoisseur’s top bid for chest (6)
COFFER – the first (top) letter of connoisseur is followed by a bid or tender.
24d Individual touring clubs long ago (4)
ONCE – an individual goes round the abbreviation for clubs in card games.
26d Admire Riviera terraced houses (4)
RATE – the clue contains (houses) a lurker.

Friday, February 19 2016

Daily Nation Complex Crossword Of Friday, February 19, 2016.
By Edwin Korir. Eldoret, Kenya.

Across

1a     Congestion around street suffering high winds (3,6)
JET STREAM : A word meaning congestion, often applied to vehicles on the M25, surrounds an anagram (suffering) of STREET.

6a     Sweetener for guards ordered to ignore source of danger (5)
SUGAR : An anagram (ordered) of GUARdS loses the first letter of danger.

9a     Hint about European Union link (3,2)
TIE UP : A synonym for a hint (it appears on the heading for this puzzle) contains the abbreviation for European Union.

10a     Line adopted by new literary big guns (9)
ARTILLERY : An anagram (new) of LITERARY contains an extra L supplied by the abbreviation for line.

11a     Console jury, following prisoner and short internet abuser (7,5)
CONTROL PANEL : A word that describes a jury comes after a three letter prisoner and a word for an internet abuser that loses its last letter.

14a     Caprice married in one beat (7)
IMPULSE : The Roman numeral one, then the abbreviation for married and a beat, possibly given by the heart.

16a     Terrible mistake to have shot a student (3,4)
OWN GOAL : A word meaning to have or possess, then a word for a shot or a turn, A from the clue and a learner.

17a     Overturn marks in game played with matches (3)
NIM : Marks is the old German currency. We need the abbreviation for this, then IN from the clue and reverse it all.

18a     Return to take part in free lectures (2-5)
RE-ELECT : Return as you might do to your MP. The answer is hiding in the clue.

20a     Reveals attitudes struck by English Times (7)
EXPOSES : ‘Attitudes’ as an artist’s model might show, comes after the abbreviation for English and the mathematical symbol for multiplying.

22a     Compensation provided for variable costs in a Fiat (12)
SATISFACTION : An anagram (variable) of COSTS IN A FIAT.

26a     Rule established by limited company? (9)
OLIGARCHY : A cryptic definition of a government by a small exclusive class.

27a     Order forecast, ignoring PR (5)
EDICT : A word meaning to forecast has PR removed from its beginning.

28a     Try escorts, losing heart maybe (5)
ESSAY : The first and last letters (losing heart) of escorts and then a word meaning maybe, or for example.

29a     Row in estate perhaps about good fast food available here? (6-3)
DINING-CAR : A word for a row or loud noise, then IN from the clue, the abbreviation for good and what an estate could be an example of.

Down

1d     Project on energy in fibre (4)
JUTE : Project here is a verb and is followed by E(nergy).

2d     Part of golf course millions swarm around (4)
TEEM : The part of golf course where the action starts and the abbreviation for millions.

3d     Earth summit’s social oddly ignored (7)
TOPSOIL : A word for summit then the S from the clue and alternate letters of social.

4d     Precise demand (5)
EXACT : A double definition, the second meaning as used in the Milton quote ‘ Doth God ***** day-labour light deny’d’.

5d     Bad omen, supporting underground timekeeper (9)
METRONOME : An anagram (bad) of OMEN follows what the underground railway is called in some parts of the world.

6d     Seasonal depression somewhere in desert? (4,3)
SALT PAN : A cryptic description of an area sometimes found in deserts. Seasonal here refers to our most common food seasoning.

7d     Ecofriendly sign, to be building for growth (10)
GREENHOUSE : A colour that means ecofriendly and another word that is used to describe a sign of the zodiac.

8d     Hand making blue blood turn red? (5,5)
ROYAL FLUSH : An adjective describing somebody purportedly having blue blood, and a word meaning to take on a rosy complexion.

12d     Very little opportunity for viewer? (10)
MICROSCOPE : A word meaning very little or extremely small is followed by one meaning an opportunity.

13d     Redesigned part in apse belongs (10)
APPERTAINS : An anagram (redesigned) of PART IN APSE.

15d      Sent daughter to pursue opening (9)
ENTRANCED : An opening, or a doorway perhaps, is followed by an abbreviation for daughter.

19d     Price reduced by nothing in simple drug (7)
ECSTASY : A word meaning price is ‘reduced by nothing’ by having its O removed and appears inside a word meaning simple.

21d     Radio programme that’s mostly fraudulent — and popular (5-2)
PHONE-IN : A word meaning fraudulent or false loses its last letter then the two letter word for popular. We enjoyed the accurate description given by the surface reading.

23d     Hear working is an attempt to deceive (3-2)
TRY-ON : Hear as a magistrate might do, and a short word for working.

24d     Something of jazz included in metal? (4)
ZINC : It’s hiding in the clue.

25d     Wake up in cooler (4)
STIR : A double definition. The cooler here could be a pen, a can, porridge etc, etc.

Tuesday, May 11 2010

Daily Nation Complex Crossword Of Tuesday, May 11, 2010.Solution 23.
By Edwin Korir. Eldoret, Kenya.

An entertaining puzzle.

Across

1a Try a dip for recreation in short outing (3,4) DAY TRIP
An anagram (re-creation) of TRY A DIP.

5a Short hem catching a bit of yarn – like an old garment? (7) FRAYING
A charade of a hem is a FRING(E-short) and (catching) A and the first letter (bit) of Yarn defines like an old garment.

9a City with little change in cost – it’s naturally seen as steep? (9) PRECIPICE
Counstucted from EC (area of the City of London) and IP (1p, little change) inside PRICE (cost).

10a Recall an extended period in stadium (5) ARENA
A reversal (recall) of AN and ERA (extended period).

11a Son not working making move furtively (5) SIDLE}
A charade of S(on) and IDLE(not working) to define move furtively.

12a First sign of damaging rust most suffered – a natural hazard? (4,5) DUST STORM
A charade of D(first sign of Damaging) and an anagram (suffered) of RUST MOST to define a natural hazard.

13a Belittle tatty carpet kept by woman (9) DEPRECATE
Another charade of an anagram (tatty) of CARPERT inside DE(woman) defines belittle.

16a Wag, one appearing in pack? (5) JOKER
A cryptic definition of a playing card.

17a Shout around start of rowdy punch-up (5) BRAWL
Counstructed from BAWL(shout) around R(start of Rowdy).

18a Calm stay disrupted around college? A disaster (9) CATACLYSM
An anagram (disrupted) of CALM STAY around C(ollege).

20a Variety of Romans in a small republic (3,6) SAN MARINO
An anagram (variety) of ROMANS IN A.

23a Silent actor not performing with second poet (5) KEATS
????

25a Do recipe in instant (5) TRICK
A real cryptic crossword clue. The defenition is DO and is obtained from R(ecipe) inside TICK(instant).

26a Set up society for research (9) INSTITUTE
A double definition.

27a Tender gift (7) PRESENT
Another double definition.

28a Flats could be part of this in a house? (7) SCENERY
A cryptic clue.

Down.

1d Deputy does wrong and is removed from office (7) DEPOSED
A charade of DEP(uty) and an anagram (wrong) of DOES.

2d Concede return of financial investment (5) YIELD
A double definition.

3d Spell I hear sadly having relinquished power to cause agitation (5,4) RAISE HELL
An anagram (sadly) of S(p)ELL I HEAR (with the P, i.e. power, removed) produces a phrase meaning make a lot of trouble (cause agitation).

4d By the sound of it, group containing cubs maybe was nosy (5) PRIED
A homophone(by the sound of) of PRIDE(group of of lions).

5d There’s fee possibly for this newspaper? No! (9) FREESHEET
An anagram (possibly) of THERE’S FEE produces a newspaper that’s given away.

6d Collect a master and principals among school staff (5) AMASS
A charade of A, MA(master of arts) and SS(principals of School Staff).

7d Key choice when playing sport (3,6) ICE HOCKEY
An anagram (playing) of KEY CHOICE.

8d Small measure to spoil a student’s textbook? (7) GRAMMAR
A charade of GRAM(small measure) and MAR(spoil).

14d Clear connection shown around verse that’s mournful (9) PLAINTIVE
Another charade of PLAIN(clear), TIE(connection) with V(erse) inside (around).

15d This vicar upset keeper of records (9) ARCHIVIST
An anagram (upset) of THIS VICAR.

16d Raise offensive weapon and cause mayhem on road? (9) JACKKNIFE
A charade of JACK(raise) and KNIFE(offensive weapon -sometimes).

17d Sot pub’s treated roughly getting place by kerbside? (3,4) BUS STOP
An anagram (treated roughly) of SOT PUB’S.

19d Month without a set larking on railway? It can’t be explained (7) MYSTERY
A charade of M(a)Y -without A-, an anagram(larking) of set and RY(railway).

21d Section in bank leasing joint (5) ANKLE
A hidden answer(section) in bANK LEasing.

22d Feature in dry region unchanged after start of October (5) OASIS
A charade of AS IS (unchanged) after O (start of October)

24d Entertain a figure offering inspiration? (5) AMUSE
A cryptic clue.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Daily Nation Complex Crossword Of Monday, May 10, 2010.Solution 22.
By Edwin Korir. Eldoret, Kenya.

A puzzle full of Easter words.

An example of jokers in 13a.

Across.

1a Claims keen cook made traditional Easter fare (6,4) SIMNEL CAKE

An anagram (cook) of CLAIMS KEEN produces a cake eaten on Easter.

6a Knock back some gin (4) TRAP

A reversal of PRAT to define gin.

10a Bert and Jack seen in church (5) ALTAR

A charade of AL(bert) and TAR(sailor)

11a Sort of roll, A-E, etc? (9) ELECTORAL

A well hidden anagram (sort) of ROLL, AE and ETC.

13a Jokers perhaps, conveying Easter greetings (5) CARDS

double definition

15a Gets off with a slight upset (7) ALIGHTS

An anagram (upset) of A SLIGHT.

17a Notice dad in study, poker-faced (7) DEADPAN

A charade of AD(notice), PA(dad) in DEN(study) defines poker-faced.

19a Got legs broken? Wooden pins provided! (7) TOGGLES

An anagram (broken) of GOT LEGS.

21a They become high when there’s more than one (4-3) DEEP-SEA

&lit clue.

22a Puzzle concerning public transport (5) REBUS

A charade of RE(concerning) and BUS(public transport).

24a Sounding completely muted, this period is actually very sacred (4,4) HOLY WEEK

A homophone of WHOLLY(completely) and WEAK(muted).

27a Revolutionary development in naval firepower (3,6) GUN TURRET

A cryptic definition.

28a Singers of low songs (5) BASSI

Another cryptic clue.

29a Classic flower clings to the ear (4) STYX

A homophone of STICKS defines a river(flower)

30a Virtuous servant observed in 24 across (4,6) GOOD FRIDAY

A complex charade of GOOD(virtious)and FRIDAY(robinson crusoe's servant).

Down

1d Hands up for those wanting change (4) SWAP

A reversal (up) of PAWS(hands).

2d Young producer with gin cocktail describes a mid-Lent Sunday (9) MOTHERING

Another complex charade of MOTHER(young producer-this cryptic crossword setters are completely mad) and an anagram(cocktail) of GIN.

3d Regretted caging a bird (5) EGRET

A bird is hidden (caging) in the clue.

4d Sticks together or splits apart (7) CLEAVES

A double definition. This verb can means both sticks together and the complete opposite.

5d Got down to making a proposal? (7) KNEELED

A cryptic definetion.

7d The right are right less often (5) RARER

A funny charade of R(right) ARE and R(right).

8d Paul’s and my arrangement for start of 24 across (4,6) PALM SUNDAY

An anagram (arrangement) of PAUL’S AND MY gives the first day of 24a.

9d Stakes raised for the defence (8 ) STOCKADE

Cryptic definition.

14d Possibly segregates articles that may be present in April (6,4) EASTER EGGS

An anagram (possibly) of SEGREGATES.

16d Continues to resist offers (5,3) HOLDS OUT

A double definition.

18d Mad, being had (9) POSSESSED

Another double definition, with had meaning owned.

20d Half the school get zero, unusual for music (7) SCHERZO

A charade of SCH(half the school) and an anagram(unusual) of ZERO defines sort of music.

21d Weakened the spirit, perhaps (7) DILUTED

Cryptic definition.

23d Sort of girl to take to the hop at Easter? (5) BUNNY

Another cryptic clue?

25d He wrote music for the Internet with hesitation (5) WEBER

A charade of WEB(intrernet) and ER(hesitation) defines a composer.

26d It’s purely symbolic, especially for Irish Republicans after Easter (4) LILYCant figure it out.