Fifteensquared

A tough Tuesday workout from the Moleman.  Lots of nice clues with terrific surface reading and a good challenge all round.  Bit puzzled over the explanation for 18.

ACROSS (*) = ANAGRAM,   (CD) = CRYPTIC DEFINITION, (R) = REVERSAL

1  DEWDROP      WED (R) + DROP

5  FRACAS     FR + ACAS  (Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service) - a group for medioating against employment decisions / strikes etc.

9 PILASTER   LAST inside PIER

10  SLIP UP   PUPIL’S (R)

12  INSTRUMENTAL  Double def.

15  ATTENDANCE   DECENT TAN*

17 19  LAMBED  Loved this clue -  brought into the fold (LAM - 17 BED - 19)  and caused uproar (BED - 19  LAM -17).

20 LEDERHOSEN  (CD)  Hide = leather shorts that would be found in a German bar.  Brings back chilling memories of the Hofbrauhaus in Liverpool. Don’t go there, and if you have the blackmail photos, I’ll pay.

22  DO-IT-YOURSELF   TEDIOUSLY FOR*

26  ICE BAG      I.E. with C (COLD) +  GAB (R)

28  ERSATZ    Hidden answer

29  RENAMED  MEN DARE*  Windscale Nuclear Power Plant was renamed Sellafield.

DOWN

1   DOPE     DO P.E.

2 25  WALLOWED   ALL inside WOWED

3  RESONANT   REASON minus A + ANT

4  PLEAT    POLECAT minue O and C.  Tiny grumble but having the same unusual device in consecutive clues is a shame.

6   RELIEF   Double def, one of which is relief as in the artistic meaning.

7  CAPITALISE   nice CD

8  SUPPLEMENT    SUPPLE MEN + T

11  MUSCLE    Homophone for MUSSEL

13  BARBED WIRE   BEWARE BIRD* 

14  STODGINESS    DOTS (R) + G I + NESS

15  AVENUE    Hidden reversal

18  CHILDREN   Issue is obviously def, plus I can see C + HEN for Cold Bird but not sure about remainder of clue.

21  TYRANT    THEY RANT minus HE

22  SEVER     V inside SEER

24  SIAM     Nice hidden clue  

Thanks to Taupi for an enjoyable puzzle.