Once again we have the pleasure of blogging a puzzle by Eccles.
We’ve said it before but we will say it again. There are often only a few comments for an Eccles crossword. Everything is clearly clued, there are sometimes a few unusual words but always smiles along the way. We guessed 21d partly from the initial letter and the definition. Bert started to write it in and then wondered about the spelling until he checked the parsing!
Thanks Eccles.
An anagram (‘after slip’) of HEATS UP around (‘welcoming’) L (last letter (‘end’) of Phil)
I (one) inside (‘wearing’) an anagram (‘confused’) of TRAMP
eFFLUENt (waste) missing first and last letters (‘exposed’) in A (American) CE (church)
A reversal (‘revolutionary’) of NINE (square) L (first or ‘original’ letter of leading)
INSEcT (‘perhaps ant’) missing or ‘ignoring’ ‘c’ (Conservative)
A reversal (‘sent back’) of GIRO (social security cheque) + IN + hAsTe (alternate or ‘regular’ letters) + E (earl)
An anagram (‘mobile’) of MOSELLE ON
A reversal (‘turned’) of GOD (Silvanus perhaps) reversed + GO (to leave) – we’re not sure why Eccles chose Silvanus as an example of a Good – there are a lot to choose from!
PE and SCI (abbreviations – ‘briefly’ – of two school subjects) – a reference to Joe Pesci, the American film actor
A play on the fact that if something is EXTRA VERT it could be said to be greener
An anagram (‘cook’) of RISES WITH
G (good) RAIL (public transport system)
B (second rate) + a reversal (‘returned’) of RIAL (Iranian money)
LIEN (right) inside or ‘entering’ RESIT (exam)
EVEN (flat) TS (first and last letters or ‘extremes’ of tedious)
CRUDER (more vulgar) about SA (a homophone – ‘on the radio’ – of essay)
SPAN (time) IE (that is) L (left)
LI (51 in Roman numerals) FT (paper) S (last or ‘ultimate’ letter of planes)
HOT ON (passionate about) around or ‘entertaining’ US (American)
GO (try) following TAN (beat)
R (first letter of Rotherham) ALLIED (united)
PEN (writer) above or ‘supported by’ TANGLE (ravel)
EL (‘the’ in Spanish) inside or ‘probing’ TANGO (4d)
SENT (broadcast) about DIME (foreign cash)
MATE (friend) around or ‘drinking’ ASTI (sparkling wine) and C (first letter or ‘beginning’ to crave)
OVERT (patent) on URN (receptacle)
P (priest) LIABLE (likely)
IN (at home) H (husband) + a reversal (‘going up’) of TIRE (tax)
GEL (setter) in ANUS (hole)
An anagram (‘around’) of RATTLES
WI’S (Women’s Institute’S – ‘group of women’s’) E (English) R (recipe)
A (ace) HEAD (boss)
I wonder whether Eccles chose Silvanus as a nod to another setter, once of these parts. Nothing from him since 2023.