Not a breeze by any means from Hypnos this morning, but still an accessible puzzle with plenty to enjoy.
Abbreviations
cd cryptic definition
dd double definition
(xxxx)* anagram
anagrind = anagram indicator
[x] letter(s) missing
definitions are underlined
Across
1 Instruments right for singer to hold
BRASS
An insertion of R in BASS.
4 It’s good to greet fantastically dynamic figure
GO-GETTER
(G TO GREET)*
10 Suitable drink for consumption in old Indian city
OPPORTUNE
O, followed by PORT in PUNE.
11 Composer showing sadness with shift in note finally
GRIEG
Hynos is telling you to change the last letter (a musical note) of GRIEF to give you GRIEG. From one flat to one sharp, if you’re musically inclined.
12 Basil perhaps tucking into prescribed iced food
SHERBET
An insertion of HERB in SET. Basil, best friends with tomatoes if you’re into Italian cooking.
13 Noted cleric and veteran Labour politician, we hear
BECKET
Referring to Thomas BECKET, who was brutally murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170, and to Dame Margaret BECKETT, MP. Her claim to fame, should it ever come up in a pub quiz, is that she is the only woman to have been leader of the Labour Party. ‘We hear’ is the homophone indicator.
15 Flower moved from seat?
ROSE
A dd.
17 First person seen by a lord possibly and old woman in sensational performance
MELODRAMA
A charade of ME (‘first person’ in grammatical terms), (A LORD)* and MA.
19 Sporting event halted on ground around college
DECATHLON
An insertion (‘around’) of C in (HALTED ON)* The anagrind is ‘ground’.
20 Oblique sun touching London suburb
SKEW
A charade of S and KEW, best known for its gardens.
23 Regular date arranged within borders of sanctuary
STEADY
An insertion of (DATE)* in SY for the outer letters of ‘sanctuary’.
24 Wine and bit of grub stored aboard the German boat
DREDGER
Another insertion: of RED and G for the first letter of ‘grub’ in DER for one of the many German words for ‘the’.
27 Friend getting a round to entertain fighter
AMIGO
And another: of MIG for ‘fighter’ in A and O.
28 What Lancastrians might enjoy before small matter shortly becomes tricky issue?
HOT POTATO
The traditional north-western dish is HOTPOT; you need to add ATO[M] after that.
29 Deck to get on in equestrian discipline
DRESSAGE
A charade of DRESS and AGE. ‘Deck the hall with boughs of holly’ and all that Yuletide stuff.
30 Seven triallists screened in the 400 metres?
EVENT
Hidden in sEVEN Triallists.
Down
1 Safari, perhaps, in south taken in by British sportsman
BROWSER
An insertion of S in B for ‘British’ and ROWER for ‘sportsman’. Safari is an internet browser. I’m a Firefox man myself.
2 Bulky piece found in middle of old embroidery
AMPLE
The solution is hidden in the middle of sAMPLEr, which is a piece of needlework produced to demonstrate skill with embroidery, and often including the alphabet or other motifs. It is old, because it dates back to the 16th century.
3 Flashing light in bistro beckons
STROBE
Hidden in biSTRO BEckons.
5 Appeal to writer in sporting competition?
OPEN
The sporting competition is the OPEN (golf, yawn …) and it’s O plus PEN, I suppose.
6 Bank once on call in TV quiz show
EGGHEADS
There once was a bank called EGG, and HEADS is the alternative to TAILS when you ‘call’. The quiz show is on BBC.
7 Group of experts appropriate for an intellectual minefield?
THINK TANK
A cd cum dd, I guess.
8 Agreement to go through field having missed a first set of marine races?
REGATTA
The parsing of this defeated me and I had to call in the cavalry. It’s GATT for ‘General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade’ in [A]REA. Thank you to one of my fellow bloggers for explaining this one.
9 Note in Pacific Island what’s in the style of Latin American place
GUATEMALA
An insertion of TE for a ‘note’ in the tonic sol-fa in GUAM for the ‘Pacific island’ followed by A LA for ‘in the style of’.
14 Perhaps Venetian fruit is found in social engagement
BLIND DATE
A charade of BLIND (as in Venetian BLIND) and DATE.
16 Alien figure in service abroad is withdrawn
SECRETIVE
Another insertion, of ET for the setters’ fave ‘alien’ in (SERVICE)* The anagrind is ‘abroad’.
18 Like a good schoolboy, American, supporting film company
STUDIOUS
Since it’s a down clue, it’s US ‘supporting’ STUDIO.
19 Break up second airline engaged in racket close to fraud
DISBAND
Somewhat convoluted, but fair. It’s S BA for ‘second airline’ in DIN for ‘racket’ finished off with D for the last letter of ‘fraud’.
21 Develop in detail gym session?
WORKOUT
A dd.
22 Distant station selector?
REMOTE
Another dd.
25 Open space in wood cheered leader of expedition
GLADE
A charade of GLAD and E for the first letter of ‘expedition’. The surface is meaningless. Open spaces can’t cheer. My apologies to Hypnos. Muffyword explains this at comment no 1.
26 Ruffian hard to detect in towing vessel
THUG
And a final insertion: of H in TUG.
Many thanks to Hypnos for this morning’s puzzle.
Thanks Pierre and Hypnos,
I couldn’t parse AMPLE or REGATTA – cunning!
I think the surface of GLADE (25ac) is ok – “cheered” as in “encouraged” or “cheered up”.
You are of course right about GLADE, Muffyword. I just couldn’t see it that way.
I agree that this was a chewy IoS puzzle but very enjoyable and all fair. I entered REGATTA and EGGHEADS from definition alone so thanks for parsing them.
I finished the bottom half much faster than the top half, and BROWSER was my LOI after OPPORTUNE.
2018, very enjoyable crossword , completed with the help of my electronic friend. A good all round & comprehensive puzzle. Well done Hypnos four years later.