AFR Cryptic, Saturday 29/8/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (22/8/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.




















The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A word or phrase that defines the answer. All cryptic clues usually have a minimum of one definition which will be located at the beginning or end of the clue.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The entire answer is found by reversing part of the clue, or a synonym for part of the clue. A suitable reversal indicator will be present.
The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
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AFR Cryptic (22/8/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 CRAMP
Confine resistance operating in military base (5) R inside CAMP
4 DEADLOCKS
Load shifted in sections of a vessel with security arrangements (9) Anagram of LOAD inside DECKS
9 REALISM
Practical view of things is accepted by monarchy (7) IS inside REALM
10 ADMIRER
Person who appreciates a drive around marshy area (7) (A + DR) outside MIRE
11 SENSE
Be aware of auditor’s assessment of working capital (5) Sounds like CENTS
12 TASWEGIAN
Southerner was not normally, for example, one sporting tan (9) (Anagram of WAS + EG + I) inside TAN
13 LOTUS-EATERS
Indolent people group had food pinched by junkies (5-6) LOT + (ATE inside USERS)
15 LAB
Site that tests small piece taken from concrete section (3) SLAB minus S
17 SOP
Weak person is first to schedule surgical procedure (3) (S)chedule + OP
19 RISK CAPITAL
Group backed in trial is wrongly given gambling money (4,7) PACK reversed inside anagram of TRIAL IS
21 DISHONOUR
Is sweetheart taken in by severe insult? (9) (IS + HON) inside DOUR
22 ERASE
Get rid of material penned by setter. A setter? (5) settER A SEtter
23 TAKE AIM
Prepare to fire Tim holding a flyer from NZ (4,3) TIM outside (A + KEA)
24 TELLING
New sort of gill net is impressive (7) Anagram of GILL NET
25 SANHEDRIN
Jewish council has dinner rescheduled (9) Anagram of HAS DINNER
26 TASTE
Small serving of polenta steamed, perhaps? (5) poleTA STEamed
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 CHRYSALIS
Developer in case has lyrics revised (9) Anagram of HAS LYRICS
2 AGAINST
Stove enclosed by stone is on (7) AGA + IN + ST
3 POISE
Composure shown by one in a modelling position (5) I inside POSE
4 DAM
Nuts knocked back with a container of water (3) MAD reversed
5 ADAM SPENCER
Aussie AI expert mad about scientist’s initial draft adopted by Acer (4,7) [MAD reversed (S)cientist + PEN] inside ACER
6 LIMBERS UP
Is plumber prepared for exercises before hard work begins? (7,2) Anagram of IS PLUMBER
7 CORDIAL
Warm core reduced by selector switch (7) COR(e) + DIAL
8 SIREN
Attractive woman is returning with rent shortly (5) IS reverse + REN(t)
12 TRANSFORMER
Track runners not needing one old innovator (11) TRAINS minus I + FORMER
14 SURROGATE
Substitute is certain about run out call being reversed (9) SURE outside [RO + (TAG reversed)]
16 BALD EAGLE
American bird dog drilled by excited lad (4,5) BEAGLE outside anagram of LAD
18 PUSHKIN
Promote family poet known throughout Russia (7) PUSH + KIN
20 TRADIES
Tests interrupted by commercial workers (7) AD inside TRIES
21 DATES
Members of band ate some fruit (5) banD ATE Some
22 ECLAT
Clubs implicated in story brought up social distinction (5) C inside (TALE reversed)
24 TON
Opener from the batting side scored runs (3) (T) + ON

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 22/8/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (15/8/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.


















The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) around the OUTSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: holding, keeping, embracing - anything that creates the image of containment.

The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A type of clue where the WHOLE clue defines the answer, and the WHOLE clue also is the wordplay (a mechanism to derive the answer through various cryptic devices). "&lit" is short for "and literally".

To qualify as an &lit, a clue must have no unused components either in the definition or the wordplay - it must be readable one way as a definition, and another as the wordplay.

The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) on the INSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: held by, kept by, embraced by - anything that creates the image of being contained.

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AFR Cryptic (15/8/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BUSHCRAFT
Bus and hire car float? Such Australian know-how! (9) BUS + HC + RAFT
6 COAST
Sail cover snagged on pole (5) COAT outside S(outh)
9 STIRRUP
Runs in to stimulate support for rider (7) R inside STIR UP
10 TEAPOTS
Soft drink mostly carried by milk suppliers and brewers (7) (PO)p inside TEATS
11 CROWN
Rook close to fallen king (5) CROW + falle(N)
12 OBSTINATE
Persistent botanist replanted eucalypts at the front (9) Anagram oif BOTANTIST + (E)ucalypts
14 RYE
Shareholders of distillery evaluated whisky? (3) distilleRY Evaluated
15 CORNERSTONE
Preserve deformed trees on groundwork (11) CORN + anagram of TREES ON
17 IN THE SADDLE
Leading site handled poorly (2,3,6) Anagram of SITE HANDLED
19 PAT
Some butter, maybe, and a lot of fancy spread (3) (PAT)e
20 SOUR CREAM
Make a lot of noise about our fermented product (4,5) SCREAM outside OUR
22 MATHS
Academic one pulled out of this school subject (5) MA + (THIS minus I)
24 ABATING
Dropping off a container of preserves sealed in bag (7) A + (TIN inside BAG)
26 TARTARE
Saucy thing could be biting ear, strangely (7) TART + anagram of EAR
27 EXILE
Old friend that is hugging large deportee (5) EX + (IE outside L)
28 STRANGLED
Learner, sitting in unfamiliar Datsun at the front, throttled (9) L inside STRANGE + (D)atsun
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BASIC
Key is needed in hire car travelling around (5) (IS inside CAB) reversed
2 SKI POLE
Sleep in one with stock (3,4) KIP inside SOLE
3 CHRONICLE
Record carbon absorbed by unstable chlorine (9) C inside anagram of CHLORINE
4 APPROPRIATE
Suitable software or withdrawn development of pirate? (11) APP + (RO reversed) + anagram of PIRATE
5 TAT
Tasteless things upset a teacher to some extent (3) upseT A Teacher
6 COATI
Relative of the raccoon, one found on south side of hide (5) I after COAT
7 AVOCADO
Fruit and eggs served up cold before a function (7) OVA reversed + C + A + DO
8 TASTE TEST
Newly-formed state, ahead of time, established consumer research (5,4) Anagram of STATE + T + EST
13 SPEEDOMETER
Pressure in plant distorted remote device that measures velocity (11) P inside SEED + anagram of REMOTE
14 REINSTATE
Bring back check, say (9) REIN + STATE
16 STEAM IRON
Gentleman, taking competitive group on, could be smoother (5,4) (SIR outside TEAM)+ ON
18 TSUNAMI
Emission from midnight sun, a minute wave? (7) midnighT SUN A MInute
19 PITFALL
Dose of medicine spread on the outside of fat, cooked snag (7) PILL outside anagram of FAT
21 CHIME
Ring that man placed in centre of bracelet (5) HIM inside bra(CE)let
23 SPEND
Lay out page in dispatch (5) P inside SEND
25 GAS
Drop over some fuel (3) SAG reversed

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 15/8/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (8/8/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.




















The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters, then the entire result is reversed. The type of container clue involved is determined by an appropriate containment indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) around the OUTSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: holding, keeping, embracing - anything that creates the image of containment.

The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
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AFR Cryptic (8/8/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SEMESTER
“Academic period” seems to be confused with “short term” (8) Anagram of SEEMS + TER(m)
5 IMPART
Pass on one piano on show in shop (6) I + (P inside MART)
10 GOLDEN HANDSHAKE
Has had dog kennel rebuilt with unemployment benefit? (6,9) Anagram of HAS HAD DOG KENNEL
11 EYE-OPENER
I heard peer on broadcast – what a revealing event! (3-6) Sounds like I + anagram of PEER ON
12 ROAMS
Sheep, taking in nothing, wanders about aimlessly (5) RAMS outside O
13 EVIL
In operation, sitting around could be harmful (4) LIVE reversed
15 MAGNATE
Powerbroker may cut off corrupt agent (7) MA(y) + anagram of AGENT
18 FROWNER
French proprietor, one who looks displeased (7) FR + OWNER
20 MYTH
Members of academy that fabricated story (4) acadeMY THat
23 ETHER
One of two releasing one old number (5) EITHER minus I
24 MINUSCULE
Lower-case subtraction indicator used by cryptic clue (9) MINUS + anagram of CLUE
26 COUNTER-ATTACKED
Marker changed direction after a time and fought back (7-8) COUNTER + [TACKED after (A + T)]
27 SPEEDO
Costume maker is not seen in edited episodes (6) Anagram of EPISODES minus IS
28 TRUNCATE
Dock directed sailing boat in middle of westerly (8) (RUN + CAT) inside wes(TE)rly
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SIGNET
10 American soldiers picked up SEAL (6) (TEN + GIS) reversed
2 MULLET
Do tell about finishing Greek letter (6) TELL reversed after MU
3 SWEEP
Waste matter absorbed by special brush (5) WEE inside SP
4 ETHANOL
One in hotel ordered alcohol (7) AN inside anagraqm of HOTEL
6 MISS RIGHT
The perfect female engineer shortened height following oversight (4,5) (RIG + HT) after MISS
7 AGAR-AGAR
A newspaper backed and reproduced setter (4-4) [A +(RAG reversed)] twice
8 THE ASHES
He has played badly in most of test series (3,5) (HE + anagram of HAS) inside (TES)t
9 IN TRIM
Fit caretaker lacking energy (2,4) INTERIM minus E
14 VENERATED
Respected veteran worked with journalist (9) Anagram of VETERAN + ED
16 OFFENCES
Violations of bent resellers (8) OF + FENCES
17 HOTHOUSE
Water surrounding grand development environment (8) HOSE outside THOU
19 REMARK
Comment on score in an exam (6) RE + MARK
20 MONITOR
Observe him on it, or in it? (7) hiM ON IT OR
21 QUOKKA
Heads to Queensland, uncertain of keeping koala and wallaby (6) (Q)ueensland (U)ncertain (O)f (K)eeping (K)oala (A)nd
22 PEDDLE
Sell cycle by word of mouth (6) (HE + anagram of HAS) inside (TES)t
25 SPAWN
Small shrimp, clear of river, deposit eggs (5) S + (PRAWN minus R)

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 8/8/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (1/8/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.




















The entire answer is found by reversing part of the clue, or a synonym for part of the clue. A suitable reversal indicator will be present.
A word or series of words that signify the removal of a letter, letters, word or words (or their equivalents) from other parts of the clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: taken from, decreased by, less.

A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

All words can be validly written with a leading capital without changing their meaning. Hence, the capitalisation of a word may present a different picture than is intended.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

The answer is found by using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
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AFR Cryptic (1/8/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ENVIRONMENTAL
Green with envy – mainly tough nuts (13) (ENV)y + IRON + MENTAL
9 ANCHORS
They host employees of ranch or station (7) rANCH OR Station
10 SPINNER
Bowler’s wrong ‘un cut by Pakistan’s opener (7) SINNER outside (P)akistan
11 SHIFT
Change hydrogen in filter (5) H inisde SIFT
12 CATCHES UP
Draws level at chess – almost – in tournament (7,2) [AT + (CHES)s] inside CUP
13 DRIPPING
Fat Duck’s starter – excellent (8) (D)uck + RIPPING
15 TOECAP
Retired expert wearing superior piece of footwear (6) (ACE reversed) inside TOP
18 TREATS
Artiste losing heart organised free entertainment? (6) Anagram of ART(i)STE
19 NOSE-RING
Head of Nabisco ignores confused stock controller (4-4) (N)abisco + anagram of IGNORES
22 MICROCODE
One large reptile in approach – it runs at a low level (9) ( I + CROC) inside MODE
24 CABLE
A bearing out of balance buckled line (5) Anagram of BAL(a+n)CE
25 TRIPLED
Ran after error and got to third-base on one hit (7) LED after TRIP
26 OLD SALT
Mariner lost lad at sea (3,4) Anagram of LOST LAD
27 FIRST OFFENDER
One-time criminal’s trees not available in green? (5,8) FIRS + (OFF inside TENDER)
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ELAPSED
Change to speed proposed around US city is passed (7) Anagram of SPEED outside LA
2 VICTIMISE
Tim is held by US police department to punish unjustly (9) (TIM + IS) inside VICE
3 ROOST
Members of mob head to this place to sleep (5) ROOS + (T)his
4 NOSE-CONE
Unimportant person brought around second part of missile (4-4) NO-ONE outside SEC
5 ERSATZ
Number of keepers at zoo may be unnatural (6) keepERS AT Zoo
6 THIGHBONE
Section of frame is tall and black in colour (9) (HIGH + B) inside TONE
7 LINKS
Head of Lloyds signs bonds (5) (L)loyds + INKS
8 TRIP UP
Trim tailless dog and make a mistake (4,2) TRI(m) + PUP
14 PATROLLER
Gentle touch – it might eventually break guard (9) PAT + ROLLER
16 CHIPBOARD
Reconstructed wood in box mostly wrapped in stiff paper (9) [HIP + (BO)x] inside CARD
17 LONE WOLF
Individualist left one stream heading north (4,4) L + ONE + (FLOW reversed)
18 TOMATO
Fruit slices from depot a mother sent back (6) depOT A MOTher reversed
20 GREATER
Gross person finishing course, perhaps, could be bigger (7) GR + EATER
21 HOLD IT
Stop veteran wearing clobber (4,2) OLD inside HIT
23 CHIEF
Primary source of mains, perhaps, carrying electric current (5) CHEF outside I
24 CADRE
Nucleus of key personnel died in custody (5) D inside CARE

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 1/8/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (25/7/2026) Worked Solution

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.

















The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) on the INSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: held by, kept by, embraced by - anything that creates the image of being contained.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A word or series of words that signify the turning around (across & down clues), or overturning (down clues only) of letters.

Examples: upset, reversed, retired, in withdrawal, over etc.

The answer is hidden inside the clue in reverse order. There are two indicators: one to signify that a hidden word is present; the other to reverse the letters.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
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AFR Cryptic (25/7/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SALTBUSH
Plant located in arid region arranged last bus in front of hotel (8) Anagram of LAST + BUS + H
5 ASYLUM
Harbour city ultimately forming part of a poor area (6) cit(Y) inside (A + SLUM)
10 AGGRO
A mixture of grog responsible for offensive behaviour (5) A + anagram of GROG
11 COLONISER
Pioneer is accommodated by company person with few friends (9) IS inside (CO + LONER)
12 DRUG DEALER
E-trader, perhaps, treated large dude right (4,6) Anagram of LARGE DUDE + R
13 HYMN
Church song that fellow heard (4) Sounds like HIM
15 STOOPS
Duck in close with small ducks (6) (O inside STOP) + S
16 TRUSTED
Front of tank suffered from corrosion for sure (7) (T)ank + RUSTED
19 EYE
Look at pieces painted in pale yellow (3) palE YEllow
20 HERETIC
Dissident’s present medical problem (7) HERE +TIC
21 ISRAEL
Re-directed airlines not flying in a Middle Eastern country (6) Anagram of AIRLINES minus IN
23 PORK
Meat slices from shop or kiosk (4) shoP OR Kiosk
25 PRESUPPOSE
Accept uppers organised by model (10) Anagram of UPPERS + POSE
27 APPOINTEE
One nominated antipope replaced Pope finally (9) Anagram of ANTIPOPE + pop(E)
28 SPACE
Special serve that wins play (5) SP + ACE
29 HEDGER
One who works in the garden with hard trimming tool (6) H + EDGER
30 INCENSED
Audience from hotel noticed fuming (8) Sounds like INN SENSED
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 STANDS
Stone, including seconds, doesn’t change (6) ST + AND + S
2 LEG-CUTTER
Conclusion of retiring copper included in letter delivery (3-6) [retirin(G) + CU} inside LETTER
3 BLOODY OATH
Old boy switched oxygen at hospital – that’s certainly true (6,4) ANagram of OLD BOY + O + AT + H
4 SOCIAL SECURITY
Income support from drunken cleric is out, say (6,8) Anagram of CLERIC IS OUT SAY
6 SANE
Balanced article included in middle of insert (4) AN inside in(SE)rt
7 LUSTY
Healthy core of valued collection of pigs? (5) va(LU)ed + STY
8 MARINADE
Man, briefly spotted by a diner, ordered flavour enhancer (8) (MA)n + anagram of A DINER
9 ALBERT EINSTEIN
Aluminium and moulded tin beer mug, a really smart one (6,8) AL + anagram of TIN BEER + STEIN
14 CURRY PASTE
Kneaded pastry stored in preserve with spicy ingredient (5,5) Anagram of PASTRY inside CURE
17 THE ROYALS
King staying in hotel, say, manipulated family members? (3,6) R inside anagram of HOTEL SAY
18 WHIPLASH
Injury to neck joint left in soothing lotion (8) (HIP + L) inside WASH
22 DEFEND
Guard is fed up with objective (6) FED reversed + END
24 RAPID
Fleet quietly moved in to invade (5) P inside RAID
26 FINE
Fair penalty (4) Double Definition

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