By way of reminder, the object of this game is to solve (and briefly explain) the clue presented by the previous poster and then set your own clue.

Anything from the (worldwide) crossword arena is acceptable by way of clue style, but if you stray too far from the pure path beware the scourge of... Pandora's WET NOODLE!

The puzzle could be an old favourite or something of your own making. Don't be shy: this is for everyone, not just the old hands!

For those unfamiliar with crossword clues who want to give it a try, there is plenty of guidance online and a quite entertaining and instructive book (not just for beginners) available from amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Times-Crack-Cryptic-Crosswords/dp/0007546521/ref=dp_ob_image_bk and no doubt elsewhere, and for those who like British Crosswords you may like to try these (which are free): http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords and https://www.ft.com/crossword.

There is nothing to prevent (say) a couple of related clues if offering a single clue cramps your style.

If there are multiple answers involved, there is no restriction against one person solving all and the solver of the final clue/part is the one who goes next.

Obviously you need to await confirmation of a correct answer before posting your own puzzle, but please then do so reasonably promptly: if having answered correctly you are not going to be able to set a follow-up clue within about the next 18 hours, please pass your turn to someone else so that the game does not stall.

To save the poor demented solvers from excessive brain damage , you should consider revealing one letter of the answer when the question is set, unless the answer is very short/easy so that provision of a letter hint at the outset would spoil the sport!

If no-one is biting within about 24 hours you should start dropping additional hints.

To try to give everyone a fair crack of the whip, the immediately previous setter is asked not to post a solution to the current clue within the first 24 hours.

The weighty trophy to be passed to whoever solves your clue is the jewel-encrusted World Clue Federation Championship Belt
===[**WCF**]===

Constructive criticism and cheerful badinage are to be expected, not to mention a certain amount of national rivalry, but above all, have a bit of fun!

Next clue:

Cool zaps, all bombs (no shells) (6) - nary an e

Direct on left vccvcc

Aplomb? (appears in Bradford's!)

OMB = bOMBs with no shells (b,s)
can't explain how "apl" = "zaps," all

I think no shells applies to zAPs, aLl too.

Good teamwork

Denis gets the Belt and owes Ed a drink!

===[**WCF**]===

Thanks ya'll!

Gather for a service (5) no e

a/mass

Cheryl, wear this to church ===[**WCF**]=== !!

Thanks muchly!

Disturbs and robs the insane (7)

Definition = Disturbs. Anagram 'robsthe' = bothers.(Indicator = insane)

Hope this doesn't bother you, Curly! ===[**WCF**]===

I don't think it will Cheryl, merci.

Attack from concealment (6)

No e's

Double def.

Okay, times up anyway.

ambush

Wear this with pride Cheryl. ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you, Curly!

Arrange as a loan without interest, around the first of October (5) no e's

fl(O)at

Don't try to float wearing this, CCbomber! ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Sherlock!

Chip a piece out of the woodwork (3)

hew

It didn't take long for hew to spot that one, Sue!

===[**WCF**]===

I axed my brain to work and it did!

Layer of wood for ballpark item (9)

sheathing (layer of wood)
Shea + thing

Wear this thing with pride, manxman. ===[**WCF**]===