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**]=== ...now that manxman has returned it...

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:

cutting down fat (10) - three vowels all different including one e

shortening - Double def

So sorry Lex. These senior moments are becoming more regular with each passing day (I think )

Right in the pocket, Cue

Hopefully manxman will shortly be sending you the Belt, but if not I will provide a duplicate...

(No problem over a senior moment Ed, I am enjoying my fair share of those!)

Thanks, Lex.

Happy father nails nanny, we hear (4,7)

Mary Poppins (Merry Pop Pins)

That was a supercalifragilistic solve!

I wasn't given a belt so you're getting a bit of a knockoff =-=[**WCF**]==-

I'll wear it with pride anyway!

fish thrash trash (10) - three vowels, no e's.

Here's the authentic belt ===[**WCF**]===

Yay!

Also if anyone's interested, I also just happen to have this completely genuine, one-of-a-kind, gently worn imitation belt that fell off the turnip truck yesterday.


Hint: two of the vowels are "o"

As no one else is nibbling, codswallop = trash - cods (fish) + wallop (thrash)

That's the one! And lest I forget, here's your thrash wallop: ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you: I think I can just about take the punishment!

After changing sides, tenor and soprano taking openings and refrains (7) - two vowels of which one is e

desists (anag. of sides + s, t)

Pitch perfect! Here you go:
===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Lex!

Secure or insecure means (8)

recourse (anagram of secure or) means

Nice one, Manxman! I had resource but I didn't realize there may be more than one anagram that fits.
So, my recourse is to give you this resource. ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you Sherlock. Are you sure you can trust me with this resource

Villain raced to the audience (4)

A good question!

hied -> homonym of Hyde
or is it
Hyde -> homonym of hied

Either way good solve Cue
This resource is on its way to you ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, manxman

Location gets a mansion (6)

p(a)lace

Nice solve, Demosthenes. See if you can find a place for this ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Cue! I'm sure I've got room for it somewhere...

backward exit in endless tears (10)

r(egress)ive

Perfect! On to you--and here's this back. ===[**WCF**]===

Many thanks

Conservative beginning to offend Liberal Democrat on train (3,6)

old school

O(ffend) L(iberal) D(emocrat) + school (train)

Nice solve, Cheryl. You've been well schooled. Here's your reward ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you, Cue!

Marshal terrifyingly carrying a rope for hanging (6)

(mars)HALTER(rifyingly)

Here's your belt. (Not to be used for hanging!) ===[**WCF**]===

Yay! Hm...

Police force has prisoners grouped in cells at day's end. (12)

Cons/tabular/(da)y

Good solve, Rog! I believe this belongs to you:

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

Many thanks, Demosthenes

Continuing with the theme of law and order:

Method used to free lawman (7) - 1 e

OK - must be hint time

1) Direct on the right
2) Four vowels, all different
3) Wordplay 2+5
4) Think north of the 49th parallel...

mountie
mo+untie

Nice one, manxman! One arresting belt on its way: ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you UW

Worker in deficient cabin (6)

direct on the right, no e's

sh(ant)y

Demo, don't be shy wearing this ===[**WCF**]===

Sorry for the delay--we're on vacation!

Scrooges recite “One Thousand and One Knights” (6)

misers

Good solve

I won't begrudge you this: ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you, Demosthenes. Hope you're having a great vacation.

Look right around the forest (5)

Hint time: "around" is a reversal indicator

trees (see rt)

Glad you saw the forest! ===[**WCF**]===

Many thanks!

Affirmation about lines and calls (5)

1 e, the only vowel. Direct on right.

ye(ll)s

*me yelling* Manxman wins this beautiful, shiny belt! ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you Sherlock

French bear belonging to us (4)

Ours = bear en français, and belonging to us in English.

Happy belated birthday Lex
and here is your present ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you kindly: next clue on new thread, ===[**CDM**]=== replacing ===[**WCF**]=== with fanfare of trumpets!!