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, and 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.

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.

The weighty trophy to be passed to whoever solves your clue is the jewel-encrusted CanukDenis Memorial Championship Belt
===[**CDM**]===

This thread is so named in honour of our late dear friend Denis Borris (aka CanukDenis) who was an ever cheerful and quick-witted presence on this forum, posting many an iffy crypt just to stir the pot, and intrigued by all things linguistic, mathematical and beyond.
RIP CD - we hold you in our hearts as we play on!

Next clue to follow shortly, courtesy of current title holder manxman...

Thank you Sherlock and Lex

Bird jogging in place (7)

one 'e'

direct left

Since the designated amount of time has passed:

pelican (anag. of in place)

Right you are Sherlock ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, manxman!

Grounds for divorce finally, say (6)

Direct on left. 2 e's and 1 other vowel.

(e)state

divorce finally (e)
say - state

That's it, Cue! I'll divorce myself from this.... ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Cheryl

Bar claim in outskirts of town (6)

T(aver)N

Indeed, Rog. You can wear this the next time you hit the pub ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Cue!

One that tickled the fancy of both me and Mrs W:

Capital tugboat gets fortification (5,2,6)

OK - hints:

(Sorta) double def
5 vowels (one E and four Os)
Was found in a Brit newspaper
For the geammar buffs, one definition is <agent noun, preposition, proper noun>, the other is <noun, preposition, proper noun>

Tower of London

Good one!

Nice solve, manxman! ===[**CDM**]===

Ta UW

Can contains animal poison (5)

no 'e's

t(ox)in

Good solve Sherlock ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, manxman!

Hot at all in search (8)

Direct on left. 3 vowels of which 2 are e's.

c(vcvc)vcc

f(ever)ish

Hope this cools you down, manxy! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks Sherlock

Cat sausages, reportedly (4)

lynx (links)

Good one Sue ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, manxman

Peter and Paul worked together without stopping (9)

Direct on the right

perpetual

You are perpetually correct! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Sue

Intimate with weapon (4)

w/arm

nice kitty Sherlock ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, manxman!

Abominable Snowman's head stuck in well again (6)

Direct on left. 2 vowels.

cur(S)ed??

Yep, if you're well again, you're cured.

Now, don't get your head stuck trying to put this on, Rog! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Cheryl!

Act for every class (7) - two vowels

per form

Take it away, Cue! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks

Personal assistant gets court agreement (4)

Pact = agreement - PA (personal assistant) + ct (court)

I agree ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you!

Overwhelmed at having reached agreement, by the sound of it (9)

Direct on the left cvccvvcvc two es

conquered

sounds like concurred

To the winner, the spoils: ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, Lex!

Mid-quarrel, yours truly and love vacation (4, 3)

Direct on right. 3 vowels, all different and one an e.

Okay, it's yours truly + love (3 letters total) inside a word for quarrel.

ti(me o)ff

Yes! Take this on vacation with you to show it off! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Sherlock
Gas station's final years (4)

n eon

Good one Cue

Thanks, manxman

Counted frozen chicken out loud (8)

Numbered = counted - sounds like (out loud) numb bird (frozen chicken)

Well done, Lex

Thank you!

Yet this is how all-seater stadiums are (15)

Mrs Worrier is still giggling...

Notwithstanding

It also made us chuckle!

Here you go: ===[*CDM**]===

Cheers, squire!

Drag pear around first to give protector (7)

Direct on the right
Wordplay 3 + (4 first)
vvcccvc

Vowels in no particular order are a, e and u...

earp/lug

Over to you, young Cheryl! ===[*CDM**]===

Thanks, Rog!

Dumber feature of all Americans (5)

Lamer = dumber - hidden word (a favourite device of yours, I note)

I'm not hiding this belt from you, Lex! ===[*CDM**]===
Probably one of my favs because I spend so long trying to figure them out before I realize it's a hidden word!

Thank you!

Doctor later calls for crystal dispenser (4,6)

Direct on the right, 3 vowels of which one is e, one indicator

What, still no takers?

The crystals are edible... cvcc ceccvc

Salt cellar - should have spotted "doctor" as an indicator instead of faffing around with MD, MO, BM etc...

Faffing around?

Believe it or not (and it surprised me) it's in dictionary.com...

Sometimes, faffing around is what it takes to get through...!
Voici la Ceinture: ===[**CDM**]===

Merci!

Reaching extremes, having to depend (5)

Direct on the right, "extremes" is not an indicator, cvccv

... and Sherlock would be proud of me!

hinge (great clues)

I do my humble best, manxman!

Take it away: ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you UW

In Vermont, a politician is available (2,3)

on tap (hidden word)

One beer for you on tap, Sherlock ===[**CDM**]===

Mmmmm….. Thanks, manxman!

Spread of the sea includes fish (9)

adofthese

No? How about mar(gar)ine

Hahaha!! That was a slick one! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, Sherlock!

Sick of dang ruffian wasting time (7,6)

faffing around (anag.)

...ExcellentI! (I suppose that if it had been "Sick of dang ruffian like Urban Worrier" royalties might have been payable...)

An excellent solve! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you

Contemptible engineer spied with wire (10)

Despicable = contemptible - anagram (engineer) of spied + cable (wire)

...after I had spent some time trying to find a suitable word beginning with re (engineer)!

Well done Lex ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you kindly mxm! I hope that you are now back on top form.

Two clues of partly similar construction which share their first letter (they were 1 across and 1 down in a puzzle grid):

1. Sad paper planes crash in flight (6,3,5)

2. Wonder if mere cello playing makes a nice change (1,7,6)

Thank you for asking Lex. I still have trouble remembering words and also putting sentences together. It can be a slow process at times. Reading is also a tough exercise too. But considering where I was 7 months ago, I have come a long way.

manxman

Both directs on the right and one of the answers involves cockney slang

Pandie

1. vcccvc vcc cvvcc - an anagram with crash as the indicator

2. v cvccvcv cvcvvc - a three letter word for wonder followed by an anagram with playing as the indicator

Thanks, Lex - that helps!

1. Apples and pears (like "flight" )
2. A welcome relief

A welcome solve! Herewith the trophy: ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Lex!

County's personnel find means to get drink (9) - 2 lonely vowels

1. Direct on the right
2. Wordplay 5+4
3. Think Ireland
4. Mrs Worrier thinks this clue is twisted

Hmm..

cocccccec

Double "hmmm'...

You're looking for the possessive form of an Irish county plus a 4-letter synonym for "personnel" which represents the "means to get a drink"

...also see Mrs Worrier's observation above

...and 24 hrs is well up so Google and Wiki and dictionary to your hearts content

corks crew

Yeehaw! Grab a load of this, Cue: ===[**CDM**]===

I think we both need a drink

Saint called England’s capital peculiar (7)

A single "E" and one other vowel

Direct on the right

st rang e

Nothing peculiar about giving you this, Cheryl ===[**CDM**]===