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, for instance http://www.gameboomers.com/Garden/CrypticCrosswordTypes.htm and https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/premium/xword/cryptics.html as well as 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. English setter John Halpern's website may also be of interest www.johnhalpern.co.uk.

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 24 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!

The next clue is

Treasure, like Cher (7)

Direct on the left

cherish Hi Lex

Like it!

That's the one!

- greetings mxm: herewith The Treasure ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Lex

Study about old boat in shade (6)

d(ark)en

Pandie, this should lighten your day ===[**CDM**]===

You lighten my day, manxie!

Play town (6)

Double definition

"Play" does not refer to a verb

Hamlet

“Doubt thou the stars are fire;
Doubt that the sun doth move;
Doubt truth to be a liar;
But never doubt I love.”

===[**CDM**]===

"The play's the thing..."

Stormy greeting (7)

Hailing

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

Thank you!

Really bad deed by popular head (2,5,2,4)

Direct on the left - two each of f, i, n, o and t

vc cvvcc vc cvcc

(hint expanded)

Wordplay: popular + head + bad + deed = really

I didn't expect thias one to prove so tough: the answer is "in point of fact."

Replacement clue:

Looted her in G&S comic opera (3,10)

The Gondoliers

Interesting, Lex. I don't think I've ever heard the phrase except as "as a matter of fact". Again, we're dealing with British fudging of the word "off" plus a non-reciprocal fact/deed synonym. Denis would have loved it.

Isn't it "off act" being a "bad deed"

That works, Rog.

I certainly read it as "off act," and the phrase is slightly archaic, but "really" as a direct seems fair enough (as a synonym for actually).

... and yes mxm, you are correct and the Belt goes back to Canada ===[**CDM**]===