The Times - Cryptic - Sunday Times Cryptic 4308 - December 21, 2008

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Clues Answers
A cement I'm breaking for filling, this season MINCEMEAT
A contribution to please local art supporter EASEL
A drop is mixed before a dispersion DIASPORA
Abridged trough? Domestic animals may find it very irritating MANGE
Acceptable to enter for each game POKER
Accounts for commander being in ship's hold SAGAS
Adding result at higher level to form quick opinion SUMUP
and 35 We hear assistant's insult of conjuror's skill SLEIGHTOF
and 48 Present provider can't join us, alas — cruising SANTA
and 56 Skipper with crew reaching wreck MANIN
Announcement that calendar is to change DECLERATIONS
Argument having grim conclusion — police shot POLEMIC
At the back of beyond, right to take advantage of Syrian sect? DRUSE
Awful smell inside objects these travellers produced THREEKINGS
Basis of a highly desirable bed ROSES
Bewitch the chap with a kiss HEX
Bill Brice turns bitter ACERBIC
Bird appearing, on cracker exploding CORNCRAKE
Bumble's law? ASS
By mistake, throw out the aperitif SHERRY
Canon imprisoned English chaps in here? TENEMENT
Carbon copy of the head CAPE
Carol about madman being destructive SHATTERING
Condensed publication — one for travellers this season MAGI
Current Borat-styled entertainer ACROBAT
Dame's pet bowled over in mad rush STAMPEDE
Defensive position taken — concerned over lack of conviction REDOUBT
Description fitting salts but a long way off, in prophets SEAFARERS
Destroyer? SHIPBREAKER
Doctor-priest? Bogus one! SHAMAN
Drunken 30 across in extremely funny illusion FANTASY
Fancy fish — or pick a stew? KOICARP
First jackets in which players may appear? MATINEE
Fish supplied daily CHAR
Flyers are turned round, then nothing's heard AERONAUTS
Forget his free offer — dental examination not recommended GIFTHORSE
Former king throwing ring into crowd HEROD
Clues Answers
Hasty cards I'm sending off for this occasion CHRISTMASDAY
I follow stud into nude establishment — yet to be investigated UNSTUDIED
It's legal to have decapitation? That's horrible! AWFUL
It's on the cards you'll see red-headed duck with retracted beak? ROBIN
Magnanimous gift to us, reportedly BOUNTEOUS
Many going to America broke, without a pot CERAMIC
Oil — River Nile duck's in a flurry NEROLI
On French col, eclipse visible SURPASS
Pack gift without a second thought KNAPSACK
Played, perhaps, in game in which I get two hundred PICCOLO
Plum part, coming in to join with girl in pantomime COLUMBINE
Posted earlier? PRESENT
Produce something — or hide it SECRETE
Protective packing for old instrument LUTE
Resigned, although second time round I came first! STOIC
Sadly, one cat I poison ACONITE
See 30 across CLAUS
See 59 down CHARGE
See 8 down HAND
Settles for spinning tops OPTS
Short pole adapted for cavers POTHOLERS
Singer getting sprue THRUSH
Small capitals initially required on grave message — model text SCRIPT
Sort of joint in which one might find a bishop MITRE
Spice ale freely to make it particularly good ESPECIAL
Stick to one theme on this instrument HARP
Strokes hares DASHES
Sudden intake of air before mince pie can go to oven GASPIPE
Takes back topless dresses worn by sheriff's assistants REPOSSESSES
The rest of the day SIESTA
The wrappers fit Simon, ok? KIMONOS
Well ordered condition of the pure in spirit? NEATNESS
Wenceslas, maybe, tucked into remains of the vegetables LEEKS
Wild animal found in Sichuan, a corner of SW China HUANACO
Wine on Santa's sleigh? SACK
With seasonal spirit, gathering round,will show good grace DECORUM
Wrongdoer opening enclosure to royal animal ROEDEER