Crossword

[Deersold]

3 down.. Bishop's check subject to European standard.
??A?C?
1 across..
See preamble
V?S???

26 down..
Revolutionary journalists must depress bankers at heart.
?u?k

[Deersold]

Is it punk? If so why.

[Mamyalynne]

29 NUJ back + (ban)K(ers)

[Deersold]

Maybe the A is wrong on 3 down, as I can't seem to find a word that fits

[goodgoalie]

26 Junk NUJ (journalists' union) backwards + K ( middle of 'bankers') I assume there is a definition or theme?

[Mamyalynne]

I meant 26

[scorpiojo]

3 E par ch

[Deersold]

Then 1 across (see preamble) is
V?S?E?

[scorpiojo]

What is the preamble?

[elliemay1]

Is there a theme?
vesper fits

[Deersold]

Oh, there must be a theme then. That explains the clues not making full sense. Thank you.

Vesper must be the theme then. That's why I'm finding these clues a bit odd.

[scorpiojo]

What's the preamble?

[Deersold]

I thought 'see preamble' was the clue, as it's given as the clue. Good grief...

[elliemay1]

But what did the preamble say?

[Deersold]

I had the top bit of the crossword covered up by my clipboard. It says A number of clues share an unstated definition, which needs to be written in the grid at 1 across.
That being Vesper. Sorry to be so blinkered. I've never done this one before. It doesn't think like I do.

[Crispor]

vessel (all the answers without the definition are boats of some sort)

[Crispor]

JUNK (a boat - fits the missing definition in 1A)

[Deersold]

Vessel, oh thanks. I couldn't think of the connection with vesper either. Now I know how to work the damn thing I'm ready for next month's! Ha!