Spectator N0 2603

[Matakari]

Good morning, an intricate bit of solving! I'm stumped by
the following for which I would appreciate some hints.
Thanks in advance!
(Preamble: Puzzle 26 is 6A 18 40 1A 27 40 6A 41 6A 37 40 24 10 40 6A. )

17a Endorsement secured by small firm backing antenatal centres (7) O?IT??S
4d Austrian bread, once cold, put into mostly coarse layers (9) ?RO??A??S
9d Advocates of three-way agreement subsequently pressed by judges? (14) ?R?L?S?R?L?S??
12d The Bard’s to lift up stupid person lying across main road (6) A?A?T? (ABATTU)
25d Old philosophical doctrine uses sin to corrupt maiden (8) ?E?S?I??

[ProfessorMaisie]

Just got back from a tour of the peaks, klazo - glad Cloverjo pointed you in the right direction and hope you enjoy the puzzle.

scorpiojo - klaz is right, I'm a man (my wife set up the user name etc when she needed some advice and I thought I'd make better use of it}.

[klazomaniac]

Thanks for letting me know that the Mephisto comes out on Sunday NAC, Was looking for that one also :-)

No worries Scorps :-)

And cheers Prof M, I will no doubt be cursing you later for getting me into them ;-)

Ps. Hope you had a great time at the Peaks. Time to put your feet up and have yourself a well deserved Penderyn :-)

[ProfessorMaisie]

If you end up liking The Listener I might start plugging the joys of whisky drinking...

[klazomaniac]

The Whisky is too frisky for me. I'll stick to my Bourbon thank you ;-)

Just had a quick glance at the Listener. I think i'll have to up my game!
Not attempting it yet as i'm off out later. But shall be printing it off tomorrow.
So I hope you will be around if (That means WHEN) I require some assistance ;-)

[ProfessorMaisie]

I'm betting you won't need it, klazo, but you can count on me (I tried bourbon... once}.

[klazomaniac]

Just the once. lol
That's a statement in itself !

My local doesn't stock malts. That's why I avoid the dreaded Whisky and Whiskey. If I ever get the chance in town to try a Penderyn, I'll give it a go. I know malts can be a lot smoother on the taste buds, But a lot richer on the wallet.

Enjoy your evening, It's time for me to join the coronation bash and raise a glass to HRH :-)

[ProfessorMaisie]

You too, klazo (and Cheers! CRIII).

[PiffPoff]

Old guide finally dies – RIP when lowered? (5). ?tear. STEAR? Why?

[klazomaniac]

Old guide finally dies – RIP when lowered? (5). ?tear. STEAR
(Old /archaic) Guide = Stear

(finally) (die)S + Tear (RIP = Rest in Peace as uppercase)
As lowercase rip = tear

[PiffPoff]

Thanks!

[klazomaniac]

You're welcome Piffpoff :-)

[wrd456]

Just the one left for last week:
9D Advocates of three-way agreement subsequently pressed by judges? (14)
TR_LATER_L_S_S
Am I right in thinking 'judges' = trialises?

[PiffPoff]

TRILATERALISTS LATER inside trialists

[wrd456]

Of course! Thank you PiffPoff :)