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I have made some progress. 8d is 'southern cross' and 10ac is 'out and home again' as Wilmay suggested.
16ac is 'nonage' 21ac is 'refusal' an anagram which I should have seen before. I now have only 2 left.
20d The first sunflower (6) - l - t - -
24ac A useful utensil, but could a bird be taught to use it? (7,6) - e - t - - - / d - e - e - The last letter of 20d is the 6th letter of 24ac (1st word)
If any one has any ideas I shall be very grateful