Times Jumbo Cryptic Crossword 1,045

[dunbraynin]

Please put me out of my misery!!! Last two.

10d. Fine new school dispatching Head (6). N_R_A_. Normal? Why?

17ac.Gracious offer from person wanting hits from rock band? (5,2). S_A_E _E. Spare me? How?

Many thanks.

[Mamyalynne]

17 Stone me

[factor-fiction]

REM is in there

[factor-fiction]

Stone me is better if the A is wrong

[Lie-in King]

10d Narrow (fine) - 'n(ew)' + '(H)arrow'
17a Stone me - "gracious!"

[factor-fiction]

I'm agreeing with Mamya, not claiming I worked it out.

[Mamyalynne]

no worries

[bert_h]

Up until about the 1940's, a teacher training college was known as a "Normal School". The place where there had been one in Glasgow was still on the tramcar destination boards. A whole generation of puzzled Glasgow children - me included - must have asked their parents, "What does that mean, normal school???".

[dunbraynin]

Many, many thanks to you all. Easy when you know how!! Thought this crossword (and its standard size companion) were rather more difficult than usual. Still can't equate clue/answer in several instances; although I'm sure they must be correct. Truly glad to see the bacK of it!!