Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Special instructions: From the answer to each across clue one letter must be omitted wherever it occurs (often more than once) before entry in the diagram. To the answer to each down clue one letter must be added, at any point but not unchecked, before entry in the diagram. Definitions in both across and down clues refer to untreated answers; cryptic indications refer in both to the answers as they appear in the diagram. Numbers in brackets show the length of untreated answers, both across and down.
19a Sir twice errs with cups - we stick rigidly to holy writ (12) I have ?C??????S?
5d Mates were with'orse coming in second (7) I have ?A?K????
Grateful for any help

19, Scripturists.

5, Wackers?

Thanks Chald - don't see which extra letter goes with wackers to fit the cryptic bit?

I do now! wackeres were + (H)ack +s

Well done, Jeannie!

Jeanie, I am still stuck on this. Clue definition "mates" which is wackers Sorry to be thick but I don't see the cryptic part to give an "H" and what exactly is the grid entry WACKERSH????? This is driving me mad started with VICHYSSOIS (potota soup and took out "S" then found it has an "E" so the N-W corner looks a bit weak -- Any comments?
Olim

wackers = mates; were with ack = horse HACK becomes ack;then S for second, the extra letter needed is E inserted wackerEs
1a isnt vichysoisse - it's tattie-claw, then remove the T's for entry into the grid as AIECLAW.
The letters to be added and taken out spell out "the uncertain process of letter writing" so that may help you with other clues

Many thanks -- I can get on now

Nearly finished this after a struggle but can anyone help with 21ac - telegraphs rock sample black found amid fragmented dross - I have ?c?re?o??s. A is the missing letter(s).