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Yes novice - STRIK(e)S = 'blows' upwards barring end of 'th(e).'

Turast, just to add, I think the common sense approach is that a cell has four sides and four corners, Your approach, that it has two sides, a top, a bottom and four corners, seems to create an unnecessary constraint

Morning all; I've got all the components using the correct number of cells, but have got a blind spot in relation to 31D, a hint would be gratefully received.

31 Is an obscure word but with a fairly common root.
3 letters for 'get' (to twig) inside 3 letter shortened word for something you'd put into a VCR.

Greengage, the definition is the first three words. A three letter word for to get or understand inside a three letter word for a recording

Yes, I think that is unfortunate. It has to be that occurrence of the letter, surely, especially as its removal leaves two neat words. How do you indicate that you are using this letter in the sketch - surely you don't have to highlight the letter in the place it has dropped to? But highlighting the space seems equally inappropriate.

After such a brilliant construction, it would be a pity if we were back with The Hare.

You have to sketch the contrivance, rather than just highlight its letters, so no problem about dropping the letter you are worried about

Yes, I suppose so, though I am not quite sure what one of these looks like. It is actually clear from the preamble that the letter drops AFTER doing the sketch, so there is no ambiguity.

I would appreciate some help with 15ac and 31ac. I have LEVI for 15 but have no idea how it works. I think 31 has a clash in the first letter. I have **MS. Thanks.

Sorry meant 10ac.