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9a: Friend across pond welcomes celebrated flyer. (7)
The answer has to be BUSTARD but I cannot parse it, apart from US being "across pond". Bard certainly isn't friend, so I'm lost. Any help please?

Hi Despard,
BUSTARD, a bird
Friend across the pond = BUD, (US slang) around STAR, celebrated

Thanks mattrom. Obviously got sidetracked by US.

Just one more to put me out of my misery: 31d: Perhaps wide court passage (7) I*T*A*T The only answer is INTRANT, but I can't parse it. Help, please.

31d EXTRA CT

That makes a lot of sense stevie gee but raises a problem which I hope you can clear up. The first "I" comes from 30a: One wearing black recalled proud mother (5) N*O** . I have got NAOMI ie I moan (mourner) backwards. Now the letters are N*O*E . Suggestions?

Niobe.
"Ebon" is black, around "1".
Niobe's children were slain and she was turned into stone.

Thanks rusty. I was torn between two biblical mothers and chose the wrong one. (Wisdom of Solomon)

Glad to help, Despard!