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Thanks, Nelson. I'd been working on a hint, a nudge, but got all tangled up!

Hi jogamel, it's a French word (in Chambers) with that is the usual ie and lead is a regular puzzle shortened form of "those in/at the front".

Hi nelson & Malone, neither of your posts were there when I started typing.

I took so long typing mine, I was sure somebody else would have posted by the time I'd submitted. I hesitated for a while as it's often hard to decide how subtle a nudge should be. It's very hard not to go too far.

Thanks all of you. Not quite there yet...

But it's well worth the journey.

You are so right!
The light bulb moment is a highlight of my life
However, 2 clues evading me now. Then I’ll be happy.
17a. Ravaged old boss welcomes quiet pace
I have S?U?ED
ALSO 25d. Gas guzzler fending off small electric car
I have D?AGE

I think I may have an error somewhere

Yes, wasn't that a brilliant little touch?

So, 17A:

Def is old word for 'ravaged'.

Quiet = p.

'Pace'is rate.

Put these inside a 4 letter word for 'boss'.

25D:

Def is 'gas guzzler' - as in big American car (brand name).

You get this by taking the (f)ending off a word for a small electric car that you might drive around at a funfair - bumping into other similar cars.

Your A is wrong, so I think you might have slipped up a little with 30A.

And I thought I had looked for that last night!!!!
So. Just the gas guzzler please....