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Four-letter word for an "airy" chocolate bar + a two-letter abbreviation for "rubbish" (the second half of the full version is a rude word) around another two-letter abbreviation for "in charge" (running). Took me ages to see that!

ixion - I think it's: first 2 words = first 4 letters, then rubbish (American) = 5th and 8th letters with abbreviation for "running" as 6th and 7th.
I take it 29 has shifted to 27?

Thanks loge and prospero, should have seen that.

Sort of prospero, not entirely a coincidence I'm sure.

can't parse 17 or 28 - if I've got them right ... and I seem to be one shift short. Positioning would indicate it should be one of them.

First three letters of 17 make a word for useless (think of a firework that doesn't go off, say) , then two bridge opponents, The definition is in Chambers.

28 - def is something Christmassy. It's a word for blessed or saintly with an extra L. I'm not convinced that "leader-in-chief" points to L rather than C but that must be it. And yes, one of them has to be coded.

thanks a bunch, loge - relieved my misery and restored the symmetry ...
I had a mistake in 21 which was leading me to a different sort of uselessness. Well, that was a labour of love, if hours rather than Hamish Soup's (presumed) many days ... still, I guess he gets paid for it, however little, judging by my own Guardian contributions. But it was worth the effort, Hamish. Well done - again.

Yes, I enjoyed this, thanks, as a birder, I esp. liked 12a! Nice touch.

I initially thought the same loge but if you look up"-in-chief" in Chambers it does work ; )

Fair enough, Ixion. Sorry Soup for doubting you!

Did you manage to parse 31, ixion? I just got there!