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24 is a draught animal.
The wordplay for 24 might possibly lead to a person, but 'witch' (wit + ch) is incorrect - and I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have finished the grid with that entry in place.

Thanks. I was looking for a person or character -- forgot about other living things, especially unfamiliar ones.

I've finished the crossword now (despite being in a country cottage away from my usual resources), but I am not happy with my parsing of 21 down. I am sure I'm correct (and have indeed submitted it), but can anyone give me a hint as to how it's parsed? Thanks.

I haven't still got my copy but as far as i remember, it's' an anagram of HARP ON N(early) with an extra letter. The answer means a machine that has been phased out, as well as its more common meaning.

Thanks, loge. I searched for that definition, but couldn't find it.

It's an obscure definition, but it is in the Chambers Dictionary.

This puzzle was a bit of a dog's breakfast for me … but I got there in the end!
No-one seems to have mentioned this but, to my mind, the second word in 1dn is redundant (possibly the first word too), unless there is a parsing that I haven't spotted.
Also, I can't work out the thematic word paired with 25ac, though I see that it is defined by the superfluous word in 26ac.

[There's been a lot of discussion as to who is the likely candidate for the superfluous word/definition in 11ac; to add to the confusion, when I was a nipper - 1960s - the character at 7ac definitely qualified!]

I had the same thoughts about 1 down, Jif, but the item in question has won a load of awards so perhaps the second word is justified. Seems a bit strange though as it's hardly acquired classic status (as far as I know).

The pairing for 25 across is in Chambers.

What goes with 3d ...and is he the director?

Hi Kirky,

I've got 3d as the Serviceman.