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randk - not sure how much of it you have, but the entry is a real word. happy to give you more if you need

23d (If it's the definition that's the problem) -
For the 2nd answer, the headword in Chambers doesn't include the adjectival form given in Collins (in Collins the noun, ''... a band of distinctive colour on the throat'' is followed by the adjective as it appears in the grid). For 'splash', Chambers gives, ''...to variagate as if by splashing'', so I think the definition we're given is fine.
I'm pretty sure you already know how the wordplay works (4 letter word for 'banned' + anag of first two words).

...the wordplay is for both answers, of course (and the anag gives the last letter of the 1st answer and all of the 2nd).

...and Chambers gives the correct spelling, of course (sorry).

Thanks both. All clear now

Finished! I think.

I haven't worked through the parsing of clues after the six items are cycled.

On spot placement - i have put the spot in the middle of a blank cell where crossing entries are involved - is that right? I have 4 spots on edges and 3 in blank cells. This leaves all real words i believe.

I think i have the change and the deletion correct, but neither are satisfying - that is, they don't seem as complete as a the rest of the puzzle.

The puzzle itself was a great challenge, revealing itself slowly to me!

Posting worked - I have a better deletion - much better! i knew it wasn't right!

Many thanks to Brock for a challenging and very satisfying workout and a tour de force of construction. The preamble seemed daunting at first but it all fell into place (not least the placing of the dots, two possibilities looked confusing but made full sense in practice). The final erasure was a brilliant transition in meaning which truly demonstrated “thematic behaviour”.

One loose end for me, can't parse the wordplay in 30a.

Thanks

30 - a general word for 'material' (5 letters 2nd letter extra) curtailed, goes around the usual numeral + heraldic 'charges' (4 letters) all reversed.