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I too suspect a mistake. Po(-faced) for wooden is conceivable, but doesn’t really fit with the clue construction. They used to be made of wood, so i think the setter just messed up his anagram

Thanks, Jono and Quisling. I think I was too bothered by the (seemingly) extra S in 'sorbets', I didn't spot the other ill-fitting bits, letters etc!

not even that, quisling. they might have a wooden frame *though most don't), but most of it is wire or rope mesh

yes, we are missing a p too

I used to buy the RT every week and enjoyed the cryptic crossword.
However, the setters changed, the clues often had mistakes and I finally stopped buying.
The situation appears not to have improved

Thank you one and all!
I now don't feel as dim as I thought!
Perhaps the setter should come on here and explain it him/herself and put us all out of our misery