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Does the thematic phrase have 27 letters - I have the first 21 in 3 parallel lines but am then stumped as to what to do.

Forget my last past - it has more. All done now.

I thought I was making good progress, but I've ground to a halt with 28a Italian misses mark with gold in Spain - (8) or could be (9).
And still don't have 2a Depression back, old confused. two words - (9, I think)
Please help.

28a Is a pluralisation of a relatively common word (Italian) - 9 letters as it is a Meryl clue
2a Is 8 letters and a "xmas yet to come" clue - confused within the clue indicates a simple anagram

Thanks Gitto.
I'd almost cracked 32. But missed the plural bit.

I’m nearly there but need a help with 40d to help me with my final name - though if I could get the name I might be able to paddle backwards ! (Not into this sport.). “To some degree” might be a two letter word or it might indicate a hidden word in “measure a sesterce in inches”

I think I have it! The glory of posting!

Finished! A good puzzle and one which looked very challenging at first - but then I got going. Thanks Eclogue.

All done, tough in places but working tidily and sorting all the spare letters helps!

Stumped as to the significance of 30 though!

Ignore that, I've just reread the preamble!