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I also had virtually no knowledge of the theme, but one number is one of my all-time favourites.....but by June Tabor and the Oysterband!

Clicking on this link will lead to a spoiler!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-pWSHTQOFs

Thanks Buzzybee. Still not really sure about that clue if I'm honest.

Try the country rather than the state.

It’s Georgia the country (IVR) not Georgia the state; confirmed BRB.

BuzzyBee@19,
I seen this technique described as a “ghost theme”. In other words the setter doesn’t tell you it’s there and it’s perfectly possible to solve the puzzle without knowing the theme is present. Totally valid in my opinion and can be quite fun to spot the references as a sort of ‘end game’.

Thanks for that link Chris, not heard it before, very nice!

Well I'm finding this tricky - and am completely stumped by 1d and 28a ... can anyone provide a hint please?

Hi neville
Where are the drugs in (the word) Exeter?
28 - have you the right (wrong!) spelling for 24d?

chrise
Thanks for putting your finger on my real problem with 28: not only is the spelling by far the least usual of all the possible spellings (even if it is an acceptable alternative), but the far more usual spelling fits the clue, and then stymies 28.
Brockwell could surely have constructed a clue about an author or even a botanist!

I was muttering and griping at this, but then realised that the problem didn't lie with the puzzle - I was just being dense.
Hadn't looked for a theme, but now that I've been guided (Thank you, Jono), I'm feeling well disposed towards it all. The only downside is that I am thinking of Paul Young's cover version.
I would have preferred a different spelling for 24d, but that's a minor quibble.