* in the completed grid the first letters of the solutions in numbered order run from A to Z
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citadels D(ate) in ELASTIC (anag)
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russet (t)RUSS/E(nergy)/(pu)T
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neurones N(ationalist)<RUE(rev)>ONES
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neeps N(orth)<PEE(rev)>S(outh)
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quintet QUI<N(ational)T(rust)>ET
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docents DO + CENTS
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ironsmiths I (current) + RON + SMITHS [Maggie & Delia]
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esteem MEETS/(decre)E (rev)
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kora K OR A [KenyA]
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xenogenous E(uropean)/GONE/X (rev) + NOUS
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Hugo HUG(e)/O
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mandir MAN + RID (rev)
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aurora AUR<OR>A &Lit
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vaunts V (5/quintet) + AUNTS
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lairiest ES in (b)LAIRIT(e) [‘es’ = are/art in French]
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gharries G(overnment)/HARRIES
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orangery ORANG//(v)ERY
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ziti ZIT/I(taly) &Lit
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oppos SOP (rev) after OP
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petuntze PE<TUN>T + Z(o)E
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taxers S<REX>AT (rev)
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journalese JOURN<ALES>E(y)
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wont NOW(rev)/T
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bourtree BROT(h)ER/U(rban)E (anag)
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shtetl L(eft)/TETHS (rev)
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unactive U + NA<C(our)T>IVE
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firkin F(ellow)/IRKIN(g)
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yesteryear Y<EST(h)ER>YEAR