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Finished this one in just about three hours. ALL my own work.

My brain is overworked to the point of fatigue as a result of having to decide which look-up offered the best fit solution and my fingers are worked to the bone as evidenced by the rivulets of blood coursing their way between the keys of my computer keyboard.

Well done, Forester!
Keeps you out of mischief, too!
I gave up on the Jumbo a couple of years ago as it became too much of a slog. I had been doing it for about twenty years too!

I finished the last two inter-connecting clues this morning at breakfast, after puzzling over them for too long. Well done forester if you needed no help with anagram solvers and the like. I did have to do so. Either the Jumbos are getting easier, or I am getting better at solving. I like to think it is the latter, but.....!

I thought, several years ago, that they had became easier. I seem to remember a lot of Shakespeare and opera, and Greek and Latin poet related questions.
I find Anne Bradfords Crossword Dictionary a great help...and if it's good enough for Colin Dexter...!

One Shakespeare and one poet this week...
Good surface reading and very few anagrams. I found it enjoyable. The last "stinker" jumbo was so long ago. We are due another one soon I guess

I assure you that my tongue was firmly in my cheek for the entire post.

mmmmmm ;)

Jazzgirl, the first and second Times Cryptic Jumbo Crossword books are all stinkers.
I am sure I read that a new crossword editor came in and informed the setters that The Times had readers from all walks of life (like Dire Straits!) and not just classically educated folk, and to modernise the crosswords.
Much better, I think.