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All done now. What a slog that was. A few queries though: 1) do I put in the H word or the T word in 1a; 2) I don't understand the wordplay for 12; 3) what has 30 to do with the anniversary.

30 is the Canton in which the harvesting was said to be taking place!

Notrab 1ac has a P word followed by four numbers.

Sorry meant xij.
The trouble with this website is you can't see who you are replying to!

Thanks notrab and unclued, I had just posted when I got the idea of the numbers, and I'd always thought 30 was in Italy - doh! Still don't understand the wordplay for 12 though.
I must get myself ODE and OED, it would save a lot of time.
Probably the hardest and best puzzle for a long while. Thanks Handyman.

I think online versions of Oxford Dictionaries are available through your library service.

I have almost everything - just two unfilled cells as a result of me not having answers to 3 or 15. Any hints?

xij - 12A - with 1st letter missing the next five give 'wave-like' in heraldic insignia (arms) + pressure. Appears in online dictionaries (Collins etc).

mathmo - 3D west country word for ditch - One of smaller political parties not starting. 15A - One with wordplay only - synonym for handle (3) + 5 letter boat (not starting or finishing). Proper noun and part of theme.

Wonderful - I'd interpreted the clues correctly but that was just the nudge I needed to get over the line!