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and the instrument one ....a nt inside sir

Thank you for your further help kirky. That has also enabled me to guess 19d from the crossers, and so to finish.

I have ransacked Chambers, OED and even Collins Scrabble dictionary and cannot get a fix on 29 that takes account of a letter change in its third place. I'd be grateful for a further hint.

OK, without giving it away, the wordplay itself is very straightforward. My problem was that it gave me a word that I couldn't find in any dictionary........ except Chambers. [Just to make sure you have the right word, it could be split down into 2 English words of 4 and 5 letters]. This answer is in Chambers which also gives a few alternative spellings, one of which you need to enter in the grid.

I have two new valid words for 29 but the letter change does not fit the consistent formula! I too am stymied.

Sorry, I mean new word for 29 and new word for 22 but the for,ula doesn't apply!

The formula applies in every case, I'm afraid. So either your original answers are incorrect or your 'new' words are incorrect.

Work backwards, if these are your last 2 clues, you should know what letter you're looking to put in the intersection. Apply the formula (suitably 'amended') to this and each letter you already have and see if it gives you the correct 'original' letter in each clue.

Stupid me! Had the right words and letter all along. Just can 't count!

Do you mean 24d? In any case i am still stumped!
Likewise stuck on 23 a. Is the first letter a clash?
Thanks for your help

Thank you, simond9x, finally tracked 29 and its variations to OED. Now begins the hunt for the central letter.