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Caphrist, yes you're on the right track with your reading of the 'down' letter pairs, but don't forget that there are two 'messages' (examples) running in parallel. Compare what you've found with the sequence followed by the *other* letters. In the 'across' element of the examples there is one very glaring value which stands out by being consecutive, as it happens.

Enough hints, already!

Thanks ionacarr. Out with aforementioned baby until 5, after which I'll start again with renewed vigour. Many thanks and healthy solving to you in 2015.

I've got the theme and the central column (though with similar doubts to those expressed here).

One quibble. My Chambers says 7a is one word, not two.

Orson - are you using the plural for 17?

Yes I am, unclued.

Orson- there is no 7ac. I thought you meant 17.

Sorry, unclued, I did mean 17. My answer begins with T and ends with S. It doesn't matter but I did waste time looking for two words. Maybe I've got a funny edition.

T**NS O*T

I have T**NO*TS instead, definition "dresses".

Just realized you must be right, unclued. Dresses as a verb rather than a noun. Thanks.