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Good morning friends. I wish you a very happy and healthy New Year. I feel I've gone a bit 'rusty' over the break. Hope #5 is not unfair. Happy solving. J

I set clues just for pleasure. I wonder if some of you excellent regulars would like to try a few? Since they're new, no letters!

Please withhold solutions till 5 pm (GMT) to allow others to have a go.

1. Faithful old part-time Triple Alliance (4)

2. Oh dear! Don’t close both concert halls (4)

3. Flyer made out of coffee box and string (4,7)

4. It’s dark and labour-intensive work without an anvil (10)

5. They revive some swimmers with sex appeal and leave leader. Some others are placed outside (8,5)

Happy New Year, jolan - good to see you back.

I've got some drying out to do, after very wet (and, ultimately, abortive) golf this morning. I'll give them a proper look later.

A Happy New Year Jolan. I hope you've had a good festive season.

On first reading I've got #4.

HNY jolan, I now consider 2015 as having "officially" started, welcome back. I see #s 3 & 5 on reading and think I see the mechanics of #4. Looking forward to some mental "wrestling" with the others.

Just clicked with #2, you old rogue, lovely.

I've got #4, and an idea for #1 (but I'm not sure it works)

Now got a "full house" jolan, cheers. Re #1, I never stop learning in this game!

I see you you've recovered from your wild holidays, Jolan. Only have the first three so far... Love #3.

And 4...

Hi also to Ginge (here was me, thinking #5 was too obscure - will I never learn!), Rossim and Ari (hope the turkeys can now have some respite - Oh! Do you eat turkeys at Christmas in the colonies or are they reserved for Thanksgiving?). Great solving!