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Had a good few weeks without needing any hints - however finding this one a bit tricky - 3/4's full grid and believe I have all 7 clashes, however (all have an extra letter in thematic part):

23a Plant ecstasy in path of policeman (4) - answers to crossing clues give BTET so something wrong somewhere
14a Old regime abandoned allegiance (8) L?E?????
21a Clever nurses Prince inspired at first birth (8) N?TAP???

Hints or direction sorely appreciated.

E in BEAT, A extra = BEET

anag OLD REGIME - R extra, LIEGEDOM

NATALITY, NATTY with HAL + I inside, H extra.

I've got the messages from the extra letters given by the clues and I've even shaded a couple of names but I'm struggling with the top left corner.
Eg:
17a Milton's aims to bottle pure alkenes (8)
??R?INES

Thanks

I have OLEFINES and E/R as one of the clashes.

I only partially understand the cryptic here pure=fine.

MIlton's aims are GOLES (innovative spelling of GOAL)

Thanks (again) Kilgore Trout for clarifying.

Have a full grid now and the position of the seven clashes - but because I've been unsure on a number of the cryptics can't see what the messages are supposed to be.

Gentle hint appreciated

Difficult to give hints but remember it's 2 distinct "messages". The across being the theme, name of "origintor" + type of work) and the down being "what to do". With regard to the downs I can't think how to give a hint without divulging it fully but if you wish to post the additional letters you generated Icould ppoint out any " errors" if you'd like.

Thanks Ginge - as usual I posted out of frustration then the moment later the penny drops

Thanks, crackabilly. There was a Listener crossword based on the same theme not so long ago but it was quite a different type of puzzle.

Might of spoken a bit too soon - have full grid, theme and shaded appropriate areas with thematic colour - but still can't work out what to do with those three semi-circles.

Gentle hint appreciated.