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I've never seen "van" used in that way before either.

PDS
I'm surprised. "In the van" for "leading" is pretty common.

17d is my last. Mildest nudge appreciated.

In Response to (Minno)
17d is my last. Mildest nudge appreciated.

Think racquet sport

Hi Minno,

17d - think "sport"

Re. Van. I think it was far more commonly used as a word for good, leading, cutting edge.
An old man two miles out of our village joked that we came from a place where one would "put pig on wall and watch van go by". Inferring that we were unsophisticated enough during village parades, the van, so as to require said livestock's audience and good opinion.
I suspect this usage tailed off after the futility of cavalry charges was shown in trench warfare.

Thank you both Brendan and Pauly.

The old man inferred with comic affect, as opposed to implying for comic effect. I like to think he was laughing with us as opposed to...

Hi everyone

Just joined the forum. It has taken me ages to read through all the threads and I'm not sure I've found them a great help. Interestingly, my first thought for 19d seem to be the answer. I rejected them at the time.

I started around 3.00pm as usual, but got bored early on and kept having to stop to get in the washing and/or feed the cat and visit the neighbours. I started quite well but soon ground to a halt. I decided that the definition for 14,24 was "webber", so tried ducks. I can't quite see all the anagram yet. I've an answer for 11d, but I'm not sure of the parsing. What does "press on button" do. I have "Kettle" as the definition.

Without the explicit hint for 20d, I'd never have got it.

I still have a number to get, but will return later.

11D is a word (loosely) meaning "to press" followed by a "button". Kettle (say) is the right definition.

Wrong kind of webber in 14, 24 ;)