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22d is driving me round the bend.

22d is the local spelling, 23a irks me more as shelter should surely be shelters!

The whole puzzle drove me round the bend, I wish I'd withdrawn before the start. Like Ginge, I spotted the error in 23 A, a totally unnecessary, avoidable error.

It's only to be expected when the setter is also the sub. Remember Olof Palme being said to be Norwegian? There will be no apology, there never is from the Spectator.

gourami @4
You have reminded me of a Thomas Beecham story Leon Goosens told when he came to do a recital at my school (I was about 15 at the time, I think).
At the end of the concert, Beecham said to Goosens "Come to my dressing room after - there's someone I want you to meet"
When Goosens went in. there was a very distinguished-looking gentleman standing there.
Beecham said "Leon, I would like to introduce you to my old, my very dear friend, the King of Sweden".
The gentleman said just one word - "Norway".

My father was a member of the Royal Philharmonic under Beecham and was there when many of his amusing ripostes were made.

Asking a player "What is your name?" who responder "Ball, sir".

"How very singular".

upsetter
You have reminded me of another story. I was at university with a friend called Pete Bossom. When one of his forebears was introduced to Winston Churchill, Churchill is reputed to have said "curious name - neither one thing nor the other!

These anecdotes are much more interesting and enjoyable than the puzzle.

I am finding it hard to resolve 42a Country fellow's gossip (6). I have
?EY?N?. Maybe I have made a mistake in 22d.

Fellow - think of Fawkes
gossip is a bit of a rarity - I can't think of a suitable hint.