oldwolfie - 24d is a 2-letter abbreviation for "that is" (German but in Chambers) + a 3-letter word for "long practised" with its last letter chopped off.
Grunos, the answer to 20, 4d is split but not rearranged, so you can look up the definition in Chambers. In 13, 41d "me" means the setter. It's a familiar word with an unfamiliar definition as in the clue. The part at 13 is rearranged.
Hi grunos, thanks. Yes, I get that there's a link between the final words and the removed words but why choose those three final words in the first place? They just seem random and I can't see any relevance to the title. I just think I must be missing something.
A-ha, thanks, CD. That was certainly a missing link in my understanding. Because I hadn't bothered with the endgame, I didn't consider which column was involved. I can see that now - very clever. I'm still unclear about the title and the need to split three 6-letter words.
Gitto, thank you for your advice at 17. I’m afraid that I lost interest and haven’t proceeded further. It seems that the puzzle has rather divided the congregation!
Thanks all. I guess there are enough 3 of things going on to justify the title, unless there is some deeper link that I’m missing. Impressive construction. Thanks Miles