How to do a cryptic crossword | Walkthrough tutorial of Hertfordshire Mercury puzzle

Think cryptic crosswords are just for Bletchley Park boffins? Think again! Chip shows how easy they can be, and how they really can expand your mind...

This video doesn't just give you a set of tips and questions with immediate answers. Chip actually takes you through the steps of answering a real puzzle, one to which even he didn't know the correct solution until the next edition of the Hertfordshire Mercury came out. This way, you can learn by doing!

Find out how Chip did by watching his vlog at youtube.com/watch?v=thEPZ-uwi1U. In the meantime, here are the questions from the puzzle, in the order we look at them...

A vital reform for Baltic country (6)
Round off spoken language (7)
Island serving some Cuba libres (4)
Writer gives gold to god (6)
Tear-jerkers in soon for reorganisation (6)
Always a heavyweight football team (7)
Deacon's in disarray when made a saint (9)
In woodland or rambling country (7)
Backing art that includes first-class head-dress (5)
Card game needs ten when recording here (6)
Other names back cruise in the ocean (7)
Deity with painful back (4)
Eat away at metal bar in the centre (7)
Small pieces of bread – crikey! (6)
Fabric sellers spread out round river (7)
Whiter variety of pearl (5)
Beamed, as northern transport passed round motorway (6)
You surprisingly seize power internally (5)
In France, John has small trousers (5)
Making an entrance with portion of mango in ginger (5,2)
Preoccupy with vulgar points beforehand (7)
Lots of pasta, but not with starter (6)
Daughter included in tour round royal house (5)
Stop right in the fold (6)
Joined together with small stitched fold (5)

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