Across
- 3. Yankee institute with Lancashire lad lecturing.
- 7. Midland alma mater of a budding fine artist.
- 13. Chef de cuisine and seller of the finest boots.
- 14. Cumbersome cooking equipment, turned off in Summer.
- 15. Only twice attended but thrice holy.
- 18. (2 words) Alliterative Christmas sweet topping.
- 20. Prerequisite for present-opening on Christmas morning.
- 21. 'Tis a foine city, h'int it. Proper bootiful too.
- 22. Annie and Charlie debuted as extras at the beach.
- 24. Anglo-Saxon capital and St Wystan's burial place.
- 25. London scientific college with imposing title.
- 26. The 11-plus sent our brightest and best here.
- 27. Bang! Bad jokes and paper hats incoming.
Down
- 1. Probably not named for the bushes.
- 2. Home of a legendary cat and star-gazy pie.
- 4. Gastronomic Gunners Enthusiast.
- 5. (3 words) the definitive retelling of Dickens' festive classic.
- 6. Master of conveyance by both land and water.
- 7. Follicle chameleon added to the mix in 2017.
- 8. Master pudding-maker and wrangler of Taids.
- 9. Oxford college graced by three among us.
- 10. Family sommelier and champion of scrabble.
- 11. We take a wintry walk to watch them flop around.
- 12. Green-thumbed avian enthusiast and science educator.
- 16. Font of useless trivia, born in a bad year for wine.
- 17. Southern lad finds new home oop north.
- 19. Both a river and a gathering of melodious voices.
- 23. Guardian of tradition and cider drinker extraordinaire.
- 26. Matured in the larder for months then baked in pies.