The Sunday Crossword No 2967, Sunday 29 Oct 2017

ACROSS
1   Tips for safety connected with worry about second tree (8) SYCAMORE {Sa..tY}{CA{MO}RE}

5   Exclude bishop for hurtful remark (4) BARB {BAR}{B}
10 Affair created by mail, for instance, right away (5) AMOUR ArMOUR
11 State sources, including name, with love and thanks (9) MINNESOTA {MIN{N}ES}{O}{TA}
12 Situation? Summit's opening, amid enmity, without delay (4-5) POST-HASTE {POST}-{HA{Su..t}TE}
14 Walk miles in westward region (5) TRAMP {M} in {PART<=}
15 Drama with end ruined by writing that's undistinguished (11) NONDESCRIPT {NO}{END*}{SCRIPT}
18 Small orchestra's wavering tone is faint (11) SINFONIETTA* Thanks to Google
21 Revise measure in printing last section (5) EMEND {EM}{END}
22 Article university issues discounting English tests (9) AUDITIONS {A}{U}{eDITIONS}
23 Flawed rascal, free, in trouble with court (9) IMPERFECT {IMP}{FREE*}{CT}
25 Deduce sign of fear, odd characters having fled (5) INFER {sIgN+oF+fEaR}
26 Helpful style (4) KIND [DD]
27 Excited by spoils, perhaps (8) POSSIBLY*

DOWN
1   Smart agent inhibiting rest (6) SNAPPY {S{NAP}PY}
2   Vote for champs vocally (6) CHOOSE (~chews)
3   Feature with good system, being covered by damages for dismissal (8,6) MARCHING ORDERS {CHIN}{G}{ORDER} in {MARS}
4   Odd unverified reports, not ours (3) RUM RUMours
6   Old artist up above rival endlessly capturing one with fragrant quality (8) AROMATIC {O}{RA}<={MAT{1}Ch}
7   Actor in hole after day gripped by horror (4,4) BRAD PITT {D}{PIT} in {BRAT}

8   Partisan, popular, challenged about religious education (10) INTERESTED {IN}{TE{RE}STED}
9   Changing topic at tea, list names for pieces of shortbread (9,5) PETTICOAT TAILS*

13 Associations with strange days in sect (10) SYNDICATES*
16 Short of time, savour chance to be a star (8) ASTERISK {tASTE}{RISK}
17 Support stirring dinner up (8) UNDERPIN*
19 Fool with fantastic gossip (6) CONFAB {CON}{FAB}
20 Off course since attempt to skirt area (6) ASTRAY {AS}{TR{A}Y}
24 Number aboard slow train upset (3) TWO [T<=]