No 14042, Monday 11 Dec 2023, Cresent

Solution to 1D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

7   Queer introverted chaps mostly act shy (6) DEMURE {DE{RUM<=}Ed}

8   Rush at speed crushing mass? (8) STAMPEDE {AT+SPEED}* over {M} &lit

9   Flag with a legend (4) SAGA {SAG}{A}

10 Jack-of-all-trades in public service largely a good deal (7,3) UTILITY MAN {UTILITY}{MANy}

11 Black, tarry fuel at sea breaks sign of clean coast (4,4) BLUE FLAG {B}{L{FUEL*}AG}

12 Desires dead drops in dumps (6) ITCHES dITCHES

14 Non-striker for instance, turning to obstruct caught and bowled (4) SCAB {A{C}S<=}{B}

15 Charge to wrap tips in non-toxic foil (6) FENCE {FE{No...iC}E}

16 Conservative should wear a streak of light blue? (4) RACY {RA{C}Y}

18 Shade of glass to reduce glare (6) GLOWER {Gl..s}{LOWER}

20 Chain in earlier sailing ship (8) SCHOONER {S{CH}OONER}

22 Horse around cottage hard at work (3,3,4) ACT THE GOAT {COTTAGE+H+AT}*

24 Guy's choice of skirt in Cumbernauld (4) CORD {OR} in {Cu...lD} (Correction - C or D - See comments)

25 Flight controller putting blame on transport (8) JOYSTICK {STICK}<=>{JOY}

26 Approach a planet leaving behind Earth (6) AVENUE {A}{VENUs}{E}

DOWN

1   Bore I see is bored by everything - irony perhaps? (8) ?E?A?L?C (Addendum - METALLIC {MET}{I C}<=>{ALL} - See comments))

2   Ragged towel about maniac (3,2,5) OUT AT ELBOW*

3   Consequence of equals making a base abroad (6) SEQUEL {EQU(-a+e)ELS}*

4   To get the best out of web I circulate upcoming stuff (8) MAXIMIZE {MAZE} over {I}{MIX}<=

5   Society snoop becomes active (4) SPRY {S}{PRY}

6   Violet and aster reflecting part interlocked thus? (6) ADNATE [T<=]

8   Run away dancing like lead in Hindi song and so on (5,4,4) SLING ONES HOOK {LIKE+Hindi+SONG+SO+ON}*

13 Skilful method to enter words for ornamental scrolls (10) CARTOUCHES {C{ART}OUCHES}

15 Fellow men understand? No chance! (6,2) FORGET IT {F}{OR}{GET IT}

17 Cruel act made explicit (5-3) CLEAR-CUT*

19 Voter wanting electronic reader (6) LECTOR eLECTOR

21 Money given after successful shot to an assassin (6) HITMAN {M}<=>{HIT} and {AN}

23 Hot sponge put over pants (4) TOSH {H}{SOT}<=

Reference List

Mass =- M, Black = B, Dead = D, Caught = C, Bowled = B, Conservative = C, Chain = CH, Hard = H, Earth = E, Base = E, Society = S, Fellow = F, Men = OR, Electronic = E, Money = M, Hot = H