Cryptic crossword No 590

Aware I've taken a few liberties here... feel free to pick holes, and don't pull your punches. I'll be interested to know what bits people think don't work and why, as well as what does work. Ta!

Many thanks for another top puzzle Widdersbel, great stuff. Favourites 12a, 18a, 20a, 26a, 27a, 6d, 8d, 14d, 16d, 21d, and 22d. (Spoilers in reply ...)

Very nice too. Some great surfaces. Love 12a and 7d. I also really like 22a, 6d and 8d. See reply for a couple of queries.

No real gripes for me although I needed extra help for 17d and didn't realise the triple definition at 15a until I read the annotated solution (although I love that sort of clue with an obscure surface). 26a, 1d, 19d (lovely misdirection with Cambridge) and 22d were also good. Not many 22downs where I am last summer as it was very wet, but they make an absolute racket when they appear. Thanks widdersbel.

Thanks for this widdersbel, I always enjoy your puzzles. Favourites were 8d, 14d and 13a, 1a 12a and 16d… loved 20a; some expansion (with spoilers) follows…

Widders, this is sparkling good fun. Really, really good. I lacked the GK for 27a, but saw no unfair liberties. 20a would be my favourite, but the whole grid exhibits wit and a relatively accessible challenge. Very nice.

Super stuff, Widders. So many great clues. There’s an economy and assuredness to your clueing, which is very impressive. I made good progress before becoming rather stuck in the SE through a combination of 20A, 27A, 16D, 17D and 21D (and my solving inadequacies, mostly). Hard to pick favourites but: 9A, 13A, 18A, 26A, 27A, 4D, 6D, 7D (COTD), 8D and 19D

Sorry my appreciation won't be too constructive - I simply liked this one a lot. And I thought 23a was especially good.

That was a wonderful puzzle, thanks widdersbel! Really tight, inventive clueing and lovely surfaces throughout. Also, a very approachable, satisfying challenge so well done on the whole set. I particularly liked 1a (neat), 9a (lovely construction), 13a (another brilliant construction), 15a (very inventive), 26a (lol), 2d (clean), 5d (likewise), 7d (wonderfully inventive), 16d (nice), 19d (clean), 22d (made me smile) and 23d (tidy)

Nice one widders enjoyable as always. Not difficult but fun spoilers in reply

Very nice! With hearty chuckles for 12a, 20a, 7d and 28a :D

I'm another to join the list of admirers for this one, widders. Not too difficult - most solved on the first pass through the puzzle - but the logic was fine and the clues flowed nicely. As always, your constructions are very smooth. Favourites included: 11a, 15a, 18a, 26a, 28a, 5d, 17d, 19d. Spoilers in reply. Thanks. PM

Nice one, thanks widdersbel. A very enjoyable solve with plenty of fun clues. Favourites were 12a, 27a, 28a, 5d (good find) and 19d (not the first time Cambridge college has tricked me, won't be the last).

This was great, thanks. I echo the positive comments of others. I found it relatively straightforward for the most part (not a bad thing at all) and saw some lovely clues, especially 1d, 7d, 8d, 15a, 23a and 28a. 17d new to me (but gettable) so I feel educated. Nice work. A few additional notes in Reply!

Very nice widders - I didn't think there were too many liberties taken at all, and certainly nothing to grind my gears. 19D was my pick, closely followed by 7D, 9A, 22D, and 5D, for various wordplay/surface appreciation.