This crossword No. 21747 clues and answers were published on Fri 19 Nov 1999 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 21747 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Plant with a sting stuck in the chimney : LABURNUM
5-across – Jack on the way to distant climes? : ABROAD
9-across – Five small English bays suitable for tiny vessels : VEINLETS
10-across – Stuck with History Man : PASTED
12-across – Dexter changing sides develops a delicate touch : LIGHTHANDED
15-across – Catches the blows : HOOKS
17-across – My love, for the record, is starting training as a muscleman : MYOLOGIST
18-across – Measure topless girl by sight : OPTICALLY
19-across – Alien following cat around with hymnal music : MOTET
20-across – Fetch Ron the rum after that : THENCEFORTH
24-across – Pander to wit : HUMOUR
25-across – Small insect, one in a pudding in Chile : SANTIAGO
26-across – Remains of drug in fertilizer : POTASH
27-across – Mechanical writing found to be lacking in diversity : TYPECAST
All Down Clues and Answers:
1-down – Reportedly bright criminal devised means of support : LIVELIHOOD
2-down – Fabulous thornbird holds key to Shropshire town : BRIDGNORTH
3-down – Slater turned up, having been fired again : RELIT
4-down – Free upstanding girl: two students have turned clumsily around : UNTRAMMELLED
6-down – Meeting place with offer of food and lodging : BOARDROOM
7-down – Curse that’s old hat, possibly : OATH
8-down – At Carthage she saw the sights for nothing : DIDO
11-down – Noisy cry said to be caused by a personality trait : IDIOSYNCRASY
13-down – Old curiosities cross to the New World : VICTORIANA
14-down – Two chits – right? – required for the plant : STITCHWORT
16-down – Garden tool Tiger hauled into the Bishop’s office, pursued by Bear? Almost! : SECATEURS
21-down – Archaic song, loud yet madly out of tune : FYTTE
22-down – Buy such talk? : SHOP
23-down – Bellies up! Bit of rudeness : SMUT
This crossword has in total 28 where 14 are across and 14 are down.