This crossword No. 23055 clues and answers were published on Tue 03 Feb 2004 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 23055 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Missing books on poet : ABSENT
5-across – Refuse to work in needlework period : SEWAGE
8-across – Pan-American reception of military men is attractive : ALLURES
9-across – Musical monologue about prune root : PARSNIP
11-across – Unfinished plane flight to a star causes reflection on transience : THINGSFALLAPART
12-across – Biblical book : RUTH
13-across – Speaker accepting one drink for inspiration : ORIGINATOR
17-across – Rang in damaged ears of mathematician : ARCHIMEDES
18-across – Small group experiencing civil unrest back to front : TRIO
20-across – Musician’s popular support involves pieces on a catalogue : INSTRUMENTALIST
23-across – Shift close result that couldn’t be closer : NIGHTIE
24-across – Nocturnal creature given hearing after an illness : ANTBEAR
25-across – Childminders about to cheer wildly : CRECHE
26-across – Flower’s in flower show : EXPOSE
All Down Clues and Answers:
2-down – Lily gets swamped by sea of projectiles : BALLISTIC
3-down – Get goat even to eat newspaper : ENRAGE
4-down – Model to request church’s Special Squad : TASKFORCE
5-down – Bloom’s part in about 50 copies : SEPAL
6-down – Distortion isn’t commonly the result of make-up : WARPAINT
7-down – A jockey’s first horse pulled up on grass : GANJA
8-down – Dispute about key change : ALTERCATION
10-down – Publicity including a possessor of wings and a prayer : PATERNOSTER
14-down – Force to resume hostilities yielding fruit : GREENGAGE
15-down – Eats among sailors as a result of bad timekeeping : TARDINESS
16-down – Just like a priest to teach one religious instruction badly? : HIERATIC
19-down – North European keeps to this type of computer : LAPTOP
21-down – Sweetener for leaders of students’ union mounting fundraising event : SUGAR
22-down – Large number of solvers doubled? Piffle! : MYEYE
This crossword has in total 28 where 14 are across and 14 are down.