mos

[Hoike]

Is this getting harder each week?

1D - Having three semicircular recesses at the east end of a church choir - ?R???S?L - I'm thinking triapsal but can't find this in a dictionary.

12A - Climbing plant or tree named after two french herbalists - ???H?N?? - BAUHINIA?

3D - In Scotland, a person who does odd jobs
- ?R?? - ?A?

5D - Old word for for the octave of a festival from old French outaves - ?T?S

[Dimbo]

Triapsal appears in Chambers s a susidiart of triapsidal

[Mysterons]

1d: TRIAPSAL is in Chambers

[Mysterons]

12a: Bauhin brothers

[Mysterons]

5d: Utas

[Mysterons]

3d: Orra man

[GlenB]

Yes, I think you're right - I think overall its is getting harder, though I managed quite a bit today before going online. Your four queries are the very ones that I was left with, so thanks!

[jezrogers]

12a Bauhinia is correct, and yes, it is getting tougher - no longer a simple google-fest, which is good - but there have been some very dodgy questions/answers lately

[jezrogers]

5d Utas - the 8th day of a festival

[daisy_135]

Absolutely agree. The questions are too vague. The compiler is Chris Feenaby, he says he does not use the internet but has 12 reference books he uses which are readily available. He has ruined this crossword imo.