Local

[Cowen]

1. Thrasher improved when fifty replaced the junction.(6) ??????. 18. Diverge from the local bank.(6) ??????. 7. Show it is not mastered. (11) ???????????. 6. Strip away five hundred and one pieces of ceremonial dress. (10) ??????????.

[Tilly2]

1. harrow

[mac44]

18. branch

[JJ109]

1. Belter
(Belter = thrasher when the L(50) is replaced with T(junction) it improves becomes "better")

[slaney]

1. Belter - better (improved) with a T (junction) replaced with L - fifty.

[mac44]

7. demonstrate

[Tilly2]

Belter is much better than harrow.

(I was thinking Harlow junction and farm machinery) :-)

[JJ109]

7. Demonstrate (anag of not mastered)

[slaney]

(Di)Vestitures - DI = five hundred and one.

[JJ109]

6. Dismantles ?
Di = 501 + mantles - but I can't see the other "S"

[Cowen]

21. To nearly be about is to be so decorated. (8) ????????. 22. A monk traps pit in a mess (8) ????????.

[aelmpvw]

22 rasputin

[JJ109]

22. Trappist(monk) - angrm of traps pit

[aelmpvw]

don't know where the u comes from though?

[aelmpvw]

trappist is better :-)

[JJ109]

Ornately (anag of to nearly)

[Cowen]

20 Solemn pop group fill the cemetry.. (11) ???S?S?????. 8. Oblique hints about unions need. (10) ?????N????.

[JJ109]

8. Innuendos (anagram union needs)

[JJ109]

Or at lest it would be an anagram if I could type properly

Innuendoes

[Neveracrossword]

20 Gravestones (Grave Stones).

[Cowen]

Thank you all