Question Author
Just feel you have our support and pleased to be encouraged!
12a) The letter removed comes out twice, I had never heard of this word, I only knew the one that ends "nette", but the word is lurking towards the end of the definition of the word I knew in Chambers.
16a) Your idea on that would certainly "ring" true!
19a) The bird of prey is 4 letters occupying 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th square, because it has eaten A letter.
15d) No, you have chosen the word that is superfluous as being part of the definition! Think of a lovely cheesey creamy, chocolate topped italian dessert! (as an aside, 34a, I thought the answer here only related to schoolchildren who did not go to school, that should clinch 15d)
31d) You must remember the phrase "I'll have a pee, please Bob!" What were they asking for! The "turn" is also depart and a game. You are then looking for a one letter word, in the first column of the start of Chambers proper that means all in Scotland!
I'll keep lurking, soon be refreshment time.
Ciao