Independent Weekend crossword 599

[ulysses100]

This is the first time that I've asked for help, twice, in quick succession -- and not normally with crosswords either ! There are some obscure answers in this one like treybit, skeo and droichy, but I'm having problems with the lower left corner.
Missing halves exchanged in French town (4)
Except for love, so much right about religious teaching (6) _A_ _R_
Watch without strain (6)
Gets killed almost in argument (6) _A_ _ LE
Hampshire's No 4 gets century for side (4) P_ _ _
Tropical bird stays away from dams (7) _ _ _ C_ _ _
With Nazi leader gone, one old German enjoying freedom (5) _E_ _ _
That still leaves a couple of others but I'd like to see if I can complete it with these. (Have you done any better kettledrum ?)
Many thanks

[crofter]

Has sle(y)

[crofter]

Could the watch be simply TICKER (ie ticking over)

[pjwillcox]

Is 17d Hampshire's No 4 ... PAGE (Bradfords gives age as a word for century)

[ulysses100]

Thank you crofter.
For your first answer did you mean to put "w" instead of "y" ? I had thought of many words including hassle but couldn't work out the logic of it.
I'm not sure about ticker though . If so, then the tropical bird clue ends in "T"

[crofter]

P + age

[crofter]

No mea culpa SLEW should have been given!

[kettledrum]

Ulysses - I'm afraid I've not really tried. I put in 6 easy ones and then abandoned it. Too busy at the moment, but I'll have another look at this post before I go to bed and if you haven't finished it by then I'll take it to bed with me and have a proper think.
I haven't started the double Speccie either ! That will have to wait until after Christmas.

[crofter]

Ani +cuts = dams (The bird is the ANI!)

[crofter]

French town = LYON (from ONLY)

[ulysses100]

Thank you crofter --- I was just about to post you a reply when the phone went -- because I had just got anicuts as well !
But I'm afraid that the French town is not Lyon as the letters are now _ T _ _.

Thanks for your reply kettledrum. As to the double Spectator it is really really difficult. I keep looking at it for a few minutes and then give up. I've solved a few of the B grid but don't know where to put them yet.

[JMR27]

French town = St. Lo (missing = lost with halves mixed up)

[crofter]

Sen (without) + try (strain)

[pjwillcox]

Have managed to finish - do you still need some of those you asked for earlier? (e g 27d is Wessi)
But have not yet identified the two clues for the anagram.

[ulysses100]

Thank you all. I have completed all the clues pjw -- as I said there are many unusual words.
Of the words to fill in witness, sustain, sun , gown and cloth seem straightforward. The others are all names : Robert/Rupert, Harry and the association appears to be with law/court, but, at present I cannot think of any fictional characters. Any further clues pjw ?

[mad max]

I have-paddington,rupert, pooh,(3 bears) abide,brown,sustain,garden,sun,down,sloth(connecting word bear)

[mad max]

forgot, carry & witness

[pjwillcox]

I have the same words as Mad Max, but not got the final link yet.

[mad max]

just got it, goldilocks, annagram of sicko and doll G missing letter

[ulysses100]

Bravo mad max !!!

For the last few minutes I've been wracking my brains over so many combinations of letters for that elusive anagram.

Again, once you have the answer the association is obvious. I sincerely hope that you win a bottle of champagne -- you've earned it !!

[slaney]

Postscript.... just wanted to say following threads like this have made the last three weeks since I joined the site a pleasure and education.
Anicuts ! Wessi ! , I need to smarten myself up a bit !
I am raising my first seasonal glass of champagne to you and all on the site.
Happy Christmas.