Azed 2452

[JJ109]

12a Opening of public bar, distinguished scientists in jumpers (8)
_ RA _ CERS
It looks like PRANCERS but why?

27d Short poem? Sounds like a whopper (4)
_A _ A
The first letter is W if AJWAN is correct for 26a

26a Source of oil from Japan, sealed in a pasty (5)
Is this AJWAN ? = J(apan) "inside" a wan (pasty)
AJWAIN is a source of oil, but is AJWAN an alternative spelling?

Many thanks

[mac44]

27d. waka

[iminoz]

27d WAKA, Japanese poem
Pronounced like 'whacker' (whopper)

[iminoz]

26a Yes, AJWAIN, AJWAN and AJOWAN are alt. spellings

[JJ109]

Many thanks Mac and Iminoz!

[aelmpvw]

12a p rance rs
p = pub
rance = bar
rs = royal society

[aelmpvw]

public not pub :-)

[iminoz]

12a P RANCE RS
P(ublic) + RANCE, bar + RS, Royal Society (of scientists)

[JJ109]

Many thanks also AEL - finished with everyone's help again. Thanks!