Spectator 2521

[Germy]

I've solved the clues, figured out (geddit?) the theme, but cannot make any sense of the wordplay for 23D: Sewing in Steyning is very tiring (8).

I'm in Australia so I had to google Steyning and found it's a village in Sussex. Otherwise the Wikipedia entry had nothing to offer re sewing there.

Can anybody provide an explanation?

[Spicerack]

Doubt it, germy. Would it help if you gave me the answer?

[Germy]

It probably would - but it's a competition puzzle and forum rules suggest we not give away answers.

Suffice to say that "very tiring" is, I think, the definition.

[AZardoz]

That is the def. The rest:
Chambers: sew - transitive verb (dialect) To drain

[Germy]

Thanks AZardoz - that works, after a fashion. Though why Steyning should be the archetype of dialect escapes me...

[AZardoz]

You're welcome.
Pabulum has some strange clues, but the meta was a lark.

[bobbinwales]

Hi Germy. It's interesting what you say about forum rules because some posters ask for lits of answers and get lot's of help on here

[AZardoz]

It's early yet. There will be more requests for answers soon.
Check other threads.