By way of reminder, the object of this game is to solve (and briefly explain) the clue presented by the previous poster and then set your own clue.

Anything from the (worldwide) crossword arena is acceptable by way of clue style, but if you stray too far from the pure path beware the scourge of...
Pandora's WET NOODLE!

The puzzle could be an old favourite or something of your own making. Don't be shy: this is for everyone, not just the old hands!

For those unfamiliar with crossword clues who want to give it a try, there is plenty of guidance online, for instance http://www.gameboomers.com/Garden/CrypticCrosswordTypes.htm and https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/premium/xword/cryptics.html as well as a quite entertaining and instructive book (not just for beginners) available from amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Times-Crack-Cryptic-Crosswords/dp/0007546521/ref=dp_ob_image_bk and no doubt elsewhere, and for those who like British Crosswords you may like to try these (which are free): http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords and https://www.ft.com/crossword. English setter John Halpern's website may also be of interest www.johnhalpern.co.uk.

There is nothing to prevent (say) a couple of related clues if offering a single clue cramps your style.

If there are multiple answers involved, there is no restriction against one person solving all and the solver of the final clue/part is the one who goes next.

Obviously you need to await confirmation of a correct answer before posting your own puzzle, but please then do so reasonably promptly: if having answered correctly you are not going to be able to set a follow-up clue within about the next 24 hours, please pass your turn to someone else so that the game does not stall.

To save the poor demented solvers from excessive brain damage , you should consider revealing one letter of the answer when the question is set, unless the answer is very short/easy so that provision of a letter hint at the outset would spoil the sport!

If no-one is biting within about 24 hours you should start dropping additional hints, and to try to give everyone a fair crack of the whip, the immediately previous setter is asked not to post a solution to the current clue within the first 24 hours.

Constructive criticism and cheerful badinage are to be expected, not to mention a certain amount of national rivalry, but above all, have a bit of fun.

The weighty trophy to be passed to whoever solves your clue is the jewel-encrusted CanukDenis Memorial Championship Belt
===[**CDM**]===

This thread is so named in honour of our late dear friend Denis Borris (aka CanukDenis) who was an ever cheerful and quick-witted presence on this forum, posting many an iffy crypt just to stir the pot, and intrigued by all things linguistic, mathematical and beyond.
RIP CD - we hold you in our hearts as we play on!

The next clue will be posted shortly by current Belt holder Sherlock

Thanks for the belt, Sue!

Service provided in mountainous area (6)

Direct on the right. cvccvc vowels are different.

Mass-if

You got it, Kevin! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you kindly!

Independent boss and retired clergyman freeze (3,4)

I + CEO + REV backwards (retired) -> ice over

You melted that one pretty quickly, Rog! ===[**CDM**]===

Many thanks!

Make sure to indicate a feature of the border (10)

Direct on the right
Wordplay 5 + 5
Think Charlie...

Hmm - for "border", think for example the old West Berlin

checkpoint (good clue UW)

Praise from the master is praise indeed, manxman!

Yours, I believe: ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you UW

Rock star's prime sound (5)

S/ting?

good answer Lex, just not quite the one I had. Change 2 letters

direct on the left

S/tone?

Well done Sherlock, you're a star ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, manxy!

Perhaps a teddy bear, somewhat fed up? (5)

Sated = fed up - hidden word

Can't hide anything from you, Lex! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, and apologies for the delay!

Fish buffet without starter of sushi's nonsense (10)

Direct on the right cvcccvccvc

Wordplay 3 + 1 + 6, two letters repeated (one consonant and one vowel)

Am I right in thinking we're looking for a name (if the single letter is a consonant)?

No - fish + bash with a consonant filling in the sandwich (slightly unusual use of "without") = nonsense

cod s wallop tough one Lex

Spot on manxman! ===[CDM**]===

Thank you Lex

Coin broken in pieces (6)

specie (anagram of pieces)

Well done Sherlock ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, manx!

We lay off in exchange for a drink (6, 5)

Direct on the right. cvccvv cvcvc - 3 vowels used, of the six vowels (hint)

Off is an indicator. In is an indicator.

So, an anagram of "we lay" inside a synonym of swap: I suspect that this may be some sort of cocktail beyond my ken...!

Got there in the end: Barley Water

Phew!! Nice solve, Lex! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Cheryl!

Still calm about reconstruction of shelters (12)

Direct on the left, two indicators, cvcvcccvcvcc

Only one of the vowels is used and only one other letter is repeated

wordplay 4 (reversed) + 8 (anagrammed)

The vowel is e, the other repeated letter is s, and the direct might often be expanded to "but still"

OK - got it!

Eventually gpt "theless" for the anagram with a spare "r", so must be "never" ("even" reversed with the spare "r") "theless"

Correct answer Rog, but no spare r as there is r in shelters... ===[**CDM**]===

Oops - thanks, Lex!

Port is extra after Indian dish (9) - 4 vowels, all different

OK - let's get ths show on the road:

Direct on the left, wordplay 5+4, think curry...

Hhmm - maybe think Maryland, then...

cvccvcvcv - 5-letter curry + 4-letter synonym for "extra"

i'll put you out of your misery Rog - Baltimore

Thanks, Lex!

Take it away: ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you - I thought that was a good clue by the way, although my limited grasp of geography made me struggle somewhat!

Panicking at home even when fencing's secure (2,1,4,4) - two each of two vowels

Direct on the left vc v ccvc ccvc

This one may be a particular challenge for those across the pond because the answer contains what I think may only be a British synonym for apartment... and in fact the whole answer may be more of a British expression for panicking...

Guessing it could be "In a flat spin" but can't explain the "spin"

Correct mon ami ===[**CDM**]===

justification: in (at home) + flat (even) fenced (contained) by as (when) + pin (secure)

Doh! Thanks, Lex!

Limit an urban area's size (8)

Direct on the right, wordplay 3+1+4

Limit an urban area's size
   3         1 + 4

cap/a/city
Thanks for the hint, Rog!

That's about the size of it, Cheryl! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, Rog!

One who grows terribly red with anger (8)

gardener (anag.)

That's it, manxman! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Sherlock

Seal gets in trouble (6)

Signet = seal - anagram (trouble) of gets in

Good answer Lex
===[**CDM**]===

Thank you mxm!

Enthuse about ace times in car Willy restored (3,7)

Direct on the left, two indicators, two each of a and l but no other letters repeated.

Anagram "car Willy* and chuck in "ax" ("ace times)" -> wax lyrical - nice one!

All yours! ===[**CDM**]===

I thank you!

Bring curtain down on last few tricks (7)

Early hint - direct on the right, wordplay 3 + 4

Bring curtain down on last few tricks - "on" is just a filler to improve the surface

vccccaY

Think the theatre, think bridge

end/play

You got it, Cheryl! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Rog!

Change 'orse's 'eadgear? (5)

Happy birthday, Cheryl!

Belated birthday greetings, Cheryl!

Oops - likewise, Cheryl!

Direct on the left.

Thank you all for the B-Day wishes!

2 vowels, both different. vccvc

Vowels are a and e

'alter (halter)

Yes, manxman! Here you go. This ought to make you 'appy! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Sherlock. And a 'appy belated birthday

Silent card game (5)

hint: ccvcc all different

whist (double def)

Right you are Pandie

And your reward: ===[**CDM**]===

Whist meaning silent is a new one for me

Probably made up by our previous colonists just to confuse us Brits...

More likely yet another obscure, irrationally spelt British creation

Thank you, Manxie! Give me a mo whilst I think up a new clue.

Spots soft strings (6)

Direct on left

c/cvcvc

Re-clue: Sets locations (7) (6)

I'm going with your first clue because it has the right # of letters for my answer:
p/laces

Whoops! I meant six letters! Well solved, Cheryl! You've won first place. ===[**CDM**]===

I was rather slow off the mark there, failing to think of laces as a synonym for strings or to consider that meaning of spots...
obviously starting to lose whatever edge I (may have) had... I blame birthdays...!

Thank you, Sue!

Insect holding another up without force (6)

Direct on the right.

Think of two insects. Two indicators.

Feebly

Yes, Lex! Here's your reward! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, Cheryl!

People in the house cadge food from boy (4,2,5)

Direct on the left - cvcc vc cvvcc - all vowels used except i - a groaner

OOPS - letter correction at end of first word!!

Wordplay: cvc cvc'c vvcc, moving the word break to the above with removal of the apostrophe (and please see above correction, with humble apologies)

S features three times, and no other letters are repeated - people in the house (the direct) refers to the audience/attendees.

(and see expansion of above hint)

First letter is B...

What, still no takers? I cannot take that lying down, the answer definitely requires a sitting position...!

What is important in the catering and entertainment industry?

Food and an audience

Based solely on your clue Lex and the first letter being ‘b’, is it bums on seats?

I sure hope that's right. I'd like to see a complete explanation, please.

Spot on flotsam! Bums on seats = people in the house - bum son's eats = cadge food from lad (house in this context meaning entertainment venue seating but I am not sure whether that is purely British usage)

Here you go: ===[**CDM**]===