Cryptic crossword No 3,134

Welcome Penelope! (I know who you really are though 😆) and thanks for a very fun puzzle. Favourites: 9a 12a, 18a, 27a and 2d (clever trick!). If you're in the market for some constructive feedback, let me know -- I do have a few comments but will let you decide if you want to hear them 😊

Welcome Penelope, pretty much what Henri said. Liked the same clues too but did squint at in congregation. I'd also add 6d to that list. I'm fairly sure I can predict Henri's comments and would most probably agree with them all too.

Welcome Penelope! Very nice debut :)

Fun! Thanks for that. Nod to Henri for specific feedback points. The theme made me smile, and I did like the unusual construction of 2D (which, note, your annotations don't seem to have covered).

Hi Penelope, welcome and well done for you first grid. Quite a few niggles as others have said but I personally find them much easier to forgive when the grid has such humour to it. I particularly liked 18a, 24a, 27a, 28a, 29a, 16d, 17d and 25d. Thanks!

I’m late to the party but it was definitely worth coming! I think ‘refreshing’ nicely describes your debut Penelope - a subtle quality of originality clearly appreciated by the other commentators. I do hope your creative playfulness continues to sparkle as you work on honing your setting skills - something this site is so helpful in encouraging. No favourites from me today- I like them all!

Thank you Penelope. I thoroughly enjoyed this . The theme was very appropriate to my age-group. Lets hope it's more of a challenge for all those young whippersnappers out there.