Cryptic crossword No 85

Hello everyone, long-time solver, but my only previous attempt at setting was as a school project. I'd be very glad of your thoughts and suggestions on what I hope is a more developed effort than that one.

Thanks Catnip, that was quite a challenge and not awful at all! There are some fantastic clues in there including my favourites: 4a, 13a, 24a, 7d, 8d, 16d and 18d. Alas, there were also some I couldn't fully parse: 10a, 25a, 3d, 14d and 19d, although judging by the rest of the clues, I suspect it's down to me, not you! SPOILERS in reply...

Thanks Catnip. That was enjoyable, though I found it fairly tricky due to some (lacking) general knowledge and creative definitions. I liked 13a, 24a, 26a, 8d but 16d is excellent and worth the price of admission alone.