1a was FOI, WOD to 17a, although I have to admit to a partiality for a 14d or two. I think 7d was LOI. Many thanks to Teazel for an enjoyable and doable puzzle, with a few tricks and treats in the devices used.
Across
1 Trespassers assert charge to be out of order (12)
GATECRASHERS – Anagram (to be out of order) of [ASSERT CHARGE].
8 Very fond of a party, call (7)
ADORING – A (a) DO (party) and RING (call).
9 The bar is back: have a great time (5)
REVEL – LEVER (the bar) reversed (is back) to give REVEL.
10 From returning US soldiers, mother getting foreign letter (5)
SIGMA – GIs (US soldiers) reversed (returning) to give SIG and MA (mother).
11 Stricken by illness, I’d allow for new treatment (4,3)
LAID LOW – Anagram (for new treatment) of [I’D ALLOW].
12 Concerned with sight, squint finally through old film (5)
OPTIC – {squin}T (finally) in / through O{ld} and PIC (film).
14 Opening cocktail mixer, one becomes more unsteady (7)
SHAKIER – I (one) inside (opening) SHAKER (cocktail mixer).
15 Turning to place flags, make a speech and disappear (9)
EVAPORATE – PAVE (i.e. place flags or flagstones in a patio or pavement, for instance) reversed (turning) to give EVAP and then ORATE (make a speech).
17 Mangy poodle’s internal pain (3)
GYP – Hidden inside (internal) {man}GY P{oodle}. GYP is an unusual word for pain or torture, which my Chambers tells me originates from ‘gee up’.
19 Decrepit canon takes a tumble, being this (8-5)
ACCIDENT-PRONE – Anagram (takes a tumble) of [DECREPIT CANON].
21 Start to fill clothes-horse, weather so improved? (6)
FAIRER – F{ill} (start to) and AIRER (clothes-horse). If the weather is FAIRER, it can be said to have improved.
22 Extra-singular customs (5)
MORES – MORE (extra) and S{ingular}.
Down
1 Happy with jewel secure in case (9,3)
GLADSTONE BAG – GLAD (happy) with STONE (jewel) and BAG (secure). I’m sure that I remember Ernest being discovered in a GLADSTONE BAG in Oscar Wilde’s play, but I couldn’t swear to it.
2 Idea showing consideration (7)
THOUGHT – Double definition
3 Feature of a dinner service (5)
CHINA – CHIN (facial feature) and A (a).
4 A nurse of spirit (5)
ANGEL – Double definition.
5 Place of retreat three magi rebuilt (9)
HERMITAGE – Anagram (rebuilt) of [THREE MAGI].
6 Having got in, this spinner could get you out straightaway (9,4)
REVOLVING DOOR – Good cryptic clue with cricketing misdirection.
7 Scowl from one looking healthy (6)
GLOWER – Double definition, the second cryptic – if one is healthy, one may be glowing.
13 Cold, and how, the German soup (7)
CHOWDER – C{old} HOW (how) and DER (the in German).
14 Tool for workmen making a bridge (7)
SPANNER – Another double definition.
16 A capital city, really African: just the tops? (5)
ACCRA – Initial letters (just the tops) of A Capital City: Really African.
18 Crowd of reporters(5)
PRESS – Double definition.
20 Half a woolly ball for little dog (3)
POM – the woolly ball is a POMPOM, half of which is POM, an informal term for a Pomeranian dog.
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