| CARMELITE | Note a member, the very best of the friars (9) |
| TUCK | Name of the friar in the legends of Robin Hood; a child's personal supply of snacks/food at school; or, a move in gymnastics, skiing and trampolining (4) |
| OCKHAM | English village that's said to have been the birthplace of the friar William (known for his 38 Across) |
| SECRETIVE | Close family member the French rejected after a short time (9) |
| TOPTENS | Lists listing the very best of the best of things: 2 wds. |
| MENDICANT | Given to begging, like the Friar in The Canterbury Tales (9) |
| ELITE | The very best of the best |
| FLOWER | The very best of the exhibits at the horticultural show? (6) |
| DOMINICAN | Following party, small car put an end to the friar (9) |
| CHORISTER | Durham Cathedral school, attended by Rowan Atkinson and Tony Blair, that takes its name from the word for 'choir member'; The ... School |
| LATETOSTOPNOW | "Too ___: The Very Best of the Dubliners" |
| CREAM | The very best of the pale colours? (5) |
| PLUM | The very best of the reds? (4) |
| PICK | The very best of the tools? (4) |
| INORDERTO | ... so that he might, like the friar, recall holy books |
| SUPREME | The very best of a chicken dish (7) |
| THECREAMOFTHECROP | The very best of all; the choicest part (3,5,2,3,4) |
| TOTAL | "___ Madness -- The Very Best of Madness" |
| PIAF | The Very Best of Edith ___ (2002 collection) |
| JOINS | Becomes a member, - the club |
