Crossword Genius

Consider empty rectory, taking steps to provide leisure activity (7,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

country dancing

'leisure activity' is the definition.
(dance is a leisure activity)

'consider empty rectory taking steps' is the wordplay.
'consider' becomes 'count' (synonyms).
'empty' means to remove the middle letters.
'taking steps' becomes 'dancing' (dance steps).
'rectory' with its middle removed is 'ry'.
'count'+'ry'+'dancing'='COUNTRY DANCING'

'to provide' is the link.

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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