Potter aimlessly around (Not far, just half a mile) (6)

I believe the answer is:

footle

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'potter aimlessly' is the definition.
'footle' can be an answer for 'potter' (I've seen this before). I'm not certain of the 'aimlessly' bit.

'not far just half a mile' is the wordplay.
'not far' becomes 'foot' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'just half' indicates taking half.
'mile' cut in half is 'le'.
'foot'+'le'='FOOTLE'

'around' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for footle that I've seen before include "Engage in fruitless activity; mess about" , "Potter" , "Waste time" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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