Produced by: ATV NETWORK at the Alpha Studios, Birmingham.
Created by: HAZEL ADAIR AND PETER LING
Producer: REG WATSON
Theme Tune: TONY HATCH
Other Crew: Designers: DON DAVIDSON and ELIZABETH DORRITY, Floor Managers: PETER HARRIS and LIZ STERN, Production Manager: MARGARET FRENCH. Music Supervisor: CLIVE ATKINS
Episode Status: All episodes from January 1966 are missing from the archive.
Cast and story information: ITC Entertainment Programme Synopsis January – December 1966, TV World/TV Times programme listings and some surviving full episode scripts.
| Episode 306 – January 3rd |
Written by: Keith Miles |
Directed by: Tim Jones |
Welsh Cottage: Stevie is standing in the doorway of the cottage, Ron, her English teacher, is amazed to see her on the doorstep. He asks her what she’s doing. She tells him his landlady said where he’d gone and she wanted to speak to him urgently, so she decided to hitch-hike her way there. She however is upset and surprised when Barbara – Roy’s wife – appears from the bedroom introducing herself. As its foggy, and late, reluctantly Barbara and Roy allow Stevie to spend the night on the sofa.
Lily’s Flat: Meg has decided to go searching for Stevie, the first place she looks is her mother’s Birmingham flat, having called all her known friends. Meg knows Roy Grainger is on holiday with his wife, so hasn’t visited his local digs.
Lily: “Stevie’s run away? I knew this would happen, I knew it!”
Meg: “She hasn’t run away, she popped out and hasn’t returned yet.”
Lily: “Did you know? Did you know where she was going? Of course not, she’d been left on her own again neglected for that motel of yours no doubt. My poor baby, all alone. Anything might happen to her, how could you let her do it?!”
Both decide arguing isn’t helping anyone, especially Stevie, they agree the only thing they can do is call the police and hope they can find her.
Brian and Janice’s flat: The couple are entertaining Janice’s parents who find it amusing that one of the twin-tub washing machines is in the sitting room and has been turned into a “drinks cabinet”. Brian makes all four a glass of sherry on it. He tells them that they’ve had plenty of jokes about owning two machines, Sam Redway, suggested breeding them.
Department Store Restaurant: Kitty has asked to meet Vince Bromley – her driving instructor – in the city centre for a chat. She has been talking with Mrs. Mears who failed her driving test last week and only got ‘£1’ back – only the cost of the driving test – when Vince’s brochure notes ‘Guaranteed success in test or fee returned’. She’d paid 18 guineas so expected a full refund. When Vince says only the test fees are returned Kitty is unimpressed.
‘I think it’s disgusting’ she tells him, saying she’s now in no mood for a driving lesson – and feels like giving up entirely. Vince tells her as she’s a businesswoman she should know there are slogans and selling gimmicks used all the time. It does make it clear in the booklet that it is only the test fee that is refunded if there is a failure, if Mrs. Mears didn’t read the full brochure who is to blame? He tells her it would be a waste of her money to quit now, and especially as she has been doing so well. She decides as it would be regrettable to lose the money and if he thinks she’ll soon be ready for her test she might as well continue.
Motel Reception: The police have been called off, Roy telephoned the motel as soon as he could from the village payphone explaining the situation with Stevie. He is bringing her back to the motel as soon as possible.
In the reception area, Meg and Lily await their arrival. When Roy and Stevie arrive Meg is firm about the trouble Stevie has caused, she suggests she apologise to Mr Grainger for disturbing his holiday, and Stevie bursts into tears – Lily comforts her daughter blaming Roy for her woes. He becomes increasingly annoyed and says he hasn’t been leading Stevie on – and he has a wife who was with them last night before Lily throws any more wild accusations around.
| Roy Grainger Stevie Harris Barbara Grainger Lily Harris Meg Richardson Janice Jarvis Brian Jarvis Mable Gifford George Gifford William Fothergill Josefina Rafael Marilyn Gates Kathleen Donovan Ruth Bailey Sandy Richardson Kitty Jarvis Vince Bromley |
ANTHONY KENYON WENDY PADBURY EILEEN HELSBY JANET WHITESIDE NOELE GORDON CAROLYN LYSTER DAVID FENNELL PEGGY ANN WOOD RICHARD STEELE DANIEL THORNDIKE GILLIAN BETTS SUE NICHOLLS LEANNE O’NEILL PAMELA GREENALL ROGER TONGE BERYL JOHNSTONE ROBERT RAGLAN |
| Episode 307 – January 7th |
Written by: Keith Miles |
Directed by: Tim Jones |
Motel Kitchen: Stevie is helping Marilyn peel potatoes when Sandy comes in asking what happened at ‘old Grainger’s rural cottage’. Stevie says she doesn’t want to talk about it and Marilyn says he shouldn’t be so rude. But he continues anyway – it’s okay the whole school knows. It’s the great love affair of our time, like Romeo and Juliet, Troilus and whatsername, Annie and Jack Walker…’
Marilyn: “That will do Sandy!”
Sandy: “It wasn’t a case of running off after him was it Stevie? You thought you were eloping with him…”
Stevie bursts into tears and rushes out of the kitchen. Sandy shrugs, Marilyn is very unimpressed. She tells Sandy that whatever Stevie got up to it isn’t any of their business. Only his mum needs to concern herself with that.
BestBuys Electrical Store: Sam and Janice have returned to the shop where she got the twin-tub washing machine as a ‘seconds’ in a sale. As the owner is a friend of Sam’s she’s hoping he’ll take it back as Brian is moaning owning two is a waste of money. Ron, the owner, says he can’t refund the twin-tub but she could exchange it for something of the same value. Janice says in that case she’d like a cooker. She blames the old one that was already in the flat for her failed meals.
Mortimer’s Penthouse: Dick has gone round to speak to Hugh Mortimer about Sam Redway – little knowing that Hugh has invested in the garage and petrol station. Dick tells Hugh how Sam has ‘taken half their business’ by opening the Crossroads Car Hire. He then goes on to suggest he fears Sam will also end up stealing most of their drivers too. Hugh laughs, Dick doesn’t get the joke. Hugh isn’t going to tell him either. But he says he will speak with the ‘embryonic tycoon Sam Redway’ to calm the situation. He tells Dick to leave this issue with him. Hugh smiles, Dick joins in with a grin, but has no idea why…
Motel Reception: Con artists Evan and Dorothy are continuing their pretences at the motel. The pair take coffee in the foyer. Marilyn’s curiosity keeps her in ears reach of their conversation. Evan and Dorothy are discussing their business partnership with the ‘health and happiness centre’. Dorothy notes her solicitor should have the paperwork ready to sign tomorrow. Evan suggests a celebration dinner at the Fairlawns Hotel.
Meg’s Sitting Room: [From the direction notes the sitting room isn’t quite yet in the style it would be later as it states ‘Meg is sat behind her desk, Josefina is sat on the sofa’.] Kitty knocks on the door and enters as Meg and Josefina sit chatting.
Kitty observes that ‘Dick isn’t happy unless he has something to worry about’. Meg asks if its to do with Sam Redway and Kitty confirms that is his bugbear at the moment. ‘Tweedledum and Tweedledee they’re both always disagreeing over something’ Kitty adds. Now she is not alone Josefina feels more confident to mention to Meg that she has been offered a job as a cook at Fairlawns. Meg at first is not impressed, but Kitty urges kindness. Meg broods for a while then notes she will give Josefina a glowing reference. Kitty smiles. Meg frowns. Josefina doesn’t know how to react.
Kitty: “This running battle with Fairlawns Hotel, the war of nerves as you called it, how far is it purely business, and how far is it simply a case of Meg Richardson versus Hugh Mortimer?”
Meg responds that when it comes to Hugh Mortimer it is always ‘only business’.
| Marilyn Gates Kathleen Donovan Sandy Richardson Stevie Harris Josefina Rafael Meg Richardson Lily Harris Sam Redway Janice Jarvis Ron Bateman Hugh Mortimer Dick Jarvis Evan Lloyd Dorothy Glenn Ruth Bailey Kitty Jarvis |
SUE NICHOLLS LEANNE O’NEILL ROGER TONGE WENDY PADBURY GILLIAN BETTS NOELE GORDON JANET WHITESIDE JOHN PORTER DAVISON CAROLYN LYSTER JAMES McMANUS JOHN BENTLEY BRIAN KENT KEITH BUCKLEY EVE SHICKLE PAMELA GREENALL BERYL JOHNSTONE |
| Episode 308 – January 5th |
Written by: Keith Miles |
Directed by: Tim Jones |
Chalet 10: The story continues from 307’s cliffhanger where Evan said he needed to speak to Ruth ‘urgently’ at closing time at the motel. She has gone to speak to him at his chalet. He says before he gets to the urgency he must speak to her about his session with her the other day when he discussed her brooch and watch. Evan tells her that he wasn’t being entirely honest at the time.
He tells Ruth he knew she was putting him to the test on his psychic abilities and she thought he was a charlatan then and she still thinks he’s one now. He picks up a large book and hands it to Ruth. Evan tells her she should open it on the page with the bookmark. It is a description of ‘psychometry’; Measurement of mental phenomena, an occult power of divine secret properties by mere contact. Ruth says she has never doubted the definition of the term.
Evan: “But you don’t accept that I am capable of doing it do you?”
He then tells her she hadn’t been honest about him with the watch. He says she said ‘she’d bought it’ but did you buy it? He says her continued doubts about him can only lead him to believe her husband bought the watch and gave it to her. Ruth is shocked, he is correct and she confirms so. ‘This is why I was getting the Berlin connection, which had nothing to do with you’. Ruth still isn’t convinced. And when Evan pops to the chalet door to speak with Dorothy who calls on him to say goodnight Ruth can’t help herself but look at some papers on Evan’s desk. One provides details of Dorothy.
‘Dorothy Glenn, 3, Drusilla Flats, Shawlands, Glasgow. Independent woman, of unlimited financial means. Very fond of rare expensive cars. Car number XLT 541. German make. Relations in Germany at Düsseldorf. Stayed in Germany at Christmas 1964. Parents deceased, both Scottish, Birthday April 12th. Donates to Doctor Barnardo’s Homes. The last payment was on November 14th 1965. Trip to London on November 6th for a shopping spree and to see friends. Present for a Simon, possibly nephew? Also a frequent visitor to art galleries.’
Ruth looks more certain than ever she is being played by a con artist.
Jarvis’ Shop: Amy Turtle is snooping around listening in on Vince and Kitty’s conversation, pretending to be arranging some items on a shelf. ‘Nice day for a drive’ she chirps in, but Kitty is in no mood for driving. Having discussed the driving lessons with Dick and Meg she feels her initial instinct was right – she must not carry on with Vince and his charming, over-friendly manner, and ‘misleading’ advertising. She shows him to the door and says goodbye. ‘Actually, it seems to be a nice day for a cup of tea’ Amy observes and goes off to put the kettle on.
Lily’s Flat: Lily is complaining to Mrs Cooper about how Meg Richardson isn’t moral or decent and let her daughter run away. Mrs Cooper responds that when Stevie ‘ran away’ where did she run to? Not her mother was it? Mrs Cooper asks if Lily is really prepared to but effort and money and time into bringing up Stevie. Which would start by sorting out the flat so it was homely for a family. Mrs Cooper says Lily hasn’t the time or the want if she really admits it to commit to that. She tells her that she should be grateful that Meg is happy to do all the things she is for Stevie and that if everyone worked together it would make things easier for everyone. This means, for now, to leave Stevie alone and stay away from the motel. Reluctantly Lily agrees.
Motel Reception: Ruth returns the jewellery Dorothy had been storing in the motel safe as she prepares for a big celebratory dinner at the Fairlawns Hotel with Evan Lloyd to mark their new business venture. Ruth, Sandy and Stevie admire the jewellery when Dorothy takes them out of their box. Dorothy tells Stevie she only wears them on special occasions and she’s looking forward to this evening. Ruth isn’t convinced Dorothy is doing the right thing, but as she’s already been told to keep out of matters concerning Evan she doesn’t mention anything – yet. She decides she will speak to her alone, later.
Once Dorothy has departed the foyer William observes that they are old items, but not worth very much. Ruth agrees but tells him Dorothy had already observed that fact with Meg – they’re more sentimental value having been Dorothy’s mothers. William ponders ‘but does Evan know this?’
| Evan Lloyd Ruth Bailey Janice Jarvis Brian Jarvis Dick Jarvis Sam Redway Amy Turtle Vince Bromley Kitty Jarvis Mrs. Cooper Lily Harris Sandy Richardson Stevie Harris Dorothy Glenn William Fothergill |
KEITH BUCKLEY PAMELA GREENALL CAROLYN LYSTER DAVID FENNELL BRIAN KENT JOHN PORTER DAVISON ANN GEORGE ROBERT RAGLAN BERYL JOHNSTONE ENID IRVIN JANET WHITESIDE ROGER TONGE WENDY PADBURY EVE SHICKLE DANIEL THORNDIKE |
| Episode 309 – January 6th |
Written by: Keith Miles |
Directed by: Tim Jones |
Motel Kitchen: Kathleen and Marilyn are having a strong disagreement over Evan Lloyd and whether he is real or fake. Kathleen is sure he’s out just to make money from vulnerable people while Marilyn has come to the view that he is certainly a charmer, but the things he told her he couldn’t have known so he is in her eyes an ‘Unrecognised genius’. Kathleen retorts that Evan is likely to remain unrecognised – his ability doesn’t exist.
Marilyn then tells her about how he found out about her music past from her bracelet. Kathleen says nonsense he got all that from speaking to people, including herself, around the motel. Marilyn is furious. ‘Wait until I see that Mr Lloyd. I’ll be making contact with some of his personal belongings!’
Chalet Six: Dorothy Glenn is getting ready for her date with Evan Lloyd. Ruth knocks and enters asking for a private word. Coldly, Dorothy suggests Ruth makes it quick – she is not in any mood for debate about Evan’s abilities. Ruth says this time she has something she might like to see. Ruth takes out the note she found in Evan’s room and hands it to Dorothy. Is that Evan’s handwriting Ruth asks, Dororthy says yes.
Ruth: “Are those details taken from your diary?”
Dorothy: “They must be”
Ruth: “This note was found on Evan Lloyd’s desk. It rather dims the brilliance of his analysis of your past life I’m afraid. He’s a fraud Miss Glenn, he had all that information about you before he began his ‘sessions’ with you”
Ruth then explains that Evan likely got the information from her diary when her handbag went missing – he took the bag, got the information – and then started his routine on her. Dorothy becomes emotional and says she’s been such a fool. She can’t possibly face Evan ever again.
Dorothy then says she simply must leave tonight, and get away from it all. It has been such a terrible experience. She then tells Ruth she hasn’t any cash on her – can she pay for the motel stay with a cheque? And, if it isn’t too much trouble, could she cash £50 for her? Ruth sympathetic to Dorothy’s situation agrees.
Hugh’s Penthouse: Sam has called round to speak with Hugh about the issues with Dick Jarvis. Hugh agree’s that there is room for both companies to cover the area, but he says it was a bit foolish to think Dick would just take it with a pinch of salt. ‘It’s like a red rag to a bull’ Hugh observes. Sam says it happened initially by accident – a guest at the motel needed a ride in a hurry and Drury’s would take too long to get there, realising there isn’t any taxi firms that side of Kings Oak he decided to add car hire to the garage offering. Hugh says Sam has created a ‘financial granny knot’ for him. He has a car hire firm he owns fighting for business with a car hire firm that is floating on his loan and it has taken the taxi business from his own hotel. Hugh is highly amused. Hugh says they need to keep Dick somewhat happy so that Meg doesn’t find out his money is involved with the Crossroads Garage…
Chalet Ten: Evan is packing his bags when Marilyn knocks on the door shouting that she demands to speak to the fraud. He tells her he is very busy as he lets her in. ‘practicing your next con’ Marilyn asks. She tells him he’s made her a laughing stock with her bracelet baloney. She asks him why, why does he like to make people think he has powers of the unknown when he gets his information from conversations or probably earwigging. Evan says he will explain…
Meg’s Sitting Room: Meg is giving Ruth the money for Dorothy Glenn as Ruth explains how she came to catch Evan Lloyd out. She tells Meg about the list, giving her the paper, and notes he obviously made notes from Dorothy’s diary. Ruth then says he’d had access to it when Ms Glenn’s handbag went missing. At first Meg celebrates the exposing of Mr Lloyd – then she makes a realisation. ‘Ruth, something isn’t right with all this.’ She then observes that the list is on the new motel notepaper. ‘when Dorothy’s handbag went missing, all the chalets still had the old headed paper in them’. Meg suggests Ruth was supposed to find the note paper, Ruth says it doesn’t make sense that Evan would want to expose himself to her as a fake. Meg begins to wonder…
Motel Reception: Miss Templeton has arrived to see Evan, she tells William she has decided to help the young man with his vision for a centre of good doings. She’s brought him her cheque and she intends to give him her financial boost during dinner this evening. William observes that Ms Glenn is also investing. Templeton says she knows, it was Dorothy who suggested they should all go into business together. Meg enters and asks if Miss Templeton is visiting Evan, she tells Meg that she is. Meg asks if she’d like to wait in her office as she thinks she may be interested in some information she has for everyone shortly, Meg then rushes off. William shows the lady to the office.
Chalet Ten: Marilyn has been charmed by Evan once more, he notes that he always works from ‘framework’ in his cases and that Kathleen provided very little information, but it helped him get onto the right wavelength with the bracelet – it wasn’t Kathleen that gave much information at all, but it helped and the bracelet did ‘all the talking’. Dorothy rushes in and asks if Evan is ready to go, not realising Marilyn was in the chalet she makes out she means for their dinner date.
Meg then comes in behind her. ‘I thought Miss Glenn you were avoiding Mr Lloyd due to his attempt to de-fund you of your wealth? Meg then tells Marilyn to go and telephone the police. Meg then confronts both Evan and Dorothy.
Meg: “Dorothy Glenn, if that is your real name, you play the injured victim very well – winning everybody’s sympathy. And Evan Lloyd, it is a pity you copied out ‘Dorothy’s diary’ on our new notepaper, because we were not using it at the time Miss Glenn’s handbag vanished. Miss Templeton, and no doubt the cheque you’ll want from her, is safely out of your reach too.”
Evan: “Is this the way you treat all your guests?”
Meg: “Only the ones who try to pay their bills with dud cheques…”
Evan: “If you think I’m going to sit here and wait for the police to arrive you’re mistaken… We’re off, Come on Dorothy”
Meg realises she is facing two dangerous criminals, but she stands in front of the door. Evan says she’d be very foolish to try and keep them in the chalet by force. Meg steps aside and opens the door, noting ‘We have your description, we have her car registration, how far do you think you’ll get? But feel free to try…’ Dorothy and Evan pick up their cases and rush out the door.
| Marilyn Gates Kathleen Donovan Josefina Rafael William Fothergill Dorothy Glenn Ruth Bailey Hugh Mortimer Sam Redway Evan Lloyd Meg Richardson Mrs. Templeton |
SUE NICHOLLS LEANNE O’NEILL GILLIAN BETTS DANIEL THORNDIKE EVE SHICKLE PAMELA GREENALL JONN BENTLEY JOHN PORTER DAVISON KEITH BUCKLEY NOELE GORDON GILLY FLOWER. |
| Episode 310 – January 7th |
Written by: Keith Miles |
Directed by: Tim Jones |
Meg’s Office: Meg and Ruth are sat at their desks when William pops in with morning coffee for them. Meg hangs up the phone and tells both Ruth and William that was the police and that Dorothy Glenn and Evan Lloyd were apprehended at Paddington Train Station. William suggests that Evan no doubt will be ‘telling some poor police office all about his past by rubbing his handcuffs.’
Ruth says while he obviously was a fraud, he did come out with a few things that he couldn’t have found out. William suggests that Evan was 95% fake and 5% genuine, noting it’s a shame the little ability he had he ruined with his con tricks.
Mortimer’s Penthouse: Hugh has invited Dick and Sam for an ‘informal meeting’ to discuss the clash of the car hires. Hugh informs Dick that he has a vested interest in Crossroads Car Hire – but for private reasons, he doesn’t want Meg to know, and it is going to remain that way. So he has an idea that should see both Drurys and Crossroads compete in bliss. But he needs to get something past Meg, and he will deal with that aspect personally.
Jarvis’ Parlour: Dick is telling Kitty about Hugh. He tells her – in confidence – how Hugh loaned Sam the money for the petrol station and garage and how its complicated the Drury Car Hire rivalry. Dick tells Kitty that Hugh intends to try and get a business deal past Meg this evening, but Kitty wonders if there is more to it. ‘Do you think he really just wants an excuse to speak to her?’ Dick thinks this business matter might be just the thing to get Meg and Hugh talking.
Motel Reception: It’s after hours, the motel reception has closed for the night, and Meg is sorting the bar stock. There is a tap on the doors. Hugh is standing looking through the window. Meg unlocks the door and lets him in. ‘Hugh!’ she exclaims. ‘Hello Meg, how are you?’ Meg attempts to hide the fact she is pleased to see him.
Meg: “Are these your new hours for business?”
Hugh: “No, but when I telephoned earlier and offered to come at a reasonable time your secretary told me you were too busy today to see anyone.”
Meg: “I really was busy today, and still am for that matter, as you can see.”
Hugh: “Meg, for some time now I’ve been wanting to talk to you…”
Meg thinks it is about their relationship, and is left annoyed when he begins talking about the two car hire companies. ‘Is that all you’ve come here for, at this time of night!?”
| Meg Richardson Ruth Bailey William Fothergill Hugh Mortimer Sam Redway Dick Jarvis Mrs. Cooper Stevie Harris Sandy Richardson Brian Jarvis Janice Jarvis George Gifford Kitty Jarvis |
NOELE GORDON PAMELA GREENALL DANIEL THORNDIKE JOHN BENTLEY JOHN PORTER DAVISON BRIAN KENT ENID IRVIN WENDY PADBURY ROGER TONGE DAVID FENNELL CAROLYN LYSTER RICHARD STEELE BERYL JOHNSTONE |
| Episode 311 – January 10th |
Written by: Dan Douglas |
Directed by: Alan Coleman |
Motel Reception: The new week begins with the continuation of Friday’s final scene. Hugh is discussing the Drury Car Hire and Crossroads Car Hire issues much to Meg’s utter disinterest. ‘What I propose is that Crossroads Car Hire continues, covering this area, but it comes through Drury Car Hire and Sam is booked through us with a commission. It’ll actually mean extra work for his drivers, and as it’s a win-win situation both Sam and Dick will be happy.’ Says Hugh, Meg says ‘she’s too tired to make vital decisions at this time of night – she’ll think about it. Hugh is left wanting. But Meg suggests a little drink without any business discussion.
Motel Kitchen: [Monday morning] Carlos has arrived at the motel from the hospital and is inspecting the kitchen ‘it looks like a bomb has gone off’ he notes. Ruth, Josefina and Meg have all taken turns at trying to be ‘chef’ while Carlos was unwell but none have kept things up to ‘his standards.’ He notes someone has ruined his chopper and is disgusted at the state of his best saucepan. Ralph Palmer pops in with the milk order and notes Carlos is looking better than ever. This gives the chef a boost, even if Josefina says he must rest and stop interfering in the kitchen.
Ralph talks about the farm Les Blundell is running. He says he’s still running it down and it is a shame as he had hoped he’d take it over once Les retired. Ralph notes there won’t be any farm to run if Les carries on the way he’s going.
Motel Reception: Marilyn says an important-looking letter from London has arrived for Benny. As it’s unopened Benny asks how Marilyn would know such a thing. ‘The postmark’ she replies. ‘James Bond has nothing on you doll’ he retorts. He opens the envelope and reads the letter. Marilyn tries to read it over his shoulder, realising this he turns around and carries on. Once he’s finished reading he thanks Marilyn and leaves. ‘It’s like that is it’ she says to herself disappointed he hasn’t divulged the contents.
Brian and Janice’s Flat: Sam and Brian are attempting to surprise Janice by giving the flat a little January de-dusting, but as Sam notes ‘this will take forever, can’t you afford a vacuum cleaner’ they’re making more dusty mess than when they started. Brian says one day he’ll be financially sound but until then they’ll have to make do with a dustpan and brush. Sam suggests Brian looks to save up ‘There’s some nice little houses being built at Castlewich near The Red Lion’ but these are not impressive to Brian ‘tiny little modern rabbit hutches for three thousand five hundred quid.’ Sam says at least they’d have less floor to dust.
Coffee Bar: [Production notes state: The coffee bar is busy and Sandy is helping Benny this evening. At a table is Woody (Nigel) Woods and Vic Stebbings. They are immature boys who try to look tough. They are wearing leather jackets with ‘The Daredevils’ printed on the back. They went to the same Secondary Modern School as Sandy but left aged 15 to work in a factory. They earn good money and both have their own motorbike. Vic is the leader of the pack, and Woody worships him. He is also frightened of him and obeys his every order.]
Vic says to Sandy he seems to be working hard tonight. Shame he’s not paid for it. He adds that Sandy is a ‘mug’ for staying on at school he should be earning some big money. Woody says they’re on £12 a week at the factory, can afford to enjoy the finer things in life – like their motorbikes.
Sandy admires Vic’s badges on his jacket, noting he has ‘quite the collection’. Woody chips in and says Vic is just waiting to get his Noddy badge. Sandy and Woody laugh but Vic is annoyed. He shoots Woody a look which silences him. Over at the counter, Stevie is talking to Benny. She notes that Sandy is hanging around far too often with Woody and Vic. She adds that everyone at school knows they’re trouble and are always ‘up to no good.’ Stevie tells Benny she has a good mind to tell Meg about him hanging around with yobbos. Benny says Sandy will learn for himself to keep out of trouble, so it is probably best to not get involved.
Marilyn pops in for a milkshake. Benny lets her have a look at the letter he got from London. She shrieks with excitement,
Marilyn: “Ooh it’s from Comet Records. They’re the tops! Ere, they want you to go and record an album.”
Benny: “There is a problem, who is going to run this place while I’m away?”
Marilyn: “Well that is Mrs Richardson’s problem isn’t it? This is your big chance.”
Benny says it isn’t as simple as that. He’s got a contract with Crossroads to run the coffee bar – he can’t just up and go. And it wouldn’t be fair to Mrs Richardson even if he did. Marilyn says he’s daft to let a coffee shop get in the way of a possible future, he could end up on Top of the Pops!
| Meg Richardson Hugh Mortimer Josefina Rafael Carlos Rafael William Fothergill Ralph Palmer Benny Wilmot Marilyn Gates Sam Redway Brian Jarvis Stevie Harris Nigel (Woody) Woods Vic Stebbings Sandy Richardson Les Blundell |
NOELE GORDON JOHN BENTLEY GILLIAN BETTS ANTHONY MORTON DANIEL THORNDIKE NORMAN JONES DEKE ARLON SUE NICHOLLS JOHN PORTER DAVISON DAVID FENNELL WENDY PADBURY HUGH JANES BRENDAN COLLINS ROGER TONGE ARTHUR R. WEBB |
| Episode 312 – January 11th |
Written by: Dan Douglas |
Directed by: Alan Coleman |
Meg’s Sitting Room: Meg is preparing for another meeting of the ‘Lady Midlanders Organisation’ of which she is a member. She’s telling Ruth about their gatherings. Meg says it might sound stuffy, but it’s actually great fun and there are many ‘smart young clever women’ who get ‘some very good speakers at the events’.
Meg then turns the chat to Hugh Mortimer and how he came to see her around midnight the other evening. She tells Ruth of the problem between the two car hires, although Ruth seems to think it all seems very petty on Dick’s part – there are more than enough customers for everyone. Meg says she’s always thought that – but its become complicated as Sam managed to wrangle a deal with Fairlawns Hotel as their taxi firm so Hugh is having a double disappointment with his hotel giving a rival car hire business. Ruth says its unfair that Sam should be put under the management of Drurys just because Hugh isn’t happy – and Meg agrees. So she’ll say no to the deal.
Motel Kitchen: Stevie is talking to William about the boy gangs that are ‘popular’ at the moment. She tells him Sandy has been hanging around with some from school called ‘The Daredevils’ and they’re into the pop group ‘The Uncleans’. William suggests the latter sums up an awful lot of young men these days. Stevie asks if they had gangs and groups when he was young. He said, no, not quite like these days. ‘We had Gleen Clubs – jolly good they were’ he notes, then starts singing ‘Genevieve’ however stops when Stevie starts giggling. She then becomes serious and says the gang Sandy mixes with are not nice people; they’re rough and horrible. William says Sandy is old enough, at nearly sixteen, to be able to look after himself. But they’re yobs! William asks what this means. She tells him its boy spelt backwards. It means juvenile delinquent. William is impressed with her intellectual stance on this matter. He then tells her not to worry too much, Sandy is a good young man and he will become tired of them if they’re as bad as she thinks they are.
Meg’s Sitting Room: Benny is telling Meg about his record offer from Comet. She is happy for him, but also unhappy that they want him to spend three weeks in London making a demo album and doing some publicity. She notes ‘And if it’s a success you’ll be going away for much longer spells too?’ He says that would be likely.
Meg: “Look Benny, this is a great opportunity for you. I’m not so square to not realise that Comet Records is a big deal. It is a great chance for you. But the coffee bar, just when you’ve got it up and running so well. It will be very difficult to find someone like you to run it, especially if it is only casually for a few weeks at a time.”
Benny: “Ooh there must be someone surely, someone who would be happy to do it temporarily like, just for two or three weeks.”
Meg: “No, I don’t think that would be fair, running ‘That Place’ is a full-time job. In fairness to all concerned I can’t keep your job open here. If you do go to London, you go – for good!”
| Carlos Rafael Josefina Rafael Marilyn Gates William Fothergill Ruth Bailey Meg Richardson Sandy Richardson Stevie Harris Benny Wilmot Sam Redway Brian Jarvis Gordon Amos |
ANTHONY MORTON GILLIAN BETTS SUE NICHOLLS DANIEL THORNDIKE PAMELA GREENALL NOELE GORDON ROGER TONGE WENDY PADBURY DEKE ARLON JOHN PORTER DAVISON DAVID FENNELL ANTHONY HOWARD |
| Episode 313 – January 12th |
Written by: Dan Douglas | Directed by: Alan Coleman |
Coffee Bar: The coffee bar is closed. Benny is discussing with Marilyn his conversation earlier with Meg. Should he stay or should he go? Marilyn says he should go, he should think of the creative flow, the money, the fame the showbiz world. Benny is more realistic. He has good prospects at ‘That Place’ and the pop world has already failed him once before. As for fame, he asks how long would that last. Four years? Ten if he was lucky? And once all the expenses and taxes were taken he doubted that there would be much of a fortune left. He says he’s thinking of his future, the coffee bar provides a good steady job and a decent wage each week. Marilyn says he’s lost his ambition.
Palmer’s House: Christine is ironing while Winnie is sewing. Winnie says they could do with a spin-dryer, they’re all the rage these days. Clothes horses are becoming so old-fashioned. She adds how Mrs Williams recently bought one down the street, and her clothes are now ‘bone dry’ after every spin cycle. Christine says it sounds wonderful, but the way business is at the farm she doesn’t think Ralph will be able to buy a dryer any time soon. They’ll just have to be grateful they have an electric washing machine!
Christine says she’s thinking about getting a job again. Mark’s going through so many clothes as he grows and they cost so much. Winnie thinks it’s a good idea, she is around to look after the house and she can babysit Mark during the day. Christine wonders if the motel would take her back. Winnie suggests it’s worth asking…
Later Ralph returns home and before Christine can tell him about her plans to return to work, he tells her he’s decided to quit the farm – before the farm goes bust.
Coffee Bar: Stevie is looking for Sandy when Vic and Woody decide to wind her up. Vic grabs her shoulder and spins her round, ‘Lost your pram and dolly have you?’ She tells him she gave up on dolls when she grew up, she then tells him he ought to try growing up sometime. Vic says if she’s all grown up she can give him a kiss. Woody howls with laughter. Stevie calls him a pervert, kicks him in the groin and runs off. Woody asks if Vic is going to ‘let her get away with that?’ Vic tells him to ‘shut up’.
Motel Kitchen: Sandy rushes out the back door wearing Carlos’ spare motorcycle helmet. He doesn’t see Stevie enter the kitchen from the reception, but she sees him through the kitchen window. ‘Was that Sandy’ she asks Carlos. He confirms it was and he’s let Sandy borrow his spare bike helmet as the boy is ‘off to watch boom boom music from The Uncleanables’. Stevie says she had asked to go with him to the pop concert but he’d rather go with Vic and Nigel. Carlos sympathises and says boys like to hang around with other boys sometimes and do horrible things like listen to boom-boom music.
When Carlos suggests that Stevie is jealous that Sandy has other friends, and she just likes him all to herself she decides to find ‘better company’ at the coffee bar.
Lonely Road: A sequence showing Vic and Woody leading his gang of motor-bikers driving around a quiet road. Sandy is at the roadside with a stopwatch timing their race. For the next race Vic suggests Sandy joins him as his pillion rider. Sandy is unsure what to do…
| Marilyn Gates Benny Wilmot Ruth Bailey Josefina Rafael Carlos Rafael Christine Palmer Winnie Palmer Sandy Richardson Stevie Harris Nigel (Woody) Woods Vic Stebbings Hugh Mortimer Sam Redway Ralph Palmer |
SUE NICHOLLS DEKE ARLON PAMELA GREENALL GILLIAN BETTS ANTHONY MORTON ALEX MARSHALL EILEEN BARRY ROGER TONGE WENDY PADBURY HUGH JANES BRENDAN COLLINS JOHN BENTLEY JOHN PORTER DAVISON NORMAN JONES |
| Episode 314 – January 13th |
Written by: Dan Douglas |
Directed by: Alan Coleman |
Palmer’s House: Ralph has told Christine and Winnie he’s decided to quit working for Les Blundell who is running the farm into bankruptcy. However, when Christine suggests that she return to work at the motel Ralph is set against it. ‘I’m old fashioned, I know lots of wives go off to work but as far as I’m concerned I want to be the breadwinner in this home.’
Christine says the few extra pounds a week could be very useful – and if she’s not to work can he think of a better idea to bring that kind of money in? It isn’t lost on Christine that Ralph has been moaning about Les being old-fashioned about working practices when Ralph is just as ‘backward’ when it comes to women’s lib.
Meg’s Sitting Room: Stevie is warning Meg about the boys Sandy has started to hang around with. She tells her Vic is the leader and he’s tough, and trouble. From a family of eight; two of his brothers are on probation. Nigel Woods, nicknamed Woody, copies everything Vic does. He’s an only child and his father died some years ago so sees Vic as a role model. Meg suspects Stevie is a bit jealous that Sandy has found friends more than just his usual circle of Colin, Kate and Stevie.
Motel Staff Room: The staff have gathered to have an informal meeting about the future of Benny. Marilyn has told everyone how she thinks Benny should go to London for the recording deal, and she blames Meg for not allowing him the chance. Benny says Meg has said he can do if he wants to – he doesn’t want to. William is overseeing proceedings and asks for other opinions seen as that is what Marilyn has asked for; Carlos and Josefina both agree with Marilyn that it is a shame to waste the chance to make a demo album, it could lead to great things.
William summarises the situation, ‘I can understand Benny’s reluctance to throw away his livelihood for what after all might turn out to be chasing shadows for the substance.’ Marilyn suggests Benny doesn’t need The Shadows, he doesn’t need a backing group if he’s going solo. William ignores this and continues ‘It is a great shame that Benny can’t make the most of this opportunity while just taking the time off rather than having to leave.’ Josefina suggests that they all, the combined staff, look after the place one night a week on one of their days off, until Benny comes back. Carlos says he likes the idea of working with the coffee machine ‘the leaping lady’. When Marilyn suggests if Meg says no to the idea she says they should all go on strike. The scene fades out to the tune of ‘The Red Flag’.
Meg’s Sitting Room: Meg is talking to Sandy about cricket, he’s enthused about the Ashes test match and how the Aussie newspapers have been unsporting about England. Meg pretends to be interested. Sandy says there is a lot of interest in the Midlands this year as a few of the team are from Warwickshire. Meg says well as long as it keeps him happy, although she’s amazed he’s planning to get up at 5am to listen to the matches. She then brings up the subject of Vic and Woody. Sandy is guarded. When Meg says Stevie is worried about him he is furious, ‘Stevie is jealous. She’s jealous because we won’t let her hang around with us. She goes around telling lies about them, honest mum. If you believe a word Stevie says, you must be mad.’
Coffee Bar: Marilyn and Benny are discussing who is going to put the idea they came up with earlier of everyone helping out at the coffee shop while Benny is away ‘to her ladyship’. Benny suggests maybe he should do it himself.
Marilyn: “Ooh no. I know what’ll happen if you go in there on your own again. She’s a clever one Mrs Richardson she’ll talk you out of it before you can sit down.”
Benny: “But someone’s got to go in and tell her babe.”
Marilyn: “I’ve spoken to my old man about it, he’s a very experienced union negotiator. He reckons we should go in ‘as a body’, you know, all of us together. I think Mr Fothergill should speak for us all though, cos he’s proper educated like.”
Benny says it seems like the best answer to a bad situation. He then asks how she managed to get hold of her dad when he’s a work – ‘oh no, I telephoned him at home, he’s on strike this week.’
Meg’s Sitting Room: Stevie is watching ‘Lost In Space’ when Sandy enters. He tells her he wants a word with her. She says it’ll have to wait; she’s watching TV. ‘It’s super. You see this family, they’re trapped in outer space as their controls have broken and anything could happen to them..’ Sandy replies that ‘anything could happen to you, by the time I’ve finished with you’. He tells her to keep her nose out of things, and Vic and Woody have nothing to do with her. Stevie says he sounds like someone who has something to hide – if he hasn’t got anything to hide why so secretive? He has no answer.
Hugh’s Penthouse: Hugh is pouring Meg a sherry. There is small talk about Sandy and Kitty before Hugh asks if she’s made a decision about the deal he offered earlier in the week. Meg says she can’t accept it – she wouldn’t let Crossroads Garage become part of Drury’s and she wouldn’t have Sam working for Dick again. It isn’t fair. Hugh is exasperated by the whole situation.
Hugh: “You’re a stubborn woman Meg.”
Meg: “Just because you can’t get your own way.”
| Ralph Palmer Christine Palmer Winnie Palmer Stevie Harris Meg Richardson William Fothergill Carlos Rafael Josefina Rafael Benny Wilmot Marilyn Gates Sandy Richardson Ruth Bailey Hugh Mortimer |
NORMAN JONES ALEX MARSHALL EILEEN BARRY WENDY PADBURY NOELE GORDON DANIEL THORNDIKE ANTHONY MORTON GILLIAN BETTS DEKE ARLON SUE NICHOLLS ROGER TONGE PAMELA GREENALL JOHN BENTLEY |
| Episode 315 – January 14th |
Written by: Dan Douglas |
Directed by: Alan Coleman |
Meg’s Office: The staff file in from the whole motel (all key characters and the supporting artists are all present.) William Fothergill tells Meg he has been elected spokesperson for the delegation and he will explain. He tells Meg that everyone is aware that Benny has been asked to go to London to ‘cut a disc’. He then explains Josefina’s idea of everyone covering for a couple of weeks while Benny is away. Meg says it is an interesting idea, but – [production notes state Meg walks up and down the staff in a military manner during this segment] she needs to be sure no one will let her down. She asks Carlos if he can deal with the public. She can’t be having any of his temperamental outbursts in the coffee bar. Meg ponders for a few moments and then makes her decision; she will give them a chance to try out their plan.
William: “Mrs Richardson, on behalf of the deputation I must thank you for being so gracious about our request, and I assure you madam that every member of the staff will do their best for you. We won’t let you down.”
Ruth telephones Benny, who is waiting at the coffee bar for news, that Meg has approved the idea. He can go to London as soon as he and the staff between them arrange the cover rota.
Radio Studio / Motel Kitchen: Julian Bennett is interviewing author Claire Harkness, the wife of Paul Harkness – a distinguished painter. The radio is on in the motel kitchen and as the staff return to work, they hear the interview. Sandy wants to put on something with a bit of a beat, but William asks to leave the interview on for a little while he is very interested in the works of Harkness. Sandy finds it boring and decides to go outside. William listens intently.
Brian and Janice’s Flat: Gordon Amos has popped round. He says Dick was telling him about how Janice and Brian would love a ‘proper home’, a house of their own, but private renting or owning is either snapped up quickly or too expensive. Gordon asks if Brian has considered a council house. He tells Gordon he has, but the waiting lists can take years and the only ones that become available quickly are usually rotten or in a rough area.
Gordon says he does a lot of articles with the councils on housing and the man in the know is Norman Pearson. He says it will be worth speaking to him directly, while he can’t jump the waiting list Norman does know what is available and where, and can advise the quickest options. He says a lot of people turn down perfectly good houses just because an area has a reputation, but they are not all as bad as some old wives and their tales make out. Brain tells Gordon it is worth a try, but he’s not holding out much hope. Later Gordon arranges a meeting with Norman for the following week.
Motel Kitchen: It is after hours, Stevie has sneaked downstairs. Carlos is about to go to bed when he sees her enter the kitchen. She explains that earlier she told a lie to Meg – she said Sandy was home and had gone to bed as Meg was beginning to worry. She tells Carlos he has been gone for hours and she is worried. Carlos says he understands Stevie was being kind to Meg but if he isn’t back soon she will have to own up as it is not like Sandy to be this late. Just as she’s about to go to wake Meg, Sandy arrives back, but before he can say anything he faints.
| Meg Richardson Ruth Bailey Marilyn Gates William Fothergill Carlos Rafael Benny Wilmot Sam Redway Sandy Richardson Claire Harkness Julian Bennett Stevie Harris Brian Jarvis Gordon Amos |
NOELE GORDON PAMELA GREENALL SUE NICHOLLS DANIEL THORNDIKE ANTHONY MORTON DEKE ARLON JOHN PORTER DAVISON ROGER TONGE AUDREY NOBLE PATRICK MARLEY WENDY PADBURY DAVID FENNELL ANTHONY HOWARD |
| Episode 316 – January 17th |
Written by: Paul Erickson |
Directed by: Reg Watson |
Motel Kitchen: The cliffhanger from 315 continues. Sandy now seated on a stool is having blood wiped from his face by Carlos who is asking what happened. Sandy tells him he hasn’t been in a fight, he just fell off a motorbike – and before Stevie can ask – he tells her that he was riding pillion, not driving it. Carlos says to fall off it was dangerous driving, nothing less. Stevie says she bets it was Vic and his pal Gormless. Sandy defends Vic and says he is a good driver. Carlos and Stevie do not agree. But they decide to not worry Meg, and none of them will mention this incident.
Hugh’s Penthouse: Sam and Hugh are discussing the developments or lack of them with Meg Richardson. Sam says at least the garage and petrol station are making good money. Hugh notes he wishes all his investments were so flush with the money. ‘take shipbuilding’ Hugh says, adding ‘I have interests in a shipyard, that’s an industry that is going through difficult times.’ Sam observes that the motel business is so small it probably isn’t worth much of Hugh’s time. Hugh says usually he’d agree but in Crossroads’ case he has a ‘vested interest’ as it ‘involves people close to his heart’.
Coffee Bar: The rota for the staff cover has been approved by all concerned. Benny is showing Carlos how to operate the machines. Carlos will then be able to teach any of the other staff how to run ‘That Place’ that Benny doesn’t see before he leaves. Marilyn comes in to see how things are going. Carlos makes coffee and she is impressed. Benny says he will now show her how it all works. After a while, they notice Carlos has disappeared. Suddenly Carlos’ voice booms through the sound system…
Carlos: [heard only through the speakers] “Ladies and gentlements, with pleasure and great expenses this place, I mean That Place, presents the one and only singing chef Carlos Rafael…”
Carlos then appears on the stage and takes a seat on a stool, he starts playing Benny’s guitar, he starts to perform as Sandy dims the lights, and turns on the stage lamps, “It is the evening of the day…” [there is an electrical explosion] and the place falls into darkness. The stage lights have fused the entire building.
| Stevie Harris Carlos Rafael Sandy Richardson Janice Jarvis Brian Jarvis Sam Redway Ruth Bailey Marilyn Gates William Fothergill Ralph Palmer Hugh Mortimer Benny Wilmot Vic Stebbings Nigel (Woody) Woods |
WENDY PADBURY ANTHONY MORTON ROGER TONGE CARLOLYN LYSTER DAVID FENNELL JOHN PORTER DAVISON PAMELA GREENALL SUE NICHOLLS DANIEL THORNDIKE NORMAN JONES JONN BENTLEY DEKE ARLON BRENDAN COLLINS HUGH JANES |
| Episode 317 – January 18th |
Written by: Paul Erickson |
Directed by: Reg Watson |
Motel Kitchen: Carlos, Marilyn and Benny are discussing the issues at the coffee bar the previous evening. Benny observes that there is a problem with the stage lights that he is waiting for the electrician to come and fix – so they shouldn’t have been switched on. Marilyn prefers to blame Carlos’ voice. ‘Electricity didn’t cause that fuse, it happened when you hit your first singing note’ she tells Carlos, adding ‘some things are meant for export, your singing voice isn’t one of them.’ He then suggests she maybe caused the power failure herself to sabotage ‘Carlos’ fine singing voice.’
Motel Reception: Christine walks in and takes a look around, Marilyn comes through from the kitchen and greets her. She notes it has been a long time since she’s seen her. Christine says she has come on a spur of a moment thought. She asks if Meg is around, she has been thinking about taking on a part-time job – and wonders if she’d be able to come back to the motel. Marilyn says Meg is upstairs in her sitting room, she makes a call and informs Meg she has a visitor. Christine looks nervous.
Meg’s Sitting Room: Christine and Meg are discussing the idea of Christine returning part-time to the motel to resume her waitress job. Meg asks if she’s sure, and if can she cope. Christine explains how Ralph’s sister – Winnie – will be at home and able to look after Mark and the home while she’s out. Meg is curious to why suddenly now, after all this time. Christine observes that it comes down to really being about money. With Ralph’s job not well paid and possibly not even existing in the near future she’s decided to take action. Meg says she’d love for Christine to rejoin them at Crossroads, but advises there is a little more work involved these days with the coffee shop, the longer restaurant hours and more of the chalets open for business.
Meg then asks what Ralph thinks about the idea. Christine confides that he isn’t very keen on it at all. Either way, she will be taking a part-time job somewhere, and he will just have to get used to the idea. Meg notes Ralph is very old-fashioned in his views when it comes to home life, she fears Christine may have a battle on her hands.
| Carlos Rafael Benny Wilmot Marilyn Gates Ralph Palmer Meg Richardson Ruth Bailey Josefina Rafael Christine Palmer Brian Jarvis Janice Jarvis Gordon Amos Mrs. Love |
ANTHONY MORTON DEKE ARLON SUE NICHOLLS NORMAN JONES NOELE GORDON PAMELA GREENALL GILLIAN BETTS ALEX MARSHALL DAVID FENNELL CAROLYN LYSTER ANTHONY HOWARD JOAN DUAN |
| Episode 318 – January 19th |
Written by: Paul Erickson | Directed by: Reg Watson |
Meg’s sitting room: Meg and Ruth are discussing Fairlawns Hotel and the trade it has taken from Crossroads. Meg is comparing the accounts for 1964 and 1965. She observes that from Fairlawns opening you can clearly see a dramatic fall in restaurant and room bookings. Ruth agrees it isn’t good. Meg is even more annoyed that she has just learned an association she’s involved with – The Lady Midlanders Association is to hold most of its meetings at Fairlawns in the future. Sandy enters and asks why his mum looks so glum. She tells him that ‘Fairlawns is getting under her skin’. Sandy observes that Fairlawns Hotel needs taken down a peg or two.
Motel Kitchen: Carlos is reading a newspaper. He reads out loud an article on music. He tells Marilyn and Josefina how it says ‘young people are becoming tired of pop fads. There is a growing interest in performers such as Frank Sinatra and Andy Williams. Carlos says Frank is a great singer, he is Latin just like he is. Both fine singers. Marilyn asks Josefina what Fairlawns is like to work for. She says the money is good and the work is ‘okay’; it is a very efficient machine, and there is no fun or friendly environment like it is at the motel.
Motel Reception: Meg is on the phone to the electrical contractor, she tells Mr Sanderson she’s been waiting since before Christmas for someone to come out and fix the issues with the electrics in the coffee bar. She makes a note, hangs up and then tells Benny that ‘someone will be out next Friday’. She isn’t impressed at how long they’re taking to get work done. Benny says hopefully the place won’t burn down in the meantime. Meg then meets a customer at the reception desk.
Claire Harkness introduces herself. Production notes state she is ‘around the age of 50, very attractive and glamorous’. Claire asks to have lunch in the restaurant, Meg books her in for a table and then observes that she recognises Claire from somewhere. She confirms that her photo was in the newspaper yesterday, she is the wife of the famous painter Paul Harkness.
Claire then says she has another reason for coming to the motel. She takes a book out of her bag. ‘I would like to thank the person who sent me this book’. She explains that during her radio interview, she mentioned a book she read as a child but had never been able to find a copy for many years. Someone from the Crossroads Motel sent her a copy. She says there was a simple note with no name or details, but the book was wrapped in a newspaper that states it was delivered to ‘Crossroads Motel’ and the postmark is Kings Oak. Meg tells Claire that she didn’t send it and doesn’t know who did – it could have been a guest or a member of staff. Meg says while Claire is dining she will make some enquiries among the staff.
Coffee Bar: Sandy and Stevie are talking about what Meg mentioned to him earlier that Fairlawns is becoming an increasing annoyance to Meg and it keeps ‘stealing’ in Sandy’s opinion the rightful trade of Crossroads.
Stevie: “We should try and do something about it.”
Sandy: “You’re right for once, we should. But what?”
Stevie: “Well, we need to get back at them in some way. You know, teach them a lesson.”
Benny overhears part of the conversation and offers them both advice – they can’t do any harm to Fairlawns so they’d be better off trying to think of ideas to increase trade to the motel. William arrives to learn the coffee bar routine and is introduced to ‘Leaping Lena’ the hot drinks machine. Benny reminds William that its this side of the counter that he needs to take interest in, not the stage – William says he has no ambitions to be another Engelbert Humperdinck or aim for the top ten charts.
Vic and Woody enter the coffee shop and join Stevie and Sandy at the counter. Once they’ve ordered they all go and sit at a table. Sandy explains the issue with Fairlawns Hotel. Stevie says she doesn’t agree with Benny that Meg has to put in more work at the motel and come up with gimmicks to pull in more customers. Sandy says what Fairlawns needs is a touch of sabotage. Vic says when it comes to that kind of thing Sandy is speaking to the right man. He begins to tell him a plan…
Meg’s Sitting Room: Meg is asking Ruth about the children’s book that was sent from the motel to Claire Harkness anonymously. Meg says when she asked the kitchen staff earlier none of them admitted to sending out the book. At the time Ruth said nothing. Meg says she’s known her long enough to notice her face suggested ‘a form of guilt’. Ruth admits she sent the book herself. Meg is bemused, but why all the secrecy?
| Ruth Bailey Meg Richardson Sandy Richardson Sam Redway Marilyn Gates Josefina Rafael Carlos Rafael Benny Wilmot Claire Harkness William Fothergill Christine Palmer Stevie Harris Vic Stebbings Nigel (Woody) Woods |
PAMELA GREENALL NOELE GORDON ROGER TONGE JOHN PORTER DAVISON SUE NICHOLLS GILLIAN BETTS ANTHONY MORTON DEKE ARLON AUDREY NOBLE DANIEL THORNDIKE ALEX MARSHALL WENDY PADBURY BRENDAN COLLINS HUGH JANES |
| Episode 319 – January 20th |
Written by: Paul Erickson |
Directed by: Reg Watson |
Meg’s Sitting Room: The scene continues with Meg and Ruth. Ruth says she posted it, but she posted it on behalf of someone else.
Meg: “Why is sending a book so complicated? I can’t see what the problem is?”
Ruth: “I was going to mention it in the kitchen, but then the person who asked me to send it caught my eye and they appeared to indicate they didn’t want to be named.”
Meg: “Well I won’t probe any further. But I do find it all very baffling why it all is so secretive. Mrs Harkness only wanted to thank them for the book! I Do wonder what the real concern behind all this is?”
Motel Reception: Marilyn is speaking with Dudley Deane who is described in the production notes as ‘a well-groomed man, quiet of manner but one who knows his business.’ Also at the desk is Tony James a photographer. Dudley is from Comet Records and is explaining to Marilyn they have come to take some publicity photos of Benny ‘at work’ in the coffee bar as part of his promotional file. Marilyn says that Benny was planning to leave for London this evening so they’ve arrived just in time.
Benny then comes down from the stepladders next to the bar with a fused light bulb in his hand, Tony pap snaps him without warning. Dudley then suggests they pop into the kitchen for a ‘Benny at work’ photo shoot. Benny asks if they’ve asked Mrs Richardson for permission, and Dudley says they’ll sort that later.
Motel Staff Room: Ruth is asking William why he wanted the book he gave Claire to be kept a secret. He explains that he knew Paul and Claire many years ago, which is how he knew what address it should be sent to, but he never expected her to turn up at Crossroads looking to offer thanks. Ruth says that if Claire knows him surely there is no problem.
William says it was many, many years ago and it is a friendship that doesn’t need ‘reopening now’. Ruth gets the impression there is probably a little more to it than this but accepts his reason as she realises he is unwilling to say anything further about it.
Coffee Bar: Benny’s photo shoot has now headed over to ‘That Place’ and he’s making a coffee on Leaping Lena as Tony snaps away. Over at a table Sandy, Vic and Woody are chatting. Vic says they need to finalise their plan to cause Fairlawns a day of pain. ‘We go in there, raid the kitchen of all its food and then when they come to make breakfast they can’t – the guests will be furious.’ Woody also says they should have a bit of fun too. Sandy agrees and suggests taking all the salt and putting it in the sugar bowls and vice versa with the sugar.
Vic says it’s childish, and he wouldn’t usually go for childish, but he can imagine the posh lot’s faces when their morning tea tastes disgusting. Carlos calls Sandy over and while he’s away Vic says the food they steal they can sell – Sandy won’t get a penny of that little racket. And he also has other ideas ‘an Ace up his sleeve’. Over the other side of the coffee bar, Carlos is ticking Sandy off for ‘hanging around with those ‘wafters and strays’. Sandy says they’re not so bad really, and they’re good friends.
The Crown Inn: Brian returns from his meeting with Mr Pearson from the council. He has been offered a low-band house, a early 1950s council build in Merryfields. But the Lynham Road estate is ‘full of the wrong type of people’ so Brian has his doubts. It’s clearly why no one on the waiting list has snapped it up. Janice, working late, was unable to view the property. He is unsure what to do.
In the pub, he tells Gordon Amos of his dilemma. ‘Stay in a grotty little flat at an expensive private rent they can just afford, or move to a bigger house at council rates but in a terrible area’. He tells Gordon how he was also told about a private rental on the nicer side of town, but that comes at the same rent he’s paying now – and they’d want a £100 bond. He knows what Janice would prefer but he doesn’t have £100 and he isn’t going to dip into what she has left of her compensation money just for a slightly bigger house.
| Meg Richardson Ruth Bailey Marilyn Gates Dudley Deane Benny Wilmot Carlos Rafael Ralph Palmer Les Blundell William Fothergill Sam Redway Brian Jarvis Hugh Mortimer Sandy Richardson Vic Stebbings Nigel (Woody) Woods Gordon Amos Mr. Pearson Bill Jeavons |
NOELE GORDON PAMELA GREENALL SUE NICHOLLS REID ANDERSON DEKE ARLON ANTHONY MORTON NORMAN JONES ARTHUR R. WEBB DANEL THORNDIKE JOHN PORTER DAVISON DAVID FENNELL JOHN BENTLEY ROGER TONGE BRENDAN COLLINS HUGH JANES ANTHONY HOWARD ANTHONY BAIRD BERNARD HIGH |
| Episode 320 – January 21st |
Written by: Paul Erickson |
Directed by: Reg Watson |
Motel Reception: Meg has just hung up a ‘strange’ telephone conversation with Hugh. Sam is waiting for the change of £5 for the garage. As Meg sorts his money she notes that Hugh seems in an odd mood. He ‘must’ see her tonight and has ‘urgent’ business for her that is a ‘vital’ matter. Sam says he knows what it is about. Hugh has also asked Sam to join them this evening. Meg asks if Mortimer has come up with yet another idea for the car hire. Sam says ‘Mr Mortimer is always on the go with new ideas’. She responds, unimpressed, ‘I wonder what he’s up to now’.
Motel Kitchen: Benny is saying his goodbyes – he’s off to London with Dudley and Tony to begin his adventure with Comet Records. Marilyn says to write and keep them updated with what is happening. Carlos notes that he will keep a look out in the newspapers for his photo. He then gives them some ‘pasties, like they make in Cornwall’ for their drive to the big city
Palmer’s House: Christine and Winnie are talking while laying the table for dinner. Christine says she’s been putting off telling Ralph that she’s going back to work at the motel, but she’s decided she will inform him of her decision tonight. Ralph arrives home and Winnie exits to the kitchen to check on their meal. Ralph says he’s had a terrible day, another row with Les and his backward thinking. As Ralph goes on about the farm Christine realises yet again this isn’t going to be the day for her news to be discussed.
Meg’s Sitting Room: Meg is sitting at her desk. Sam and Hugh are facing her, sitting on the sofa. Hugh is explaining his new proposition.
Hugh: “As I see the situation it is very simple. You’ve got more than enough to do with running the motel, the coffee shop, the garage and the petrol station – without making a headache of the car hire business for yourself.”
Meg: “I wasn’t aware that it had been a headache as far as I’m concerned. That is until Sam told me that he had actually turned down some bookings.”
Hugh: “You see Meg, two companies fighting for thin business – especially at this time of year – with the same overheads, it is a ridiculous waste. What I am suggesting will bring your expenses down – and at the same time give you business – so that eventually you’ll make a larger profit.”
Meg then suggests, having become suspicious of Sam’s keenness for this deal, to telephone Mr Keeley who put up the money for the garage. After all he should have a say. Hugh stops her from dialling. He tells her he put up the money, but asked Sam not to say anything. Meg is overcome with a ‘cold anger’.
She tells Hugh he might have put the money in, but she’ll make sure he gets it all back – with the interest – as the payment plan states. But it doesn’t give him any right to suggest to her or Sam how to run her business so she won’t be accepting any of his proposals not now – not ever.
| Janice Jarvis Sam Redway Brian Jarvis Carlos Rafael Dudley Deane Sandy Richardson Stevie Harris Marilyn Gates Josefina Rafael William Fothergill Meg Richardson Benny Wilmot Christine Palmer Ralph Palmer Winnie Palmer Hugh Mortimer |
CAROLYN LYSTER JOHN PORTER DAVISON DAVID FENNELL ANTHONY MORTON REID ANDERSON ROGER TONGE WENDY PADBURY SUE NICHOLLS GILIAN BETTS DANIEL THORNDIKE NOELE GORDON DEKE ARLON ALEX MARSHALL NORMAN JONES EILEEN BARRY JOHN BENTLEY |
| Episode 321 – January 24th |
Written by: Keith Miles |
Directed by: Tim Jones |
Mortimer’s Penthouse: Sam and Hugh are indulging in a bottle of wine. Hugh gives Sam another glass. ‘Sam, Sam, pick up thy muscatel.’ Hugh says while Sam notes the wine is ‘very good, nice and sweet. Unlike Meg Mortimer, who is neither’. Hugh says they tried, but they are defeated. She won’t change her mind so that is that. It is what it is.
Sam notices a slogan on the back of Hugh’s matchbox ‘The definition of a woman: Someone who always has reason for having no reason at all’. Hugh says that certainly sums Meg up. Hugh then puffs on his cigar amused. There are other words for Meg, ‘Illogical’ is one, ‘Irrational’ is another. Sam suggests how about ‘foolish’. Hugh agrees.
Hugh: “The tongue Sam is a woman’s weapon – and my how Meg can use it! I’ve been involved with some proud and tempestuous women in my time, but I think the owner of the Crossroads Motel takes the cake.”
Sam: “But she is a bit like a revolving door too, I mean she can swing and change her mind at a whim. It sometimes just takes a bit of time and for her to have a bit of a rethink,”
Hugh: “Well maybe she’ll have a rethink when Dick corners her. We’ll have to tell him she said ‘no’.”
Motel Kitchen: Ralph delivers the milk, and Marilyn chirps in that she’s looking forward to seeing Christine tomorrow at the motel for her first shift back, she asks Ralph if Christine is excited about coming to work again at the motel. He is surprised by the news but tries to hide it.
Ralph responds that ‘he thinks she is’ and then says they haven’t really discussed it. He then makes his excuses and leaves. Marilyn doesn’t realise anything from the conversation.
Coffee Bar: Vic, Nigel and Sandy are having coffee but they are not impressed by the music which William has playing on the turntable. ‘Why all this drag on the turntable’ Vic asks, adding ‘couldn’t we have something from this century old man?’ Sandy observes the music playing is ‘Beethoven’s String Quartet’ with Vic responding that ‘it sounds more like Mick Jaggers string vest!’ to which Nigel (Woody to his friends) finds hilarious. Once the music ‘arrivies in 1966’ Vic turns his attention to Fairlawns Hotel and tomorrow night. He asks Sandy if he managed to get any information out of Josefina about the time the staff go home…
Palmer’s House: Ralph arrives home and tells Christine he’s very annoyed – why couldn’t she tell him that she’s decided to go and get a job at the Crossroads Motel, he had to hear it from Marilyn. Christine says it’s only a few hours a week and his sister is happy to look after the house and Mark (her son, but not his) while she’s out. Ralph says he won’t have it – he will not have his wife working.
Ralph: “Christine I forbid you to go to work at that motel.”
Christine: “Don’t try to stop me Ralph, I’m going.”
| Hugh Mortimer Sam Redway Marilyn Gates Josefina Rafael Carlos Rafael Ruth Bailey Ralph Palmer Meg Richardson William Fothergill Sandy Richardson Vic Stebbings Nigel (Woody) Woods Christine Palmer Winne Palmer |
JOHN BENTLEY JOHN PORTER DAVISON SUE NICHOLLS GILLIAN BETTS ANTHONY MORTON PAMELA GREENALL NORMAN JONES NOELE GORDON DANIEL THORNDIKE ROGER TONGE BRENDAN COLLINS HUGH JANES ALEX MARSHALL EILEEN BARRY |
| Episode 322 – January 25th |
Written by: Keith Miles |
Directed by: Tim Jones |
Palmer’s House: Christine has left for work. Ralph is furious and he discusses the situation with his sister Winnie. He tells her he can’t believe his own wife has ‘defied him’ and gone behind his back. Winnie says she thinks Christine has every right to work if she wants. He can’t believe what he is hearing. Winnie then adds the only person being pathetic and childish is him.
Winnie: “You’re too stubborn to listen to reason Ralph, you always have been. So, you might not need the money at the moment. But a little extra always is welcome and with the uncertainty about your job at the farm a little bit for you both to put aside might help in a few months.”
Birmingham City Centre: Carlos has taken the morning off, with Meg’s permission, to see the doctor. Which after his recent issues isn’t unsurprising. However, Josefina knows he has no doctor appointment so is very suspicious. She follows him to the city centre. She sees him knock on a door, an ‘attractive young blond lady’ opens the door and he goes inside. Josefina on the other side of the street is very angry. 
She rushes across the road, but before she can knock on the door she hears Carlos’ loud howling coming from inside. She looks at a nameplate beside the door – ‘Madame Hopkins L.R.A.M Music Tutor’. Josefina laughs. It appears a ‘polite fob-off’ from Dudley Deane of Comet Records a few days ago that ‘Carlos could be an opera singer’ has been taken seriously by Carlos.
Motel Reception: [Much later in the day from the previous scene] Marilyn is talking to Christine. The latter tells Marilyn how since Ralph found out – by accident from Marilyn about her job at Crossroads – he hasn’t spoken a word to her. She says ‘it’s like living with a stranger’. Marilyn says had she known he didn’t know she’d not have said anything. Christine says she can’t blame anyone but herself, she just couldn’t find the right time with Ralph and now she doesn’t know what is going to happen – is their marriage over? A noise is heard coming from the kitchen. It is Carlos making lots of odd noises, Marilyn observes he sounds like ‘an electric fan’.
Fairlawns Kitchen: [Late night, most of the staff have gone home] Josefina is preparing the breakfast arrangements for the morning. Sid Bates – the night porter – pops in to see if there is any coffee in the pot before he starts work. He makes a coffee and then goes off to the reception desk. Sandy knocks on the kitchen door, Josefina is surprised to see him. He says he was on his way back from the cinema and remembered she was at work so he thought they could walk back to the motel together – Josefina says he is a very thoughtful young man.
Sandy: “So this is the famous Fairlawns Kitchen? I must say they gave us an impressive buffet at Brian and Janice’s wedding reception. (he puts some gloves down on a table which Josefina doesn’t notice.) How do you like working here?”
Josefina: “It is very nice, I like it. But not as much as the motel of course. And without Carlos around this kitchen is very quiet!”
Josefina goes to leave with Sandy, she turns off the lights and is about to close the door when he mentions he’s left his gloves – he says he’ll quickly get them and he’ll catch up with Josefina. She begins to walk off as Sandy goes in and retrieves his gloves. He then closes the door but puts the latch on so it isn’t locked.
Later Sandy, Vic and Nigel carry out their sabotage spree in the Fairlawns kitchen. Unbeknown to them someone has been watching their arrival from an upstairs window. In the reception area, Sid is eating a biscuit and reading the TV World magazine – unaware of anything untoward going on. All is going well until ‘Woody’ knocks over a bottle of milk, they see lights being turned on in the restaurant and flee. Sandy’s jacket is momentarily caught on the door handle giving Sid enough time to see his face before Sandy finally breaks free and flees.
| Ralph Palmer Winnie Palmer Carlos Rafael Marilyn Gates Josefina Rafael Ruth Bailey William Fothergill Sandy Richardson Christine Palmer Sid Bates Graham Cowley Brian Jarvis Janice Jarvis Sam Redway Vic Stebbings Nigel (Woody) Woods |
NORMAN JONES EILEEN BARRY ANTHONY MORTON SUE NICHOLLS GILLIAN BETTS PAMELA GREENALL DANIEL THORNDIKE ROGER TONGE ALEX MARSHALL JACK AUSTIN TONY WRIGHT DAVID FENNELL CAROLYN LYSTER JOHN PORTER DAVISON BRENDAN COLLINS HUGH JANES |
| Episode 323 – January 26th |
Written by: Keith Miles |
Directed by: Tim Jones |
Motel Kitchen: [Breakfast time] Carlos is busy rolling pastry while he makes a low humming noise – practising resonance. Meg enters and gives everyone a cheery ‘good morning’ – Carlos waves and continues to hum. Marilyn tells Meg there must have been a lot of salt used over Christmas and New Year as the usual supply has run almost out; she will manage to fill the salt cellars today, but they’ll need more for later in the week. Meg says it’s never happened before and finds it all very odd.
When Ralph enters with the milk delivery Marilyn asks for a quick word. In the staff room, she says that she has been speaking with Christine – he responds ‘That’s more than I have been doing’. Marilyn says she feels responsible for causing the issue, Ralph tells her no one is to blame it is just ‘one of those things’. He tells her how life at home at the moment is like ‘living in a monastery’ they are ‘both polite but distant’.
Lynham Road Estate: Sam has driven Brian and Janice to look at the council house they’ve been offered, which several others on a waiting list have declined. All three looking at it can see why. It’s modern, built in the 1950s, but it is grim and the street of the estate is a clear ‘midden’.
Janice: “Is this it?”
Brian: “That’s sadly, is ‘it'”
Janice: “But the place and the house, they’re both awful!”.
The three enter the property with a key Brian has been given to look around. The inside is as bad as the exterior. Damp patches, cobwebs, peeling wallpaper. Janice is horrified at the whole experience. Sam thinks the only way the place could be of any purpose is ‘if they knock it down and start again’. How can something so new be so terribly built?
Department Store Fragrances Department: Production notes state that ‘Patricia Sweet is a sophisticated sales girl’ Ralph walks over to her counter and nervously looks over some of her perfumes. Patricia asks if she can assist Ralph, he says he wants a scent for his wife as he picks up – mistakenly – a lipstick. Patricia suggests for casual wear they have ‘Snow Queen’ or if he’s looking for something a little more evening exotic she has ‘Desires’. Ralph coughs at the strong waft that has come from ‘Desires’. She then suggests ‘Sultry Maiden’ he sniffs the bottle and suggests ‘it smells like tea bags’. Patricia, politely observes ‘That isn’t the one for your wife then’. She then suggests ‘Tenderness’. He thinks that smells the best of the offerings and buys it for thirty-five shillings. Still embarrassed he takes his change, and the scent, and swiftly leaves.
Meg’s Sitting Room: Graham Cowley, the manager of Fairlawns Hotel has arrived to see Meg, having made an appointment earlier over the phone. Sid Bates also joins them. Graham says the matter to which he has made the visit is one that is delicate and serious.
Graham: “I’ve been turning the matter over in my mind all day, and I decided the best action to take would be to come and see you personally. We had a rather unfortunate incident at Fairlawns last night.”
Meg: “I’m sorry to hear that, but how does that concern Crossroads?”
Graham: “It isn’t Crossroads. It concerns yourself. Perhaps it is best if Mr Bates explains what happened, he is one of our night porters who was on duty last night.”
Sam: “I heard noises coming from the kitchen at around midnight, when I went into the kitchen and switched on the lights I saw this lad in the doorway, he then scarpered. I heard the sound of motorbikes riding away.”
Meg says she still doesn’t understand what she could do to assist with this issue. Graham says that Sam got a good description of the boy – it matches that of Sandy. Meg doesn’t believe for one minute it could possibly be Sandy. She says he was in bed at midnight and had been for a couple of hours prior. She says he’ll be home from school shortly so Mr Bates can take a look at him and confirm he has been mistaken.
Later Sandy arrives in the sitting room and is horrified to see the men from Fairlawns. His ‘guilty face’ says it all – Meg is stunned. She tells Graham that she will deal with Sandy and his little late-night prank. Graham says it isn’t just about salt in the sugar bowls or sugar and milk all over the floor – there were items stolen last night, he isn’t so concerned about the food from the freezer – although it is an inconvenience – he is more bothered about the stolen cash tin. It held the tips from guests for the staff. There is around £20 missing. Meg looks at Sandy bewildered and angry.
| Marilyn Gates Carlos Rafael Meg Richardson Josefina Rafael Ralph Palmer William Fothergill Patricia Sweet Sam Redway Brian Jarvis Janice Jarvis Graham Cowley Sid Bates Hugh Mortimer Sandy Richardson |
SUE NICHOLLS ATHONY MORTON NOELE GORDON GILLIAN BETTS NORMAN JONES DANIEL THORNDIKE CECILY EDEN JOHN PORTER DAVISON DAVID FENNELL CAROLYN LYSTER TONY WRIGHT JACK AUSTIN JOHN BENTLEY ROGER TONGE |
| Episode 324 – January 27th |
Written by: Keith Miles |
Directed by: Tim Jones |
Meg’s Sitting Room: The scene from the close of 323 continues with Graham Cowley saying that he will have to call the police as money and items have been stolen from Fairlawns during a ‘trespassing’ last evening. Sandy says he only took a box of salt to mess around with the sugar bowls – he didn’t see any money box or deep freezer. But he also won’t say if anyone else was with him, saying he did the prank alone. Cowley suggests that if Sandy had left the door on its latch someone else, earlier maybe, had also been in and stole the items – either way, the police will have to investigate it all. Meg is very worried.
Palmer’s House: Ralph is trying to give Christine the perfume, but as soon as she smells him ‘honking like a brothel’ she instantly thinks he’s been off having a fling with another woman. She’s about to storm out when he says to her what she needs is some ‘Tenderness’ and he gives her the bottle. ‘A peace offering’ Christine sniffs the scent and declares it is ‘gorgeous’. He apologises about the way he has been behaving over her working at Crossroads. They kiss and make up.
Brian and Janice’s Flat: Councillor Pearson is explaining about the house he’s offered to Brian and Janice. He says he knows it is in ‘an appalling condition’ but he says he should explain why they should take it – he is telling them this as he’s friends with Gordon Amos. He says there is a housing shortage in both council and private rents. But two new estates are being built near Castlewich neither of which are yet open for council lists. He says if they take the Lynham Road Estate house within 12 months they’ll be living in a much better home on the Kings Meads or the Oak Dale estates – as that and the adjoining street on the Lynham estate are to be demolished for a road development scheme. He tells Brian and Janice if they can do the basics to get the house clean and livable the council will rehouse them within the year. Brian and Janice look at each other pondering the offer.
Motel Kitchen: Josefina apprehends Sandy as he’s on his way to school. She tells him she is very annoyed. He made her a big fool ‘You say you come to walk me home when you really want to just get into Fairlawns to make a big mess on my kitchen floor.’ She tells him how she feels a fool at work because all the other staff know it was ‘one of her friends’ who has sabotaged their kitchen. She tells him they are ‘no longer friends’. Sandy leaves for school very sad about the situation, Josefina is angry.
Motel Reception: Meg and Ruth are having a general chit-chat when Claire Harkness returns to the motel. She says she’s been to Yorkshire to promote her book, and is now on the long journey back south. As she has some promotions to do in the midlands she thought she’d try a motel. She asks to check in for a couple of days. Meg checks Claire into Chalet Six. When Meg asks if she ever discovered who sent her the children’s book she responds ‘no’, but she’s sure the person must be around Kings Oak so hopefully, as she’s here a bit longer she might just this time find out. Ruth looks uneasy. Later she tips off William that Claire is back at the motel. He tells her he doesn’t want to see her so will arrange to – if it is at all possible – avoid her at all costs.
| Meg Richardson Sandy Richardson Graham Cowley Sid Bates Ralph Palmer Christine Palmer Josefina Rafael Marilyn Gates William Fothergill Ruth Bailey Claire Harkness Carlos Rafael Brian Jarvis Janice Jarvis Counciller Norman Pearson |
NOELE GORDON ROGER TONGE TONY WRIGHT JACK AUSTIN NORMAN JONES ALEX MARSHALL GILLIAN BETTS SUE NICHOLLS DANIEL THORNDIKE PAMELA GREENALL AUDREY NOBLE ANTHONY MORTON DAVID FENNELL CAROLYN LYSTER ANTHONY BAIRD |
| Episode 325 – January 28th |
Written by: Keith Miles | Directed by: Tim Jones |
Brian and Janice’s Flat: The couple are trying to figure out the pros and cons of moving to the Lynham Estate for a few months until they’re offered a better house on either the Oak Dale or Kings Meads estates which promise to be the best in council housing.
Brian: “So we have to live in that awful place for possibly a year, then move on to a council estate that will be in high demand, and if we go down the usual route we’d never get a house there.”
Janice: “It does seem a good offer, Mr Pearson said he was only offering us this chance because we’re friends of a friend. I know we’d be waiting on the council list up to eight or ten years for a decent estate.”
Brian: “At least this way we’d be jumping the queue, but in a legal way.”
They agree to take Perasons up on his offer and will let him know today.
Motel Restaurant: During a busy spell Claire manages to end up being served by William. He pretends not to know her at all. She says he seems familiar but doesn’t dig too deeply, but her curiosity is pricked.
Hugh’s Penthouse: Graham Cowley has called round to talk to Hugh about Sandy. He tells him about the incident the other evening in the kitchen and the stolen items. He tells Hugh that he’s spoke to Meg who doesn’t believe Sandy stole the food or the money. He is only responsible for the salt prank. Hugh says he believes that. He then asks Graham what is he doing about the stolen items. ‘That’s the difficulty’ he says, noting ‘Obviously we must do something to catch the thief.’ Hugh says yes. But he’s unwilling to speak to Meg to see if they can try and get more information out of Sandy on the chance he wasn’t alone and he also doesn’t want to involve the police. After some debate Hugh reluctantly says he will discuss the matter with Meg.
Motel Bar: William is serving Claire at the bar. She says she’s glad he remembers her favourite brandy, from twenty years ago. She then says to him ‘You’re William Forbes, aren’t you?’ At first, he denies it, then he admits ‘yes, dear Claire it’s William your husband…’
| Brian Jarvis Councillor Norman Pearson Janice Jarvis William Fothergill Carlos Rafael Marilyn Gates Meg Richardson Ruth Bailey Claire Harkness Sandy Richardson Vic Stebbings Nigel (Woody) Woods Graham Cowley Hugh Mortimer |
DAVID FENNELL ANTHONY BAIRD CAROLYN LYSTER DANIEL THORNDIKE ANTHONY MORTON SUE NICHOLLS NOELE GORDON PAMELA GREENALL AUDREY NOBLE ROGER TONGE BRENDAN COLLINS HUGH JANES TONY WRIGHT JOHN BENTLEY |
Episode 313 features a telecine scene; ‘Lonely Road’. Six youths on motorbikes – Vic and Woody are leading them on the road; a montage of motorcycle riding. The race lasts for 1 minute 30 seconds. Episode 322 has scenes recorded in Birmingham City Centre with Carlos and Josefina.
Episode 323 and the ‘council estate’ was filmed at the ‘1950s Nechells Development’.
The “Sad theme” is used during the first scene of edition 314 when Ralph and Christine are talking about his bleak future. This episode also reveals that the grocery store in Kings Oak is called ‘D.D Nicholls.’ This month sees episodes mention other TV programmes Top of the Pops and Lost In Space.
In episode 317 the previously unexplained expansion of chalets – from November ’65 onwards – seems to have been finally addressed with Meg noting to Christine that the chalets had been there all along, but unfurnished, and Meg has been opening more as she’s been able to furnish them as time goes on with any profit she’s made. It also is noted there are four sides to the neon sign on the reception shelf, one says ‘Morning Coffee’ which Meg rolls it around to during a scene. Others note ‘champagne cocktails’, ‘Beer, Lager & Wine’ and a generic ‘Crossroads Motel’.
Hugh Janes who played Nigel Woods went on to become a major playwright and screenwriter. Audrey Noble who plays Claire Harkness would return in the 1970s as part of the Crossroads Care Attendant storyline as Mrs. Scott the mother of a disabled son. Audrey died in 2016 aged 101.
Synopsis written by Mike Garrett for The Crossroads Years. With thanks to Bob Hope for additional cast information from TV World listings and Rob Wilde for some of the photographs.
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