Crossroads: The Noele Gordon Collection – Box Two of the Boxset
Click the listings for a bigger image, below is the episode guide.
Disc Thirty
Episode 3080 from January 1979 – Meg is deep in thought regarding Jill’s personal situation, however, has unwanted issues with Deborah Crisp who now claims she has proof that Hugh Mortimer is the father of her child – Wendy. Jill ponders her future and how she intends to keep Sarah Jane, telling David of her plans. Bernard and Helen Booth discover their marriage is on the skids while Tish finds Meg in a state of distress.
Episode 3081 from January 1979 – Diane discusses love and marriage with David, informing the motel manager that PC Carter has ‘moved on’. Shughie prepares for his gourmet evening. Benny is worried about his car passing its MOT while he’s blissfully unaware he has a bigger shock heading his way.
Episode 3082 from January 1979 – Benny is heartbroken when he is informed his beloved car is actually stolen and belongs to someone else. Shughie dresses up to impress his ‘date’. He engages in conversation with local café waitress Cynthia aiming to impress the lady of the teas and coffees.
Episode 3083 from January 1979 – Jill hits the bottle again as the whole mother thing takes its toll. Shughie’s world of fantasy is taking on Disney proportions while Joe MacDonald sets his eyes on an old school flame. Stan Harvey gets an earful of abuse from afar.
Episode 3084 from January 1979 – Benny says he’s not keen on talking to people over the telephone as he often makes mistakes when using such newfangled technology. Bernard Booth puts Shughie McFee back in his place, if not entirely out of his dream world. Adam tries to get to the bottom of the Wendy, Hugh and Deborah situation. But will they offer blood as proof? It seems unlikely as Adam’s tact fails to charm Wendy.
Episode 3085 from January 1979 – Adam informs Crossroads Motel co-owner David that Meg’s financial affairs are in tatters and Hugh has left her in a money-less pit. He confirms that once Hugh’s estate is wrapped up things will look pretty bleak for the once well-off Meg. Joe MacDonald plans to get old flame Trina Jameson a job as a receptionist at the motel. Meg is left stunned when she is offered a deal to buy her shares in order to clear Hugh’s debts.
Episode 3086 from January 1979 – Adam tries to reassure Meg that he has no plans to take over the motel, and has her best interest at heart. He also continues to urge Wendy to part with blood to prove Hugh is the father of her daughter. Doris discovers Shughie has been living one great big lie.
Episode 3087 from January 1979 – Doris Luke is indignant at the number of lies Shughie McFee is reeling out. He, however, claims he has many a good reason for the tall tales. Wendy Crisp gets a shock, while Bernard Booth becomes increasingly jealous as Joe woos Helen as part of his ploy to bring Trina into the motel family.
Disc Thirty-One:
Episode 3088 from January 1979 – Bernard Booth indulges Shughie McFee and Doris Luke in a dialogue of Shakespearian proportions in order to get a cup of tea. Meg turns her magnanimity into fine art in her ultimate dealings with the Crisp family. A new chapter opens at the Crossroads Motel as Adam Chance becomes the third director. Jill decides he’d be perfect to live with and offers Adam a home at Chimneys.
Episode 3089 from January 1979 – Joe is declared a bit of a fool by Helen. Jill gives Adam a guided tour of her home, avoiding any double entendres. Meg rethinks her feelings and upon the sorry state of affairs, the Crisp family are in offers Wendy a job at the motel.
Episode 3090 from January 1979 – Diane catches Benny lurking in the motel staff room and ponders what he’d look like as a waitress. Joe and Trina head off to the hippest bar in Kings Oak – The Swinging Cat. Doris and Shughie are not so lucky, their night out ends up at the Kings Oak Café for a plate of chips.
Episode 3091 from January 1979 – Adam and Jill converse in general chit chat She tells him she’s not as ‘easy’ as he thinks she may be, while he indulges in some psychoanalysis of the soon-to-be-divorced Mrs Harvey. Shughie tries to entice Helen with his Scampi Provencal but she’s not interested. Diane catches Trina flouncing around, she tells her about the little prank she’s playing on Mac.
Episode 3092 from February 1979 – Bernard Booth is overjoyed when he discovers he’s about to become a father. Meg is concerned that Jill shacking up with Adam, no matter how innocent it is, could give Stan the ammunition he needs to keep Sarah Jane in Germany. Lloyd flounces into the reception with a strange woman. Adam is thrilled when Jill gives his libido a tickle, only for her to then smash it to bits with a hammer.
Episode 3093 from February 1979 – Glenda and Gerry have a row over money, the latter just out of prison. So we know he’s no good. Jill takes geordie waitress Valerie under her wing, it seems the motel is once again a magnet for unmarried mothers. Meg is surprised to learn that Lloyd has brought his daughter to the motel. But that’s his business. Tish and Lloyd share a kiss, which gets Ted’s jealousy level rocketing.
Episode 3094 from February 1979 – Adam takes Jill to task, although stops at putting her over his knee when she invites pregnant and alone motel waitress Valerie Saunders to stay with them at Chimneys. Sandy is left feeling bruised after meeting Lloyd’s daughter Kathryn. David informs Meg that he intends to bring ex-wife Rosemary back to the motel following the funeral of his former mother-in-law, Stella. Trina and Mac go to a party.
Episode 3095 from February 1979 – Bernard Booth is in a disapproving mood and gives any unfortunate member of the motel staff to venture near him a word or two of negativity. Gerry worms his way back into Glenda’s good books but advises her not to tell Benny. Shughie is worried the village may discover he’s been on a date with local spinster Doris Luke.
Disc Thirty-Two:
Episode 3096 from February 1979 – Meg ponders the value of her Derby figurine, Valerie confides in Jill that her father wouldn’t accept her situation well and is possibly more stubborn than Bernard Booth. Sandy catches Shughie McFee talking to his food while it cooks. Ted is the recipient of a highly unwelcome visitor.
Episode 3097 from February 1979 – Meg and Lloyd discuss ‘daughter problems’. Glenda Brownlow confides in Benny Hawkins – village idiot – that she has fallen in love with baddie Gerry Hurst. Doris Luke, always one for an eye for the good and bad in the world isn’t keen on Gerry. No good will come of it, mark her words. Diane gets involved in Valerie’s world of misery while Doris catches Shughie in a state of undress.
Episode 3098 from February 1979 – Adam puts down his regular sleeping habits to a clear conscience. Glenda confesses she has a secret passion for David. Valerie is allowed to remain at Chimney’s for the foreseeable future, Jill little realising what problems it may cause in the months to come.
Episode 3099 from February 1979 – David and ex-wife Rosemary indulge in some serious conversation before being interrupted by Adam, much to David’s relief. Shughie is far from impressed at the cost of renovation as Doris urges him to invest in some new soft furnishings. Ted Hope, the husband of Tish, gets a bit frisky with Lloyd Munro’s daughter Kathryn.
Episode 3100 from February 1979 – Sandy is left unimpressed by the news that Adam Chance and his sister are shacked up together at her house, the home she shared until recently with her daughter Sarah Jane and husband Stan Harvey. Tish Hope is feeling even worse as she wonders just what is going on with Ted, especially as he’s seen partaking in tea and scones with Kathryn.
Episode 3101 from February 1979 – Jill sets herself up as Valerie’s life coach. That should worry Valerie immensely. After all this is Jill Harvey, who married an already married man, became addicted to alcohol, managed a shop which went bankrupt, had an affair with her half brother resulting in a child – Matthew – and was brainwashed by a local witchcraft cult. Rosemary reacts in a predictable way when she discovers David has been hiding from her that their son Chris is an international terrorist who was responsible for the death of Hugh Mortimer. Shughie is smacked by Gerry.
Episode 3102 from February 1979 – Trina and Doris pamper Shughie following his bruising. Ted and Kathryn get close. Meg confesses to son Sandy that she isn’t Rosemary Hunter’s greatest fan.
Episode 3103 from February 1979 – Tish continues to become increasingly suspicious of Ted. After all, it isn’t the first time he’d had an affair. Remember Constance? A conversation with Lloyd far from helps matters. Diane tries to winkle some gossip out of Jill but she is saying nothing. Adam enjoys being pandered to by two women and reveals his fetish for onion rings.
Disc Thirty-Three:
Episode 3104 from February 1979 – Lloyd verbally puts his daughter over his knee and spanks her for being so terrible. Kathryn in return kicks and screams like a child. David raises an eyebrow when son Chris turns up at the motel. Diane accuses Glenda of being a bit of a thick cow. Chris raises an eyebrow when he discovers his mother is at the motel.
Episode 3105 from February 1979 – Meg, often very nice, accuses Jill of being too nice. Sandy informs his mother that the murderous Chris Hunter is at the motel. Meg retires to her room. Adam informs Jill that Diane has been dropping hints about Valerie to him. He believes the motel staff think he’s put the waitress in the family way. Shughie gets an unwelcome visitor.
Episode 3106 from February 1979 – Ted accuses Tish of being overdramatic. Gerry hogs Shughie’s bed, while he makes do with the sofa. Lloyd tries to get inside the mind of his daughter.
Episode 3107 from February 1979 – Meg warns Tish that the village is talking about Ted and Kathryn. Diane reacts badly when Gerry grabs her bum and Shughie is so out of sorts he barely reacts to the news his nemesis Bernard Booth has decided to quit the motel for the second time.
Episode 3108 from March 1979 – Lloyd has mixed emotions when his daughter informs him she’s returning to America. Adam attempts to give Valerie a back rub while Tish says she won’t be making a fuss over Ted’s bit on the side anymore. David attempts to have a father-son conversation with Chris, but it fails badly.
Episode 3109 from March 1979 – Rosemary decides she’s mourned enough for her mother and is heading back home to Geneva. David has the audacity to ask Meg if Chris, who was responsible for Hugh’s death, can have a job at the motel. Jill congratulates Adam on his flare for the obvious while Doris decides to play Jessica Fletcher and find out what is really going on in Shughie’s flat.
Episode 3110 from March 1979 – Chris tells Diane he has no intention of working at the Crossroads Motel. Jill’s plan to transform Chimney’s into a home for unmarried mothers gets the red light from Adam. Shughie is concerned that Doris has discovered his secret concerning Gerry.
Episode 3111 from March 1979 – Lloyd accuses Kathryn of stirring things up with a big wooden spoon. In a total change of direction, Chris decides to take up the offer of the barman at the motel. Ted plans an afternoon of debauchery.
Disc Thirty-Four:
3112 from March 1979 – Tish bushwhacks Lloyd with a thorny question, it concerns infidelity. Jill runs into piles of red tape over her plans to open a home for unmarried mothers. Benny warns Glenda about the perils of gin while Kathryn drops hints to her father that she’s having a fling with Ted. She fails to enjoy however the backlash of such revelations.
Episode 3113 from March 1979 – Gerry Hurst attempts to fill Glenda Brownlow with copious amounts of gin to get his leg over. Luckily for Glenda, the pair are interrupted by Shughie who encounters some violence for his troubles. He later makes a confession. Chris winds up David with his chirpy outlook while at work.
Episode 3114 from March 1979 – Diane temps Chris back to her flat while Tish once more ponders Ted’s wayward ways. Adam ponders the benefits of returning to Australia. Trina gets one over on Joe, much to his annoyance. Rosemary Hunter examines the issues surrounding her ex-terrorist son. Most importantly that others may see him as a bad influence. Lloyd waits up for Kathryn.
Episode 3115 from March 1979 – Valerie Saunders accuses Jill of getting a kick out of being the new Mame Dennis, patron saint of unmarried mothers. Jill throws a wobbler. Mac is concerned that his engagement to Trina is being taken far too seriously. Chris panders to David’s idiosyncrasies over a cup of coffee. Jill begins to fret when Valerie fails to return to Chimneys after work.
Episode 3116 from March 1979 – Jill ponders harm on Valerie when she returns after staying out all night. Linda brings a ray of misery into Benny’s life when she returns to Kings Oak, showing up at the garage. While most people find her a skanky lowlife garage boss Colin Dutton is attracted to the bit of rough. Ted gives Kathryn something to think about.
Episode 3117 from March 1979 – Lloyd reluctantly takes a call from his daughter’s husband. Rosemary true to form informs David waspishly that their son has outgrown her. Linda informs Benny she needs more fun in her life. David’s gloomy outlook for the day is lifted by Lloyd’s obvious own misery. Diane gets Chris half-naked.
Episode 3118 from March 1979 – Ted gets a shock when Kathryn’s husband phones up for a chat. Jill is discovered sitting in the dark deep in contemplation. Rosemary has a chat with Diane over the ownership of her son. Sandy admits to Kathryn he finds her a bit scary.
Episode 3119 from March 1979 – Jill, who had suffered a miscarriage a few years earlier, is outraged that Valerie has partaken in an abortion. Chris is informed he is due a large sum of money from his late gran. But it has a few terms attached to it. Lloyd has been busy prodding his builders.
Disc Thirty-Five:
Episode 3120 from March 1979 – Meg takes Sandy to task over his eating habits. Joe MacDonald is getting nervous over his relationship with Trina Jameson. Garage boss Colin Dutton falls under the spell of Linda Welch’s cleavage. Rosemary Hunter enjoys a gossiping spree at the expense of Tish concerning Ted and Kathryn.
Episode 3121 from March 1979 – Linda stuns Benny by apologising for her lack of manners. However all is not as it seems. Mac believes it won’t be long before wedding bells are ringing for him and Trina, which isn’t a great thought for him. Chris tries to wrangle some of his legacy money from his parents. Unfortunately, he’s not entitled to any until he’s 35 or gets married. Jill takes out Valerie’s abortion on Diane.
Episode 3122 from March 1979 – Chris Hunter proposes marriage to Diane Parker, but it wouldn’t be a ‘love match’ just a money making venture. She does a runner. Jill has a feeling that Stan is up to something. And she intends to find out just exactly what. Linda and Benny have a leg slapping match.
Episode 3123 from March 1979 – Sharon Metcalfe complains to Colin that Linda is lurking around the garage far too much. Kathryn says tom-ayto while Chris says tom-arto. Meg is stunned to learn that Stan is taking Jill to court for full custody of Sarah Jane. Benny is accused of having sex with Linda.
Episode 3124 from March 1979 – David informs Rosemary that he believes their son is up to something devious in order to get hold of his inheritance money. Benny mopes around the garage miserably. Tish and Lloyd indulge in an evening of culture. Diane and Sharon ponder the pros and cons of arranged marriages. Lloyd confesses to Meg that he enjoys winding up Ted Hope.
Episode 3125 from April 1979 – Mac describes the joy of living with a dysfunctional family to Doris Luke. Kathryn tries to get her father to do her dirty work. In an astonishing display of hypocrisy she believes he’s having an affair! Jill is to expect an arrival at East Midlands Airport at 3pm, but who is arriving from Germany?
Episode 3126 from April 1979 – Jill is informed that Stan won’t be coming back to Birmingham to deal with their divorce. Rosemary is positively outraged at the impending marriage between Chris and common waitress Diane Parker. David is also rather indignant about the whole suggestion. Doris lectures Joe MacDonald on his responsibilities once he’s a husband. Jill is allowed to spend some time with Sarah Jane.
Episode 3127 from April 1979 – Rosemary with a mad glint in her eye takes Diane to task. Ted gives Kathryn the push. Kathryn doesn’t take it too well. Chris takes great pleasure in his parents’ displeasure at his latest ploy.
Disc Thirty-Six:
Episode 3128 from April 1979 – Colin comes to the conclusion that Linda’s attentions are becoming a tad overbearing. Ted and Kathryn decided to make a public display of their personal situation. Mac gets a three-line whip to move back in with his parents.
Episode 3129 from April 1979 – David Hunter comes to terms with his son’s latest wayward actions. Although makes it clear he is still unhappy about using Diane to gain money. Kathryn tells Tish that she’s going back to America. Later Tish informs Ted with glee, and then gives him an extra kick when he’s down.
Episode 3130 from April 1979 – Sandy Richardson is left nearly speechless when Tish Hope moves into the motel. David takes ex-wife Rosemary to task when she attempts to ‘buy off’ Diane Parker over the pending marriage of convenience to son Chris. Chris will inherit a large sum of money from his late grandmother’s will should he marry. Lloyd mopes around when he learns of Tish’s situation. David and Rosemary plan a different way to scupper their son’s cash-making plans.
Episode 3131 from April 1979 – David informs Rosemary they have no legal powers to thwart Chris’ plans. Edith Tatum sits around enjoying the motel atmosphere. Doris Luke has had quite enough of Linda Welch and calls the scrubber a slut to her face. Rosemary makes Chris an offer he is compelled to reject.
Episode 3132 from April 1979 – Linda reeling from Doris’ comments takes out her annoyance on Benny, then delivers more to Colin for an encore. Trina talks to Joe about the virtues of fitted kitchens. Tish remonstrates with David, asking him to keep out of her business, or in this case personal life. Edith Tatum has sold the post office and new owner Cyril Watkins is raring to go, as he fills up the shop with baked beans.
Episode 3133 from April 1979 – Trina confesses to Doris she’s been winding Joe MacDonald up to teach him a lesson. Sandy suggests to Diane that Chris’ plans for the wedding reception are becoming a tad excessive. Rosemary Hunter indulges in a favourite past time, poking fun at Diane Parker. Doris offers to help out at Cyril’s shop, showing him how much of a scrubber she can be.
Episode 3134 from April 1979 – Chris indulges in some emotional blackmail when Diane changes her mind about the wedding. Cyril basks in the joys of running his own shop. Ted confides in Lloyd that Rosemary puts him off eating while Tish decides to accept an offer of a date. Edith Tatum cuts a dashing figure when she appears in a stylish woollen tam o’shanter.
Episode 3135 from April 1979 – Lloyd tries to lure Sandy into a large amount of lying as part of a plan he’s trying to put into place. Cyril’s daughter Eira is nicely surprised to discover her father’s shop isn’t a hovel. Colin makes it clear to Linda what their situation is, she’s not entirely impressed by the information.
Disc Thirty-Seven:
Episode 3136 from April 1979 – It takes Ted and Tish over an hour to realise they’re being set up by Lloyd Munro. Benny discovers Linda having a tearful moment in a car, he offers her a mucky shoulder to cry on. Colin Dutton tells Sharon Metcalfe that if Linda turns up at the garage again she’s to tell her to bugger off.
Episode 3137 from April 1979 – Joe sulks when he learns that Trina has another fella, but is beaten in the sulking stakes by Linda when she’s made aware that Benny is no longer at her disposal. Diane decides upon her wedding dress, a spring frock. Colin comes to realise that Linda is not a tart that likes to be trifled with.
Episode 3138 from April 1979 – Diane gets her frisk on, but finds that her latest husband is sound asleep thanks to large amounts of booze. Sandy throws a wobbler at Meg, much to both their surprise. Colin is made fully aware of Linda’s blackmail plans. He’s not happy.
Episode 3139 from April 1979 – Chris decides its time to claim his inheritance and ponders a trip to Switzerland to sort out the finer financial details. Diane Hunter is left stunned and shocked when she’s informed she has to remain married to Chris for a further two years. She is left further stunned when Chris says he has to also move in.
Episode 3140 from April 1979 – Sandy still has the hump and continues to be grumpy around the motel. Cryil attempts to get the Kings Oak Post Office service reopened while Colin calls Linda’s bluff. Benny wants to shut her up for good. Meg confronts Sandy over his miserable demeanour. She doesn’t like his answer.
Episode 3141 from April 1979 – Trina realises she’s put herself into a corner by trying to be too clever with Joe. Rosemary takes a great deal of pleasure in informing Chris that she’s had his inheritance payment put on hold. Diane is far from pleased with the news. Colin accidentally kills Linda at the garage with a sink. He decides to blame Benny.
Episode 3142 from April 1979 – Meg ponders whether she’s driving Sandy away from the motel with her overly protective mothering of her son. Meanwhile Sandy tells David he’s sick of being mothered and longs for independence. Colin tells Benny that he’s been a little bit naughty in killing Linda and the police will be after him. Benny falls for Colin’s lies and does a runner.
Episode 3143 from April 1979 – Joe MacDonald and Sharon Metcalfe react badly to the news Benny has apparently murdered tarty Linda Welch. Chris gets the silent treatment from his new wife of convenience Diane. Meg is disappointed to learn that Sandy will be leaving the motel for a new job out of Kings Oak. Benny is on the run with the police on a woolly hat search.
Disc Thirty-Eight:
Episode 3144 from May 1979 – Diane is beside herself with worry over Benny, disbelieving that he could be responsible for the murder of the wretched whore Linda. The police however have several questions for her about her dim-witted pal. Rosemary Hunter is also in no mood for niceties as she decides to take the nuclear option over Chris and Diane. Colin Dutton tells endless fibs to cover up the fact he really is the killer the police want.
Episode 3145 from May 1979 – Chris Hunter begs his father for help in order to thwart Rosemary’s plans. Doris Luke indulges in a mournful soliloquy, Meg Mortimer is accused of emotional blackmail by her own son. Sandy is still in a mood. Harry puts his foot in it, which proves a problem for him.
Episode 3146 from May 1979 – Rosemary’s plot to stop Chris from getting his inheritance hits a wall when David decides not to support her ploy. Colin continues to place the blame on Benny. In the real world, a ‘Benny is Innocent’ campaign had started across the nation with banners hanging from Uni buildings and posters in City centres! Having already been accused of it, Meg decides to lay on some heavy emotional blackmail with Sandy.
Episode 3147 from May 1979 – Benny makes the front pages of the local press as the manhunt continues. Sharon Metcalfe tells Diane Hunter that her behaviour is just a bit hysterical. Sandy discusses leaving the Crossroads Motel for his new job. Doris smiles as she looks back to the good old days when Benny used to chase Starry the goat around the farmyard. Diane admits she fancies the pants off Chris Hunter.
Episode 3148 from May 1979 – Diane gets a visit from a disturbed looking Rosemary who informs her that she intends to make Diane feel guilty, cheap and frightened. Victor Lee turns up much to the displeasure of Colin Dutton. Rosemary meets her match when she encounters Sharon. Mac finds Benny hiding in a hovel.
Episode 3149 from May 1979 – Sandy has a bit of a rant at Meg. Rosemary attempts to get the majority of the motel staff to side with her over Chris and Diane, however, it fails to take off with the staff. Meg isn’t too interested in Rosemary’s ramblings. Benny, back at the motel, is pleased that Colin has been revealed as the man who killed, all be it accidentally, Linda Welch.
Episode 3150 from May 1979 – David tells Rosemary if she can’t forgive Chris she may lose her son forever. Elsewhere Diane and Chris share a snog over the good news that Benny is innocent. Sandy plans his move to London, away from his over-concerned mother. Victor Lee and Sharon Metcalfe enjoy a catch up.
Episode 3151 from May 1979 – Victor Lee decides he may help Benny on the road to car success and suggests he sends him to a technical college. Benny is bemused by the suggestion. Diane is bemused when Chris says he’s prepared to drop everything to save her feelings. Sandy is saved from reading a boring book to chat with Joe, who is surprised to learn Sandy has finally decided to go. Mac offers to drive Sandy to the big smoke. Trina boasts to Mac that she’s on the evening shift and tries to sound happy about Benny being innocent.
Disc Thirty-Nine:
Episode 3152 from May 1979 – Harry indulges in a fit of miseries over his visit to the doctor. Rosemary shocks David by admitting she was wrong. Joe gets masterful with Trina following advice from Sandy. Cyril thinks Doris is worth £10 for eight hours of action. Mac does a little filling on the telephone while Diane asks Chris not to be sentimental over their sham marriage.
Episode 3153 from May 1979 – David and Meg discuss their sons, Chris waits for his money while Sandy has his final day at the motel. Trina announces to Meg and David that she’s to be married to Joe. Meg is indignant that Sandy has left the cafeteria accounts to fall behind. Doris Luke wears her motel uniform in the village shop, while Victor Lee suggests he has Sharon Metcalfe on the carpet.
Episode 3154 from May 1979 – Meg and Doris admire Trina’s ring. Sharon admits to Victor she was involved in a car crash. Chris hands in his notice and prepares to flee the motel. Benny has trouble with the phone. Sharon is in bits over a car crash at Harpers Cross which saw a woman crash through the window, the car arrives at the garage. Benny assesses the damage and confirms it is ‘a mess’. Victor gives the virtues of wearing a seat belt. Lloyd Munro invites David and Meg to dinner. Chris Hunter learns that Meg can ‘slap a face’ from a distance.
Episode 3155 from May 1979 – Chris and David have a heart-to-heart. Then Chris stuns his father by informing him that he won’t be claiming his grandmother’s inheritance after all. Harry, still reeling from being practically accused of being a fake over his bad back by Doris, throws another wobbler. Chris thanks Meg for giving him a chance. Lloyd wears a fancy cravat as he prepares to dine with Meg, David drops out in an attempt to cover up the fact the motel accounts are not finished. Meg doesn’t fall for it. In the village shop Cyril and his daughter ponder if its possible to fake pain as Harry continues to ‘suffer’. Lloyd bamboozles Meg with his dining etiquette and procedures. But he’s hiding a dirty secret. Meg pulls on her rubber gloves and takes care of Lloyd’s hidden problems.
Episode 3156 from May 1979 – Benny’s sent on his way when Cyril asks for a private audience with Doris. Victor is concerned by Sharon’s keenness to hang around the hospital waiting for news. Meg is horrified by Lloyds’ home lifestyle and plans to sort him out with a housekeeper. Mrs Green and Timmy get their shopping from Cyril while Marian Owen passes on a message for lazy Harry. Barbara Brady arrives at Lloyds cottage to apply for the housekeeping job.
Episode 3157 from May 1979 – Lloyd flashes his dentures in alarm at Barbara his new housekeeper as she probes him. Mac dashes Trina’s idea of moving in with her parents. Harry has issues as Doris falls over and does herself an injury which will see her recovering for three months in Last of the Summer Wine. Sharon and Benny discuss the death of Mrs Foster following the car crash earlier in the week. Benny thinks back to his ill-fated love Maureen who was killed on their wedding day in a road accident. Benny offers some rare sensible advice.
Episode 3158 from May 1979 – Mr Foster turns up at the garage and deals with Sharon over his late wife and her car. Lloyd and Barbara continue to get to know each other and chatter includes tales of rodeos and the Raj. Harry gets an earful from Eira and Cyril when they discover Doris has had an accident in their shop. Doris is residing at Castlewich General Hospital as the motel learns of her accident. Meg puffs down the phone as she awaits news of Doris, she later tells Lloyd that he can’t have it both ways.
Episode 3159 from May 1979 – Sharon continues her maudlin behaviour much to Victor’s annoyance. Harry winds up Cyril over Doris’ accident and the possible compensation claim. Benny gets a letter from Ed Lawton informing him he’s sold their farm and is moving into a retirement home. Victor is suitably unimpressed when Benny asks for time off. Mac sneaks up on Trina and she rattles her pen chain. Marian Owen informs Cyril Watkins that Doris has broken ribs, one has perforated a lung and she’s sprained her wrist. Victor Lee notes he’s a ‘hard man’.
The following episodes, in the majority, have never been seen since their original broadcast on ITV between 1979 and 1981.
Disc Forty
Episode 3160 from June 1979 – Meg and David are disappointed their agreement for fresh produce from Ed Lawton’s farm is coming to an end, they ponder having to find a new small local supplier. Barbara Brady probes Dr Lloyd Munro on his work.
Meg visits Doris Luke in hospital, Miss Luke says her drip has been taken out which would explain the absence of Benny. Barbara meets David for the first time, Sharon Metcalfe is getting on a bit too well with the husband of the woman who died in the car accident they both were in.
Episode 3161 from June 1979 – Benny finally visits Doris in the hospital, minus his woolly hat until she gives him another. Doctor Farnham has been invited to dine with Lloyd Munro, he’s instantly drawn to Lloyd’s new housekeeper Barbara who suggests he’ll be well provided with cold duck. Harry visits the surgery where his ‘pain’ is questioned, and he storms off offended.
Episode 3162 from June 1979 – Harry has decided to leave Kings Oak, following his problems with the doctor. Eira stalls him, although his future plans, and dreams, don’t include a West Midland lifestyle.
Sharon visits – via the 187 bus – Geoffrey Foster who immediately gets her working on his estate agent paperwork in his penthouse apartment.
Episode 3163 from June 1979 – Harry gets bad news from London, a county court summons over unpaid rent. Eira deals with a shaky sideboard. Lloyd is confused as to whom Barbara has a preference between Farnham and Hunter when it comes to fine dining in male company. Sharon fondles Victor Lee’s in tray.
David suggests to Meg they create their own smallholding in order to launch a motel market garden to supply fruit and veg to the kitchen. Geoffrey drops flowers into Sharon at the garage, Victor urges caution.
Episode 3164 from June 1979 – Barbara and Dr John Farnham talk about marriage in a roundabout way, in a sign of times gone by he notes that male doctors only have female wives. Cyril has a verbal outburst at Harry who storms off to the boozer. Cyril later notes he’ll pay the owed rent but Harry will be the one paying it back to him. Marian Owen suggests that she should put in a claim against Cyril Watkins and his shop as he is blamable for her fall. She hears none of it.
Episode 3165 from June 1979 – Joe McDonald is looking for a flat to live in once he and Trina Jameson are married. David has a setback with his cottage garden, expert findings have revealed the former runway would be unsuitable for ploughing and sowing. Meg asks a mute waitress, carrying a heavy tray if she can manage, and gets no response from her and offers no assistance.
David plans the kick off the ‘Pony Club’ from land adjacent to the motel as its land, and cottage, are perfect for his plans. David also makes it clear of his interest in Barbara to Barbara. Lloyd creates an Arizona Crackle dessert. Basil Fawlty makes an appearance in The Birmingham Evening Mail, which Meg is unimpressed the TV Guide has been hacked out of – or was it the news item from the other side?
Episode 3166 from June 1979 – Lloyd gets suspicious when Barbara notes she cut a recipe out of the newspaper, Meg having fetched her own copy from her car, had observed with Lloyd the item actually cut out was a report on a murder. But all isn’t as it seems as Dr John Farnham reveals later.
David’s purchase of the land next to the motel meets a minor concern when he learns from Victor Lee that the cottage on the land has a tenant (Reg Cotterill). Trina and Joe give out their wedding invites. Meg realises there has been confusion over the newspaper and Barbara isn’t lying.
Episode 3167 from June 1979 – Trina and Joe have to face each of their parents and tell them that once married they won’t be living with either of them.
Harry has ambitions to move to New Zealand, and Eira doesn’t discourage him. Sharon continues to deepen her involvement with the Foster family, Geoffrey and his daughter Becky.
Disc Forty-One
Episode 3168 from June 1979 – Returning from Birmingham Meg arrives back at the motel with plenty of expensive purchases, at the shop Eira gives Cyril the first repayment in the money Harry owes, only she doesn’t tell Harry he’d made his first £2 instalment to the £100 owed.
Meg, David, Barbara and Lloyd discuss murder over dinner. Things get exciting at the local store when Cyril announced the income books all add up correctly. Meg puts Lloyd in the picture that Barbara had cut out a recipe, and not the murder story as they thought, as the murder story was in a later edition of the Birmingham Evening Mail. His suspicions are quashed.
Episode 3169 from June 1979 – David looks pensive as he gazes out the window while Meg is excited that they’ve had a CV sent in which includes a photograph. Both are less excited later when Reg Cotterill arrives and announces that his privacy is invaded and he has no plans to leave Stonebank Farm. Victor Lee pays a visit to Geoffory Foster to share his concerns over his involvement with Sharon.
Episode 3170 from June 1979 – Harry isn’t happy that Eira has paid his first debt instalment without him knowing while Cyril spends time reflecting on Wales with Marian Owen, once a girl from the valleys. Harry’s interest in New Zealand peaks.
Episode 3171 from June 1979 – Eira attempts to tell Cyril about her and Harry’s plans to emigrate, but fails to get far when he says he bought the post office and village store as a family concern, all three of them. Reg Cotterill wants to talk business with David and Meg about Stonebank Farm, there appears to be some sort of agreement. Sandy calls to say he’ll be back at the motel for Trina and Joe’s wedding. Sharon puts Vic in his place.
Episode 3172 from June 1979 – Marian Owen joins Cyril Watkins for dinner with Eira and Harry Turvey. Meg and Lloyd discuss Barbara he’s not entirely sure what she’s up to, she now takes an interest in poisons. He wonders if he’s going whacky and Meg confirms it’s a possibility. Despite being told to keep out of her business, Victor can’t help but interfere in Sharon’s private matters with Geoffery.
Episode 3173 from June 1979 – Sandy is back at the motel and welcomed back by Meg and David, while Jill remains stateside in New York. John Farnham and Barbara Brady catch up over coffee at the motel, before giving him a polite goodbye. Elsewhere Becky probes her father about how he feels about Sharon, later he shows Sharon how he feels with a snog. Reg informs Sandy that the accident that left him paralysed from the waist down was ‘God’s will’. (The credits have a playback fault briefly).
Episode 3174 from June 1979 – It’s the day of Trina and Joe’s wedding – which shockingly isn’t seen other than in some polaroid pictures – another missed opportunity from producer Jack Barton. Sandy, having known Reg for many years, suggests if the motel buys Stonebank Farm they should put Reg and Benny in to work the land. Cyril finds out about Eira and Harry’s plans that don’t include him or Kings Oak.
Barbara reveals to Sandy that she’s ‘Eleanor Ruskin‘ the author, as he recognised her face from a TV appearance. But he’s no fan of her ‘romantic tosh’.
Episode 3175 from June 1979 – Victor tries to get Sharon to see that Geoffery is not all as he seems, but she’s not entirely convinced. Cyril shares his woes with Marian at the surgery.
Disc Forty-Two:
Episode 3176 from July 1979 – Meg and David both attempt an impression of Reg Cotterill. Barbara ponders when plots don’t work out with Lloyd Munro and is a little unhappy that Dr John Farnham has only asked her on a date only once. David overlooks the Stonebank land with Reg, having offered him the job of farm manager and brings in his smelly wellies into the office.
Episode 3177 from July 1979 – After his brief return from London where Sandy is now an executive he pops back unexpectedly noting his need to collect medication. Victor has another attempt to get Sharon to open her eyes as far as the Fosters go. Barbara makes Lloyd nervous by returning the conversation back to murder by poison implying she has a fancy to pop off Farnham.
Episode 3178 from July 1979 – Reg isn’t keen to work with Benny, noting ‘he’s not right in the head’ causing David to get his growl on. Harry and Eira prepare to depart for New Zealand, and Cyril is perked up when Doris Luke sends him a letter, while she’s away recording Last of the Summer Wine. David departs for a short break away to see Rosemary and Chris.
Barbara indulges Sandy in more of her latest novel which she is researching via Lloyd and John.
Episode 3179 from July 1979 – Barbara and her novel research is causing chaos at Lloyd’s dinner party with Dr Farnham bemused and Sandy amused. Meg tries to persuade Reg to take Benny on at the farm.
Episode 3180 from July 1979 – Marian pops in to see how Cyril is coping with the shop now his daughter and Harry have emigrated to New Zealand. Meg has a noisy spoon as she pours tea for herself and Sandy, and she ponders how her sitting room is as busy as New Street Station.
Meg is later left furious when her new motel manager fails to materialise, but she will ‘solider on.’
Episode 3181 from July 1979 – The studio rain effect is in full watery flow, to decent effect, as Marian once again pops in to see how Cyril is doing as he steps into Edith Tatum’s shoes as sub-postmaster of Kings Oak. Sharon is enjoying the company of Geoffery at his city-centre penthouse (You can see the backcloth painted Rotunda ‘in the distance’ from the window, fancy). Marian and Cyril fall ill, suspected due to salmonella poisoning from village store ham. He’ll have to close the shop.
Jill and Sarah Jane return from America, while Sharon is lured into saying yes to an Italian getaway. Jill is hands-on back into motel duties.
Episode 3182 from July 1979 – Jill is finally greeted by Meg who has been rushed off her feet. Jill suggests asking Jane Smith if she could pop back to the motel, but Meg says she’s just far, far, far too busy with the Salvation Army. Dr John Farnham gives Cyril and Marian the good news that they were not made ill by any produce in the shop, it was a much simpler explanation from Marian’s homegrown lettuce.
Jill informs Meg that Anthony Mortimer – her step-brother with whom she had a child, Matthew, will be staying in America. He’s marrying a co-worker and she’d decided Matthew will live with them even if its broke her heart. Meg observes she hasn’t left much for herself. Benny has won a speedboat after entering a competition. Edith Tatum pops in to see how the Post Office and village store is doing and offers her services, which are accepted.
Episode 3183 from July 1979 – Sharon is given a bombshell from Becky when she reveals some hard evidence Geoffery has been wayward with the truth over his late wife, they were far from happy.. Florence has lost a mug however Benny finds it, Jane Smith has found time to work in the caféteria which means she’ll never be seen again.
Another old face that is a welcome return is Tish Hope, who pops in to see how Lloyd Munro is doing having heard he’s gone mentally strange, later she ‘enjoys’ the company of Reg Cotterill and is introduced to Alison, Reg’s niece.
Disc Forty-Three:
Episode 3184 from July 1979 – Dr John Farnham and Barbara Brady continue to discuss Lloyd Munro’s mental state, while she is put off by a porcelain dog. Edith Tatum is enjoying herself back behind the Post Office counter. Vic and Sharon discuss Becky’s revelations while Marion and Cyril work out their relationship status as just good friends.
Episode 3185 from July 1979 – Tish Hope and Jill Harvey are helping the understaffed Meg keep the motel going. Tish is concerned Jill, with other concerns such as her pending divorce is doing too much. Benny sits in his speedboat prize at the back of the motel (ATV Centre’s rear stands in as this) and ponders his homelessness. Jill meets Barbara for the first time and pours out her life story. Benny is reluctantly allowed to stay with Reg and Alison at Stonebank Farm.
Episode 3186 from July 1979 – Reg gives Benny some old-time religion and asks if he ‘wrestles with his own temptation’ and does he lust after Doris Luke. Lloyd now fully aware of who Barbara Brady is – an undercover writer – continues to pretend he doesn’t. Jill rings Sandy and asks him to return home to work at the motel. Lloyd finally confronts Barbara about her faking being a housekeeper.
Episode 3187 from July 1979 – Benny had a laugh with Alison, much to Reg’s distaste. Sandy returns from London having decided there is no future with Joe and his factory and aims to resume his old position at the motel seen as the new recruit failed to show. Now Benny’s living at Stonebank he decides to sell the speedboat.
Jill reveals that having decided to leave Matthew with her father Anthony and his new wife in New York, she may now also lose Sarah Jane as Stan is applying for custody of their daughter.
Episode 3188 from July 1979 – Meg continues to clean, giving her alcoves a good wipe-down, and plans redecoration. Jill visits Dr Farnham and gets some pills to relax, mark my words this could be the start of an addiction. Meg urges caution following a previous issue where Sarah Jane accidentally downed some of her mother’s tablets.
Episode 3189 from July 1979 – Sandy gets back into the motel action resuming his assistant manager position, he gets a welcome-back kiss from Sharon. Florence Baker, dressed like Doris Luke, has problems with a friend of Val Saunders (one of Jill’s former lodgers who was pregnant and unmarried) who is also looking for help herself being an unmarried woman with a child on the way. Florence is suspicious of this Norma Cooke.
Now exposed as Elenor Ruskin, Barbara Brady plans to leave Lloyd’s cottage at Paxton now he knows she’s not a real housekeeper. Meg asks her to reconsider as she’s good for Lloyd.
Episode 3190 from July 1979 – Meg was left stunned when Sandy suggested he buy the cafeteria, we return to events as Sandy is now trying to persuade David to agree. Tish points out the cafeteria is part of the motel and isn’t for sale. Dr John Farnham visits Barbara to discuss how he was used in her deceptions.
Episode 3191 from August 1979 – Jill has a meltdown at reception which escalates into a row with Sandy. Norma brings a fella, Kevin, round to Chimney’s while Dr Farnham reveals to Lloyd that he knew Barbara was an author all along and has been playing her at her own game.
Disc Forty-Four:
Episode 3192 from August 1979 – Florence asks if Sandy going to be at it all morning, while Meg worries as to why he’s been to see Dr Farnham. Richard Lord arrives back in Kings Oak, this time minus his beard, and he’s now selling stationery and furniture. Lord had previously worked as a school teacher and left Kings Oak after an affair with a pupil, Lucy Hamilton and the scandal that ensued. Benny tries to get Alison to break out of her reclusive lifestyle but to no avail.
Episode 3193 from August 1979 – Richard Lord is not impressed when Jill can’t find his chalet key, which had already been given to him earlier. Norma broaches Jill about Kevin coming round to see her, which she says is fine however is almost led into another breakdown by Sarah Jane’s endless noise.
Episode 3194 from August 1979 – Meg is left stunned when Jill informs her that last night she smacked Sarah Jane due to her endless crying. Sharon and Florence ponder Reg Cotterill and Alison and their strange lifestyle. Closing captions see ‘Crossroads Series originally devised by Hazel Adair and Peter Ling’ much larger than all the other credits.
Episode 3195 from August 1979 – Norma observes to Tish that the motel has a bit of class, although notes there is a new rival at the other side of Heathbury that may take some custom. Sandy’s plans to take over the cafeteria progress. He has plans to make it a disco at weekends.
Crossroads is last transmitted on September 9th due to ITV going off-air because of strike action. The story resumes on the 24th of October
Episode 3196 from October 1979 – Lloyd having had a conversation with Jill informs Meg that her daughter is in a highly emotional state. Meg has asked Richard Lord to help out with the accounts while she looks for a new assistant manager for the motel now that Sandy is in full control of the cafeteria. Sandy and Meg ponder the life of the now-married Fay Mansfield and her Paris lifestyle. Sandy makes a silent phone call to Anna Drew.
Episode 3197 from October 1979 – Benny and Sandy discuss the Cotterill’s and how Alison isn’t well treated by Reg, unable to have her own life or do her own wants. Jill has a shock when Freya Offermans arrives and fears she’s come to take Sarah Jane. Sandy makes another silent call to Anna Drew. Freya tells Jill why she and Stan aim to take custody of Sarah Jane.
Episode 3198 from October 1979 – Jill has a shouting fit at Freya over Sarah Jane and Stan’s impending attempt to gain custody of their daughter. Freya, Stan’s secretary – and soon-to-be wife – attempts to cool the situation, but Jill isn’t having any of it. Richard Lord continues to ease the work load of Meg while David is away.
Episode 3199 from October 1979 – Freya probes Florence about the arrangements at Chimneys, and gives her plenty to report back to Stan. Benny and Reg discuss Alison’s disfigurement. Norma makes things drastically worse for Jill and Reg takes out Alison’s sins on her compact.
Disc Forty-Five:
Episode 3200 from October 1979 – Jill visits her solicitor – General Erich Von Klinkerhoffen from ‘Allo ‘Allo – who runs through her divorce and custody plans for Sarah Jane. Jill is bemused as to why Stan has moved back to the UK from Germany.
Reg takes his wrath out on Benny and Alison over her newfound vanity. He wants Benny to leave and informs Meg of his plans to sack him, but she informs him that as the motel owns Stonebank she will decide who is sacked, and he’s staying.
Richard Lord tries to get his latest love Joanne Dobie into the motel as the office secretary, but it proves harder than he thought.
Episode 3201 from October 1979 – Lloyd Munro talks to Jill about her pending legal battle with soon-to-be ex-husband Stan Harvey. Florence asks Sandy if Shughie can borrow a couple of waitresses, and Sandy firmly says no. His silent calls become clear, he’s trying to reach Faye Mansfield, not Anna Drew.
Episode 3202 from October 1979 – Sandy gets Benny to rearrange his cafeteria office, and Benny explains how Reg believes he is wicked for buying Alison a compact, he decides to push things by buying her a dress.
Anna Drew drives up to the cafeteria in person to tell Sandy that Faye no longer wants to speak with him, and informs him she thought he was a ‘nutcase’ for all his silent calls. At the court, things look bleak for Jill as she’s painted as a pill-popping, boozing bad mother who has allowed a prostitute to operate from Chimneys.
Episode 3203 from November 1979 – The custody battle over Sarah Jane Harvey finally is heard in court. Jill takes the stand, as does Lloyd Munro and Jill’s one-time lodger, Norma Cooke. Things are looking up for Stan after the first hearing.
Episode 3204 from November 1979 – Reg Cotterill is disgusted when Benny Hawkins buys Alison a new dress. Jill Harvey decides the only option is to run away and take Sarah Jane with her.
Episode 3205 from November 1979 – Meg is fuming that Jill has run away with Sarah Jane. David makes his distaste for Richard clear, however, will give him a chance to continue working at the motel. Anna Drew and Sandy are friends, now he’s placed her in the cafeteria as a waitress.
Meg makes a desperate plea to Jill to come home with Sarah Jane when she calls the motel to say she’s safe. Jill declines the offer.
Episode 3206 from November 1979 – Alison builds up the confidence to go to the village in her new dress. David is concerned Richard knows far too much about the operation of the motel. *This episode has a VT Clock that says 3207.
Episode 3207 from November 1979 – Anna brightens up Sandy’s office with a poster. Richard makes himself the perfect employee, even if it makes David look a little lapse.
Disc Forty-Six:
Episode 3208 from November 1979 – Sandy can’t cope with Anna’s abstract poster and demands a replacement, preferably a plant. Joanne, Richard’s secret lover, now installed as secretary gives Anna a lead on a local flat for rent.
Meg visits Stonebank to take a look at how the farm is progressing and is introduced to Alison. Meg compliments her dress, Reg rolls his eyes. Fresh from London Giles arrives looking for Anna, he finds her giving Sandy a kiss.
Episode 3209 from November 1979 – Benny takes Alison to the motel for a lemonade. Florence decides to give hairdo tips and reveals Alison’s monstrous scar to the motel reception. Joanne confronts Richard about discrediting David over the tax returns and the game’s he’s playing.
Alison tells Reg about her encounter at the motel with Florence. He says its why he’s been trying to protect her.
Episode 3210 from November 1979 – Richard continues his devious ploy against David, this time by making him think he’s misplaced an important letter. Joanne is horrified by his actions.
Florence brings Meg a tray of beverages, however, the coffee pot does its own scene-stealing action. Jill calls to say she’s ‘near’ and is coming home.
Episode 3211 from November 1979 – Florence visits Stonebank to see Alison, but she won’t come down from her room. Meg waits at Chimneys for Jill and Sarah Jane to return. When Jill finally returns she is alone and drops the bombshell that Sarah Jane is in hospital at Heathbury.
Episode 3212 from November 1979 – Anna and Joanne move into their flatshare although Giles is still hanging on for a reunion with his former love Anna in a motel chalet. Sarah Jane is being kept in the hospital for observation. Meg recalls when Jill was about 3 and she kept limping, and she couldn’t find anything wrong, nor could the hospital. Jill had just been having her and Charles on.
Episode 3213 from November 1979 – Florence tells David that there have been several complaints about Chalet Eleven and the noise coming from it. There have also been concerns about the power dimming. Giles Bell, of Chalet Eleven, reassures David there isn’t anything other than his snoring resonating from his room.
Jill comes back from the solicitors and informs Meg and Freya that when Sarah Jane comes out of the hospital she will live with Stan and Freya, as she’s a ‘daddy’s girl’ and it’s the best thing for her. David starts to suspect Richard of underhand behaviour.
Episode 3214 from November 1979 – Anna informs Joanne that the kitchen gossip suggests Richard and she are in the arms of lust. Anna informs Joanne about Richard’s past with the sixteen-year-old schoolgirl, Lucy Hamilton.
Anna confronts Giles about his nighttime activity – turning on his pottery wheel and kiln which has been keeping the motel awake and causing the low power problems.
Richard explains if it wasn’t for David Hunter exposing his affair with his pupil he’d still be a teacher and that’s why he is wreaking his revenge. Benny and Florence speak to Dr Butterworth about Alison and her ‘mark of shame’. Dr Butterworth’s conclusion is that Reg Cotterill is a lunatic.
Episode 3215 from November 1979 – Jill returns to Crossroads to stay for the foreseeable as Chimneys is a big house for one person. Sandy talks to Giles ‘man to man’ about his swooning over Anna. He isn’t impressed to discover his little pottery factory operational from Chalet Eleven.
David, annoyed with Richard’s game-playing says his second chance is now over. Meg explains to Florence that what Jill has done is for the best for Sarah Jane.
Disc Forty-Seven:
Episode 3216 from November 1979 – Jill talks to Meg about how she seems to have made small progress with Stan, who had gone from frozen towards her to rather cold. Later her legal situation concerning Sarah-Jane also looks in a better position.
Meg optimistically observes that ‘it gives a little hope’. Giles is given some harsh news from Hannah; he has no talent with his pottery.
Later Giles tells Sandy there will be no more electrical rumblings – he’s thrown away his pottery equipment. But he has a new quieter venture underway.
Disc Forty-Eight:
Episode 3217 from November 1979 – Dr. Butterworth arrives to see how Alison is feeling, following a spell of ill health, Uncle Reg thinks he’s been sent by God, rather than Benny.
Meg asks Richard if he’s close to an ‘office feud’ with Joanne as several letters have gone missing. However, the blame for the recent issues is directed at David.
Over at the reception, David is concerned about why Giles has had a pile of hay delivered to his chalet, fearing a horse is now residing with him. Giles explains it is straw, not hay, and he’s now making corn dolls.
Episode 3218 from November 1979 – David tells Meg that he doesn’t trust Richard, while Meg more forgiving of his previous ‘issues’ concerning his failed teaching career does trust him.
Jill is thrilled to hear the generous news from Stan that he’s giving her Chimneys as part of the divorce procedure.
Dr Butterworth causes more irritation to bible-loving Reg by suggesting that Alison’s scar could be treated with a cosmetic procedure. Reg believes her mark is the work of the Lord for sins and she mustn’t be lured into vanity procedures ‘covering that stain’.
Episode 3218 from November 1979 – David puts Richard in a difficult position, and troublemaker Mr Lord hands in his notice; but it is another one of his ploys to cause more issues between Meg and David.
Dr Butterworth catches up with Alison behind Reg’s back and they plan the operation. However, when Reg returns and is told Alison wants the operation he says if she removes the ‘mark of his brother’s sins’ she’ll have to leave the family home.
Episode 3219 from November 1979 – David is asked for a reference by Richard for an adult education school. David suggests he better ask Meg, however as Meg doesn’t want Richard to leave he pushes David into doing it – so he can be rid of Richard quickly. Richard later rips up the reference, noting there’s a method in his madness.
The NHS waiting list for Alison’s operation is five years. Benny suggests he gives her the money to go private.
Episode 3220 from November 1979 – David has tried to get Jill to return to work at the motel to replace dubious Richard, however, Jill suggests she fancies a break away from Kings Oak
Diane returns from her holiday in America visiting her son Nicky.
Richard, having destroyed all the original nicer references from David, has decided to redo the reference with brutal negative honesty with the help of Joanne. She now has to get David’s genuine signature on the libellous letter. She hatches a plan and an excuse to get David to sign blank sheets of paper…
Jill tells Meg and Sandy about her holiday in Wye Valley to recuperate from the stresses of having to deal with Stan and the legal processes.
Having decided to have her scar removed Dr. Butterworth goes through the details of the procedure.
Episode 3221 from November 1979 – Richard confronts David about his reference that notes ‘you have never employed a more deceitful, dishonest, troublemaking person…’ Meg, seeing the reference realises, finally, Richard is not to be trusted.
Reg asks Benny if he loves Alison. Reg is confused as to why Benny is paying for her operation, and does he think once she’s beautiful he would have any chance with her – he wouldn’t. Benny is insulted and decides to leave Stonebank Farm for good.
Joanne informs Richard that it is over, and they’re finished. She didn’t send his fake reference to the school so he can’t sue David, she sent the original glowing one instead. She gets a slap for the honesty. She says there is nothing he can do, she’s sent all the paperwork to David in the post so he can have all the evidence he needs against Richard.
Episode 3222 from December 1979 – Monday, December 3rd in Kings Oak.
Benny is now awol and with no private funds, along with Reg being a broken man, Alison has decided to no longer go through with her medical procedure.
PC Steve Cater pops in to see the recently returned Diane at her flat and hopes to renew their romantic dalliance. Later she asks if he’s been reading Fanny Craddock’s recipes.
Dr Butterwoth pops in to see Alison and makes Reg aware Benny has sent the money for the operation in the post. He also tells Reg why she pulled out of the medical scar removal earlier – she wasn’t doing God’s will, she was just doing it to please him.
Diane is left in a difficult situation when Steve asks who Chris Hunter is, following a visit from David to the flat to say he’ll be in touch.
Episode 3223 from December 1979 – Diane and David explain – lie – to Steve that Chris owes Diane some money and it will be arranged shortly. He leaves to let David and Diane discuss it. David gives her the good news that, despite their marriage soon to be annulled, Chris has seemingly managed to get hold of the £30,000 and she’ll be getting her £5,000 shortly.
Later Diane comes clean and explains to Steve she married Chris.
Florence is confused as to why Benny would be at Peachy Village, where Hayward Farm is – as Ed Lawton no longer owns it and Benny isn’t friendly with the new owners. Reg says Dr. Butterworth’s parcel with the money was posted from Peachy so he’s going to go look for him. Later he visits Alison in the hospital where she’s waiting to undergo cosmetic surgery.
Disc Forty-Nine:
Episode 3224 from December 1979 – Following the ITV strike episodes already recorded were screened upon the network’s return, however once new episodes were back in production some storylines were dropped.
One is the Giles and Anna saga. In this episode, they are quickly referenced with a Christmas card, back together and happy. We never will know if his corn dolls business would have been a success…
Doris Luke returns to Kings Oak, back at Mrs Price’s boarding house in the village. She is now fully recuperated following her accident at the Post Office – another storyline dropped after the strike absence along with postmaster Cyril Watkins.
Steve and Diane are once more making moves at recoupling following her explanation of why she married Chris.
Having found out Benny has wandered off from Stonebank Farm, Doris is on the warpath – and Reg is in her firing line. Meanwhile, Benny pops in to see Alison at the hospital.
Superintendent Blake and his wife check in to the motel for the festive season, sadly.
Episode 3225 from December 1979 – Alison removes her bandages to see how she looks following the removal of her scar. Reg declares perhaps it was a miracle. Later Benny visits and sees Reg for the first time since he departed the farm. Reg thanks him for helping Alison and they make amends.
Doris gives Glenda some advice on being grateful for her parents caring about her, even if she doesn’t like the overbearing nature of Arthur
Steve isn’t impressed his former superintendent is holidaying at the motel.
Episode 3226 from December 1979 – Superintendent Blake manages to annoy Steve, Diane and his wife Patricia.
Episode 3227 from December 1979 – Patricia tries to explain to Diane that while her husband is a hard-faced man, he’s got people’s best interests at heart.
Reg is cornered into giving Doris Luke a job as a part-time farmhand and housekeeper while Benny is away. When Reg says ‘I don’t know you woman’, Doris strongly retorts ‘Well, now’s your chance’.
Arthur Brownlow visits Dr. Butterworth and is told he has around six months to live.
Episode 3228 from December 1979 – Arthur confides in Doris about his diagnosis and the six-month outlook. She tries to be of comfort, however Arthur turns to drink. Later, arriving home to an annoyed Kath that he’s got himself into a state.
Episode 3229 from December 1979 – Meg has gone away to a trade catering conference, while Tish and Lloyd discuss the fact he wants to once again refurbish his cottage; he wasn’t keen on his daughter’s choice of furnishings and decor.
Steve isn’t impressed that Diane has invited Chief Super and Patricia to dinner at the flat, to try and make amends.
Barbara Brady offers Lloyd decor advice, noting if he does it himself he’ll probably make a mess of it. He offers the job of decorator to her.
Alison shows off her new shorter hairdo and observes she has nothing to be afraid of now…
Episode 3230 from December 1979 – Arthur has another meeting with Dr. Butterwoth to discuss his impending demise. Arthur says he hasn’t told the family yet – he has decided to wait until after Christmas and he can still carry on work a little while longer. He’s going to spend, spend, spend for December.
Barbara is the original Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen as she gets to work on Lloyds cottage revamp. She makes small talk about Dr Farnham, Lloyd wonders if the embers of love are relighting, which she suggests is unlikely after the way she treated him previously. Later, David offers his services in helping her with a paintbrush.
Doris confronts Reg about why he’s not told Alison the truth about her parents, her loving parents – not the sinners he has made them out to be. She says she’s given Alison years of misery in revenge for his jealousy over the fact his girlfriend chose his brother over him.
Episode 3231 from December 1979 – Benny sends Doris and Diane a Christmas card, noting he’s having a lovely festive holiday with his Granny.
Kath is bemused by Arthur’s more generous and happier outlook.
Chief Superintendent Blake is left dumbstruck when Patricia tells him Steve is moving in with Diane Hunter. Blake notes there is no way ‘that little arrangement’ is going to last.
Further episode details are to be added.
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