Beckindale Bugle - Emmerdale Farm In The 1980s

Matt And Dolly 1987!

2012-01-27T01:22:00.005Z

Frederick Pyne and Jean Rogers were Matt and Dolly Skilbeck, our favourite Emmerdale Farm married couple, for nearly the whole of the 1980s. When Jean joined the cast in 1980, she quickly made the role of Dolly her own, and with the soon-to-be happily chattering Benjamin Whitehead joining the cast as baby Sam in 1982, scenes of domestic bliss or even disharmony at the Skilbecks' were a pleasure to watch.

But surely such scenes as the one pictured above didn't happen in secrecy at the Skibecks? It would have given the Beckindale gossips years of bliss! But don't worry - Jean Rogers and Frederick Pyne had simply donned different guises - Frederick's was Count Dacula, Jean's a saucy French maid - to raise money to keep a real life threatened local theatre in business!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000Z

Seth annoys Amos at the 1983 Beckindale Christmas show.

Best wishes for a very happy Christmas from The Bugle.

And, as s always, thanks to all readers for calling in!

Timewarp To 1983: Clive Hornby's Music Choice - Courtesy of Carl Gresham!

2011-12-19T16:35:00.030Z

Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby) reflects on life at Emmerdale Farm in the 1980s.

I've just been transported back to 1983 to spend some time with the late, much-loved Emmerdale Farm/Emmerdale actor Clive Hornby. Clive played the legendary Jack Sugden, making his debut on 19 February 1980, and was in the show until shortly before his death in 2008.

During that time, the show was transformed, rocketing out of the (by comparison) sleepy 1980s and into the 1990s and early 21st Century, keeping pace with the other English soaps via a thoroughly modern flavour, geared to the evolving tastes of soap fans across the country.

Through all the drama and comedy, there was Clive Hornby as Jack Sugden, providing a lovely thread of continuity back to the old days - as Elizabeth Estensen said in tribute to the character "Always the farmer".

It was an idea of Carl Gresham AKA "The Gresh", a DJ on Pennine Radio in 1983, to make use of his contacts with the stars of Emmerdale Farm and invite six of them into the studio over a period of about two months - to each present an hour of their favourite music. The Gresh put on his producer's hat for the shows, it being his plan not to interview the stars but simply to let them talk, choose their favourite tunes, and then play the music. Judging by the Clive Hornby hour I have just listened to, it made for marvellous radio.

But it's a long way back to 1983, times and technology have changed dramatically, and The Gresh, faced with the old Ampex ten inch tapes he had kept of the shows (he's a self confessed hoarder!) faced some discouragement from those that thought the tapes would be useless now - they would have degenerated, gone "crumply".

The Gresh persevered, and passed the tapes to his archive producer, Dave Perrett, and, after much work, the interviews were transferred to CD and sound as though they were recorded yesterday!

The Clive Hornby show was originally broadcast on Thursday, 10th November, 1983.

It's a lovely listen, an unexpectedly unearthed piece of Emmerdale history - and makes a tremendous tribute to Clive - who tells us a bit about his youth in the 1960s, the decade from which most of his favourite records originate. There's also a chance to hear the Dennisons - the pop group which featured Clive as drummer - and Clive also relates the story of how he became one of the first people ever to hear a certain classic 1960s hit, comes up with a song which captures the complexities of being seventeen years old, and slips in a request for another Emmerdale Farm cast member.

Throughout the hour, Clive comes across as being a thoroughly down to earth and likeable man who would have made a great companion for an evening's chat in the Woolpack Inn, Beckindale - or anywhere else.

If you'd like to hear Clive's musical choice, the show is available on a CD, available from:

PO Box 3. Bradford. West Yorkshire. BD1 4QN

The cost is £5.00 - including postage - and we think it's an absolute bargain. Please make cheques payable to Carl Gresham. We don't usually go in for advertising or selling things at the Bugle, but this CD is, in our opinion, absolutely priceless!

Clive (far left) with his fellow cast members - the folks at Emmerdale Farm - summer 1984.

1985: The Harvest, The Robbery, The Marriage Break-Up, The Royal Connection...

2011-12-11T01:33:00.014Z

Harry Mowlam established an alibi at The Woolpack in 1985.

Here's some highlights from four 1985 episodes - comedy, sadness, high drama, farming, mundane moments...

On hearing that Henry, Prince of Wales, visited Beckindale in 1420, and that his servants stayed at a local coaching inn, Amos becomes convinced that the inn was the Woolpack: "You can see him now, can't yer? The Prince of Wales on his armour plated steed, outside these premises, calling to his merry men: 'We few! We happy band of brothers! We'll stop here. I know the premier licensed house in't district when I see it!' Oh, it fills you with pride, don't it, Mr Wilks?"

Whilst Amos drives everybody mad with that little scenario, Jack, Matt and Jackie are in a race against time to get the harvest in at Emmerdale Farm as the weather forecast says rain. It had been Jack's idea to get the harvest in late, and he works through the night, with Jackie Merrick and Matt Skilbeck working shifts alongside him.

Things are going well, when, the next day, Matt and Jack discover that Harry Mowlam has blocked their right of way up to the top twenty acres with stone from a wall he is repairing. Harry refuses to shift the stone - walling is skilled work, the repairs could take two weeks, he says, gloatingly. Jack gives him three hours to shift the stone, or he'll contact the law.

Jack is furious and wants to phone his solicitor as soon as he returns to the farm house. Annie tells him, "No", and is convinced that Jack has contributed to the bad feeling with Harry. Sadly, she doesn't know Harry! She tells Jack to get some sleep and check out the situation in a couple of hours - Harry may have moved the stones by then.

When Jack comes yawning downstairs later, a storm breaks and the rain pours down. Jack is beside himself with fury and stands in the rain shouting: "Damn you, Mowlam, DAMN YOU!!"

Next day, Emmerdale Farm LTD counts the cost of the lost harvest - six thousand pounds. Annie disagrees with Jack that the whole incident was Harry's fault, and points out that it was him that insisted on a late harvest.

Harry Mowlam visits the Woolpack with Derek Warner, a villainous ex-associate of Tom Merrick, and another man - a stranger to the district. The three men arouse Amos's suspicions, and he says he'd love to know what they are talking about! When Matt and Jack come in, a row erupts over the blocked right of way.

When Harry returns to his two friends at the table, Derek advises firmly that Harry should play the good neighbour. After all, they don't want the law on the scene. Harry agrees and tells Jack he'll clear the stone right away - and he'll have no further trouble. Jack comments bitterly: "It's too late now, anyway!" But Harry bustles off. He later tells Amos that God punished Jack for taking risks with late harvesting by sending the rain.

Annie exchanges sharp words with Jack, convinced that he's being unfair to Harry Mowlam. She says that perhaps Harry moved the stones because he'd decided it was better to try and get along with people. She says she's lived at the farm for forty years and seen worse neighbours than Harry. She talks of the days when she was a girl and neighbours were good to each other. The Sugdens had not always been good neighbours, particularly in Jacob's time. But there wasn't all this talk of bringing in the law and the farmers' union. Most neighbours tried to help each other. Clifford Longthorn's father often took care of the Sugdens' stock when Jacob was drinking.

Annie is pleased to receive a letter from Joe in France and is replying when Jack enters the kitchen to make his peace over their difference of opinion. She confesses that she's ageing - it takes her longer to do things these days - and that she can't understand why the family has so many disagreements. Jack says it was always so. Annie agrees: "Maybe it's me that's changed!" But she bangs her fist on the table, and states firmly that she will not be ignored! Jack hugs her, tells her that would be impossible, makes them a pot of tea and reads Joe's letter.

Sandie Merrick leaves Emmerdale Farm for work that morning and goes across the fields to catch the bus from the Connelton Road. Derek Warner and two associates are laying in wait there, to rob the security van bringing the wages for the NY Estates men to Home Farm.

At The Woolpack, Walter and Harry Mowlam are waiting outside when the pub opens. Harry seems in a very mellow mood, and tells Amos he has plenty of time to wait when the barrel needs changing before he can have a pint. Harry is setting up an alibi - Amos, Henry and Walter will become witnesses to his position when the raid takes place on the security van. He later goes to the table outside so that locals passing can see him there, quietly drinking his pint. He becomes even more noticeable when he harasses the vicar about his sermon last Sunday.

On the Connelton Road, Warner and associates, in stocking masks, ambush the van and threaten the drivers with gelignite unless they open the doors. The drivers do so and are quickly tethered. Horrified Sandie witnesses the scene from a field nearby, and is seen by Derek Warner, hurrying away.

Warner and co rob the van and then make off: "Sweet as a nut!" says Warner.

One of the security guards also witnessed Sandie hurrying away and tells Sergeant McArthur. McArthur is concerned and hopes he can find the person before the robbers do.

From the Hotten Courier, 1985.

Alan Turner is concerned that he is unable to pay the men at NY. He gives Seth a cheque, and Seth is horrified, always having dealt in cash. Henry comes to his rescue by cashing it.

Amos blames Seth when the Beckindale Horticultural Society hits financial difficulties and decides there will be no 1985 show. Seth decides to set up "The Seth Armstrong Horticultural Show" and get the vicar, Donald Hinton, to judge it. He tells Amos it's "five quid" to enter - but advises him not to bother - "you won't win owt!"

Amos decides to set up "The Amos Brearly Horticultural Show" on the same day as Seth's show, and get the vicar to judge that, too. Bitter rivalry erupts between the two old enemies.

Seth Armstrong is annoyed when Amos goes into competition with him, Mr Wilks is bothered by Amos's obsession with a possible link between The Woopack and royalty, Walter sees all, hears all, says nowt.

Mrs Bates tells Alan Turner that her marriage is over. Malcolm is seeing another woman. He has told her that he always thought that their marriage was a sham, and was only staying until the children grew up. "He won't leave me, so I'm leaving him!"

Mrs Bates admits that her marriage was not perfect, but she is stunned by recent developments. She's taking her teenage children to stay with her sister in Richmond.

Alan tells Terence that he is worried about Mrs Bates - "She's a good sort" - and he likes his staff to feel that they can take their problems to him. Terence advises Alan to allocate Mrs Bates an NY Estates cottage. Alan agrees it is a good idea. Terence cynically comments that women of Mrs Bates's age are usually grateful.

Alan tells her Mrs Bates that NY Estates has a slightly run-down cottage in Main Street, Beckindale, where she could live. He would charge her a cheap rent of £30 or so a month. Mrs Bates is pleased.

Pregnant Dolly Skilbeck is suffering from morning sickness. When Mrs Bulstrode tells the vicar that Nellie Ratcliffe's flowers always get a better position in churtch than hers, and refuses to lead the Sunday school any more, Donald asks Dolly to help out for a few weeks. Dolly happily agrees, but Matt is concerned that she's overdoing things. Dolly tells him it's only an hour a week for about four weeks, and her friend Liz McDonald is going to help her.

Meanwhile, Jackie Merrick meets his Indian girlfriend Sita's father. Dr Sharma is not impressed with Jackie and tells Sita that Jackie is: "An English boy without great prospects and little education." He refuses to meet Jackie's family. Sita is upset, but her father tells her to think about the situation. Sita replies: "I HAVE thought about it!"

Jackie and Sita discover opposition to their wedding plans.

When Sandie gets home, she finds Jack tinkering with a farm vehicle in the yard. "Eventful day?" he asks her. She replies that it was all right, and makes her way towards the farmhouse, looking terrified...

Whatever Happened To Walter?!

2011-11-23T19:16:00.006Z

Atomic Witch's Portal pics are a popular feature of the Emmerdale Guy And Gals site. They are witty and inventive, and the Bugle regularly checks them out. The one above beautifully mixes the modern Emmerdale characters with that beloved character of the 1980s, Al Dixon's silent Walter.

Mr Dixon was, of course, a delight as the silent Woolpack regular from September 1980 to December 1985. In early 1986, Walter disappeared to visit his sister "down South" and, as far as we knew, never returned. Or did he? Is it possible he came back and has been sitting unnoticed and silent in the Woollie, until one dramatic night - leading to the scenario above?

Probably not, but the idea made us smile.

Cheers, Walter! Al Dixon as The Woolpack's Silent One in 1984.

The Gresh

2011-07-11T00:29:00.005+01:00

Now, just who or what is "The Gresh"?

Ask many actors and actresses from the TV world of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and beyond and they will not hesitate to tell you - "The Gresh" is Carl Gresham, himself an actor and radio presenter, Carl ran his own agency - Greshstyle Personal Appearances - for many years. It was Carl who brought many favourite stars of TV and radio to meet the public at various "Grand Openings", fetes, etc, organising everything himself, from fees and transport to the production of photographs of the individual stars - "Greshpics" as they were called.

And WHAT names he brought to meet us at various locations!

Remember the "Shut That Door!" man, Larry Grayson? Sparkling comedy duo, Morecambe and Wise? The lady behind Mrs Ena Sharples, Violet Carson? The lady behind Mrs Elsie Tanner, Pat Phoenix? The very lovely Alexandra Bastedo of The Champions? Radio legend Tony Blackburn? The man who brought a generation of children lots of Record Breakers, Roy Castle? Our traveller abroad, Judith Chalmers? Purveyor of the Diddymen, Ken Dodd? Grandad and Dad's Army legend, Clive Dunn? "Ooh, you are awful!", Dick Emery? TV legend of many decades, Bruce Forsyth? The very zany Goodies? "Diddy" David Hamilton? Mr Opportunity Knocks ("And I mean that most sincerely, folks!"), Hughie Green? "I'm free!" John Inman? Mr Hudson, the best butler in Mayfair, Gordon Jackson? The comically warring Mildred and George Roper, Yootha Joyce and Brian Murphy? Quick witted comedian and telly legend, Bob Monkhouse? Radio's very own Mr "Open House", Pete Murray? Dr Who and Worzel Gummidge star, Jon Pertwee? 1960s and '70s TV star and fashion icon, Peter Wyngarde? The man from the JY Prog, Jimmy Young? Well, The Gresh booked them all and many more, and his book, THE GRESH - A Lifetime in Show-Biz, contains many fascinating anecdotes about these much-loved stars.

The Gresh and Hughie Green - remember the days of the old Clappometer?

Who gave David Hamilton his "Diddy" nickname? Why was Margot Bryant (Minnie Caldwell of Coronation Street) concerned about her clothes on a public appearance? Which famous star gave a free rendition of his cabaret act on the platform at Leeds railway station when the train was delayed? It's all in the book - a lovely relaxing read, and wonderfully nostalgic.

Larking about with Emmerdale Farm and Dr Who legend Frazer Hines.

For us Beckindale fans, The Gresh brought several of our favourites to meet us, the public, over the years - including Frazer Hines - remember "our Joe", his long quest to meet Miss Right, only to keep meeting Miss Wrong, and his "upwardly mobile" career at NY Estates in the 1980s? "The Gresh" is still firm friends with Frazer. When the character of Joe was killed off in the 1990s, many of us thought the decision absolutely barking mad and the character, one of the first penned by series creator Kevin Laffan, is sadly missed to this day.

"The Gresh" also brought us our favourite soap pub landlords - Amos Brearly (Ronald Magill) and Henry Wilks (Arthur Pentelow), a fabulous pairing, friends and business partners, who were on tap at The Woolpack from 1973, right through the 1980s (which was Amos's golden era), until 1991! Have they been forgotten? "Nay, nay, nay, Mr Wilks!"

Amongst our other Emmerdale Farm favourites, "The Gresh" brought Sheila Mercier, the legendary Annie Sugden to meet us, Frederick Pyne, our much-loved gentle shepherd Matt Skilbeck, and new stars of the 1980s Clive Hornby and Jean Rogers, who stepped into the roles of Jack Sugden and Dolly Skilbeck, and made them their own.

As well as booking the stars for us to meet, Carl has also been a broadcaster, disc jockey, presenter, musicologist and actor. He appeared in episode 298 of Coronation Street in 1963, as a cycling club friend of Jerry Booth called Harrier. Reproduced in the book is a copy of Carl's contract for that appearance, which makes for fascinating reading!

Dear old Jerry Booth (Graham Haberfield) was a keen member of the local cycling club in the early 1960s. Spot "The Gresh" - he's standing on the far right of this photo.

The Gresh with Coronation Street legend Pat Phoenix.

THE GRESH - A Lifetime in Show-Biz - is a lovely relaxing read, bringing back memories of many favourite stars, and providing some fascinating insights. I polished it off in three sessions, and can tell you it was a real "feel good" experience, an excellent choice for anybody who remembers the TV and radio golden days of the '60s, '70s and '80s, and who has ever queued up for the pleasure of shaking hands with a favourite star and gaining a cherished autograph at public appearances.

For details of how to obtain a copy, and lots more Gresh-style fun and nostalgia, check out Carl's own web site, here - www.carlgresham.co.uk

Still bringing the stars closer to the public, Carl now has his own show on Bradford Community Broadcasting - he's seen here with much-loved comedy duo Cannon & Ball - Rock On, Tommy! For more details about The Gresh on the radio click here -

http://www.bcbradio.co.uk/details.php?details=197

Sheila Mercier - Living With Fame

2011-07-11T00:09:00.003+01:00

Sheila Mercier as Annie Sugden, matriarch of "Emmerdale Farm", in the 1980s.

An early signed publicity photograph.

From the Daily Mirror, May 23, 1985:

Sheila Mercier, who plays the head of the farming household, Annie Sugden, has been the female anchor of the show since the first episode.

But she has mixed feelings about the programme.

She is delighted with its success, and it has given her a secure living for the past twelve years. "But," says Sheila, "it has completely mucked up my home life. I missed out on my son Nigel's formative years."

"The worst thing is that when you're out people grab you and try to kiss you. It's dreadful. I try to be as remote as possible."

1989: The End Of The Matt And Dolly Years

2011-07-11T00:07:00.000+01:00

When Matt Skilbeck married Dolly Acaster in 1978, it seemed that a happier era in his life was about to begin. Matt was no stranger to unhappiness and tragedy. His first marriage was to Peggy Sugden, only daughter of Annie and Jacob. It was a successful union, although Peggy was anxious for Matt to get on in the world and frustrated by his placid nature and tendency, as she saw it, to be taken advantage of.

Peggy died suddenly in 1973, shortly after the birth of twins, Sam and Sally. The twins themselves were killed, along with Matt's Auntie Beattie, when Beattie's car stalled on a level crossing and was hit by a train in 1976.

Dolly too had known unhappiness - the birth and subsequent adoption of a son, Graham, born of an unhappy relationship.

Perhaps the quintessential "Matt and Dolly Years", once jokingly referred to by comedienne Victoria Wood, began in 1980 - when Jean Rogers, the actress most associated with the role of Dolly, took over from Katharine Barker.

In the storyline, the couple knew some happiness - the birth of a son, Sam, and a move into a two bedroomed extension cottage at Emmerdale Farm - both events making 1982 something of a golden year for the couple. But there was also more turmoil and tragedy: Dolly lost two babies - the first at an advanced stage of her pregnancy in early 1980, the second in an early miscarriage in 1986 - the same year that Matt stood accused of murder.

As if that wasn't enough, Dolly's long-lost son turned up searching for her after deserting from the Army, a farmhouse called Crossgill, unexpectedly left to the couple, suffered a disastrous fire in 1988 and then, in the same year, Dolly had an affair with timber consultant Stephen Fuller (Gregory Floy).

And the Skilbecks' marriage fell apart.

Matt left Beckindale for Norfolk. Actor Frederick Pyne filmed his final scenes in November 1989 and the character last appeared on-screen in December. Dolly and young Sam (Benjamin Whitehead) remained in Beckindale until 1991.

It was a sad ending for what had seemed a happy and enduring screen marriage, and for some of the viewers' favourite characters.

1983: Wild Oats Farm - And Old Walter's Saying Nowt!

2011-07-11T00:03:00.000+01:00

Sunday Mirror, June 26, 1983:

Look out, Coronation Street and Dallas - Emmerdale Farm is on your trail! ITV's "forgotten soap opera" is back in the TV top ten ratings, with a British audience of between nine and twelve million a week.

It has a prime evening showing in most ITV areas except Thames. The programmes cast and makers argue that if Emmerdale Farm got a proper showing in the London area it would be a serious challenge to Coronation Street and Crossroads. The tale of everyday life on a Yorkshire farm has millions of followers in places as far away as Egypt and Sweden.

We went to find out why the world is hooked on the goings-on behind the gritty grim exteriors of the village of Beckindale.

At this time, Rosie Kerslake was coming to the end of her role as vicar's daughter, Barbara Peters, who had set the village aflame with gossip by having an affair with Joe Sugden. Barbara was married, although estranged from her husband.

Said Ms Kerslake:

"I'd like to think I'm more patient and less insensitive than Barbara. At times she can be bloody-minded and tough. I'm nothing like as tough as she is."

Frazer Hines was also bowing out, although he would return later in the decade.

Ian Sharrock said of Jackie Merrick: "It was great when I was going around being objectionable, burning caravans down and smashing things. I was really horrible. Now, though, the character has calmed down a bit, and personally I'm just a little sad. It was all right Jackie Merrick being Yorkshire's answer to James Dean providing he could grow up to be a sort of JR in wellies. But if he's going to be very mature and responsible from now on, I think I'll wind up disliking him intensely!"

Meanwhile that much-loved silent Beckindale hero of the earlyto mid-80s was attracting much attention. Yep, fans had signed a "give Walter summat to say petition". But Al Dixon, the man behind the legend, said: "I'd be out of Emmerdale if I ever spoke any lines."

1983-1984 - The Fall And Rise Of Alan Turner

2011-07-10T18:39:00.000+01:00

Trouble brewing - Alan (Richard Thorp) and secretary Sue Lockwood (Debbie Bowers).

Alan Turner had breezed into Beckindale in March 1982 and had not made himself popular. The first thing he did was cancel the NY cattle hormone injection programme, the beloved brainchild of Joe Sugden (Frazer Hines).

Alan was a snob, who upset Amos Brearly (Ronald Magill) by taking him to play golf and not defending him when he was criticised by his Hotten Golf Club crony, The Major (Michael Sheard).

Joe found himself in various difficulties, some of them down to his own lack of experience, but Alan was unsupportive, silver tongued and basically lazy.

1983 saw Mr Turner coming badly unstuck. NY Estates imposed swinging cutbacks - up to 50% of the workforce may go, he was told, and the office would be computerised. A network of computers would be installed at the NY holdings, linked to Head Office, the secretary's post would be cut to three days a week, and the farm manager's post would be cut out completely. Alan would have to do the work previously undertaken by Joe, and Joe left to work for NY in France.

Alan blackmailed union shop steward John Tuplin (Malcolm Raeburn) into helping smooth the way with the redundancies. Alan had ensured that John was on the list of those who were to join the dole queue. If John made no waves with the union and the redundancies went through without any disruption to the running of the NY Beckindale holding, John would keep his job, Alan promised.

John hated the proposition. But jobs were hard to come by and he was a family man.

Alan managed to get the secretary's post reinstated to full-time, and a suitable applicant, fully trained in computers (not a widespread commodity in those days) reported for interview. She was middle aged and frumpy. Alan didn't want her. He didn't particularly want somebody who could do the work - that was not his priority. He wanted an attractive young woman.

Sue Lockwood was ideal. She was young, naive and lived at home with her parents. She was not trained in computing, had never used one before, but who cared?

Alan made her faintly uneasy. He smiled at her... He stared at her. But surely he was just being friendly?

Alan made his move after buying Sue a drink at The Woolpack. In his Land Rover outside, he tried to kiss her, and asked her to go back to Home Farm with him.

Sue fled into the pub, Alan pursued her, and there was a terrible scene. An hysterical Sue insisted on calling a taxi home, and the regulars looked on, bemused, as Alan tried to excuse himself to them. Sue was obviously confused... she obviously had problems...

Nobody was convinced.

Alan was now alone at the Home Farm office. He had undertaken a two day course at NY in computing, but it was still all alien to him.

"OPERATOR ERROR - PLEASE REPEAT LAST INSTRUCTION" was the oft-repeated text flashed up on the screen whenever Alan attempted to use the computer.

Seth Armstrong (Stan Richards) thought the computer looked like a telly, and asked if there was anything good on? Alan was not amused.

Alan hit rock bottom. The work was piling up. The computer printer was spewing out loads of printed paper - all gobbledygook to Alan. He sought solace in betting on the gee-gees and was so lonely that he even spent a boozy afternoon at Home Farm with Seth and Walter (Al Dixon).

Alan bought an answer phone for the office and hid behind it, not taking calls from his wife, NY head office, or his bookie with whom he was running up a considerable debt.

Falling into despair, Alan hit the bottle big time. One night, in early 1984, he got so drunk he fell from his bar stool in The Woolpack. Despite his protestations that the bar stools were "precarious", it was obvious that he had had far too much drink, and he was escorted from the premises by Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby) and Jackie Merrick (Ian Sharrock). Jack drove Alan back to Home Farm.

Jill Turner (Patricia Maynard).

Alan made himself unpopular with Matt Skilbeck (Frederick Pyne) and, once again, the workforce at NY Estates. Since late 1983, Matt had been taking care of NY's sheep on a part-time basis. This saved Alan from employing a full-time shepherd and looked good with Head Office. But John Tuplin felt a full-time shepherd was needed and Jock MacDonald (Drew Dawson), one of the men recently made redundant, was the ideal man for the post.

Matt was fed up with Alan, having discovered that he was a far from ideal boss, and after Jock and John spoke with him, decided to resign from his part-time post. Alan was furious, but was forced to employ Jock as shepherd.

Christopher Meadows (Conrad Phillips).

The new answer phone in the office was relaying increasingly clipped messages from Alan's NY boss, Christopher Meadows, who was wondering what on earth was going on as various reports due from the Beckindale holding failed to arrive at head office. Finally, he announced that he would be visiting Home Farm.

Alan could not hide the state of chaos at the office, although he bluffed that everything would be all right - this was just a glitch. Christopher gave him three months to sort things out.

Alan's estranged wife, Jill, herself a businesswoman, turned up, asking why Alan was not meeting his share of the bills? She had an itemised list - beginning with school fees. Alan paid no interest in the education of their children, Terence and Mary, she said, so the least he could do was pay for it!

Alan was initially defensive, self pitying and lying. When Jock MacDonald fell from some stacked hay and broke his wrist, and John Tuplin reminded Alan that the hay had needed re-stacking for some time and was one of a number of safety issues Alan had let fall by the wayside, Alan ranted to Jill that he had fought for the workforce over the redundancies and this was how they repaid him - by blaming him for something that wasn't his fault!

For a time, it seemed that legal action might be brought against NY Estates because of the accident, but Alan pulled strings and told Jock that it was basically his own clumsiness that had caused him to fall. Basically, his job would be safe if he didn't rock the boat!

Jill still had a fondness for Alan and helped him, her greatest contribution being to employ a new "temp" secretary for him.

It was with some regret over the sad state of his twenty year marriage, and a desire for reconciliation, that Alan waved her off when she left Home Farm.

Soon afterwards, the "temp" secretary arrived - Caroline Bates (Diana Davies) - "Mrs Bates" to Alan Turner (and indeed in the show's closing credits).

There were bumpy times ahead. And Alan was certainly not a reformed character. He was a true Emmerdale Farm groundbreaker - the first permanent character who actually consciously acted badly, manipulating and bullying for his own advancement and self preservation.

But with Mrs Bates, fully trained in computing, in post and soon no longer a "temp", Alan's amusing "overgrown schoolboy" side began to show more and more, together with some warmth and kindness.

And Mrs Bates thought he was funny. On the quiet.

One of Alan's first acts to impress her was to buy a proper coffee percolator for the office and banish the dreaded instant.

Demonstrating it to her, he managed to tear open the packet of coffee and spill it everywhere.

Mrs Bates averted her gaze and smiled quietly to herself.

It was the beginning of a great Emmerdale partnership.

More heavy drama lay just over the horizon, but with Seth Armstrong buzzing in and out of the office, and Alan thundering "GET OUT SETH!", and Mrs Bates hiding her amusement over his basic wally nature, the atmosphere at Home Farm lightened considerably and it soon became one of the great Emmerdale comic scenarios.

I must end this post by saying that 1984 saw the start of one of my favourite Emmerdale eras of all time - the era of Alan Turner and Mrs Bates.

Happy days!

1980: Joe Goes To NY Estates

2011-07-10T18:37:00.000+01:00

Matt, Jack and Joe in the Emmerdale Land Rover, 1980.

When Joe Sugden (Frazer Hines) returned to England from his stay in America with Ed Hathersage in the summer of 1980, he found that Jack (Clive Hornby), who had returned in February, appeared to be settling in at the farm.

The purchase of two Friesian cows by Jack had been agreed with Joe via telephone, but he knew they were something that could not have been afforded when he was farm manager.

Jack had bought them out of own money.

Joe had enjoyed running the farm, but the presence of his brother meant that he was no longer in charge. And Jack had very different approaches to farming and the land: Jack was an emotional idealist, Joe a pragmatic, go-ahead farmer who believed that sentiment should not stand in the way of progress.

After a couple of drinking sessions with NY Estates boss Richard Anstey (Carl Rigg), Joe was amazed when Richard offered him the job of manager of the NY farms in Beckindale.

Joe was tempted: NY was go-ahead, heartlessly so, certain people said, and the job would be a challenge...

It would also be a way of breaking free of the faintly uneasy atmosphere at Emmerdale Farm. Who was in charge? And how long would it be before Joe and Jack fell out? Joe discussed things with Annie (Sheila Mercier) and Jack, and decided to take the job.

Annie would never have dreamt of influencing her son's decision either way, but she found his absence from Emmerdale difficult. As did Sam Pearson (Toke Townley), who was also hurt that Joe had not consulted him. But Joe had not wanted to worry his grandfather about something that may not happen. As it was, he handled things quite badly and Sam was upset.

The house was quiet without Joe, but after a few visits from him, Sam and Annie began to perk up.

Trouble at NY - Sergeant MacArthur (Martin Dale) made his first appearance in December 1980, investigating the theft of Christmas trees from the NY Estates plantation.

Meanwhile, at NY Estates, Joe found the closing months of 1980 were certainly interesting: Jack disagreed with NY's decision to tear out an old hedgerow - which led to heated words with Joe, the Estate workers joined the union and gained a 5% pay rise, and Joe put forward the idea of hormone injection trials for the cattle: twelve steers would be tested, six injected with the hormones and six not, then compared after a six month period. Cowman Daniel Hawkins (Alan Starkey), who had been at Home Farm since the days of the Verney family, disagreed with this "unnatural" idea, but the trials began. Only 1981 would tell whether hormone injections for the NY Estates Beckindale cattle were to be impemented on a permanent basis.

Christmas trees were stolen from the NY plantation, and Joe was nearly run over by the thieves' van - Tom Merrick (Edward Peel) and Derek Warner (Freddie Fletcher) were the bad lads behind the theft.

As 1980 ended, Joe seemed to be settling in at NY - fraught though his first few months had been. He had a finger in two pies, still being on the board of Emmerdale Farm Ltd, and the future promised many more challenges.

In 1989, Joe told his mother that Jack had thrown him off the farm in 1980. This wasn't the absolute truth, but there was no doubt that Jack's return to the farm had seriously put Joe's nose out of joint. It is highly unlikely that Joe's move to NY would have happened had Jack stayed away from Emmerdale.

But for Beckindale the move led to lots of fascinating gossip, and for Emmerdale Farm viewers some highly enjoyable storylines.

Beckindale Meets The Real World - 1980s Pop Culture In Emmerdale Farm...

2011-07-10T18:36:00.000+01:00

Beckindale was not immune to 1980s pop culture. The show took some of the fads from that fast-moving decade and provided us with some on-screen fun. In 1981, a Space Invaders machine was delivered to The Woolpack. Of course, it was all a mistake. Amos Brearly looked down his nose at such new fangled abominations - far more up Ernie Shuttleworth's street. The Invaders had been invented in Japan in 1978, previewed at a UK trade show in 1979 and then invaded the early 1980s, becoming one of the decade's first major fads.

Mr Wilks and Amos waited for the game machine company to pick up the Space Invaders machine and deliver it to the rightful address. Before this could happen, Mr Wilks was disturbed in the early hours of one morning by high tech noises emanating from the living room. He went downstairs...

To find Amos, he who (apparently) looked down on modern technological fads, absolutely glued to the machine...

... valiantly fighting a losing battle.

This article is from the Cambridge Evening News, 1981, and proves just how topical Emmerdale Farm was being by including Space Invaders in its story lines.

More about Space Invaders here.

In 1982, Sam Pearson became seriously ill with pneumonia. Recovering in hospital, he met a young fellow patient called David, who introduced Sam to the Rubik's Cube. Sam had a go and then dismissed it as too "new fangled" for him.

The Magic Cube had been invented by Hungarian Erno Rubik in 1974 and the first test batches released to Budapest toy shops in late 1977. In 1980, the Cube was re-manufactured, renamed Rubik's Cube and released in the Western World. The first Rubik's Cubes reached England just before Christmas 1980, although the country was not fully stocked until the spring of 1981 as there was a worldwide shortage.

The pictured article from The Sun, May 1982, shows that people were doing the Cube everywhere, and that Emmerdale Farm was once more absolutely on the button when it came to pop culture!

More about the Cube here.

Annie, Joe, Matt and Dolly - Reunited!

2011-07-10T18:12:00.006+01:00

A YouTube clip showing original Emmerdale Farm cast members, Sheila Mercier (Annie Sugden), Frazer Hines (Joe Sugden), Frederick Pyne (Matt Skilbeck) and 1980 arriver Jean Rogers (Dolly Skilbeck) reuniting for a tribute to the serial. The script being acted during the clip is from 1981.

Hat tip to Will for spotting this.

Al Dixon - What Walter Did In 1941

2011-06-02T02:06:00.006+01:00

Of course, Al Dixon did not make his Emmerdale Farm debut as silent Walter of the Woolpack until September 1980, but by that time a long career in show business lay behind him. I was recently thrilled to be given this souvenir from the Summer Season 1941 at West End Pier, Morecambe. Al Dixon - light comedian and dancer - was a highlight.

With the summer season programme, came a clipping from a March 1986 newspaper:

Al Dixon, 84, who acted in Yorkshire TV's series Emmerdale Farm has died. For five years he played Walter, the character who sat in the Woolpack pub without saying a word.

Al Dixon had a very long career and appeared with many stars. It's said that his stories of his past were fascinating to hear and he often entertained the Emmerdale Farm cast with his recollections.

It was not until the early 1980s though that Al truly became a star in his own right, with the newly installed Walter becoming hugely popular. Al was delighted, but disagreed with a 1983 viewers' petition aiming at getting Walter to speak. The character wouldn't be a novelty any more, Al claimed, quite rightly.

And how did he actually land the Walter role?

"They asked me to take my teeth out, and that's how I got the part!" explained Al in 1985.

Does Emmerdale Today Link To Beckindale In The 1980s? - Comments...

2011-06-02T00:04:00.002+01:00

A few months ago, I received an e-mail from Christian:

I find it hard to believe, looking at your Beckindale '80s blog, that Emmerdale today is really linked to those days at all. The show is so different. A lot of the stories you portray here are so mundane. Emmerdale now is a rip-roaring, decadent place, where anything goes - and usually does. And things keep burning down or getting blown up. It's like the "Emmerdale" name is simply a brand, and the product is now totally different.

I sought opinions from two old friends of this blog, Will - who loves Emmerdale old and new, and Atomic Witch, who is a fan of modern day Emmerdale with some interest in and regard for the past.

In the 1980s, many of the stories were rooted in the mundane. Has the show turned too much towards the dramatic? Does it seem like the same show?

Here's what they had to say:

Will: Well this comes up a lot doesn't it? Like you said Emmerdale hasn't changed any more than Corrie has. I find this lack of acknowledgement that Corrie too has changed drastically to be part of a rather strange bias towards Corrie in the media.

Having said that though I think this thing about Emmerdale being a completely different show these days comes from Emmerdale Farm being remembered today as something it wasn't. People remember this cosy serial about farming where nothing ever happened. To me that is not what EF was, sure there could at times be a cosy element to it but EF could be a rather grim, even gritty real show about a family who were farmers. And yet it had all the plots that fuel soaps - murder, rape, affairs and that was all just the first year!

Jack Sugden's backstory had all the makings of a dramatic soap. He gets a girl pregnant who then passes the child off as other man's! The stories in Emmerdale didn't change so much just the way in which they told them. Emmerdale became a soap, a soapy soap at much a bigger scale. And I'm not overlooking the big sensational OTT stories like the Plane Crash but what made that work was the real Emmerdale Farm characters like Annie, Amos, Seth, Turner & Jack keeping it grounded and real.

Of course television and the world has changed too. Emmerdale Farm couldn't be made today, as I much as I love it I couldn't imagine watching it now. It was of its time.

And I yes I could very much imagine Amos, Matt & Dolly in the show today. I think we have the modern equivalents of those characters and that's why Emmerdale continues. Seth after all made the transition very successfully.

Thanks, Will!

Atomic Witch: No I don't think there's as much everyday life, everything seems to be connected, one way or another, to a major issue.

There's no fete, no cricket matches, no panto. Nothing that socially involves all the villagers apart from the odd wedding and even they end in death or something dramatic. In the last producer's short reign he had a murder, a train crash, an attempted suicide, a major fire,
a rape, and coming up, an armed siege, and that's just off the top of my head, there's probably more.

Thanks, t'witch!

And Peter sent this:

Of course soaps have changed, they're far trashier now, blood, boobs, explosions. We viewers of today can't really say that Emmerdale links to Emmerdale Farm, but we have the best of both worlds. We have our sin soaked modern village, and we have the option of old episodes from the '80s - with Alan Turner and Mrs Bates, Walter and Amos, and so on, all being cosy and funny. There was a pop song in the 1980s - "I want it all! I want it all! I want it all - and I want it NOW!" Well, my generation HAS it ALL! I find really early Emmerdale very boring indeed, a show written for old folk, surely? But from the '80s it livens up a bit and I enjoy episodes from then nearly as much as now. But they would get no ratings today.

Thanks, Peter!

As I don't watch modern day Emmerdale, I'm not able to judge that well, but I must say from what I've heard most soaps seem to have turned to dramatic story-lines in a way I find hard to understand. Even The Archers "celebrated" its 50th anniversary by having poor old Nigel Pargetter fall from a roof to his death - with a terrible scream being the last sound he made.

Gives me the shudders!

Atomic Witch's portal Pics 2

2011-06-01T22:46:00.004+01:00

Another inspired Emmerdale Guys & Gals Porthole Pic from Atomic Witch - with more than a passing nod towards 1980s Emmerdale.

The new opening sequence to the show features a range of hills as background to the village where there were none before, and in Witchy's latest Porthole the ghost of Jack Sugden peers down to pass comment. Walter, of course, is speechless!

Clive Hornby made his Emmerdale Farm debut as Jack Sugden in February 1980 and Al Dixon became Walter in the September of that year.

Competition Winners

2011-03-26T17:14:00.003Z

What was Dolly saying? Well, we have three lucky competition winners to tell us!

"Out On A Limb" wrote:

Dolly: "Eee, no wonder your dinner's taste funny. I never could read Aunt Jessie's writing, and what she's got down here in the recipe looks more 'aniseed' than 'arsenic' now I come to think of it..."

Cerys wrote:

Dolly: "This is a lovely knitting pattern - neon pink legwarmers! Just the thing for you Matt - trendy and practical for working on the farm!"

Ian wrote:

Dolly: "And just think - if I'd added paprika it would of been goulash!"

Matt: "Well as you didn't, do you mind telling me WHAT it is?"

Well done, folks, some nice giggles there! Just send me your addresses and your highly exclusive Beckindale Bugle mugs will be on the way to you!

Drink your tea with pride!

Atomic Witch's Portal Pics...

2011-03-26T13:43:00.004Z

Here at the Beckindale Bugle, we enjoy taking a peep at sites which are mainly dedicated to modern day Emmerdale, and none more so than Emmerdale Guys & Gals , home to the very lovely Mary and Atomic Witch (Walter keeps an eye on things there for us!).

Much enjoyed features of this site are Atomic Witch's fun and often highly imaginative "Portal" pics, comic takes on Emmerdale events with an occasional retro twist (the ghost of Seth Armstrong turned up at The Woolpack in one of them!). Anyway, today t'witch has sent us her latest Portal, which we reproduce above. In a delicious play on that great soap cliché, "back from the dead", the late, great Henry Wilks, who was played so brilliantly by Arthur Pentelow from 1972 to 1991, has returned as the new landlord of The Woolpack - and he apparently already has some plans for the old place...

Is Emmerdale Today Linked To Beckindale In The 1980s?

2011-02-12T00:58:00.005Z

Christian writes:

I find it hard to believe, looking at your Beckindale '80s blog, that Emmerdale today is really linked to those days at all. The show is so different. A lot of the stories you portray here are so mundane. Emmerdale now is a rip-roaring, decadent place, where anything goes - and usually does. And things keep burning down or getting blown up. It's like the "Emmerdale" name is simply a brand, and the product is now totally different.

I don't watch Emmerdale - or any soaps, Christian - but I think they've ALL changed tremendously. Look at Coronation Street, celebrating its 50th anniversary with a huge disaster story-line! I think Emmerdale Farm from 1972-1989 is closely linked, and that the 1980s developed their own flavour in the show, brasher and rather livelier.

But as for Kim Tate fleeing in a helicopter, the siege at Home Farm, the plane crash... no, I can't really imagine those things happening in Beckindale in the 1980s.

What do readers think about the changing times in Emmerdale? Does the show neatly link to its distant past in flavour, or is it hard to imagine Matt and Dolly, Amos, Mrs Bates, Archie and Walter living amongst the current locals?

I'd be fascinated to hear your views.

Competition: What's Dolly Saying? Win A Beckindale Bugle Mug!

2011-01-27T02:56:00.004Z

Here's your chance to win your very own, limited edition Beckindale Bugle ("Gossip From '80s Amos") tea mug.

Just study the screen grab above: Dolly Skilbeck (Jean Rogers) is having dinner with husband Matt (Frederick Pyne) and Jackie Merrick (Ian Sharrock), but her attention appears to have been distracted. Write a witty caption for the pic, enter it via our "comments" facility, and the three best entries will win Bugle mugs (Walter and Mr Wilks have already got theirs!). So, don't delay, write today!

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: 28 February 2011.

The Long Silence...

2011-01-12T23:08:00.002Z

Just checking my sitemeter tonight and I note that there is quite a lot of interest today in Alan Turner and Mrs Bates. I'm glad that people are still visiting! To those that have written - sorry for the long silence here - even Walter has been a little disgruntled by it - but 21st Century life is busy and so updates are few. We'll be back in the 1980s Beckindale groove again soon, I promise!

Emmerdale Farm 1980 - Edward Peel's Debut As Tom Merrick

2010-09-16T22:05:00.005+01:00

Hooray! Somebody has uploaded Edward Peel's Emmerdale Farm debut episode as Tom Merrick - episode 623, broadcast 2 December 1980. The role had previously been played by David Hill in six early episodes, but Mr Peel stamped his own mark on it - making Tom rather a menace in early 1980s Beckindale!

Enjoy the episode in three parts below - and look out for Amos, Walter and other favourites!

Thanks to Ben for letting me know!

1986: Jack Sugden In A Witty TV Times...

2010-09-02T20:12:00.006+01:00

This clipping from the TV Times, 27 Sept to Oct 3 1986, makes me smile.

One man went to mow... Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby) deals with whatever crops up in 'Emmerdale Farm'.

Whatever CROPS up, geddit?!!

And what was happening in Beckindale that week?

Well, on Tuesday 30 September we discover:

Joe Sugden makes a big decision about his future, but there could be even bigger decisions ahead for Phil Pearce and Sandie Merrick.

And on 2 October:

Amos believes he is the victim of a gypsy's curse - and Seth Armstrong is more than willing to lend a hand to the supernatural.

Brilliant!

The cast for the week was:

Annie Sugden - Sheila Mercier
Matt Skilbeck - Frederick Pyne
Amos Brearly - Ronald Magill
Henry Wilks - Arthur Pentelow
Jack Sugden - Clive Hornby
Joe Sugden - Frazer Hines
Dolly Skilbeck - Jean Rogers
Sam Skilbeck - Benjamin Whitehead
Jackie Merrick - Ian Sharrock
Sandie Merrick - Jane Hutcheson
Alan Turner - Richard Thorp
Seth Armstrong - Stan Richards
Mrs Bates - Diana Davies
Kathy Bates - Malandra Burrows
Nick Bates - Cy Chadwick
Phil Pearce - Peter Alexander
Eric Pollard - Christopher Chittell
Jock MacDonald - Drew Dawson
Bill Middleton - Johhny Caesar
Gypsy woman - Clare Kelly
Gypsy man - Craig Fairbrass

Emmerdale Farm - Who Was Who In August 1980

2010-08-23T17:42:00.004+01:00

1980: the vicar comes to tea at Emmerdale Farm.

Geoff writes:

I'm interested in thirty years ago and wonder who was in the Emmerdale Farm serial in August 1980?

Well, Geoff, the community of characters was rather different from today - the average age of the characters rather older. The show would not feature its first permanent school-age teenagers until September. The show was on its summer break in August 1980, but the permanent characters were:

Annie Sugden - Sheila Mercier
Sam Pearson - Toke Townley
Jack Sugden - Clive Hornby
Matt Skilbeck - Frederick Pyne
Dolly Skilbeck - Jean Rogers

Amos Brearly - Ronald Magill
Henry Wilks - Arthur Pentelow

Reverend Donald Hinton - Hugh Manning

Richard Anstey - Carl Rigg

Seth Armstrong - Stan Richards - Mr Richards joined the permanent cast in the summer of 1980.

Semi-regular characters included Nellie Ratcliffe, played by Gabrielle Blunt and Meg Armstrong played by Ursula Camm. The characters made their debuts in 1978 and 1979 respectively. Other semi-regulars were the Tolly and Longthorn families, introduced during early 1980.

Jane Cussons, who played Judy Westrop, had just left the cast and at the start of the autumn season it was revealed that Judy had left Beckindale for a new job.

Frazer Hines who played Joe Sugden was absent for part of the year - his character away in America.

Performers making their debuts later in 1980 were Ian Sharrock as Jackie Merrick, Jane Hutcheson as Sandie Merrick, Edward Peel as Tom Merrick, Martin Dale as police sergeant Ian McArthur, Malcolm Raeburn as John Tuplin, Alan Starkey as Daniel Hawkins and Al Dixon as Walter.

Helen Weir had already appeared as Pat Merrick during the summer, and her character would become a regular from September onwards.

Dolly's Tragedy...

2010-07-24T20:55:00.006+01:00

Kim writes:

When Dolly lost her baby in 1980, was it defined as a stillbirth or a miscarriage?

I don't recall hearing the phrase "stillbirth" back then, Kim - apart perhaps from babies who died when the mother was actually giving birth.

Dolly referred to her loss as a miscarriage in 1980.

She had announced her pregnancy in July 1979. Annie Sugden, in a monologue bringing viewers up-to-date with Beckindale news in early 1980, stated that Dolly had been taken into hospital just after the New Year came in. She lost the baby not long afterwards.

I know that times change and there are various technical definitions of a stillbirth, depending on the location, but certainly way back then in England the word I heard used for losses into late pregnancy was miscarriage.

And this was the word Dolly Skilbeck used in Emmerdale Farm.

The Groundbreaking (By Emmerdale Standards) Alan Turner

2010-07-24T17:02:00.003+01:00

Kim writes:

Did you say that Alan Turner was groundbreaking? If so, why?

Indeed I did. In Emmerdale Farm, he certainly was.

I wrote about the subject some time ago, and the original article is reproduced
below. Sorry, but to get my full view you'll need to read the whole article. xxx

Groundbreaking Alan Turner.

Chris has been reading a soaps thread where controversy apparently reigns over whether or not Alan Turner was a "groundbreaking" Emmerdale Farm character. He asks:

What do you say?

Well, Chris, I've recently watched Turner's debut and I think he was groundbreaking. Trevor Thatcher, NY's first Beckindale manager, was not actually a "bad guy" - the "should Nellie Ratcliffe leave her cottage?" story-line was pure human interest - whose need was the greatest, hers or a current NY employee? Thatcher's successor, Maurice Westrop, was an old fashioned sweety (even at the time!), Richard Anstey, who took over in 1980, was every inch a businessman - but in no way "bad".

Alan Turner, however, was originally selfish, inefficient, glib-tongued and cold hearted. Watching him deal with Joe Sugden and the workers at NY Estates as redundancies were imposed in 1983, and the way he blackmailed John Tuplin, the shop steward, into going along with it, forcing John to betray his workmates... it was all pretty chilling.

Alan was the show's first long-running character who knowingly did wrong to others for his own ends. And although he mellowed, and although there was a great big lovable oaf trapped inside him, there was always that instinct for self preservation.

I can find nobody to compare to Alan Turner as a permanent Emmerdale Farm character before his debut.

I'm basing my thoughts about this on recent viewings of the episodes concerned.

I believe that the different facets revealed in Alan's character as he evolved also made him groundbreaking. No stereotype nasty businessman our Mr Turner, but a complex human being.

JR Ewing of the American soap Dallas was a brilliant, pantomime character. Alan Turner seemed real. When he hit rock bottom in late 1983, making a disastrous pass at his young secretary, and then being defeated by the computer newly installed at Home Farm, he had done nothing to endear himself to the Beckindale locals or us viewers. But there was something in Richard Thorp's performance, more than a hint of the hurt and the pathetic in Alan's character, that made me realise I actually cared about what happened to Mr Turner.

And I wanted him to be all right.

As for groundbreaking characters in soaps and TV drama in general... well... Emmerdale Farm began a long way in.

And true overall groundbreakers would probably be characters like rascally villager Walter Gabriel in radio soap The Archers, not Seth Armstrong in Emmerdale Farm, and so on.

There's "groundbreaking" within the confines of the show, and the broader picture.

But I think Richard Thorp was, and is, excellent.

And, as far as Emmerdale goes, groundbreaking to the max.

Greetings From Bournemouth

2010-07-06T00:06:00.001+01:00

Fancy headwear for Walter to keep the sun off in Bournemouth?

I promised my wife I'd have a fortnight off the Web whilst we are holidaying in Bournemouth, but she has granted me permission to have a quick peek at The Bugle and to reply to a couple of comments.

Cerys writes:

Hope you enjoy your holiday. I can just imagine Walter paddling in the sea, with his flat cap on and his trouser legs rolled up!

A sight for sore eyes, Cerys! We're having a great time. I had the most beautiful bacon and mayonnaise roll I have ever tasted today. It was a soft, fresh, white roll. The bacon was tender, flavoursome and hot, the mayonnaise a creamy delight. Will tell more when I get back.

Peek has written, too:

The polls are a great idea Andy, must have taken a fair bit of thought to make them up.

I think I started watching Emmerdale more seriously in the 80s, so it's good to be reminded of what happened then.

Thanks, Peek - I just want to get feedback so that I can provide people with what they really want to read.

And thanks to Benjamin for writing and for voting in the polls.

I've prolonged the polls so that they will run for an extra week. Please vote if you haven't already.

I'm off to bed now! I'll try to pop in here again before the holiday ends.

xxx

Beckindale Bugle - What Would You Like To See?

2010-07-03T14:24:00.005+01:00

"Eee, an 'oliday down south, Mr Wilks! We Brearlys have never been afraid of travel. You take my Uncle Arthur - he went overseas. Isle of Wight, it were... the tales he could tell..."

We are off to Bournemouth tomorrow. It's time for some sun, sand, sea and... fish and chips.

Walter's packed his bucket and spade and got Archie to look after his budgie whilst he's away, Amos is planning to write an article on "Down South" for the Hotten Courier, Mr Wilks is planning a few good walks and some bird watching, and Alan Turner is planning some bird watching of a different kind!

Before we go, we'd just like to draw your attention to our three new polls. Here at The Bugle, we value your feedback, so we'd like you to cast your eyes right and look at our new polls.

We'd love your views.

Got to go now. Nay, Walter, you can't take the goldfish!

See you in a fortnight! xxx

Matt And Dolly And A Shaggy Dog Story - And Changing Times In Beckindale...

2010-06-26T23:38:00.007+01:00

Daily Mirror, December 15, 1983.

Ben belonged to the horrifying Harry Mowlam (Godfrey James) and Matt Skilbeck (Frederick Pyne) snatched him after he witnessed Harry kicking him.

Of course, Harry wasn't having this - Ben was his property - and he wanted him back...

And there was trouble.

But Harry didn't succeed in getting Ben back.

The terrified dog proved a handful - and frightened the wits out of Dolly (Jean Rogers) when she took him some food to the outbuilding. The hairy beast cornered her, snarling most alarmingly...

But all turned out well in the end.

Until 1985. When Harry Mowlam turned his sights on Beckindale again.

And he hadn't forgotten the Skilbecks...

Was Emmerdale Farm a seething hotbed of anger and passion in the 1980s?

No.

But it certainly wasn't as safe as it had once been.

Many of the story-lines revolved around Amos and Mr Wilks (Ronald Magill and Arthur Pentelow) - in their absolutely golden era, Mrs Bates and Mr Turner (Diana Davies and Richard Thorp) in the NY office at Home Farm, Seth Armstrong (Stan Richards) on the cadge or the wind-up, domestic affairs with Matt and Dolly, and the romance between Kathy (Malandra Burrows) and Jackie (Ian Sharrock).

But we also had snarling Tom Merrick (Edward Peel), devious Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell), and, in his early days, awful Alan Turner.

Baddies made their mark on Beckindale, and at least one stuck around.

But the anger and passion were always balanced by beautifully mundane and often comic scenes.

When Derek Warner (Dennis Blanche) almost ran Harry Mowlam over in 1985, and then threatened him with a knife, we were treated to hilarious scenes in the same episode with Alan Turner and the Rev Donald Hinton (Hugh Manning) rehearsing for the Christmas play.

When Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby) was bedding Karen Moore (Annie Hulley) in a hotel room in 1984, the show kept flipping to scenes of Amos and Mr Wilks confronting each other over the breakfast table, or Matt and Jackie dealing with a ram at Emmerdale Farm who was no longer "up to it" and, as Matt said, "ready for the meat pie factory".

The scenes of mating sheep on the farm, and Jack's apparently high-minded affair with Karen, which was simply amounting to humans mating in an adulturous fling, seemed beautifully thought out.

Well, it certainly made me think!

Stability won the day in the Beckindale of the 1980s.

It was more chit-chat and sheep, comedy and everyday drama than anything else.

However, although Beckindale had never been an entirely safe place before the 1980s, there was a feeling that the big bad late twentieth century was brandishing a fist at the village rather more than in the past.

Clive Hornby And Andrew Burt - Not The Same Jack!

2010-06-26T14:30:00.003+01:00

Kelly has written:

I've just read on an Emmerdale thread that viewers thought Andrew Burt and Clive Hornby were the same actor when it came to playing Jack Sugden.

Is that true?

No, Kelly. The arrival of Clive Hornby as Jack Sugden was widely publicised in 1980 and fans were fully aware and interested to see the "new Jack". The physical resemblance to Andrew Burt was absolutely deliberate, but the new Jack spoke differently (more down to earth!) and the character of Jack altered considerably in the early Clive Hornby era.

Esholt - The 1980s Emmerdale Era And 2010

2010-06-05T20:31:00.002+01:00

Esholt, AKA Beckindale/Emmerdale, 2010. Looking across the allotments to the back of The Woolpack.

Beckindale Bugle reader Ben is a great fan of Emmerdale past and present, and recently visited Esholt, which was the village's exterior location for many years - including the entire 1980s.

We thought it might be fun to do a "Then And Now" retrospective - Beckindale 1980s meets Esholt 2010...

Here's Ben on the very spot where Amos clocked the "return" of the revised and recast Merrick family in September 1980!

In the modern day Esholt Woolpack, memories of Amos and Mr Wilks still linger. The photograph above adorns one of the walls in the pub and is captioned:

EMMERDALE FARM, SEPTEMBER 1981. Henry Wilks (Arthur Pentelow) and Amos Brearly (Ronald Magill) pictured outside The Woolpack.

1981 is a very special year to this blog - it was the year when a certain Mr Brearly founded The Beckindale Bugle - from which we took our title!

The Woolpack in 2010 and in 1980. Back in the '80s, the pub was called The Commercial Inn and had to be disguised as The Woolpack before each episode was filmed. The Commercial became a real-life Woolpack in the early 1990s.

Esholt Sports And Leisure Club in 2010 - and the Beckindale village show, 1980! The Esholt site saw many scenes of sporting rivalry in Emmerdale Farm - and Seth Armstrong accidentally drenching Alan Turner (who was suffering from Seth-induced food poisoning) with champagne after the 1986 NY Estates Versus Beckindale Cricket Match.

Ben's photograph of the Esholt allotments. In 1980, Amos Brearly acquired an allotment in Beckindale - and the scene was set for a decade of rivalry with Seth Armstrong!

Looking across Main Street, Esholt, from The Woolpack - and, inset, Amos and Mr Wilks at home in Main Street, Beckindale in 1981. Amos has just spotted Walter leaving the village shop, studying a copy of The Beckindale Bugle!

Amos won a tricycle in a competition in 1983 - and was thrilled. He was no fan of two wheelers ("Put me on a bike and you've got a wobble!"). Ben retraced Amos's 1983 ride through Beckindale in modern day Esholt.

To end on - a few Esholt facts:

Esholt was originally known as "Escheholt" - the ash wood

The church - which doubled as St Mary's in the Beckindale saga - was built in 1839.

Esholt Old Hall, next to the church, is thought to date from the medieval period and is closely associated with the Sherburne (or Shireburne) family, an ancient catholic family.

Most of the estate cottages in the village date from the early 19th Century.

Esholt doubled as Beckindale from 1976 to 1998 and is still a popular destination for Emmerdale fans.

E-Mails - Edward Peel As Tom Merrick, The Missing Merrick, And Meg Armstrong

2010-05-24T21:49:00.008+01:00

1985 Emmerdale tribute article. Intense and snarling - Edward Peel took on the revised role of Tom Merrick in 1980, to be followed by Jack Carr a few years later. The fact that David Hill had once played a lazy, twisting version of Tom Merrick years before had been forgotten.

Maria has written:

I liked your post about the Merrick family. I used to lust after Edward Peel's Tom Merrick! I remember David Hill in the role, and, not to be rude, he was neither smouldering or attractive! Mr Peel had it all - a devious bad boy we ladies could love! Characters were often rewritten in Emmerdale Farm, weren't they? Ruth Merrick became Pat, and nobody could say she was chosen to look like the previous actress in the role. The same, as I've already mentioned, with Edward's Tom. I also recall the Merricks had three children originally, but in 1980 one of them was simply written out of existence. Ursula Camm's Meg Armstrong was also very different to Ruth's Holden's Meg in 1986. Ursula's was quiet, unhappy and stay at home, Ruth's was loud, eccentric and out and about. Great blog to read. I'm a long-time fan. Keep up the good work!

Thanks, Maria!

The Merricks had originally been a brief, "passing through" story - and when they were revamped in 1980, the writers transformed them into an interesting long term story-line concept. Edward Peel, of course, did not resemble the original Tom (David Hill) and Helen Weir did not resemble the original Ruth Merrick (Lynn Dalby).

In particular, Edward Peel's Tom had a snarling intensity that had previously been completely lacking.

Interviewed about his role as Tom years later, Mr Peel played down his impact, saying that Tom was simply up to his old tricks, but comparing episodes with David Hill and Edward Peel reveals that the character had become a lot more menacing and downright angry in the Edward Peel era.

It must be remembered that the Merrick family had previously featured as a short story-line eight years before, when VCRs were unknown in the UK, so viewers were not able to check what the family was originally like - although the Emmerdale Farm novels by Lee Mackenzie faithfully recorded the original facts about them, third child and all.

I don't know why Ruth's first name was changed to Pat - although at Pat's wedding to Jack in 1982, it was revealed that her full Christian names were Patricia Ruth, it didn't quite add up.

Whilst Coronation Street employed an archivist and most past story-line facts were rigidly adhered to (there were howls of protest when the age of Ken Barlow's twin children was altered to fit in with a story-line in 1978), Emmerdale Farm took a slightly more relaxed approach to its past.

As for Meg Armstrong - I think that the downtrodden Meg character, as played by Ursula Camm, had been taken as far as it could go, and that's why the character was so drastically altered in 1986.

Emmerdale Farm was never afraid to rewrite bits and pieces of its history!

Left: Ursula Camm as Meg Armstrong in 1983: downtrodden and frankly fed up with Seth's drinking, she locked him out of their home. Right: Ruth Holden was the new Meg Armstrong in 1986: chirpy, religious, and absolutely barking, she terrified Amos Brearly when she worked at The Woolpack for a while, told Mr Wilks that one of her favourite hymns was called "The Ship Of Temperance Is Sailing To The Port", and called Seth "poppet".

The British Soap Awards: "Emmerdale Didn't Take Off Until After The Plane Crash!" Oh, Really?

2010-05-21T00:02:00.005+01:00

Sunday Mirror, 3/7/1983: "Emmerdale Farm" is making a quiet assault on the TV ratings. It is at number 5 in the ITV top ten, rivalling "Crossroads" for the title of Britain's most popular show after "Coronation Street"..

Sonia has watched The British Soap Awards, and is surprised at something said on that show:

I watched avidly and was startled to hear from Claire King that Emmerdale didn't take off until after the plane crash! Why on earth was it kept on for all those years beforehand? I was outraged!

Lol! Sonia. In terms of ratings, I think that Emmerdale had its highest ever for the plane crash drama. I have the monthly ratings from January 1994 which show it achieved 16.8 million viewers.

In February 1994, it scored under 11.2 million viewers, falling out of the Top Twenty monthly ratings completely, which surprised me.

Comparing more typical ratings, I went to November 1994 (well after the plane crash) to find the show scoring 11.5 million viewers, as compared to 12.5 million viewers ten years earlier in November 1984.

It can, and should be stated, that mainstream satellite TV was nowhere in 1984, so that would boost ratings for the show as there were only four channels to view, but it must also be stated that Emmerdale Farm wasn't properly networked in 1984 - major ITV regions Anglia and Thames were showing it at teatime, and many people were not aware of its existence, so it was doing very well indeed.

It should also be stated that satellite TV was not as established, popular or diverse as it is today back in 1994, the BARB monthly top twenty ratings were still composed of BBC and ITV programmes, and Emmerdale was then being shown countrywide in an early evening slot, so that probably evens the score.

Its ratings always appear to have fluctuated.

Perhaps the BSA speech writer has been reading Wikipedia?

I wouldn't be "outaged", Sonia. The statement is what I call a "Wiki-ism" (many people do trust Wikipedia - although it's the source of a lot of dodgy info!) and simply to be taken with a pinch of salt.

It was certainly great to see Claire King again!

Esholt And The Woolpack...

2010-05-15T12:28:00.004+01:00

Roger asks:

Was the village of Esholt in Yorkshire chosen to represent Beckindale simply because it had a pub called the Woolpack?

No, Roger. Esholt didn't have a pub called The Woolpack originally. The village's Commercial Inn was transformed into The Woolpack for exterior shots by using two fake signs - as seen in the 1980 pics at the top of this post. The Commercial was renamed The Woolpack in the early 1990s - thus making life for the Emmerdale production team a little easier!

Yorkshire Television arrives for another day's filming. And once The Commercial has been transformed into The Woolpack, Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier) emerges after a visit to Amos (Ronald Magill) and Mr Wilks (Arthur Pentelow).

1980: The Merricks Arrive...

2010-05-12T16:09:00.000+01:00

The Skipton bus conveyed some passengers of great interest to Beckindale in September 1980...

... it was Pat Merrick and her teenage offspring, Jackie and Sandie. Pat had already paid one visit to Beckindale a month or two earlier, but minus her children. Now she had returned with them and much luggage...

Of course, their arrival did not go unnoticed!

The Merricks had at least one friend in Beckindale - Nellie Ratcliffe who remembered Pat from years before and extended the hand of friendship. She and the kids were welcome to pop into her cottage for a cup of tea any time!

The family was bound for Pat's auntie's house...

Jack Sugden was surprised to see Pat back in the village so soon after her last visit. Was this another visit, he asked?

No, replied Pat - this time she had come back to Beckindale "for keeps".

Annie Sugden told Pat that if there was anything she could do to help, she had only to ask. The folk at Emmerdale Farm had faults like anybody else, but they weren't gossips.

Pat told Annie that she'd cope, but that she'd finished with her husband Tom for good.

Life with Pat's Auntie Elsie was not exactly harmonious. Elsie Harker was used to having her house to herself, and kept it spotlessly clean. Two teenagers around the place, marking her table and playing loud music was not her idea of happiness. And then there was the little matter of Pat's cigarettes - they did smell so!

Pat confided in Nellie Ratcliffe that she needed a job and other accommodation for herself and the kids. Nellie knew that neither would be easy to find, but Pat solved her first problem by landing a job as a waitress at Hotten Market Cafe.

Nellie went to see Richard Anstey at NY Estates about the stone flagged floor in her kitchen. If she had to endure another winter with it she'd catch her death of cold, she told him! Richard promised to get it looked at, then Nellie asked if NY Estates had any other affordable accommodation in the village - for Pat and her family.

As it happened, Richard knew of a caravan on the estate, intended as accommodation for the gamekeeper, but as Seth had a cottage in the village...

Pat was extremely grateful, and although the caravan was cramped and on the grotty side, it was vastly preferable to life with Auntie Elsie's constant harping.

Then, not long before Christmas, Tom Merrick came swanning (or rather sneering!) into The Woolpack, and was soon paying a visit to the caravan.

Pat told him that their marriage was over.

Tom asked her who was taking care of her needs? He'd heard a rumour about Jack Sugden... just like the old days, was it?

Pat told him to leave.

Tom teamed up with Derek Warner to steal Christmas trees from the plantation at NY Estates. The duo were nearly caught by Joe Sugden, and Derek, who was driving, bumped Joe with his van, knocking him flying. Joe was not really injured - just some aches and bruises, but Sandie had seen the occupants of the van and was pretty sure Tom was in the passenger seat...

As Beckindale headed into 1981, it seemed that more troubled times ahead - and that the Merricks' stay in the village was going to be anything but peaceful...

1987: No Nukes In Beckindale...

2010-05-12T14:12:00.010+01:00

A public meeting at The Woolpack, chaired by the Rev Donald Hinton (Hugh Manning), Henry Wilks (Arthur Pentelow) and Alan Turner (Richard Thorp) was dominated by the brothers Sugden...

Jack (Clive Hornby) saw the prospect of the nuclear dump as something to fight. There was no question about it:

"If they can prove to us that the ground around here is as solid as they say it is, bring on the nuclear waste!" he sneered.

"We'll all be happy, reason has won the day! Well, try telling that to farmers in the Dales who've got young lambs registering on the gieger counter! Our only course is to fight so that they can't come to Beckindale to talk or to do tests or to do one damn thing! And that's what we've got to believe. Everybody that lives here."

He looked at his brother Joe (Frazer Hines), standing quietly at the bar.

"And that means EVERYBODY!"

Joe pointed out that this was 1987. Did that mean we wanted radiation? Jack fumed.

Joe did not approve of Jack's outlook. He wanted an objective debate about the proposed nuclear waste dump. The "burning haystacks" method of blind resistance Jack favoured struck no sympathetic chord in Joe.

Feelings were running high in in Beckindale, and another public meeting, this time at the village hall and attended by a representative of the nuclear dump backers, took an unexpected turn when a coffin bearing a radiactive warning symbol was carried in.

"You claim that the risks of nuclear waste are no greater than smoking one cigarette a year," said Jackie Merrick (Ian Sharrock) to the nuclear "yes" man.

And cigarette smoke began to rise from a hole in the coffin lid.

And the coffin lid was pushed aside.

And a skeleton emerged.

A skeleton which sounded amazingly like Archie Brooks (Tony Pitts):

"Well, I think I'd rather have one fag a year than your waste on my doorstep!" it said.

Of course, smoking the fag to make this point was no hardship to Archie - a devoted smoker back then.

The 1987 Emmerdale Farm nuclear waste dump story-line was based on a true story, and hailed as a major step forward in the politicisation of soap.

Did Judy Westrop Know Walter?

2010-05-03T18:24:00.004+01:00

Jane Cussons, who played Judy Westrop, and Al Dixon as Woolpack Walter.

Carol asks:

Have you any photographs of Judy Westrop (played by Jane Cussons) in the Woolpack with Walter (Al Dixon). What a contrast, elegant Judy with wonderfully weird Walter in his cloth cap!

Sorry, Carol - the best I can do is above!

Judy's final appearance in the show was in episode 596, broadcast in July 1980. Al Dixon made his first appearance as Walter in episode 597, broadcast in September 1980, after the series' annual summer break. Sorry, but the two never met!

Emmerdale "Male Tottie" - 1980s Vs 2010!

2010-04-29T12:24:00.004+01:00

Beckindale boys Archie Brooks (Tony Pitts) and Nick Bates (Cy Chadwick) enjoy fags and beer in 1987.

Anne has written:

Don't you think that the 1980s men of Emmerdale were less attractive than today? I think the show was seriously lacking in male tottie back then. Clive Hornby and Ian Sharrock were OK, but where was the muscle? There was nobody to compare to the delicious John Barton now.

Times change, Anne! I don't think there was as much muscle around in general before the 1990s.

I recall the fitness craze of the 1980s, aerobics and so on, and loads of people got into wearing sweat bands.

And, of course, the designer trainer arrived. I remember them well. They were great for nipping over to Sainsbury's for fags and Stella Artois.

The 1980s Emmerdale Farm episodes saw Alan Turner arriving - and he was at his most dashing.

And Al Dixon's Walter enjoying his five year reign.

And Amos Brearly being at his glorious pottiest.

And Archie Brooks plodding in with his ghetto blaster, slow wit, and anarchic views.

With those classic characters around, who needed loads of muscle?

Coming Soon - 1987: A Traumatic Year For Beckindale...

2010-04-26T01:13:00.012+01:00

Henry Wilks is horrified to find "No Nukes Here" daubed on the side wall at The Woolpack. Jack Sugden leads opposition to the proposed nuclear dump. Is nuclear waste really only as injurious to health as having one cigarette a year? A skeleton at the village hall states his preference. Alan Turner is featured in The Hotten Courier - but is the photograph what it seems? And Sandie Merrick is terrorised by Eric Pollard...

Remember 1987? If not, let me remind you...

Ever since the term "yuppie" had been coined in America in the early 1980s, the decade seemed to have been set on a chaotic course for 1987. It was the election of Ronald Reagan as US President in November 1980 which had brought about the term a year or two later - and its accompanying ethos.

The yuppie "thing" spread to the UK, and it seemed that by 1987 people were either revelling in dosh, doing quite nicely, or poor as a church mouse (I have to say that my family were in the latter category, but, I must admit, not as poor as in the previous decade). A clamour of voices was raised against the whole yuppie circus.

And then 1987 dawned. A sleek, shoulder-padded beastie. Apparently the summit of Planet 1980s.

But this year was definitely not what it seemed.

This year suddenly turned into something very different indeed, with Black Monday sending shock waves through the financial world in October - and an awe inspiring gale in the same month...

The Times reported on the stock market crash from America:

A black man on a bicycle seized the mood when he shouted at the brokers: "Freedom! The Reagan revolution is over. Death to Yuppies."

A tubby broker bellowed back at him: "Whoever dies with the most toys wins. We start over again tomorrow."

And on the gale in England:

Eighteen people died and hundreds were injured as yesterday's storms, the worst in memory, left a trail of destruction as they cut across southern England.

The year which had seen Margaret Thatcher win her third term in office had suddenly gone completely off its rocker. It screamed and it howled.

And, even in the cosy fictional world of Beckindale, big issues were all the rage as the villagers were faced with the prospect of having a nuclear waste dump sited on nearby Pencross Fell.

And, whilst Nick Bates was caught smoking by his mother, Archie Brooks briefly joined Amos and Mr Wilks at The Woolpack, and Jackie Merrick and Kathy Bates enjoyed their romance, Eric Pollard, removed from his position as manager of Hotten Market, was out to get his revenge on the woman who had caused his downfall - Sandie Merrick.

And he was armed with a poker.

Mad and bad 1987 was here.

We'll be exploring some some of the highs and lows in Beckindale soon.

Happy St George's Day!

2010-04-23T12:44:00.003+01:00

Way back in the 1980s, Amos Brearly complimented Mr Wilks - telling him that he was English and Yorkshire - in Amos' estimation, two very wonderful things to be!

Amos, being the same, regarded himself as being pretty wonderful too, of course!

With the resurgence of interest in St George's Day in recent years, The Beckindale Bugle would like to wish all citizens of England celebrating the national day a very happy day indeed!

We're working, but we'll be having a pint later!

Who Are They?

2010-04-17T01:29:00.002+01:00

Just for fun, can you tell me who the two men pictured above are? Both would make their mark on Beckindale many years after the photographs were taken...

Seth Armstrong - The Importance of 1980!

2010-04-15T16:52:00.000+01:00

Lorraine has dropped me a line:

I'm interested in your "introduction", in which you state that Seth Armstrong became a full-time regular in the 1980s. Surely Seth became a full-time regular in the 1970s?

No, I'm afraid he didn't. Stan Richards debuted as Seth in 1978, the character was then a school caretaker. It was supposed to be a one-off story-line, but the Emmerdale Farm production team liked the character, so Seth appeared in several story-lines afterwards - a particularly memorable one being his employment as gamekeeper for NY Estates.

But for large tracts of episodes in 1978, 1979 and early 1980 Seth simply didn't appear at all and was not referred to. Producer Anne W Gibbons made the decision that the character should become full-time, which he did in mid-1980. From then on, Seth was a Woolpack regular - and on-screen as much as any of the other major characters.

My knowledge is based on watching the episodes. When I wrote that Seth Armstrong became a full-time regular character in the 1980s, that's exactly what I meant. He did - in mid-1980.

Walter (Al Dixon) - First To Last...

2010-04-14T13:39:00.006+01:00

Al Dixon photo and autograph from 1984.

Cerys shares my affection and fascination for Al Dixon's Walter...

He was absolutely great and a real '80s cult. As he didn't appear in the credits, I'm finding it impossible to map his reign in terms of episode numbers. Do you have the info?

Al Dixon did occasionally appear in the closing credits, Cerys, but not often as he was non-speaking! The production team occasionally allowed his inclusion if Walter had featured prominently in the episode.

Al Dixon first gave us Walter in episode 597, broadcast in September 1980. The synopsis was:

Beckindale's eerie Bogle Bog is definitely not the place to be stranded in the dead of night - but that's exactly where Amos Brearly finds himself!

The episode was written by the show's creator, Kevin Laffan.

Read all about the Bogles here.

Walter made his final appearance in episode 1011, broadcast in December 1985:

It's the day of the village show and Amos Brearly is ready for stardom. But a night of celebration turns sour for Jackie Merrick.

The episode was written by Michael Russell.

Walter appeared in the village show, which was Toad Of Toad Hall.

Read our complete Walter/Al Dixon info here.

Hotten Courier, Beckindale Edition, 1985

2010-04-10T02:24:00.009+01:00

Whilst Annie Sugden tended her Aga, Matt Skilbeck tended his sheep and Walter silently supped at The Woolpack, elsewhere in Beckindale, things were not so serene...

ARMED MEN IN WAGES SNATCH

A security van on its way to deliver wages to NY Estates was held up by armed robbers on a lonely road near Beckindale yesterday.

The masked gunmen, who were also carrying explosives, drove a herd of cows into the path of the security van, forcing it to stop, and then threatened to blow up the vehicle unless the guards handed over the money.

The gunmen escaped into the trees with £10,000 and police believe they had a getaway vehicle parked nearby.

"I don't know what I'm going to tell my employees," said NY Estates Manager Mr Alan Turner. "We don't have enough money on the premises to pay their wages, and many of them have wives and children to support."

The police would like to hear from anyone who has noticed an unusual or suspiciously parked vehicle in the Beckindale area recently.

Oh dear. Could this next story be related?

RECORD PRICE PAID FOR FARMLAND

Thirty acres of land previously owned by Mr Clifford Longthorn were put up for auction this week by Golding & Sons, the auctioneers, and achieved the record price of £1,600 an acre.

The land, which adjoins Emmerdale Farm run by Mr Jack Sugden, and property belonging to NY Estates, was bought by Mr Harry Mowlam, an ex-quarry owner.

"I'm delighted," said Mr Mowlam. "This is my first venture into farming and I'm planning to put sheep on the land.

"It was quite a battle, but the other bidders dropped out in the end. £1,600 an acre seems a fair price to me."

Mr Sugden, who was also bidding for the land, was not available for comment...

Meanwhile, Alan Turner and NY Estates were, once again, not exactly the community's pet loves...

TODDLERS POISONED IN CROP SPRAYING ROW

Twelve Beckindale toddlers, all members of the Beckindale Playgroup, were being treated for poisoning last night after a crop spraying incident.

It is thought that the children, all suffering from sickness, diarrhoea and skin rashes, were exposed to a pesticide used in crop spraying while they were on a nature walk in woods near the village.

"I think it's disgraceful," said playgroup leader Mrs Dolly Skilbeck, whose two-year-old son Sam is now being treated by the doctor. "Anyone irresponsible enough to spray their crops in a high wind when there are children about ought to be locked up."

Mr Alan Turner, manager of NY Estates, on whose land the incident occurred, said he was mystified by the whole thing.

"I know nothing about it," he said from the estate office near Beckindale. "All my employees are highly trained and experienced men. There is no way they'd spray the crops in harmful conditions. The children are probably suffering from food poisoning or some sort of virus."

Wasn't there any good news? Well, yes, young Jackie Merrick, recently out of hospital after being run down by the aforementioned Mr Alan Turner, had come sixth at the local sheepdog trials, and in the year of Live Aid, Beckindale had organised its own musical effort to help the starving...

BAND PLAYS TO FEED THE HUNGRY

The starving thousands in Ethiopia are to benefit from a charity concert held in Beckindale last week.

The Hotten and District Brass Band assembled outside The Woolpack Inn in Beckindale High Street and kept the villagers entertained with a medley of popular tunes.

The weather smiled on the proceedings and Mr Amos Brearly, landlord of the Woolpack, was kept busy all afternoon serving drinks and snacks to the thirsty crowds.

"All the profits will be going to Ethiopia," said Mr Brearly, "and I'm very proud to do my bit."

"It was a grand day," said band member Seth Armstrong, who played the triangle. "I reckon everyone enjoyed it."

Nice.

And, on another positive note (perhaps), the Beckindale Players were planning their next venture:

BECKINDALE PLAYERS SEARCH FOR A TOAD

The Beckindale Players have announced this year's Pantomime Production is to be Toad Of Toad Hall. Rehearsals are due to start in the village hall soon.

Anyone interested in taking part should contact the Rev Donald Hinton on Beckindale 6347. All the villagers are looking forward to what should be another splendid production from the Beckindale Players.

Do you recognise the faces behind the masks?

New Beckindale Bugle Header Poll

2010-04-09T22:48:00.003+01:00

We've just designed a new header for the Bugle - we hope you like it! Before making a final decision on whether it's to be permanently "out with the old, in with the new" we'd like your opinions, so if you have a preference between old (above) and new, eyes right to our poll and let us have your vote!

Matt And Dolly Skilbeck - The End Part 2

2010-04-07T23:02:00.016+01:00

Matt and Dolly Skilbeck (Frederick Pyne and Jean Rogers), 1989 - their marriage was in its death throes.

When Matt received the letter from Dolly's solicitor regarding their divorce, he tore round to the mill house. Dolly was divorcing him on grounds which made him look totally responsible for the breakdown of their marriage. He had deserted the marital bed, but there was no mention as to why...

Dolly pointed out that Matt had agreed she should divorce him when they'd discussed the matter some months previously. It was all just words anyway. Things would be easier this way.

Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier) was deeply disturbed by the break-up. In her day, marriage was forever. Dolly pointed out that Annie had endured years of misery with Jacob. Annie stated firmly that Matt wasn't Jacob.

But it was no use.

The Crossgill fire in 1988, the destruction of the new home she'd hoped to share with Matt and Sam, had changed something within Dolly. She had been happy with her home at Emmerdale Farm, absolutely thrilled when she and Matt had moved into the extension cottage in late 1982.

But the idea of having a home away from the farm, somewhere for just herself, her husband and child, had entranced Dolly. When it was suddenly and dramatically snatched away from them, she was left feeling isolated - Matt was happy to go on living at Emmerdale Farm. He didn't seem to understand her sense of loss.

And then Stephen Fuller had come along...

And now Stephen was dead, but Dolly's feelings towards him had damaged her marriage. Matt couldn't forgive her. And Dolly felt that maybe it was a good thing. She felt that her marriage to Matt was over.

And she must move forward.

Matt rather bitterly told Dolly that he hoped Sam would forgive her when she came to tell him how their marriage had broken up. Dolly replied that she would be as kind as she could be to both of them when the time came.

"I still love you, Dolly," Matt said.

But Dolly didn't want to hear that. She still had feelings for Matt, but her conviction that it was time to move on was absolute.

Left alone in the extension cottage at Emmerdale Farm, Matt felt lost.

Annie spoke to him, telling him that in her day marriage was forever, if a marriage broke-up, the couple felt that they were letting everyone down.

Matt replied that divorce might be technically easier in the 1980s, but it didn't hurt any the less.

And then, out of the blue, Frank Tate (Norman Bowler), new owner of Home Farm, came up with an offer for Matt that rocked him on his heels. Frank had been both annoyed and impressed when Matt had stuck his oar in regarding the sorry state of some sheep which were being transported by Tate Haulage.

Frank resented Matt's interference, but the man was obviously a dedicated shepherd - his reputation in Beckindale was second to none.

So, via Frank, came the idea that Matt that should relocate and take up a new job on a large sheep farm in Norfolk. Matt was uncertain.

But Frank unsettled him, telling him that farming was on the move - Emmerdale Farm probably had another decade left at the most.

With Joe and Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby and Frazer Hines) bickering again, Matt realised that if he moved to Norfolk Jack could move back to Emmerdale from Demdyke Row, without being around Joe too much.

Jack could have the extension cottage.

Dolly was shocked by the suddenness of Matt's decision. She'd been worrying about him, and called to see how he was.

She'd never envisaged that Matt would leave Beckindale.

The thought of him going hurt her, even though she no longer wished to be married to him.

But she felt it would be a good move for Matt. He would be moving forward with his life too.

"You do right, love," she said, warmly.

And so came the day of parting.

Annie had come to regard Matt as family.

As had her father, Sam (Toke Townley).

When Dolly's Aunt Jessie had arrived for the christening of young Sam in 1983, and was wondering who the baby resembled, Sam senior had said: "He's got my nose!"

"You're no relation, Dad!" Annie reminded him.

"I keep forgetting!" said Sam.

Annie was well aware that she and Matt weren't flesh and blood relations.

But there was a strong family bond between them nonetheless.

Matt asked Annie to look out for Dolly and Sam junior.

"May God go with you," Annie said at the moment of parting.

And then, as Matt walked through the door for the very last time, Annie wept.

Frederick Pyne's last appearance as Matt Skilbeck was in episode 1410, broadcast on 7 December 1989.

More About The Beckindale Police House....

2010-04-07T13:48:00.016+01:00

Where was it?

Sarah asks:

You say "near the Woolpack," but can you tell me exactly where the Beckindale police station was in Esholt in the 80's?

Yes, Sarah - it fronted what was in reality Main Street, Esholt, and was on the opposite side of Pullan Lane corner from The Woolpack and the buildings adjoining it. The Beckindale bus stop was just outside it. The building used can be seen on Google Maps.

Mrs Bates (Diana Davies) calls at the Beckindale police house/station in 1984, when her dog, Bundle, is shot for worrying sheep. Sergeant Ian MacArthur (Martin Dale) advises her.

Amos Brearly - The Marrying Kind?

2010-04-07T02:56:00.002+01:00

Amos Brearly (Ronald Magill) - marriage plans in 1988.

Sheila writes:

Much is made of Amos's proposal of marriage to Annie Sugden - purely for business reasons - in 1972. But was Amos ever romantically involved with a woman during the 1980s?

Yes, Sheila, he was. In October 1988, Amos came close to marrying old acquaintance Gloria Pinfold (Hope Johnstone). A personable woman, she dominated the blustering landlord and caused Henry Wilks great distress when she moved into The Woolpack and threw out the sausages and bacon because of their high cholesterol content. She also criticised Henry's book keeping.

Amos told Henry he was going to marry Gloria.

Henry would have to leave The Woolpack.

It looked like the days of one of Beckindale's best-loved duos were numbered, until Gloria called off the engagement and went off with someone else.

Primrose Dingle - Related To The Dingle Family?

2010-04-05T20:49:00.002+01:00

In the 1980s, long before the Dingle family, Henry Wilks sometimes sought a little peace and quiet at Primrose Dingle.

Peter asks:

I remember Mr Wilks defending a local beauty spot called "Primrose Dingle" in the 1980s - NY Estates were dumping builders' rubbish there. Was the "Dingle" name anything to do with the Dingle family?

No, Peter. "Primrose Dingle" was Mr Wilks' own name for this beauty spot in the 1980s which passed into common usage in Beckindale - and the Dingle family hadn't been invented then!

So, what is a "dingle" and where does the surname come from?

This unusual surname is of early medieval English origin, and is either a topographical name for a dweller by or in the dingle, or a locational name from a place called Dingle in Lancashire, both deriving from the Middle English "dingle" meaning a dingle, a deep dell or hollow. The placename is recorded as "Dingyll" in the Assize Rolls of 1246. There is a district of Liverpool called Dingle also. The surname dates back to the mid 13th Century (see below) and early recordings include William Dingel (1273) in the Hundred Rolls of Huntingdonshire, Hugh de la Dingle (1275) in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, and John ate Dyngle (1299) in the Studies on Middle English Local Surnames, from Worcestershire.

Read it all here - http://www.surnamedb.com/surname.aspx?name=Dingle

The Dolly Skilbeck Change Over...

2010-04-04T21:05:00.005+01:00

From the Yorkshire Evening Post's 1985 supplement, celebrating 1000 episodes of Emmerdale Farm.

An enquiry regarding our recent post about Jean Rogers taking over the role of Dolly Skilbeck from Katharine Barker in April 1980:

If Katherine's Dolly hadn't been seen since the previous summer, how was Dolly's absence explained?

In July 1979 Dolly, then played by Katharine Barker, announced she was pregnant.

Katharine Barker then left the role.

ITV disappeared from our screens during the strike of August to October.

Emmerdale Farm returned to our screens in January 1980. In the story-line, Dolly had apparently been rushed into hospital just after the New Year 1980 celebrations and was not featured on-screen at all.

In off-screen story-line drama, Dolly lost her baby, and spent some time in a convalescent home before returning to Beckindale in April 1980, with Jean Rogers in the role.

The Beckindale Police House

2010-04-04T00:30:00.006+01:00

Paul writes to ask:

Observing some '80's Emmerdale eps, I've noticed a cottage with a hanging sign reading "Police" near the Woolpack. Was it part of the plot, or actually Esholt Police Station?

Part of the plot, Paul. As can be seen in the pics at the top of this post, the sign was erected by the Emmerdale Farm production staff whenever outside filming took place in that particular location.

Beckindale had its own police station - or police house - in the 1980s, as you say, near The Woolpack. From December 1980 onwards, Sergeant Ian MacArthur (Martin Dale) was the man at the helm.

Jean Rogers - 30 Years Since Emmerdale Farm Debut As Dolly Skilbeck...

2010-04-02T13:29:00.003+01:00

A newspaper article about the changing face of Dolly Skilbeck from March 1980.

1 April 2010 was the thirtieth anniversary of actress Jean Rogers making her screen debut as Dolly Skilbeck of Emmerdale Farm. Jean took over the role from Katharine Barker, who hadn't been seen on-screen since the previous summer.

Of course, bedding down into a role originally played by somebody else is never easy, but Jean soon made the character of Dolly her very own - and we here at The Bugle remember her fondly.

Matt (Frederick Pyne), Dolly (Jean Rogers), young Sam (Benjamin Whitehead) and Joe (Frazer Hines) in a scene from 1986.

Jean Rogers became Dolly Skilbeck on 1 April 1980 (allow for a few days' regional variations in ITV's schedules!). It was very rare for a member of the Sugden family circle to be recast, and the Skilbecks were very much part of that circle, but in 1980 producer Anne W Gibbons took the bull by the horns, recasting both Jack Sugden - Clive Hornby took on the role last played by Andrew Burt a few years previously - and Dolly, when actress Katharine Barker left the show.

Interviewed in 1983, Jean Rogers recalled:

"I was recruited to take over the Dolly Skilbeck part from actress Katharine Barker. We looked alike, of course, and it was important that the continuity of character be maintained for as long as possible.

"But that posed a major problem: was I playing the part of Dolly, or the part of Katharine playing Dolly?

"I knew I wouldn't be able to sustain a double-role indefinitely, so I slowly eased Katharine's presence out of the role and established my own identity.

"It was a long, slow task - but after a couple of years I finally received a letter from a viewer who said I was doing OK, and that no-one could now recall what the first Dolly Skilbeck was like."

1980s Emmerdale: No Spectacular Stunts Or Disasters...

2010-03-20T15:31:00.007Z

James has written:

All due respect to Emmerdale in the 1980s, but don't you think a livelier approach may have paid dividends? OK, watching Mr Wilks and Mrs Bates was fun at times, but one of the show's greatest claims to fame these days is its spectacular disasters. Don't you think that a few of those might have livened up the '80s show? Surely the show could have benefited from being a bit racier?

Hmmm... well, I don't agree, James.

Emmerdale Farm/Emmerdale changed tremendously in the 1980s. The number of scenes per episode was increased, new characters and performers came in, the show became grittier and rather more graphic (the 1986 fight between Matt Skilbeck and Harry Mowlam was horribly realistic), and it did become racier: we saw Jackie Merrick pulling up his pyjama trousers after apparently having just had sex with his girlfriend on the parlour sofa at Emmerdale Farm; Sandie Merrick moved in with married man Phil Pearce; Jack Sugden had an affair with Hotten Market auctioneer Karen Moore - complete with hotel bedroom scenes; married man Pete Whiteley's affair with teenager Rachel Hughes rocked the village; and the Skilbecks divorced after Dolly's dalliance with Steven Fuller.

I think that the show was making an effort to move with the times - but the portrayal was still of a quiet, English village - and the scenes with Amos, Mr Wilks, Mrs Bates, Alan Turner, Annie Sugden, etc, were hugely important to the show's setting and atmosphere - and, I think, immensely enjoyable!

The show also entered highly controversial and topical waters in 1987 with its nuclear dump story-line.

As for spectacular stunts, it's true Emmerdale in the 1980s was bereft of them. The Crossgill fire story-line of 1988 was expensive and complicated to produce at the time, but nothing compared to the plane crash, storm, explosions, fires and house collapse of more recent years.

But in the 1980s the technology now used to affordably produce spectacular disasters on-screen in a soap was either non-existence or in its infancy and expensive.

Also, our expectations of the show were different. I liked Amos and Jackie grumbling away from episode to episode and an occasional bit of high drama. For me it was in the 1980s that the show struck the perfect balance between dramatic and everyday story-lines.

I'd be interested to know what readers think!

Terence And Mary Turner

2010-03-07T22:22:00.001Z

Stephen Marchant briefly appeared as Terence Turner in the mid-1980s.

Ken asks:

I hear the ages of Alan Turner's children were altered to fit into more recent plots. Do you know how old they were originally?

Alan Turner refers to Terence being eighteen and Mary being seventeen in 1983. Terence was studying, Mary was into pop music and "bizarre clothes".

Newcomers Of 1980...

2010-02-16T23:44:00.007Z

Al Dixon made his debut as Walter in episode 597 on 2 September 1980.

"Jack Sugden" has written again:

Great blog! I've read that 1980 was a year of change for Emmerdale, with lots of new characters. Who were they?

Well, "Jack", I've written about this topic elsewhere on the blog, but in a nutshell...

I'm sure you already know about the first newcomer - 1980 saw the arrival of Clive Hornby as Jack Sugden (19 February) - a new head and rather different personality on old shoulders, Jean Rogers as Dolly Skilbeck (1 April) - ditto.

The Tolly family - Enoch (Neil McCarthy), Grace (Margaret Stallard), Naomi (Jenny Tomasin) and Hannah (Rachel Ambler) - made its debut. The Tollys appeared in one story-line in 1980, another in 1981 (when Enoch died) and finally Grace appeared briefly in 1982, before leaving Beckindale for good.

Carl Rigg first appeared as new NY Estates Beckindale manager Richard Anstey in February.

Stan Richards as Seth Armstrong become a full-time regular character and cast member in the summer of 1980.

Pam St Clement (Pat of EastEnders) passed briefly through the show, appearing in five episodes as a Mrs Eckersley in March 1980. Mrs E had a husband, Harold (Roger Hammond), and a daughter, Esmarelda (Debbie Farrington).

The Merrick family were recast and slightly rewritten as Pat Merrick (Helen Weir), her son, Jackie (Ian Sharrock) and daughter, Sandie (Jane Hutcheson), arrived. Pat had briefly visited Beckindale in July, before bringing her family to live there in September. Differing from the Merricks of old, Pat had a new first name (the character was originally called Ruth - in 1982, we discovered this was Pat's middle name) and was minus one child. Just before Christmas, a new Tom Merrick (Edward Peel), glowering with hostility, arrived.

On 2 September 1980, Al Dixon first appeared as wonderful Walter of The Woolpack.

We started to meet the NY Estates workforce as John Tuplin (Malcolm Raeburn) and Daniel Hawkins (Alan Starkey) made their debuts in October.

Trouble brews amongst the NY Estates workers...

Ann Way made her first appearance as Amos Brearly's awful Aunt Emily and Hazel Bainbridge played Henry Wilks' cousin Alice in November.

Martin Dale made his debut as Police Sergeant Ian MacArthur in December.

Bowing out of Beckindale in 1980 was Maurice Westrop (Edward Dentith) - who left on 29 May - and his daughter, Judy (Jane Cussons) - who made her final appearance in the show on 17 July.

1989: Kim Tate Arrives...

2010-02-15T02:15:00.020Z

Seth Armstrong (Stan Richards) was, of course, always a kindly, helpful soul. On meeting a newcomer to the village on horseback one day in December 1989, he noted the "posh" way she spoke, noted she was a stranger to the area, noted she was seeking directions to Home Farm, and decided to have some fun.

The newcomer on horseback was Mrs Kim Tate (Claire King), wife of the new owner of Home Farm, Frank Tate (Norman Bowler). Mrs Tate had set out from Skipdale on a bet with step-daughter, Zoe (Leah Bracknell). The two would both try and reach their new home at Home Farm on horseback, and who ever won the bet would get a quid.

Seth described a very circuitous route to Home Farm, all up hill and down dale...

He was laughing about his trick to Bill Whiteley (Teddy Turner) later in The Woolpack, reckoning that Mrs Tate would probably be halfway to Harrogate by now, when a voice from just behind him stated firmly: "Oh no I'm not!"

And there was Kim, on her first but certainly not last visit to The Woolpack Inn.

Kim was not amused by Seth's mischief. Her horse was exhausted by its hard ride over the surrounding countryside.

Mine host Amos Brearly (Ronald Magill) had discovered he had bats in the attic in 1980. In 1989, he had bats in the belfry. Who else but '80s Amos could have dreamt up the idea of turning Dracula into a pantomime? And who else could write such dialogue as: "Fee fo fi fum, me thinks I'll drink the blood of an Englishman" for Dracula to say?

Taking a break from his epic work, Amos emerged into the bar to discover Henry Wilks (Arthur Pentelow) and Dolly Skilbeck (Jean Rogers) hard at work, and a strange woman standing on the public side of the bar with Seth and Bill. And not only that but a strange woman who had left a horse on his forecourt. Horses were not allowed on The Woolpack forecourt!

"Mr Wilks - fetch the shovel!" yelped Amos, hurrying outside.

Henry ushered Kim outside, where Amos let her have it - both barrels - she must remove the horse forthwith!

"Horses are not allowed on Woolpack property under any circumstances whatsoever!"

Zoe had caught up with Kim, and the two women rode off together.

Henry then informed Amos that these woman were two members of the new family at Home Farm.

Amos was horrified. He wanted to keep in well with the local "gentry" - and besides that he'd already met Frank Tate and he was financing Dracula!

"Ladies! Ladies!" whined Amos, but it was too late - Kim and Zoe continued on their way.

Kim's next port of call was Emmerdale Farm, where she tethered her horse in the farmyard and knocked at the farmhouse door. Giving barely a few seconds for her knock to be answered, she set off to search for the farm owner.

A moment later, Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier) emerged and was surprised to find no sign of a visitor, but a horse in the yard...

Kim came across Joe Sugden (Frazer Hines) at work in an outbuilding.

"Excuse me, can you tell me where I can find the owner?"

"Who's asking?"

"Is anybody round here capable of answering a simple question?" Kim was getting annoyed.

"Tell you what, let's start again, eh?" said Joe.

Kim explained to Joe that her horse was exhausted, and that she was trying to get to Home Farm. Had Joe got a horse box?

No, replied Joe, but he could get one.

Thank goodness!" said Kim.

As Joe loaded the horse into the horse box, Annie re-emerged from the farmhouse.

"Were you the person who thumped on my door?"

"I knocked, yes, but there was nobody in," said Kim.

"Well there was actually," Annie was slightly cold. She told Kim that she had been working at the top of the house. "And when I got to the kitchen door, all I could see was a horse. Huh!"

And Annie went indoors again, clearly unimpressed.

This was Emmerdale episode 1411, broadcast on 12 December 1989.

And Kim's introduction to Beckindale.

The 1980s were coming to an end. But before the decade died, newcomers were arriving in Beckindale who would ensure life would never be the same again.

Nick Bates In Glasses...

2010-02-14T23:18:00.004Z

Nick Bates (Cy Chadwick) in The Woolpack in 1989 with Seth Armstrong (Stan Richards) and Jock MacDonald (Drew Dawson), and at an interview for the job of gardener at Home Farm - also in 1989.

Further to Chris' enquiry about Nick Bates (Cy Chadwick) wearing glasses in 1990 episodes of Emmerdale, I have checked all the episodes, beginning in March 1990 (when Nick was already wearing glasses) and working backwards.

The first appearance of the character wearing glasses dates back to 1989 - episode 1412, broadcast on 14 December.

I have skimmed through the episodes, looking at all scenes involving Nick and also his sister, Kathy Merrick (Malandra Burrows), and have found no reference in the dialogue to Nick's glasses at all.

It seems likely that actor Cy Chadwick was wearing glasses at the time, and that's why Nick suddenly wore them as well.

Actually, it's been good to focus on Nick for a while. The character was very ordinary and believable, but Cy Chadwick's portrayal never seemed dull.

E-Mail Enquiry: Nick's '90s Glasses...

2010-02-12T18:24:00.003Z

Nick Bates (Cy Chadwick) had a mullet when he first appeared in Beckindale in 1985. In 1990, he had glasses (briefly)...

I've had an e-mail enquiry from Chris which strays off my 1980s territory a little and into the early 1990s:

I wonder if you could explain something rather strange I have come across on youtube. I came across a trailer for Emmerdale from 1990 ( I know it's not the 80's, but 1990 has always been a 'transition' period for me. The 90's didnt start until 1991 for me!). The first clip of the trailer is Kathy and Nick Bates sat outside the woolpack talking. Now you might think this is normal. It was until I noticed that Nick was WEARING GLASSES! and they seem to be the exact ones that Archie Brooks had started wearing in late 1991/ Early 1992.

Do you know why this was? Do yuo know how many episodes they portrayed Nick has having 'Bad Eyesight'? Nick certianly didnt have problems with his eyes in the 80s and certianly not after 1990 and until he went to prison. I never did see Emmerdale In 1990 (missed the repeated episodes on Granada plus). Any Light shed on this would be appreciated

If anybody can help Chris discover the facts behind Nick's '90s glasses, please contact me here via either e-mail or comments, and I'll pass the message on. I'm going to check the episodes I have from 1990 in the meantime.

E-Mails...

2010-02-12T13:16:00.006Z

A couple of outstanding e-mail enquiries - sorry it's taken me so long to reply...

Firstly, "Jack Sugden" asks:

Was Eric Pollard nice in the 1980s? Somehow I always remember the Emmerdale characters back then being nice!

I think the expression on Eric's face in the 1989 screen cap above answers that question, Jack!

Short answer is "No"!

Sara says:

Was it very sad when Matt left in December 1989?

Yes, it was. He told Dolly he still loved her. Annie said "God go with you," and broke down at their final parting. One of the saddest scenes for me was Matt standing alone in the living room of the extension cottage at Emmerdale Farm. He and Dolly had lived in the place since its creation in 1982.

I was so sorry to see Matt go.

What's Happened To The Beckindale Bugle?

2010-02-12T13:00:00.004Z

Rushed off his feet? Amos Brearly (Ronald Magill) serves Sandie Merrick (Jane Hutcheson) in 1986. Mr Wilks (Arthur Pentelow) dithers over the till.

I've had several enquiries about the lack of recent updates to The Bugle. Sorry about that! I did explain in previous posts that things were very busy here at the moment. Now, the dust is beginning to settle and I hope to start posting again in a few weeks.

We will, of course, return to the December 1989 saga of the last days of Matt and Dolly.

Competition Winner...

2010-02-01T12:42:00.004Z

Congratulations to "Pronto" who has won our Beckindale Bugle competition.

Your prize, a signed 1980s pic of Ronald Magill as Amos Brearly, is already to send to you, and, as Amos and Mr Wilks went together like eggs and bacon, I'm also throwing in a signed pic of Arthur Pentelow, who played Amos' loyal friend. Of course, Henry Wilks was, in fact, a friend to many in Beckindale.

So, Pronto, send me your address details [to actual80s@btinternet.com], and the pics will be in the post.

We had over sixty entries for the competition.

Thanks to all those that took part - and to those who supplied some witty comments - much appreciated!

The answer was Ross Kemp, Grant Mitchell in EastEnders from 1990 onwards, Graham Lodsworth, son of Dolly Skilbeck, in Emmerdale Farm from late 1986 to early 1987.

E-Mails - Woolpack Walter (1980-1985), Mrs Eckersley (1980) And Matt And Dolly (1989)

2010-01-12T23:36:00.006Z

Cheers, Walter! Al Dixon as The Woolpack's Silent One in 1984.

A few e-mails and comments to answer about our blog dedicated to the '80s down Beckindale way...

Bryan asks:

When will you be featuring more Walter?

Soon, Bryan. I love Walter!

CJ writes:

Brilliant stuff about Mrs Eckersley (Pam St Clement) and her Emmerdale debut in 1980. Can you feature her storylines, please?

As I wrote before, CJ, Pam St Clement appeared in Emmerdale Farm from episode 561 to episode 565 in March 1980, just five episodes, so there is only one story-line about her. She did the cooking at Emmerdale Farm whilst Annie was away in Ireland. Her husband and daughter were also briefly featured. I'll write it all up in detail at some point.

And finally Cerys says:

Please - when will you continue the saga of Matt, Dolly and the early days of Emmerdale in 1989?

Soon, Cerys - as I explained, things are a bit busy here at the moment. Hopefully in February things will be more settled and the '89 saga will resume.

Finally, thanks for the entries for the Amos signed pic competition. The winner will be announced on 31 January.

Signed Pics Of Pam St Clement As Mrs Eckersley?

2010-01-01T17:56:00.004Z

Ross has written to ask:

Are there any signed photographs of Pam St Clement as Mrs Eckersley in 1980?

Afraid not, Ross - the character only appeared in five episodes in total - the first, episode 0561, broadcast on 10 March 1980, and the last, episode 0565, on 25 March 1980.

Competition: Future Stars Of EastEnders In '80s Emmerdale... Pam St Clement As Mrs Eckersley (1980) And...

2010-01-01T17:14:00.010Z

Mrs Eckersley arrives at Emmerdale Farm in March 1980...

The last blog post has given me an idea for a competition. We know that Pam St Clement (now Pat Evans of EastEnders) appeared in five episodes of Emmerdale Farm in March 1980 as Mrs Eckersley, but what other future EastEnders star cut his/her soap teeth in 1980s Emmerdale Farm?

Send your answer and name/nickname via the comments section, and I'll put all the names into a hat (or bucket) on 31 January and the first one drawn out by my own fair hand will win a signed, colour photograph of Ronald Magill as Amos Brearly from the 1980s.

What could be simpler?

Go on, have a go!

Dolly Skilbeck and Norfolk - Information Received...

2009-12-28T23:57:00.006Z

We strayed out of the 1980s and into 1991 recently to pose the question: "Why did Dolly Skilbeck move to Norfolk?" It was known in 1991 that Jean Rogers, who had played Dolly since 1980, was unhappy about one of her final story-lines - Dolly having an abortion after an affair with the thoroughly unpleasant Charlie Aindow. Dolly had started work at the Beckindale playgroup in 1980 after a miscarriage, had been blessed with the birth of a healthy son, Sam, in 1982, and then suffered a further miscarriage in 1986. As Jean Rogers pointed out, it was well known that Dolly loved children and the idea of her having an abortion seemed totally out of character.

Why did Dolly move to Norfolk, we asked? Was it to be reconciled with husband Matt, who had gone there in December 1989? Several kind people have contributed their thoughts, and now Tim writes to say:

Dolly was tired and distressed after her affair with Charlie and her abortion. The story was highly unsatisfactory, I felt the abortion was something Dolly would not do, it was simply a trendy story the producer wanted to cover and Dolly was the character it was pinned to.

Dolly left the village to take Sam to live near his father and to get totally away from Beckindale. I don't think there was any suggestion of her and Matt getting together again as a couple. Didn't they part on bad terms?

No, Tim, in December 1989, just before he left Beckindale, Matt told Dolly he still loved her.

I don't think there is a conclusion to the Matt and Dolly story - well, at least not a conclusion that has ever been mentioned on screen! Thanks for writing.

December 1989 - Matt tells Dolly he still loves her. Jean Rogers, who debuted as Dolly in April 1980, and Frederick Pyne, who appeared in the very first episode, made Matt and Dolly an excellent advertisement for marriage for most of the 1980s. Then, 1988 arrived...

What Alan Turner Wants For Christmas!

2009-12-21T01:34:00.007Z

We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Sorry posts are slow at The Bugle at the moment. There are important things to attend to behind the scenes which mean that posting will remain sluggish throughout January and possibly into February. But rest assured our 1989 retrospective will continue!

At the top of this post are a couple of piccies of the glorious Alan Turner (Richard Thorp), who made his Emmerdale Farm debut in episode 0723, broadcast in March 1982. On the right, he can be seen with his wonderful secretary Mrs Bates (Diana Davies) - teaching her the gentle art of bowls. Of course, she was much better at the game than he was!

Alan was a truly groundbreaking Emmerdale character. All the permanent characters before 1982 were nice - some even lovable - and, although none of them were saints, they all had the best interests of the community at heart.

Alan Turner, quite frankly, couldn't give a damn, as long as his own nest was feathered. He blustered, bullied, and drank his way into Beckindale's bad books.

Of course, Alan was never a straightforward JR Ewing type baddie - although the popular press of the 1980s liked to label him as such. The character had a deeply lonely and unhappy side to his nature, along with a strong desire to be liked. As time went on, Alan's occasional thoughtful acts, and Richard Thorp's twinkling benevolence, helped to mould Beckindale's first full-time Mr Nasty into a fascinating and multi-faceted character - certainly not all bad, but no fully paid up Mr Nice Guy either!

Below is a doodle drawn by Richard Thorp for charity a few years ago - "A Happy Alan Turner at Christmas".

I wonder if he ate the whole Christmas pudding?!

Bless him!

Back soon.

xxx

Emmerdale - 1989 Festivities...

2009-12-16T10:25:00.001Z

Just discovered on YouTube - a small glimpse of Christmas 1989 in Beckindale.

Why Did Dolly Skilbeck Move To Norfolk?

2009-12-10T10:44:00.002Z

In 1991, Dolly Skilbeck left Beckindale with her son, Sam, bound for Norfolk, where her ex-husband Matt was living.

Does anybody know WHY Norfolk? Was Dolly seeking a reconciliation with Matt?

I've been asking the question elsewhere for a few days, and so far the most popular answer received is that Dolly simply decided that Sam would benefit from living closer to his father - although nobody is absolutely certain.

If anybody knows the answer for sure, I'd be very chuffed indeed!

1989: Matt And Dolly Skilbeck - The End - Part 1

2009-12-07T17:22:00.004Z

It was in November 1989 that Dolly Skilbeck (Jean Rogers) took some news to her estranged husband, Matt (Frederick Pyne). She didn't come straight out with it. The conversation began with the thorny subject of the Skilbecks' current financial arrangements - or lack of them.

Their bank account was £185 overdrawn, and as Dolly pointed out, usually it was never overdrawn. Matt began to go through the statement, questioning Dolly about a couple of withdrawals. What had she been spending the money on?

"I've got to live!" cried Dolly. "I still can't get anything out of our building society account, remember?"

"I'll have it put in joint names - you know you only have to ask!"

"I don't want to have to ask - it's our money!"

"What's this sudden interest in money? I mean, what's this gone on?" Matt indicated the bank statement withdrawals again.

"Matt - it's Christmas!"

"That's weeks off!"

"Yeah, but it's still got to be sorted out - and as usual, it's left to me! What have you done?"

"I've been busy," Matt sighed.

"Well don't you think you should've? I mean, what do you expect me to do - give presents and cards from 'Dolly, Matt and Sam'?"

"Some of us've got other things to think about!"

"Oh, so you won't be buying your own son a Christmas present?"

"Of course I will!"

"And what about Sandie and Louise, what about Kathy, what about everybody?"

"I'm not bothered about anyone else! Sam'll get what he wants from me, I'll 'ave 'im up 'ere for Christmas and..."

Dolly was furious: "Oh no you won't!"

"Oh yes I will - this is where he belongs! You can mess me about Sunday afternoons and any other time, but not at Christmas - Sam comes here!"

"No, no - the Mill's his home now, not Emmerdale!"

"And where do I fit in with that?"

"Where do I fit in with your arrangements for Christmas? Right then, me and Sam'll spend Christmas together."

"We'll 'ave to see about that!" And Matt shrugged on his coat and made to go out.

"Matt! I wanna divorce! I want it all sorted, I've 'ad enough!" said Dolly

Matt paused, startled: "Why've you changed your mind? I offered you a divorce months ago - didn't seem to me it'd make any difference, and I thought you felt the same!"

"But it's gone on too long. I'm sure you want something sorted out after all this time - think about Sam!"

"What about him?"

"If we had a proper settlement you could see him at set times - you'd know where you were and so would I. We wouldn't have these arguments. We could start to lead our own separate lives. Not like this - with everything in a complete mess!"

"Well, I'll have to give it some thought - but for now I've got work to do!" Matt left the cottage.

Dolly pursued him outside and round to the front of the Emmerdale farmhouse: "Matt! Matt- listen!"

"I've said I'll give it some thought, not NOW not HERE!"

Dolly dropped a bombshell. "I've already seen the solicitor."

Matt was rocked on his heels: "You've done WHAT?!"

"I've seen the solicitor and I'm going to divorce you, Matt - like you suggested. You don't have to do anything - all right? It's all set up. Solicitor's working on it now. He'll be writing to you..."

"That's instead of a Christmas card, is it?" said Matt, bitterly.

"We couldn't go on the way we are. He'll write to you in a week or two."

Matt was devastated and moved away quickly. Dolly, greatly distressed, got into her car and left the farm...

To Be Continued...

Longest Running Location - Home Farm - But Not From The Very Beginning!

2009-12-02T12:12:00.005Z

Home Farm - as seen in the 1989 Emmerdale opening credits.

Mark writes:

I've just read on the Web that Home Farm is the only original location in Emmerdale, used right from the start. But I can't see it on my 1972 Emmerdale Farm DVD!

The original locations were Lindley Farm (Emmerdale Farm) and the village of Arncliffe (Beckindale), Mark. The use of Creskeld Hall, originally as the ancestral home of the Verney family, does date back to the '70s, but it was not featured in the first series in 1972.

E-Mails... Thanks For The Memory, And More About Kim Tate...

2009-11-28T00:43:00.004Z

Justin writes:

What a memory you have! The whole history of Emmerdale crammed into your little grey cells!

Actually, Justin, my power of recall is lousy! My absolute favourite era of Emmerdale Farm was from 1980-1987, and although I enjoyed 1972-1979 and 1988-1990, I couldn't tell you much about what happened. And I have no interest in telly soaps of the 1990s or today. My ultra-reliable knowledge of the 1980s episodes of Emmerdale Farm/Emmerdale is simply down to the fact that I have most of them on DVD, taped from the satellite repeats years ago!

Christine says:

I'm so glad Kim Tate won your poll - definitely one of the most important Emmerdale character introductions of all time. I'm enjoying these "visits" to 1989, but what is coming across so far is that life was a lot slower in Emmerdale (or rather Beckindale) then. I'd forgotten how wordy it all was. Lovely to relive the memories.

Thanks, Christine. More to come. Next up is the final breakdown of the marriage of Matt and Dolly Skilbeck...

1989 Emmerdale - The Story-Lines - How The New Era Began...

2009-11-27T22:31:00.011Z

Emmerdale - the new era...

The scene is Main Street, Beckindale, November, 1989. Sarah Connolly (Madeleine Howard) has arrived with the mobile library. She greets a passer-by.

Henry Wilks (Arthur Pentelow) calls to her from the front step at The Woolpack, where he is bringing in the milk, mail and morning paper:

"Morning, Miss Connolly!"

"Mr Wilks!" says Sarah.

"Bit nippy!" says Henry.

"Certainly is!" says Sarah.

Inside The Woolpack, Henry tells Amos Brearly (Ronald Magill) that Sarah is back from her training course. Amos is agog and asks if Henry can take over the tidying up behind the bar.

"You can't wait to tell her that Jack's back - and fancy free!" Henry teases.

"As a matter of fact I was looking forward to asking her how she enjoyed Winchester!" says Amos, offended. "But as Jack's a friend of hers..."

Amos feels it would be "polite" to tell her. Henry tells him that Marian and Jack have got their own lives to lead now - he isn't telling Sarah that Jack is back in circulation. His attention is distracted as he sorts through the morning mail by a letter from Capri - from Marian. He goes to the back room to read it.

Nosey Amos is torn between following Henry and discovering what the letter says, and going out to the mobile library to impart the glad tidings about Jack's return to Sarah. The mobile library wins, and he scurries out of The Woolpack.

At Emmerdale Farm, Annie (Sheila Mercier) tells Jack (Clive Hornby) that she can't get over how Robert (Christopher Smith) has grown. "It's all that pasta!" grins Jack.

Annie goes to get Robert some orange squash, asking Jack if he's staying for dinner as she does so.

"No, I don't think so, Ma," says Jack. "I've got to go to the airport!"

"What?!" Annie is puzzled.

"Don't panic - I haven't changed my mind - I'm having some stuff air freighted over - just a few bits and pieces."

Annie asks if he wants to store the "bits and pieces" at the farm. Jack says yes.

"Does that mean you'll be moving in with them?" asks Annie.

"Oh, we're fine at the moment, with Kathy!"

"You've been there long enough!" says Annie. "Isn't it time you decided?"

"I haven't decided anything, Ma," Jack replies.

Annie tells Jack it's time he made some plans - he can't just "drift along" like this.

"That sounds like a good plan to me!" says Jack.

"Oh, Jack!" Annie is exasperated.

"You've got to live for the present, Ma," says Jack. "It's much less complicated."

"Is that so?!" Annie challenges him. "What's your plan for the present, then?"

"To see Joe, I s'pose," grins Jack. "I've got to scrounge something to drive to the airport, haven't I?"

At the mobile library, Sarah is aware that Amos is hovering, having already selected some reading matter. "Do you want another book, Mr Brearly?"

"Nay, nay - just browsing!" says Amos. "This'll do me." He steps forward: "I don't suppose it'll be news to you as a certain member of the community's back in Beckindale."

"Sorry?" Sarah is puzzled.

"I thought you'd have heard - him being a good friend of yours!"

"A friend of mine?"

"Jack Sugden's back!"

Sarah is slightly rocked on her heels, but does her best to conceal the fact from Amos.

"Oh. Is he?" She turns her back on Amos, and begins replacing returned books in the shelves.

"Aye, you could've knocked me over with a feather!" squawks Amos. "There we were, all expecting him and Marian and little Niccolo, then he came back on his own!"

"Well, Jack was always one for surprises!" says Sarah, keeping her tone cool.

"This were a surprise - a big surprise!" cries Amos. "I thought he might've phoned you!"

"Me? Oh, I don't think so. It's probably just a business thing - a holiday perhaps."

"Nay, nay!" says Amos. "It's all over between him and Marian. He's back for good!"

Sarah manages to keep her calm exterior, finally asking: "Are you sure you don't want another book, Mr Brearly?"

Amos leaves. Sarah lets her mask slip. The news of Jack's return has left her feeling more emotionally churned up than she would ever reveal to Amos.

At Emmerdale Farm, 1980 is casting a long shadow into November 1989. In February 1980, Jack had returned to Beckindale. Joe had been uneasy at his brother's return, but the once-in-a-lifetime offer to join Ed Hathersage in America for the summer had provided a welcome respite from the challenge of working with Jack. Joe, the pragmatist, found Jack's idealism hard to handle when it came to farming.

Returning to England later in 1980, Joe had been offered a job as farm manager at NY Estates, and so had bowed out of active work at Emmerdale Farm, although he remained on the board of the limited company.

The thing was, Joe had felt that his position as farm manager at Emmerdale Farm had been ended by Jack's return, and as the years went on Joe came to feel that Jack had as good as thrown him off the farm. When Jack took off on his travels again in 1988, Joe had stepped into the breach at Emmerdale Farm.

And now, here Jack was back again.

Would the next few months turn out to be a re-run of 1980, with Jack taking over the farm and Joe being left feeling pushed out?

Kate (Sally Knyvette) is anxious about Joe and asks Kathy (Malandra Burrows) about the past situation regarding Jack and Joe:

"He pushed him out of Emmerdale before."

"Before my time," says Kathy, who arrived in Beckindale in 1985.

"Joe is really convinced that he's lying low plotting something terrible - he's really winding himself up about it."

"Oh, I don't think Jack knows what he wants to do - he just seems relieved to be out of Italy."

"I just wish he'd make up his mind - for my sake at least!" says Kate.

"I don't think Joe's got anything to worry about, you know."

"I just wish that Jack'd tell Joe what he wants to do!"

Jack and Joe Sugden (Frazer Hines) and Matt Skilbeck (Frederick Pyne) are out, selecting sheep to go to market.

"What about this one?" asks Joe.

"Yeah, let her go - she should've gone last year," says Matt.

"Never - there's life in her yet - give her another chance!" Jack grins, teasingly.

"Give over - she's well past it!" says Matt.

"Might get another chance on an Italian farm, but not on this one!" says Joe.

"Aye, I'd forgotten about the profit in pie meat!" taunts Jack. "Still, it saves all that messing, don't it? Straight down to market and a few more bob in your pocket! I dunno! New beef herd, milk production up, even a smart new kitchen. Who says farmers are starving?!"

"Is there owt we can get you?" asks Joe, stung.

"Aye, you can lend me the Land Rover!" says Jack.

"What for?"

"Well, I'll hire it if you like! Just some stuff I've got to collect from the airport!"

"Yeah, it's there - the keys are in it!" said Joe, indicating the Land Rover.

"It's not going to stop production, or anything? I mean I don't want to upset the accountant!" sneers Jack.

"Just take it, will you?" Joe is sick of his brother's "banter".

"Are we gonna get this lot sorted for market, or aren't we?" cries Matt.

"You heard the man - time is money!" says Jack, and leaves them to it.

"What's on for lunch today, Mr Brearly?" asks Sarah Connolly, back at the mobile library.

"My own meat and tatie pie!" says Amos, rather proudly.

"Save some for me!" smiles Sarah.

At Hotten Market, Matt has made a grim discovery, in the back of a truck carrying sheep.

"Have you seen the state of this lot in here - have a look!" he tells Joe.

"They're a bit tightly packed!" says Joe.

"There's one of 'em dead - and three of 'em off their legs!" says Matt.

"Well, it happens," says Joe.

"Yeah, with cowboy firms, not Tate's!" says Matt.

"Yeah, well I'll get our heifers ready," says Joe.

"Have you had a look in here lately?" Matt asks the truck driver.

"Why, what's up pal?" says the driver.

"Is something wrong?" asks a young man, approaching - closely followed by Eric Pollard (Christopher Chittell).

"Yes, there is summat wrong - the condition of these ewes in here! There's one dead and some of 'em are down!"

"Dead?!" cries the young man who is Christopher Tate (Peter Amory), although Matt doesn't know it. Christopher takes a peek in the back of the truck. "Some of 'em are getting on - he's held on to them too long. Still, we're off-loading them now."

"You're not letting 'em through in this state, are you?" Matt asks Eric.

"The paperwork is in order, Mr Skilbeck," says Eric.

"They'll be in the abattoir by tonight - I'll see to it that farm gets a good ticking off!" says Christopher.

Matt insists that he wants the vet to be brought out. Eric insists that the paperwork is "A-OK". Christopher says he takes Matt's point - but it's just a bad bunch. Matt accuses them of "market hopping" - nobody else will take the sheep in that state, so they bring them to Hotten.

"This really is none of your business!" says Eric.

"It's my business if I see stock being ill treated!" cries Matt, and insists that he wants the vet to come out.

Christopher asks the truck driver to unload the ewes.

"We'll see about that!" says Matt.

"Ah, Miss Connolly! Meat and tatie pie?" asks Amos, as Sarah enters The Woolpack.

"Please, and a glass of dry white wine please, Mr Brearly," says Sarah.

"Coming right up!" Amos notices that Sarah looks around as the door opens to admit a regular. "Expecting anyone?" he asks, nosily.

"No," says Sarah, with a knowing smile.

Caught out being beaky, Amos is uncomfortable: "Oh I just... well, I thought you might want your pie savin', like."

"I'll have it now, thank you!" smiles Sarah.

Back at Hotten Market, Matt drives the Emmerdale Land Rover into place so that it blocks the back of the Tate & Son truck carrying the mistreated ewes.

"Surely we can talk this over amicably, Matt?" asks Eric Pollard.

"If you won't call the vet out, I will!" Matt is adamant.

"I'm going to ring the vet now!" Matt tells Christopher Tate. "Until he gets here, that truck and that stock goes nowhere!"

At The Woolpack, Sarah has been joined by Kate and Kathy and they are discussing Archie Brooks (Tony Pitts) and his choice of reading matter from the mobile library.

"What sort of books did he like?" asks Kate.

"Spy thrillers," says Sarah.

"What, Archie?!" laughs Kathy.

"He said the only reason was to see the degradation of capitalist society as it wages a futile cold war," says Sarah.

"I'm really gonna miss Archie!" says Kate.

Kate goes to the bar for more drinks.

"Why didn't you tell me Jack was back?" Sarah asks Kathy, faintly prickly.

"Didn't you know?" Kathy is surprised.

"Why should I?" asks Sarah.

"Well... I thought he'd've phoned..."

"Our friend Mr Brearly told me," says Sarah. "He's staying with you, I believe?"

"Yeah..."

"I suppose he's making your life a misery, is he? Now it's all over with Marian."

"He seems happy it is."

Sarah is taken aback: "Oh."

"Perhaps I should tell him you were asking after him?"

"Well, that's up to you. Just make sure he realises I don't want him arriving on my front doorstep at midnight, looking for a bed for the night."

"Now, would Jack do that?" Kathy smiles.

"You know damn well he'd try it!"

"Why don't you tell him yourself? Look, come round for a meal tonight."

Sarah refuses, but invites Kathy to hers for a meal instead.

"Should I invite Jack, too?" Kathy asks, impishly.

"Don't you dare!" says Sarah.

Back at Hotten Market, the vet has arrived and the ewes are being unloaded from the truck.

"I hope you're staisfied!" says Eric Pollard to Matt.

"It had to be done - and you should've brought him out, not me!" says an unrepentant Matt.

"I wish you hadn't, Mr Skilbeck!" says Christopher Tate. "This'll cause the firm a lot of hassle getting these back to their owner for tonight!"

"Yeah, well you shouldn't've taken them in that condition!" Matt insists.

"The man's an old customer - we had to!"

"Yeah, better than being threatened with prosecution by the vet!" cries Matt. "You'd better get on with it!"

"Any time I can do you a favour, Mr Skilbeck!" says Christopher, sarcastically.

At Emmerdale Farm, Jack arrives back from the airport and asks if Joe will lend him a hand with his stuff.

"Everything all right?" asks Annie, emerging from the farmhouse.

"They've lost one of my boxes at the airport - I'll have to go back tomorrow!" says Jack.

"Oh no!"

"That's Italians, Ma - they muck up all your plans!" says Jack, making a dig at Paolo, Marian's husband.

At The Woolpack, Amos is in agony, wondering what was in Henry's letter from Marian. The letter is on the dining table, and Amos is itching to read it, in fact right on the verge, when Henry comes in, announcing that he's "nipping up to Emmerdale."

"Right you are, Mr Wilks. Everything all right over in Capri, is it?"

Henry scoops up the letter and goes to put his coat on. "Aye."

"Gracie Field's used to live there, tha knows, married a German chap. Enjoyin' the holiday, is she?"

"Who? Gracie Fields?"

"Marian!"

"Seems to be!"

"Children all right?"

"Yes, fine, fine."

"Bearing up, is she?"

"She's very well, thank you," Henry was giving nothing away. "See you later!"

And he left behind an Amos who wasn't only nosey - he was also very concerned.

Joe helps Jack to move some of his stuff from the airport into Emmerdale. Jack still seems in a teasing mood; Joe is still anxious. How did Joe enjoy France, Jack asks him - Joe spent from 1983 to 1986 there working for NY Estates. Joe says that he liked it, and asks Jack if he's thinking of going abroad again. No, says Jack, he's quite happy for the time being staying at Demdyke Row with Kathy.

As Joe, slightly reassured, goes to leave the kitchen, Jack can't resist saying: "I don't suppose you're desperate for any extra rent?"

"I think I can manage without, for the time being!" says Joe, stiffly.

Jack grins: "Good!"

In Eric Pollard's office at Hotten Market, Christopher Tate is on the phone. He can't return the ewes, but arranges to "get shot of them" in Belgium. The vet won't know where they've gone. Christopher asks Eric to let him know if he sees Matt Skilbeck "hanging about". "I've enough hassle without him interfering."

"Busy?" asks Eric.

"I'm run off my feet, yes."

"Not seen much of Frank lately. What's he up to?"

"This and that," says Christopher, guardedly.

"Must be six months since I last saw him at The Foresters."

"Oh, he's gone upmarket since then," says Christopher, mysteriously. "See yer!"

Back at Emmerdale, Annie invites Jack and Robert to stay to tea. Jack refuses - Kathy'll be preparing something, he says.

"You've been back a week, you've not had a meal here yet!" says Annie.

Henry arrives. He tells Jack that the letter he received from Marian that morning states that Jack abandoned her.

"Henry!" says Annie. "You know he wouldn't do that!"

"Wouldn't he?" asks Henry.

"I never abandoned her, Henry!" Jack grins - finding the notion absurd.

"Well, that's what she's saying," replies Henry. "Says she's been dropped by an impatient, irresponsible man, who can't face up to any kind of responsibility."

"Well, she's entitled to her opinion, but she's wrong. She's had her chances, plenty of 'em," says Jack.

"Two sides to every story, Jack," replies Henry, grimly.

"Well if that's the way she sees it, perhaps it's best it never worked out." Jack and Robert leave.

"That was uncalled for, Henry!" says Annie.

Henry is grim-faced. "Maybe Marian's right - I've just been talking to Joe. He [Jack] hasn't given him an inkling of what his plans are, nothing!"

"Well, maybe he's too upset over Marian to make any?" Annie suggests.

"I can't see that. Back a week and he's forgotten her. I'm sorry, Annie, but it's been building up since I got this thing," he indicates the letter. "I really thought they were going to make a go of it, I really did!"

At Demdyke Row, Jack returns with Robert.

Kathy says she'll put the tea on, but Jack says he'll cook - he hasn't done a thing since he turned up!

"Um, I hope you don't mind, Jack, but I've been invited out for a meal," says Kathy. And, remembering Jackie, "Don't worry - it's not with a man!"

"Even if it was, luv, life goes on..." Jack smiles.

"What's the mystery? Who's invited you out?"

"Aha, that'd be telling wouldn't it?"

"Are you sure it isn't Tubby Turner?"

Kathy laughs: "No!"

She refuses to tell Jack the identity of her dinner hostess.

At the farm, Annie, Henry, Joe, Kate and Annie are discussing Jack.

"Well, you remember what he was like at Jackie's funeral - he was snapping at everybody. He can't be over it yet," says Kate.

"The end of things with Marian can't've helped," sighs Annie.

"Oh, it's all excuses," Joe cries. "He gets away with murder!"

"He's had a bad time!" Annie insists.

"Now that annoys me - it really does! I mean, he comes and goes as he likes, without a thought to anyone. I mean, why won't he tell us what he's planning?"

"You've just got to give him time, Joe," says Henry.

"We haven't got time, Henry! Good God, you're a businessman, you know how tough it gets, year-by-year! I daren't make a move on this farm for fear of Jack messing it all up! We're better off without him!"

"This is his home," Annie cries. "Would you push him out of his own home?"

"He really should let us know though, Annie, I mean it's not fair to keep Joe on a string like this," says Kate.

"We'll manage as we are for the moment. He'll be back soon enough," Annie is firm.

"If he does come back, he'll just mess things up!" Joe is bitter.

"Why are you so against him?"

"I'm not! It's just... look, I'm concerned about this place. How can Emmerdale survive with me pulling one way and Jack t'other, eh?"

"You're equal partners in the farm - you have to!" Henry points out.

"You don't work here. And you don't work with Jack! Besides, things are different now, Henry - I'm not the batchelor brother any more. I mean, why do you think I eventually gave in over Home Farm, eh? Because I could see a place here for me - and I've got a family of my own now, remember. And a baby on the way if I'm lucky. No, it just won't work!"

"It has to work, he's your brother," says Annie, grimly.

Jack was also under discussion at Sarah Connolly's flat.

"He's so contrary," sighs Sarah. "One minute he'll turn up on my doorstep and stay over, presuming I'll go along with everything he wants. The next minute, he's forgotten I exist.

"Do you want him to ring?" asks Kathy.

"I don't care whether he rings or not!" says Sarah - not entirely convincingly.

"Do you really mean that?"

"Last time, I told him that if ever things didn't work out with Marian he could call me. It's been a week, so..." Sarah shrugs.

"Well, you could always ring him."

"Look, can we talk about something else?" asks Sarah.

At Demdyke Row, Jack has just got Robert off to bed, when Seth Armstrong (Stan Richards) arrives.

"I've told Meg about this, but will she listen? Will she 'eck!"

"Come in!" grins Jack.

"Begged 'er, I went on my bended knees. I were as near cryin' as a man could be. And what did she come back with?"

"Well, that might depend on what you said to her in the first place!"

"You'd be wrong thinkin' that, Jack! I told her straight! I said, 'Kathy might be our neighbour, Meg, but I'm not spending rest of my life poppin' in and out of 'er 'ouse, tryin' to borrow stuff!' It were a pair of tights last week. I were astonished that Meg could get into 'em!"

Seth has told Meg the borrowing must stop, but in the meantime he wonders if Jack can lend him some butter? "She'll murder me if I don't get any!"

Seth tells Jack that if there's anything he can do in return - Jack only needs to ask. Jack takes the wind out of Seth's sails by asking him to babysit that night - "just for an hour".

Seth is not in love with the idea. But what can he do?

Back at Sarah's flat, Sarah asks Kathy how's she getting on.

Kathy says she's enjoying working at the farm, and having Jack staying at Demdyke Row: "He's so like Jackie."

"That man again!" smiles Sarah.

The phone rings, and Kathy, rather uncomfortable, listens to Sarah arranging to meet someone called Jerry the following night.

At The Woolpack, Jack and Amos are chatting.

"Seth? Seth Armstrong?! Babysitting?!!" Amos is taken aback at the news.

"Is there some problem with that?" asks Jack.

"Nay," says Amos.

"Well, that's all right then!" laughs Jack.

"Well, I am speakin' as Robert's godfather, tha knows. And if lad wakes and cries out in't night... well... Seth's mouth is most frightening - all them gums. Some of us are used to it, of course, but I'd not like little lad to 'ave nightmares!"

Jack laughs again.

Amos tells Jack that Robert needs a mother, and starts on about Sarah Connolly - he likes her.

"Yes, I'm fond of Sarah too, Amos - but we wouldn't want to cross too many bridges too soon, would we?"

"Wouldn't we?" asks Amos, disappointed.

"Well, we wouldn't want to frighten her off with indiscreet hints every time she walked in here."

Taking this particular hint, Amos changes the subject: "Lot of weather we've been having lately, Jack."

Up at the farm, the discussion about Jack has stretched on well into the evening.

"Oh, for the last time, Ma, I can't work this farm with Jack!" cries Joe.

"That's why we've got to sit down and talk and get this thing sorted out!"

"Your Ma's right, Joe," says Henry.

Kate intervenes: "Oh, come on, Joe - he's been back for days and you've hardly spoken to him. Look, have you ever thought that he might be frightened of announcing that he wants to come back?"

"Jack? Frightened? No! He's causing the maximum amount of aggro by sitting tight at Demdyke! What do they call it, Henry - divide and rule?"

"Now that is ridiculous!" says Henry.

Kate returns to the arena: "You've got to talk - the pair of you!"

"Ah, yeah!" Joe isn't buying. "Anything to accommodate Jack! That's how he's been throughout the years, luv! Work round Jack - make sure Jack's all right. That's why we've got five equal shares in this place - some idealistic scheme that he dreamt up! Well, it's farming by committee, Henry, and you can't do it! I mean how can we get a secure policy for this place when we're running a farm like that, eh?"

"That's why we've got to talk!" Annie insists.

"Oh, what's the point, Ma? He'll be against us making a commercial go of this place, you know that! He'll do it to spite me!"

"What do you suggest?" asks Henry.

"Well... I think we ought to think about splitting up!"

"Joe!" Annie is aghast.

"I don't want to do it, Ma, but if Emmerdale is to survive, I think that's what we ought to do. And if it means me buying Jack out, then I'll do it!"

A stunned silence descends...

More from 1989 Emmerdale soon...

Was Kim Tate "Unbelievably Nice" In The 1980s?

2009-11-27T20:56:00.002Z

An e-mail from Sarah, who has been reading on an Emmerdale chat board that Kim Tate was "unbelievably nice" in the 1980s.

Was she? asks Sarah.

Well, firstly, Kim Tate didn't make her screen debut until late 1989 (she won our recent poll for '80s character introductions) so she didn't have much chance to be anything in the 1980s. But no, she wasn't "unbelievably nice" at all - she immediately outwitted Seth Armstrong and was seen to be quite a direct and self-possessed personality - although a million miles away from the Alexis Carrington-style character of the 1990s.

Phillip says: "I'm so glad that Kim won your 1980s poll - it's fitting that the English Alexis should have made her soap debut in the decade of big hair and shoulder pads. Can you put some pictures and stories of her in 1989 up here?"

We'll be taking a look at Kim's debut very soon, Phillip.

Poll Result - Kim Tate Rules, OK?!

2009-11-27T12:51:00.005Z

Thanks to everybody who voted in our recent "'80s Introductions" poll - in which we set out to assess the popularity of new characters, recasts and permanent incomers in Emmerdale Farm/Emmerdale in the 1980s.

The results are as follows...

Helen Weir as Pat Merrick, Edward Peel as Tom Merrick, Carl Rigg as Richard Anstey, Jim Millea as Pete Whiteley, Glenda McKay as Rachel Hughes, Craig McKay as Mark Hughes and Drew Dawson as Jock MacDonald all receiving one vote each.

Two votes each for Jane Hutcheson as Sandie Merrick, Martin Dale as police sergeant Ian MacArthur, Peter Amory as Chris Tate, Sally Knyvette as Kate Hughes and Madeleine Howard as Sarah Connolly.

Receiving three votes each are Peter Schofield as Ernie Shuttleworth, Norman Bowler as Frank Tate and Teddy Turner as Bill Whiteley.

Four votes go to Fionnuala Ellwood as Lynn Whiteley.

On five votes - wonderful Walter, played by Al Dixon, Ian Sharrock as turbulent teen Jackie Merrick and Cy Chadwick as nice Nick Bates.

Seven votes go to Leah Bracknell as Zoe Tate.

Jean Rogers as the dependable and much-loved Dolly Skilbeck and Malandra Burrows as tragic Kathy Bates both score eight.

Stan Richards as Seth Armstrong, a permanent character from 1980 onwards, scores nine, as does Clive Hornby's Jack Sugden, a 1980 newcomer.

A bit of a surprise this, but I was glad to see Tony Pitts as Archie Brooks scoring so highly with ten votes, and joined by the brilliant Mrs Bates, who also scored 10 votes.

Almost neck-and-neck, we find Richard Thorp as Alan Turner on thirteen and Christopher Chittell as Eric Pollard on fourteen.

And the winner is...

KIM TATE

... on seventeen votes!

Why aren't I surprised?!

Thanks to everybody who voted - one-hundred-and-fifty votes in all - and took a little time to remember and rate those who arrived in Beckindale during the 1980s.

More polls next year.

Judy Westrop

2009-11-13T03:20:00.004Z

Judy Westrop (Jane Cussons).

Paul is preparing an all-time Emmerdale cast list for a school project, and has written to ask how long the character Judy Westrop was in the show? He also requests some screen caps.

Judy arrived in Beckindale as a troubled young woman in June 1979, Paul. She was around for a few episodes before the show took a seasonal break in July, and then came the dark days of the ITV Strike.

Because of the strike, Emmerdale Farm was off-screen until January 1980.

Jane Cussons returned to the show after the strike, and Judy Westrop finally left Beckindale in July 1980.

1989: Beginning The Emmerdale Era...

2009-11-12T22:18:00.012Z

Settling back to watch the first episode of the Emmerdale-minus-Farm era on 14 November, 1989, change was immediately upon us. The timeless Tony Hatch theme tune was still in place, but the accompanying visuals were very different.

The previous opening titles had been retro and lovely at the time of their introduction in 1975. As Emmerdale Farm's creator Kevin Laffan, interviewed in 1982, said - the aim was to get us to feel that Beckindale was the sort of place we wanted to live in - an escape from the grimness of modern day city living. There was a glorious Cider With Rosie feel to those titles, which endured until November 1989 and the final episode of Emmerdale Farm.

By the "go for it!" late 1980s, many of us city dwellers had a little money to spare to "live the dream" and escapes to the country were a reality. The 1989 opening titles reflected the increase in leisure pursuits in the countryside, and also featured Beckindale locations.

Many of us thought that the house featured in silhouette with the sun sinking behind it in the 1975-1989 opening titles was Emmerdale Farm. But a closer inspection reveals this was not so. I'm not sure where the location actually was, but it certainly wasn't Lindley Farm, the real-life location of Emmerdale Farm exterior scenes.

The 1989 titles went mainly for bright sunlight and featured Creskeld Hall (Home Farm), The Commercial Inn at Esholt (The Woolpack), and, finally, the cows coming home to Lindley Farm (Emmerdale Farm).

There was hang-gliding, ploughing, harvesting, a milk tanker going over a bridge, horse riding, sheep deeping... and some glorious sunshine. A wonderful advertisement for one of England's most beautiful counties.

Scrolling text had been employed for the end credits just before the end of the Emmerdale Farm era, and was used again for early Emmerdale - the end view this time being of the back of the farmhouse.

Of course, the Emmerdale Farm era had not been stagnant - tremendous changes had taken place in the show during the 1980s when the whole pace and tempo was altered. This was particularly noticeable during Richard Handford's era as producer, from 1983-1986, when the number of scenes per episode was increased.

The show had not been without its share of controversial drama, finally prompting Kevin Laffan, who had argued repeatedly against scenes of sex and violence over the years, to stop writing for it.

During the 1980s, Emmerdale Farm became an all-year-round soap, and was first networked - shown at the same time and on the same day across the country.

Original characters had evolved, some had been recast - and also, in the case of Jack Sugden, slightly rewritten - and new permanent characters had arrived by the ton.

But if the Emmerdale Farm era of the 1980s had seen many changes, the Emmerdale era of 1989-2009 has seen far more.

So, how did the new era dawn?

Well, we found ourselves in Main Street, Beckindale, as the opening titles faded...

The mobile library had arrived.

Sarah Connolly (Madeleine Howard) exchanged greetings with a passer-by, and then...

"Morning, Miss Connolly!" called Henry Wilks (Arthur Pentelow), getting in the milk, post and newspaper across the road at The Woolpack.

"Mr Wilks!" acknowledged Sarah.

"Bit nippy!" said Henry.

"Certainly is!" said Sarah.

Back inside the pub, Henry found Amos Brearly (Ronald Magill) bustling about behind the bar, tidying up...

More soon!

1989: From Emmerdale Farm To Emmerdale...

2009-11-12T04:05:00.008Z

You'll be saying "FANGS for the memories," as we take you back, back, BACK to the golden days of 1989 for a long hard look at the transition of Emmerdale Farm to Emmerdale. It was a whole new era in the farming saga, and it sure was good. With Dolly Skilbeck (Jean Rogers) serving behind the bar at The Woolpack, alongside Amos (Ronald Magill) and Mr Wilks (Arthur Pentelow), could it possibly be anything else?

Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier) was dependably at her Aga, but Eric Pollard (Christopher Chittell) was plotting away elsewhere, and life in Beckindale was definitely not as peaceful as it once had been.

And who were the new people moving into Home Farm?

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Emmerdale Farm becoming Emmerdale on 14 November, 1989, we'll be remembering all that was worth remembering - from the new opening titles and closing credits, to Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby) getting a job in the local chippy, and Pete Whiteley (Jim Millea) getting a darned good thrashing.

You'll be singing "FANGS ain't what they used to be," if you stick with us here at The Bugle.

We begin our 1989 features tomorrow.

Twenty Years Of Emmerdale...

2009-11-10T00:56:00.005Z

Emmerdale, November 1989: Chris Tate (Peter Amory) pays his first visit to The Woolpack, and meets Amos Brearly (Ronald Magill). Young Mr Tate needs to use the public phone at the pub...

Chris: "I've got one of those cell phone things in the car, but it's playing up."

Amos (dourly): "So much for modern communications..."

Emmerdale lost "Farm" from its title on 14 November, 1989 - episode 1403 - as the show sought to broaden its appeal further.

Other changes were soon sending shock waves through Beckindale - not least the arrival of the Tate family at Home Farm.

We'll be taking a look at some of the first story-lines of the new Emmerdale era - from November and December 1989 - over the next couple of months.

Who was seeking a divorce?

Who was the love-lorn mobile librarian?

Who dressed as Aphrodite for the New Year's Eve party?

And who got a load of baked beans poured over them?

More soon...

The Emmerdale Cast Of 1988

2009-10-20T14:13:00.003+01:00

Here's a nice shot of the cast of Emmerdale Farm outside The Woolpack in 1988.

They were (left to right, beginning with the back rows):

Seth Armstrong (Stan Richards), Phil Pearce (Peter Alexander), Reverend Donald Hinton (Hugh Manning), Amos Brearly (Ronald Magill), Sandie Merrick (Jane Hutcheson), Henry Wilks (Arthur Pentelow), Nick Bates (Cy Chadwick), Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby), Joe Sugden (Frazer Hines), Alan Turner (Richard Thorp), Archie Brooks (Tony Pitts), Mrs Bates (Diana Davies), Jackie Merrick (Ian Sharrock).

Seated:

Matt Skilbeck (Frederick Pyne), Dolly Skilbeck (Jean Rogers), Sam Skilbeck (Benjamin Whitehead), Robert Sugden (Christopher Smith), Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier), Kathy Merrick (Malandra Burrows).

Emmerdale Farm: 1980 Was Slightly Delayed...

2009-10-20T02:47:00.008+01:00

The path out of the grim 1970s into the turbulent 1980s was not easy for Emmerdale Farm. Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier) bridged the gap with a voice-over.

Beginning the 1980s was not exactly straightforward for Emmerdale Farm.

The ITV strike of 1979 had disrupted episode broadcasts and recordings. The show had last aired on 5 July 1979 (Emmerdale Farm was not shown all year round in those days) and several episodes for the next 1979 season, due to begin around early September, were in preparation, when the strike knocked ITV off our screens.

The strike severely disrupted Emmerdale Farm, and the show was off-air until the 8th, 9th or 10th of January 1980 (depending on which ITV region you viewed it in!).

The publicity blurb for the first 1980 episode revealed the ITV regions' differing schedules:

FULL ITV NETWORK (except STV/WTV/CHA) Tuesday, JANUARY 8, 1980.

STV Wednesday, JANUARY 9, 1980

WTV/CHA Thursday, January 10, 1980 } times vary

The production team was able to adapt, complete and use six episodes originally intended for the 1979 late summer/early autumn season to begin 1980.

The problem was that story-lines and exterior scenes clearly reflected the fact that it was summer. And the production team could not pretend that the late summer-themed shows intended for 1979 were actually set in the winter of 1980.

So, a little ingenuity was needed.

At the start of the January 1980 season, Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier) introduced the first episode in a voice-over, reflecting on the events of the previous summer, and over the next few weeks we saw six episodes which filled us in on some of the Beckindale events of 1979 that we'd missed courtesy of the ITV strike.

The synopsis for that first episode shown in 1980 read:

It's winter at Emmerdale, but Annie finds herself thinking back to last Summer. It was a busy time at the farm with new land to work and prospects looked bright for the Sugdens. But there was a shock in store for all of them - especially Matt.

On 29 January 1980, the Emmerdale Farm story-line suddenly moved into 1980, with Annie, again in voice-over, informing us of relevant events of the missing months.

The synopsis for the first episode actually set in 1980 read:

It is winter at Emmerdale and Sam Pearson is causing disruption with his renewed interest in wine making. But N.Y Estates shepherd Jesse Gillin discovers another kind of disruption - and it's a threat to the whole landscape of Beckindale.

All-in-all, the "what we did last summer" strand worked very well indeed, cheering up most of January 1980 (Emmerdale Farm closely reflected the seasons and winter episodes could seem grim), filling us in on some missed stories, and giving the production team time to work on fresh episodes for the new decade.

Emmerdale 1989: Annie Sugden Goes Dancing, Amos Brearly Gets Into Crop Circles, Alan Turner Becomes Nick Kamen And Rachel Hughes Plays With Fire...

2009-10-19T01:14:00.004+01:00

Here we take the time tunnel back to 1989 - a highly dramatic year which saw, amongst other things, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the invention of the World Wide Web, which would bring computers into all our lives in the 1990s.

Below are some extracts from an Emmerdale Farm script - episode 1390, broadcast on 28 September 1989. My copy of the script was used by actor Martin Dale, Police Sergeant Ian MacArthur in the show from 1980 to 1994.

At Emmerdale Farm, Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier) enjoys a mug of cocoa with Eddie Hughes (Geoffrey Banks), father of Annie's daughter-in-law, Kate (Sally Knyvette):

SC. 2. INT. FARM PARLOUR. NIGHT. 3.

TIME: 22.15 EDDIE AND ANNIE ON THE SOFA WITH COCOA.

ANNIE: Are you sure you didn't mind leaving the dance early?

EDDIE: No, no. Once they start into the Latin American I've had it anyway. How's your knees?

ANNIE: Better than they deserve to be. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed dancing. You're very good, Eddie.

EDDIE: Aye, I know. Used to go down the Conservative Club.

ANNIE: (TEASING) And what's a good steelworker doing down the Conservative Club, may I ask?

EDDIE: (GRIN) Using the dance floor. It were a good one. (BEAT) You should come and try it.

ANNIE: Sorry?

EDDIE: Come and stay for a weekend, and I'll take you dancing again. They'll not miss you for a day or two.

ANNIE: (GENTLE) Thanks, Eddie, but I don't think so. If you don't mind.

EDDIE: As long as you don't mind me asking.

ANNIE: I'm very flattered.

EDDIE: So you should be. I've not asked a lass back for a weekend since before the war. She said no as well. (BEAT) It's quiet here, isn't it? Where is everybody?

ANNIE: Still down at the pub, I imagine. They always have a bit of a celebration come harvest home.

At The Woolpack Inn, Amos Brearly (Ronald Magill) ponders a mystery, whilst Mr Wilks exhibits signs of jealousy...

SC. 4. INT. WOOLPACK BAR. NIGHT. 3.

TIME: 23.15

AMOS AND WILKS CLOSING AND CLEARING UP.

AMOS: I don't understand it, Mr Wilks. One minute it's standing room and mind your backs, next minute it's like the Marie Celeste. What's going on?

WILKS: (DISINTERESTED) No idea.

AMOS: It's that beer. First thing in the morning I'm writing a strong letter to the brewery.

WILKS: You do that.

AMOS: Joe, Matt. (BEAT) Jock and Bill. I mean usually I have to take the yard-broom to 'em. Even Annie and her Eddie only stayed -

WILKS: He is not her Eddie, he's - he's a visitor. She only left because she'd promised to go to some daft dance with him.

AMOS: Yes, I know, I'm sorry.

WILKS: Sorry? No need to say sorry to me, Amos. No skin off my nose.

AMOS: No, but -

WILKS: The person that should be saying sorry is that Eddie. Dragging her off like that. She's not the dancing sort. Too polite for her own good.

With Denis Rigg dead and the harvest at Home Farm unharvested, locals move to bring it in. When Annie Sugden finds out, she is furious and wastes no time in giving her family a tongue lashing. Matt Skilbeck (Frederick Pyne) is one of those on the receiving end:

ANNIE: Well? What have you got to say for yourselves?

KATE: Sorry, I'm not with you.

ANNIE: Oh yes you are, my girl. You're part of this family now, and what goes for them goes for you too.

JOE: Now hang on a minute -

ANNIE: You be quiet! I'm ashamed of the lot of you!

MATT: But what have we done?

Annie: (BEAT) Taken me for a fool for a start. D'you seriously think I've not heard the talk of the Home Farm wheat? And d'you seriously think when I hear the machinery coming into the yard at midnight I can't put two and two together? Did you get permission?

JOE: Hardly.

ANNIE: Then it's theft. Plain and simple.

JOE: It's not a simple theft at all, Ma, it's... it's - getting a harvest in! We haven't thoight about what to do with it yet.

ANNIE: (CYNICAL) Oh aye?

KATE: Nobody's been told to harvest. Have you forgotten the damage Rigg and his lot did to us? That was worse than theft!

ANNIE: (NOT QUITE SO CERTAIN) Two wrongs don't make a right and never did!

JOE: They owe us, Ma.

MATT: It'll rot where it stands if we don't get it in.

ANNIE: What d'you mean it WILL rot? Have you not finished?

JOE: (BEAT) Not quite.

Matt (LOW) You're not going to tell us to leave it, are you Ma?

ON ANNIE MAKING A DIFFICULT DECISION.

CUT TO...

Teenager Rachel Hughes (Glenda McKay) and married man Pete Whiteley (Jim Millea) are beginning an ill-fated love affair...

PETE: I am glad you came over.

RACHEL: Are you?

PETE: Yes.

RACHEL: Didn't have much choice really.

PETE: What d'you mean?

RACHEL: Just what I say. I don't seem to be in control any more. When you whistle I come running.

PETE: It's the same for me.

RACHEL: (SHAKES HEAD, SMILES) I don't think it is.

PETE: Alright, I don't run. I drive. I sit outside schools.

RACHEL: How did you know I'd come out?

PETE: (SHRUGS) I didn't. I just had to chance it.

RACHEL: (STATEMENT, NOT QUESTION) It's not just a one night stand, is it.

PETE: Doesn't look like it.

RACHEL: (WHISPER) Good. (BEAT) It's funny. Specially being here. Sometimes I hate Lynn.

PETE: Why?

RACHEL: I don't know. Straight jealousy, I suppose. She's got you and I haven't. I keep wanting to tell her what a good thing she's got.

PETE LOOKS ALARMED.

RACHEL: Don't worry, I won't. (LAUGH) It's pathetic, really, isn't it! Not rocking the boat 'cause you know you'll be the first one overboard if you do.

Amos - seen in our picture with Walter (Al Dixon) in 1985 - thinks that aliens are visiting Beckindale as crop circles hit the 1989 headlines and a field at Home Farm. He gets Mr Winstanley, an enthusiast from a local university, to come and have a look at them. Accompanied by Bill Whiteley (Teddy Turner) they make their way to the Home Farm field:

TIME: 13.30

AMOS, WHITELEY AND WINSTANLEY ARE WALKING TOWARDS THE FIELD. THEY DO NOT SEE AT FIRST THAT IT IS NOW HARVESTED.

WHITELEY: T'others have been taking the mickey out of Amos - reckoning it were space ships or some such twaddle.

AMOS: (QUICKLY) What ignorant folk say, Bill Whiteley, is of no interest to intelligentsia. Mr Winstanley here'll soon be able to make up his own mind. (HE TAKES OUT A NOTEBOOK) I measured them, you know. They were twenty one foot precisely... or as precisely as I could measure not having a measure with me, but happen you'll have one of those... and they were... (SMILES) Well, you can see for yourself.

THEY GO THROUGH A GATE/OVER A STYLE AND ARRIVE AT FIELD.

ALL THREE STARE AT A FIELD OF STUBBLE. AMOS GOBSMACKED.

AMOS: Heck.

WINSTANLEY RAISES HIS EYEBROWS QUIZZICALLY. AMOS SCURRIES INTO THE FIELD.

AMOS: Honestly, Mr Winstanley. This was the centre of one, (PACING, GESTICULATING) and... and it reached over to about here... and there was another one just that way... and a third one over there... (HE LOOKS HOPEFULLY AT WINSTANLEY, BUT THERE IS NO RESPONSE). You know, like I said, in a sort of triangle. (HE LOOKS DOWN) Look, look, if you come here you can still see where some of the stubble's bent over.

WHITELEY: That's 'cause you've stood on it.

CUT TO...

Nick Kamen thrilled the girlies by stripping off his jeans in the famous ad of the mid-1980s. Emmerdale had its own version of this scenario in 1989, as Mrs Bates (Diana Davies) returned to the house in Beckindale she shared with Alan Turner, unexpectedly bringing her mother, Alice (Olivia Jardith). Thanks to Seth Armstrong (Stan Richards), Alan had got landed with doing some (literally) dirty work for a change and he arrived home, tired and unkempt.

TIME 16.03

TURNER STANDS IN THE KITCHEN, PUTTING KETTLE ON, TAKING SOCKS AND SHOES OFF, FOLLOWED BY SHIRT AND TROUSERS, WHICH HE BUNDLES INTO WASHING MACHINE IN THE MANNER OF THE "LEVI 501" AD. IT IS NOT A PRETTY SIGHT. AS HE IS REMOVING HIS TROUSERS, ALICE PASSES THE DOORWAY, AND GASPS IN UNDERSTANDABLE SURPRISE. TURNER JUMPS OUT OF HIS SKIN AND PULLS TROUSERS UP AGAIN.

TURNER: Who the devil are you?

CUT TO...

Other events of the episode...

Amos discovered that Mr Winstanley, the man he believed was a university professor interested in crop circles, was actually a university caretaker; Eric Pollard (Christopher Chittell) got wind of the harvesting going on at Home Farm and began to make comments; Joe wanted Kate to have a baby. They talked and Kate confessed that she was finding it hard to give up her independence and that although she was happy to be married to Joe, she also felt invaded...

1980 Emmerdale: Pam St Clement As Mrs Eckersley...

2009-10-18T02:47:00.000+01:00

Josh writes:

I'm a huge fan of Pat in EastEnders, and I've heard that Pam St Clement was briefly in Emmerdale in the 80's. Do you know anything about this? She played a woman called Eckersley.

Yes, Josh - Pam St Clement played Mrs Eckersley in Emmerdale Farm, making her debut in episode 561, broadcast in March 1980. She was in the show for five episodes.

Mrs Eckersley was a Beckindale local, and was called into help at Emmerdale Farm when Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier) and her father, Sam Pearson (Toke Townley), went on a competition-won holiday to Ireland.

She was a capable woman, well able to step into Annie's shoes.

Mrs Eckersley's family consisted of her husband, Harold (Roger Hammond), and teenage daughter, Esmarelda (Debbie Farrington). Esmarelda had written a book and was distressed when her manuscript was rejected by the publishers she'd sent it to.

The newly returned (and recast) Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby), himself a published author, helped Esmarelda through her disappointment.

Locals though they were, once this story-line was complete, the Eckersleys were never seen or heard of in the show again - quite common in those days!

1984: The Shooting Of Bundle...

2009-10-17T00:36:00.003+01:00

When Caroline Bates (Diana Davies) brought her Golden Labrador bitch, Bundle, into work at NY Estates one day in April 1984, she assured Alan Turner (Richard Thorp) that it was a temporary measure. The Bates family was living in a flat at that time, and Caroline's husband, Malcolm, usually returned home from work in his lunch hour to take Bundle out for a walk. But Malcolm was away for a few days, and Caroline felt that she couldn't leave Bundle cooped up in the flat all day.

And, she said, Bundle was used to farms.

As NY Beckindale manager, Alan should have known better: every farmer knows, no risks should be taken with dogs. But Alan simply accepted Caroline's word, and said that Bundle could have free reign at Home Farm.

Shortly after this, Matt Skilbeck (Frederick Pyne) and Jackie Merrick (Ian Sharrock) made a grim discovery: two of the Emmerdale ewes had aborted the lambs they were carrying. Something had obviously alarmed them.

Annie Sugden (Sheila Mercier) came across Jackie burying the aborted lambs, and reflected grimly on the bad old days at Emmerdale: a dog or fox worrying the sheep was the one thing absolutely sure to bring her husband, Jacob, from The Woolpack, she said. And he would keep grim vigil with his gun.

And so the Emmerdale gun was brought out.

Shortly afterwards, Jackie was out on the farm with his mother, Pat (Helen Weir), when both witnessed Bundle worrying the sheep. Jackie fired the shotgun, and Bundle ran away.

Jackie took the news to Home Farm and found Caroline firmly in denial: Bundle was a loving family pet and used to farms - she simply wouldn't do such a thing. Alan backed her up - how dare the Merrick boy cast such a slur on his secretary's dog?

Jackie left them with a grim warning - if it happened again, he might end up shooting Bundle.

Meanwhile, Dolly Skilbeck (Jean Rogers) had organised a visit to Emmerdale Farm for the Beckindale playgroup children to see the sheep and new lambs.

And it was on that day that Bundle chose to pay another visit, let off her lead by Alan whilst out for a walk with Seth Armstrong (Stan Richards).

Seth advised Alan not to let Bundle run free, but Alan fully expected her to stay close by, and was horrified when she ran off across the fields towards Emmerdale Farm.

And in no time at all, she was terrorising the sheep, in full view of the equally terrified Beckindale playgroup children.

And, in full view of the children, Jackie shot her dead.

It wasn't the most sensitive thing to do, but, highly distressed himself, Jackie took Bundle's body to Caroline at Home Farm in the Emmerdale Land Rover.

And Caroline was absolutely distraught.

As was Jackie. He had begun to develop a feeling for farming and the animals at Emmerdale, including Nell, Matt's faithful sheepdog, and was horrified by what he'd done.

Jack (Clive Hornby) told Jackie that he'd been lucky - as Matt or Joe (Frazer Hines) had usually dealt with sheep worrying dogs. And they had always felt awful afterwards.

But Jackie was not in the wrong. It was not a crime to shoot a dog under such circumstances.

Caroline could not believe it - she was convinced that Bundle had meant no harm to the sheep - and to her mind her dog had been murdered in cold blood.

She visited Sergeant MacArthur (Martin Dale) at the Beckindale police station, who informed her that no law had been broken. The police would be bringing no charges against Jackie.

So, Caroline and Malcolm Bates decided to bring a civil action.

Why had Bundle been let off her lead, she wondered? Alan lied to protect himself - claiming that something had gone awry with the clasp on Bundle's lead, and he'd been adjusting it when, distracted by Seth Armstrong's chattering, he'd momentarily let go of the dog's collar and away she'd gone across the fields.

It was all very sad for Alan. As he confided in Seth Armstrong, he had meant no harm in letting Bundle off for a run.

But, through that simple action, his inexperience as a farmer was made absolutely plain.

Seth was in a difficult position - he had his job to think of, and wasn't about to drop Alan in it, but when Caroline asked him for the truth, promising not to reveal her source, Seth told her.

Caroline was furious and lost no time in telling Alan so.

Alan fully expected her to resign, and dreaded the prospect.

Meanwhile, Matt Skilbeck had visited Home Farm on an entirely different matter, and struck by Caroline's cold front, had spoken to her about Bundle: Jackie was very distressed about the dog's death, he said, they had sheepdogs at the farm and cared for them a great deal. The fault was not Bundle's - dogs had an instinct to hunt. The fault rested with whoever had let Bundle off the lead, and the same went for other dogs like her that met an untimely end for sheep worrying.

Caroline remained convinced that Bundle would never have hurt the sheep, but was simply enjoying the chase. Matt gently pointed out to her that whatever Bundles' intentions, six aborted lambs was the result.

Having already met several of the Emmerdale Farm folk, Caroline called there and told Dolly that she and Malcolm would not be bringing any action against Jackie. She still didn't condone what he had done, but Matt had made her think.

Alan bought Caroline another Golden Labrador bitch - this time a puppy - and took it into The Woolpack so that he could have a courage-giving drink before making the presentation to Caroline.

In conversation with Seth and Amos (Ronald Magill) Alan referred to Mrs Bates' present as a she. Giving her to Seth to hold so that he could enjoy his drink - thus stopping Seth, with an armful of Golden Labrador, from enjoying his, Alan beamed upon the world.

When Amos frostily informed him that dogs were not allowed on "these licenced premises", Alan, the expert, was completely unfazed. He told Amos that the dog was all right with him - and besides he was on a lead, and dogs were perfectly safe on a lead. The sudden change of the animal's gender made it plain that as far as Alan was concerned the only dog on the premises was not Mrs Bates' bitch Labrador, but Seth Armstrong!

Seth, arms still full of canine loveliness, still unable to sup, could only scowl.

Andy's note: This was very much a cautionary tale with a strong message for real-life dog owners. In 1984, the farming content of Emmerdale Farm was increased and we were treated to the sight of a cow and several sheep giving birth - and also mating scenes, plus the sorry sight of aborted lambs in the fields. The "Bundle" story-line was treated in the same visual way - viewers actually saw the shooting.

Some viewers wrote to Yorkshire Television, seeking reassurance that "Bundle" was only acting her death scene.

She was.

Emmerdale In The News - 1983: The Farmer's Wife Who Is Afraid Of Cows

2009-10-15T13:07:00.002+01:00

Sunday Mirror, 3/7/1983:

"Emmerdale Farm" is making a quiet assault on the TV ratings. It is at number 5 in the ITV top ten, rivalling "Crossroads" for the title of Britain's most popular show after "Coronation Street"....

Helen Weir fled to a cast caravan as a gaggle of particularly loud and petulant geese played havoc with the film set outside.

Helen had no intention of tangling with them.

Even after three years with "Emmerdale Farm", 42-year-old Helen still can't cope with animals.

"I'm just terrified of horses," said Helen, who plays Pat, the wife of Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby). "And I hate going into a field of cows."

But the goat Pat Sugden looks after in the programme is helping Helen to get over her nervousness.

"The viewers have been marvellous," she said. "I'm always getting letters advising me on how to handle the goat."

Annabelle, Pat's goat, wreaked havoc, and formed part of an excellent storyline in which Pat, tired of criticism about her cooking, moved out of the kitchen a little and got out and about on the farm.

Back in 1983, many members of the cast believed that the show should have a prime time slot in the London area. But Sheila Mercier, the farm's matriarch Annie Sugden, did not agree...

Unlike her famous brother Brian Rix, the former king of the Whitehall farces, Sheila is shy and reserved and guards her privacy.

Thames TV's stubborn refusal to shift the series from their afternoon schedule suits Sheila just fine because she can live undisturbed by fans in Shepperton, Middlesex, with Peter, her husband and agent.

"Yes," admitted Sheila. "I am happy that the series goes out at a time when not many people are watching."

But something no viewer ever sees is the secret battle against pain which Sheila fights every time she gets on set. She is in constant agony with arthritis - and that's why the motherly, houseproud Annie is never seen scrubbing floors.

"I just can't kneel down," she explained. "I've tried everything from acupuncture to faith healing but it's still painful."

Sheila says there are few similarities between herself and Annie. "Annie is wise and I'm not. I'm not as compassionate as Annie. She is religious - and I'm not.

"But we're both good cooks."

Annie copes with a crisis in 1983: she has just discovered that her son Joe (Frazer Hines) is having an affair with the vicar's married daughter, Barbara Peters (Rosie Kerslake).