Uttered In The '80s Part 6: When Walter Couldn't Speak

Thursday 25 June 2009

Uttered In The '80s Part 6: When Walter Couldn't Speak

Lemonade instead of beer... During Walter's glorious reign at The Woolpack bar from 1980 to 1985, this was a complete one-off!

When Amos (Ronald Magill) and Mr Wilks (Arthur Pentelow) went to Amos' uncle's funeral in the autumn of 1983, The Woolpack was closed for the afternoon. When Seth Armstrong (Stan Richards) arrived for a pint (or eight), he found Walter (Al Dixon) tapping at the door, firmly out in the cold. Alan Turner (Richard Thorp) joined them and, informed by Jackie Merrick (Ian Sharrock) of the reason for the pub being closed, the men joined forces and went to The Malt Shovel.

A boozy afternoon ensued, with the unlikely threesome going back to Home Farm to sup some more after the afternoon session ended at The Shovel.

The next day an incredible thing happened: Walter drank lemonade instead of beer at The Woolpack.

Seth told Henry Wilks the facts about the day before, and revealed even more startling news: "Walter got that drunk, he couldn't even speak!"

Crumbs, what a state of affairs! A non-speaking Walter - can you imagine it?!

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INTRODUCTION

The inspiration for this blog came from a stack of old newspapers and magazines found in my loft. The publications were dated from 1978-1991 and the 1980s editions contained quite a few articles about the English television soap opera Emmerdale Farm.

So, I decided to share them with Emmerdale historians.

Here at The Beckindale Bugle you will find newspaper and magazine articles about cast members and characters, plus storylines and screen captures from 1980s Emmerdale Farm episodes.

What's contained here should give an insight into the way things were down Beckindale way in the 1980s.

The decade which began with the strapped-for-cash Merrick family trudging into the village, and ended with that charmingly upmarket family the Tates moving into Home Farm...

The decade when Seth Armstrong became a full-time regular character.

The decade when Al Dixon arrived at The Woolpack and had his glorious reign as silent Walter.

The decade when the wonderful Amos Brearly went pottier than ever, and Mr Wilks was a good friend to all.

The decade when the much-loved Sam Pearson, after a very active final few years, died, Jack Sugden returned with a different face, and Dolly Skilbeck also underwent a transformation.

The decade when Alan Turner and Mrs Bates made their first appearances, along with Alan's son, Terence, and Mrs B's children, Kathy and Nick.

The decade when we first met Archie Brooks, Kate Hughes and her children, Mark and Rachel, Jack's romantic interest, Sarah Connolly, and a schemer called Eric Pollard...

I hope that this blog will encourage interest in 1980s Emmerdale Farm, and assist in encouraging YTV to bring out further seasons as official DVD releases.