tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64107960665845556282024-02-07T04:36:37.207+00:00Beckindale Bugle - Emmerdale Farm In The 1980sUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger343125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-60220546971182299042018-12-18T00:27:00.002+00:002018-12-18T00:30:02.027+00:001989: Denis Rigg - Crushed Or Gored By A Bull?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifou7302f7JaPczGG-bXtAxceaOD7cGY6JxzQWBR3uzPSlTBrJ8uGET4AyzfNrz1OoNSHc0dHzNh66vol3yX6nUMk29skFJpxxrEZlHQbKKlTC-T4yImnrKHksvWsdBoMM_K3U5PseZ-k_/s1600/quarry+1989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="337" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifou7302f7JaPczGG-bXtAxceaOD7cGY6JxzQWBR3uzPSlTBrJ8uGET4AyzfNrz1OoNSHc0dHzNh66vol3yX6nUMk29skFJpxxrEZlHQbKKlTC-T4yImnrKHksvWsdBoMM_K3U5PseZ-k_/s320/quarry+1989.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><i>Denis Rigg did not worry Mr Wilks.</i></b><br />
<b></b><i></i><br />
Sharon has written to ask whether Denis Rigg, the shady businessman played by Richard K Franklin, ex-Mike Yates of<i> Doctor Who</i>, was crushed or gored by the bull which saw him exit the show in 1989? Apparently she has read on another site that he was gored.<br />
<br />
Crushed, Sharon. The scene clearly shows the bull sideways on to Mr Rigg. There was no room in the stable for the bull to manoeuvre itself round to gore Mr Rigg. His angry manner distressed the bull which crushed him against the wall. Sheila Mercier, the wonderful Annie Sugden, recounted an occasion in which she walked between two cows carrying a bucket containing food for the geese. The cows moved together, missing Sheila, but crushing the bucket! This may have provided some inspiration for the Rigg storyline, which was also something of a public information sequence: do not act in an alarming manner in close proximity to cows or bulls - and do not put yourself between one of them and a wall while doing so! Joe Sugden (Frazer Hines) added to the message with his alarmed calls to Rigg to modify his behaviour.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-40279752270840461572015-08-09T23:00:00.002+01:002015-08-09T23:00:45.777+01:00Beckindale 1983 - Behind The Scenes...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYeANGrw7tUYBgmqXJoncEVE62U9pIQTfzIsLHfkCRn_gtPDnSLFIcPRjF30fesYJXZA1R3RH0gXaUqYzLvpBJJaTbSIbQWdY8Vi_nI595lUZkPIIY38XhyphenhyphenepzVZnwDvCYbSu-Hd48aUR/s1600/Beckindale+1983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYeANGrw7tUYBgmqXJoncEVE62U9pIQTfzIsLHfkCRn_gtPDnSLFIcPRjF30fesYJXZA1R3RH0gXaUqYzLvpBJJaTbSIbQWdY8Vi_nI595lUZkPIIY38XhyphenhyphenepzVZnwDvCYbSu-Hd48aUR/s640/Beckindale+1983.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
I know several actors, and, for the majority, it's a funny old life. There they are, one month serving in a wine bar or doing a Christmas temp job at Boots, the next doing a bit-part in <i>Emmerdale</i>, the next "resting", the next auditioning for a stage play and probably not getting the part...<br />
<br />
Of course, for many actors a regular role in a long-running soap is a dream (and for some, given current standards of a lot of the plots, it's also a nightmare), but back in the 1980s it was a funny old life working on <i>Emmerdale Farm</i> or <i>Coronation Street</i> or whatever. Today, much soap drama depends on the out of the ordinary, the bizarre, the downright absurd, but back in the 1980s the majority of soap action centred on people nattering about, and doing, everyday things.<br />
<br />
And that must have been exceedingly difficult to convey with a load of technical paraphernalia all around, plus being watched and directed by a load of people the actors had to pretend didn't exist.<br />
<br />
Here's Jean Rogers (Dolly Skilbeck since 1980), Sheila Mercier (Annie Sugden since episode one), Toke Townley (Grandad Sam Pearson since episode one) and Frederick Pyne and Frazer Hines (Matt Skilbeck and Joe Sugden - both original cast members) standing around in the rain at a Beckindale event in 1983, with little Sam Skilbeck (born 1982) out of vision, apparently asleep in his pram.<br />
<br />
Annie's plastic headscarf (14p from Woolies - a snip!) is such an important style detail in setting the tone.<br />
<br />
Just how "everyday" and of their time the cast looks, and the fact that they are conversing in character, apparently oblivious of the onlookers and the sound boom hovering above, is something I find fascinating.<br />
<br />
Skill, or what?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-46027086722057875582015-08-06T15:38:00.001+01:002015-08-06T15:44:05.308+01:00"Nay, Nay Mr Wilks" Mystery Mug<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XCY2wTj0VzKR9yjlmFfAKjPtcISBDArM9hYcver7Mj7Y5k18mT-6Yn-6iYUqTR7pTZ0wC6l_0p4gt2NEN6kUI-JtIB8qJqutv5lMf39nzjMC7Ubqxw09G4FETNF_TTn4PTySA_x0x8S6/s1600/Amos+1981+bugle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XCY2wTj0VzKR9yjlmFfAKjPtcISBDArM9hYcver7Mj7Y5k18mT-6Yn-6iYUqTR7pTZ0wC6l_0p4gt2NEN6kUI-JtIB8qJqutv5lMf39nzjMC7Ubqxw09G4FETNF_TTn4PTySA_x0x8S6/s400/Amos+1981+bugle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><b>September, 1981, and Amos Brearly (Ronald Magill) ensures there's a warm welcome at the Woolpack.</b></i><br />
<br />
In 1980, Seth Armstrong became a full-time <i>Emmerdale Farm </i>regular. He deserted the Malt Shovel in favour of the Woolpack, where he discovered the endless delights of baiting Amos Brearly. In his new found respectability as NY Estates gamekeeper, Seth had plenty of time to scive off and haunt the bewhiskered landlord. And poor old Mr Wilks was often caught up in the attacks and counter-attacks, trying to bring reason to bear. "Nay, nay, Mr Wilks!" Amos would bluster (in fact, in moments of high dudgeon it was usually thrice "nay").<br />
<br />
Poor Mr Wilks!<br />
<br />
That man deserved a medal.<br />
<br />
We're still catching up on our comments and Sara wrote:<br />
<br />
<i><b>I have a mug featuring a caricature of Henry Wilks, Amos Brearly and Seth Armstrong. It is stamped on the bottom 'Churchill England'. Do you know anything about it?</b></i><br />
<br />
No, Sara, sorry. I do have one, but it was bought for me as a present a few years back, second hand, and I don't know its origins. Does anybody else?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5QssI-Dgsc68c7diWVvlN2E0suJpfVzaYHuIZVILFJwEo-fn3a6oZ3zYCqfsm2v9BHeojZUi0fckUjsYNtj1g4xYQbHwG5Tsokt1KDkujvukaxl5A89zkrjuH8b7APVpZEqN_qDR5O2R/s1600/Emmerdale+80s+mug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5QssI-Dgsc68c7diWVvlN2E0suJpfVzaYHuIZVILFJwEo-fn3a6oZ3zYCqfsm2v9BHeojZUi0fckUjsYNtj1g4xYQbHwG5Tsokt1KDkujvukaxl5A89zkrjuH8b7APVpZEqN_qDR5O2R/s320/Emmerdale+80s+mug.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><b> </b></i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-29032802026184857192015-06-13T01:10:00.000+01:002015-06-13T01:10:09.737+01:00The Emmerdale '80s Bus - Part 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk6YsJHbCtQa1D_KzUdJJiMnfwhnGTSO4U53EPUavXNt81Gg_4Xb7y3gSse0Y6nnsJnilP79bZ9GD_9_UcSbvm31P_9Av9K0i5cyyWqP4s_MpWHtd_YQVYZrwUQYDwBXpphxP60O5Ehr2/s1600/Beckindale+bus+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk6YsJHbCtQa1D_KzUdJJiMnfwhnGTSO4U53EPUavXNt81Gg_4Xb7y3gSse0Y6nnsJnilP79bZ9GD_9_UcSbvm31P_9Av9K0i5cyyWqP4s_MpWHtd_YQVYZrwUQYDwBXpphxP60O5Ehr2/s1600/Beckindale+bus+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is a bus with a difference. It travels through time. The Emmerdale '80s bus will drop us at various stops to glimpse life during that decade at the farm and in the village. We begin at December 1984...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIUWWidzL-aMzT53cWICMc1H9y09CAO3nn6iqyeVwwjmkRKdpY2h9ufqQp6raSzBKdnFlu9d8WuHh538WsKu-0kNW3tg48T8m7_PjNRUPJt0wkrnnGM4wM4fo-nf0kUrQlDs0_56T7lqv/s1600/Beckindale+bus+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIUWWidzL-aMzT53cWICMc1H9y09CAO3nn6iqyeVwwjmkRKdpY2h9ufqQp6raSzBKdnFlu9d8WuHh538WsKu-0kNW3tg48T8m7_PjNRUPJt0wkrnnGM4wM4fo-nf0kUrQlDs0_56T7lqv/s1600/Beckindale+bus+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Jack is having an affair with Karen Moore, a young auctioneer at Hotten Market. The relationship began when Karen sympathised with him after Emmerdale Farm Ltd decided that his purchase of some pedigree cows had been wrong back in the summer. Even Pat had sided with the others, and Jack had felt suddenly confined by his life at the farm. Ever the free spirit, Jack had kicked back hard, and Karen's sympathy had seemed very attractive. Jack had begun seeing her. By December, he was living with the fact that he was in love with two women.<br />
<br />
Matt Skilbeck knew what was happening. He was worried as Christmas was looming and it was to be the first without Grandad Sam Pearson, who had died shortly before. Joe, who was working in France, would be coming back to England for the festivities, but this would be a difficult Christmas for all of them - especially Annie. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcBtZGH_aLhVgsmWOBPkHTwuLR5vwI0IXjIIef6lGQauWmILjU9ZJSh7liDsulcg3ZHK-9qnkDtwVPBo2ul9x31viNP5RLLoIu-0_i2Ea4zLPhQOP0AY_1VHB0Ii96OBN5ocCk2kJR9yI/s1600/Beckindale+bus+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcBtZGH_aLhVgsmWOBPkHTwuLR5vwI0IXjIIef6lGQauWmILjU9ZJSh7liDsulcg3ZHK-9qnkDtwVPBo2ul9x31viNP5RLLoIu-0_i2Ea4zLPhQOP0AY_1VHB0Ii96OBN5ocCk2kJR9yI/s1600/Beckindale+bus+3.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
Being Jack, the author, the thinker, the simple approach of deciding between his wife and Karen was not a path he could easily take. He loved Karen. He loved Pat. He didn't want to hurt either. And yet he <i>was </i>hurting both. Pat had been his youthful lover, the mother of his son. She now represented family and security; Karen was young and free - she represented the unfettered life Jack<i> also</i> wanted to live.<br />
<br />
Pat knew what was going on and was devastated. She reflected on what a difference a bit of tinsel made to the parlour at Emmerdale, and, slightly bitter, commented that she had kept a piece for herself. She had relocated to the boxroom as far as sleeping arrangements were concerned.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDYfvu8_rB3kA7pCzf6ulKYNn03fFDQK27JoZimvOeKmjUzY0v6ATTPnI7HbZznWBPCBr2gjFJpJD-ZREMCLgdRcxUBpqRjsitCRXaj6zPiPJ4imiCmDXiDzngCTAyw2mPiOwCeNggymq/s1600/Beckindale+bus+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDYfvu8_rB3kA7pCzf6ulKYNn03fFDQK27JoZimvOeKmjUzY0v6ATTPnI7HbZznWBPCBr2gjFJpJD-ZREMCLgdRcxUBpqRjsitCRXaj6zPiPJ4imiCmDXiDzngCTAyw2mPiOwCeNggymq/s1600/Beckindale+bus+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Over at Home Farm, Alan Turner showed off his policeman's costume for the Beckindale Amateur Players forthcoming production of <i>The Pirates of Penzance</i>. He'd asked Mrs Bates to get some Christmas shopping for him, including a gift for Jill, his wife. Mrs Bates had chosen a pretty nightie for her. She was unaware that Jill and Alan were estranged, but got a glimpse of the sad state of Alan's personal life when he awkwardly confessed that he didn't give his wife such "intimate" presents.<br />
<br />
Later, Alan surprised Mrs Bates by presenting the nightie to her as a present. He was sad and awkward; spoke more about the state of his marriage, and said that he wanted to thank Mrs Bates for her nine months of help at NY. Mrs Bates protested, the gift was too expensive, but Alan insisted and quietly retreated, leaving Mrs Bates feeling as sad and as awkward as him. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAdJPsAk6VwNloPDLHk2Fz_p43O5kwAEUgkvqT9t6CshXACg_8D9RKQk9BEm-EfSPfTVePMwPZvzVLSoczzmxgP2arEmxthnOmzn0cA_rVqlh_uMnPDlllVeNOyXMiXiN6-gIbM_6bVgo/s1600/Beckindale+bus+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAdJPsAk6VwNloPDLHk2Fz_p43O5kwAEUgkvqT9t6CshXACg_8D9RKQk9BEm-EfSPfTVePMwPZvzVLSoczzmxgP2arEmxthnOmzn0cA_rVqlh_uMnPDlllVeNOyXMiXiN6-gIbM_6bVgo/s1600/Beckindale+bus+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Young Sam Skilbeck was celebrating his second birthday, and his parents took him out to feed the geese at the farm. Dolly reflected sadly on the harsh realities of farming life - the fate of the geese now Christmas was upon them, and said she thought it would upset Sam if he knew. Matt pointed out that it also upset <i>her</i> - every year the same!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPzfpVUw7NY99KkMYtlb4CzMTTiKwdeG5bh6qszdIDGaJCia-txRCofJnxPcI_bRdTJKyDDKyKTVgplcQV9CTckHlXCAQ5Fx1OtPAaF_pAgoQuQsg-_Xrbjhp3C5R1kbj1MDHZwLwTV35/s1600/Beckindale+bus+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPzfpVUw7NY99KkMYtlb4CzMTTiKwdeG5bh6qszdIDGaJCia-txRCofJnxPcI_bRdTJKyDDKyKTVgplcQV9CTckHlXCAQ5Fx1OtPAaF_pAgoQuQsg-_Xrbjhp3C5R1kbj1MDHZwLwTV35/s1600/Beckindale+bus+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Annie had preparations for Christmas well in hand in the kitchen at Emmerdale Farm, with Sandie as her assistant. Sandie asked if they could make up a parcel for her father, Tom, who was in prison. Annie happily agreed - pies, sausage rolls, etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbFTSsGOIYGLzIaZIrD-Kj0hpUxD56BiR9tZyivXKzdA1jkx8GGFPfjGnqSahq9TH1AzVzAKQzY__x_ZvBK4beNSrdq40xQFsjkvnDgQRMCSxpzyxdoZuAXmDYCuDglLR7YK6J7VniS4k/s1600/Beckindale+bus+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnbFTSsGOIYGLzIaZIrD-Kj0hpUxD56BiR9tZyivXKzdA1jkx8GGFPfjGnqSahq9TH1AzVzAKQzY__x_ZvBK4beNSrdq40xQFsjkvnDgQRMCSxpzyxdoZuAXmDYCuDglLR7YK6J7VniS4k/s1600/Beckindale+bus+9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Annie was delighted when Joe phoned. He would soon be with them. She passed on Matt's jovial comment that he owed them eighteen months' worth of milking!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2B5B2GUl26H_ifJGk14DGk0XWJ5dlVRJdnmmNdO9gOOUVUPGeTlJYQb5N07zqT5AcYwWSKqWvGJaZT-lG39yodwwssGrIHELhZqPX19kSdfsXFZLXx2swFN3jUTnYTjCOfCHhgRYM7SX/s1600/Beckindale+bus+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2B5B2GUl26H_ifJGk14DGk0XWJ5dlVRJdnmmNdO9gOOUVUPGeTlJYQb5N07zqT5AcYwWSKqWvGJaZT-lG39yodwwssGrIHELhZqPX19kSdfsXFZLXx2swFN3jUTnYTjCOfCHhgRYM7SX/s1600/Beckindale+bus+10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
In the parlour, Annie commented to Pat that there had always been laughter in the house when Joe was there. Pat, aware that she hadn't been very jolly recently, apologised for any signs of misery, but Annie hurried to reassure her: she hadn't been getting at anybody.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39alXD0SOiPvsqQYQNMefe2EyKdjKZZPqvRr2AsxFQz7ATom8MDV0iFyFM1E5LF2OJelRumcgTSxhaucbYDxgO_3nNrV6SlehQu_E9k-N7o_lNkTToEuK27FX4hSHqQ4mD4Oona3KCuU4/s1600/Beckindale+bus+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39alXD0SOiPvsqQYQNMefe2EyKdjKZZPqvRr2AsxFQz7ATom8MDV0iFyFM1E5LF2OJelRumcgTSxhaucbYDxgO_3nNrV6SlehQu_E9k-N7o_lNkTToEuK27FX4hSHqQ4mD4Oona3KCuU4/s1600/Beckindale+bus+11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Over at the Woolpack, Amos Brearly had been treating the villagers to some truly terrible sounds as he practised for his role in <i>The Pirates of Penzance</i>. There was no Mr Wilks on hand to try and keep Mr B under control. Henry was in Italy, attending his daughter Marian's wedding.<br />
<br />
Amos commented that the audience at the rehearsal for <i>Pirates </i>had all been very moved by his singing. Mike Conrad retorted that the audience had certainly MOVED when Amos began singing. Amos rejected that - humph! - but was frightened that he was losing his voice. <i>Would </i>everything be all right on the night?<br />
<br />
Seth Armstrong was in <i>The Pirates</i> too, of course.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXQLy76eebXU-qKr4JRNXhwEkYSCVXNDkaLvCnttpKWH-h7HXmapcf5TYX_Q-wFeWHWK2hRQ2R6KQe0UWFU9D7HGVw0zazxVRRDGLaTH890iUye5zKxgkhfVeC05Xs_c9cLovUnkoxPqI/s1600/beckindale+bus+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXQLy76eebXU-qKr4JRNXhwEkYSCVXNDkaLvCnttpKWH-h7HXmapcf5TYX_Q-wFeWHWK2hRQ2R6KQe0UWFU9D7HGVw0zazxVRRDGLaTH890iUye5zKxgkhfVeC05Xs_c9cLovUnkoxPqI/s1600/beckindale+bus+14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
As a pirate.<br />
<br />
Of course!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTPdhVW3NXhKurp7tjI87DNKUlGIwdibA8CWYoc9yiA6JxhmVKh52esO-2Y7-E2FZZzZ_ZYsqQ-IiSL8ssCKGY1Tvp5hVanrCqPUQiEuiXGEVxO7f8pdfnJCMQ1AKRIFy8xJx_ymzyPSs/s1600/beckindale+bus+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTPdhVW3NXhKurp7tjI87DNKUlGIwdibA8CWYoc9yiA6JxhmVKh52esO-2Y7-E2FZZzZ_ZYsqQ-IiSL8ssCKGY1Tvp5hVanrCqPUQiEuiXGEVxO7f8pdfnJCMQ1AKRIFy8xJx_ymzyPSs/s1600/beckindale+bus+15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Mike Conrad was in love with Sandie Merrick. But the feeling wasn't mutual. Mike confided in Walter, telling him he was sure he knew how he felt. Walter silently assured him that he did.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8RKTzZW3jFwOqjPioUTrUzeX241LvE4NmtE4CQPeVlBz0jjitg97ZLC7ZTm1PQCVIytrN1kh3gO0wc21vfHVPsXwk-u7mwXRlqMd8dwlQXDYz6ZT6jX1dPakzs6I1UTmK9BDz90ycRbu/s1600/beckindale+bus+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj8RKTzZW3jFwOqjPioUTrUzeX241LvE4NmtE4CQPeVlBz0jjitg97ZLC7ZTm1PQCVIytrN1kh3gO0wc21vfHVPsXwk-u7mwXRlqMd8dwlQXDYz6ZT6jX1dPakzs6I1UTmK9BDz90ycRbu/s1600/beckindale+bus+18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-P10Xb08uIST91n4Jw7CGnzWYJ5T6oQnyObRYI9nH3hCS4p2eYJfwRpHMW4ZiGSpjln1DACT6cSfXDD7HQ4UqLv9BitbTfU-sVuFShwl5h8RjFWLYdF3RYXIpMSdtk3HTpNT2mzrXyhc/s1600/Beckindale+bus+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-P10Xb08uIST91n4Jw7CGnzWYJ5T6oQnyObRYI9nH3hCS4p2eYJfwRpHMW4ZiGSpjln1DACT6cSfXDD7HQ4UqLv9BitbTfU-sVuFShwl5h8RjFWLYdF3RYXIpMSdtk3HTpNT2mzrXyhc/s1600/Beckindale+bus+19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Up in the attic bedroom at Emmerdale Farm, Jack reflected on the tangled state of his love life. He loved Karen. He loved Pat. To Thine Own Self Be True... Pat had been upset when he'd arrived home in the early hours of the morning, having slept with Karen. He'd had to get back because of the milking. On another occasion, when he'd moved to comfort her, she had been furious - he stank of Karen's perfume!<br />
<br />
Jack was hurting Pat.<br />
<br />
Jack was hurting Karen.<br />
<br />
Jack was hurting Annie, and Matt, and everybody who knew at Emmerdale. Sandie Merrick was having to work with Karen at Hotten Market, knowing that she was sleeping with her mother's husband. Jackie didn't know. Jack couldn't bear to contemplate what the knowledge would do to the fragile relationship he had built with his son.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPjl6bQ6rYiwMGuxTuyqzrayJcM277afUB1WJfNjzO4e5WZrocEPUF9R-iKlP87246klB7vBC1zerOL8RdcxNgjIerxpgmJchxHxTfqSOM2go2DiUg9y_FukCpUhQlZSrHLbYFw5ymwKs/s1600/Beckindale+bus+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPjl6bQ6rYiwMGuxTuyqzrayJcM277afUB1WJfNjzO4e5WZrocEPUF9R-iKlP87246klB7vBC1zerOL8RdcxNgjIerxpgmJchxHxTfqSOM2go2DiUg9y_FukCpUhQlZSrHLbYFw5ymwKs/s1600/Beckindale+bus+20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Pat came in to ask if Jack had bought the bracelet they'd decided on for Sandie's Christmas present? He had. They talked. Pat cried, said she missed him so much, couldn't imagine life without him. Did he want her to leave Emmerdale Farm? Jack was shocked - of course not! It was her home. Pat replied that in some ways she'd never felt she really belonged there. It was HIS home. Jack held her close... they kissed... and... the boxroom had no occupant that night.<br />
<br />
Anarchistic goof Archie Brooks didn't really want to be a policeman in<i> The Pirates</i>. He insisted on wearing his CND badge on his uniform. <br />
<br />
Joe arrived back in Beckindale and took a stroll around the farm, remembering Grandad Pearson.<br />
<br />
It was not going to be an easy festive period.<br />
<br />
But, of course, he had no idea of just <i>how</i> difficult it was going to be...</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-30059746764380717302014-07-28T16:27:00.000+01:002014-07-28T16:27:11.912+01:001987: The Return To Normality...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxDbIaM3Lp0ZdCSiXgwuVPrwqPLLokYl5qssBPau6nCv_xDXQemVbsVjua8o9x9KofYGUJc-Otn5NeNj2B5wrHwepmZWTIcSf6uALLTbD8rEEU0XMuoy4KBUw9jehNE7utf6WrJzL2PB7/s1600/1987+script+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxDbIaM3Lp0ZdCSiXgwuVPrwqPLLokYl5qssBPau6nCv_xDXQemVbsVjua8o9x9KofYGUJc-Otn5NeNj2B5wrHwepmZWTIcSf6uALLTbD8rEEU0XMuoy4KBUw9jehNE7utf6WrJzL2PB7/s1600/1987+script+2.jpg" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><b>An Emmerdale Farm script - episode 1187, 1987. </b></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anybody who has ever been successfully involved in any type of campaign will probably appreciate this. There you were, campaigning away, adrenalin flowing, great team spirit all around you. Then you win. And then you celebrate. And then life returns to boring normality. The villagers of Beckindale fought a hearty battle in 1987 to prevent the dumping of nuclear waste by the Government not far away. They won. And then it was back to Annie feeding the geese and Amos and Mr Wilks bickering in the Woolpack.<br />
<br />
We recently happened upon a parcel of 1987 <i>Emmerdale Farm </i>scripts which clearly show the return to normality in Beckindale after the battle was won... <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2Zw9Zcu5MJKFn3Eesm3zW8QWT0bKlBfC_trhM1doA4glQaNogdxGjZuS1iUljp747o4evqePwl1_grZFBPn1YN8K5Y62LMdDzFdFBMpICpNXNaY20zv69ImSUXlVC-qH2dcNgiSIU46e/s1600/1987+script+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2Zw9Zcu5MJKFn3Eesm3zW8QWT0bKlBfC_trhM1doA4glQaNogdxGjZuS1iUljp747o4evqePwl1_grZFBPn1YN8K5Y62LMdDzFdFBMpICpNXNaY20zv69ImSUXlVC-qH2dcNgiSIU46e/s1600/1987+script+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<i><b>A page from the script: Annie feeds the geese and natters with Dolly...</b></i><br />
<br />
Archie Brooks was not impressed with everyday life post-dump threat, as this brilliant extract from the script proves...<br />
<br />
ARCHIE: Is this it then?<br />
<br />
AMOS: Hmm? (NOT LOOKING UP)<br />
<br />
ARCHIE: "What we all spent months fighting for. What Jack Sugden went to prison for. Life without a nuclear dump. Dunt amount to much does it.<br />
<br />
AMOS: (TAKEN ABACK) Nowt wrong wi' a bit o' peace and quiet lad.<br />
<br />
WILKS (SMILES) The silence was fairly deafening. Sorry.<br />
<br />
ARCHIE: This place used to be buzzing - it used to be - (GESTURES) it used to have - (GESTURES)<br />
<br />
AMOS: (HELPFUL) Customers?<br />
<br />
ARCHIE: "No - you know what I mean. Argument - debate - an atmosphere you could cut with a knife some nights. We were fighting and we were alive. We had - meetings.<br />
<br />
WILKS: And then we won.<br />
<br />
ARCHIE: (DEFLATED) Aye. And then we won.<br />
<br />
AMOS: (GENTLY) That was the whole point Archie. So we could get back to where we were before. Where we are now.<br />
<br />
A LONG SILENCE<br />
<br />
AMOS: It is a bit dull in here now you mention it. I could get in some different flavoured crisps. Or them spicey sausages. A lot of folk like them.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-70743824288744071732012-10-16T16:12:00.001+01:002012-10-16T16:34:58.478+01:00Emmerdale 40th Anniversary...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5MemFJ4VMXrcmWAC64P2LHNdUA28ADjAi-I8IflG4F6_WBEwwAUEOji8W1kJyySEPw8cpjAAI8LztNOLTNuYt78V6ZDiASuiRDQpPm6ZPuTfo_nh46t07wXtJ4OM5FtgPf7KbMu3JqgM/s1600/1982+Anniversary.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5MemFJ4VMXrcmWAC64P2LHNdUA28ADjAi-I8IflG4F6_WBEwwAUEOji8W1kJyySEPw8cpjAAI8LztNOLTNuYt78V6ZDiASuiRDQpPm6ZPuTfo_nh46t07wXtJ4OM5FtgPf7KbMu3JqgM/s1600/1982+Anniversary.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5MemFJ4VMXrcmWAC64P2LHNdUA28ADjAi-I8IflG4F6_WBEwwAUEOji8W1kJyySEPw8cpjAAI8LztNOLTNuYt78V6ZDiASuiRDQpPm6ZPuTfo_nh46t07wXtJ4OM5FtgPf7KbMu3JqgM/s1600/1982+Anniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf56nAS1wztazbL0FCrgQb5GpmRFmn-DP415rlx1132I4IifsQUhUGgbvx7sJ_cZfjqkx4Np5FHth1MT_mCpGOsvm0ijO2dgh6bb876vanjpJXzN3HngpEKVp3Mpg0DlsaqmEn6ie0GHAb/s1600/Walter+(2)+1983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i>The way it was. In October 1982, Emmerdale Farm celebrated its very first decade on screen. In fact, the 1980s were the very first decade which the show completely spanned, appearing every year from 1980 to 1989. The show was first networked (shown on the same day and at the same time) across the ITV regions in January 1988.</i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8c7rbqOdRabF2u1tHWapK5J-tn_oP5uUSDNA9dzG_Fd2V9GhRtxWwjF2RbnfHDbBrnpf0rqCH2VFGR7YFkec-hf_-8wFEu_VFqZeLx-OpD8lPBAQdIbXXAM2j-c8vybrC8diLWjP5WLB/s1600/1980s+Woolpack+calendar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8c7rbqOdRabF2u1tHWapK5J-tn_oP5uUSDNA9dzG_Fd2V9GhRtxWwjF2RbnfHDbBrnpf0rqCH2VFGR7YFkec-hf_-8wFEu_VFqZeLx-OpD8lPBAQdIbXXAM2j-c8vybrC8diLWjP5WLB/s400/1980s+Woolpack+calendar.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8c7rbqOdRabF2u1tHWapK5J-tn_oP5uUSDNA9dzG_Fd2V9GhRtxWwjF2RbnfHDbBrnpf0rqCH2VFGR7YFkec-hf_-8wFEu_VFqZeLx-OpD8lPBAQdIbXXAM2j-c8vybrC8diLWjP5WLB/s1600/1980s+Woolpack+calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<b><i>How times change! A mid-1980s Woolpack perpetual calendar, still in use in The Bugle editorial office. This particular Woolpack sign seen on the building was first used in 1984.</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Well, of course, we at the <i>Beckindale Bugle</i> couldn't let today go by without wishing<i> Emmerdale </i>a very happy 40th anniversary. Back in our day, in 1982 to be precise, the show, then <i>Emmerdale Farm</i>, celebrated its very first decade on-screen. And look how things have changed since then! But then they always have. From 1980, when Al Dixon's Walter first appeared, Clive Hornby became Jack Sugden, Jean Rogers became Dolly Skilbeck and Stan Richards became full time and permanent as Seth Armstrong, to shortening scenes, the arrivals of bad lads Alan Turner (1982) and Eric Pollard (1986) and the show becoming simply <i>Emmerdale</i> (1989), our fave decade saw many changes in Beckindale (as it then was).<br />
<br />
Wishing you all the best for the future,<i> Emmerdale</i>! Tonight we'll be toasting your future success in true 1980s Woolpack fashion!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf56nAS1wztazbL0FCrgQb5GpmRFmn-DP415rlx1132I4IifsQUhUGgbvx7sJ_cZfjqkx4Np5FHth1MT_mCpGOsvm0ijO2dgh6bb876vanjpJXzN3HngpEKVp3Mpg0DlsaqmEn6ie0GHAb/s1600/Walter+%282%29+1983.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf56nAS1wztazbL0FCrgQb5GpmRFmn-DP415rlx1132I4IifsQUhUGgbvx7sJ_cZfjqkx4Np5FHth1MT_mCpGOsvm0ijO2dgh6bb876vanjpJXzN3HngpEKVp3Mpg0DlsaqmEn6ie0GHAb/s1600/Walter+%282%29+1983.jpg" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-76203275204450676382012-10-09T00:32:00.002+01:002012-10-17T00:03:48.114+01:00Emmerdale At 40 - And In The 1980s...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispikPEeWxqFKXVqksx4HUsglT9PJQQEDck8RRiVKqjAAFgbgDzaP7ELo_l81loF5CSZSKgiTvFZCuAvN98N2LRM8-3QM0Mk_waI67N0TOtiT8uNsDIjDBk_NqtVtau2lbSi2BCVon1g76/s1600/1980s+Emmerdale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispikPEeWxqFKXVqksx4HUsglT9PJQQEDck8RRiVKqjAAFgbgDzaP7ELo_l81loF5CSZSKgiTvFZCuAvN98N2LRM8-3QM0Mk_waI67N0TOtiT8uNsDIjDBk_NqtVtau2lbSi2BCVon1g76/s640/1980s+Emmerdale.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
A couple of e-mails from readers as <i>Emmerdale</i> approaches its 40th birthday on 16 October.<br />
<br />
Rod writes:<br />
<br />
<i>Why do you focus on the 1980's? If it was anything like the 1970's episodes I have seen it was dead boring and naff!</i><br />
<br />
That's all a matter of opinion, Rod! I loved the show right from its lunchtime beginnings in 1972, but in 1980 several things happened which increased my enjoyment hugely: Al Dixon arrived as the legendary Silent Walter, Clive Hornby and Jean Rogers took on the roles of Jack Sugden and Dolly Skilbeck - both would be long-stayers, and Seth Armstrong, played by Stan Richards, became a full-time permanent character. On top of this, the Merrick family were revamped and recast and gave us some splendid gritty drama and an attempt to actually portray modern teenagers as permanent characters. The character of Amos Brearly, played by Ronald Magill, became more eccentric and funny and all in all a delicious brew became even more delicious in my view. Wading on further into the 1980s (1982 and 1984), we saw the arrival of the (as it turned out) hugely lovable Alan Turner and his long-suffering secretary Mrs Bates, the terrifying reign of Harry Mowlam and, to cap it all, the arrival of Eric Pollard (1986). 1989, of course, brought us the Tate family.<br />
<br />
All shows evolve, and the '80s era was my favourite in the show. That's why I chose to highlight that decade on this blog.<br />
<br />
Claire writes:<br />
<br />
<i>This is a very valuable resource. Do you still like the show? Could you extend The Bugle to the 90s and beyond? </i><br />
<br />
Well, I didn't see much<i> Emmerdale</i> in the '90s - or beyond - so that would be difficult. I don't watch modern soaps at all because the pace is too fast for my personal taste. But I'm delighted that <i>Emmerdale </i>has survived all these years and shall be raising a glass to it on 16 October.<br />
<br />
I have received copies of some very interesting 1980s <i>Emmerdale Farm</i> memorabilia from Sheila, who wrote to <i>The Bugle</i> some time ago about Al Dixon's Silent Walter - who lit up a quiet corner of The Woolpack from 1980-1985. I'll be putting them on-line as soon as possible. Many thanks to Sheila!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-32180073703672895192012-05-05T01:45:00.000+01:002012-10-17T00:04:58.784+01:00The Truth About Walter...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZijvwYWwwE4X0Z9aUDzibsfx8j1MOhm5s6-S_TFj6HYGVv1cq78US0r8HIX_Xv5kvGdL5uwNAMfXW7t2GVLrQTrmZwkgiy5v6mUWUiodTk9bOkcptmDseLDynVUKoza6dsay3InY0Kr5/s1600-h/Walter+1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353266683904221218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZijvwYWwwE4X0Z9aUDzibsfx8j1MOhm5s6-S_TFj6HYGVv1cq78US0r8HIX_Xv5kvGdL5uwNAMfXW7t2GVLrQTrmZwkgiy5v6mUWUiodTk9bOkcptmDseLDynVUKoza6dsay3InY0Kr5/s1600/Walter+1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Early 1980: Geoffrey Hooper's Walter chats to Amos Brearly (Ronald Magill).</span><br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="275" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230058044712599842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXIwjawkPgDeq1NwlLKL_UU8FUoxLIaWjC93jB9pvs-4toyWb5wEVliNmwKGlYeSXrWohC152JfiWZw6zu8i9K8_szsNr5vwcOQkTEXemh4a6drrSboRLenTZemCyZvHfbxRe-Id2SELE/s400/1980+1980s.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="400" /><i><b>Late 1980: Al Dixon's Walter says nowt.</b></i><br />
<br />
This blog has some amazing fans! No sooner had I posted the previous article on the three Walters (one and the same character?) than I got this e-mail from Sheila:<br />
<br />
<i>I well remember Geoffrey Hooper as Walter and liked him a great deal. When Al Dixon became the new Walter in the early '80s, I couldn't accept him as the same character because he was so silent and odd. He was nothing like the previous version. Around 1981, when it became obvious that Al Dixon's version was not going to speak, I wrote to the production team asking if the two Walters were meant to be the same character, because they seemed so different. Clive Hornby and Jean Rogers had been cast as Jack Sugden and Dolly Skilbeck in 1980, but they resembled the previous actors and the characters were the same. The reply stated that the production team, headed by Anne W Gibbons, the producer, liked the tradition of a Walter at the Woolpack, but in casting Al Dixon, they had no intention of adhering to the character of the previous Walter. They wanted to create something fresh and original and so the idea came about that he would be silent.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The letter said that viewers could use their imaginations as to whether he was the same person as the previous Walter or not, so I decided that Amos, depressed by the death of his old regular Walter, had been happy when a new Walter turned up in Beckindale (Walter was a common name amongst aged men in those days) and had taken him under his wing, not at first realising how odd he was.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I wrote to the cast and production team several times in those days and have some lovely souvenirs. I'd be happy to scan some for you. I really enjoy reading your site and am always on the lookout for updates, which are all too rare!</i><br />
<br />
Thanks for that, Sheila! It's amazing! Thanks for your compliments, too. I'm a great fan of Al Dixon's highly distinctive Walter - he was the only SILENT Walter - and I'd love to see your souvenirs! I'll be in touch.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-71453518394013076652012-05-04T22:39:00.000+01:002012-05-05T01:49:14.984+01:00E-Mails - The Walters And Some Praise...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlU6eoGp7rtxvZ4Oe4WoUdMAnIviipecuA5U81nk7kxE3ww4YCk0VouoDFenk6vky5i8h19t6bkknwAtvNkuj3No_lgrYC98m-jSkmgFVmOLTIvFKYNLMUN2r5DLH6pSipdf-DdLkxbne/s1600/Walter+Signed.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459972159886003250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlU6eoGp7rtxvZ4Oe4WoUdMAnIviipecuA5U81nk7kxE3ww4YCk0VouoDFenk6vky5i8h19t6bkknwAtvNkuj3No_lgrYC98m-jSkmgFVmOLTIvFKYNLMUN2r5DLH6pSipdf-DdLkxbne/s400/Walter+Signed.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 294px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 168px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> </span>Terry writes:<br />
<br />
<i>Were the Walters in Emmerdale Farm supposed to be the same person in real life? I know there were three and they were very different, and it is the silent Walter played by Al Dixon from 1980-1985 who is the best remembered, but were they the same person in the program?</i><br />
<br />
I'm not sure about Meadows White, but the other two Walters were definitely linked. Geoffrey Hooper's Walter was a Woolpack regular who spoke. It was a lovely piece of character acting, but Walter was not a fully-fledged character in those days - more background. Geoffrey Hooper's Walter last appeared in early 1980. The actor died, but Anne W Gibbons and the production team liked the tradition of having a Walter at the Woolpack and decided to play with the concept. The new Walter was very different - the one and only silent Walter - and achieved a cult following. Some confusion followed with some people thinking that Geoffrey Hooper's Walter had been silent, but that, of course, was not true.<br />
<br />
I tend to think of them more in terms of separate characters because they were so different and because Al Dixon's Walter became such a cult. I think the <i>Emmerdale</i> production team expected its audience to be somewhat sophisticated and accept the fact that the new Walter was very different from the old and leave as a mystery whether they were the same character or not (were there two Walters in Beckindale? It was perfectly possible. If so, what was their history?) and just concentrate on Al Dixon as the "Silent One".<br />
<br />
I must say that as viewer of <i>Emmerdale Farm</i> from the very early days, the only Walter that registered in my memory was the Al Dixon version. I was surprised to discover later that there had been others. <br />
<br />
I recall a friend of mine some years uploading some late '70s <i>Emmerdale Farm</i> onto YouTube with Geoffrey Hooper as the non-silent Walter and us all being surprised that it was not the Walter we all remembered.<br />
<br />
In the end, no definite explanation was ever offered - so if you like to believe that<i> Emmerdale Farm</i> was real life you can list the Walters as the same person (despite looking different and having different personalities) or as separate locals in Beckindale. Or you can accept what was going on behind the scenes and just enjoy the Walter tradition, whether your favourite is Meadows White, Geoffrey Hooper or Al Dixon! <br />
<br />
And an e-mail from Sandra from March - sorry it's taken me so long to publish it!<br />
<br />
<i>Love this blog. It's well thought out, and well written. You really are a gifted writer because you make the old stories live and you have great understanding of the characters. The article you wrote about Jackie and Jack and the difficulties they experienced in finding a way of getting on together showed so much insight. I hope that a DVD company releases many more episodes. In the meantime, I hope you keep this blog going!</i><br />
<br />
Sandra you are really kind. Thank you! The blog is updated infrequently because I'm tied up with other blogs and my work and I'm shortly about to go into hospital, but it will update at times - I promise. Thank you again.<br />
<br />
<b>We have an exciting update on this topic - see it<a href="http://www.beckindale.com/2012/05/truth-about-walter.html"> here</a>. </b><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-15488056081272826512012-02-22T23:14:00.007+00:002012-02-22T19:33:00.143+00:00Ronald Magill's Music Choice - 1983<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFTAMyqUDFT2hVekWtjn72oTPR1tXeMJezSGH1FZ0twBi9oR06q3OQloUx5JafKVSODrSMcYSKWQlVOFN46ufWcAsl5Mf0GlbgaKUK-hkodh_ANx8zxylNwh-x8-JfznKiRE4zGHGHcY-/s1600-h/amos+cube+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173578562332296066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFTAMyqUDFT2hVekWtjn72oTPR1tXeMJezSGH1FZ0twBi9oR06q3OQloUx5JafKVSODrSMcYSKWQlVOFN46ufWcAsl5Mf0GlbgaKUK-hkodh_ANx8zxylNwh-x8-JfznKiRE4zGHGHcY-/s400/amos+cube+3.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="font-style: italic;">Ronald Magill as Amos Brearly, 1983.</span><br /></strong><br />More treasure from Carl "The Gresh" Gresham, who, in 1983, ran a series of hour-long programmes on his Radio Pennine show featuring various stars of <span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale Farm </span>highlighting their favourite music.<br /><br />Did Beckindale ever play home to a larger than life character than Mr Amos Brearly, licensee of the Woolpack Inn? Accomplished actor Ronald Magill took the role of a surly, nosy Yorkshire publican and made it one of the best loved characters in soap history.<br /><br />One of the best things about Amos was how he evolved. In the era 1972-1979, he was a great character - a puffed up peacock of a man, given to fads, with a stout Yorkshire commonsense underlying. In the 1980s, with Stan Richards joining the cast full-time as Seth Armstrong and Seth transferring his custom from the Malt Shovel to the Woolpack, and Al Dixon arriving as the weird silent Walter, the character of Amos became odder and more lovable than ever, thrusting off the last few vestiges of commonsense and lurching through the decade at war with Seth over his allotment, launching his own local newspaper, seeing UFOs at Bogle Bog, fighting a bitter war with rival landlord Ernie Shuttleworth, visiting a health farm, keeping bees, seeing crop circles and literally dozens of other exploits. The character was voted <span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale</span> viewers' favourite in several mid-to-late 1980s polls.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNySBeCctrq2MyDBBLDWDePcBBSNmNul2pvHzdfmqyI5ZnBZUsDW3k3CzWtmMjX5V0T3DZxuIQGOuETYNd4W4o5KzRe8kE8d0M-E68FbCZU7OiwtsjmgzVQBzN6ry1brIXbjiHR4e7J70q/s1600-h/1984+walter+and+amos.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285683044194256530" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 347px; height: 288px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNySBeCctrq2MyDBBLDWDePcBBSNmNul2pvHzdfmqyI5ZnBZUsDW3k3CzWtmMjX5V0T3DZxuIQGOuETYNd4W4o5KzRe8kE8d0M-E68FbCZU7OiwtsjmgzVQBzN6ry1brIXbjiHR4e7J70q/s400/1984+walter+and+amos.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Walter, played by Al Dixon from 1980-1985, gets a roasting from Amos in 1984.</span><br style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />When Carl "The Gresh" Gresham brought Ronald Magill to Pennine Radio to play some of his favourite music, Mr Magill chose the wonderful world of the musicals, and his choices were nothing less than inspired, spanning from the classic "greats" right through to the early 1980s.<br /><br />Ronald Magill was actually a quiet and cultured man, very different to the part he played on TV, but he displayed his great sense of humour when he announced that a Mr Amos Brearly of The Woolpack Inn, Beckindale, had sent a request to his musical choice show. What would Amos's choice be? And how did Seth Armstrong and Mr Wilks come into the picture?<br /><br />This wonderful hour with the man who created an <span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale</span> legend, is available simply because Carl Gresham is a bit of a hoarder. He kept the old Ampex ten inch tapes containing the Ronald Magill material, and, despite advice that they would have gone "crumply", persisted in seeking help so that they could be transferred onto CD. The result is an hour of sheer magic that might have been recorded last week!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpNOedlFacQmsxayrO-9jXJAsgLLPZEi2pa0pCuIz808USgPmIGjBcXChL3fi8bE-Qm6A-klhYq60c4XYFxGAL7RJe1aB9nv6PuQ7GwXWmsFx0iMmnSr3v7UH-mNbDZ3qT5dBDyEbeVOY/s1600-h/1983+village+show.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283511110784463362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 339px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpNOedlFacQmsxayrO-9jXJAsgLLPZEi2pa0pCuIz808USgPmIGjBcXChL3fi8bE-Qm6A-klhYq60c4XYFxGAL7RJe1aB9nv6PuQ7GwXWmsFx0iMmnSr3v7UH-mNbDZ3qT5dBDyEbeVOY/s400/1983+village+show.jpg" border="0" /></a><em> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Seth Armstrong - played by Stan Richards - annoys Amos at the 1983 Beckindale Christmas show.</span><br /></em><br />Copies of Ronnie Magill's musical choice are available from:<br /><br /><span style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">PO Box 3. Bradford. West</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Yorkshire. BD1 4QN </span><br /><br />The cost is £5.00 - including postage - which is a real bargain. Please make cheques payable to Carl Gresham. We don't usually go in for advertising or selling things at the<span style="font-style: italic;"> Bugle</span>, but this CD is, in our opinion, absolutely priceless!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oQe3HlInCFXhOkR5futgiFH2BsGc4ST3NVeFAXOHoahRllKT9NJNVunFd_DDML_CT942Gchb9zEdmdd3N6y6Xyg9FHVx3WemB7-3C6JPi5BjJhnNqgCNyojJV0FkD8ppp7uwVsfe_Kre/s1600/greshpat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oQe3HlInCFXhOkR5futgiFH2BsGc4ST3NVeFAXOHoahRllKT9NJNVunFd_DDML_CT942Gchb9zEdmdd3N6y6Xyg9FHVx3WemB7-3C6JPi5BjJhnNqgCNyojJV0FkD8ppp7uwVsfe_Kre/s400/greshpat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627856700524941394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">No stranger to the stars - Carl "The Gresh" Gresham with Coronation Street legend Pat Phoenix.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-56331237254611131462012-01-27T01:22:00.006+00:002012-02-09T04:24:50.436+00:00Matt And Dolly 1987!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJmvIbg03Ts7zAbuGiLOsgaPhkcnDkJy_NbuDAE25dHUhAeD4giemGM6j2phjTg-W-S-1NPayFT_O6yk6lvtVbvWvQf_pDTTI6-hlpfBlyUv0peGmFfJYVaHD-QhDwKTNPvENmRovteWT/s1600/Matt+and+Dolly.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJmvIbg03Ts7zAbuGiLOsgaPhkcnDkJy_NbuDAE25dHUhAeD4giemGM6j2phjTg-W-S-1NPayFT_O6yk6lvtVbvWvQf_pDTTI6-hlpfBlyUv0peGmFfJYVaHD-QhDwKTNPvENmRovteWT/s400/Matt+and+Dolly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702116362803897922" border="0" /></a>Frederick Pyne and Jean Rogers were Matt and Dolly Skilbeck, our favourite<span style="font-style: italic;"> Emmerdale Farm </span>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.<br /><br />But surely such scenes as the one pictured above didn't happen in secret at Matt and Dolly's place? It would have given the Beckindale gossips years of bliss had word got out! But don't worry - Jean Rogers and Frederick Pyne had simply donned different guises - Frederick's was Count Dracula, Jean's a saucy French maid - to raise money to keep a real life threatened local theatre in business!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-65870131406587776282011-12-25T00:00:00.000+00:002011-12-25T17:12:58.338+00:00Merry Christmas!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpNOedlFacQmsxayrO-9jXJAsgLLPZEi2pa0pCuIz808USgPmIGjBcXChL3fi8bE-Qm6A-klhYq60c4XYFxGAL7RJe1aB9nv6PuQ7GwXWmsFx0iMmnSr3v7UH-mNbDZ3qT5dBDyEbeVOY/s1600-h/1983+village+show.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283511110784463362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 339px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpNOedlFacQmsxayrO-9jXJAsgLLPZEi2pa0pCuIz808USgPmIGjBcXChL3fi8bE-Qm6A-klhYq60c4XYFxGAL7RJe1aB9nv6PuQ7GwXWmsFx0iMmnSr3v7UH-mNbDZ3qT5dBDyEbeVOY/s400/1983+village+show.jpg" border="0" /></a><em> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Seth annoys Amos at the 1983 Beckindale Christmas show.</span><br /></em><br />Best wishes for a very happy Christmas from<em> The Bugle</em>.<br /><br />And, as s always, thanks to all readers for calling in!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-86523001706417859732011-12-19T16:35:00.030+00:002011-12-23T21:17:52.792+00:00Timewarp To 1983: Clive Hornby's Music Choice - Courtesy of Carl Gresham!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QMJS5-GZnwlBKb9KHeRjAdg6LjM5Q0yEy-e-fC4k_DnjEdPQA9v6axHkFUh4cvCVj97aE4elnCu6UlB6xhiX2v5DhcwSxfx9WfnQypXwL4Uh9TUiSW4bclQsGpIE6lgBtJ2-hllqrX6h/s1600-h/jack+debates.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228900097210382594" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QMJS5-GZnwlBKb9KHeRjAdg6LjM5Q0yEy-e-fC4k_DnjEdPQA9v6axHkFUh4cvCVj97aE4elnCu6UlB6xhiX2v5DhcwSxfx9WfnQypXwL4Uh9TUiSW4bclQsGpIE6lgBtJ2-hllqrX6h/s400/jack+debates.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Jack Sugden (Clive Hornby) reflects on life at Emmerdale Farm in the 1980s.</span><br /><br />I've just been transported back to 1983 to spend some time with the late, much-loved <span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale Farm</span>/<span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale </span>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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".<br /><br />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 <span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale Farm</span> 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.<br /><br />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".<br /><br />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!<br /><br />The Clive Hornby show was originally broadcast on Thursday, 10th November, 1983.<br /><br />It's a lovely listen, an unexpectedly unearthed piece of <span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale</span> 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 <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">ever</span> 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 <span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale Farm</span> cast member.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />If you'd like to hear Clive's musical choice, the show is available on a CD, available from: <span style=""><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PO Box 3. Bradford. West</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Yorkshire. BD1 4QN </span><br /><br />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<span style="font-style: italic;"> Bugle</span>, but this CD is, in our opinion, absolutely priceless!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwngrcbKJxExICO1Zk0S8QfNwVCmxoOGVwg7MuQsK5c8sq7IJfh0Wi42rqKFp7-jGpYaX-_LINMmf3r2AoT-BO7njT_KlC6s6pMCtI-aTDqd9oBYZRapyLVzzZqX8ml-JRGQPiooMmY65z/s1600-h/Sugdens+Skilbecks+1984.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5151089556944771138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwngrcbKJxExICO1Zk0S8QfNwVCmxoOGVwg7MuQsK5c8sq7IJfh0Wi42rqKFp7-jGpYaX-_LINMmf3r2AoT-BO7njT_KlC6s6pMCtI-aTDqd9oBYZRapyLVzzZqX8ml-JRGQPiooMmY65z/s400/Sugdens+Skilbecks+1984.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-weight: bold;">Clive (far left) with his fellow cast members - the folks at Emmerdale Farm - summer 1984.</span><br /><br /><br /></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-60968270069582133282011-12-11T01:33:00.014+00:002011-12-13T21:56:12.687+00:001985: The Harvest, The Robbery, The Marriage Break-Up, The Royal Connection...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Twz3YJlIiE0OYa2LN-AxgMFMe7sXN90iJDSyX3ZzyAww9tpF3B-F67XehUx7AUvA_v_O5JeMDLOtmvkGgkYxheX8SYCj8E95VfB1Z1YrbRQSXKjBURIDXj6kSrMbRsDuZqyXwX9ost7O/s1600-h/walter+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175402299063730434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Twz3YJlIiE0OYa2LN-AxgMFMe7sXN90iJDSyX3ZzyAww9tpF3B-F67XehUx7AUvA_v_O5JeMDLOtmvkGgkYxheX8SYCj8E95VfB1Z1YrbRQSXKjBURIDXj6kSrMbRsDuZqyXwX9ost7O/s400/walter+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Harry Mowlam established an alibi at The Woolpack in 1985.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Here's some highlights from four 1985 episodes - comedy, sadness, high drama, farming, mundane moments...</span><br /><br />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?"<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!!"<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlSCa1mqPnZFeRxlFF6j13RB2zmZJZ0vkG0SaG7lTTzIwyP59jhQ6kcyzWS-GF6mMcwja_X6qasnZ2_4maeB8IStajo7y7eTvG2uVUvyjWEduM3YyWvfv6X4IuZMr6zmdboMSKShP-FaM/s1600-h/Sheila+Mercier.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214424312407294338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlSCa1mqPnZFeRxlFF6j13RB2zmZJZ0vkG0SaG7lTTzIwyP59jhQ6kcyzWS-GF6mMcwja_X6qasnZ2_4maeB8IStajo7y7eTvG2uVUvyjWEduM3YyWvfv6X4IuZMr6zmdboMSKShP-FaM/s400/Sheila+Mercier.jpg" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Warner and co rob the van and then make off: "Sweet as a nut!" says Warner.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ekmyj9VnW7bBxG9cb-SD6emHC0EYoBzS99nu0alaxq32-aqLEQtn5qGOD-5yvVvKX5JzBwtNoMALqZiuufn0TaW2G87vFHft7aItPbxYUfuV7LtfzwP0TBpZmKJwGO-48QrcQxGROysU/s1600/Robbery.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ekmyj9VnW7bBxG9cb-SD6emHC0EYoBzS99nu0alaxq32-aqLEQtn5qGOD-5yvVvKX5JzBwtNoMALqZiuufn0TaW2G87vFHft7aItPbxYUfuV7LtfzwP0TBpZmKJwGO-48QrcQxGROysU/s400/Robbery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458314012755952354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">From the <span style="font-style: italic;">Hotten Courier</span>, 1985.</span><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!"<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXIwjawkPgDeq1NwlLKL_UU8FUoxLIaWjC93jB9pvs-4toyWb5wEVliNmwKGlYeSXrWohC152JfiWZw6zu8i9K8_szsNr5vwcOQkTEXemh4a6drrSboRLenTZemCyZvHfbxRe-Id2SELE/s1600-h/1980+1980s.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230058044712599842" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXIwjawkPgDeq1NwlLKL_UU8FUoxLIaWjC93jB9pvs-4toyWb5wEVliNmwKGlYeSXrWohC152JfiWZw6zu8i9K8_szsNr5vwcOQkTEXemh4a6drrSboRLenTZemCyZvHfbxRe-Id2SELE/s400/1980+1980s.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">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.</span><br /><br />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!"<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16Cyz83Kqq-HGoLDbQjlEbajVO7YCXxlrahSo3V9beWlpHXO7ZaQCvzaGHHkt0FobeIdoab24dFZfQ3JobW-7arLDtNonSrYl_ch5dFnuQ2lf_eDQKX4hvoVj9-G80dAR2oRES3czK1yO/s1600-h/Sita.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146015628610163778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16Cyz83Kqq-HGoLDbQjlEbajVO7YCXxlrahSo3V9beWlpHXO7ZaQCvzaGHHkt0FobeIdoab24dFZfQ3JobW-7arLDtNonSrYl_ch5dFnuQ2lf_eDQKX4hvoVj9-G80dAR2oRES3czK1yO/s400/Sita.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Jackie and Sita discover opposition to their wedding plans.</span><br /><br />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...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-45827164225029920682011-07-11T00:29:00.005+01:002011-07-11T12:10:47.923+01:00The Gresh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPe-yDphK3HfBqZyo_s_X_7DXSa_TXlaqyHkIzhggr1B4eeEJlVF3HJPljF_ieEDg23kpvA9mtfn8-KwhyUWny94Ksh7gKuyodk9bJNsGVdpa_cVQcZ5Ds_6p6iyNU5gy2kjRbG8YIY7mX/s1600/greshbook.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPe-yDphK3HfBqZyo_s_X_7DXSa_TXlaqyHkIzhggr1B4eeEJlVF3HJPljF_ieEDg23kpvA9mtfn8-KwhyUWny94Ksh7gKuyodk9bJNsGVdpa_cVQcZ5Ds_6p6iyNU5gy2kjRbG8YIY7mX/s400/greshbook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627857559546243522" border="0" /></a>Now, just who or what is "The Gresh"?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />And WHAT names he brought to meet us at various locations!<br /><br />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 <span style="font-style: italic;">The Champions</span>? 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? <span style="font-style: italic;">Grandad</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Dad's Army</span> legend, Clive Dunn? "Ooh, you are awful!", Dick Emery? TV legend of many decades, Bruce Forsyth? The very zany Goodies? "Diddy" David Hamilton? Mr <span style="font-style: italic;">Opportunity Knocks </span>("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? <span style="font-style: italic;">Dr Who</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Worzel Gummidge</span> star, Jon Pertwee? 1960s and '70s TV star and fashion icon, Peter Wyngarde? The man from the <span style="font-style: italic;">JY Prog</span>, Jimmy Young? Well, The Gresh booked them all and many more, and his book, <span style="font-style: italic;">THE GRESH - A Lifetime in Show-Biz</span>, contains many fascinating anecdotes about these much-loved stars.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLU_RrcMFHi3nTOigz_H160uCL9mh8_Ioo-Rrz26PChFcisJtsdGQVg89OhiVWQGIxexyln_9K6DbwQl5y77OkZGZ5MnpiApFwvMYNxwye0OtzrOkDQ-kR2VtnxTV9YFXL9GOf5YJtL_x/s1600/greshhughie.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLU_RrcMFHi3nTOigz_H160uCL9mh8_Ioo-Rrz26PChFcisJtsdGQVg89OhiVWQGIxexyln_9K6DbwQl5y77OkZGZ5MnpiApFwvMYNxwye0OtzrOkDQ-kR2VtnxTV9YFXL9GOf5YJtL_x/s400/greshhughie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627855763476675858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Gresh and Hughie Green - remember the days of the old Clappometer?</span><br /><br />Who gave David Hamilton his "Diddy" nickname? Why was Margot Bryant (Minnie Caldwell of <span style="font-style: italic;">Coronation Street</span>) 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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4Wxjfs01FBcGy88d_UW4JDV_S9Kg2tHt0RTag0lUy5kvb-G-cJXO-HwJ8BnyblsrJqejCUw_QKQ1GoYT7iwgVluJBmdFBHuKcQkHsizRDlwqL2dqe1DH22ORfzI6if2TXKHYlqagy9O8/s1600/greshfrazer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 335px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4Wxjfs01FBcGy88d_UW4JDV_S9Kg2tHt0RTag0lUy5kvb-G-cJXO-HwJ8BnyblsrJqejCUw_QKQ1GoYT7iwgVluJBmdFBHuKcQkHsizRDlwqL2dqe1DH22ORfzI6if2TXKHYlqagy9O8/s400/greshfrazer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627856135605287362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Larking about with Emmerdale Farm and Dr Who legend Frazer Hines.</span><br /><br />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.<br /><br />"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!"<br /><br />Amongst our other <span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale Farm</span> 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.<br /><br />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 <span style="font-style: italic;">Coronation Street</span> 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!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZQ3IXyHkw-NWKKDv4mh2oUs5s35Cwa_LHaJCFfGL4nZt3yQmk3oZcIz29sr5dY__azkmjIQ1No-lwhbsSB2m3L5aMbuXXx_28z3rk6E6V4nowMRBmSsUkCVJl-WA7qHqRorZtbqYiLm0/s1600/greshjerry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 326px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZQ3IXyHkw-NWKKDv4mh2oUs5s35Cwa_LHaJCFfGL4nZt3yQmk3oZcIz29sr5dY__azkmjIQ1No-lwhbsSB2m3L5aMbuXXx_28z3rk6E6V4nowMRBmSsUkCVJl-WA7qHqRorZtbqYiLm0/s400/greshjerry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627859733526952258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">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.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oQe3HlInCFXhOkR5futgiFH2BsGc4ST3NVeFAXOHoahRllKT9NJNVunFd_DDML_CT942Gchb9zEdmdd3N6y6Xyg9FHVx3WemB7-3C6JPi5BjJhnNqgCNyojJV0FkD8ppp7uwVsfe_Kre/s1600/greshpat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oQe3HlInCFXhOkR5futgiFH2BsGc4ST3NVeFAXOHoahRllKT9NJNVunFd_DDML_CT942Gchb9zEdmdd3N6y6Xyg9FHVx3WemB7-3C6JPi5BjJhnNqgCNyojJV0FkD8ppp7uwVsfe_Kre/s400/greshpat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627856700524941394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Gresh with Coronation Street legend Pat Phoenix.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">THE GRESH - A Lifetime in Show-Biz</span> - 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.<br /><br />For details of how to obtain a copy, and lots more Gresh-style fun and nostalgia, check out Carl's own web site, here - <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.carlgresham.co.uk/"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">www.carlgre</span>s<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">ham.co.uk</span></a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRmnT-YB7FFttiwYDGwTtx8jBJSz22oKq33j6Y_kJFm3dOwJBENSg2bx4tBlL99rqRb3nKRBeIiQt-BQTO6R-87xgbo9v550NyB43f9vyXnmpqA7ntSfl-lDsSatSTgG23-TWOXGZ__2V/s1600/greshCannon-%2526-Ball.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRmnT-YB7FFttiwYDGwTtx8jBJSz22oKq33j6Y_kJFm3dOwJBENSg2bx4tBlL99rqRb3nKRBeIiQt-BQTO6R-87xgbo9v550NyB43f9vyXnmpqA7ntSfl-lDsSatSTgG23-TWOXGZ__2V/s400/greshCannon-%2526-Ball.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627857263027466418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">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!</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">For more </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">details about The Gresh on the radio click here -<br /><br /></span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://www.bcbradio.co.uk/details.php?details=197"> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">http://www.bcbradio.co.uk/details.php?details=197</span></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-81711581339031517852011-07-11T00:09:00.003+01:002011-07-11T00:57:23.496+01:00Sheila Mercier - Living With Fame<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkDtX2rppS7nVbTjFr7zQ23Ms0ZxOQCoJdViOK9wCDZa9BwMYMGAWpuEJUlXkY3KP5JU10XLU6z0ajnXSMyOztAV6YQL0Jmvt5zxnY9ONbFbkydUtmhjInHcWbSlYvIlIVqPCIIhgcLFZ/s1600-h/Annie+80s.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145469463388935186" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkDtX2rppS7nVbTjFr7zQ23Ms0ZxOQCoJdViOK9wCDZa9BwMYMGAWpuEJUlXkY3KP5JU10XLU6z0ajnXSMyOztAV6YQL0Jmvt5zxnY9ONbFbkydUtmhjInHcWbSlYvIlIVqPCIIhgcLFZ/s400/Annie+80s.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sheila Mercier as Annie Sugden, matriarch of "Emmerdale Farm", in the 1980s.</span><br /><br /></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxJ1fRBae7vpLGh_gJMdu7PMCkEXPZM78sJjbtYIwXQvHT3HjBAJnchwGNFJd87f1uzeASWp2i4CV1Hsru2dja3Zagmb9YHbkvZk9NxMLqsTau11jcOorR3vAgfNqEP5_9rHqDg978XoP/s1600-h/Annie+early+days.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145469128381486082" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxJ1fRBae7vpLGh_gJMdu7PMCkEXPZM78sJjbtYIwXQvHT3HjBAJnchwGNFJd87f1uzeASWp2i4CV1Hsru2dja3Zagmb9YHbkvZk9NxMLqsTau11jcOorR3vAgfNqEP5_9rHqDg978XoP/s400/Annie+early+days.jpg" border="0" /></a><em> <span style="font-weight: bold;">An early signed publicity photograph.</span></em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Nh2mywRvncnHmqoJAh17hPltkqA7tuJi5V0Fk_4SOG5dWdJSI0UrhgJRZefd-iZJHyRGTH_rgJPwoolYdQnBT_V_fBGhPOaySqKQlD-GOoVxEfuOUCnuSppGXZ4vns5i2Xfdw1kmqk7R/s1600-h/Mixed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145469025302270962" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Nh2mywRvncnHmqoJAh17hPltkqA7tuJi5V0Fk_4SOG5dWdJSI0UrhgJRZefd-iZJHyRGTH_rgJPwoolYdQnBT_V_fBGhPOaySqKQlD-GOoVxEfuOUCnuSppGXZ4vns5i2Xfdw1kmqk7R/s400/Mixed.jpg" border="0" /></a> From the <em>Daily Mirror</em>, May 23, 1985:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Sheila Mercier, who plays the head of the farming household, Annie Sugden, has been the female anchor of the show since the first episode.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">But she has mixed feelings about the programme.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">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."</span><br /><br /><em style="font-weight: bold;">"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."</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-37902002418683822372011-07-11T00:07:00.000+01:002011-07-11T00:07:40.644+01:001989: The End Of The Matt And Dolly Years<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh_r8fpRGPmk79HbTymhy7GmUcqKnboq6cdzoddECEMzH4kcV12hPNI6Lt26VyTvdNWf_RabPJ-irWLl9EsUoTE7b3-Hy_rpu17sDVdMxdoUjKOmQONUKAUqoMPD0rfsLRZAY1fRchWe-/s1600-h/matt+dolly+sam+80s.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153518601468828226" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZh_r8fpRGPmk79HbTymhy7GmUcqKnboq6cdzoddECEMzH4kcV12hPNI6Lt26VyTvdNWf_RabPJ-irWLl9EsUoTE7b3-Hy_rpu17sDVdMxdoUjKOmQONUKAUqoMPD0rfsLRZAY1fRchWe-/s400/matt+dolly+sam+80s.jpg" border="0" /></a> 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Dolly too had known unhappiness - the birth and subsequent adoption of a son, Graham, born of an unhappy relationship.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />In the storyline, the couple knew <em><strong>some</strong></em> 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.<br /><br />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).<br /><br />And the Skilbecks' marriage fell apart.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />It was a sad ending for what had seemed a happy and enduring screen marriage, and for some of the viewers' favourite characters.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-41946431039877915222011-07-11T00:03:00.000+01:002011-07-11T00:03:18.415+01:001983: Wild Oats Farm - And Old Walter's Saying Nowt!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0uwEwRO-nz_dldutFolinVF5v7bc1EAY9GyA2kRzq_6Ng_ng1s5TjiF5di7v0q3YgOVFhhd0ob9uRF2gKEbTCkMVMl63jjL4grofB49QM71Un7I-KbKBYe_BJbuEjQUeDwHMoBwKO8T8/s1600-h/wild+oats+1983.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149789491819108194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0uwEwRO-nz_dldutFolinVF5v7bc1EAY9GyA2kRzq_6Ng_ng1s5TjiF5di7v0q3YgOVFhhd0ob9uRF2gKEbTCkMVMl63jjL4grofB49QM71Un7I-KbKBYe_BJbuEjQUeDwHMoBwKO8T8/s400/wild+oats+1983.jpg" border="0" /></a><em> Sunday Mirror</em>, June 26, 1983:<br /><br /><em>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.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>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.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>We went to find out why the world is hooked on the goings-on behind the gritty grim exteriors of the village of Beckindale.</em><br /><em></em><br />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.<br /><br />Said Ms Kerslake:<br /><br />"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."<br /><br />Frazer Hines was also bowing out, although he would return later in the decade.<br /><br />Ian Sharrock said of Jackie Merrick: "It was great when I was going around being objectionable, burning caravans down and smashing things. I was <em><strong>really</strong></em> 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!"<br /><br />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<em> Emmerdale</em> if I ever spoke any lines."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-50049169020322146982011-07-10T18:39:00.000+01:002011-07-10T18:39:24.385+01:001983-1984 - The Fall And Rise Of Alan Turner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-oV_GmCbVvLlbhJ7S0GJfQ-WUOZL3OPIPqEByCOBRgHpqfDdNyREuvajbgHx-uOqWCipkKqbnVVKa2ijAsrh2na2KiykMAgqrcCJohtH9DrygucBgDIEg9LGng37wvXdP6AY7LV1iTVB/s1600-h/Sue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-oV_GmCbVvLlbhJ7S0GJfQ-WUOZL3OPIPqEByCOBRgHpqfDdNyREuvajbgHx-uOqWCipkKqbnVVKa2ijAsrh2na2KiykMAgqrcCJohtH9DrygucBgDIEg9LGng37wvXdP6AY7LV1iTVB/s400/Sue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365115981571798082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Trouble brewing - Alan (Richard Thorp) and secretary Sue Lockwood (Debbie Bowers).</span><br /><br />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).<br /><br />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).<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />John hated the proposition. But jobs were hard to come by and he was a family man.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />Alan made her faintly uneasy. He smiled at her... He stared at her. But surely he was just being friendly?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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...<br /><br />Nobody was convinced.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLiIWMWLjpRJLpgn0SnuuryQHVh1ezop5XElmQxvZqzNVCurv-QWFIJhOLkkviZfjKRmKdQXuoikmyqiZ6eVRBTZQWZfyefzXXxgQokFd8TC7Ryr6Cnu0t52DWvwt3kA9IefH2Vw6xmXL/s1600-h/1983+NY+computer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLiIWMWLjpRJLpgn0SnuuryQHVh1ezop5XElmQxvZqzNVCurv-QWFIJhOLkkviZfjKRmKdQXuoikmyqiZ6eVRBTZQWZfyefzXXxgQokFd8TC7Ryr6Cnu0t52DWvwt3kA9IefH2Vw6xmXL/s400/1983+NY+computer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365115739331133298" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br />"OPERATOR ERROR - PLEASE REPEAT LAST INSTRUCTION" was the oft-repeated text flashed up on the screen whenever Alan attempted to use the computer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiK8CTg3nZLy8NmWqHPr0HkHVdcPIw4BbMqglnUHTDXCjXMEdNVmley65c3uDA7ZwYGYUXr2ypEGHfVeiSoaagSkDSqcNHMY96uWwoJQMmchlJGCsjf4UIVFlpTFIWLbS71UpsnElQ3X9/s1600-h/seth+computer+alan+1983.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 306px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiK8CTg3nZLy8NmWqHPr0HkHVdcPIw4BbMqglnUHTDXCjXMEdNVmley65c3uDA7ZwYGYUXr2ypEGHfVeiSoaagSkDSqcNHMY96uWwoJQMmchlJGCsjf4UIVFlpTFIWLbS71UpsnElQ3X9/s400/seth+computer+alan+1983.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365115575309292786" border="0" /></a>Seth Armstrong (Stan Richards) thought the computer looked like a telly, and asked if there was anything good on? Alan was not amused.<br /><br />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).<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRImxYOV-LZatmpM7KU1R32w4g8YiH-AZxakpLHrZY1NXcn2yFsfBayT6-wB00r73yURCFYmpJOeucxt8ZGBu02tYAkjbC7BIETbAm7hd78waUhU3bj8YrXUOOv2PnJk5FqQDM5sPksDa_/s1600-h/Alan+tumble.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRImxYOV-LZatmpM7KU1R32w4g8YiH-AZxakpLHrZY1NXcn2yFsfBayT6-wB00r73yURCFYmpJOeucxt8ZGBu02tYAkjbC7BIETbAm7hd78waUhU3bj8YrXUOOv2PnJk5FqQDM5sPksDa_/s400/Alan+tumble.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365115301007224322" border="0" /></a>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 <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">obvious </span>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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3aqJ4m-MQr90CSCIBqskfHXr9Msi6SaeKu8Yb7O5Dz2zw_f46ZSF8idLeMQgt9MdIGKN-CKNDGskt1G6bPYTKzi9O7jn3qD_UwNNVhBulZAgZV_mZ5RJHw88Qx5kw-G7_jKkgnsgO2NY/s1600-h/Mrs+Turner+1984.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3aqJ4m-MQr90CSCIBqskfHXr9Msi6SaeKu8Yb7O5Dz2zw_f46ZSF8idLeMQgt9MdIGKN-CKNDGskt1G6bPYTKzi9O7jn3qD_UwNNVhBulZAgZV_mZ5RJHw88Qx5kw-G7_jKkgnsgO2NY/s400/Mrs+Turner+1984.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365115134988862802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Jill Turner (Patricia Maynard).</span><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hpUg7SEbp1kilV4OzlK62USsAsUd-Al2TgMJCM8Cy6Rp6Zx2EJFXk48-SHH_T6Sp3UJGbk62p6K9t-ggcqz7UaCvmMBjtN5KGN-tYq38DfK2KoKfEZQBpo61BtYubVQ1s8-dCReTnCjo/s1600-h/Christopher+Meadows+1984.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hpUg7SEbp1kilV4OzlK62USsAsUd-Al2TgMJCM8Cy6Rp6Zx2EJFXk48-SHH_T6Sp3UJGbk62p6K9t-ggcqz7UaCvmMBjtN5KGN-tYq38DfK2KoKfEZQBpo61BtYubVQ1s8-dCReTnCjo/s400/Christopher+Meadows+1984.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365173730040768226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Christopher Meadows (Conrad Phillips).</span><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">least</span> he could do was <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">pay</span> for it!<br /><br />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<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> fought</span> for the workforce over the redundancies and this was how they repaid him - by blaming him for something that wasn't his fault!<br /><br />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!<br /><br />Jill still had a fondness for Alan and helped him, her greatest contribution being to employ a new "temp" secretary for him.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizruJhBFEXj_ZEIjPXsqwD2DLiTS4AohBgcwsLhqjzuWGj8bkYxR6o__Bl-dMQQSNFVBMYGq5z47xYwabgOZ-YmwU5utfQ_oVQmB7MkK5ROcu1ahUMyR-gHE159MbgXN2gtzn4bxiI7eIM/s1600-h/Mrs+Bates84.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizruJhBFEXj_ZEIjPXsqwD2DLiTS4AohBgcwsLhqjzuWGj8bkYxR6o__Bl-dMQQSNFVBMYGq5z47xYwabgOZ-YmwU5utfQ_oVQmB7MkK5ROcu1ahUMyR-gHE159MbgXN2gtzn4bxiI7eIM/s400/Mrs+Bates84.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365114863034651266" border="0" /></a>Soon afterwards, the "temp" secretary arrived - Caroline Bates (Diana Davies) - "Mrs Bates" to Alan Turner (and indeed in the show's closing credits).<br /><br />There were bumpy times ahead. And Alan was certainly<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> not </span>a reformed character. He was a true <span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale Farm</span> groundbreaker - the first permanent character who actually consciously acted badly, manipulating and bullying for his own advancement and self preservation.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Qtu6oHrTONrVqLP7XwafpVkkTB96SGP2vA_ljKo7LBU2CrdPelsU3quUM2m7ufbR-Ot1UjMpqnCRIx42TtSZEjIx1JTq4NYLi-Pgawe0Jz72qCdowFEhS9ylI3Y7GsOT_gCnquQmX-ns/s1600-h/alan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 145px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Qtu6oHrTONrVqLP7XwafpVkkTB96SGP2vA_ljKo7LBU2CrdPelsU3quUM2m7ufbR-Ot1UjMpqnCRIx42TtSZEjIx1JTq4NYLi-Pgawe0Jz72qCdowFEhS9ylI3Y7GsOT_gCnquQmX-ns/s400/alan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365114278663720898" border="0" /></a>And Mrs Bates thought he was funny. On the quiet.<br /><br />One of Alan's first acts to impress her was to buy a proper coffee percolator for the office and banish the dreaded instant.<br /><br />Demonstrating it to her, he managed to tear open the packet of coffee and spill it everywhere.<br /><br />Mrs Bates averted her gaze and smiled quietly to herself.<br /><br />It was the beginning of a great <span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale </span>partnership.<br /><br />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 <span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale</span> comic scenarios.<br /><br />I must end this post by saying that 1984 saw the start of one of my favourite<span style="font-style: italic;"> Emmerdale</span> eras of <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">all time</span> - the era of Alan Turner and Mrs Bates.<br /><br />Happy days!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-30384863118314133282011-07-10T18:37:00.000+01:002011-07-10T18:37:32.679+01:001980: Joe Goes To NY Estates<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKZNQ9-RgIcDW1X95cbi_RD2pDPlJAltw1AEwGBt3Rmq4F6CfNXk_bJDJQ6tcL3jusULLrngsybmHfZEwqI4DWp6pxwAMX9cncQVqZuT_39E-UdgjUbuy4s7iCkCoWX8OIMuzXUjxV3zV/s1600-h/joe+80s+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238934149539750066" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKZNQ9-RgIcDW1X95cbi_RD2pDPlJAltw1AEwGBt3Rmq4F6CfNXk_bJDJQ6tcL3jusULLrngsybmHfZEwqI4DWp6pxwAMX9cncQVqZuT_39E-UdgjUbuy4s7iCkCoWX8OIMuzXUjxV3zV/s400/joe+80s+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><em style="font-weight: bold;">Matt, Jack and Joe in the Emmerdale Land Rover, 1980.</em><br /><em></em><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Jack had bought them out of own money.<br /><br />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.<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCx83ilMelj1m_BHKa-OzwfTdCV8nXRKw4C7LwcoSWNAer5k6_Hob5AEzhkmSYsrfhyphenhyphenSmrAV0zgwfvSENW0dcNaFIdavIfexPjlZDnK3dq7q3Co44obZzhomvWeWYXUYFifI_V3y8vOUW/s1600-h/joe+80s+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238933527733369618" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCx83ilMelj1m_BHKa-OzwfTdCV8nXRKw4C7LwcoSWNAer5k6_Hob5AEzhkmSYsrfhyphenhyphenSmrAV0zgwfvSENW0dcNaFIdavIfexPjlZDnK3dq7q3Co44obZzhomvWeWYXUYFifI_V3y8vOUW/s400/joe+80s+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> 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.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyNVEjCATeoLbotdczvFZ_cr-EcMuU6bnMklqsdv6wduVpriFZy7Ebv8AvR9iQwaHmj_guvbJZUtBshFnNTqWfAgEEJ0RGbCkwkqd2qve_ma4WVEhP-RNpm0FinIeZKcd2N967pVnEIF7/s1600-h/Joe+80+%282%29.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238933430033950946" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyNVEjCATeoLbotdczvFZ_cr-EcMuU6bnMklqsdv6wduVpriFZy7Ebv8AvR9iQwaHmj_guvbJZUtBshFnNTqWfAgEEJ0RGbCkwkqd2qve_ma4WVEhP-RNpm0FinIeZKcd2N967pVnEIF7/s400/Joe+80+%282%29.jpg" border="0" /></a> Joe was tempted: NY was go-ahead, heartlessly so, certain people said, and the job would be a challenge...<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEFBXJbDqrnEy3-6rkpZ9wxqAxZT6Sah6STEZ_WvIxag6sN75fqJ0OJknhglhFaXUQuNQwh4g7IZEEXbIUhTLyurlRnak5-Hk9B2cMEIKCBsk4x_vj65jFrSb-sogH1pBK8J2LFUEsaq9/s1600-h/joe+80s+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238933170695298610" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEFBXJbDqrnEy3-6rkpZ9wxqAxZT6Sah6STEZ_WvIxag6sN75fqJ0OJknhglhFaXUQuNQwh4g7IZEEXbIUhTLyurlRnak5-Hk9B2cMEIKCBsk4x_vj65jFrSb-sogH1pBK8J2LFUEsaq9/s400/joe+80s+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> It would also be a way of breaking free of the faintly uneasy atmosphere at Emmerdale Farm. <em><strong>Who</strong></em> 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.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFgvh-WLdbfVGi8kv0XCTn7rzLDxhzRa444rO8oi-mcabM_W0oDSoM9H7AEAK0nwJi9ZHSjNTsUdi22Y9RwOqCTVG_thZX9Id4ik4-0t5GAEj5WV3LhLywD6jM_8KG461eK8uxT0DyF5h/s1600-h/Joe+80s.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238933000628721762" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFgvh-WLdbfVGi8kv0XCTn7rzLDxhzRa444rO8oi-mcabM_W0oDSoM9H7AEAK0nwJi9ZHSjNTsUdi22Y9RwOqCTVG_thZX9Id4ik4-0t5GAEj5WV3LhLywD6jM_8KG461eK8uxT0DyF5h/s400/Joe+80s.jpg" border="0" /></a>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.</p><p>The house was quiet without Joe, but after a few visits from him, Sam and Annie began to perk up.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bCV24FPNBZKhCf9_hCVPryNZHec38cyz3AnzMZv_tz9Z8JL3e-IAvhOZf8W_-dtBaLUaYCLzam96V85qQIuVAxcCqwFXliF7c3p7B-vatyLoyeGsynNIskbuJLqLC3H8nadeQH74GaBo/s1600-h/joe+80s+0.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238932876958817650" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bCV24FPNBZKhCf9_hCVPryNZHec38cyz3AnzMZv_tz9Z8JL3e-IAvhOZf8W_-dtBaLUaYCLzam96V85qQIuVAxcCqwFXliF7c3p7B-vatyLoyeGsynNIskbuJLqLC3H8nadeQH74GaBo/s400/joe+80s+0.jpg" border="0" /></a><em style="font-weight: bold;">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.</em></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>But for Beckindale the move led to lots of fascinating gossip, and for <em>Emmerdale Farm</em> viewers some highly enjoyable storylines.</p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-30202139367329350172011-07-10T18:36:00.000+01:002011-07-10T18:36:11.237+01:00Beckindale Meets The Real World - 1980s Pop Culture In Emmerdale Farm...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAdVlt3SHqRVEd4kKkklFxp3kI2ZE1d192ZJGtxBAo5sbHx-JncPjod_fcJw2rCasB6Nnv_gwpTtciVdcJhlxpQnq7Tb6jwsaV255d2_2HzwBoZlIIpQGWVLtZgWCv8QEKCqM70CiV6tj/s1600-h/space+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250423453624329666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAdVlt3SHqRVEd4kKkklFxp3kI2ZE1d192ZJGtxBAo5sbHx-JncPjod_fcJw2rCasB6Nnv_gwpTtciVdcJhlxpQnq7Tb6jwsaV255d2_2HzwBoZlIIpQGWVLtZgWCv8QEKCqM70CiV6tj/s400/space+3.jpg" border="0" /></a> 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.<br /><br />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...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UwPCL4f6MjL9-FES9O17uCwBQzPbYrpHTA-KYuFBhsii8S4UB1jIjQWcd9F8FX7IDEveCBPbtqIriO5MQsLk4w_OBCfDCPsSJ_2lU5MT9s5w9E2iGvhVjYTFDuY_lGfMzBUYDF21gsHC/s1600-h/space+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250423205270822210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6UwPCL4f6MjL9-FES9O17uCwBQzPbYrpHTA-KYuFBhsii8S4UB1jIjQWcd9F8FX7IDEveCBPbtqIriO5MQsLk4w_OBCfDCPsSJ_2lU5MT9s5w9E2iGvhVjYTFDuY_lGfMzBUYDF21gsHC/s400/space+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> To find Amos, he who (apparently) looked down on modern technological fads, absolutely glued to the machine...<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoPu0C-WunyUmrlOH7AHiHYHsKkCvdpJAgfm2SXuUQIyJHdUC5xZhzm_4HaCm8FKZ26evcR6lhJ0MvSwo6ZDkmOQsfoWBar-ec7f-pm4_zs3VyCy9n5R4eJK6u7R2Cxn6309sTFKdfu1Z/s1600-h/space+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250423083853986434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoPu0C-WunyUmrlOH7AHiHYHsKkCvdpJAgfm2SXuUQIyJHdUC5xZhzm_4HaCm8FKZ26evcR6lhJ0MvSwo6ZDkmOQsfoWBar-ec7f-pm4_zs3VyCy9n5R4eJK6u7R2Cxn6309sTFKdfu1Z/s400/space+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> ... valiantly fighting a losing battle.<br /><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUfCc7mdOn4bheAloGMjBl8ES9Bsx7LIIGkpfMWcpHFIlrsLHyeYSs-Caz0hDSeZeFad1AJw9s3_3bmGeezLTByL3nKRtl9ogR-RgUHLYtrsFwl_rgVMBHWZ1Z7TcNXgdCR4ERV_dbr_E/s1600-h/game81.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250422878386758706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUfCc7mdOn4bheAloGMjBl8ES9Bsx7LIIGkpfMWcpHFIlrsLHyeYSs-Caz0hDSeZeFad1AJw9s3_3bmGeezLTByL3nKRtl9ogR-RgUHLYtrsFwl_rgVMBHWZ1Z7TcNXgdCR4ERV_dbr_E/s400/game81.jpg" border="0" /></a> This article is from the <em>Cambridge Evening News</em>, 1981, and proves just how topical <em>Emmerdale Farm</em> was being by including Space Invaders in its story lines.</p><p>More about Space Invaders <a href="http://80sactual.blogspot.com/2007/05/space-invaders.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;">here</span></a>.<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UE2GW3-kg3H73nZUlBtRBDboP4b0Y_91-wSHsxF_89OWoOlCyy1NlOjbugvTkUuT1dHxcb-5MogpEkmn4I4H5KKkdOuSIK7ttFJirNgwXWdDIwFzcBfFixPK-E4rZhRHN3zySdLyVrxH/s1600-h/cube+grandad+1982.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250422588069460722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UE2GW3-kg3H73nZUlBtRBDboP4b0Y_91-wSHsxF_89OWoOlCyy1NlOjbugvTkUuT1dHxcb-5MogpEkmn4I4H5KKkdOuSIK7ttFJirNgwXWdDIwFzcBfFixPK-E4rZhRHN3zySdLyVrxH/s400/cube+grandad+1982.jpg" border="0" /></a> 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.<br /><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7DsxQhOGlB0q0pnWd9992Uy066AEWjYy2QBfUhUYmjYcAshi5FyKbnKBjhN_q3ue2QzEfHtSSGxJiC7o4J_6Vx1MUhbs7SHVilel4GWTaC_QnQpzrxr0F67jbduV_pJMBIKyjdqE8u4u/s1600-h/may_1982c.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250422416302878930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7DsxQhOGlB0q0pnWd9992Uy066AEWjYy2QBfUhUYmjYcAshi5FyKbnKBjhN_q3ue2QzEfHtSSGxJiC7o4J_6Vx1MUhbs7SHVilel4GWTaC_QnQpzrxr0F67jbduV_pJMBIKyjdqE8u4u/s400/may_1982c.jpg" border="0" /></a>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. </p><p>The pictured article from<em> The Sun</em>, May 1982, shows that people were doing the Cube <em>everywhere</em>, and that<em> Emmerdale Farm</em> was once more absolutely on the button when it came to pop culture!</p><p>More about the Cube<a href="http://80sactual.blogspot.com/2007/04/rubiks-cube.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;"> here</span></a>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-8973015675947157142011-07-10T18:12:00.006+01:002011-07-10T18:19:27.422+01:00Annie, Joe, Matt and Dolly - Reunited!<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uoriCbChuF8" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="425"></iframe><br /><br />A YouTube clip showing original <span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale Farm</span> 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.<br /><br />Hat tip to Will for spotting this.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-62776337197422581922011-06-02T02:06:00.006+01:002011-06-02T09:27:44.839+01:00Al Dixon - What Walter Did In 1941<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_XIOhBthgrMzA6coZKM4_oMul2Sf2PEMu7ciIn-B05uAnrAcLSiOFzRX1pu6cZSE2LP0-MuTeP9OKW_SCSC7Cwn3km_hcD2rktAGd_-A15XNg_WSHcSg8YHrbuKLkngwUHYLP_MG_aj4/s1600/al+dixon+walter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_XIOhBthgrMzA6coZKM4_oMul2Sf2PEMu7ciIn-B05uAnrAcLSiOFzRX1pu6cZSE2LP0-MuTeP9OKW_SCSC7Cwn3km_hcD2rktAGd_-A15XNg_WSHcSg8YHrbuKLkngwUHYLP_MG_aj4/s400/al+dixon+walter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613426904526354658" border="0" /></a><br />Of course, Al Dixon did not make his <span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale Farm</span> 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.<br /><br />With the summer season programme, came a clipping from a March 1986 newspaper:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">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.</span><br /><br />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 <span style="font-style: italic;">Emmerdale Farm</span> cast with his recollections.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />And how did he actually land the Walter role?<br /><br />"They asked me to take my teeth out, and that's how I got the part!" explained Al in 1985.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-276660823353208172011-03-26T17:14:00.003+00:002011-03-26T17:29:51.378+00:00Competition Winners<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhE5IRs9v2drXn-eaXfxKUjOc9-VozCzQg3rVw4fOBZsWfxiHxNZSQAj_VGJqwlqjg4SjcBcDNZgAIbp1WR_LulEnYdokedVeC4Tb4ycs9Kgn1hNcxx12Nyx-scHJMDlzPlcSN4HQFm8Pm/s1600/Bugle+Comp.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhE5IRs9v2drXn-eaXfxKUjOc9-VozCzQg3rVw4fOBZsWfxiHxNZSQAj_VGJqwlqjg4SjcBcDNZgAIbp1WR_LulEnYdokedVeC4Tb4ycs9Kgn1hNcxx12Nyx-scHJMDlzPlcSN4HQFm8Pm/s400/Bugle+Comp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566694445594937282" border="0" /></a>What was Dolly saying? Well, we have three lucky competition winners to tell us!<br /><br />"Out On A Limb" wrote:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Dolly: "</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Eee</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">, 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..."</span><br /><br />Cerys wrote:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Dolly: "This is a lovely </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">knitting</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> pattern - neon pink legwarmers! Just the thing for you Matt - trendy and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">practical</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> for working on the farm!"</span><br /><br />Ian wrote:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Dolly: "And just think - if I'd added paprika it would of been goulash!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Matt: "Well as you didn't, do you mind telling me WHAT it is?"</span><br /><br />Well done, folks, some nice giggles there! Just send me your addresses and your highly exclusive <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Beckindale Bugle</span> mugs will be on the way to you!<br /><br />Drink your tea with pride!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyfuyx-qZULZNBXzCoxQ72yNbf0kVd4pRqLUexRxPrnesfDO83gzYWAmfSiH5T8t7YHBjFCUYMgXjRCFjXl8MEiIaodzT8lLKlPp1wWGfNtrs9k_liCrrlIwkEHXekFbhA4eR4K4zvj9F/s1600/Beckindale+Bugle+mug.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 352px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyfuyx-qZULZNBXzCoxQ72yNbf0kVd4pRqLUexRxPrnesfDO83gzYWAmfSiH5T8t7YHBjFCUYMgXjRCFjXl8MEiIaodzT8lLKlPp1wWGfNtrs9k_liCrrlIwkEHXekFbhA4eR4K4zvj9F/s400/Beckindale+Bugle+mug.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566696062718897298" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6410796066584555628.post-15882700427700441302011-01-27T02:56:00.004+00:002011-01-27T12:23:15.409+00:00Competition: What's Dolly Saying? Win A Beckindale Bugle Mug!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhE5IRs9v2drXn-eaXfxKUjOc9-VozCzQg3rVw4fOBZsWfxiHxNZSQAj_VGJqwlqjg4SjcBcDNZgAIbp1WR_LulEnYdokedVeC4Tb4ycs9Kgn1hNcxx12Nyx-scHJMDlzPlcSN4HQFm8Pm/s1600/Bugle+Comp.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhE5IRs9v2drXn-eaXfxKUjOc9-VozCzQg3rVw4fOBZsWfxiHxNZSQAj_VGJqwlqjg4SjcBcDNZgAIbp1WR_LulEnYdokedVeC4Tb4ycs9Kgn1hNcxx12Nyx-scHJMDlzPlcSN4HQFm8Pm/s400/Bugle+Comp.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566694445594937282" border="0" /></a>Here's your chance to win your very own, limited edition Beckindale Bugle ("Gossip From '80s Amos") tea mug.<br /><br />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 <span style="font-style: italic;">Bugle</span> mugs (Walter and Mr Wilks have already got theirs!). So, don't delay, write today!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: 28 February 2011.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyfuyx-qZULZNBXzCoxQ72yNbf0kVd4pRqLUexRxPrnesfDO83gzYWAmfSiH5T8t7YHBjFCUYMgXjRCFjXl8MEiIaodzT8lLKlPp1wWGfNtrs9k_liCrrlIwkEHXekFbhA4eR4K4zvj9F/s1600/Beckindale+Bugle+mug.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 352px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyfuyx-qZULZNBXzCoxQ72yNbf0kVd4pRqLUexRxPrnesfDO83gzYWAmfSiH5T8t7YHBjFCUYMgXjRCFjXl8MEiIaodzT8lLKlPp1wWGfNtrs9k_liCrrlIwkEHXekFbhA4eR4K4zvj9F/s400/Beckindale+Bugle+mug.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566696062718897298" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0