Beckindale Bugle - Emmerdale Farm In The 1980s: Malcolm Raeburn

Friday 8 August 2008

1980: Ups And Downs At NY Estates...

Up The Workers - John Tuplin (Malcolm Raeburn) and Daniel Hawkins (Alan Starkey) ruminate over a pint.

We finally escaped from the office and got out amongst the land workers at the NY Estates Beckindale holding in 1980. John Tuplin was unhappy with his wage. NY Estates insisted that they were paying the "going rate", but John called for the men to join the Union. This they did, and the Union told NY Estates Beckindale boss Richard Anstey that the company were actually paying the minimum rate, and demanded an increase.

The result was a 5% pay rise for the men, although it might have been more if Richard Anstey had been a little more honest.

Meanwhile, Daniel Hawkins, a cowman on the estate since the Verneys' era, was most unhappy at new farm manager Joe Sugden's suggestion that hormone injection trials should take place. He was protective of the cattle, and closely questioned Joe about the safety aspects of such a move.
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But Daniel lost that battle.

INTRODUCTION

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

So, I decided to share them with Emmerdale historians.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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