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The BBC's answer to Dynasty, Howards' Way was launched in 1985 with an enormous 1 million pound budget. The main characters in the show were 'best boat designer in the world' Tom Howard, his boutique running wife Jan Howard, 'I'll have a drink' Jack Rolfe and a nasty man called Ken Masters. It starred Maurice Colbourne.
1987
The Mermaid is struggling to escape the negative publicity generated by the catamaran accident and desperately needs new contacts. Meanwhile Jan's ultra chic designs are in such great demand she decides to employ an extra pair of stylish hands.
The future of the Mermaid hangs in the balance with the coroner's verdict yet to be decided and to add insult to injury Charles plans to withdraw the Barracuda from the market. Tom and Avril's relationship comes to an end.
Polly and Gerald's relationship is suffering as her spending gets out of control. Is Charles trying to sabotage the Mermaid? With financial ruin on the horizon, Jack earns a much-needed commission and Leo's boat refurbishment business is a success.
The competition is on as the Summer Powerboat race , leads to tensions between Ken and Charles. Sir Edward , is approached by Jan with a business proposition and , he has one for her but of a personal nature. Ken , and Sarah are caught in a compromising position.
Jan's newly discovered talent Anna reveals she may be promised to someone and forced to quit the exciting world of fashion. Tom learns the outcome of the trial and can breathe a sigh of relief; meanwhile Leo's business has a new investor.
The Mermaid faces repossession, but a saviour is on hand. Entrepreneurial Jan drives a hard bargain and after agreeing to help Tom out financially, she walks away with a forty percent stake in the boat yard.
Impressionable Leo makes a spontaneous decision after meeting Amanda's parents and decides it's time to move their relationship to the next level. Jack's frustration at Jan's interest in the Mermaid begins to show.
Avril and Charles are at loggerheads after she decides to put the Barracuda back on the market, with her job on the line will she go ahead? Tensions at the Mermaid mount when a commission for Ken looks possible.
Surprises are in the Tarrant air as Jack receives a blast from the past when his ex Vanessa shows up; Gerald earns a lucrative job offer from Sir Edward and financial assistance from Charles; meanwhile the Barracuda's race is a rewarding one.
After the success of the Barracuda, a celebration is in order and it's officially launched by Relton. Charles has a new business partner, but he is left reeling after he learns his new investor is in fact his father.
There's trouble in paradise for young lovers Leo and Amanda, with arguments on the horizon and a shocking discovery awaiting Leo, things aren't looking good. Ken's venture Leisure Cruise is going from strength to strength but Sir Edward could be about to change that.
Gerald is on to Sir Edward's plot to ruin Ken despite his feigned interest in the floatation of Leisure Cruise on the stock market. Tom is left un-impressed when Ken's cheque, for his pending commission at the boat yard, bounces.
The Mermaid's latest boat, The Sprit of Tarrant is a success as are Jan's latest creations. To make up for neglecting her, Charles surprises Avril with a trip to New York, as way of an apology, but tragedy lies ahead for the pair.
1985
Tom Howard, along with son Leo and daughter Lyn, celebrate their success in the prestigious Commadore Cup but when Tom reveals he has been made redundant from Southern Aviation, none of his family is too happy. Jack Rolf is concerned that his business, The Mermaid Boat Yard, is about to go bankrupt. Tom discusses his problems with Avril Rolf and considers investing his redundancy in the Boat Yard.
Ken Masters is interested in taking over the Mermaid Yard. He employs Leo Howard at the local pertol station and is eager to employ Jan. Meanwhile, Jan and Tom argue incessantly about how he should spend his redundancy money. Polly Urquhart's daughter Abby returns from finishing school but she has not turned out how the Urquhart's expected. Avril tries to prevent Tom from making a foolish investment. In order to raise more capital, Tom asks Avril to find a buyer for the Flying Fish.
Tom confesses to his family that he has invested in the Mermaid Boat Yard and his family is livid about the sale of the Flying Fish. Abby finds settling into the Tarrant social scene rather a challenge. Tom begins work at the Boat Yard where Avril remains coy about the buyer of his boat. Jan’s mother, Kate, encourages her to accept Ken’s offer of work. A distressed Abby takes some drastic action.
Leo acts like a hero. Jack has reservations about Tom’s approach to the Mermaid Yard and Avril is caught in the crossfire. Abby’s relationship with her mother continues to be a difficult one. Tom and Jan have a frank discussion about the state of their marriage when Jan finds herself preoccupied with her job at Ken Master’s company. Lynne expresses an interest in participating in the impending Fast-Net boat race and Philip Morton is looking for some crewmembers.
Avril and Jack continue to disagree over the future of the Yard and Tom's role in the decision making. Jan offers Ken some business advice over dinner, much to Tom's annoyance. Leo takes a shine to Avril but Abby feels left out in the cold. Kate rescues Jack from a ditch and they have a heart to heart about business and family matters. Lyn and Tom sail the Flying Fish for one last time.
Abby secretly leaves for Southamptom leaving all in Tarrant mystified. Lyn is perturbed by Phil Norton's agenda and blows her chance of crewing for him. Charles Frere shows an interest in developing the marina. Ken uses his knowledge of who really bought the Flying Fish to drive Tom and Jan further apart.
Over dinner with Tom, Avril confesses to buying the Flying Fish. Polly encounters Charles at a gallery opening but does not get the reception she desires. She later admits to Jan that Gerald is not Abby's father. Ken continues to cause friction between Tom and Jan. Charles expresses an interest in purchasing the Mermaid Yard and saving it from financial ruin. When he pays Avril a visit, the true nature of their past relationship emerges. Tom comforts Avril following her unexpected encounter with Charles.
Charles and Ken come to gentleman's agreement about the planned marina. Jack turns to drink when the yard loses the German business contract and the bank threatens to foreclose on on the loan. Charles talks with Avril about purchasing the yard. When Tom wants to re-mortgage their home, Jan turns him down flat. Meanwhile, Ken offers Jan a helping hand and Leo finds Abby. Jack is outraged, yet again, by Tom and Avril's decisions about how to run the yard.
Charles enlists Gerald's help in his plans to develop the marina. Tom and Jan come to a financial agreement even though their marriage is over. Leo is determined to help Abby and her unborn baby. A mysterious man, Richard Shellet, claims to have a genuine claim over the Mermaid Yard. Jan travels to London where she meets fashion photographer Claude Dupont. Lyn has great success in the Fast Net race and Ken naively agrees to go into partnership with Charles.
Tom and Avril's first night together is interrupted by a boating accident. When it emerges that the boat was recently serviced by the Mermaid Yard, there are criminal charges to answer. Leo becomes suspicious of his father's relationship with Avril. Jan is angered when Ken tells her what has been going on. Richard Skellet pursues his claim on the Mermaid Yard and it emerges he has a backer with a vested interest in gaining ownership of the yard.
The legal battle between Jack and Skellet over the Mermaid Yard hots up. Tom adapts his boat designs to appease Jack while Charles and Ken's plans for the marina development forge ahead. Charles seduces Lyn and learns of Tom and Avril's affair. Jan receives a business offer from Claude Dupont and a personal offer from Ken. Kate invests in a racehorse. Polly interferes in her absent daughter's life.
There is descent at the Boat Yard because Tom, Avril and Jack are all too preoccupied elsewhere. Jan and Ken celebrate the opening of their new business venture, the Periplus Boutiquie. Shellet is happy to receive payment from Charles as they await the outcome of the legal action. Tom and Avril get support over his latest design from Relton. Charles and Lyn spend time together but she has doubts about his sincerity. Polly and Abby come to blows with potentially fatal consequences.
Relton Marine is apprehensive about investing in the Boat Yard's latest project. Lyn's altered behaviour causes Tom and Jan some concern. As Charles waits for his American wife to arrive, news of his past relationship with Polly becomes public knowldge. Abby gives birth but her relationship with her own mother continues to be problematic. Tom and Jan agree to a divorce and Relton makes Avril a lucrative offer. When Lyn finds Charles in a compromising position, disaster strikes.
1989
As Charles and Gerald face investigation by the Fraud Squad and Leo begins to recover from his crash, Laura Wilde arrives to take over Wilde Mouldings...
Ken finds trouble in his personal and business life. Jan meets James Brooke, her potential competitor and Charles' plans for Relton become all too clear.
Charles attempts to discover who implicated him in the fraud enquiry, Laura and Tom discuss joining forces with Ken and Abby travels with Leo to the Isle of Wight.
Laura aims to profit from Charles and Avril's feud. James and Jan are at loggerheads over a designer and it is soon clear that business as well as personal matters have prompted Orin's visit.
Leisure Cruise shares are being bulk purchased by a mystery buyer. Laura warns Ken to keep personal matters out of business and Abby reassures Leo as he becomes jealous of Orin.
Jan and James' business arguments fail to prevent them getting closer. Jack discovers Vanessa's secret business dealings and Abby's announcement finally opens Gerald's eyes...
Vanessa has an ambitious new role, Avril focuses her attention on preventing Charles' take over bid and Orin interrupts Charles' exercise routine with a serious proposition.
The Fraud Squad catch up with Charles. Tom and Jack struggle to meet their first deadline at the Mermaid Yard and while Jan focuses on the Howard Brooke fashion show, James has other business plans.
Avril returns from Malta to be embroiled in Charles' fraud case. Laura is determined to get hold of James' Howard Brooke shares and Kate cultivates her friendship with Admiral Redfern.
Jan determines to stand by James. Kate is concerned about the impact of the new marina development and Jack has difficulty dealing with memories of his late wife.
Charles and Gerald set their sights on revenge. Abby refuses to hand William over to the Hudsons and Ken and Laura court Sabio Fernandez for a business deal.
Charles engages Battle Cry in a local six-metre yacht race and Abby joins Kate on the picket line at Mermaid Yard but has James taken on too bitter an enemy in Ken?
Avril's position is in jeopardy now that Ken has sold his Relton shareholding to Charles. Jan confronts James over his actions and Leo takes on Ken in a one-against-one long-distance race.
1986
Whilst the mermaid celebrated another successful launch, its future hangs in the balance at a London court. The mysterious disappearance of lovelorn Lynne causes panic.
Brittle Polly Urquhart is delighted by the arrival of American stud Orin. Lynne's amnesia leaves her living in a world of strangers and news from France threatens Tarrant's bourgeoning fashion scene.
Environmentalist Leo comes to blows with creepy Ken Masters over the development of a local beauty spot. Patriarch Tom resorts to desperate measures to hep Lynne.
As leather-clad Leo mourns for the birds, Mr Shellet plots a dangerous revenge. Ken's ambivalence towards Claude's designs enrages dazzling Jan and silver fox Charles puts a scheme in motion.
Lynne’s transatlantic venture drives a wedge between Tom and Jan. Resistance to the marina development gathers momentum and Jack delivers Shellet an ultimatum.
There’s concern across Tarrant as Lynne disappears from radar. Abby’s mothering abilities are called into question and the press get wind of swanky Charles’s plans…
Ken’s cloak-and-dagger attempts to frighten Leo don’t have the required results. An opinionated visitor forces an impossible decision on Abby and an affectionate gesture from Tom emphasises Jack’s increasing distance from the yard.
Polly’s revelation leaves fertile Charles in a quandary. Jack’s behaviour causes concern at home and the boatyard, forcing wily Avril into a boardroom decision.
The old firm is back in business, Bill!” Gerald forces a reconciliation with Charles. Abby’s involvement in the local environmental group causes concern for Leo and Jack agrees to a controversial commission.
Oh, happy day! France and Britain are joined in matrimony. Charles’ interests in the Mermaid ruffle feathers in the boardrooms of London and Abby confuses politics with desire.
Abby is seduced by the icy blue eyes of sexy but dangerous fanatic Curtis Jaeger. Leo and Jan come to blows and Tom is left reeling by Avril’s cold and concrete business heart.
Darling Jan proves she’s as wonderful a daughter as she is a mother and lover. Charles finally gains control of the boatyard, but is it just business he’s after? What future is there for the Mermaid when tragedy strikes the Lynnette?
Charles and Abby come to a resolution. Claude’s designs dazzle the London Fashion Show, but hearts break and blood is spilt on the beaches and blouses of Tarrant.
Kate O'Mara
Laura Wilde
Jan Harvey
Jan Howard
Glyn Owen
Jack Rolfe
Stephen Yardley
Ken Masters
Lana Morris
Vanessa Andenberg
Susan Gilmore
Avril Rolfe
Edward Highmore
Leo Howard
Robert Vahey
Bill Sayers
Dulcie Gray
Kate Harvey
Ivor Danvers
Gerald Urquhart
1990
Lynne rescues Charles when he falls overboard in the race, the negotiating parties assemble in Bermuda and Leo is impressed by Jenny's talents.
Laura's future at Leisurecruise is in jeopardy, Robert Hudson arrives in Bermuda and Admiral Redfern has something important to say to Kate
Charlie learns of his fate, Jan launches the cosmetics range, Gerald is stunned by Abby's proposal and Jack says a fond farewell.
1988
As air-sea rescue searches for Charles and Avril, Sir Edward waits on Jan's answer to his proposal and Ken Masters looks to cash in on the plummeting Frere Holdings share price.
Jan comes under pressure after a break-in at her design house, Sir Edward involves Tom in plans for the America's Cup and Polly sets her sights on becoming a top business woman.
Avril has discharged herself from the clinic, Jan offers Tom her shares in the Mermaid, Leo races for Relton and Abby does a photoshoot.
Sir Edward and Ken discover their proposed oil site is a designated bird sanctuary, Sarah scuppers a Russian Leisure Cruise deal and could Jack be leaving the Mermaid Yard?
Jan is befriended by fashion executive John Soames, Avril discusses her marriage proposal with her father and a big win at the races funds Jack’s plans for a wooden weekender vessel.
Sir Edward provides Tom with some unwanted information about his America's Cup rivals, Ken and Sarah's business relationship becomes more acrimonious and Jack collapses on board the Barracuda.
A race against time to save Jack's life, counterfeit dresses of Jan’s stolen designs turn up in Guernsey and an embittered Ken is backed into a corner.
Abby’s custody battle receives a boost, Polly has plans to go into business and just who will Leo be racing for in the world championships?
Emma takes the Orkadian for a trial run, Abby is desperate for her photographic exhibition to find critical success and Tom and Emma accept an appealing business proposition from Charles.
Mike uncovers some secrets from Sir John Steven's past. Robert Hudson’s imminent arrival puts pressure on Abby and Jan and Jack and Emma organise the Tarrant Treasure Hunt.
Robert Hudson arrives in Tarrant to discuss custody of William, Jack and Tom fall out over the future of the Mermaid Yard and Ken continues on his mission to expose Sir John Stevens in the press.
Polly discovers Gerald has been cashing cheques from their account and they are virtually bankrupt, Charles and Avril meet head on and Abby returns home, putting the custody of William at risk.
A mystery buyer is scooping up Relton Marine shares, the Fraud Squad visit Tarrant and Leo goes head-to-head against Ken in the powerboat championship.
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