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Set during the 1960s in the fictional North Yorkshire village of Aidensfield, this enduringly popular series interweaves crime and medical storylines.
1993
The surgery in Aidensfield is broken into one night and Ferrenby gets assaulted and is taken to hospital. Pills that were stolen in the raid are being passed off as other drugs and sold around the area. Gina goes out with an old friend called Debbie and they end up meeting a couple of teddy boys. Later Debbie collapses after taking some drugs and goes to hospital. Nick then questions Gina as to where her friend got the drugs, but she has no idea. Nick and Phil suspect the two teddy boys and question them. They tell them who the supplier is and go and make the arrest. Meanwhile Kate discovers a patients miscarriages have been caused by foreign drugs she took for morning sickness. And Greengrass is angered when his pink Chrysler Imperial gets stolen.
Convict Stevie Walsh is released from prison and is on a train back to Aidensfield to see his wife and to finish some unfinished business. In the night Aidensfield gets cut off as a severe snow storm and the whole are is unreachable. The train heading for Aidensfield then crashes when the signals fail. Nick is alone and can't get police assistance, so its up to him alone to organise a rescue mission with the villagers including Claude and George to help the passengers and see to the injured which include Gina's brother, Barry and Alex, who has suffered a head injury. The injured are taken to the village hall by the villagers until outside help can reach them. Meanwhile Kate is called out by a man, whose partner - Ellen and Walsh's ex-wife is in labour and about to give birth. To Ellen's distress, Stevie helps her and Kate when they get trapped in the snow on the way to hospital, and they end up with the train passengers in the village hall where the Kate delivers the baby. Blaketon eve
Phil goes to meet a girl while he should be on his beat, at the same time a pawn brokers in Ashfordly is broken into. Following a tip-off, Nick learns that the stolen goods are hidden in a lock up rented in Phil's name. Nick realises that someone is trying to frame Phil, but Blaketon suspends him pending further inquiries. Meanwhile Greengrass gets involved in a betting scam, which involves substituting one greyhound with another. A local man called Scarman is the instigator of this plan, and Nick discovers that Scarman's girlfriend is in fact the girl that Phil is seeing. Nick cannot prove that Scarman set Phil up, but there is enough evidence to let Phil off the hook and arrest Scarman. The woman confirms that Phil was with her on the night of the burglary.
A German American called Victor Kellerman arrives in the village with the intention of killing a local landowner, a Mr Lessor. He attacks Lessor but he cannot go through with it and leaves the area. Kellerman is later arrested and Nick is assigned to escort him back into the area. It is revealed that Lessor was a SS traitor and responsible for sending Kellerman and his family to Nazi concentration camps during WW2. Meanwhile Kate is treating Lessor for diabetes, and when he realises he will have to go to court he takes an over dose of insulin. Without him the evidence is incomplete and the charges are dropped. Tragedy strikes when Dr Alex Ferrenby drowns whilst fishing, he died of a brain hemorrhage. And Greengrass helps some gypsies organise some bare-fist fighting.
A local woman is getting prepared for her wedding, but someone it seems is trying to sabotage the event. An old boyfriend of the woman's then turns up still expressing feelings for her. The church is then sabotaged and Nick and Kate find that the culprit for the recent acts of sabotage is the bride to be's old boyfriend. A old friend of Greengrass' turns up and passes on to him a load of stolen sea food, which Claude then sells to the bride's family for the reception, which gives the her father food poisoning. Meanwhile, Kate's aunt Eileen pays her a visit telling her that she has some money that her Uncle Henry had left to her in his will. Kate initially refuses it, which puzzles Nick. Kate later explains that when she was young she found her uncle in bed with another woman, and he then tried to bribe Kate into not telling her auntie. However Eileen tells Kate that she was aware of her husbands affairs and lived to accept it. Kate then accepts the money and donates it to charity in me
An elderly woman, Jane Thompson who lives in a cottage is receiving threatening phone calls and hears noises in the middle of the night. A landowner, a Mr Walker is keen to get his hands on the her cottage. Nick at first suspects Walker of being behind the threatening behaviour, but Blaketon warns him off. The ladies son-in-law sells the cottage and she eventually is forced to move into a home, but she's not happy and goes back to her cottage. She then refuses to vacate it. Nick arrives and discovers the cottage was not her son-in-law's to sell, making her the rightful owner. It turns out that her son-in-law was responsible for all the threats. Meanwhile Alf finds a kitten and takes it to the station as Mrs. Ventress doesn't like cats. Blaketon orders someone to go and get it put down, but everyone refuses. Blaketon ends up not being so hard and keeps the Kitten as a pet.
Nick arrests Blaketon's son Graham for mugging a suspected drug dealer. Graham tells the police he did it to stop him pushing drugs to the youngsters. Blaketon is horrified but insists that there's nothing he can do and that the law must take its course, to the annoyance of his ex-wife. Meanwhile, Greengrass delivers a letter to Betty Such from her late husband. It tells her that a key to his safety deposit box is in the pocket of his best suit, but he was buried in that. So Betty and her son go and rob his grave to retrieve the Key. Once they have the key they open the box which is full of money. They celebrate their good fortune and start spending the money in the pub, but Gina realises its forged and tells Nick. Betty realises the notes are all forged and she realises that her husband has set her up from beyond the grave.
Mentally handicapped man - David Stockwell who lives with his elderly mother hears dogs barking in the woods at night and goes to investigate, but his mother follows him and gets injured in a hit and run when a Land Rover cuts her down in the woods. David runs to the pub for help and Nick and Kate get David's mother to the hospital. Nick asks David what happened and he tells Nick about the dogs and the Land Rover, however the next morning after David speaks to his mother his story changes and he insists she only fell. Nick suspects his mother is protecting someone and goes to the hospital to talk to her, but she also insists she fell. Nick is still suspicious and continues his investigation into the accident. Meanwhile David finds an injured badger in the wood and takes it home and with Kate's help nurses it back to good health. Nick meanwhile suspects the Land Rover was driven by badger baiter's and Claude shows him a recently dug up badger set near David's home. Nick then goes to see
An American motor cyclist called Charlie, turns up at the police house having just had an accident. Kate, who has been forced to move her surgery to the police house temporarily, is able to fix him up. Nick is in bed with the flu and gets little time to rest. A local, Korean war veteran is angered when he learns that the American is a draft dodger, avoiding fighting for his country in Vietnam. This angers the veteran who then picks a fight with him in the pub. Then Charlie's bike gets damaged. Charlie fixes the bike and the war veteran then tries to force Charlie off the road, but he himself ends up in a ditch. Meanwhile Greengrass acquires a couple of classic English motor bikes, claiming he wants them for a regimental museum, but in fact sells them to Charlie. Gina who falls for Charlie is tempted when he offers to take her down to London.
Inspector Crossley from Whitby arrives at the police house to see Nick, but is angry to find the police house being used as a doctor's surgery by Kate. Crossley then goes to Ashfordly station where he's been expected expressing his annoyance about the situation. Blaketon and Nick both assure him however it's just a temporarily situation until Kate can find a new surgery. Crossley also informs Blaketon of some major changes in the Ashfordly area, which will include a far bigger beat for Nick. Kate in the meantime goes out with her old friend Sally, who's also a GP for a drink and a general chat. Sally tells Kate of a job that's going in Whitby, but Kate isn't interested. Sally then puts Kate's name forward to a Dr. James Radcliffe who owns his own practice in Whitby. Radcliffe writes to Kate offering her a job with his practice and Kate is then tempted to take him up on his offer, but Nick however is reluctant to leave Aidensfield. A coach trip meanwhile is organised to hear Gina sing a
1993
A market traders van is hijacked and stolen on the moors. Nick starts to investigate and suspects Lord Ashfordly's son, who he later arrests for drink driving. Kate unintentionally starts a chicken pox epidemic when she starts a mother and baby group. Nick spots Claude wearing a brand new pair of boots several sizes too small which turns out to be part of market traders stolen stock. However, he doesn't think Claude is involved, but Blaketon disagrees. A local girl is pregnant and confides in Kate as to whom the father is. Nick later identifies the hijacker as Lord Ashfordly's new chauffeur, who also turns out to be the father of the local girl's baby.
An elderly widower, a Mr. Miller from London comes and stays in the village and stays in a boarding house opposite the police house run by Mrs. ?. Milner however is not a well man and has to visit Kate at the surgery. Meanwhile Claude has been asked to do a barn clearance, and Nick buys the remains of an old MG off him for only £25. Claude dramatically underestimates its real value and is later annoyed by this, and complains to Blaketon. Milner it seems has an old grudge against Nick and he wants his revenge. It turns out that when Nick was down in the Met he arrested Milner's granddaughter after she stabbed her husband in self defence. Milner now wants to hurt Nick, the way Nick hurt him. He takes Kate as a hostage and is armed with a pistol. Kate manages to talk Milner round because she has to rush off to give a young girl a vital injection.
Nick interrupts an armed robbery which is taking place at the Aidensfield's Arms and his hit over the head and ends up locked in the cellar with George and Claude. During the night Greengrass starts to drink himself silly and ends up giving Nick tip offs about offences that have been committed in the area recently. In the morning they are all found and rescued With a little help from Claude Nick suspects a known villain called Robinson who has a record for armed robberies and goes to visit his home, where is wife - Nell and her two daughters insist he has run of with another woman. But it emerges he in fact died from a heart attack during another recent robbery and was left on Nells doorstep and she and her daughter buried him on the moors some they could still came his National Assistance. As Nell is being questioned another robbery happens and it turns out Nell and her daughters carried on with the robberies. Meanwhile Nick shows up Claude by giving him recognition for all the crimes
Local farmer, Reg Manston notices one of his cows looks very ill and asks Nick to visit him. On Nick's arrival, Manston tells Nick that he suspects the animal may infected with the highly contagious disease known as Foot and Mouth. The local vet - Martin Thomas is called in performs test on Manston's herd. He phones the ministry of Agriculture while and sends the his tests away for confirmation of the disease. Meanwhile Nick as part of the regulations of the disease has to guard the farm entrance to check no one enters or leave the farm. The whole area becomes affected by the outbreak when it means that no social events can happen at the risk of the disease spreading, which annoys George whose bar is totally empty of customers. Meanwhile another farmer (and Manston's neighbour), Sam Carver is breaking the disease outbreak regulations by transporting his infected dead sheep to another area. In the meantime Manston's herd are shot and burned to prevent the disease from spreading. After
A black soldier called Ken Marston who is on exercises in the area has been getting bullied by his racist Sergeant - Sgt Nicholls. Nicholls follows Marston during the exercise and intends to shoot Ken as he's reported Nicholls to his superiors. However on top of a cliff face Nicholls and Kenget in a confrontation and Nicholls falls. Ken then goes on the run thinking he's killed him. Meanwhile Nick investigates a break in at a farm and suspects Claude is responsible. and is on the run after he thinks he has killed him. He starts to search for a childhood friend who lives in the area. He finds his friends wife and son, only to discover his friend is dead. Meanwhile Kate is treating his window whose son is seriously disturbed by his fathers death, may have to be taken into care. The widow blames Kate for this, believing that she contacted the authorities, when in fact it was Ferrenby. The situation is sorted out eventually, with the help of Alex and Kate and the boy is able to stay with h
Rosie, the wife of local villain, Terry Tinniswood takes an overdose and Nick and Kate are left minding her children. Once she's recovered, Rosie tells Nick her husband is in jail for a crime he didn't commit. Nick finds evidence to support Rosie's claims that her husband was fitted up, possibly by Nick's predecessor in Aidensfield, Rowley Carsons who suddenly retired from the force. Blaketon warns Nick and tells him to leave it, insisting Carsons retired because he had Cancer. Nick who now believes that there was some sort of cover up persists with his investigation. Carsons turns up and confesses to fitting Tinniswood up by planting evidence in his truck. Meanwhile Phil is to marry his girlfriend who says she's pregnant. but he later finds that she has been seeing her ex-boyfriend who turns out to be the man who beat up Phil at his stag night.
Nick and Kate fall out when an old boyfriend of hers turns up. Soon after his arrival he becomes the prime suspect in a hit-and-run incident and Nick is forced to tell him not to leave the area while it's investigated. Meanwhile a local bank informs the police of a woman acting suspiciously around the bank. Nick and Phil go to investigate, only to discover the woman is in fact the famous crime writer, Amanda Young doing research for her next novel. Meanwhile Phil, on behalf of his football team organizes a talent contest where Greengrass is running a book on who will win. The hit-and-run incident is then revealed to be down to one of Phil's rivals on the football field. And Claude sells some moor land to the MoD and treats himself to a big and flashy pink Chrysler Imperial car!
Kate is treating a woman who is driven to despair by her inability to conceive. The woman later has a row with her husband and storms off. A young couple called The Doubleday's baby then goes missing and the mother suspects her mother-in-law of the kidnapping and a manhunt is launched for the snatched baby. However Kate realises that her patient is probably responsible for taking the baby. The baby is eventually returned by some hippies who have moved into the area. Meanwhile Greengrass buys a racehorse and starts training it up and down Aidensfield's main street to the annoyance of Blaketon who tries to think of an offence to be able stop him, but can't!
Lord Ashfordly's winter pheasant shoot is seriously disrupted when the entire contents of his game larder are stolen. There is an out break of petty thefts on Nick's patch and when he investigates, his enquiries make him believe that an incestuous relationship is the reason behind the thefts. Susan Rawlings, a teenage daughter of Lord Ashfordly's game keeper, is pregnant and steals money from Greengrass to pay for an illegal abortion. Unaware of this, her brother Chris stole the pheasants in order to raise cash for the same purpose. Susan has the abortion, but ends up in hospital. When Kate and Ferrenby find out, they go to see the woman responsible for doing it and warn her of the dangers involved. Chris it turns out is the father of his sister's unborn child.
The fair arrives in Aidensfield to the annoyance of local caravan site owner, Edna Plummer. It turns out that her caravan site is used as a convenient meeting place by her criminal brother. He is about to receive some stolen works of art from amateur smuggler, Norman Currie, who is on his way back home from a trip to Holland with his family. Currie's son takes one of the paintings and swaps it for free rides at the fair. Workers at the fair sell the painting to Greengrass who tries to sell it to Ferrenby who realises its true value and tells Nick. Meanwhile two 5 year olds go missing but return unharmed. Kate discovers the children had a mysterious friend, who turns out to be a local man whose wife and child were recently killed in an accident.
1992
London policeman Nick Rowan and his recently qualified Doctor wife - Kate move away from the city and go to the rural surroundings of Aidensfield, a village in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors, where Nick's the new village policeman. Whilst they are still settling in, Nick's new section Sergeant, a Sgt Blaketon calls for Nick and takes him to see the local Rogue - Claude Greengrass and insists that he charge him with livestock worrying after his dog, Alfred killed a budgie! Greengrass admits Alfred did kill the bird and offers compensation, but Blaketon insists Greengrass be charged, despite Nick's reservations. The case goes to Court, but due to insufficient evidence, the court can't charge Greengrass as a budgie isn't classed as livestock. Meanwhile a local woman, Georgina Fraser tells Nick that she has a prowler at her house and one night she calls Nick out when the prowler returns. She then see's him at the village pub, the Aidensfield Arms, and Nick goes to see the Landlord
Nick is puzzled by a succession of drunken hikers on the moors. A man called Potter is then cautioned for passing on his home made wine which is responsible. Potter also gets accused of indecent exposure, but Nick later discovers this is incorrect! Meanwhile a employee of the local bank reports her husband to be missing. Nick goes searching for the man, but there is no sign of him. Later, he finds out that the man has hung himself because his wife was having an affair with the manager of the bank. Alan Maskell is then refused a loan from the bank to start his own business, but Nick is able to use the mans death to persuades the bank manager to change his mind. Kate has further trouble with Dr Ferrenby after advising Mrs. Maskell, a mother of six to take the contraceptive pill. This also angers Mr. Maskell, who feels it is a threat to his virility.
Local shopkeeper - Charlie Denby's record department in his shop is a popular spot for the local lads and when Blaketon and Nick both receive anonymous tip offs accusing Denby of having 'an unhealthy interest in young boys', rumours about him start to circulate. Blaketon is keen to get the matter sorted out weather its true or false and Nick goes to see Denby, and asks him about his private life. Denby however insists he's doing nothing wrong and just enjoys the lads company. Nick continues to keep an eye on Denby and locals tell him that he only seems to invite lads to his flat. Nick later then sees Denby arguing with local car dealer - Reg Pendleton, outside his shop and he begins to have more suspicions. Then when Kate is in Denby's shop, she witnesses another man called - Harry Cottis accusing Denby of assaulting his son. Blaketon then receives a call from the superintendent who's a mason like Denby, ordering that Denby to be bought in for questioning. Denby utterly denies he's don
Nick investigates two mysterious barn fires that have happened recently. A young woman is also assaulted in a barn by her new boyfriend. The woman is persuaded by her friend, Sandra Murry (Alan Maskell's girlfriend) to report him to the police. It turns out that the woman's boyfriend is also the arsonist responsible for the barn fires. Meanwhile a local woman's horse keeps escaping from it's field and Nick is concerned that it will cause an accident. Kate has another argument with Ferrenby when she puts the unmarried Sandra Murry in touch with the family planning Clinic over birth control. And Greengrass gives Nick a tip-off about a poaching gang and when to catch them. The police organize an operation to catch the poachers, they catch a couple, only later to hear from Lord Ashfordly that a bigger gang cleared the river of fish further along.
A feud between two neighbours, a Mr. Chapman and a Mr. Radcliffe that has been going on for the past 20 years is getting really serious. Chapman blocks off a public right of way which leads up to Radcliffe's home. Ferrenby who is treating Radcliffe for diabetes is confronted by an angry Chapman when he tries to use the road, but Chapman demands he use another road. Ferrenby gets injured moving Chapman's blockade and asks Kate to help out with the practice. Meanwhile 3 young boys play a series of practical jokes on Chapman. They block his chimney up when he has a fire and he automatically blames Radcliffe who just so happens to be passing. He grabs Radcliffe and locks him up in his house, but Radcliffe is in need of his regular dosage of pills he needs to take due to his condition and is becoming seriously ill. Nick tries to calm the situation and tries to get Radcliffe out, but Chapman ends up locking him up as well. Nick however manages to escape and returns with Blaketon and Kate, bu
There are a number of burglaries in the area recently which all have a connection, the thief tidies the house before leaving with the loot, which is usually silver. Nick checks around the local auction houses to see if anything has been passed on. He also begins to suspect local do-gooder, Penelope Stirling of being involved in the burglaries when he sees her buying incomplete sets of antiques. Meanwhile the police warn the local residents, including Lord Ashfordly to be on the look out for the thief and advise them to hide valuables which can be seen from the windows. The police catch the thief however when he burgles Ashfordly Hall where he straightens a picture which is wired to an alarm at the police station. Stirling turns out to be stealing antiques which are part of sets. She then buys the rest of the collection when the old people who the sets belong to die for a fraction of there true value. Then she sells the complete collections for the full price. Nick however can't prove i
There is to be a big CND demonstration outside the Fylingdales early warning defence base near Aidensfield, and prospective MP - Paul Melthorn is to make a speech there. Workers take offence when demonstrators are putting up posters everywhere advertising the demo and Nick has to break up a row in the pub between them. In doing so one of the demonstrators gets injured and Nick gets accused of assaulting him. Ashfordly police in the meantime are informed to police the demo and Blaketon finds out that the American Ambassador is visiting Fylingdales at the time of the demo. The demonstrators campsite is then burgled and Melthorn's wallet, which contains incriminating pictures of him having an affair with a young woman are stolen. The demo takes place and the road is blocked with demonstrators. Melthorn makes his speech but becomes ill and Kate arrives to treat him and discovers he has a weak heart. It turns out that the demonstrator who accused Nick of assault is in fact a Special Branch
A caravan of circus-folk, the Laszlos arrives in Aidensfield and camps on the village green. The locals are angry about it and demand that these unwelcome visitors leave. The vicar's daughter, Anna meanwhile falls for one of campers, the young and handsome Milos Laszlo. This angers her wealthy fiancée, Jamie Hunter. Nick then receives allegations of theft against the Lazslos and Nick goes to the caravan to investigate. Nick hears that there is a sick man in the caravan and later discovers the man has cancer and has 'returned' home to his birthplace to die. The church's safe is then broken into and Milos then becomes the prime suspect after his scarf is found at the scene. Greengrass, an old friend of the Lazslos then informs Nick that he saw Jamie Hunter pick the scarf up and Nick realizes Hunter must have been responsible for the break in. The Lazslos then leave, with Anna after realizing they are not welcome anymore.
Muriel Gerard returns from church with her mother one Sunday morning to find that her husband, Andrew - a former DCS from Scotland Yard, has been shot dead. She informs Nick who arrives with Kate who confirms the death. A huge murder hunt then starts and two detectives from the Met - a DCI Merton and DC Langdon are sent up from London to take charge of the investigation. Langdon whose an old friend of Nick's stays with him and Kate at the police house. Its thought that Gerard was killed by an old criminal who he'd put away who was now free and wanting their revenge. But after questioning from Langdon suspicion falls on his wife -Muriel. Nick hears from Alex via Kate that Gerard was known for beating Muriel and so it's thought that she just killed him in anger for her pain and misery over the years. However when she is arrested and taken to the station Nick realizes that Muriel's mother - Victoria Wainwright is in fact the murderer and goes to see her and she confesses to it. She couldn
There is an outbreak of sheep rustling and one of the victims who is renowned for naming his sheep accuses Greengrass of the crime. Greengrass ends up in court and is convicted, but Nick discovers holes in the evidence and realizes that Greengrass had been set up. Meanwhile Alan Maskell who is on bail does a runner to London. But unknown to him his wife Sandra suffers a miscarriage at the same time. Nick in the meantime is asked to go for an interview to join the drug squad team at Scotland Yard, which would guarantee a promotion to Sergeant. He decides to go for the interview despite Kate opposing the idea of returning to London. Whilst there he promises Sandra that he'll find and bring back Alan. Whilst in London Nick finds Alan in a night club, then there's a drugs raid by police and Nick sees them plant the evidence. Nick is arrested along with everyone else. Nick later files an official complaint about the officer in charge of the raid. He's then offered the job with the drug squa
1994
Insp. Crossley has an interesting idea as to what has been responsible for a series of attacks on sheep - he thinks a puma did it - much to the Ashfordly Police's amusement!!!!!!!! He keeps to his theory until Alfred is put in the frame for the crime. Claude is ordered to have Alfred destroyed, Claude violently objects and even steels Alfred back. But Nick doesn't believe Alfred is to blame and catches the real culprits in time. They were sheep rustlers, and Blaketon has great fun in informing Insp. Crossley of this fact!
1995
There is a village dance, everyone is having a good time until a group of rockers start to cause trouble, and throw what they think is a piece of lead through the window. But this ‘lead' turns out to be gold, which was part of a large amount that was stolen 7 years ago. Kate isn't feeling well and starts to get worried about her symptoms, but doesn't voice her concerns. One of Kate's patients Nettie Pickard has a wishing well in her garden, and Kate , suddenly feeling superstitious, makes a wish. Nettie's house is later trashed. The man responsible was a local councillor who was searching for the rest of the gold because he knew it was Nettie's husband who found it originally and thought it must have been hidden in the house. He is later caught digging the gold out of the well. Kate is willing the baby to arrive.
1996
Derek Ramsey's loses his temper during a domestic row at home and storms off down the pub. He drinks heavily and Phil asks him to leave. But Derek ends up assaulting Phil, Nick and Alf. He is sentenced to 28 days, but as Phil and Alf are taking him to jail he escapes, much to Blaketon's disgust! Derek made the escape to get back to his girlfriend who is in danger. Greengrass is working as a lollipop man until an out break of pilfering occurs at the school, and he's told to leave. Claude is offended and angry at Nick because he thinks it was him who got him the sack, when really it was the Headmistress of the school who thought Claude was the guilty party.-Which of course he wasn't.
Derek Fowlds
Oscar Blaketon
William Simons
PC Alf Ventress
Tricia Penrose
Gina Bellamy
Peter Benson
Bernie Scripps
Gwen Taylor
Peggy Armstrong
Lisa Kay
Carol Cassidy
Joseph McFadden
PC Joe Mason
Insp. Crossley suspects an old woman of being responsible for an attack of food poisoning, but Kate soon discovers it was due to something entirely different - arsenic poisoning from old wall paper. Nick points out to Blaketon that the Insp. hasn't been keeping CID fully informed which soon puts an end to his presence in Ashfordly. The police are also surprised to discover that their new Inspector is a woman - Insp. Merchison!
There is an outbreak of rabies which results in the garage owner's death. Blaketon is outraged at the owners if the dog which brought the disease into the country from abroad. However later they discover their own son has been bitten by the dog. Nick asks Claude to help the gamekeepers to look for the dog and the matter is resolved. Ashfordly Police have a new vehicle, which unfortunately Alf damages on its first time out!
Nick and Alf go on a fishing trip to Whitby. Alf is looking forward to a weeks holiday but Nick is there undercover to investigate smuggling. Nick finds out that a container dumped at sea contains counterfeit money. Alf teaches Nick about fishing and they organise a game of poker with some of the suspected smugglers. Nick takes this opportunity to force his opponent to hand over some of the counterfeit money. They are lodging with the Stirling's who own a sailing shop. Jake Stirling helps Nick and Alf set a trap for the smugglers and they are caught. Jake's girlfriend finds out she's pregnant and he wants her to have an abortion. Kate tells her its illegal. Blaketon is taking over Nick's patch while he's away which gives him a great opportunity to keep an eye on Greengrass. However he fails to find out that he's doing a very good trade in venison!
A break in occurs at the Children's Department of Ashfordly Council Offices, Nick disturbs the intruder but the burglar escapes with a file detailing an abortion. Kate helps a girl named Sandie when she cuts her hand and a toddler goes missing in Whitby. It turns out Sandie did the robbery and abducted the child believing it to be the baby she gave up for adoption. Greengrass is into pigeon racing and is horrified when peregrine falcons kill one of his pigeons. He tells Nick who, tells Claude its not a police matter. Two bird watchers then have their falcon eggs smashed for which Blaketon naturally suspects Greengrass, it turns out Lord Ashfordly's game keeper is responsible and Greengrass demands an apology from Blaketon - but doesn't get it!
There is a rugby match between the harbour men and the North Riding Police. At the pub afterwards Gina has fun flirting with one of the harbour men and with Phil. As she is driving home she notices that she is being followed. She panics, stalls her car and is chased into the woods. Greengrass notices that a young girl is in trouble and tells Nick unaware that it was Gina. Kate coaxes what happened out of her and Nick reports the crime. Inspector Merchison doesn't believe Gina, which infuriates Kate. Phil's tie is found in Gina's car, but Blaketon assures him that no one suspects him. Phil, Nick and PC Little unofficially question the harbour man from the pub and he is arrested under suspicion. Another girl in Whitby is also being followed, but luckily Nick is around when he makes an attack.Gina comes in for an identity parade and it turns out that it was PC Little who was responsible. Gina threatens to return to Liverpool just as a run away pig comes into the pub! - everyone has fun tr
Mr Parker comes to Aidensfield unable to recall the last 7 years of his life. It is suggested that when he left the village back then, he left his family and disappeared after collecting his employers payroll. Kate contacts his wife Helen who agrees to see him. Complications occur when another woman turns up claiming to be his wife. Claude goes to see 'strangers on a train' at the cinema, he then receives a strange proposal from a man who took the plot of the film a bit too seriously. It involved strangers carrying out each others crimes. Greengrass isn't interested in getting involved in such a scheme but the stranger keeps pestering him. Claude still refuses but soon finds out his barn had been burnt down shortly after he admitted the insurance was worth more than the barn itself. The stranger kidnaps Alfred, Nick and Greengrass go to investigate, and Alfred is found much to Claude's relief.
Susanna Temple Richards (Played by Jenny Agutter) is having an affair with a local man. Her husband is often seen drinking, so Susanna puts sleeping pills in his whisky to prevent him joining her on the hunt the next day. But he turns up anyway and takes a fall whilst riding, hits his head and dies. There is an enquiry and high levels of sleeping pills are found in his blood stream. Susanna is arrested. (‘The Laid Plans' in series 6 carries on from this) Archie Cutter has died and Claude asks Nick if he can look after his poultry and he agrees. But later Blaketon tells Nick, Archie was a notorious cock fighter.
A Russian defector is on the run. A Russian ship docks in Whitby and a fight amongst the crew breaks out in a local pub. One sailor thinks he's killed his skipper and asks Nick for Political asylum. When Nick and Alf take him to the immigration office he makes a run for it and they lose him. Blaketon is not impressed but when the sailor finds out that he didn't kill the Skipper he says he needs to get back on the ship. Nick and Claude arrange a plan to sneak the sailor back onto the ship and it works. During all of this Greengrass has been trout poaching with a priest! Dr Radcliff's daughter goes missing on a cliff side and a search is mounted for her - she is found unharmed.
The hours Kate is working in Whitby is putting a strain on her relationship with Nick. At the moment she is rarely at home except for weekends. Ron Cooper ends up in hospital from a breech explosion from his Lee Enfield .303 Army Riffle. Nick investigates as to why he had the gun in the first place and eventually finds hoards of old army ammunition at Cooper's farm. Greengrass has got hold of some grenades which he uses to clear Lord Ashfordly's river of most of his trout. Mrs Swinton thinks she's pregnant and Kate gives her some pills, which will determine whether she's pregnant or not by the next day. We later see Kate taking them, she tells James that she's pregnant, but she's less than pleased with the idea. She attempts to tell Nick but backs down.
Nick and Kate's relationship is really put to the test. Nick is slacking in his work, whilst James that her quality of work has also reduced. Nick confides in Blaketon and James is there for Kate to talk to about their problems. Kate tells Nick she is pregnant but he is a lot more keen than she is and is upset when she suggests bringing up the baby on her own, because of their ‘unworkable marriage'. Kate ends up performing first aid on top of a church roof, and Nick is annoyed at her for taking the risk going up there, but she informs him simply that its ‘her job'. Later the situation is reversed when Nick arrests a man with a knife. In the final scene Kate tearfully realises the baby and their marriage is most important and is upset to think she may have ruined her and Nick's special time, but Nick comforts her, telling her everything will be all right and the couple make up happily.
Kate arranges with James to do only 2 surgeries a week in Whitby as originally planned and James would help out in Aidensfield when necessary. A feud amongst a local family turns nasty and the police soon learn there's a lot more raw emotion and conflict behind the trouble as they find out more about the families recent past. Billy an of friend of Gina's turns up, who has just been released from prison. He buys Gina a stolen record player from Claude - of which Blaketon is of course suspicious! Nick and Kate are looking forward to the birth of their new baby, Nick even buys a set of toy soldiers! Kate is craving banana and marmite sandwiches or is it chips and ice cream!!
There are a series of vandal attacks on a battery hen farm, which turns out to have involved a potential girlfriend of Phil's! Nick and Kate are decorating the nursery and Blaketon is impressed when he sees it - he even gives them a teddy bear for the baby, which he suggests they call ‘Oscar'!! Claude tries a scheme to sell ‘free range' eggs - the only trouble is he's had a bit of help from the battery hens!!
A man comes to Aidensfield who has mislaid his suitcase on a train.. The suitcase contained his wife's ashes. His purpose for his visit was to try and make peace with his mother in law after a fierce misunderstanding years ago.. There is a village fete with everyone involved, whilst the police uncover some weapons from a hot dog stand. Alfred is supposed to enter the Lurcher Challenge Cup race but unfortunately George lets him loose on the ale.
The owners of Abbots Farm are in trouble when an outbreak of tuberculosis hits. Alf has trouble with the car again, only this time he gets it stuck in a river! Nick helps him rescue the car and Claude jokes about some spooky noises in the area. The police uncover some illegal exotic birds.
Lady Whitly complains that she has had Christmas trees stolen. Kate is treating a young boy with breathing problems. His brother and sister are the ones selling the stolen Christmas trees to make money to send their brother to Switzerland which would benefit his health. Lady Whitly at first refuses to drop the charges against the children but later has a change of heart. Kate asks Claude to play Santa and he reluctantly agrees. Nick forgets to buy the turkey so he ends up buying a huge one from Claude! Thinking Blaketon would be alone at Christmas, Nick asks him to Christmas dinner, but he ends up bringing his son along as well. Kate knew nothing about the invitation so she looks a little surprised when she finds out they're cooking for four!
Joe Norton is causing trouble by smashing up pots in Nick and Kate's garden. A gypsy named Flo camps just up from Greengrass' house but he doesn't take kindly to her trying to sell him some lucky heather so she puts a 'hex' on him - Claude starts to believe that its working when everything starts to go wrong for him, so he asks to be 'unhexed'! Kate gets the result of her blood test that she sent off under another name, and it's bad news, but she keeps it to herself. Joe sets fire to the gypsy's caravan, Nick catches up with him but Joe attempts to assault him during the arrest. Clothes go missing off washing lines in the area. Kate goes into labour, and once she arrives at the hospital baby Sarah is soon born, Nick is over the moon, but his hopes are suddenly dashed when Kate tells him she has leukaemia.
Kate comes out of hospital with baby Sarah. The atmosphere is extremely sullen and Nick neglects his work, which doesn't go down well with Blaketon. Nick receives reports of prowlers hanging around at night, but he doesn't do anything about it. The next day Mr Copeland complains to Blaketon about Nick's inefficiency and about a tank of petrol he has had stolen. Blaketon is on the warpath and unaware of Kate's condition, goes round to the police house and tears a strip off Nick. Kate realises she can't keep it a secret any longer so Nick finally tells Phil the bad news. Blaketon feels awful for what he said and goes back to apologise. Kate is finding it difficult to cope and asks Nick to take her for a picnic in the hills. But this has disastrous repercussions when she goes down with pneumonia, which immediately worsens her condition. Emotions are running high, and by the time Kate dies everything comes to a head. After the funeral, Nick sees David Stockwell with a petrol can, realising
Nick isn't coping very well alone with Katie, and ends up calling his Mum to come and help out for a while. Mr Dewhurst complains to Nick that his neighbour has been shooting at his cat, but later when he sees the opportunity he takes his revenge, and his neighbour ends up in hospital. Maggie suggests that Nick should think of letting Katie be fostered for a while, but he is horrified at the idea. Phil and Alf help out by baby sitting Katie, but Phil has to end up taking her with him to the station, where he has a slight accident with baby powder Claude's nephew comes to visit and arranges to take bets on a darts game. Phil persuades Nick to come out to the pub. Phil, Nick and Alf end up involved with the darts match which ends up in a brawl out side. Blaketon isn't pleased that all 3 of his men were present at an illegal darts match!
Ruby asks Blaketon to dinner, they then meet on a number of other occasions, Phil and Alf enjoy teasing Nick over his mum's potential romance with Oscar! - but to Ruby's disappointment, Blaketon doesn't take the hint, and Ruby pronounces him ‘dead from the neck down'! An illiterate man , Eddie is outraged when a cottage to rent was promised to him by his Aunt but it ends up being sold. His girlfriend calls of their wedding because they don't have a house. Another man is after his girlfriend and sets out to frame Eddie for smashing several windows, but Nick eventually uncovers the truth. Greengrass tries his luck at selling some of his property, but it back fires. Auntie Eileen comes to visit, but the way Ruby sees it is that it leaves her free to go back to London, as she assumes Eileen will stay and help out for a while - which as we know, it ends up being a bit longer than that!
A German man, Dieter comes to the village in search of his fathers grave. Many of the locals take exception to him, especially a young man (who's part of moorland rescue) knows that the Dieter's father bombed his parents house in the war. Nick can't understand peoples attitude to him, and Gina agrees. An old man who has been coming to Aidensfield with his wife on holiday for years suddenly goes missing with Claude. A search is mounted and Dieter wants to help. But he goes off track on the moors and falls in a swamp. Nick does his best to help him but eventually the man from moorland rescue is persuaded to save him. Nick apologises to Maggie for what he said to her after Kate's funeral. Maggie notices a run away train, Nick chases it only to find that its the old man and Claude who had been driving it! - Blaketon is annoyed that he can't charge Greengrass but has to hand the matter over to the transport police!
Barry's wife, Sophie isn't well so when she takes the car out she nearly runs down Claude then crashes in to the bus shelter nearly hitting some children. Sophie is confused, and later accidentally walks out of a shop with out paying. Sophie is suffering and eventually asks Barry to end her life by setting fire to their home. And later Nick discovers that is exactly what he did. Nick vaguely understand his motives after seeing Kate suffer but he realises its complicated. Gina and George have a go at pigeon racing and a father who has kidnapped his daughter arrives at the pub.
This episode is a strange but good one! Alf is witness to a UFO sighting but can‘t remember what happened. Maggie suggests that Alf should see a hypnotist to fill in the missing moments. Blaketon is keen to cover it up and puts Alf on sick leave. Nick argues that there's nothing wrong with Alf. Alf however is worried that his experience might put his job on the line. Nick encourages Alf to stick to his guns and helps him stand up to the authorities that wanted to put it down to his imagination. Eileen and Blaketon have a game of golf, and they spot an unusual triangle shaped mark on the green! Everything is sorted out in the end. Greengrass has won a cruise, but is terrified of sailing so he ends up selling it.
A burglar known as ‘Bero man' makes several attacks in the area, including terrifying Gina and injuring Maggie. He has also been known to bake a sponge cake in his victims houses before he leaves. The Bero man turns out to be a local girl who was feeling trapped by her family. A Bob Dylan look a like arrives and entertains everyone with his music. He is later found to be a drug dealer who gave some to two girls who were later involved in a car crash in which the driver died. Greengrass also unknowingly gets high on a hash cake that mysteriously appeared in his oven!
It is Katie's christening, and everyone is celebrating at Nicks house afterwards, when an old girlfriend of his, Gill, from the Met turns up for a visit. Nick and Gill are asked to go undercover to investigate the criminal activities of the owner of a well known gambling club. Blaketon thinks that Mr Armstrong is going to cheat in an up coming racing event by tampering with the favourite horse, ‘Fab Four'. The police are on to him, and he soon notices he's being watched so he kidnaps Gill and hides her in a horse box. Nick and Phil come to the rescue.
Arthur Wakefield suffers a heart attack after tackling Terry Tinniswood when he tried to burgle his home. Arthur dies, but Mrs Wakefield manages to identify Terry from photos and then from a line up. The Tinniswood family however claim that Terry was at home all night. Mrs Wakefield then sets out to make Terry feel guilty and insecure. Special Constable Cowley who thinks he knows everything is assigned to help Nick on his patch, but Nick isn't pleased with the idea. Cowley is determined to win the prize for the best gooseberries in the up coming flower show. - But his wife makes sure that doesn't happen. Greengrass' plan to cheat in the show goes horribly wrong!
Alf is showing Nick the plot of land that he's bought on which to have a house built. But he's not pleased when Claude turns up with the digging equipment! Claude sets out to work but the digger soon becomes jammed. Claude goes down in to the excavation to see what's wrong and ends up trapped on an unexploded bomb. The army is brought in to diffuse the bomb and the police have to evacuate the whole village. One woman protests to leaving as a man has died in her bed and its not her husband. One little boy is missing, but Nick finds him hiding in a shed, unfortunately the bomb goes off causing the shed to collapse. Nick and the boy are fine but one soldier is killed.
This is Peter Benson's first appearance at this show.
Blaketon receives complaints about rock music being broadcast from a pirate radio station. Nick and Phil who have been enjoying the music, reluctantly seek out the station which is broadcasting from a ship at sea. But they are pleased to discover it is out past the 3 mile limit. Nick, Gina, Phil and Maggie go to a club one night where Maggie's brother is working as a DJ, he is also the DJ on the pirate radio ship. Things take a different turn when Maggie's brother discovers that some of the people he's working with are distributing LSD. Joe Norten is back in Aidensfield after doing time for arson, but he is doing his best to go straight. His friends however tempt him into trying the LSD which makes him fall off a building to his death. Nick goes undercover as a DJ to investigate. The ship moves back into the 3 mile limit and the dealers are caught, but Nick lets the pirate radio continue! Blaketon is annoyed when the evidence he had against Greengrass for making whisky goes up in smoke
A father has kidnapped his son from his wife and brought him to Aidensfield. The boy becomes ill with polio, so a mass vaccination is arranged. Once the boy is taken to hospital his dad runs away, but Nick says he won't go far as he is worried about his son. It turns out that he too, has polio and he's found just in time. The boys mother arrives after having hired a private detective to find her son, but she admits she drove her husband into snatching their son. Blaketon is now president of the rugby club, and Phil is on the team. Greengrass has a go at playing talent scout, but his plan doesn't work out. Nick meets Jo the new school teacher and the fact that he's noticed her is obvious!
Claude's nephew comes to visit but he brings his latest business partner who is American along with him. They ask Claude if they can use his place for storage. There are a few burglaries in the area including Ashfordly hall. Walter Gillis is trying to put Bill Ruane in the frame because he wants a chance to buy his stables. But it turns out that it was Walter himself who robbed Ashfordly hall, and it was the American who had done the two other burglaries. Claude is upset to find that the stolen goods had been hidden on his property. Nick asks Jo to dinner but is called out and Jo offers to baby-sit. Eileen comes home to find her curled up asleep on the sofa with Katie.
A frightened man who lives alone is being threatened. The man doing this thinks that he is the doctor who was convicted of medical negligence for causing the death of his little girl. But they've got the wrong man. Claude finds the man who is now tied up and one of the men he's with has a gun. Claude shows the police where he is and he's rescued. Jo is spending more time with Nick but is worried that Eileen disapproves. Unfortunately Nick is often called out whenever they are together.
The father of a young boy had dreams of his son playing cricket professionally, but unfortunately he doesn't make the local team, Maggie realises it is because he can't see the ball so he needs glasses. The same boy is caught stealing and the next day he arrives at school with bruises. Jo suspects the worse but it turns out he got the bruises playing cricket. The boy feels he's let his dad down and runs away but ends up having an accident. Claude has ""borrowed"" one of Lord Ashfordly's prize horses to breed from, but as they're taking it back Claude spots the little boy lying on the road and takes him to hospital. Nick who has been looking for the missing horse suddenly twigs what's happened when he sees Claude in a horse box. - He says he'll forget it ever went missing if the horse is returned within two hours!
Alf has a serious problem with his gambling debts and is forced to ask Nick about Kate's insurance for a loan. Nick isn't impressed at first but the next day he has a chat with Alf and they arrange a plan to sort it out without Blaketon finding out. The man Alf owes money to (Charlie) has been dealing in thousands of pounds worth of stolen wine, but when the wine is found Alf tells Charlie, that no one else knows where its hidden and he won't tell anyone, in exchange for his IOU's. Nick and Alf set the thieves up and they are caught. Jo asks Nick what he intends to do in the future, and hints that she wants him to go for promotion, Nick says he's happy with what he's doing now. Lord Ashfordly is making Claude act as a game keeper without pay, because he caught him poaching his game birds! He tells Nick: ""It takes a thief to catch a thief Rowan!""
The heads teacher's daughter who has been working as a house keeper for a sick man and his son, is knocked down in a hit and run accident. Maggie calls for help, but ends up becoming the main suspect. Obviously its not her, and Nick says he never suspected her, but Maggie's not so sure. The sick man can't remember anything of the night it happened because he blacked out, and is worried that he could have been responsible. But it turns out it was his son, who drove after the girl when she left that night (he had been her boyfriend) but panicked when he hit her. Nick reconsiders what Jo has said about promotion and asks Blaketon's advice about taking his sergeants exams.
A fire breaks out at Webster's Hotel. Fortunately the fire is discovered in time and damages are limited to a work shop. The manager Ralph Webster is not satisfied that it was caused by faulty wiring and asks PC Rowan to look into it and especially Brian Rogers. When Webster sacks Rogers he gets drunk and threatens a taxi driver. Rogers even points a gun at PC Rowan, who has come to investigate, and barricades himself in his flat. Posh fashion photographer Jansson is scouting for locations and also wants to hire both Gina and Greengrass in addition to his regular
Juke boxes are sold to all the local pubs, but the main supplier makes sure that they are the only ones to buy from. They do this by having two bikers smash up any other machines. Including the one in the Aidensfield Arms that Claude's mate had installed. Nick asks Gina to help with an under cover operation to catch the culprits. Alf goes to his would be son in law's stag night where all his drinks get spiked. He ends up spending the night in a cell because he can't go home to Mrs Ventress! There's still tension between Nick and Jo.
Erol, a man Nick helped out when he was in trouble with the police in London comes to the area.. But when reports of trespassers, and theft come in Blaketon suspects Erol. Nick is annoyed because he thinks Blaketon's assumptions have been made on the fact that Erol is coloured, and takes exception to his attitude. But when more evidence is found Nick is forced to question Erol. Erol is asked to play in the Aidensfield cricket team, and he helps win them a match, but he knows someone from where he used to work is after him, so he makes a run for it but gets cornered. Luckily Nick and Phil arrive in time. Nick's mum is up for a visit, and Nick suspects something's wrong and won't believe her when she denies it. Ruby meets Jo and sets her and Nick up, they agree to give it another go.
Nick gets roped into a quoits match and Claude shows him how to play! Nick meets Jo's parents for the first time, which doesn't go smoothly. Jo hasn't told them Nick has been married before or about Katie, Jo's dad isn't impressed at Nick's lack of ambition professionally, and they make it obvious they disapprove. A coach crash occurs on the moor and Phil is on board. Nick panics when he hears because he thinks Katie and Eileen are on the coach, but it turns out they went by car. One man is killed, and Nick has to tell his wife. Ruby tells Nick that there is something wrong. She says she's found someone who wants to move in with her, but he can be violent when he's in a temper, but she's lonely and wants the company. Nick tells her to get rid of him, and eventually that's what she decides to do.
Greengrass is asked to put on a number of bets at the races for some rather unscrupulous characters. But before he gets the chance he ends up in hospital with a suspected appendix problem. Blaketon is afraid he'll have to retire and is tempted when Arnold, his friend offers him a job. A young boy has been assaulted and Nick suspects Arnold - Blaketon strongly disagrees. Nick investigates and finds evidence to suggest that Arnold could also be guilty of corruption. He ends up having an argument about it with Blaketon, who then storms out. Nick realises he's offended him and goes round to apologise. Meanwhile Blaketon has a chat with Arnold and realises Nick's right.
A wrestling match is the up coming event and everyone is excited about seeing the ‘Masked Marvel' in action. But he's staying with Claude, and Alfred takes exception to his mask and bites him in the leg. A local rugby player wrestles in his place - the Masked Marvel's manager is thrilled that no one noticed the difference with the mask on. He then realises there's no limit to the amount of times he can interchange players. The original ‘Masked Marvel' is upset about being replaced and decides to do something about it. He ends up coming out on top when he wrestles without the mask A mother leaves her children and husband to move in with another man, her son takes it very badly. Later she is found dead alongside a road, and suspicion falls on the husband.
Nick rescues a young woman from a house fire. She soon becomes obsessed with Nick , phoning him at Jo's calling into the station, calling round at the police house and spending time with Katie. When Nick makes it clear he isn't interested, she first plants her bracelet in his uniform and tells Blaketon he's stolen it. She then causes trouble between Nick and Jo when she tries to convince Jo that he and she are having an affair. This makes Jo feel insecure, but Nick convinces Jo that the woman is just making trouble and tells her that he loves her. The woman sees Nick and Jo out one night and attempts to knock Jo down with her car, but she is stopped in time.
Suzanna Temple-Richards moves back into the area after having served time for drugging her husband, but when a woman she knew in prison turns up asking her for money she begins to get worried, and events take a turn for the worst. The woman turns out to be an escaped prisoner who is planning to escape to Spain with her boyfriend. Luckily the police realise what's happening and Suzanna is found tied up in the boot of their car. Eileen finds it hard to accept Jo staying over at the Police House, Nick talks to her about it, and everything is sorted out, she says that she thinks Kate would have liked Jo.
Nick is suspicious of a financial advisor that comes to the area, he seems all too keen to advise people with their money matters including Jo's dad. Many of the locals including Maggie and Blaketon receive anonymous letters. Phil has the job of tracking down the type writer which they were written on - he finds it at Claude's house - but Claude's not guilty as he's had a letter himself, he's embarrassed by its content but shows it to Nick and swears him to secrecy! It turns out that it was a local widow's husband who was responsible.
An old flame of Eileen's turns up. He is a French man named Antonin, who urges Eileen to marry him. She declines because of her commitment to Katie. Nick goes undercover as a harbour worker to catch an escapee prisoner. Phil goes missing during the operation and is found trapped on one of the boats. Claude is buying fish under false means, Nick notices what's going on and advises him to stay away from Whitby - which is where the investigation is taking place.
Aidensfield is hit by a snow storm and a plane makes a crash landing. A couple were on board but the pilot runs from the scene just as his wife goes into labour.. Nick eventually has to deliver the baby himself. He and Jo then take mother and baby back to the cottage, but there are problems because the baby is premature.. The escape pilot turns out to be a wanted man, and its Claude who helps Nick catch him! Phil and Alf get stuck in a snow drift when Alf was meant to be playing Santa, meanwhile Claude is brought in as a replacement - but Alf is rescued in time so two Santas turn up at the nativity play! In the final scene Nick proposes to Jo.
Nikki Sanderson
Dawn Bellamy
David Lonsdale
David Stockwell
Steven Blakeley
PC Geoff Younger
2001
After Jackie left him at the end of series 10, Mike becomes friendly with Dr. Tricia Sumerbee. Craddock's efforts to impress an inspector as the station & police house are vandalised. The vandalism turns out to be by a young boy who claims a policeman killed him in a car crash. Vernon & David have a dispute over the house, accusing David of hiding items.
The boy who caused damage to the police property runs off with his 16 year old girlfriend. The girlfriend falls ill after drinking contaminated water. Vernon eventually persuades Oscar to try a slot machine in the pub. He says he will pay for the winnings himself. Vernon doesnt realise the machine has been fixed by a friend of Bernie's, meaning Oscar enjoys a busy night of trade, eventually the man who fixes the machines foots the bill.
Mr Maxwell, a patient of Dr Tricia Sumerbee is suffering from depression, and keeps walking onto railway lines. It turns out that the depression is due to his wife's death. Meanwhile, Mike considers taking Sergeants exams
A new policeman, PC Tom Nicholson arrives at the station for a prohibationary period. Lord Ashfordly has some figures stolen. Despite suspecting the staff of the theft, it was actually a student, who was using them for research.
When a series of items go missing at a nursing home, the police investigate. After Oscar Blaketon discovers her qualifications are false, suspicion is on the owner, Mrs. Hargreaves. It turns out it was actually one of the residents, who was a little absent minded. David becomes involved in house clearing, but after a not very securley attached 6 turns into a 9, David clears the wrong house!
Vernon conducts tours of Ashfordly Hall. During a tour, a valuable painting vanishes. A journalist, who had caught Ventress asleep whilst on duty, photographed him. Later, when Ventress & Blaketon see the photo, they recognise the culprit - a known thief.
A worker at a nearby carpet factory is injured when machinery breaks down. Until now, the boss Mr. Shields had ignored health and safety. It turns out to be sabotage, as Mr. Shields' girlfriend had wrecked the machinery to get the manager sacked.
Mr. Lawson, the owner of some disused houses, is furious when a commune arrives and takes them over. Lawson is suspected of breaking into the houses. One of the girls in the commune is pregnant, but Oscar persuades Lawson to allow her to stay there with the baby. An undercover journalist was responsible for the break in.
There's a salmonella outbreak and a chicken pie from the Aidensfield Arms is suspected as the source. Two criminals take a mother and her son as hostages and Vernon wants to start a cemetary for pets.
One of Tricia's friends is having problems with her relationship with her boyfriend. She has been under threat from her boyfriend, as she has some important documents. Meanwhile the Christmas lights on the village tree (supplied by Vernon) catch fire.
A forced entry to a Goldsmiths keeps the poilce busy. Craddock is furious to learn one of the suspects escaped from the hospital whilst Tom had fallen asleep! Mr. Veritable, a known cricket player turns up in Aidensfield, but its not long before suspision is aroused and it turns out he was behind the theft.
A man dies of a heart attack on the village green. The police invesitgate a robbery of banknotes from the station. The theives hire & use a holiday caravan of Vernons, as a get away. However its not long before the caravan breaks down and the notes are discovered Craddocks wife, meanwhile, has turned up in Aidensfield and when he tells her that she matters more than his career, they decide to make up and leave Aidensfield together.
Sgt. Merton, freshly demoted from CID, arrives at the police station to take on the new roll as Sergeant. When Ventress brings a disqualified driver in, Alf is threatned if he takes the further, the driver will reveal his past. Oscar presuades Alf to come clean, and Merton is understanding. The driver is later arrested on a drugs case. David attempts to get fit at a gymn, but things don't go too smoothly.
A family feud over land escalates with a fight in the pub, partly provoked by Tom. Unknown to the two families involved, 2 of them from opposing sides used to go out with each other. Thankfully, Alf calms both parties down, and talks some sense into them.
The owner of a large house has recently acquired a ming varse. While he is on holiday, David looks after the house, however he leaves after he learns some other people have moved in. It turns out they are responsible for the missing vase.
Helen Jones returns home walking her dog and surprises a young intruder who strikingly resembles her run-away husband decades ago. Later David finds him in Vernon's barn, and soon Vernon is involved in the wine processing business.
A new health food shop in Ashfordly demands goatmilk, so Vernon and David keep goats, but without a proper pen the goats attack Blaketon's and others' gardens. A guest house suffers an intrusion but nothing seems to be stolen, Sue Dixon and her teenage daughter have just moved in but there's no harmony between them,
The walking disaster area PPC Nicholson comes of age and the whole village is planning a surprise party for him. To keep him - and everybody else - out of harms way Sergeant Merton sends him out to check tax discs together with PC Bellamy. Jimmy Sutton is suspected to be involved in an armed robbery and the Ashfordly police are asked to check on his whereabouts, but neither his mother nor his wife Lesley have heard from him. PC Bellamy stumbles across the robbers hiding out in the woods, and when he is injured PPC Nicholson offers to be their hostage instead. A heroic action with tragic consequences for him. Lord Ashfordly is playing host to a party of American veterans from World War II. Vernon Scripps persuades him to let the local brass band to be responsible for the entertainment. This is a bad idea because the band leader George Sugden does not like Americans and especially not this lot.
Sergeant Merton is dating Vivienne Keen, but the morning after a date she accuses him of stealing her purse. Merton of course denies the allegation and is suspended pending investigation, but things do not look to good for him when the purse is found in his apartment. Furthermore a similar allegation was made against him ten years earlier, but the case was dropped. PC Bradley still thinks his superior is innocent and begins his own, private investigation at the risk of being suspended himself. Bernie Scripps is acting strangely. He has seen Dr. Summerbee a lot recently and Vernon is afraid he suffers from a serious depression.
Harvey Cottrell buys furniture at almost stealing prizes. He shows great interest in Alice Stanton's Greek figurine and the next day it is gone. The same thing happens to an old mirror belonging to John Salter, and Cottrell turned really nasty when she would not sell him that. The villagers of Aidensfield have to elect either Oscar Blaketon or Joyce Jowett as the parish representative for the counsel and the candidates do everything they can to outdo and discredit each other. Many villagers find it hard to get to the village hall to vote and Blaketon offers to take them there in David's taxi. Dr. Summerbee thinks that exercise will improve general health in Aidensfield and organizes a fitness class. But fitness may not be too good to herself because she collapses after the class.
Saul Arkwright walks his dog close to Lord Ashfordly's estate when the dog is shot by one of Lord Ashfordly's guests Oliver Langley. Since Langley just drives off nearly hitting Arkwright in the process the latter see no other alternative than to make a complaint to the police. When the police do not do enough in his opinion Arkwright takes matters in his own hand. Vernon Scripps has had a new "bright" idea. He has bought a surplus U.S. Army half-track tank to drive tourists around the countryside. But since he has a boil in a very private place David has to drive the half-track for him. David only flattens half the village trying to get the hang of it.
Josie Peters is number one in her class. The class is going on a field trip, but she thinks she cannot go because her family is too poor to pay for it. Her school has a fund for situations like that, but her father will not accept any charity and insists that he will get the money himself. The night before the field trip Ralph Peel, Len Peter's employer, is mugged and the proceeds of the day are stolen. Josie also has a crush on her teacher Roger Gifford, and when her father reads about it in her diary he believes that her fantasies about him are true. The ventriloquist Ernie Dobson has died and left his dummy Enoch to David, who treats the dummy like a real person and drives Vernon Scripps mad.
Alex Robinson stays at the Aidensfield Arms while he tries to purchase land. But Ian Sinclair has beaten him to it and closed the deal with a couple of potential sellers. Lord Ashfordly has invited Robinson to dinner and he asks Gina to accompany him. His car has a flat tire and they have to go in hers. Late in the evening she feels bad and has to go home. The next morning she wakes up in her car only a couple of hundred yards from Ashfordly Hall. The previous evening Sinclair is seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident, and everything suggests that Gina is responsible. Sylvia and Linda are singers in a band, and to ensure that nothing untoward happens their father hires Vernon Scripps to drive them to and fro when they have a gig. But the loud music soon gets too much for him and David has to take over. The two girls soon discover that David is a real push-over in the hands of young females.
Mike and Tricia get involved in a domsetic violence case. tricia seems unwell all the time, complaining of headaches as she goes to the primary school, Jenny puts this down to her stress with Mike- she'd told him that she's in love and he didn't respond. Later After the woman has left her violent husband the husband hides in tricias house, Tricia returns home from a funeral only to be attacked, she manages to escape into the garden where she colapses, Mike later finds her.
1998
Gina returns home from her uncle George's funeral and Blaketon tries to mediate some neighbors but his efforts are disturbed by acute food poisoning. A night club owner goes broke and Greengrass takes some belongings into possession to cover a debt of 75 pounds. The stripper's snake contained in a box happens to be among them.
2000
Celia Hanson has just retired as teacher and lives now in a small house in the countryside. Her nearest neighbor, a Long time farmer has absolutely no understanding for her need of peace and quiet. As Blaketon tries to mediate, things get even worse.
David makes Bernie Scripps and Greengrass arrange a military funeral, and Jackie Bradley is the object of an unknown individual's phone calls at night and day, and the intense use of a photo camera.
2002
Ventress fears for his job and his sanity when Blaketon sees a man whom they certified dead fifteen years previously. Meanwhile, the villagers are sceptical when Vernon finds gainful employment Meanwhile Mike is worried about Tricia as she returns to work, but she is determined that she is ok.
Mike discovers that a couple's wealth has not brought them happiness. Vernon is concerned that his dabbling with hypnotism has sent David barking mad.
A radioactive isotope contained in copper is in a car that is stolen when parked at The Aidensfeld Arms. At the same time Greengrass tells two school boys that in another episode 'found' golf balls to him that he could use some copper. Greengrass' little brother makes him have a racing dog in custody.
Just after buying a car young Brian Rider has a serious solo accident and his mother blames the owner of the Motor Company. Greengrass takes over a couple of racing pigeons after the owner's funeral.
A respectable bank manager finds his past coming back to haunt him. Greengrass fixes the outcome of a local golf tournament - much to Blaketon's annoyance.
Blaketon notices some strange activity at a graveyard at night but as he wants to investigate, he's knocked down. Greengrass tries his luck in the beauty business.
A young man sneaks around inside Moorside Lodge, a mothers' and babies' home, and Greengrass grabs an order to make a concrete driveway but as David refuses to work that very day, Greengrass has to make the unknown Gary do the job. Later an adopted baby is kidnapped.
At a roadside 'shop' David sells some sheepskin rugs for Greengrass very cheaply. Craddock and the local veterinarian have grave disputes on drunk driving, and a fleas' epidemic gives a dog a bad name.
Greengrass wants to make a fortune as mobile shop keeper. An Indian doctor from Kenya stirs up ugly racist prejudices, and an illegal hunt for live badgers disturb the forest.
Mel Drinkwater disappears on the way to her secret wedding and a former boyfriend, Michael, is suspected of making her diaappear. Greengrass' cat allergy is ruining his joy of a new business project. A burglar steals some medicine from Dr. Bolton's clinic.
An apparent UFO mystery intermingles with the death of an Italian racing cyclist. Greengrass recieves 200 gbomes from China, but they turn out to be models of Chairman Mao.
Bellamy convinces Bradley to have a party at the Aidensfield Police Station. Lord Ashfordly's sister visits to introduce her new love, but he's very interested in Gina, and Greengrass has campers who modernize people's homes.
Blaketon is appointed Warning Point Officer - in case of nuclear attack, but soon Greengrass grabs the initiative to make money on the security issue. A pupil smashes a front window of the teacher's car. Later another pupil drinks poisoned water in the woods and Bellamy's Granny leads a protest against noisy lorries.
While David Fuller apparently is very busy at an auction his wife, Marianne, is brought to hospital in a critical condition. Bradley stumbles into a short flirt with her sister, Rachel, and Gina dreams about a trip to Paris.
Eric Tatton and his wife are dead and his sister, Peggy, has to move out of their house. At the last moment she however decides to fight to stay. Bellamy seeks a flat and gets 'assistance' from Grengrass.
A road sign thief causes some disarray, and a Miss Aubrey charges Dr. Bolton with sexual harassment. Greengrass arranges local history theater in the open air, but doesn't it take two armies to make a battle?
Jane Hayes is nervous of her pregnancy and some mysterious incidents related to the past make her fear she's haunted. A Christmas Charity Dance is arranged in Aidensfield, and Greengrass gets the responsibility for a trophy at the event.
Mildred Crosby dies unexpectedly suddenly and Maggie Bolton is accused. An anonymous night rider 'borrows' frequently a horse and leaves it in an uneasy state. Two Japanese vases are stolen, and Greengrass obtains hot horse racing tips from a road bum.
Barry Dixon is released from prison but is followed closely by an insurance detective. Lord Ashfordly has closed a pathway to a waterfall, but that decision meets strong opposition when a couple of tourists, Mr and Mrs Tidy, is stopped somewhat brutally. Bradley and Jackie Lambert, an attractive lawyer, develop common ground.
Maggie Bolton tells Neil that they are going to have a baby, but she's quite troubled about it and takes a small trip with Gina. Small fires in the area worry the police, and Greengrass has a railway carriage for holiday guests, but that makes Blaketon angry.
Blaketon loses focus on Greengrass because an even worse crook enters the area with some racing ferrets. Jackie Lambert visits Maggie Bolton to finish the paperwork on Dr. Bolton's death. An old woman witnesses a kidnapping. A young man annoys ordinary citizens intensely while presenting himself as PC Ventress.
David wins £100 and buys some fine clothes, but the shopkeeper wants to sell more to him. Gina substitutes as singer in a new club in Whitby, but it turns into a nightmare as the police finds drugs in her handbag.
An old friend visits Gina, and Aunt Mary fears trouble. Two brothers open a restaurant, and they are surprised by more than a brick through the window. An archaeologist inspires Greengrass to dig for a treasure.
A troubled family has moved into Aidensfield from Zambia. At the auction David happens to buy pigs instead of lambs, and Mrs. Ventress is hospitalized.
David Stockwell witnesses a hit and run incident.
As Edith Benton has to leave for a family visit Greengrass and David get the job to lead her poodle through the Ashfordly Championship Dog Show. A couple of valuable candlesticks are stolen from the church and The Reverend's daughter is in love with a young man that her mother is hostile to.
A retiring politician returns to his estate with his wife only to find out that his long time lover has moved in as neighbor and is now on friendly terms with his wife. He refuses to let a village party take place on his land even if it is an old tradition. Bellamy invites Gina to the movie.
Very much to Blaketon's surprise some old Commando veterans arrives at Aidensfield Arms to salute Ventress, but a son to a fallen hero joins the party. An inventor who wants peace and quiet complains to the police of noise from the pub, and Greengrass most unwillingly experiences an alternative 'fishing method'.
Craddock's mother observes an assault through binoculars but the victim dissappears. A strange theft takes place in a married couple's home as a guest is the only victim. Greengrass has a hot tip on a horse race.
Nat Coopeer is a 'traveller'. He and a mate tries unsuccessfully an armed robbery and they soon leave each other on their own. Greengrass gets involved in organizing horse races on open country roads.
Sue Driscoll surprises Bellamy with a sudden visit. Stanley Leroy and John Wilson are mystery guests at Aidensfield Arms. Edna, a psychic, warns that something terrible is going to happen and a headmaster is evasive about a boy's disappearance.
A local cricket team volunteered at World War I and now their sole survivor of the battles refuses to pay taxes because their old club's house is to be demolished. A car is crashed in a single accident and lot of money disappears from the car, an soon a 'Robin Hood' helps the War Veteran and his mates' families.
A new bank manager is very unwilling to lend out money and his son moves away from home in sympathy with the empty-handed. Bellamy and Gina prepare expensive luxury as Christmas gifts to each other.
Maggie Bolton has returned from her vacation with Graham Rysinsky. She helps Sylvia in taking care of her very sick mother. Jack, who wants to marry Sylvia, is very dissatisfied with her brother, Tony, who owns 3 'Smith's and Chips'. When one of them is put on fire Jack is suspected.
Greengrass has a sister in the West Indies. She has won very much money and she has invited him to a very long stay there. He has leaft his property and Alfred to David's protection. Vernon Scripps, Bernie's stepbrother, arrives, but Bernie prefers Vernon's heels better than his toes. However, Vernon grabs another possibility to stay in Aidensfield. The Bradleys get a dangerous and secret task.
Craddock dates his dance teacher at the 'North Riding Police Dance' but her son is a ruthless fast speed driver. Bernie is off to Northallerton to comfort a widow, so Vernon and David takes the job to repair Lord Ashfordly's Bentley.
Edwina Lambert visits her daughter, Jackie, but she can't hide she's more keen on seeing some of her old friends, the Henderson's who as employers neglect security duties. Vernon contacts a promoter of a pop concert to get a foot into catering.
Glenda Marriot wants her aunt Mrs. Barton to sell her farm and move to an old people's home, but the old lady says she can still manage together with her farmhand Jed Harrison. Glenda tries to take legal steps to make her sell, but somebody must be more intent on getting the old lady out and tries to scare her away. Vernon Scripps' latest idea is hot rods. He wants Bernie to build him one so that he can race it. PC Ventress is showing Special Constable Harold Emney around when he sees Gina leaving the maternal ward at Ashfordly Hospital. Of course he puts two and two together and gets five and before long everybody knows that she is pregnant - everybody that is except Gina and the assumed father Phil Bellamy.
Lord Ashfordly plays host to the Livonian Prince Nikolas and hires Vernon Scripps to bodyguard his distinguished guest. Not an easy task as it turns out because the prince is a great lover of liquor and will rather pay a visit to the Aidensfield Arms than to his lordship's wine cellar. Lord Ashfordly is not the only one awaiting guests. Mike Bradley is expecting his niece Anne and her friend Louise, but the two girls turn out to be very modern teenagers and not the cute little kids he imagined. They are more into parties than trips around the countryside. Dr. Summerbee has given up her job at the hospital in favour of Dr. Bolton's old practice in Aidensfield. Phil has a very special assignment for Bernie Scripps. He intends to propose to Gina and wants Bernie to drive her to a very romantic place. But Bernie has to help his brother and sends David instead. Only when you give directions to David you have to be _very_ specific!
During a dinner at Ashfordly Hall the county High Sheriff Andrew Parkin makes a pass at Susie Cope, who is serving at the dinner. On their way home from the dinner Parkin and his wife Sonia run down the farmer Colin Taylor. The Parkins claim that Mrs. Parkin was driving the car due to him having too much to drink, but PC Bradley is not sure because the driver's seat was too far back for her. Either way the accident may turn out to be a costly affair for the Parkins, because their insurance does not cover her driving the car. Furthermore Susie Cope tells Oscar Blaketon, who is acting as a private investigator on Taylor's behalf, that she is certain that it was the High Sheriff himself who was behind the wheel. Vernon Scripps revives an old idea of his, a marriage bureau.
Gareth North is the son of used car dealer Harry North and relies on his father's wealth to get him out of trouble. And trouble is something he gets into a lot of together with his girlfriend Gail and friend Vince. They attempt an armed robbery, but when PC Bellamy nearly catches them Gareth reports his car, which they used to get away, as stolen. The three of them even go as far as accusing Bellamy of beating up Gareth. Vernon Scripps wins a car in a poker game and decides to open a taxi service. But they do not get any customers, because they share a party line with Edith Fairley, who is always at the phone. She is hiding from her ex-husband Jack Fairley, who has just been released from prison. Bernie Scripps gets an unusual request. Minnie Bateson wants to make funeral arrangements for her husband Sydney. The unusual bit about it is that Sydney Bateson is still alive.
Renalto Pisconi is the manager of a gambling casino with distribution of counterfeit money on the side. Pisconi's father-in-law Reginald White, who owns the casino, is the leader of the counterfeiters with Denise as a third partner. The police get on their tracks through their former bartender John Garrick, who is arrested for using some of the counterfeit money at the Aidensfield Arms. Oscar Blaketon's car is broken beyond repair. Since he always wanted an MG Vernon Scripps gets the idea to sell classic sports car and he knows just the man to supply them. Soon Oscar Blaketon is the proud owner of his dream car, a red hot MG A - with the emphasis on "hot".
Jackie gets a visit from her old friend Caroline. She is surprised to learn that Caroline has a baby. Caroline needs a day off from motherhood and leaves the baby with Jackie and Mike while she goes to York to see some friends. Mike leaves the baby in a pram outside the police house, but when Jackie comes home from an errand the baby is gone. Jackie is not the only one who has a visitor. Lady Patricia visits her brother at Ashfordly Hall together with an old family friend Lord Hal Tadcaster. Well "together" may not be the proper word, because she would rather see him leave than stay. And with good reason since the CID suspects Tadcaster of being a drug dealer and asks the police in Ashfordly to keep an eye on him. The post office in Whitby goes on strike. Vernon Scripps gets the idea to start a courier service. And for once he does the dirty work himself.
Adrian Miller is giving lectures all over the country. After a lecture he is accused of trying to rape Lisa Preston in her room at the hotel where they both are staying. Jackie is appointed as his solicitor, but they do not get along at all - and that is putting it mildly. David is in charge of the household in Greengrass' cottage where both he and Vernon Scripps are staying, but he cannot cope with paying the bills and taxes and Vernon suggests that one of them (meaning David) gets a job. They take on a ploughing job for George Walker, but when they try to start his tractor David finds a body in Walker's car in the barn. The "body" turns out to be a bust which Walker has reported stolen together with some other items also found in the car. Once they have been found Walker has disappeared.
PC Bradley has been sent to investigate a break-in when he witnesses an explosion. It is the car of ambulance driver Frank Metcalfe which exploded when he turned on the ignition, and it looks like attempted murder because he has received anonymous phone calls and a threatening letter a couple of days earlier. The grocer Mr. Dale is attacked under similar circumstances. But they have nothing in common. The only lead is a blue Ford Transit van seen on both occasions and that the attacker has military training and access to the local arsenal. Pete Atkins fits these requirements, but he claims his innocence. Oscar Blaketon also receives anonymous phone calls. Is he the next victim? Rev. Meeks represents a foundation which offers Lord Ashfordly to finance the renovation St. Judes Church on his lands, and his lordship hires Vernon Scripps and David to do work for him. Meeks especially asks them to be on the lookout for a particular baptismal font from the church.
Russian chess champion Leonid Vorodin passes through Ashfordly Hall on his way around Britain and his lordship asks sergeant Craddock for a permanent police presence during his stay. This does not prevent a burglar to break into the manor during the night and steal some of Lord Ashfordly's precious chess sets. Vorodin plans to defect with the aid of his British press secretary Anna Young. But Sychen and Zaikov from the Russian embassy are on to their plans. Greengrass has decided to sell his cottage in Aidensfield in order to buy a house in the Caribbean. While David can move back to his mother Vernon has no place to go and does his best to discourage potential buyers.
Bill Dyer asks PC Bradley to take a closer look at Giles Sutton whom he suspects of rigging the sheep market. Sutton senses what is going to happen and offers Jackie his legal account. He even pays for their meal one night he "spots" Mike and Jackie having dinner at a restaurant. Mike gets angry when he finds out, but Jackie insists Sutton only did it as a gesture to her totally failing to recognize the consequences it may have on her husband. Sutton even leaves a large amount of money in Mike's jacket, and although Mike returns the money he is suspended for taking bribes. But even worse is to come in Mike's and Jackie's private life. Dilys Powell persuades Vernon to go into business with her marketing the spring water from her farm on bottles. Vernon thinks it is an excellent idea and invites Lord Ashfordly as a prospective investor.
Private drama is played out in public when Lord Ashfordly hosts the County Sheepdog Trials. But Bernie and David find it inconvenient when Vernon offers their services.
Ventress tries to stop a bankrupt farmer from taking revenge on the bank. When Vernon goes into the horseradish business he discovers that he can't stand the heat in the kitchen.
Merton's cousin, the famous singer-songwriter Deborah Vine, arrives in Aidensfield to find a secluded location in which to work.
Gina has a near miss with a local farmer defending his land against ramblers. Villagers are puzzled by Vernon's bizarre personality switch.
Mike searches for a link between a dead farm worker and a spate of animal deaths. Alfred leaves David high and dry in Whitby. Meanwhile Tricia is upset, because of her patient dieing. She soon starts to feel guilty over the death of Len. She thought that it was tetanus but lad results come back with poison and she blames herself for not picking up on it. Even though there was nothing she could have done she still blames herself and feels that she was bad doctor.
When Tricia gets involved in a domestic dispute, she can't stand the heat in the kitchen. Vernon attempts to take the horticulture industry to new heights.
It is Christmas in Aidensfield and Lord Ashfordly decides to throw a ball to celebrate his marriage, but his elegant young bride is not what the locals expect. Vernon jeopardises Bernie's funeral business by finding a more festive use for the hearse. Tricia also gets the wrong end of the stick at the Christmas party. She thinks that Mike is proposing when he gives her a jewelry box, however it only contains a locket but she manages not to let him see her disappointment.
Mike is horrified when Tricia gets involved with a racehorse trainer, and Vernon has a surprise visit from a long-lost sibling.
Mike is reacting badly to Tricia's death and has an altercation with an underage drinker in the pub. The boy hits him but is let off by the magistrate - who turns out to be his father.
Bellamy is smitten with Alice, the victim of a handbag snatch. Merton and the others are trying to track some valuable porcelain figures stolen in Whitby when a similar theft occurs at Mr Osbourne's.
Lord Ashfordly is concerned about falling royalties from High Rigg Quarry and asks Blaketon to investigate. The police are concerned about a quantity of explosives which have gone missing from the quarry just before a visit by the defence minister.
Vernon and David are travelling in a tanker which overturns spilling its load. Vernon is taken to hospital with memory loss and David claims not to know what they were carrying. The police discover that the tanker has false number plates and its contents are contaminating the water supply.
A gang of mods cause havoc in the in the village and David is all set to join their gang. Jenny worries when a visit from her brother puts a strain on her relationship with Merton.
Ventress thinks the new PC, Steve Crane, is a bit too anxious to prove his worth. Vernon attempts to impress another new arrival, Dr Liz Merrick, with his community spirit.
Mike takes on his first big CID job after getting a tip-off. Vernon persuades Dr Merrick that the surgery needs a face-lift.
Lesley wishes her father was still alive to give her away at the wedding. Bernie visits the chiropodist to have his bunions treated. Gina organises Lesley's hen night.
Liz receives anonymous phone calls late at night, and Alec and Dean dress up as Batman and Robin.
The village is horrified when it seems there is a sniper on the loose, and Bellamy rethinks his priorities after a near miss with a bullet. DI Shiner makes Mike an offer it would be hard to refuse.
PC Crane and Dr Merrick worry about the welfare of an elderly farmer's widow. David helps Blaketon front a protest against a local quarry, but Vernon is working for the opposition.
illagers are curious when a mystery woman comes to live with Steve Crane, and Vernon gets a lucky break when he ventures into the modern art market.
An ex-con uses Jenny to put pressure on Sgt Merton. A newly affluent Vernon organises a charity auction.
When a farming couple go missing, Jenny and Liz are left minding the children. Vernon takes a reluctant Bernie on a country hotel mini-break.
Things get complicated for Steve when he falls for the beautiful daughter of a Polish violinist staying at Ashfordly Hall. Vernon is visited by two long-lost cousins claiming to have an irresistible business proposition.
1997
Claude is persuaded to stand bail for a burglar purely as a business arrangement, for which he does finally get his payment from the man's wealthy wife to be. Nick buys Jo an engagement ring, which she shows off down the pub! The engagement celebrations are ruined when Jo breaks the news to her parents. Her Mother strongly objects to the marriage, and makes no secret of how much she disapproves of her daughter marrying a ‘village bobby'.
A long lost friend of Claude's comes to stay called Ellen Highwater, she moves in with him for a brief period. At first Claude takes full advantage of her cooking and cleaning but eventually she takes things too far, especially when she takes some of his money for the shopping and she even suggests Alfred should have a kennel! ‘Sweaty Betty' has a vendetta against Special Constable Cowley, who mysteriously goes missing. Betty is the suspected of having something to do with it but Nick is surprised when she tells him that she has an alibi, in that she was with her ‘boyfriend' on the night in question. Jo has to move out of her cottage when her dad can't renew the lease, but luckily Maggie offers her, her spare room.
An elderly gentleman who has a job involving the security of a company's money but he believes that he won't have the job for much longer, Therefore he tries to fake the theft of the weeks wages to convince his employer that his job is still needed. A young boy is looking after his sick mother almost full time but her condition worsens and she dies. The boy runs away as he'' scared of having to go into a children's home. He ends up at Claude's place who does his best to try and help him. There is a search on for the boy and Maggie convinces Claude to tell Nick where his whereabouts. Unfortunately the boy runs away once more but Nick does manage to catch him. It is then discovered that his mother was actually his Gran, who had brought him up since his real mother was only young when she had him. The police find hi mother and he is happy to go and live with her.
There is an out break of handbag snatches in the area, the police know who the perpetrators are but can't prove anything. Phil decides to take matters into his own hands when his Gran is the next victim. To ensure a conviction he plants her purse on the suspect, and asks Nick to go along with it, he does, but in court the suspect's solicitor finds holes in the evidence and Blaketon realises what's happened. The case is dropped. Blaketon is angry and threatens to report Phil and Nick for the incident but informs them the next day, that just this once he would let the matter drop. Blaketon then turns to Alf for help with the case, and they set up a successful identity parade, which provides enough evidence to make the charges stand up in court. Meanwhile Jo is having problems with her mother disapproving of Nick and Claude is told there's more to a stuffed ram than meets the eye!
Claude is in trouble when two dangerous villains dump a batch of stolen cigarettes on him. Luckily he helps the police and sets the thieves up to be caught. Jo's mother's illness isn't improving and she goes into hospital for tests but later Jo receives the tragic news that her mother has died. A girl and her dad are staying in Aidensfield. She befriends a local boy who turns out to be her brother.
Nick discovers a complicated history behind an aristocratic woman and her former romance with a member of the community. Claude ties to help an Australian couple discover their ancestry.
A little boy is injured in a car accident. The driver becomes involved with the police but Blaketon finds that not everything's straight forward.. Jo's Dad is extremely distresses about the death of his wife. His cap is found by a railway line and is handed in to the police. Nick asks him about it, and he admits he considered taking his life, but the thought of what it would do to Jo brings him back to his senses. Nick is understanding as he knows how terrible was when he lost Kate. It is this conversation that seems to break some barriers between them and he now approves of Nick's relationship with Jo. Claude's brother Cyril is in the area looking for property.
Nick is suspicious when a lay preacher is injured in a shooting accident but eventually uncovers the truth behind the incident. Claude is doing his utmost to make money out of the famous Aidensfield bun for which he has been given what he thinks is the secret recipe to look after! Gina's relationship with Steve is developing but she also receives the bad news that George will never be well enough to come back to the pub.
Lord Ashfordly's sister is in the area but is causing Nick havoc with her drink driving. He handles it tactfully at first until she nearly causes an accident. Patricia is outraged when he brings her into the station, but after Lord Ashfordly had a quiet word with Blaketon he lets her go without charge. Nick is angry at the special treatment she received and later has a row with Jo when she tells him she'd rather go riding with Patricia than spend Saturday with him. Patricia's problems come to a head and she tries to kill herself but is rescued in time. Nick and Jo make up and have an exchanging of apologies and all is well by the end of the episode.
Blaketon is worried about his up coming retirement, he discusses it with Alf and tells him he has decided to apply for an extension of service. There are major thefts from a fur factory which leads to a police chase aboard a train, but only two out of the three men are caught. The other is found later when his son reluctantly leads the police to him. Claude has a metal detector and thinks he's struck gold!
A man has been shot on the moors. A man named Ruxby was in the vicinity when the incident occurred, so he becomes a suspect. It turns out that he was only shooting rabbits at the time. One of Maggie's patients gets a new butler, but Eileen becomes suspicious when a few items go missing. Other thefts have occurred including a stolen pool table that is sold on to Claude. Gina is also thrilled to learn that she is now the licensee of the pub, but she feels Steve is trying to take over. Greengrass arranges to take bets on a pool game.It turns out that the butler had been going under a number of false identities and had been responsible for the shooting and burglaries. Nick tells Claude the pool table is stolen and its taken away. Claude has to find a replacement, and he does, but its a snooker table he later realises the balls are too big for the pockets! Maggie is surprised when her husband turns up in Ashfordly.
It's Nick and Jo's wedding day! The episode starts with Nick's stag night, where he receives several bottles of very potent wine from Claude and a suspect garden ornament from Blaketon! The next day Nick goes for a drive but has to stop for a road accident, involving a man who's girlfriend had driven a car at him when he told her he was married. She panics and drives off in Nick's car. Stranded, Nick has to run for help and finds someone to take the injured man to hospital. Back at the police house Phil and Alf are getting worried about Nick's absence. Nick phones Phil to tell him what's happening and then its a mad dash to the church. Meanwhile Blaketon is devastated to discover that he has failed his medical and will have to retire. The ceremony is lovely and Katie and Maggie are bride's maids. Nick's Granddad is annoyed that Greengrass is selling off his jellied eels to his own family, Phil is nervous about his speech and Nick tells Jo he's taking her to Spain for their honeymoon. I
Mike Bradley arrives in Aidensfield and his first encounter with Blaketon is when he stops Mike for speeding. Mike was expecting a quite country beat, but his first experience in Aidensfield turned out to be anything but that. A local construction site is raided by armed robbers, Gina and Claude get caught up in the process and Alfred gets shot. Mike arrives on the scene and is also injured, but luckily he attends to Alfred. Claude and Gina help chase the robbers, but Blaketon catches them first when their car crashed down an embankment. Blaketon runs to help but ends up having a heart attack. Funnily enough it is Claude who saves him, which he asks Blaketon to remember in the future!
Alf has to deal with a group of travellers who have a grudge against him. Alf is determined to catch them at whatever crime they're about to commit. He feels guilty for not convicting them of a crime they committed in the past during which one of his old colleagues was crippled. Alf spends time observing them and making notes, but unfortunately he is spotted and they take him and tie him up in a horse box. It is a race horse that they intend to steal, but during the process Alf makes his escape and drives off in the horse box. They follow him but road blocks have been set up and the thieves are caught. Greengrass lets some guides camp on his land but it proves more hassle than he bargained for.
he has been made acting Sergeant at Ashfordly. A girl, Tracy, gets involved with two bikers from the fair who perform the ‘wheel of death'. Tracy's dad is depressed and her sister Belinda is seriously worried about him. Tracy's dad is seen threatening Dirk (one of the bikers) to leave his daughter alone. Consequently he becomes a suspect when oil is poured down the ‘wheel of death' causing Dirk to fall. It turns out Tracy was responsible but she intended to harm his partner so she could join Dirk in his act. Trevor Lamus becomes the target of a hate campaign. Soap powder is put in his beer and a grave stone put up in his name. Nick asks Mike to investigate. He finds that most of the locals including Alf had all chipped in to buy the stone. Nick realises that its awkward and when Mike points out the paper work involved he lets them all go. But he wants a word with Alf about his involvement!
Rex Hawkins the TV repair man is being threatened by Lol Baxter, because he owes him money. Rex is the lead tenor in the choir to whom the leader of the choir, Miriam has taken a fancy. Rex asks her to sack Alf from the choir, and she does, but soon asks him back when she sees Rex with someone else. Rex is beaten up outside the pub and his mother tells Nick that she thinks it was Alf who did it. Nick doesn't believe it but he has to find out what really happened. Rex eventually agrees to talk to the police and tells them it was Baxter. He got a lot of TV sets half price from Baxter (which were stolen), but they were faulty, so the customers wouldn't pay and he couldn't pay Baxter the money he owed him. Greengrass has trouble with a piece of Royal Dolton that Gina ordered for a Christmas present. Gina invites Mike to Christmas dinner, and Katie and Nick enjoy watching Jo perform in the choir.
Mike is under investigation when a man (Russel Palmer) dies in the cells when he is on duty. Russell's cousin, Hibbut, claims he heard Mike beat Hibbut up. Nick warns Mike that he must tell him everything that happened that night. Mike says that he pushed Hibbut back into the cell when he tried to escape and that he was shouting ‘Quin'. Mike is suspended, and is brought in later when the post-mortem reveals that the death was partly due to a blow to the back of his head. Nick asks Neil if Hibbut could have been ill and mentions he was calling for ‘Quin'. Neil realises that Hibbut must have had Malaria and Harlequin is the drug supplied for the condition. Phil and Nick go to check Hibbut's room and discover a tablet bottle. Nick is hostile towards the cousin and tells him he let his cousin die. Mike is off the hook. Greengrass has a go at running a taxi business - but it doesn't prove profitable. Greengrass also informs the press about the death in custody, which could have put Mike in
A couple of thieves are looking at the ‘wanted' adverts in the paper then robbing these items from houses in the area and selling them on. During one burglary a young girl is hurt. Greengrass and Bernie take up an interest in sculpture. Nick and Jo make a life changing decision - they have decided to emigrate to Canada.
A villain known to Blaketon comes to Aidensfield, and he turns out to be the instigator of a plan that resulted in a raid at Blaketon's Post Office. Greengrass gives tourist tour around his house which he is making out is haunted - until his charade is rumbled! Nick and Jo have a leaving party at the Aidensfield Arms where Nick wins a goat in a raffle - which he offers to Claude! Nick and Jo's friends turn up at the station to say their goodbyes before they leave for Canada. Even Greengrass and Alfred are there to wave goodbye!
Mike and a college student become friendly. She has a Japanese camera, which causes friction between her and an old army friend of Blaketon's who's been having flash backs from the war. He causes a disturbance in the pub and Mike arrests him. Blaketon's friend is mixing up the past with the present and ends up making an attack on Mike and abducting Blaketon and abandoning him on the moors. Mike is then allowed two weeks off work so he takes the student way on holiday with him.
Blaketon's car is stolen later is involved in a hit and run accident. Blaketon is acting very secretive and gives a misleading statement about when the car was stolen. Mike thinks that he is guilty but Alf knows otherwise. Blaketon finally confides in Alf and tells him the reason he couldn't say where the car was stolen from was because he was with a married woman at the time. A woman who is married to a senior police officer. Alf sympathises and acts quickly to get the case tied up before CID get involved. Greengrass tries to deal in classic motor bikes but is unsuccessful.
A war heroes home is broken into by two local children, nothing is really taken but the youngest boy finds himself becoming interested in the various army items he finds. He ends up befriending the war hero and asks him many questions about his life in the army. The same two boys are pinching golf balls and selling them to Greengrass - but his scheme is discovered when, in the pub he drops golf balls everywhere, right in front of Blaketon!
The new Sergeant arrives and that puts Phil, Mike and Alf on their guard. He seems very pedantic over things like uniform, and takes exception to Alf's little habits such as smoking on duty. There is a dance at the village hall, everyone's there and Mike is keen to spend time dancing with Maggie. Unfortunately Sgt Cradock beats him to it! A young girl is at the dance and spends time unsuccessfully trying to get Mike's attention. Later she goes missing and a full search of the woods is mounted. Cradock doesn't have much time for Blaketon's advice, and eventually the girl is found, and her kidnapper arrested.
2006
2003
Sgt Merton finds himself under pressure when a group of youths commit a number of serious offences in the area - and are suspected of drug-dealing when Liz Merrick hands in amphetamines found stashed in a local boy's bedroom. She refuses to reveal who passed on the drugs to her due to patient confidentiality rules, but Merton heads for the surgery regardless, pretending to see Jenny, who promptly calls off the wedding when she discovers her fiance used the visit to sneak a look at the patient list.
Police are baffled when there seem to be too many motives behind an arson attack on a warehouse. David is not impressed by Vernon's new found wealth and Bernie regrets getting involved with his latest bright idea.
Liz Merrick faces a trying time after one of her patients misses an appointment to discuss medication, and subsequently ends up charged with drink-driving, Vernon discovers money can't buy him happiness as he gets lonely in his new home - little suspecting excitement is just around the corner when his pal David is kidnapped and held for ransom. Elsewhere, Merton is delighted that Jenny has agreed to marry him and Bellamy is shocked to find out Gina is carrying his baby.
A masked man gets away with thousands of pounds from an armoured van giving a distraction to Jenny and Sgt. Merton's Wedding.
Police hunting down a bogus water board official find themselves investigating a suspicious death. Blaketon seeks to rectify a miscarriage of justice by reinstating a pre-war darts tournament.
Merton and Jenny return early from honeymoon. The police are called out when people coming home from holidays discover they have been burgled. Vernon's aspirations rise higher.
Three farm children are left orphaned, leaving Steve to help the oldest child fight a custody battle. Vernon opens a campsite, but it is David who is left to entertain the campers.
Steve tries his hand at community policing when he takes a group of troublesome lads on an outward bound course. Vernon tries to get involved with Eastern mysticism when a visiting guru needs premises for a meditation course.
An elderly man appears to be losing his mind, but Steve and Liz are determined to prove that he doesn't need to go into a home. Vernon is frustrated when he's called to jury service, leaving David with an impossible work schedule to juggle.
The police have to intervene when a woman complains about a neighbouring farmer's dead cow, and Vernon gets a nasty surprise when he hatches a plan for a compost business.
Steve finds himself in trouble when a maid at Ashfordly Hall takes more than a shine to him. David invents a novel way to rid the estate of moles, and makes a new friend in the process.
A recently widowed woman arrives in Aidensfield wanting to bury her late husband in the family grave, but the dead man's brother refuses to co-operate because of an old feud. Vernon and David pay a visit, hoping to persuade him otherwise - only to find themselves held at gunpoint - and when it emerges the coffin is full of money and the deceased is alive and well, a shocking case of fraud is uncovered. Meanwhile, Oscar is among the locals under suspicion when a widely disliked, hardened criminal returns to the village - and soon ends up murdered.
Gina Ward makes a surprise return to Aidensfield and Bellamy encounters a key informant who might come in useful - but finds himself in trouble when the man disappears before he can offer a tip-off about an imminent armed robbery. Meanwhile, Vernon acquires a bargain miniature railway which he hopes will impress the new estate manager, and it emerges Dr Liz Merrick may have feelings for Lord Ashfordly's recently appointed land agent.
Dr. Merrick faces a testing time when a terrified hospital patient claims her husband is trying to kill her, but Merton seems reluctant to get involved, while Vernon picks up a bargain all-purpose pest-control solution, enlisting David's help in his eradication mission. Gina's cousin Diane arrives to help her and Phil with the wedding preparations - much to the delight of PC Crane, who's instantly smitten.
Gina goes into premature labour after she attempts to break up a fight between two men in the pub. At the hospital Blaketon recognises one of the two men from the pub brawl, Robert Flint, who was also involved in a major drugs case several years before for which he was never charged. Merton is determined to nail Flint this time around and impress the Division in the process.
After a petty thief is hurt in a car crash, Crane discovers that Merton's wife Jenny is involved in one of his shady schemes. Meanwhile, Liz is given a surprising offer when she tries to help a sick man regain his job, and David, Bernie and Vernon enter the Ashfordly Gazette poetry competion.
Crane and Merton have their hands full when a sniper strikes during a clay-pigeon shoot, and Bellamy's fiery temper only serves to make matters worse. Elsewhere, Vernon decides to venture into the bed-and-breakfast market - but his cooking skills leave a lot to be desired.
Dennis Merton is called to Ranby Hall to investigate the sudden death of racing driver Jack Maclean from a massive insulin overdose while he was under the care of Liz Merrick and Dennis's wife, Jenny. Meanwhile Vernon bumps into an old friend who offers him a gilt-edged business opportunity which leads him into serious trouble.
Steve Crane must fathom a mystery surrounding the arrival in Ashfordly of a man with no memory and blood-stained clothes. Meanwhile Vernon turns the tables on the two businessmen who tried to con him, and Jenny is furious with Dennis when he stands her up yet again.
Alf Ventress is stunned to learn that a change in working regulations means that he will have to retire from the force. Meanwhile, Merton and his team go in search of a phantom sheep shearer, and romance is in the air as Blaketon acquires an admirer and Gina is asked out on a date by hunky Australian Kevin Kelly.
David has a near miss when a man is thrown from a train and rolls down the embankment into the road and the path of his oncoming car. Merton's subsequent investigation turns up a lad called Tommy fleeing the scene of the crime, and a thieving auctioneer about to make off with some valuable antiques. Meanwhile, Vernon decides to open up a donkey sanctuary and Ventress takes up a civilian administration post at the police station.
When Harry Hawkswell, a retired policeman and former colleague of Alf Ventress, turns up in the village he manages to put everyone's backs up by making himself a little too much at home at the police station. Meanwhile, Vernon is in a state of panic as he awaits a visit from the Inland Revenue, and Liz Merrick is confused by Ben Norton's behaviour.
Merton and his team set out to find the saboteur behind a series of rigged accidents in the lead-up to the Aidensfield Hill Climb, an annual race for motor cars. Meanwhile, Liz Merrick grows concerned about a man sleeping rough who she suspects may be suffering from asbestos poisoning, and Vernon finds - then loses - a fortune.
A large sum of money is reported stolen and the subsequent investigation leads to surprising revelations. Meanwhile, Ventress and Blaketon team up to locate a pair of twins, and Jenny becomes increasingly frustrated at the amount of time Dennis spends at work.
When a little girl goes missing, Blaketon joins the frantic search. Meanwhile Steve and Bellamy are confronted by a precarious situation. The Aidensfield Arms is hit by a rat infestation but Vernon proposes a fool-proof rodent removal plan.
2005
Sergeant Miller is suspicious of a former London gangster who comes to Aidensfield to start a new life, Rob gets involved in an accident involving a stolen car, while Peggy's latest scheme causes a salmonella outbreak.
Alf poses as a criminal as part of an undercover operation, but his covert actions only reveal startling information about Miller's ethical beliefs. David eyes up Peggy's room when she applies to be Lord Ashfordly's housekeeper but both are left disappointed when the interview is a complete failure.
A gang of youths push Peggy down a hole while she is poaching but when Miller gives chase, he knocks down and kills an elderly bystander, landing himself in hot water. Peggy then comes up with a new money-making idea and says she will sue for the 'injury' she sustained in the fall. Meanwhile, Gina is attracted to her handsome college tutor.
A gang of elderly villains spot a chance for one last, glorious crime spree when the villagers leave Aidensfield en masse to support Rob in a charity football match. Peg finally gives David a bit of support when it turns out his jury duty is more trouble than he imagined.
When one of Helen's patients suddenly dies, she becomes involved in a suspected case of euthanasia, and the doctor's problems are compounded as she struggles to keep her relationship with Rob hidden. Peggy and David start a strawberry scam but Geoff Younger is confident of catching the culprits red-handed.
The folk of Aidensfield panic when rumours of an escaped killer are confirmed. Rob attempts to track down the fugitive, but his investigations are complicated when Helen gets caught up in the case. David is left reeling when Greengrass's dog Alfred becomes seriously ill, and Peggy speaks to bereavement expert Bernie in the hope that he can lend support to the devastated handyman.
A priceless Manet painting is stolen from a retired German art dealer's home, leaving Miller to suspect Lord Ashfordly's involvement. Peggy tries to convince a pair of visiting bird-watchers that Aidensfield's wildlife includes a rare bird of prey, and David pretends to be an ornithological expert.
Walker investigates when sibling rivalry and greed result in a fatal car crash. A devout couple are faced with money problems when their baby is diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. Meanwhile, Peggy is up to her usual tricks as she frightens some holiday-makers, and Jack and Gina get a scare whilst creating a picture of the moors when it starts to rain.
David helps his friend run away from home, but the handyman inadvertently leaves the young boy with a complete stranger. The Aidensfield Arms offers paintings as well as pints during an art exhibition, and Jack and Bernie take advantage of the artistic atmosphere in an ill-advised attempt to encourage Gina's creative ambitions. Elsewhere, Peggy has a go at dog training.
Blaketon spots local coal merchant Arthur Bolton sharing a kiss with another woman and quickly gives the man's wife the bad news. However, the cheat is found murdered the next day and the former policeman becomes the prime suspect, leaving PC Walker to lead an investigation to clear his name. Peggy fails to back a winner when she buys a greyhound that refuses to run.
Matthew Trent makes an official complaint about Rob Walker, who stayed overnight at Helen's when he should have been on duty. A truck is involved in an accident after passing its MOT at Bernie's garage. Phil Bellamy is becoming increasingly smitten with Debbie.
The police are on high alert when a mysterious visitor arrives at Ashfordly Hall, and a runaway boy causes trouble in the village. Blaketon and Peggy are at loggerheads once again when a festive conflict of interest results in a Santa showdown.
Convicted murderer Henry Stoddard's release from prison coincides with a spate of vandalism, and locals presume he is responsible for the petty crime. But when the former jailbird insists he did not kill PC Machin all those years ago, Walker reopens the case and races to stop Machin's son exacting revenge. Meanwhile, Peggy sees the chance to make some money when her birth certificate suggests she is related to Lord Ashfordly.
Local boy Barry Dyson is accused of a series of arson attacks and his clandestine relationship with a former employer's daughter complicates his plea of innocence. Peggy's latest money-making scheme with old friend Denzil creates an eyesore, forcing Jack to use his artistic flair to rectify matters, before he and Blaketon resort to more drastic, and illegal, measures.
A runaway heiress accompanies her crooked boyfriend on a series of armed robberies. But when they get into trouble they kidnap Helen, who attempts to persuade the teenager to ditch her partner in crime. Meanwhile, Peggy suggests David should take over the funeral parlour while Bernie is away.
The police are called in to investigate when a local judge is the target of a series of mysterious attacks, but the case takes a sinister turn when the prime suspect is found dead on his own doorstep. Peggy is delighted when David's new radio starts picking up police broadcasts, but a news reporter does not share her enthusiasm.
Younger begs Rosie to teach him to drive, Lord Ashfordly's behaviour changes after eating some of Peggy's mystery mushrooms and a strange old man turns up who claims to be the presumed dead husband of a local woman.
Lord Ashfordly's niece comes to stay after the breakdown of her marriage but the trouble does not stop there. Her champion horse is stolen and held to ransom. A gang of bikers comes to town and there is love in the air for Rosie. And Bellamy's stepdaughter Jane is promised to be made into a star by a photographer.
Following his father's death, Colin, a local farmer, loses everything he owns in an auction. However, when his estranged brother turns up and acts suspiciously, he realises that he might be able to earn some extra money for himself. David is in bother, with a trap full of tourists and an obstinate pony. Bellamy's wife Debbie gets into trouble for drink-driving.
Bernie becomes the target of a series of violent and mysterious attacks and this worries Rosie. A stranger from Helen's past arrives in town and turns her world upside-down.
A dead body is found in the river. This puts Debbie Bellamy under suspicion as witnesses describe her fleeing the scene. David and Peggy are invaded by hippies. Rob and Helen attempt to make friends again and patch things up. Rob proposes to Helen.
Miller's old Army friend arrives in town and he is delighted. Debbie is away in rehab and Jack gets very jealous with the amount of help and support that Gina is giving Bellamy. Phil's stepdaughters are entertained by Peggy with some coaching impoaching. Jack creates a naked portrait of Gina which she came up with she idea.
It is Helen and Rob's wedding day and Rob does not know that his sisters have organised a surprise reception with the help of the local community. There are persistent noisy neighbour complaints and the police are called in. However, things soon take a nasty turn when the complainant's mentally ill wife decides to take the law into her own hands. Gina discovers that Jack's nude painting of her is to go on public display, she gets help from Rosie to burn the portrait, Jack therefore apologises to Gina but she tells him its too late and its over between them.
The police are baffled when many sheep are stolen. An elderly woman is found dead in the river and as her son is struggling to deal with the consequences, Helen is called in to help. Two eco-warrior newcomers have built their own slurry-powered generator.
When a woman is involved in a hit-and-run following a local dance, Miller finds himself racing to discover the identity of the culprit. Meanwhile, David decides he has had enough of Peggy's miserly ways and walks out on the taxi service.
A jailbird gets out to assist on a hidden agenda. Debbie changes her ways as a known person reunites in her life. A local child acts spiteful at the death of his pet. He creates a bomb and plants it in the Aidensfield Police House. The bomb explodes which kills Helen leaving Rob devastated by her death.
2004
A new recruit causes a stir at Ashfordly police station. PC Rob Walker was brought up in Aidensfield but his family life was far from perfect and his father dabbled on the wrong side of the law. Oscar Blaketon remembers Walker senior all too well and he still has some unfinished business with Rob. Meanwhile, Ben and Liz's fund-raising efforts appear to have rubbed off on Vernon, who begins to show his charitable side.
The residents of Aidensfield are terrorised by a blackmailer and Sergeant Merton is less than impressed by the investigative methods of the handsome newcomer PC Rob Walker. Meanwhile, Vernon embarks on a venture in the prestigious world of publishing, with the help of David and Bernie.
The police's reputation is at stake when burglaries appear to be being committed by one of their men. Vernon offers his art expertise to a painting party, but when his life model fails to show, he looks closer to home.
Blaketon is put in a compromising position when the police investigate a warehouse robbery he knows something about. A police lost property clear-out provides David with a new hobby, but it doesn't keep him out of trouble.
Merton has to call in CID when a farmer's body is found tangled in a fence, in suspicious circumstances. Vernon revives an old dance to impress the taxi licensing committee, but he crosses Blaketon in the process.
Bellamy is forced to confront painful memories when he becomes a target for misplaced revenge. Visiting relatives beset Lord Ashfordly, while Vernon starts the new mechanic on scrap car restoration.
Merton suspects explosives from a local airfield are linked to a robbery but his hands are tied when a DI pulls rank. Vernon sees a money-spinner when David enters a unique plant in the Aidensfield flower show.
Merton has to call in CID when armed robbers snatch a woman's diamonds from her neck. Ben shares some unexpected news with Liz while David bathes in new found fame.
When an ex-army officer is found dead in his home, suspicion is cast on his money-hungry wife. And Rosie ends up with more admirers than she bargained for when she goes on a blind date.
When a retired policeman is killed while escaping to Spain with a mystery woman, Merton is faced with the task of breaking the news to his widow. Vernon tries to make a quick buck at the poker table but comes a cropper at the hands of a crafty hustler.
A new doctor arrives in Aidensfield, and Merton is put under pressure when Jenny becomes convinced that he is having an affair.
A kidnap case leaves Vernon's plans for Liz and Ben's wedding in chaos, while Helen's dreams of a fresh start for her and Matt look set to be shattered. Jenny is relieved when she finally gets a medical diagnosis explaining her recent symptoms, but the news brings a difficult decision for husband Dennis, who has to choose between his wife and his police career.
Veteran singer and keyboard player Alan Price guest stars in this festive episode of the rural drama, as the leader of a down-on-their-luck jazz band. Travelling to Aidensfield, where they've been booked by Vernon to play at the villagers' Christmas concert, the Rio Trio offer a lift to a young girl, unaware she's a single mum taking her baby home to see her parents for the holiday. However, the first the band know about the infant is when the girl disappears, leaving them to look after it. Meanwhile, as the concert gets into full swing, local barmaid Gina takes centre stage, hoping to impress all and sundry with her rendition of Winter Wonderland.
Walker is forced to confront his past when he undertakes his own unofficial investigation into a series of violent robberies around Aidensfield. Helen has to come to terms with the fact that her marriage is probably over when Matthew's mistress appears in the village, and David finds himself involved in some shady behaviour.
Bellamy and Walker hunt for a batch of stolen Russian icons, and suspect the victim of an assault at the Aidensfield Arms might be involved when they discover his criminal connections. Vernon embarks on another harebrained scheme when he meets an Italian truffle salesman, while Helen is puzzled by a youngster's baffling medical history.
A new sergeant arrives at Aidensfield police station, bringing plenty of radical ideas from his time in the city, much to the officers' disgust. When news gets out of his ambitious plans, which will leave Walker unemployed, Oscar decides to take a stand and rallies the troops.
PC Walker receives a tempting offer from an old friend, but as the proposition involves a spot of rule-bending on his part, the decision to go through with it could land him in serious trouble, especially as Sergeant Miller already seems less than impressed by the policeman's rebellious nature.
Bellamy tries to impress Miller by going it alone, while the arrival of tax inspector Derek Ford gets the residents of Aidensfield panicked. Vernon bears the brunt of Ford's wrath when his dodgy dealings and poor record-keeping are exposed, convincing the wheeler dealer the only way to avoid trouble is to fake his own suicide.
Clare finds herself under suspicion when a wild party ends in tragedy with a drugs-related death, and Miller is annoyed to have to reprimand Walker once again when he discovers his participation in the drunken revelling. David is put in a tricky situation when his Aunt Peggy arrives in Aidensfield and sets up an illegal vodka still, while Ventress is quick to reveal the newcomer's dubious history to Oscar and Gina.
A crime wave hits Ashfordly train station as a number of freight wagons mysteriously vanish, giving the police a tricky case to crack, but a sandwich could provide a vital clue. Peggy has plans to make some fast money when she decides to play dirty in the local bowls tournament, while a night out in Whitby proves eventful for Walker and Helen.
A young girl is injured in a horse riding accident, leading the police to stumble upon a sinister series of animal thefts. Helen tries to tell Rob she doesn't want a relationship with him, but worries about hurting his feelings. Meanwhile, Oscar catches Peggy and David hosting a poker tournament in the Aidensfield Arms and bars them from the pub.
A young boy is shot at the Hall and Lord Ashfordly comes under investigation for employing child labour - but Bellamy discovers that the truth is rather more complicated. Peggy turns her hand to the tourist industry.
Peggy sets aside her pitchfork for glamour in the hope of charming a wealthy widower. The local community is up in arms when a famous homicide case is reopened for investigation - but Sergeant Miller ends up with more murder than he bargained for.
A group of young offenders come to stay at Ashfordly Hall, but soon find themselves under suspicion after a spate of disturbances in the village. Meanwhile, Blaketon and Ventress go on the hunt for a spinster's missing dog, and a £50 reward gives Peggy an idea.
A witness of a hit and run is sure it was no accident and Peggy acquires some cheap cigarettes which are not what they seem.
Gina discovers a severed hand in her dustbin.
1999
Terry Noble deserts the army and contacts Gina with hot kisses and cute words. Maggie Bolton is a proud mother, and an army veteran from World War II hits a boy in a car accident.
As the new owner of Aidensfield Arms Blaketon has moved in but his ideas of running the place do not fit with the experiences of Gina and Mary. A nasty burglary hits the home of one of Greengrass' mates who has died recently. An Asian flue starts to rage in the area.
Bill offers Auntie Mary to become hotel manager in Sidmouth. Celia Gilmour wants to see her sister, but the front door is locked and suddenly a van rushes away.
Alison keeps secrets away from her parents and burns a letter in the fire place. Ventress stops smoking to live up to his status as temporary leader of the local police while Craddock is away on teaching duties, and soon Bellamy and Bradley longs for Craddock!!
Blaketon runs in a local election against Tom Drabble, one of Grengrass' mates. A romantic author, Honor Gable, rents a house in the area for six months to write a book, but she finds Bradley more interesting. Young criminals cleans the local river as a part of their punishment.
A dramatic train robbery threatens and interferes with Bradley's plan to marry Jackie Lambert. Greengrass has not seen his sister for 22 years, but now her husband has died she turns up to take command.
The Chief Constable makes Blaketon organize a crime prevention committee. A burglar spills some blood when leaving a site of his crime, and Greengrass is a tourist 'guide' for Norwegians looking for Viking items.
A car driver smashes the front of a shop. Greengrass brings one of his mates to hospital but it's in vain, and to the widow's deep despair the body is given to the medical students in a last will. Bradley and his newly wed have negative vibes over late working hours and what's the secret at Strensford Tavern?
An old man is very obsessed with his son who fell in World War II near the German border, a real war hero. A young couple is caught shoplifting but she simulates yjat the borth of her baby has started. Greengrass seizes a sudden opportunity to be the arranger of a local rally.
Nathaniel Clegghorne brawls with David and Greengrass over two maran hens and with Lord Ashfordly who trains a dog close to Clegghorne's ground. A film producer seeks locations and Lord Ashfordly is very cooperative.
After the funeral of a local butcher's wife various skeletons are found in the family's hidings. Bellamy experiences a revival of a romance of his very youth, and David and Greengrass try an alternative way of 'breeding' rabbits.
A fortune teller promises David a real change of luck on love and money, and in spite of Greengrass' warnings strange incidents make David believe it. Clegghorne is ruthless to a neighboring family, and a business man has his own agenda with that family.
A couple of poachers attacks Lord Ashfordly's stags with a brutality that's unheard of. A headmistress makes Jackie Bradley put pressure on the police to enforce an injunction. Greengrass rents Bernie Scripps' bearer to start up as driving instructor.
Stella Redford arrives to talk to Mrs. Trotter but she only just reaches her funeral. Stella fears to have lost an important photo for good as her wallet is stolen at the hotel. Greengrass and an old acquaintance of Blaketon arranges illegal dog race gambling.
Ray Nixon visits his mother's grave before renting a room at the Aidensfield Arms. Blaketon feels a kind of guilt to Ray Nixon. Sergeants Nokes and Craddock temporarily change places for experiences. A man seems to steal some valuable maps from an old lady.
Greengrass buys a sheep to win some races, and of course money. Jackie has become halfway partner of the lawyers' firm, but to reach full partnership she needs £5000. A young girl is raped in her car.
The painting artist Joe Vaughan seeks peace in Aidensfield, bu he runs into brawls and controversies with members of the local rugby club and the police takes him into custody, until Jackie Bradley makes a judge release him. Then his house is burnt down.
Lyn is a maid at Ashfordly Hall. She is secretly visited by her boyfriend Gary who has a suspended sentence. As he leaves the estate manager tries to stop him with shouts, and soon with gunshots, too.
Jackie's friend Sue is wounded by a hit-and-run car driver but Dr. Peters claims it's not as bad and serious as it looks. Greengrass finds some old bicycles he wants to rent to participants in a local race.
Lottie finds Charlie Weller dead and to the ugly surprise and disgust of his nephew, Martin, her mother, Peggy Turner is the beneficent of a week old will. At the same time Blaketon is approached by a professional full time planner on the establishing an industrial quarter close to Aidensfield.
Roy Brooks gets a suspended prison sentence for horse theft, but later in the evening a racing horse is stolen from Lord Ashfordly and his estate manager is seriously knocked down. Bernie Scripps happens to tell Greengrass that he once was psychic.
Frank is an addicted gambler always in serious and his actions to deal with his debt hits both his employer and his wife and daughter. Mike plans secretly a honeymoon to Majorca, but Jackie is more keen on her job. Greengrass makes David 'save' coal from a lorry due to maritime law.
Franco Mazzetti has suddenly died, so Greengrass finds guts to buy one of his vans to sell fish and chips from. He's soon mixed into a brawl between the Mazzettis and another local business family. Ventress is put on a harsh crisp bread diet by his wife, so his heart, and especially his stomach fall victims to the charm of a lonely widow.
Jackie Bradley's parents arrives from South Africa, She admits to Mike that she has not told them of their wedding. A car is found driven far into the river and at the same time a hitch hiker is picked up by Greengrass and David. Andy Ryan tries to win back Gina's love.
2007
A train carrying mail is robbed including cash and Peggy receives an inheritance.
A music manager returns to marry in the town of his birth but is found dead the next morning in the Aidenfield Arms.
PC Mason suspects an elderly ladies death might involve foul play.
2008
Miller's personal and professional lives are put under jeopardy when his daughter Cheryl is kidnapped, Aunt Peggy thinks she is dying, a suspicious man stays at the Aidensfield Arms who could be connected to a possible assassination attempt on a foreign leader who is attending a conference.
A woman who claims to be Carol's mum appears in Aidensfield along with a friend of Carol's. Carol and Joe are involved with the problems of a young mother. David and Dawn start a money making scheme with David becoming a chimney sweep.
Joe and Carol investigate when a woman from a group of travellers is found to have been beaten, Don finds out his wife is cheating on him, Lord Ashfordly's gamekeeper and the head of the travellers are involved in a drugs plot, a man is found murdered on Lord Ashfordly's estate and David is at war with a rival taxi firm.
Joe risks his career to help DS Dawson when it appears she has stolen £400 during a police raid on a criminal's house and Bernie finds out he has a daughter he never knew existed
The rivalry between two competing brass bands escalates when the police are forced to step in.
