 | The first series began on Thursday 8 January, 1976, transmitted on BBC 1 between 8.10 and 9 p.m. Selected episodes (those written by James Mitchell) were repeated on Thursday evenings on BBC 2 a couple of years later along with the second and third series. The story is centered around Jack Ford, and Ex-Sergeant who is returning to Gallowshield, a Tyneside mining village, after demob from the First World War. It is a time of economic depression and Jack finds his home town gripped by decline and unemplyment. Jack soon falls in with the Seaton family and is determined to make his mark on the world.
The entire first series is avilable on video from Acorn Media. It can either be purchased as a full series in a nice sturdy card presentation slip box, or as individual double videos. It has also just started coming out on DVD. To order, all you have to do is click on the following links to Choices Direct (register and buy online, and a percentage goes to this site to help with the running costs):
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Matt Headley - Malcolm Terris
The Seaton's
Jessie - Susan Jameson
Tom - John Nightingale
Mary - Michelle Newell
Bill - James Garbutt
Bella - Jean Heywood
Billy - Edward Wilson
Arthur Ashton - Geoffrey Rose
Dolly - Madelaine Newton
Sir Horatio Manners - Basil Henson
| Tx. Date | Rpt. Date | Title | Description | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1.1976 | 7.9.1978 | A Land Fit For Heroes and Idiots | Jack is confronted by his past when he sees an old army coleague in the street suffering from shell shock. | James Mitchell |
| 15.1.1976 | Say Hello........Say Tirra | When Bella's friend Connie dies she takes in her young son Harry. The child proves to be more of a handful for the Seaton's. | Tom Hadaway | |
| 22.1.1976 | 14.9.1978 | Fish In Woolly Jumpers | Everyone is feeling the effects of the strike at the pit except Jack who seems to have money to spare. | James Mitchell |
| 29.1.1976 | 21.9.1978 | Swords & Pickhandles | Jack makes the aquaintance of Sir horatio Manners and ceases his opportunity, whilst Tom takes a job that upsets the family. | James Mitchell |
| 5.2.1976 | Coal Comfort | A pitman's house and no coal. Bill Seaton takes drastic action to find his own coal. | Alex Glasgow | |
| 12.2.1976 | 28.9.1978 | Empire Day On The Slag Heap | With the strike at an end the miners are back, however, an accident leaves Bill with a broken back. Jessie receives a marraige proposal whilst Jack receives some surprising news. | James Mitchell |
| 19.2.1976 | A First Time For Everything | with Bill injured, Bella opens a shop in order to help make ends meet. Meanwhile Jack and Dolly get married. | Alex Glasgow | |
| 26.2.1976 | 5.10.1978 | Paddy Doyle's Discharge | Jack meets up with an old army colleague who has a vested interest in recruiting Jack back into the army. | James Mitchell |
| 4.3.1976 | Angel On Horseback | Nill is feeling increasingly left out of things. When Bella's uncle dies and she has to get a job to pay the funeral costs it makes matters worse. | Sid Chaplin | |
| 11.3.1976 | 12.10.1978 | King For A Day | Sir Horation Manners offers Jack a job which he cannot afford to turn down. Meanwhile Bella is concerned about where Tom is getting his money from. | James Mitchell |
| 18.3.1976 | Happy New Year, Some Say | New Year's Eve celebrations are taking place at Jessie's where the Seaton's are all gathering, although not all come voluntarily. | Alex Glasgow | |
| 25.3.1976 | Heads You Win, Tails I Lose | Jack seems more concerned about Tom's trouble with thebookmakers than he does about his own at home. | Sid Chaplin | |
| 1.4.1976 | 19.10.1978 | Kind-Hearted Rat, With A Lifebelt | Tom and Jack both get caught stealing although under very different circumstances. Both go to jail, however, Jack comes out a hero. | James Mitchell |
 | The second series began on Friday 29 October, 1976, transmitted on BBC 1 between 8.10 and 9 p.m (excpet episode 8 which was 15 minutes later). The entire series was repeated on Thursday evenings on BBC 2 a couple of years later along with selected episodes of the first series and third series.
The entire second series is avilable on video from Acorn Media. It can either be purchased as a full series in a nice sturdy card presentation slip box, or as individual double videos by clicking on the following links to Choices Direct (register and buy online, and a precentage goes to this site to help with the running costs):
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| Tx. Date | Rpt. Date | Title | Description | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29.10.1976 | 26.10.1978 | Ask For Tuppence, Take A Penny | Jack starts his new job as District Secretary but he has to contend with trouble from within his union and he meets up with his old friend Sir Horatio Manners. | James Mitchell |
| 5.11.1976 | 2.11.1978 | Tram Ride To The Bluebell | Tom is released from prison, however, when a Scottish stranger comes looking for him and Jack there is going to be trouble. | James Mitchell |
| 12.11.1976 | 9.11.1978 | A Pillowful of Buttercups | Billy reeturns home as a qualified doctor whilst Jack has a visit from an old army pal who is in trouble. | James Mitchell |
| 19.11.1976 | 16.11.1978 | Roubles For The Promised Land | Tom has moved out of home and into the local working man's hostel where he meets a Russian who is looking for Sergeant Ford. | James Mitchell |
| 26.11.1976 | 23.11.1978 | Some Bulbs To Keep The Garden Bright | Les Mallow wants Jack to help him expose a local scandal and help to secure him a place on the council and he is prepared to use any means to secure Jack's help. | James Mitchell |
| 3.12.1976 | 30.11.1978 | God & Love & Wellesley Street | Tom meets a rich lady who is looking for her father and agrees to help, meanwhile, Billy starts work as a doctor at the local surgery in Wellesley Street. | James Mitchell |
| 10.12.1976 | 7.12.1978 | Whatever Made You Think The War Was Over | Sir Horatio Manners calls in his favour from Jack. Jack pays him back with interest. | James Mitchell |
| 17.12.1976 | 14.12.1978 | Ladies, Women, Sweethearts & Wives | Bill sets up another shop in Gallowshields and Jack and Dolly get ready for a night out with the Duke of Bedlington. | James Mitchell |
| 7.1.1977 | 21.12.1978 | After The Bonfire | Jack develops a taste for the high life, but it proves too rich for Dolly. | James Mitchell |
| 14.1.1977 | 28.12.1978 | A Wreath With Our Names On | There is an accidetn at the Lewis Bishop Ship Yard and one of the fitters is badly hurt. | James Mitchell |
| 21.1.1977 | 4.1.1979 | The Way It Was In Murmansk | Jack is in demand to speak up for Geordie Watson, the local labour candidate in the forthcoming election. | James Mitchell |
| 28.1.1977 | 18.1.1979 | In The Front Line You Get Shot At | Union head office wants Jack to force Colefax, the local employer, to allow the union into his factory, but Jack has split loyalties. Bella is taken ill. | James Mitchell |
| 4.2.1977 | 25.1.1979 | The Simple Pleasures Of The Rich | Jack steps down as Secretary for the union and everybody is upset about the potential demolition of the country house, Mandrake Place. | James Mitchell |
 | The third series began on Friday 8 September, 1977, transmitted on BBC 1 between 8.10 and 9 p.m. The entire series was repeated on Thursday evenings on BBC 2 a couple of years later along with selected episodes of the first series and second series.
The entire third series is avilable on video from Acorn Media. It can either be purchased as a full series in a nice sturdy card presentation slip box, or as individual double videos by clicking on the following links to Choices Direct (register and buy online, and percentage goes to this site to help with the running costs):
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Lady Caroline - Lois Baxter
Roddy - Martin Duncan
Channing - Christopher Benjamin
Sarah - Rosalind Bailey
| Tx. Date | Rpt. Date | Title | Description | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.9.1977 | 1.2.1979 | A House Divided | Jack is injured after demolishing Mandrake Place - a beautiful country house owned by Sir Horatio Manners. Jessie offers to give Jack and alibi but he refuses. | James Mitchell |
| 15.9.1977 | 8.2.1979 | A Tiger, A Lamb & A Basket.........of Fruit | Thugs beat Jack up. He knows which 'posh fellas' sent them and plans his rervenge. Jessie's husband has a heart to heart with Jack and clears the air. | James Mitchell |
| 22.9.1977 | 15.2.1979 | My Bonnie Lass, Goodbye | Arthur annouces a house move to Kent to Jessie and says she must accompany him. Sir Horatio outwits Jack and refuses to pay him for taking part in his housing estate scheme. | Jeremy Burnham |
| 29.9.1977 | 22.2.1979 | A Ticket To Care For The Wounded | There is much speculation as to why Jack is taking so long in Scarborough getting the evidence for the divorce from Dolly. Matt finds out Sir Horatio is dealing with the Germans. | Jeremy Burnham |
| 6.10.1977 | 1.3.1979 | Travel Light, Travel Far | Sir Horatio Manners draws up a contract with Jack as Managing Director of his company and Jack insists on an extra clause to protect the jobs of his Union men. | Jeremy Burnham |
| 13.10.1977 | 8.3.1979 | Requiem For A Loser | The witness who saw Jack and his 'other woman' together has died and Jack has to go through the whole charade again to get the photographic evidence for his divorce from Dolly. | Jeremy Burnham |
| 20.10.1977 | 15.3.1979 | Debts Owed, Debts Paid | Jack continues his social climbing, socialising with the Duke of Bedlington and Lady Caroline while dealing with Trade Union matters and elevating his old friend Matt Hedley. | James Mitchell |
| 27.10.1977 | 22.3.1979 | The Empire Builders | Matt and Jack want to buy property in Wellesley Street - they-re up against devious businessmen, including Mr Colefax, who are also interested, and battle commences. | James Mitchell |
| 3.11.1977 | 29.3.1979 | Look Up & See The Sky | The battle for Wellesley Street continues adn Colefax refuses to employ Union men - Matt announces that if there is no Union there is no deal and Colefax is cornered. | James Mitchell |
| 10.11.1977 | 5.4.1979 | Letters From Afar | Matt is having Union problems and needs Jack's help but Jack is in London. Billy is hopeful that he's found a new site for his clinic. Dolly awaits her decree absolute expectantly. | Colin Morris |
| 17.11.1977 | 12.4.1979 | The Father Of Lies | Jack returns from London to discover Billy has been given a warehouse by Mr Ryder to use as his free medical clinic. Dolly gives birth to a son, but whose name will be on the borth certificate? | Colin Morris |
| 24.11.1977 | 19.4.1979 | Diamond Cut Diamond | Dolly adn Tom's baby is christened and Mr Seaton goes to hospital to have his operation. Bella misses Jessie who now lives in Kent with Arthur. | Colin Morris |
| 1.12.1977 | 3.5.1979 | A Marriage & A Massacre | Jack has returned home after the cruise and is bored. Lady Caroline announces she is to marry a coldstream Guard an MR Seaton is out of hospital. | James Mitchell |
| 8.12.1977 | 10.5.1979 | High Life & Hunger | Billy is in his father's bad books because of a rumoured romance that could ruin both of their livelihoods. Jack is helping the Duke of Bedlington to find out who's threatening him. | James Mitchell |
| 15.12.1977 | 17.5.1979 | Please Say Goodbye Before You Go | It is The Shoeless Children's Ball and Jack chases Billy's girl just to spite him. Jack and his band of men catch the man who has been threatening the Duke and Lady Carolinie. | James Mitchell |
The fourth, and final, series began on Tuesday, 17 February, 1981, transmitted on BBC 1 between 8.10 and 9 p.m. Jack Ford left for the United States at the end of the third series and now, 6 years later, has returned to Gallowshield. After losing his Midas touch and fallign victim to the Wall Street Crash, he leaves New York with gangsters threatening his life. He returns to Liverpool illegally using the remainder of his money, by stowing away in the store room of a cargo ship, and sets about rebuilding his life.
This series is due for release on the 11th August this year and pre-orders can be made online at Choices Direct (register and buy online, and percentage goes to this site to help with the running costs):
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Canon Penfold - Jeremy Child
Morty Black - David Graham
Stobbs - Bill Dean
Trudi Black - Stacey Gregg
Captain Moore - Tom Georgeson
Starkie - Colin McCormack
Foreman docker - Steven Crossley
Head Waiter - Lionel Stevens
| Tx. Date | Rpt. Date | Title | Description | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17.2.1981 | Back To Dear Old Blighty | After 6 years in the United States, Jack Ford returns in an unexpected style. By chance, he meets Canon Penfold who recommends hostel lodgings for him, but after a nasty experience with a sadistic roommate and numerous drinking binges, Jack realises that he has reached rock bottom. His luck is about to change when he bumps into a friend from New York. | James Mitchell | |
| 24.2.1981 | A Gift From Heaven | Jack comes back to Gallowshield to seek help from an old friend but is shocked to hear of Matt Headley's death. He receives a cool welcome from Sarah, Matt's widow, who begrudingly offers to give him temporary lodgings. Jack feels that Sarah's brother is hiding something and sets out to discover what it is. | James Mitchell | |
| 3.3.1981 | A Medal For The Argentine | Jack is finding his feet and his form again. MArgaret Carter-Brown, a 'scocial commentator' meets Jack and he shows her how the depression affects families in Gallowshields and the misery it causes. At the Master Shipbuilder's Dinner, Jack discusses as Argentinitan deal which would revive the shipyard. | James Mitchell | |
| 10.3.1981 | Flies & Spiders | Jack is back to ducking and diving and buying fire damaged bankrupt stock from the South Americans for Sarah to sell. He has also found romance with Margaret, the well-bred socialist. | James Mitchell | |
| 17.3.1981 | Oh, My Charming Billy Boy | For Sarah's sake, Jack answers a call for help. | James Mitchell | |
| 24.3.1981 | Friends, Romans, Countrymen | Now settled in London, Jack's fortunes are still bound up with Gallowshield. | James Mitchell | |
| 31.3.1981 | The Bright Young Things | A fellow entrepreneur lures Jack into a risky deal. | James Mitchell | |
| 7.4.1981 | Action! | An invitation from an old friend tests Jack's loyalties. | James Mitchell | |
| 14.4.1981 | Comrades In Arms | A past adversary challenges Jack. | James Mitchell | |
| 21.4.1981 | Roll Of Honour | Jack and his comrades arrive in Spain. | James Mitchell |