Mon, Jan 3, 1972
Maggie and Lucille scrap the shop slate as a New Year's resolution. Annie isn't too bothered about the missing handbag as she enjoyed her night so much. Hilda tries to gossip to her and Emily about the Howard's spilt. Elsie tells Maggie she suspects Alan's with Janet Reid. Hilda tries to push Elsie for gossip and gets an earful in response. No one knows where Alan is staying. Elsie also rips into Ivy and Edna when she thinks they're talking about her but realises she was mistaken. Emily is summoned to Bury to see her ill Auntie May. Nellie and Kitty call at the Rovers to see if Gerald Prince has called and Annie hears that he has her handbag. Jerry tells Alan he sympathises with his situation. Hilda wants her and Stan to leave within their means from now on but he points out that they're skint. He watches as Lucille returns a bag full of empties for the pub and gets an idea. Gerald calls on Annie at the Rovers and returns the evening bag, much to Nellie and Kitty's jealousy. Stan skives off work to collect empties. Gerald avoids accepting an invitation from Kitty and Nellie to go out for lunch in Manchester with Annie instead. Ivy and Edna invite Elsie out with them. Stan returns a sackful of bottles but only gets 10p as only four of the bottles come from Newton and Ridley. Emily has to look after Auntie May and she plans to move the two of them into the studio flat. Annie and Gerald plan to meet again. Elsie refuses to meet Alan halfway. Billy Walker arrives from London at the Canal Garage at 4.30am and finds Alan sleeping there.
Wed, Jan 5, 1972
Annie is delighted to see Billy back though he's evasive for the reason for his return. Alan tells Maggie he can't return to Elsie as their marriage is a treadmill of arguments. Betty argues with Hilda after she leaves the Rovers cleaning half-done. Billy tells Annie about Alan sleeping at the garage. Ivy and Edna take Elsie to task for her unreasonable attitude at work towards them. She agrees to go to The Red Lion with them. Nellie and Kitty call on Annie to find out how her meal out with Gerald went. He rings while they're there to arrange another lunch with Annie, provoking their jealousy again. Billy tells Alan he's come to check the books. Alan wants his share of the profits to pay off the last of his debts. Elsie enjoys her night at the Red Lion where Ivy and Edna get on stage to sing "Now is the Hour". Billy avoids talking to Alan. Gerald turns up to eat dinner with Annie. Elsie feels more morose as the night at the pub wears on. Edna and Ivy suggest she and Alan get back together and not to expect everything from each other all the time. Annie tells Gerald she only wants a friendship. Betty and Hilda argue again and Hilda threatens to use the Flying Horse from now onwards. Billy won't come into the bar when Alan asks for him. Billy tells Annie that Chiswick fell through. His two partners did a bunk and left him £3,000 in debt. Alan watches as a lonely Elsie returns home alone.
Mon, Jan 10, 1972
Emily has moved into the camera shop flat with Auntie May. Ernie is completing his assignment in Holland. Emily offers to go to evening classes with Elsie to occupy her evenings and gets a sharp retort from her. Annie wants to give Billy the £2,000 she got from the insurance company when Jack died but he refuses it. Len returns and Maggie tells him about Alan and Elsie's split. Billy shows a man round the garage. Alan tries to get answers from him about his money but gets nothing. Lucille and Lorraine Binks ask Emily for photos of them so they can get go-go dancing gigs at other venues aside from the Aquarius but, shocked, she refuses and suggests they ask Ray. Ernie returns, with a beard. Emily is surprised and delighted to see him. Lucille and Lorraine agree to let Ray be their agent. Len is distant with Elsie. Ernie tells Emily he wasn't tempted to stay in Holland and wanted to come back and see her though he feels his horizons were enlarged by his foreign experiences. He isn't pleased to hear that Auntie May is living with Emily. Len refuses to console Elsie. He tells her she brings it on herself and she's hurt him enough in the past. Alan wants to know from Annie why Billy is avoiding him. She counsels patience. Ernie wonders how long they're going to be stuck with Auntie May, especially when they're married. Billy tells a furious Alan he's sold the garage and the buyer is bringing in his own staff.
Wed, Jan 12, 1972
Lucille and Lorraine Binks ask Ernie to do their publicity photos. Emily tells Ernie she feels they ought to turn down such business. The girls refer Ernie to their agent, Ray. Billy gives Alan £112.20, his share of the profits, and tells him that if he can come up with £2,500 the garage is his, even though the buyer has offered £2,750. Alan asks for 48 hours, even though he doesn't know where he's going to get the funds. Elsie asks Maggie if she's heard anything about the garage and is told about the sale and Alan's redundancy. Len sympathises with Alan's predicament and blames Billy but he can't help him financially. Alan refuses to ask Dave Smith for financial help. Annie worries how Billy will earn a living once the garage is sold. Emily is shocked when she develops some of the photos that Ernie took on his assignment. Ray gets the girls a booking in a club on the other side of Oldham. Emily makes Ernie a bowl of gruel to a recipe that Auntie May likes but he throws it in the bin when her back is turned. He gets exasperated that he and Emily can't go out and leave Auntie May alone. Len tells Elsie about Alan's need for the money. Maggie is tired and needs a permanent assistant. Annie is tired of the gossip about Billy turning Alan on to the streets. Billy tells Len that his creditors are threatening him and Annie overhears. Mr Vine tells Alan that no one will lend him money. Elsie calls at the garage and asks Alan to come home. He agrees.
Mon, Jan 17, 1972
Ken sets off his first day as Deputy Head at Bessie Street School. The Howards are reconciled, agreeing that making up after a row is the best part. Billy pushes Alan for an answer but he replies that his 48 hours isn't up and he has a couple of phone calls to make first. Ken is pleased to arrive back at the school. Wilfred Perkins welcomes Ken before he begins teaching class 4A but reprimands him for not attending assembly. Alan hears from Mark Howard that Laura has opened a salon in Harrogate. Ken's first history lesson is on the First World War. He gets annoyed when Perkins attends the class and takes over the maintenance of discipline from him. Ernie and Emily discuss where to go on honeymoon. Ernie gets more impatient with Auntie May's presence and her refusal to eat the meals that Emily makes her. Betty wants to help Maggie in the shop but Annie can't spare her. Alan finds it difficult to come up with the money. Billy agrees to give him until dinnertime the next day. Ivy and Edna are pleased for Elsie and Alan. Maggie isn't pleased when Betty turns up to help her out. Perkins tells Ken that the Great War isn't part of the exam curriculum and to change his lessons.
Wed, Jan 19, 1972
Alan speaks to Laura Howard on the phone but hides the fact from Elsie. He sets off for Bradford to get the money for the Canal Garage but is similarly evasive about the source. Maggie starts to get annoyed with suggestions Betty Turpin has about improving the Corner Shop and tells her to stop making them. Minnie asks the two ladies for their birthdays but doesn't say why. Terry Bates is late for class, saying it was his sister Doreen's fault. Ken asks him to come and see him at dinner time. Minnie asks Len, Ray and Alf for their birthdays, telling them its for her pools coupon. Billy gets snappy with Annie when she asks him about the sale of the garage. Ernie thinks a doctor ought to look at Auntie May. Elsie gets worried about where Alan has got to. He returns with the cash, telling her that he got it through his accountant Mr Vine. Ken gives Terry detention and refuses to listen to his excuses. Alan gives Billy the money and they sort out the paperwork. Mr Perkins finds Terry in detention and sends him home. Elsie tells Len that she's worried about where Alan got the money from. He tells her to trust Alan or they'll have another bust up. Ken is rebuked by Perkins as Terry makes sure his younger sister is taken to and from school as his mother is out at work. Ken thinks Terry's education is suffering as a result. Alan won't tell Elsie where Mr Vine got the money from. Emily tells Ernie that the doctor seemed annoyed with Auntie May. Billy tells Alan he has no plans what to do work-wise but he could work for him at the garage. Elsie takes a phone call from Mr Vine for Alan, saying he couldn't raise the funds. She's furious that Alan has lied to her.
Mon, Jan 24, 1972
Len repaints the Canal Garage sign for Alan. Elsie looks for Len. Billy is at a loose end. Elsie asks Len to find out where Alan got the money for the garage. He reluctantly agrees, thinking that it's better to act like the three wise monkeys. Ken asks Terry Bates about his homelife and hears how much he has to look after his sister. He tells him he should be concentrating his energies on his schoolwork. Alan tells Billy he has to bounce back from his troubles and not have regrets. Len asks Alan for the source of his money, pretending its for him to get a loan but Alan tells him that his own loan was a one-off. Terry falls asleep in class and tells Ken he went to bed late. Ken instructs him to tell his mum not to work him so hard. Stan doesn't take Hilda's hints about her birthday. Albert and Minnie decide to spend the afternoon together in No.1 to conserve her coal. Stan promises to take Hilda anywhere she likes for her birthday. Terry is first at school the next morning, arriving before Perkins. Bet refuses to make breakfast for Billy. Perkins congratulates Ken on getting Terry to be punctual. Elsie performs the opening ceremony at the garage with cans of beer. Hilda insists that Stan asks Len for the day off from work on her birthday under threat of not making his tea. Terry tells Ken that his mum is threatening to come to see Mr Perkins and complain about his interference.
Wed, Jan 26, 1972
Hilda pushes Stan to get a day off work from Len for her birthday. Len tells Elsie not to push Alan for an answer but to let him tell her the source of the money in his own time. Perkins tells Ken that Mrs Bates has been in to complain about him, saying he's interfering. He tells him to let the matter drop. Billy and Alf argue over the usefulness, or otherwise, of councillors. Elsie asks Billy if he knows where he got the money from but he denies any knowledge. Albert and Minnie push Alf for free coal from the council. Hilda suspects Stan is keeping something from her. Alan admits to Elsie that he didn't borrow the money through Mr Vine but from a "business source" however he won't name it. She loses her temper and accuses him of once living on her money. He refuses to talk to her about the matter anymore. Ken gives Terry a letter to his mother saying he wants to meet her. Jerry tells Albert and Minnie they're tilting at windmills by trying to get free coal. Hilda reveals Stan's taking her to Paris for the day. Billy winds Stan up about his fear of flying. Len takes a message for Alan from his ex-wife Laura reminding him that he's coming to visit her. Alan tells him there's nothing going on but it was Laura who lent him the money.
Mon, Jan 31, 1972
Albert reads the war poetry of Robert W. Service in the Snug. Hilda wants to find out about Paris from Annie. Alan tells Elsie that he's meeting a business contact in Cheshire. Ena and Minnie bore of the poems as they're all about the First World War. Ken visits Mrs Bates. She accuses him of making Terry feel small by visiting her. He tells her he just wants Terry to do well as he's a bright lad. Elsie has to call in Jerry when she causes a power cut in the house. Alan visits Laura Howard for dinner. He's on edge, wondering what she wants from him. Mrs Bates promises not to work Terry too hard on domestic chores and make sure he goes to bed early. Laura's had a letter from Mark saying he's thinking of giving up his course and going abroad. There were harsh comments about Alan in the letter. Laura blames Alan for Mark being unstable. Terry thinks Mrs Bates fancies Ken. She goes out to a pub and leaves him alone to look after his little sister, despite her promises. Hilda asks Ken for tips on French phrases. Minnie has enough of Albert's morbid poems though Annie finds them moving. She is delighted when Billy agrees to work at the Rovers and be on the pay roll. Alan promises to see Mark. Laura promises Alan there are no strings attached to the loan. Stan admits to Elsie and Jerry that he's scared of flying but, unaware, Hilda looks forward to Paris.
Wed, Feb 2, 1972
Stan's stomach is off from fear of flying. Billy and Jerry wind Hilda up about the sights they can see. Mrs Bates wonders if Terry is poorly. The Ogdens set off for their trip with a slanging match between Hilda and Elsie. Laura rings Alan again, insisting he sees Mark. Len thinks he should tell Elsie about the loan before she finds out herself. Albert is sorry to have missed the Ogdens and he wanted them to pass on messages to old friends he met in the First World War. Stan panics in the airport terminal and needs fresh air. While they are out, their flight is called and they miss it. Terry tells Ken that his mum has a sweet spot on him and asks to be put on the football team. It means him writing to Mrs Bates asking for Terry not to have household chores on a Saturday morning. The Ogdens start to spend the day in the airport bar, not wanting anyone to know they've missed the plane, and get drunk. Stan buys a beret from an airport shop. Ken gives Terry a letter to give to his mother. Elsie lets Minnie and Ena sit in her house for the night to watch television when she and Alan go out. Annie is still annoyed over Lucille's go-go dancing. Billy promises to have a word with her. Minnie pops into the Rovers for a miniature. The Ogdens return in the evening to the Street where they stagger into the Rovers and kid on they've been to France. Minnie returns to No.11 and finds Ena has put a kettle on the gas ring but not lit it. Minnie worries that the Community Centre is too much for her and worries about Ena's sanity when she talks about the Glad Tidings Mission Hall.
Mon, Feb 7, 1972
Maggie asks Ernie questions about his photography business customers, puzzling him. Minnie tells Len her concerns about Ena. Over at the centre, Ena loses her keys and has a sudden head pain. Billy tells Lucille she can do better for herself than the go-go dancing. Albert annoys Annie complaining about the Rovers pies. Len questions Ena about the work being too much for her, annoying her, but he realises nothing is wrong when she easily sees off Albert's complaints about his gardening lecture slot. Billy is taken with Lorraine Binks when he sees her practising her routine with Lucille, annoying Ray. Maggie questions Emily about her old friends at the warehouse. Billy sticks close to Lucille and Lorraine, supposedly to be able to speak further to Lucille on Annie's behalf. Len tells Minnie that she has nothing to worry about. Billy is pleased when Len drags Ray back to work. A new colour television set is delivered to the centre and Ena is put in charge of it. Ernie has a mysterious appointment concerning Auntie May. Ena takes Minnie to task for gossiping about her. Maggie questions Ena and Minnie about how often they go to the doctors. Annie tells Betty that Maggie is asking questions of everybody. Ernie tells Emily he's found a flat for Auntie May. She wonders what the old lady will say. Ray finds Billy about to kiss Lorraine and warns him off her in no uncertain terms.
Wed, Feb 9, 1972
Annie doesn't think Billy is getting anywhere in getting Lucille into a more respectable job. Lucille thinks Ray is exercising too much control over their act. Auntie May is due to be moved to her new flat tomorrow. Maggie asks more questions of the residents. Annie pushes Betty to find out why. Emily wonders how compatible she and Ernie really are. Ray gets the girls a booking at the Butterfly Club but Billy steals his thunder with Lorraine Binks when he reveals he knows the manager there and can get the booking extended. Albert grumbles that he can't watch what he wants on the new centre television. Lucille is unhappy with the Butterfly Club and her work and tells Ray he doesn't stand a chance with Lorraine. Ena agrees to let the Bishops have their reception at the Community Centre. The girls go down well at the club. Maggie calls on Ena and tells her she enrolled in the Open University the previous year, taking a Social Sciences course. Ena approves. The club manager offers further bookings - but only for Lorraine. Lucille is furious. Ray is shocked when Lorraine drops him as her agent and Billy is equally surprised when his advances are spurned. Auntie May has a relapse and cannot be moved. Ena is woken up by Len in the night - the centre door is wide open and the colour television is missing.
Mon, Feb 14, 1972
Maggie gets a letter from Irma in Llandudno; she wants all her money out of the shop and she wants it soon. The police continue to question Ena. Len reveals Ena forgot to lock the Community Centre and the TV room. She gets annoyed with Minnie for suggesting the job's too much for her and Albert for saying she fell asleep at her post and should be shot. Cyril is annoyed that Betty is off to work at the Rovers when he has a week off and he doesn't like her working nights. Bet has received a valentine's card. Elsie says she has five - all from the United States of America. The doctor agrees to look at Auntie May again and see if her condition's changed. The Town Hall leaves Ena's fate to the Community Centre committee. Len calls a meeting and offers Ena the chance to resign before it convenes. She refuses, saying they must sack and evict her themselves. Maggie wonders if she can buy Irma out herself. Len, Alf, Ernie and Emily meet in the Rovers snug. Ernie suggests Ena should be sacked. They come up with another suggestion and Len is "volunteered" to tell Ena. He asks for Alf's help. Lucille tells Betty that Maggie wants a business partner. Ena is told she should have a co-caretaker. Betty is hurt that Maggie didn't tell her about the shop. Cyril tells Betty they could put the money in and become Maggie's partners. Alf makes the same suggestion to Maggie and is told Betty would be the last person she'd want in the shop.
Wed, Feb 16, 1972
Betty worries that they won't have enough money to buy into the Corner Shop but Cyril tells her not to worry. Alf can't understand how two sisters couldn't get on. Maggie tells Lucille that Annie had made enquiries as to the selling price of the shop on behalf of someone else. Len has interviewed four women for the post of co-caretaker at the Community Centre but they've all declined when they've found out who they'll be working with. Minnie tells Ena she'll enjoy having someone to boss around. The stolen TV is found in the back of a van in Balaclava Street and two men have been arrested. Maggie is puzzled as to why Annie should want a partnership in the shop. The doctor tells Auntie May there's nothing wrong with her and to get back on her feet. Ernie sees no reason to delay the wedding announcement. Alf suggests an advert in the Gazette for the co-caretaker job. Albert puts himself forward for the job. Alf thinks it's a good idea while Len thinks fireworks will result. They agree to give it a try. Maggie is horrified when Cyril makes an offer for half the shop. Ena flatly refuses Albert in the post until it is pointed out that if she doesn't she'll lose the job. She insists on being called 'Senior Caretaker' but is still despondent at the outcome. Maggie tells Cyril that she's had another offer. Albert takes up his position and insists on wearing his Lancashire Fusiliers' caretaking hat. Cyril is uncertain as to whether Maggie's story about another offer is true. Betty is upset by her attitude but Cyril is adamant she's going to get in the shop.
Mon, Feb 21, 1972
Ray and Len get annoyed with their change of breakfast cereal as their usual one is too expensive for Jerry's housekeeping budget. Ernie and Emily decide on a spring wedding although Emily is nervous of telling Auntie May. Ena complains that Albert is slacking on the job as 'Junior Caretaker'. Annie tells Billy she's thinking of buying Irma's share in the Corner Shop for Lucille. Billy tells her Lucille is too irresponsible. Lucille confirms his opinion by asking his opinion on her being an air hostess. Maggie refuses to tell Cyril where the other offer comes from but Annie tells Betty it was her. Cyril tries to morally blackmail Maggie by using the fact that Betty came to look after her in June 1969. Alf sees how upset Maggie is getting. Aunty May carries on feigning illness, causing Ernie to worry that she'll want to live over the brush with them. Albert goes down with flu, annoying Ena. Alf warns Cyril to stop putting pressure on Maggie. Cyril tells him he should pay more attention to his wife and Len and Billy have to stop them from fighting. Ray and Len aren't happy with the evening meal served up by Jerry. He demands more housekeeping from them. Elsie advises Emily not to let Aunty May ride roughshod over her. Maggie learns what Cyril said about her and Alf. She feels beholden to the Turpins, but tells Betty she doesn't want her in the shop. She tells them she doesn't care if she ever sees them again. Betty walks out, telling her to rot. Ray and Len decide to go shopping for themselves, not believing Jerry's excuse of the cost of living.
Wed, Feb 23, 1972
Jerry, Len and Ray go to Harrison's Supermarket to get their own individual shopping and compare what they spent with each other. Maggie questions Len as to why they aren't using the Corner Shop and Alf takes the mickey out of them. Emily gets despondent at Auntie May's attitude. While Ray is interested in Brenda the checkout girl, Len gets used to the unfamiliar experience of supermarket shopping. Maggie apologises to Betty and they make up. Len puts luxury goods in his basket. Alan and Ken pull Ernie's leg about coming to a decision about the wedding. Cyril and Betty mistake Maggie's apology for a hint that they're still in with a chance for the shop. Cyril tells an infuriated Annie that he thinks the shop should sell alcohol. The three men go through the checkout: Len's bill comes to £5.92, Ray's £5.30 and Jerry's £3.44. In an attempt to retain her monopoly on alcohol selling, Annie makes a firm offer for the shop on Lucille's behalf. Emily and Ernie decide on an Easter wedding when Ernie decides that May can live with them in his house. Having made his point, Jerry demands £6 a week off Ray and Len or else he's packing in housekeeping. Gordon offers to lend Maggie money to buy Irma out but Maggie thinks it's his wedding money. Lucille is suspicious that Annie is up to something. Emily tells Ernie that Auntie May refuses to live with them so the wedding is off again.
Mon, Feb 28, 1972
Irma writes to Stan and Hilda pushing them to get some money off Maggie. As Ray and Len refuse to pay the increase in housekeeping, Jerry refuses to cook. Emily is annoyed with Ernie for swearing when he heard the news about Auntie May. Cyril tries to persuade Maggie to take up their offer but she tells him she and Betty wouldn't get on under the same roof. She tells the Ogdens they've just got to wait for her answer. Annie is cold with Betty. Alf tells Billy that Annie wants the shop for Lucille. In turn, Billy tells him about the off-licence idea. Alf's shocked. Billy tells Lucille about the shop. She's furious. Ray and Len come home to find that no dinner is prepared for them. Lucille tearfully tells Annie that in no way does she want the shop. Annie takes her annoyance out on Betty. Elsie persuades Emily to make a decision one way or the other. Cyril asks Len and Ray for alterations at the Corner Shop. Emily visits the Bluebells old folks' home. Betty tells Maggie about Lucille's refusal but they are interrupted by Annie who tells Maggie that the offer still stands - she will be a sleeping partner. Emily takes Auntie May to the home. She likes it because they have a colour television and polite residents and agrees to live there. Emily also tells Elsie that she's made another decision, just as she did eight years ago. Len and Ray try to get Stan and Elsie to invite them to their homes for a meal. Len wonders where Jerry is. The man in question happily looks over some blueprints in the yard office. Maggie tells Alf that whoever offers her the most can have the whole shop. Ernie is delighted that Auntie May has gone. Emily asks Ernie to marry her on Easter Monday - he agrees.
Wed, Mar 1, 1972
Emily is surprised when Ernie turns up for Sunday service in gumboots and outdoor gear as he has a photographic job after the service at the canal taking images on the theme of pollution. She worries that people will talk. Alf is shocked to hear that Maggie plans to go and live in London. Hilda wants to decorate the hall but Stan refuses. Elsie looks forward to a visit from her grandson Paul Cheveski. Alf and Maggie go for a walk by the canal. He tells her of the distance between himself and his wife. They meet Emily and Ernie at their work. Maggie summons the Turpins and Annie to the shop to hear her decision. Hilda insists on attending with Stan to make sure that Irma's interests are seen to. Maggie tells them she's getting a bank loan to buy Irma's share herself. Only the Ogdens are pleased by the decision though Maggie's relieved that the matter is over. Lucille tells Ray that she heard noises in the yard even though it was supposedly closed. Betty considers handing in her notice. Emily visits Auntie May at the Bluebells old folks' home and finds that she's very happy. Len and Ray go round to the yard. Under a large piece of tarpaulin, they discover a boat being built by Jerry.
Mon, Mar 6, 1972
Paul Cheveski, recovering from flu, is on his way to stay at No.11. Alan goes to the station to collect him while Linda phones from Birmingham, fussing that everything is okay. Jerry is pre-occupied with the design of his boat. He asks Len for a loan to help fund its construction. Bet finds a job in the Gazette for Lucille. Elsie and Alan enjoy having Paul around. Lucille tells Maggie that the job is at the Mark Brittain Warehouse and asks her for a reference. She reluctantly agrees and Lucille takes umbrage at her attitude, telling her to forget it. Paul surprises Maggie when he calls her establishment "a funny little shop". Stan takes an interest in the boat. Paul helps Alan at the Canal Garage. They decide on a trip that the afternoon - Paul wants to go to the Manchester Museum though Alan decides to go to Belle Vue instead. Elsie doesn't like being called "Gran". Maggie seeks sanctuary in the shop away from a bickering Ena and Albert and Maggie sets her to work. She also offers Paul some free sweets but he chooses pickled onions instead. Lucille has an interview for the job. At Belle Vue Paul enjoys a Dalek ride and other slot machines, spending Alan's money. Jerry gets annoyed when Stan would rather sandpaper the boat than do paid jobs. The Howards enjoy the hall of mirrors. Ken suffers with a cold. Lucille gets the job, having submitted some sort of reference herself. The Howards go on the ghost train. Betty tells Maggie that Lucille mentioned a reference and made it out as if it was from her. Maggie tells Minnie that Ena and Albert have settled their differences. Stan makes suggestions for the name of the boat that Jerry rejects. Elsie is exhausted at the funfair, as is Alan's pocket.
Wed, Mar 8, 1972
Having enjoyed Belle Vue, Alan reminisces about the Newcastle upon Tyne fairs when he was a lad. Betty gets Paul some comics for helping her out with some bottles but Bobby is traumatised after being Tommy-gunned by the boy while he was having his breakfast. Jerry is annoyed when Len and Ray take over the building of the boat. Maggie confides in Ken that she feels Lucille got the warehouse job with false references. Minnie buys some herbs to help Bobby recover from his lack of appetite. Paul wants Alan to keep his promise of a game of football before dinner. Len talks about buying expensive sails for the boat, upsetting Jerry. Ken tells Lucille that Maggie's upset about the reference. Alan and Paul play football in the Street and Alan smashes the Ogdens' window. They run off before Stan sees them. He tries to trace the owner of the ball and works out it was Paul. He confronts Elsie and Alan admits it was him who did the deed. Lucille admits to Maggie she made up a reference. Maggie tells her she's not sure what she's going to do. Lucille hints that if Gordon hadn't jilted her she would be a happy housewife and wouldn't need a job so much. Paul gives Bobby a saucer full of liver salts to help his stomach and poisons him. Ray and Len give Stan a pane of glass and tell him to fit it himself. Ken tells Jerry about a friend of his who was a member of Weatherfield Yachting Club. He's interested in joining. Alan drives Paul to the station for the train back to Birmingham. Maggie is summoned to the Warehouse. Stan tries to fit the window and breaks the glass.
Mon, Mar 13, 1972
Elsie admits she enjoyed having Paul around. Maggie tells Lucille that the warehouse wanted to know why she left Dave Smith's Betting Shop and she didn't tell them about the forged reference. Emily hands out copies of her wedding present list. Hilda looks for something cheap on it. Emily and Ernie go to see his house in Eccles. Jerry Booth calls the boat "Shangri-La". Freddie Baxter, the secretary of the Weatherfield Sailing Club agrees to see Jerry after a sea cadets meeting in the Community Centre. Emily doesn't like the old furniture that Ernie inherited from his parents. The pompous Baxter is amused at the idea of a boat being built in a back yard. Emily doesn't like the idea of the back garden of the house being used for vegetables instead of flowers as Ernie plans. Maggie worries if Lucille will make a success of the warehouse job. Emily doesn't like the fact that Ernie doesn't know his neighbours but he thinks it's peaceful. Unable to afford a present, Minnie thinks of making a patchwork quilt for a wedding present. Emily doesn't like Ernest's choice of old-fashioned wallpapers to decorate with. Jerry doesn't like Baxter's snobbery and decides to approach the sea cadets direct. Baxter calls at the yard and sees the boat. He's not impressed and thinks Jerry's application to join ought to be reconsidered. Emily tells Ernie she could never live in the house.
Wed, Mar 15, 1972
Jerry asks the sea cadets meeting in the Community Centre on advice on sailing. Their Lieutenant, Arthur Sugden, is not interested until he finds out that Jerry has his own heron-class boat. Ernie and Emily bicker over the house in Eccles. He thinks she's rejecting him as well as the house. Annie tells Emily she'd like her to be married from the Rovers and asks her to move back in. Emily's touched. Ernie tells Maggie about the problem with the house. She tells him that Emily won't think of the house in the same emotional way as him and wouldn't want to feel that she's competing it with for his affections. Maggie advises him to start somewhere new. Sugden and the cadets give Jerry his own lecture. Jerry offers to show them the boat and tells them that it's a matter of pride for him finishing it with his own two hands. However, in the yard, Ray varnishes the vessel by himself. The womenfolk try to convince Emily to accept the house. The cadets are impressed with the boat but Jerry is upset that Ray has finished it off. Ernie wants to talk to Ena about his house problem but she's away visiting friend Sally Brown in Rawtenstall. Minnie offers to listen to his problems in her place. Jerry and Ray quarrel over the boat. Jerry tells him how much it means to him and they make up with a drink. Minnie tells Ernie that Ena would say he's too set in his ways for a man that's going to get wed. Annie stops Ken and Alan playing Put and Take in the pub as she's not licenced for it. Ernie tells Emily he's going to sell his house as her happiness is vital to him. Alan, Elsie, Jerry, Ray, Hilda, Lucille and Ken congregate in the yard en masse and christen the boat "Shangri-La" with brown ale. Jerry agrees to take it out tomorrow.
Mon, Mar 20, 1972
It is Sunday. Emily worries that Minnie hasn't got a fire lit and is not going to the Rovers but just plans to sit at home all day. Jerry is not confident about launching the Shangri-La. He rings Joe Robinson who has a trailer and cancels his appointment for the boat to be taken to Burmer Reservoir. Bet amazes Annie when, before they come in, she pulls all the pints that everyone will order at Sunday dinner opening time and correctly guesses who will arrive and what they will want, with the exception of Elsie. Annie gives Bet her drink on the house. Lucille tells the regulars that Joe Robinson supposedly can't help transport the boat. Len remembers that Ken has a friend with a boat and a trailer. Emily wonders if she and Ernie can get a house in the street. Albert complains to Minnie about Bobby making a mess in his backyard. Len and Ray ask Ken to contact his friend, correctly guessing Jerry's true motives. Ernest and Emily ask Ken if he's ever interested in moving out of No.3. Jerry is taken aback when he finds out he will be sailing after all. Annie refuses Bet time off to go and see the sailing. When Ernie and Emily want some time alone together, they stand in for her in cleaning up after closing time. The Ogdens, Ray, Jerry, Ken, Alan and Lucille go to Burmer reservoir. Ray tells Stan he's ballast for the boat. Ernie and Emily asks Albert if he'd consider moving out to Beattie's and get short shrift from him. Lucille launches the boat with champagne, though most of the bottle has been drunk already by the watchers. Albert tells Minnie about Ernie and Emily's enquiries and tells her that Alfred Wormold can't evict her so long as she's on top of her rent. As she isn't, she cries to herself with worry. With Stan, Ray and Jerry in the boat, Stan leans over too far and overturns it. The three men stumble ashore and a frantic Jerry gets help from another boat to assist in the recovery.
Wed, Mar 22, 1972
The Shangri-La has been retrieved and is back in the yard. Jerry, Ray, Len and Alan bicker over who was to blame for the boat capsizing. Hilda tells them that Stan's confined to his bed ill. Minnie tells Albert that she's two weeks behind with her rent and needs £2. He worries her further when he tells her that Wormold has been to see the rent officer at the Town Hall. Hilda tries to blag some honey off an ill Ken to make honey and lemon. Len and Ray catch Stan drinking in the Rovers for "medicinal purposes". Prompted by Bet, Len speaks to Minnie about her rent. Lucille makes up some boiled onions for Ken as a cold cure. He mopes about his dull life. Len tells Minnie she has nothing to worry about and Albert lends her the £2. Mr. Grimley, the rent officer, turns up at No.5. Ken feels like doing something positive with his life and decides that Emily and Ernie they can have the Flemings' house - it'll do him good to have a change. Mr. Grimley, sent by Len, assures Minnie that her rent can't be put up without certain conditions. Ernest and Emily set out to buy bedroom furniture. They are delighted and moved when Ken tells them they can have the house. Stan makes excuses for being in the pub to Len and Ray. Jerry gets annoyed when Stan blames the boat for his supposed illness. Minnie tells Annie that Ena's been missed off the guest list for the wedding. Ernie tells an interested Ray that Audrey Fleming is coming to see them about the house.
Mon, Mar 27, 1972
Emily and Ernie get excited about the upcoming wedding. Emily asks him to shave off his beard. He's reluctant to agree. Audrey doesn't want to come back to the Street and sends cousin Vicki Bright in her place. Audrey's divorce from Dickie is imminent and she wants to know what certain people are up to. Ernie and Emily hand Ena the wedding guest list and she realises she is missing from it. She's offended. Lucille taunts Ray about Audrey's return. Vicki agrees to the sale of No.3 to Ernie and Emily. They invite her to the wedding and Ray introduces himself to her. Albert and Ena bicker over the tables at the centre for the wedding. Ray returns to speak with Vicki - she already knows about him from what Audrey has told her. Emily begs again for the beard to go. Ernie agrees and she insists it's done immediately. Vicki admits to Ray that one of the reasons she came was to see what he was like. They take a liking to each other. Ernie and Emily give Ena flowers as an apology. She will only accept them if they deal with Albert. Ken can't find anywhere to live. Ernie shaves off his beard but keeps a moustache. Albert isn't bothered when Ernie passes on Ena's complaints. Lucille suggests that Ena is given more power so she can deal with Albert herself and they ask her to organise the seating plan. Minnie offers Ken lodgings but he hastily tells her he's moving in with Albert. Elsie offers to put Vicki up. Albert takes umbrage and tells Ken he values his privacy too much to have him living at No. 1.
Wed, Mar 29, 1972
Ken still can't anywhere to live. Emily starts to get overwrought and have wedding nerves. Ray takes Vicki Bright out on a boating lake. The residents wonder if the wedding will take place this time. A sulking Albert asks Ken how much rent he was willing to pay and is told £3 a week. Vicki tells Ray she has only recently broken off her own engagement as she realised she couldn't stand the thought of spending the rest of her life with her fiancé, much to her parents' disgust. Ray pushes her to attend the wedding. Emily insists that Ernie's moustache has to go. Len, Jerry and Stan organise a stag do for Ernie while Bet and Lucille do the same for Emily. Ray takes Vicki to her parents' house in Preston to pick up her dress for the wedding. He tells her that he's fallen for her. The men go to The Flying Horse while the women congregate in the Rovers back room. Emily confesses that she has no nerves but Ernie is the opposite and is sick in the pub. Vicki tells Elsie she feels tired. Emily slips out of the party for a quiet chat with Ena and tells her that this time it feels right. As the menfolk return home, Ernie is horrified when Stan refers to Emily previously jilting Leonard Swindley.
Wed, Apr 5, 1972
Annie is furious at the delay but Emily refuses to let it upset her, saying that Ernie must have just forgotten something. Although Ernie and Stan arrive at the chapel, a nervous Ernie insists they drive round again. The wedding attendees theorise over the late arrival of the groom. Emily has perfect faith in her intended and sets out for the chapel. Ernie frets that Emily will jilt him and Stan has to beg him to go into the mission. Ena leads the congregation in singing "Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us" as they wait. Norah Seddon loses her patience and goes to see what's happening. She's ranting as Jerry waits with bridesmaids Lucille and Bet. Emily arrives with Annie and Len. She insists on getting into position with Len to give her away just as Ernie arrives through another door. He tells Best Man Ken that he feels better for being there and the wedding begins. Vicki Bright feels unwell and Ray leads her outside as the vows start. The wedding party return to the Community Centre for the reception where Len makes a speech, leading a toast to the blissfully happy couple. Ernie's lost his notes and has to make an impromptu speech, toasting the bridesmaids. Mavis takes a shine to Jerry. Ken reads the telegrams from Dave Smith, Jed Stone and Dennis Tanner. Ray and Vicki spend the afternoon in the park as the newlyweds lead the first dance. Hilda forces Stan to dance while Jerry asks Mavis to do the same. Ken asks Lucille to dance to get away from Annie's questions as to why Ernie was late. Ernie apologises to Emily for his tardiness. Mavis and Jerry enjoy each other's company. The happy couple say goodbye to Ena and Esther and leave the reception, ready for their walking honeymoon in Edale. Still in the park, Ray asks Vicki to marry him. She tells him she's pregnant. Albert is disappointed that he couldn't get any of the boiled ham that was left at the reception so Minnie takes him home for a cup of tea to compensate.
Mon, Apr 10, 1972
Jerry wonders where they can store the Shangri-La. Vicki comes to the yard. Neither have slept well and she can't make up her mind what to do. They agree to talk later. Emily sends a postcard from the Peak District, changing her mind about the colour scheme of No.3. Annie decides to chivvy up the decorators to get it done. A reluctant Ken has to fill in for an absent games teacher. Elsie guesses that Vicki is pregnant and Hilda overhears their conversation. Vicki tells Elsie about the proposal. Jerry tells Ray not to get married and to steer clear of her. Hilda is annoyed that her gossip about Vicki's baby is already known. The decorators tells Annie they need another fortnight and she threatens to bar the regulars if they don't all lend a hand in readying the house for the Bishops' return. Albert convinces Wilfred Perkins he knows something about football and he asks him to come along to a game the school are playing that afternoon under Ken's supervision. Annie "supervises" the residents as they begin decorating with Hilda under threat of the sack if she doesn't comply. Ken isn't pleased to hear that Albert is attending the match. Hilda tells Ray she saw Vicki leaving on the Preston bus. Perkins doesn't like the fouling tactics that Albert encourages the boys to use. Elsie gets annoyed that the decorating advice she's given by everyone. Vicki comes back from Preston and asks Ray if he'd marry her if she had the baby adopted. They're interrupted before he can answer. Bessie Street lose 6-2. Albert convinces Perkins it could have been worse but for him. Ken isn't happy to be made temporary sports master by Perkins in order that Bessie Street can beat Regent's Road in football next week with no question of a defeat being tolerated.
Wed, Apr 12, 1972
The Bishops are due home that night. Vicki looks for Ray to get her answer. Elsie tells her to think about what she wants too. The residents finish decorating under Annie's watchful eye, painting the ceiling of the living room of No. 3 purple as she claims it's the "in-colour". Ken and Perkins coach the Bessie Street School team. Vicki tells Ray she'll do whatever he wants to do. She tries to convince herself adoption would be the best thing. Ken hears that the PE teacher's wife usually washes the boy's football kits. Perkins asks him to find a replacement. Ray looks for a flat for him and Vicki, telling Jerry they have no plans to get married immediately. Ken asks Albert to take the kits to the laundrette. Ena makes Ray realise that Vicki will always miss her child. Albert plays the "poor pensioner" and cons Ivy into washing the kit. Ray tells Vicki he wants the child. Albert gets Ivy to iron all the kit. Annie is delighted with the finished result at No. 3. Annie and Hilda tell Len that Ray plans to live with Vicki. Ken avoids watching Manchester City to pick up tips. Len tries to put an upset Vicki off marrying Ray by saying he's not steady or reliable. She refuses to believe him. Ken finds the washed and iron kits. Albert takes all the credit and Ken takes him out for a double rum as a reward. Vicki tells Ray she can't marry him as it's too much of a gamble. Perkins finds Ken in the Rovers and tells him that he and James Dawson, the head of Regent's Road, have bet each other's 78rpm prize records that they will win. Ray tells Len he doesn't blame him as Vicki always knew her own mind. The Bishops arrive back and Ernie carries Emily over the threshold.
Mon, Apr 17, 1972
As the Bishops look over their house, they are surprised to see their purple ceiling and Alf still papering the bedroom. He explains how the neighbours stepped in to help them. Hilda is annoyed that everyone seems to know the Bishops are back before she does. Ray is depressed about Vicki Bright's departure. Elsie feels guilty that she interfered by giving advice. Albert gives a bored Ken advice on football formations in preparation for the match. Ray joins in and he and Albert argue over tactics. Emily and Ernie are puzzled as neither of them wanted purple for the ceiling. Alf tells them it was Annie's choice as she thought white was dull. Emily is put out. Elsie is bored as there's nothing to do on a Saturday night. Hilda hints that Stan has had an interesting offer but no one is interested. Ena is put out when Ernie asks her to leave Emily alone and not throw lots of Community Centre committee work at her. The Bishops themselves are annoyed when Hilda dumps herself on them with fish and chips and won't leave them alone. Ivy Tilsley catches husband Jack with his fancy woman in her house and walks out. Edna consoles her with a drink. The Bishops tire of Alf decorating, especially when one sheet of wallpaper is pasted on short. Ivy and Edna call on Elsie and Alan and tell them Ivy's troubles. Edna rushes out, leaving Ivy dumped on the Howards. The Bishops end up sleeping with the decorating unfinished but content to be alone at last.
Wed, Apr 19, 1972
Ivy has spent the night at No.11, feeling sorry for herself and irritating Alan. Albert volunteers himself to give tactics to the Bessie Street School boys. Ernie plans the redecoration of the purple ceiling. He worries that he's forgotten something important. Ivy knocks back a huge breakfast as she rants about Jack. She doesn't take Alan's hints that she's not welcome. Alf walks into the Bishop's bedroom to collect a pan of paint he left and reminds Ernie that he was due to preach this Sunday morning as per the circuit plan. Ernie panics. Albert uses his uniform to try to push to the front of the Rovers Sunday lunch queue. Hilda tells Ray that Stan is going back on the lorries and wants his holiday money due to him. Ena is harsh with the Bishops for missing the service when they themselves forced Albert on her after she overslept several months ago. Ivy wonders what their Sunday dinner will be while the Howards plan to spend lunch in the pub. They sneak out behind her back when Edna calls with the gossip about Jack and Cheryl. Alf calls with white paint to re-do No.3's ceiling, annoying Ernie who just wants to be left alone. Alan demands that Elsie throws Ivy out. She does it by pointing out that Ivy doesn't know what Jack is up to with Cheryl while she's gone. Ken, Albert and Stan train the boys, including Terry Bates. Ken volunteers Albert to see to the washing of the boys' kits. Ivy discovers Cheryl has settled into her house and refuses to stay. She returns to No.11 and thanks the exasperated Howards for letting her return. Ray makes a 10p bet with Ken that the lads won't win their next match. Ivy invites herself to join the Howards on a night out so they're forced to stay in instead. The Howards are at the end of their tether with her.
Mon, Apr 24, 1972
Alan doesn't like the way Ivy is familiar with him. It is the day of the football match between Bessie Street School and Regent's Road. Terry Bates feels excluded as he's the reserve. Ivy can't work through worrying about Jack. Billy returns. Albert thinks a spectator at the match is a scout from Weatherfield County FC but he turns out to be a nostalgic father whose son turned once down a career in football. One of the boys, Rodney Smith, goes down with injury but Terry has gone missing so the team has to play a man short. Bessie Street wins the match. Ivy rows with Edna for not taking her in. Ken is worried about Terry and goes to Rita Bates's home as he thinks she had Terry running errands. He finds that's not the case. Rita is surprised when Ken tells her he is a widower and has children. Terry arrives home but leaves again when he hears Ken's voice. The hospital phone Annie to tell Hilda that Stan has had a crash in the lorry. Alan decides to speak to Jack Tilsley himself about Ivy. Ivy goes for Edna when she suggests romance is in the air with her and Alan. The boss, Johnny Fitzpatrick, catches them fighting and blames Elsie when he finds Alan in her office.
Wed, Apr 26, 1972
Alan blames Ivy and Edna for Elsie getting into trouble. Billy is amused when Annie tells him that Stan swerved to avoid a fox at Scotch Corner and a consignment of bananas fell on him, putting him in hospital. Johnny Fitzpatrick castigates Elsie for letting Alan into the warehouse and advises her to throw Ivy out of her house, saying being boss and friend doesn't mix. Rita threatens to tell Terry's dad about him disappearing from the match and going to the pictures. In turn, Terry threatens to tell him Rita is interested in Ken. Albert and Ken both try to take the credit for the Bessie Street School win. Elsie is angry when she arrives home and finds Ivy preparing for a date with George Harrop. Ivy shoots out of the door before she can tell her to leave. Alan decides they should see Jack and get him to take Ivy back. Drinking with Ivy in the Rovers, George tries to get her to move in with him and bad-mouths Jack. Mr Perkins buys drinks in the Rovers to celebrate the team's first win in ten years. Jack agrees to take Ivy back but Billy warns the Howards how close she and George looked earlier. Rita tells Terry not to give Ken cheek before he leaves for school. Ivy leaves for work early to avoid the Howards. Elsie prevents another fight between Ivy and Edna. She tells Ivy to return to Jack and that he's said he wants her back but Ivy decides to take up George's offer. Ken lectures the class about littering. Terry resents him. Elsie can't ask Ivy to leave if she's not going back to Jack. Alan erupts when he finds out and starts packing Ivy's case. Ivy comes in and tells Elsie that she's returning to Jack, preferring him to George. Billy takes Annie out to mark Jack's birthday. Lorry driver Tommy O'Riley hears the regulars making jokes about Stan and warns them to be careful as his mate and Stan's brother-in-law, Archie Crabtree, is coming to stay with Hilda soon. A displeased Perkins sees pupil Mark Hillkirk writing "Barlamb fancies Terry Bate's Mam" (sic) on the blackboard.
Mon, May 1, 1972
Maggie spots Archie Crabtree, Hilda's brother arriving at No.13. Mr Perkins tells Mark Hillkirk off for writing on the blackboard. Archie claims he is there to look after Hilda while Stan is in hospital. Not having seen him for twelve years, she's suspicious as to his motives and finds out he's on the dole. He suggests he could decorate for her and she demands the front of the house is pebble-dashed so it looks like a picturesque fisherman's cottage. Perkins warns Ken about his involvement with Rita, saying he was indiscreet when he visited her at her home. He's angry and defends himself. He's not bothered with what was written about him on the board. Perkins points out that he's never visited any of the other pupil's houses. Hilda boasts about her house plans. Rita calls into the Corner Shop and offends Emily when she predicts she'll be a mother herself soon. Annie is not impressed with Hilda's plans and Jerry tries to change her mind about some of them. Maggie closes the shop early and confesses to Emily she's depressed and lonely. Terry tells Ken he shouldn't have "split" on him. The neighbours worry about Maggie. Ken assures Perkins the matter with Terry is over. Hilda drags the resident's complaints about the decorating out of Minnie. Perkins tells Terry he wants to see his mother. Rita frequents the Rovers for the first time, telling Billy she has a friend in the Street. Alf tells Maggie that she should take a break. Annoyed by the negative comments, Archie begins to build a porch for Hilda who swanks over how it will look. Rita meets Ken in the pub and apologises for Terry's behaviour. Ken enjoys her attentions. Alf tells Maggie to go and see Gordon in London. Terry tells Rita about Perkins wanting to see her over the blackboard incident and she decides to go to the school and sort matters out.
Wed, May 3, 1972
Alf advises Maggie to visit Gordon. She refuses as she'd have to close the shop. Rita fools around with Ken at the PTA to Wilfred Perkins' annoyance. Maggie decides to take Alf's advice. Perkins warns Rita that gossip is not good for the school morale. She tells him to keep his nose out of her business; there's nothing between Ken and her. Jerry tells Billy that Hilda will need planning permission for the porch on the front of No. 13. Rita leaves Bessie Street School and joins her date - Len, not Ken.
Mon, May 8, 1972
Len arranges to see Rita again. Archie is proud as the porch nears completion. Albert complains that the Corner Shop is closed with Maggie away. Councillor Warburton calls on Len and is annoyed when he won't back a housing plan to do up a building in a run-down area, Len preferring a series of old people's bungalows. Lucille worries about a dental appointment. Len arrives at Harry Bates's house to return a scarf that Rita left in his van. They flirt. Betty thinks that someone should tell Archie about the need for planning permission. Len tells Jerry and Ray to stay out of the house that evening as he's entertaining a lady but to tidy up before they go. Ray delays going until Rita arrives so he can see who his woman is. Rita tells Len that her husband is away often working on building motorways. She obviously isn't happy in her marriage. Len tells her how much he likes her but Alf interrupts them. He tells Len that Warburton is out for his guts. Rita is surprised to find that Len is a councillor. Billy suddenly realises that the shop and, more importantly its flat are empty. Archie completes the porch. Hilda is pleased and tries to show it off to the neighbours but Jerry and Ray tell her they'll need planning permission and they'll probably be told to demolish it.
Wed, May 10, 1972
Archie goes to the Town Hall to get planning permission for the porch. Hilda gives him Stan's suit. The residents think they have no chance and Hilda gets annoyed when Albert and Minnie ask for the wood when it's taken down. Billy and Ray plan to use the shop flat as a love nest in Maggie's absence, and trick the key off Alf. Betty and Lucille realise what Billy is up to and refuse to let him away from the Rovers but Lucille agrees to swap shifts with him when he pays her. Rita entertains Len after getting Terry out of the way. The girls stand Billy and Ray up by going off with Yankee officers and they can't find anyone else to spend the evening with. Councillor Warburton tells Archie the porch has to come down. Ray and Billy get drunk on their own. Warburton asks Emily if Len's interest in local government is waning. She suggests he asks Len instead of snooping. Alf tells Betty that Rita's house is due for demolition and Len is on the housing committee, hence the reason he thinks she's showing an interest in him. Hilda discovers the porch is missing.
Mon, May 15, 1972
Maggie returns from visiting Gordon. Archie Crabtree swears vengeance on the porch thief. Hilda accuses the residents. Rita tells Len she has to vacate by the end of the week. Len agrees to help her as she's on the housing list. The Bishops look for ways to get people using the centre. Maggie suggests something fun. Rita introduces Len to her husband Harry Bates, convinced Len will get them a house. Len arranges an appointment with them and the housing committee. Lucille suggests a talent show at the centre. They decide on a street band. Sid Bolton, Brewery rep, asks Billy if he's thought of running the Rovers.
Mon, May 22, 1972
Rita tells Len that Harry Bates hit her before he threw her out and the cause of their row was jealousy over Len. She refuses to return to Harry. Len refuses to have her at No. 9, citing the fact that three men live there already. Alf refuses to join the band as he can't play an instrument. Annie tells Billy that she's kept his old trumpet and he's left with no option but to join the band himself. Stan discharges himself from hospital. Hilda and the Rovers' regulars are delighted to see him. Elsie refuses to put up Rita, annoying Len. The band starts up - Ernie on piano, Billy and Ken on trumpet and Alan on guitar - but the only tune they all know is "Yellow Bird". Maggie reluctantly takes Rita in, annoyed with Len for putting her in this position. Ena interrupts the band, annoyed by the noise they're making. Billy tells Annie about the brewery's offer - she calls him a "Judas" for colluding in her removal behind her back. Len calls on Maggie the next morning and tells her that Rita isn't married to Harry. Annie refuses to talk to Billy and she deliberately overrules his instructions to Hilda. Len suspects Rita walked out on Harry to force his hand with her. Ena refuses to allow the band to put a concert on, even for the old folks, saying they're not good enough. Len rings Harry's employer and finds out where he's working. Ray advises him to keep away from him. Annie goes to the brewery, saying that she's going to go higher than Sid Bolton. Len goes to see Harry at his roadworks site. Foreman Jack MacGuire tells him he's out on a job and Len tells him he'll wait for him.
Wed, May 24, 1972
Len grows impatient waiting for Harry Bates. Billy turns down the licence on the Rovers. Ena makes it clear that she is opposed to the band using the Community Centre. Ray refuses to take Stan on at the Yard, on the basis that he walked out on them before. Billy likewise refuses Hilda's suggestion that Stan become the Rovers' cellarman. Annie is cold with Billy when she returns from the Brewery. Councillor Warburton goes to the roadworks site to find Len. Maggie tells Rita she can stay as long as she has to but not a minute longer. Bates arrives back at the site. Len tells him that he's only interested in Rita's welfare. Harry accuses him of more than that and threatens him. A fight breaks out, watched by Warburton from the safety of his car. Len loses the fight and ends up face down in a puddle of muddy water. Annie is reassured of the Brewery's faith in her and tells Billy that she harbours no grudges towards him. Stan tells Ray and Jerry of work he's seen that needs doing in the area in an effort to get his job back but with no success. Terry Bates fails to turn up at school and Ken lectures Rita about the kids' welfare. She tells him they're not hers and she and Harry aren't married. Rita tells Len she doesn't want to go back to Harry - she wants him. Hilda tells Stan she has plans for him. Elsie tells Len that Rita is not his type. Alf tells Ena and Emily that Warburton has submitted a report to Mayor Harold Chapman about an incident at the roadworks and he has summoned Len to see him tomorrow.
Mon, May 29, 1972
Maggie advertises for an assistant at the Corner Shop with the flat available with it. Alan gets annoyed that Len hasn't done some work for him that he put his way several weeks ago and decides to do the work himself. Rita goes back to Harry Bates and Len thanks Maggie for putting her up. Stan puts on a suit to go down to the Labour Exchange, much to Hilda's delight. Ellen Page tries out for the job but she reminds Maggie of Betty too much with her bossy, correcting ways. Ray and Len argue over the way in which he's neglecting work at the yard. Alf finds out why the Mayor wants to see Len and tells him about Councillor Warburton witnessing the fight with Harry. He has also got a story from Bates about Len's friendship with Rita and an allegation has been made that Len tried to get Rita moved up on the housing waiting list. Len worries how Mayor Harold Chapman will react. Stan fails to get work and decides to try the yard again. Alf advises Maggie to take Ellen on. The Mayor has to cancel his appointment with Len and he is told to come back the next day. Stan begs Len and Ray for his old job back but they refuse. Norma Ford applies for the job but Maggie feels obliged to Mrs Page. Hilda tells Stan to start his window-cleaning round up again. Norma poses as Maggie's niece to let Mrs Page down gently and, much relieved, Maggie takes her on.
Wed, May 31, 1972
Hilda starts Stan up again with the money for a bucket and chamois leather but he still needs a ladder. Norma enjoys her first night in the flat and serves her first customer - Ena. She spins her fanciful stories about her parents and previous work. They amuse Maggie. Len sets off again for his meeting with Harold Chapman. Ray sells Stan his old ladder back for £4 spread over eight weeks. Chapman entertains Len to lunch in the mayoral Rolls parked up at the end of the street. Hilda asks Alf if Stan can get the job of doing the Community Centre's windows. He tells her it's Ena's decision. The residents realise they've all been given different stories from Norma about her background and Ena thinks Maggie has taken too much on. Chapman tells Len the number of seats available will be reduced under the local government reorganisation and he has to be careful. Chapman tells him that he likes him and wouldn't like to see him lose a seat to a tale-teller like Councillor Warburton. Hilda hands round business cards for Stan. Ena reluctantly agrees to let Stan do the centre. Stan asks Alan for transport and he gives him an old handcart from the Canal Garage in return for free cleaning for six months. Elsie winds up Hilda that the free cleaning is for other reasons. Hilda gets Stan twenty customers with the cards. Elsie tries to avoid Ned Fox, the insurance clubman, who will only persuade her to buy another policy. Ena reveals he is retiring with a profitable book of customers. Norma overhears Alf wondering what her real story is.
Mon, Jun 5, 1972
Ray takes an interest in Norma. Insurance clubman Ned Fox collects club money from Maggie but Elsie avoids him as she can't make her weekly payment. Len, Ray and Jerry start a job at Silcock's Shirts where Ray takes a fancy to the sight of owner's daughter Sue Silcock and her flashy car. Norma introduces efficiencies in the Corner Shop which enable her and Maggie to take a lunch break in the Rovers where she meets the rest of the residents. Betty tells Maggie there's no hard feelings for her not entering into a partnership but wonders where Norma is really from. Only Ernie, Ken and Len turn up for band practice and Emily has to dragoon the rest from the Rovers. Ernie annoys the rest of the group with his criticisms and they walk out on him. Ray's charms fail on Sue. Ernie is forced to disband the band through lack of interest but Ena reminds him they have promised a concert for the Darby and Joans. Ned Fox catches up with Elsie and tells her that her endowment policy on Dennis Tanner has come up. Norma is annoyed when old acquaintance Ritchie Levitt turns up to see her. Ken suggests a film show instead of the concert for the pensioners. Len tells Ray that Sue is out of his class. He makes a bet with Len and Jerry that he can get a date with her. Norma tells Ritchie she doesn't want her dad to know where she is. He promises not to say. Maggie tells her that she can confide in her if she has troubles at home but the girl tells her it's nothing to worry about.
Wed, Jun 7, 1972
Ned Fox gives Elsie a cheque for £296. He advises her to take out insurance but she's already made plans for the money. Ray chats Sue Silcock up but she doesn't give anything away. Len and Jerry take the mickey. Ernie and Emily struggle to find anyone interested in helping out at the senior citizens' concert. They manage to rope in Ken. Maggie and Ritchie Levitt think Norma is being hard on her father, Jacko Ford. Ray fixes Sue's car so that it doesn't work. He then "repairs" it for her. He seems to have got lucky when Sue lets him accompany her in a spin round the block to make sure. Ena plays piano for the silent movie until the film breaks, but the Bishops and Ken enjoy it more than the old folks. Len and Jerry finish the job at Silcock's. Ray makes a date with Sue so the men pay up. Norma goes to prison to visit her father.
Wed, Jun 14, 1972
Ritchie Levitt tells Maggie he has good news for Norma about her dad. Ray and Sue get caught in the rain at Heaton Park. Hilda finds out about what Elsie is having done at No. 11 when she sees the bath getting taken in. Elsie wants black wallpaper in the bathroom. Norma discovers Jacko is coming out next week and knows where she lives. Sue takes Ray home to meet her father Tommy and he and Ray take the mickey out of Sue's poshness. Hilda and Elsie argue over Hilda's snide comments about the bathroom suite. Maggie realises Norma is lying to her when she denies seeing Ritchie. Maggie tells her she can't believe anything she says as her stories about her dad are full of inconsistencies. When Maggie threatens her with the sack, Norma admits that her dad is not in a miner's home but in Strangeways.
Mon, Jun 19, 1972
Tommy Silcock finds out more about Ray. He hears from Annie that he has a dubious past. Jerry is bitter that he takes his job more seriously than Ray but isn't a partner. Norma rows with the customers in an attempt to get Maggie to sack her but Maggie refuses to. Len is honest with Tommy about Ray's past but tells him how he's turned himself around and just works all the harder after he's taken a knock. Norma tells Maggie how having a father like Jacko ruins her relationships whether she is honest or lies about him being in prison. Annie considers taking another cruise but Billy also wants to go on holiday soon. Tommy tells Ray he'd like him for a son-in-law as he reminds him of himself. Jacko turns up and Maggie tells Norma he can stay.
Wed, Jun 21, 1972
Norma throws Jacko out but Maggie reverses the order on the grounds that it's her house. Jacko promises Norma he'll mend his ways. Hilda gets on at Len as her bins haven't been emptied but he assumes they're being boycotted and chooses not to get involved. Sue starts feeling suffocated by Ray. She feels uncomfortable when he tells her that he's in love with her. Billy has decided on a foreign holiday and looks over travel brochures. Jacko gets Maggie to run around after him. Tommy asks Ray to work for him, starting at the bottom. Maggie feels Jacko ought to be given a chance to prove himself but stands by Norma and turns him away. Ray interrupts Sue's date with Giles Platting to tell her about Tommy's offer. She tells him that he's getting too serious and finishes their relationship. Hilda dumps the Ogdens' rubbish in the Builder's Yard in protest at Len's lack of action as councillor. Jacko agrees to leave Norma alone.