Mon, Jan 1, 1973
Stan tries to find out what "co-habiting" means. Betty grows suspicious of Christine Peters drinking alone in the Rovers. Mrs Regan tells Stan she doesn't want him coming round for a couple of weeks. Betty tells Emily that Christine was asking her about Jason's disappearance. Alf dons a bowler hat and poses as an investigator as the residents kid Stan that the Social Security people are after him. Emily visits Christine's sister, Jean Cooper, who denies knowledge of Christine, whilst hiding her. Jean tells Christine not to go out without her again. Stan confesses to Hilda about Mrs Regan, Hilda believes him as he obviously isn't living with someone else, but she makes him promise not to see her again. Albert wears a beret to mark the UK entering the Common Market. Stan tells Emily that he saw Christine at her sister's house while on his round and that she's doolally.
Wed, Jan 3, 1973
Hilda starts to get annoyed at the gossip about Stan. Norma prepares for a visit to Risley Remand Centre to see Jacko. Jerry collects for a "good luck" gift from Ernie and Emily for Jacko before his trial. Emily wants to go and see Jean Cooper again in the light of what Stan told them. Hilda tells Jerry that she's going to visit No.19 Inkerman Street. Amused, he nevertheless warns her to be careful. Minnie and Albert bicker over the running of the Community Centre in Ena's absence. Jerry delights in telling Stan about Hilda's visit. The Bishops call on Jean Cooper and find Christine Peters there. Hilda walks out from No.19 well satisfied with her visit. The Bishops find out from Jean that Christine had a breakdown when her own baby died and her husband, Jack Peters, left her. Jean arrived home one day and found her sister with Jason Lomax. The first chance she could, Jean took the baby to the croft and makes no apologies for shielding her. Stan can't face going home at closing time but is refused sanctuary at the Rovers. Hilda tells Stan that Mrs Regan is co-habiting with Tommy McAllistair. Stan is upset at the thought but Hilda warns him that she's seen danger signs in the tea leaves should he see her again. Back home, Ernie wants to go to the police but Emily sides with Jean and tells him of Irma Barlow's baby-snatch and how she returned Anthony Lock without saying anything. Ernie is appalled at her actions and determined to tell the police himself. A division occurs between the two of them. Norma returns and is short with a sympathetic Billy. She tells Jerry that Jacko is pleading guilty so he has no chance of avoiding jail.
Mon, Jan 8, 1973
Ena writes from Hartlepool to say thank you for the cards and presents sent for Jason Lomax. Minnie tells Lucille that Christine Peters knitted the child some mittens. Lucille is suspicious when she hears that Emily went to see her. Ken returns from visiting Peter and Susan in Glasgow. He's appalled to find out about Jacko's guilty plea. the Bishops tell Lucille everything they discovered about Christine. She agrees with Ernie that the police should be told. Jacko's solicitor, Mr Hillbray, hears that he wants to plead guilty to get a reduced sentence. Mr Hillbray tells him his case could be postponed. Jacko is furious, just wanting to get his time in jail over with. Albert is refused credit at the Rovers. Detective Inspector Patterson calls into the Rovers for a drink. Ernie asks him if the police are still working on the Jason Lomax case and is told no. Patterson asks to speak to Ken later. Albert teaches Minnie brag for a penny a point. Patterson admits to Ken that Jacko was their sole suspect but he can't understand why he didn't have an alibi. Ken tells him his suspicions of Franny Slater and Freddie Slack. Patterson hints they've taken Slack in and he thinks Ken is right but to keep his mouth shut so no one gets the wind up. Ken agrees. Albert starts to lose badly against Minnie. Lucille and Emily go to see Jean Cooper but return having been refused access to Christine. Ernie suggests seeing how sympathetic Patterson would be before telling him what they know. Ken tells Norma the good news about Jacko. Mr Hillbray tells Jacko that the police have asked for an adjournment but Jacko can't believe that it's for a good reason. Minnie wipes Albert clean. Patterson asks Ernie why he should jog his memory about the Lomax case and guesses they know something. He asks if they know the girl's name and is given it.
Wed, Jan 10, 1973
Albert and Minnie bicker over who is the senior at the Community Centre in Ena's absence. Det Insp Patterson asks Minnie what she remembers of Christine Peters when she met her at Christmas. Ken prepares to accompany a nervous Norma to court but before they can leave Mr Hillbray summons them to to Risley Remand Centre. Mr Hillbray tells Jacko that he's free to go - they've got the truth out of Freddie Slack and are looking for Franny Slater and Sharon Duffy. Lucille is annoyed with Ernie for shopping Christine. Ken and Norma bring Jacko back to Weatherfield to a warm welcome and several drinks, including ones from Patterson and Annie. Ken is annoyed with Patterson for locking Jacko up in the first place but the man himself bears no grudges. Stan tells Lucille and the Bishops that Christine has been arrested. Emily feels she must go and see Jean Cooper. Albert is annoyed to hear that Minnie's known for some time that Len and Alf are up for Mayor of Weatherfield. Emily calls on Jean Cooper who almost instantly slaps her face and slams the door on her. Stan doesn't believe that Jacko is totally innocent until he's bought a drink by him. Ernie thinks Emily should press charges against Jean but she refuses. Patterson tells the Bishops that Christine had admitted the kidnap. He hopes she'll be conditionally discharged on the proviso that she gets psychiatric treatment. Minnie sends a telegram to Ena to tell her about Christine. Len rings to say that he's returning tomorrow from Scarborough. Billy reads in the paper that the Mayor is to be announced next Monday and realises why Len is returning early.
Wed, Jan 17, 1973
The party continues in the Rovers back room. Hilda starts to get drunk. Elsie tries to get Alan to leave but he refuses. Annie asks Alf who his Mayoress is but he says he doesn't know yet. Elsie calls on Len and tells him not to fester over the decision. Jerry tries to speak to Rita about Len but Hilda interrupts. Len worries that Rita will think he's only interested in her now that he knows he won't be Mayor. Elsie speaks to Rita on his behalf but she's afraid that she'll be thrown to one side again as Len thinks she's not good enough, even though she needs him and knows he needs her. A drunk Alan leaves the party. Annie drops subtle hints at Alf about her organisational and hosting skills. Elsie pushes Len to keep on pursuing Rita. She goes home and erupts in anger when she sees Alan slumped in drunken heap. They row and slap each other as Len listens through the walls. He comes round next morning to see that she's alright and tells her that she and Alan will be fine in the end as they don't hate each other. Maggie calls on Elsie who compares Alan to Les but Maggie tells her that Les was always weak and an alcoholic and Alan isn't. Maggie offers to speak to Alan. Ray thinks Len is better off without Rita. Len reveals to Jerry that he didn't get the position of Mayor because of working in Scarborough and not attending council meetings. Hilda gossips to Annie about the Howard's row. Alan apologises to Elsie and tells her he loves her. She agrees to give him a second chance. Annie preens over flowers that Alf sends her and starts to get ideas that she will be Mayoress.
Mon, Jan 22, 1973
Ena is due back from St. Anne's and Minnie stocks up for her. Maggie tells Alf she's worried about what happens to the Corner Shop if she's Mayoress. Annie tells Bet she's been an excellent employee but it's to butter her up as she thinks she's going to be Mayoress and wants her continued support behind the bar. Clive Shawcross, a journalist, calls into the Rovers, investigating Jacko's case for the Gazette. Annie tells him she always believed in his innocence, much to Lucille's amusement. Len decides to take a job in Huddersfield to get away from the area. Shawcross interviews Jacko who's upset to hear that he won't be paid by the paper. Minnie cleans the Community Centre flat and finds an old letter. Lucille tells Maggie that Alf has asked Annie to be his Mayoress. Ena returns to a very cold welcome from Minnie. Maggie tells Alf what Annie thinks and he realises that it's because he complimented her as hostess at his party. Maggie thinks Annie would be good in the role but Alf is determined to stop the idea dead. Norma asks Len to find a job for Jacko. Annie stalls Alf when she gives him some friendly advice and tells him to take his time before making any decisions. Lucille asks Ena how she feels about Christine Peters being put put on probation but Ena isn't vengeful. She asks Lucille if there's anything wrong with Minnie. Alf threatens to announce his Mayoress to the papers to twists Maggie's arm but she stops him. Jacko is pleased with the write-up in the Gazette. Rita agrees to go to the pictures with Ray, annoying Len when Elsie tells him.
Wed, Jan 24, 1973
Elsie wonders if Ray has seen Len that morning. Jacko is offered a job by a man named Stanley Fowler in Oakhill who has read his story in the Gazette. Norma would rather he had something closer to home. Len is short-tempered with Alf when he asks him to intercede with Maggie on his behalf. Minnie snubs Ena in the Rovers. Ena asks Bet, Rita and Norma how Minnie's been behaving while she's been away. Maggie tells Alf she's not yet made a decision. He promises to make inquiries about Mr Fowler. Lucille annoys Annie when she refuses to look after the pub for the evening so she can visit Nellie Harvey. Elsie delights in winding up Ray that when Len catches up with him he's going to thump him. Minnie calls on Ena but won't tell her what's wrong. A worried Ray asks Rita to explain to Len that there's nothing between them but she refuses. He goes to the yard where Len tells him Elsie's been pulling his leg. He also tells him that it's him who's going to be doing the Huddersfield job. Annie bores the regulars with talk of being Mayoress. Jacko takes the Oakhill job, as resident chauffeur and handyman. Minnie questions Ena as to whether she's ever done anything in life to stop her getting to heaven. Left alone in the flat, Minnie takes the letter she found. Norma is pleased when she hears that Fowler is also an ex-con who wants to give Jacko a second chance. Alan promises to deal with Jimmy Frazer when he returns next week. Annie takes Lucille to task for being late for her evening meal. Having had enough of being treated like a child, she packs and leaves home.
Mon, Jan 29, 1973
Ken feels No.1 is depressing and wants it decorated. Albert tells him to move out if he doesn't like it. Suitcase in hand, Lucille looks for bedsits. Annie is short with Hilda when she cuts her arm. Annie frets over Lucille, thinking she never liked her, only Jack. Minnie tells Emily she's upset over something Ena did in her past. Emily can see that there's something very wrong with her. Alan makes an appointment to see Jimmy Frazer. Lucille runs off from one bedsit where she's put off by a seedy landlord who leers at her from his window in his dirty vest. Albert is annoyed that Jerry is in his house for a decorating quote. Jerry offers to mediate on the "design" between him and Ken. Lucille is taken in by George Scully for £6.50 a week in a room in 21b Marsland Road, Mossley Range. For Elsie's sake, Alan dissolves his partnership with Jimmy Frazer and plans to deal solely in used cars. Annie is pleased when Lucille rings and tells her about the bedsit, describing it as "cosy". She decides to let her have her own space. Emily tells Ena about Minnie's mood but she refuses to get involved. Emily calls on Minnie and hears that she's upset about Armistead. Jerry puts in a steep estimate and Ken decides he'll do the decorating himself, even though Albert doubts his abilities. Minnie lets Emily read the letter she took from the flat- a love letter from her husband, Armistead Caldwell, to Ena dated 1919. Minnie breaks down at her best friend's betrayal.
Wed, Jan 31, 1973
Albert gets grumpy when Ken refuses to do the decorating and starts scraping off the old paper himself. Hilda boasts about Stan's decorating prowess. Annie frets about how Lucille is getting on and exactly where her bedsit is. Billy tells her that Lucille is capable of looking after herself. Lucille rings Elsie to order some discount bedding from the warehouse and is shocked at the expense.Albert is called away to help at the Community Centre. Emily tells Ena that Minnie has found the letter. Lucille tries to make improvements to her bedsit with a poster on the wall and painting a chest of drawers purple but George Scully objects. Ena explains the letter was written after a argument between Minnie and Armistead on a trip to Marple Lakes in 1919 and persuades Minnie that there was nothing in her friendship with him as Ena just provided a shoulder to cry on that day. Ena later admits to Emily that Armistead's intentions were far more serious than she let on to Minnie. Emily promises to keep the secret. Billy, Ken, Alan, Jerry and Len play poker at the Rovers. Ken wins but instead of taking their money they agree to decorate for him. Lucille feels lonely and depressed in her flat.
Mon, Feb 5, 1973
Alan asks Len, Jerry and Ken not to tell Elsie about the poker game loss and the decorating. Elsie tells Billy about Lucille's bedding request and gives him her bedsit address. He worries when he hears from the menfolk about the area. Annie refuses to visit Lucille until she's invited. Alf and Maggie enjoy a Sunday lunch together. Alf tells her about a false alarm over a letter bomb that was received at the Post Office. They are interrupted by Hilda who makes pointed comments about them being a couple, especially when Alf makes her Mayoress. Billy visits Lucille with the bedding. He's not impressed with its dinginess. Lorraine Binks tries to get a job as a go-go dancer at the Capricorn. Len tries to chat to Rita but she puts him off until the evening. Billy tells Annie that Lucille is miserable but she won't admit it. She can't understand her attitude. Betty tells Maggie to take up Alf's offer of being his Mayoress. Billy takes Annie to visit Lucille. She insists on giving Lucille some money and is appalled to hear the rent is £6.50 per week and that George Scully makes a profit from the electric meter. The regulars demand that Alf declare his choice of Mayoress. Len goes back to the club and Rita allows him to buy her a drink. Annie can't get hold of Scully and she demands that Alf do something about crooked landlords. Lorraine looks for Lucille and Billy gives her the address. He takes the opportunity to chat her up. Maggie turns Alf down. Rita introduces Len to her new boyfriend Johnny Mann.
Wed, Feb 7, 1973
Len and Johnny Mann start getting at each other, much to Rita's amusement. Alf is disappointed with Maggie's decision and realises he's no option but to ask Annie but makes it clear to Maggie that it'll be on his strict terms. Lorraine visits Lucille. She tells her there's no work going as a go-go dancer. Lucille feels lonely with no spare money to go out. Alf insists that Maggie join him when he asks Annie to be Mayoress. Ken agrees with Annie that Lucille is being exploited. Jerry does some work for Maggie in the Corner Shop back room. Ena calls and gives him a treasured old print of Manchester that Alfred Sharples bought her one Christmas to frame for her to give as a present to someone. Alf asks Annie to be his Mayoress and she accepts. He makes it clear that she looks after being a hostess and he looks after the opinions. They toast each other. Len challenges Johnny to a fight and he accepts. They retire to the toilets for a punch-up. Betty thinks Maggie has said "yes" to Alf. Billy drops a hint to Elsie to visit Lucille and she agrees. Len is impressed that Johnny is a judo black-belt and realises that he has no chance against him. The two grow friendlier. Alf announces Annie as Mayoress. She gives drinks on the house. Betty is annoyed. Rita is thrown when Len and Johnny return to the bar on friendly terms. Elsie visits Lucille with more bedding. Billy worries how Annie's new position will affect his home comforts and the running of the Rovers. He suggests that Annie asks Lucille to return to fill the gap but she refuses. He intends to ask her himself. Lucille admits to Elsie that she can't stand being in the bedsit but she can't return to being under Annie's roof. Jerry is touched when Ena gives him the picture as a present. Elsie tells Lucille to leave the bedsit and move into No. 11. Lucille worries what Alan will say.
Mon, Feb 12, 1973
Hilda is touched when Stan presents her with flowers and a card for her birthday but the card wishes her a happy fiftieth when she's only forty-nine. Elsie tells Alan that Lucille's going to be their lodger - he's not pleased as he doesn't want her with them. He agrees she can stay for one night only and they row. George Scully refuses to give Lucille her rental advance back and insists on inspecting the bedsit for damages. Annie has gone to Derby to boast to Joan about being Mayoress. Maggie gets Betty to admit she wanted her to be Mayoress for the reflected glory. Alf and Maggie agree that there's no hard feelings about her refusal. Stan is adamant that Hilda is fifty. She determines to prove him wrong. Bet is going on a blind date. Alan and Billy join forces to get Lucille to return to the Rovers before Annie comes back. Scully accuses Lucille of breaking an element in a electric fire and insists on £4 to repair it. He insists on holding her case as security. Emily suggests that Ernie photographs Alf and Annie in their robes to drum up more business. Hilda produces her birth certificate to prove she's forty-nine. Lucille tells Billy she's at the Howards for as long as she wants. Alan isn't pleased when Lucille turns up, oblivious to the fact that she isn't welcome. She tells them about the retained £4. Elsie is livid and determines to get it back but Alan thinks he'd better do it. At night, Alf gives Bet a lift home when he sees her waiting at a bus stop after her night out. Stan promises to make it up to Hilda with something special. Alf gets lost and reverses into a private drive to do a three-point turn. The old owner, Mrs. Leach, walks into his bumper while looking for her cat. Alf gives her his address before he drives off. Her son wonders who he is.
Wed, Feb 14, 1973
Stan gets Hilda another birthday card with the correct age on but she's not mollified. Alan isn't pleased to have Lucille hanging around but Elsie can't face asking her to leave. Alan determines to get Lucille's £4 back off George Scully but can't understand why she can't go back to the Rovers. Maggie agrees to speak to Lucille. Ernie and Emily suggest to Alf that they take a commemorative album for his year in office. Hilda overhears and has an idea. Billy stalls telling Annie that Lucille is living at No. 11 and has to find a way to get her to return home. Lucille is angry when Maggie drops hints that she's getting under Elsie's feet. Alan visits George Scully and threatens him with the police. Hilda tells Stan there is a way he can get into her good books. He agrees without knowing what it is. Alan gets the case back as Lucille returns to stay at the bedsit. He agrees she can return to No. 11. Stan asks the Bishops for a "commemorial album". Emily agrees but Ernie is reluctant. Alf tells Bet that Norman Leach has written to him demanding £200 compensation for his mother. She agrees to be his witness that nothing worth talking about happened. Elsie is pleased that Alan has given way. Stan decides to throw a party for Hilda so the Bishops can take official photographs of them for the album. She's delighted. Alf tells Maggie about Leach but that Bet was with him at the time. Billy asks Lucille to return but she refuses. Annie rings to say she's coming home tomorrow.
Mon, Feb 19, 1973
Alan continues to be impatient at Lucille's presence in No.11. Hilda has problems organising her party and decides to postpone it for a week. Staff of the Mark Brittain Warehouse play football in the middle of the street during a work break. Albert says he's a member of the Ogden family - through marriage with the Barlow family - and therefore should get an automatic invitation to the party. Ernie and Emily make arrangements to take a formal picture of the Ogdens to go in their album. Hilda studies Annie's etiquette book for her party. Norman Leach calls on Alf and demands compensation of £200 for the "injuries" caused to his mother but he admits she didn't see a doctor. Alf senses blackmail and asks him to leave. Hilda reads up etiquette tips to Stan though the contents of the book are misunderstood by them. Billy tells the regulars that Annie is annoyed at Lucille's absence and has gone to see Elsie. Albert and Minnie say that Annie just feels unwanted. Alf tells Bet about Leach's visit, admitting that he didn't tell him that she had been in the car with him. Hilda is touched when Stan gives her money to have her hair done. Annie takes to her bed with the news about Lucille. Elsie tells Lucille that Annie will be alright. Leach calls on Alf again. Alf threatens him with the police but Leach is unmoved and, in turn, threatens to go to the papers.
Wed, Feb 21, 1973
Alf rings Norman and tells him to come round at midday. Alan gets annoyed when Lucille hogs the bathroom and he and Elsie row about her continuing to live with them. Lucille gets a phone call and makes arrangements to meet someone that night when the Howards are at the cinema. Ernest and Emily are asked to produce a portrait of Stan and Hilda based on one of the Royal family. Alf offers Leach £25 to drop the complaint but he's not interested. Alf ups the amount to the requested £200. Alan gets annoyed when Lucille nags him about his eating habits. The Ogdens have a picture taken with their new serving trolley and their "silver" tea service. Annie remains in her bed, reading a book about serving in office. Albert is annoyed when Ken buys a new electric cooker. Len offers Jerry's services in installing it. Alf tells Bet about the cheque he's written. She's annoyed that Alf seems ashamed of the fact that she was in the car. She rings Leach to come round to the Rovers that night. The Howards go out leaving Lucille alone. Bet threatens Leach with the police, guessing he's got form for extortion. He gives her the cheque back but threatens her with revenge. Lucille entertains old friend Keith Burgess at No. 11. The residents get ready for the coming of VAT. Stan and Hilda show off in the Rovers about their forthcoming party. Bet gives Len his cheque back. Alan and Elsie return early and are not pleased to find Keith there. Elsie is livid but Alan understands that Lucille's habit of having to conceal her private life from Annie is difficult to drop. Stan and Hilda look forward to their party.
Mon, Mar 5, 1973
Albert is rushed to hospital and the Street residents are evacuated to the Community Centre. Billy tries to get in touch with Ken in Saddleworth and calls Dave Robbins. Eventually Betty gets the police to put a call out for Ken over the radio. Minnie is upset when Bobby can't be found. Elsie has to sit around in her freshly washed hair and Hilda worries about Stan's whereabouts. The residents speculate as to the cause of the leak. Ken returns to the Street and is stunned to see police activity. Ted Loftus tells him about Albert and he races to the hospital. Len and Elsie reminisce about the 1961 gas leak when the residents were evacuated to the mission. Albert is put into an oxygen tank and Ken keeps vigil. Stan phones the centre and lets Hilda know he's at a club down Argyle Street. Ted finds Bobby and returns him to Minnie. As the police give the all clear it becomes apparent that Jerry might be to blame as he installed the new electric cooker.
Wed, Mar 7, 1973
Reporter Clive Shawcross investigates Albert's plight. Hilda is all too happy to tell him a local firm of plumbers might be responsible. Jerry hides away as he blames himself. Billy pushes Bet and Betty too hard at the Rovers. He teases them by saying he's considering becoming a figurehead. Ernie and Emily Bishop are concerned about the low attendance figures at the centre and call a meeting to get ideas from the public. They're dismayed when nobody turns up for it. Len and Ray try to protect Jerry but Jerry tells Clive that he installed the cooker. Minnie, Hilda, Ted Loftus and Mrs Toft join the Bishops at the meeting. Based on their suggestions, the Bishops decide to start creative writing and formation dancing at the centre. Bet and Betty picket the pumps to teach Billy a lesson. He backs down. Clive's story carries the headline "Nosy Neighbour Saves Pensioner" and carries a quote from Hilda. The neighbours blame Hilda for gossiping about the plumbing. News reaches Ken that Beattie Pearson is arriving. Ken reveals the leak was from the old cooker pipe; it wasn't sealed properly.
Mon, Mar 12, 1973
Elsie tries to see Alan's tattoo in a mirror but fails. Ray tells Len that Rita shouldn't be working in a sleazy place like The Capricorn but he's not interested. Beattie Pearson calls at the yard and demands compensation and treatment for Albert in a private ward. Ray and Len stand by Jerry and tell her to get a solicitor. The men give her £3 as a whip-round for Albert and Ray tells her that's all she's getting. Jerry makes an offer to Len and Ray to say the job was done as a foreigner to avoid the yard being sued but Len refuses. Hilda tries to write a play before she goes to stay with Archie Crabtree for a couple of weeks. Ken and Norma return from visiting Albert with the news that he's off the danger list. Beattie makes enquiries at the hospital about private treatment. Alf also tells Len about the Capricorn. Hilda gives her play about a gas leak to Ken to read. Lucille speculates about the number on the tattoo. Len goes to the club and takes an instant dislike to Dougie Bowker's sleaziness. Elsie and Lucille manoeuver Alan into raising his shirt so they can read the tattoo. Dougie tells Rita to keep Len happy. She warns him that Len's a councillor. The residents offer to look after Albert in turn to avoid Beattie having to stay at No.1. Ken tells Norma the play was awful. Elsie goes to ring the Portsmouth number on the tattoo but chickens out when a woman answers. Len tries to get Rita to leave the club but she doesn't want to know and tells him to get knotted. Beattie refuses to leave No.1 until she gets compensation. Dougie demands to know what the councillor wanted with her. At home, Rita discovers Terry Bates on the doorstep waiting for her, telling her he's run away.
Wed, Mar 14, 1973
Elsie tries to see Alan's tattoo in a mirror but fails. Ray tells Len that Rita shouldn't be working in a sleazy place like The Capricorn but he's not interested. Beattie Pearson calls at the yard and demands compensation and treatment for Albert in a private ward. Ray and Len stand by Jerry and tell her to get a solicitor. The men give her £3 as a whip-round for Albert and Ray tells her that's all she's getting. Jerry makes an offer to Len and Ray to say the job was done as a foreigner to avoid the yard being sued but Len refuses. Hilda tries to write a play before she goes to stay with Archie Crabtree for a couple of weeks. Ken and Norma return from visiting Albert with the news that he's off the danger list. Beattie makes enquiries at the hospital about private treatment. Alf also tells Len about the Capricorn. Hilda gives her play about a gas leak to Ken to read. Lucille speculates about the number on the tattoo. Len goes to the club and takes an instant dislike to Dougie Bowker's sleaziness. Elsie and Lucille manoeuver Alan into raising his shirt so they can read the tattoo. Dougie tells Rita to keep Len happy. She warns him that Len's a councillor. The residents offer to look after Albert in turn to avoid Beattie having to stay at No. 1. Ken tells Norma the play was awful. Elsie goes to ring the Portsmouth number on the tattoo but chickens out when a woman answers. Len tries to get Rita to leave the club but she doesn't want to know and tells him to get knotted. Beattie refuses to leave No. 1 until she gets compensation. Dougie demands to know what the councillor wanted with her. At home, Rita discovers Terry Bates on the doorstep waiting for her, telling her he's run away.
Mon, Mar 19, 1973
Terry Bates tells Rita they're going to put him in a home. She puts him up for the night. Beattie Pearson refuses Jerry's offer to bring Albert home in his van but she refuses. She gets £5 "compensation" out of him and demands the same every week but he refuses to sign any document promising such. Lucille tries to push Elsie into ringing up the Portsmouth number. Terry confesses he's already been taken into care. Ena overhears Beattie ordering expensive foods in the Corner Shop. Len and Ray fear they may get struck off the CORGI list of approved fitters of gas appliances. Albert comes home and gets annoyed at Beattie's fussing nor the fancy food she has got in. Under pressure from Lucille, Elsie rings the number in Portsmouth and discovers a Mrs Adams lived there during the war and she is the mother-in-law of the woman on the phone. Jerry calls on Albert and Ena gets Beattie out of the way. Albert tells Jerry not to bother himself over the gassing and gives a grateful Minnie a brooch for raising the alarm. Ray tells Jerry he was barmy for giving Beattie money. Rita asks Ken for help. She tells him that Terry's run away and she wants to foster him but Ken tells her the authorities will need to be brought in as the court ordered him to be put in care after a series of incidents. Norma and Maggie are furious to hear that Beattie is draining Jerry of money and think that somebody ought to stop it. Lucille persuades the lady in Portsmouth to send an old photo of Mrs Adams to Elsie. Social worker Vincent Baxter calls on Rita to see if she's seen Terry. She lies to him, saying that she hasn't seen the lad for months. She admits to Terry that she doesn't know what's going to happen to him.
Wed, Mar 21, 1973
Norma rows with Beattie Pearson over her weekly £5 from Jerry, saying it's blood money. Ena agrees with Norma that Albert is probably behind it but refuses to tackle him. Ken tells Rita that Vincent Baxter, the children's officer, has been asking him about Terry Bates but he didn't give her away. He threatened anyone involved with six-month imprisonment or £100 fine or both. The photograph has arrived at No.11 but Alan's not in it. Albert tells Norma he knows nothing about the money and asks her to send Jerry round tonight. At Lucille's suggestion, Elsie shows the photo to Len. He shows her that he has the same tattoo and explains it's the number of the Chief Petty Officer's daughter, Lil, but he refuses to say more. Rita asks Len to come round. Len tells Alan that Elsie and Lucille know about the number but he span them a tale. Len tells Rita he can't help her with the trouble she's in and persuades her to call Mr Baxter. Terry is taken away with no stain on Rita's character. She breaks down and Len comforts her. Albert tells Jerry to keep his money; they'll be no compensation claim as he's suffered more than him. Albert demands the £5-a-week claim paper off Beattie. She is disgusted. They row and packs to leave. Alan tells Elsie and Lucille that Pompey Lil was a cipher expert who had to be sent urgent messages. They're not convinced. Ken is delighted to see Beattie leave. Len gets a letter saying that CORGI are sending an inspector round. Rita gives up the Capricorn. Maggie gets a telegram - "lover boy" is arriving tomorrow: she is baffled.
Mon, Mar 26, 1973
With Elsie away at Linda's, Annie worries about Lucille being in No.11 with Alan. Rita enquires about jobs at the warehouse. Maggie is embarrassed when Norma asks customers if they're "lover boy". CORGI clears the Yard over the gas leak. Annie has Billy's bedroom decorated by Fairclough and Langton to get him to stay at No.11 as well. Ray insists they get to decorate the public as well to make it worth their while. Mike Ritchie arrives at the shop from the States. He is someone who Maggie had a romantic attachment with some years before. Maggie is happy to see him. Billy plans a wild night at No.11 with girlfriend Julie Quinn and asks her to bring a friend for Alan. He persuades Lucille to stay with Lorraine Binks for the night. The hotels are booked up so Annie takes Mike in for the night, horrifying Lucille who says Maggie has a date with Alf so that leaves Mike alone with Annie. Out of concern for Annie, she returns to the Rovers. Billy entertains Julie but, sensing trouble, Alan is not delighted to meet her friend: Deirdre Hunt.
Wed, Mar 28, 1973
Ray and Len gate-crash the party at No. 11 having heard the sounds from next door. Ray meets Deirdre and gets her to ring for more of her girlfriends. Norma and Jerry enjoy a drink with Mike Ritchie. Deirdre's friend, Carol Wyatt joins the party and dances with Ray. A tipsy Deirdre bores Alan. As the party warms up, Rita and Mike Ritchie arrive. Ray rings for Bet to join them to dance with Mike. Bet feigns a headache and Annie lets her go early. Alan can't shake off Deirdre as the others dance around him. Annie feels Lucille is being over-protective. Len and Rita declare their love for each other but she warns him not to treat her like a mug in future. He gives her money to treat herself and they kiss. Alan despairs as Deirdre gets more and more drunk. Annie and Lucille settle their differences with each other. Norma lets Jerry read Ken's poem and they agree that they're good friends. Maggie decides not to tell Alf about Mike. Everyone leaves the party at 2.00am with Mike sleeping on the back room floor. Billy rings Lucille and gets her to tell Annie that Mike's staying the night with a friend in Bury. Unknown to Alan, Deirdre crashes out on Lucille's bed.
Mon, Apr 2, 1973
With Elsie due back, Alan panics to get the house tidy before she returns. Billy and Mike Ritchie offer limited help as Deirdre sleeps on, upstairs and undiscovered. Norma makes fun of Maggie and Mike's attraction for her. Jerry thinks of taking up pipe smoking. The Bishops worry as business is very bad. Maggie rings the Rovers and finds that Mike didn't spend the night there. Alan finds Deirdre's jacket in the hall and tells Billy to get rid of it. Elsie returns and shows off her new shoes in the Corner Shop before she calls home. Norma is depressed about her dull life and think she needs romance. Len, Ray and Jerry start decorating the Rovers but proceed at a slow pace, with Bet keeping an eye on them. Back in her house, Elsie meets Mike and thinks he and Alan have been playing cards late at night or something as they look tired. They hear Deirdre on the stairs and Elsie finds her stood there in her underclothes. Julie Quinn rings Billy to see if he knows where Deirdre is. Elsie has stormed out. Billy returns Deirdre's coat and she leaves. Alan blames Billy for his predicament. Elsie seethes in Maggie's back room. Mike refuses to help Billy explain the truth of events to Elsie. The decorators play dominoes and then darts rather than work. Ernie has trouble drumming up new work. The neighbours laugh about Alan's predicament. Alf is surprised when Mike arrives in shop with flowers for Maggie.
Wed, Apr 4, 1973
Annie won't come out of her bedroom while the Rovers decorating proceeds, albeit slowly. Rita can't find another job. Billy makes a joke about her working with Ernie but Len takes it seriously. Alf worries about Mike Ritchie. Elsie and Alan aren't talking to each other and Lucille is caught in the middle, passing on messages. Mike gives Ernie a load of films to develop but Ernie is still depressed about the business. Len suggests that Rita could work for him as a model but is refused. Maggie makes Elsie think that Alan could be innocent of doing anything wrong. Maggie refuses Mike's offer of lunch but asks him to tell Elsie the truth of what happened at the party. He agrees. Norma tells Maggie that she always puts the shutters up anytime that a man shows an interest in her. Lucille asks Jerry to speak with Elsie. He reluctantly agrees. Alf bickers with Mike in the pub about life in the United States. Ena tells Mike that Alf is interested in Maggie. Elsie invites Mike and Maggie to supper. Jerry tells Elsie the truth about events and she allows Alan to tell her his side. Annie tells Betty that she's called in an elocution teacher for public speaking lessons. Ernie takes Rita on as a roving photographer, contacting people who announced their babies' births in the Gazette six months before and offering to photograph them. Mike tells Maggie he might not be returning to the USA. Ernie tells Emily of "his" roving idea. She thinks it's a great job for herself, not knowing that Rita has already been employed.
Mon, Apr 9, 1973
Elsie and Norma try to find out how Maggie feels about Mike. Mike confides in Len that he's in love with a widow in the States but is waiting for her to say "yes". Albert wears sunglasses in the Rovers as he thinks the new decor is too brightly-coloured. Jerry hates doing all the work himself, with Annie preparing herself for an elocution lesson from Sybil Cudlipp. Rita starts as a rep for Ernie. Emily thinks she's is the wrong person to promote the child portraits and will bring in the wrong sort of trade. Alf taunts Mike in the Rovers for the Americans' late entry to the war. Everyone thinks he is out of order. A letter arrives for Mike from Wichita. Sybil Cudlipp arrives for Annie's lesson. Annie finds her breathing lessons pointless and doesn't like the way Sybil treats her like a beginner. Bet eavesdrops on their lesson and struggles to contain her laughter. Rita proves her worth by getting six orders with eight possibles. Emily is dismissive, thinking most of them will change their minds. Ernie tells Rita he can't pay her commission until the money is in the bank. Mike takes Maggie to a restaurant in Derbyshire. Maggie hands the letter to Mike, unaware that he's awaiting a reply from his love in Wichita.
Wed, Apr 11, 1973
Rita makes Emily realise she has no reason to feel jealous of her. Mike Ritchie tells Len his widow in the States wants him back. Annie gets tired of Sybil Cudlipp and tells her that she thinks she doesn't need any more elocution lessons. Mike tells Maggie he's returning to the States, she hopes he will take her with him but he's going alone. Maggie blames Alf for influencing him. Annie is told to expect a visit from the retiring Mayoress and is horrified to discover the living room is in the middle of redecoration.
Mon, Apr 16, 1973
Bet and Betty are forced to decorate the Rovers' living room. With Hilda away at Archie Crabtree's, Annie advertises for a temporary cleaner. Alf is pleased that Mike has returned to the States and expects to walk back into Maggie's life. Albert snubs Beattie over Easter due to what happened with Jerry. Ken returns from Scotland. Alf is surprised when Maggie refuses to go out with him tonight - or any other night. He doesn't know what he's done. Norma tells Len that Maggie blames Alf for Mike leaving. Alf's old headmaster Herbert James congratulates him on becoming Mayor. While in the area, he seeks out his old friends - Minnie and Albert. Albert is annoyed by him boasting of his fitness. Emily blames Rita when she goes to the wrong Deanswood Drive to follow up an order. She admonishes Rita when she sees paperwork pertaining to the Camera Shop sprawled on a table at the Rovers. Retiring Mayoress Ethel Bostock arrives at the Rovers while Annie is away shopping. Len tells Alf about Mike's woman in Wichita and asks Elsie to tell Maggie to put Alf in the clear. Herbert plans to go on a walking trip in the country and tries to get Albert interested. Alf starts to tell Maggie about the widow but she snappily cuts him off before he can get the message across. Norma tells Annie that a woman has answered the job advert. Annie returns to the Rovers and mistakes Ethel for the cleaner come for an interview.
Wed, Apr 18, 1973
Annie tries to patch over her embarrassment but Ethel Bostock is too down to Earth to mind and tells Annie she used to be a char. Annie's regard for her predecessor drops but she remains polite. When Herbert James talks of walking the Pennine Way - all 270 miles of it - Albert tells him that he'll do it as well. Ken thinks he won't survive it. Elsie tells Maggie that Mike returned to the States for a woman and not because of Alf. Annie is alarmed when Ethel recognises Minnie from the Over 60s club and talks about how glad she is that Annie is working class. Alf is dismayed when Maggie continues to snub him, telling him that he still tried to interfere in her life. Albert feels he has something to prove as he pulled out of a swimming race against Herbert when they were at school after pulling a muscle. Ena tells Ken that it was actually because his mother threatened to leather him - she was there. Emily tells Rita that her photograph orders were cancelled as she got them from the husbands and the wives didn't want them. Norma finds a mouse in the storeroom of the Corner Shop. Annie doesn't think much of Ethel. Alf sticks up for her, telling Annie that she's done more in her year as Mayoress than any other in recent memory. Ken asks Herbert to talk Albert out of doing the walk. Herbert tells him it won't be necessary - on the slim chance that Albert shows up, he won't last four miles. Knowing how stubborn his uncle can be, Ken doesn't share Herbert's confidence.
Mon, Apr 23, 1973
Maggie and Norma try in vain to get rid of the mice from the Corner Shop. Maggie thinks Tommy Deakin's stables under the viaduct are to blame. Jerry and Albert go walking on the Pennine Way. Len assures Maggie that the stables are clean as the council sent a rat-catcher round. He wonders why she hasn't forgiven Alf for Mike Ritchie leaving. Elsie knows she's hurting as she feels second best. Rita gets Ernie a job, photographing Terry Slade's strippers but he's not interested, on moral grounds. Albert gets fed up with Jerry's rations and goes off on his own to find a pub. Elsie finds a mouse at No. 11 and discovers, that with Hilda away, Stan's let the back yard become full of rubbish. To prove herself to Ernie, Emily takes on the strippers' assignment. Elsie discovers the binmen aren't calling at No. 13 but Stan refuses to let her inspect his kitchen. Alan thinks she asked him too aggressively. At the Old Nag's Head, Albert tackles a dismissive landlord who is full of praise for Herbert James who does the walk every year. Emily awkwardly begins photographing the strippers.
Wed, Apr 25, 1973
Elsie and Maggie tell Norma they need proof the mice are coming from No. 13 before they can report the Ogdens. She determines to get some. Emily starts to photograph the strippers in Terry Slade's club. She admits to him that Ernie doesn't know she's taken on the assignment. Bet accuses the menfolk of giving Stan the cold shoulder. He gets annoyed when Billy asks him how he's cleaning the house in Hilda's absence. On the Pennine Way, Albert strides ahead of an out-of-breath Jerry. He refuses to stop to eat and rest. Alan tells Elsie that Stan is absorbed in a darts game. She and Norma use the diversion to inspect No.13. Emily chats to Vicky, one of the strippers, asking her how she can do her work. She is astonished to find that her husband doesn't know what she does. Norma tells Elsie that No.13 is a tip. They decide to report the matter. Emily enjoys developing her prints. Stan gets annoyed at the constant references to the mice. Elsie and Norma insist Len reports the matter to the health department. He wants to make sure their report isn't exaggerated and Billy diverts Stan while he looks in the house himself. An unconcerned Albert sits in the Old Nag's Head waiting for Jerry who turns up eventually. He's furious at the selfish way that Albert behaves. Len doesn't think that No.13 is bad but Elsie is adamant that it's reported and rings herself. Ernie finds the negatives and he and Rita realise that Emily took the pictures. She robustly defends herself to Ernie and he's amazed when he finds out that she managed to charge fifty guineas for the job. Mr Worsley from the environmental health insists on inspecting No.13. Hilda rings the corner shop to pass on a message that she's returning tomorrow. Mr Worsley finds mice and cockroaches and tells Stan the house will be fumigated tomorrow.
Mon, Apr 30, 1973
Albert and Jerry have returned from their Pennine Way walk and Ray blames Jerry's nosebleeds on his exertions. Stan asks for assistance in clearing out No. 13 before the council men arrive to fumigate and Jerry and Lucille agree to help. Albert boasts about his physical prowess but is vague about how much of the walk they actually completed. Lucille is appalled at the state of No. 13's kitchen as there are days' worth of washing up outstanding. Nellie Harvey calls to see Annie but she's not back from Derby yet. She's angling for an invitation to the Mayoral ceremony. The fumigators turn up and tell Stan they'll be a couple of hours at their task. He hopes they'll be finished before Hilda returns from Archie's. Norma asks that the fumigators' van is moved from outside the Corner Shop and they park it in front of the warehouse. Ken is dubious about Albert's walking boasts. Hilda returns and is stunned when Arthur, the fumigator, answers the door. Annie also returns and Nellie presents her with a brooch from the Lady Victuallers to mark her inauguration as Mayoress. Hilda is mortified about the fumigators. Nellie pushes for an invite but Annie resists her. Betty feels sorry for Hilda. Ray pushes a nervous Billy for £5 that he's owed. Billy promises to get it for him. He asks Maggie to cash him a cheque and ends up borrowing the money from Alf. The fumigators tell Stan and Hilda they've finished and comment that the case was easily done as it was reported early. Hilda starts to wonder who by. Lucille is shocked to find out from Billy that it was Elsie who reported No. 13. Hilda bursts into the shop and accuses Maggie. She denies it being her. Hilda senses malice behind the report and threatens to swing for whoever it was. Elsie tells Betty she has no regrets about what she did.
Wed, May 2, 1973
Annie gets annoyed when Billy shows no interest in helping her pick a hat for the inaugural. He takes a call from someone chasing him up for money but puts them off. Hilda fails to turn up for work, raging in No.13 as to who reported them. She questions Stan as to how the neighbours behaved towards him while she was away, trying to identify the culprit. He admits that Maggie asked him to inspect the house. She draws up a shortlist. Billy asks Ray for a loan of £200 but he can't help him and tells him Len won't be able to either. Ken receives a visit from a man who gave Albert and Jerry a lift on the Pennine Way and who returns Albert's British Legion card. Jerry ruefully admits they didn't do the entire walk. Ken is pleased to have an opportunity to be able to silence Albert's boasting. Hilda confronts Maggie. Norma admits she and one other saw the state of the inside of the house but she won't tell her who rang the environmental health. Lucille thinks Elsie did the wrong thing but she tells her she feels no shame and doesn't care who knows it. Alf enters Weatherfield in the Manchester Festival. Nellie Harvey calls on Annie on a pretext to show off her Persian lamb coat. Lucille tells Hilda that Elsie reported her. Nellie pushes for a ticket for the inaugural but Annie tells her there are none left. Hilda and Elsie go for each other in the Rovers and Stan has to separate them. Alan tells Lucille not to let Elsie know that she was the one who told Hilda. Albert calls at Herbert James's house. Annie condescends to Elsie when she tries to apologise for the earlier fracas. Ken asks Bet to return Albert's card in front of everybody. Before she can do so, Albert returns and tells Ken that Herbert has died. Ken kindly gives Albert the card saying he found it on the kitchen floor. Fred Nelson of the caterers pushes Billy for the £202.75 he owes them. He promises to sort it in the morning and tells an enquiring Annie just to enjoy her big day tomorrow.
Mon, May 7, 1973
Albert refuses to decorate the outside of his house for the Manchester Festival. Bet is getting tired of Annie going on about being Mayoress. Billy snaps at Annie when she pushes him to get ready for the installation. He begs Fred Nelson to deliver the food for the party to be held afterwards. Elsie tells Maggie to wish Alf luck to show that there's no hard feelings. Annie starts to get in a panic as the time to depart nears. She's worried and disappointed when Billy cries off attending, citing illness. She, Betty and Lucille wonder if it's the same virus that's confined Len to his bed. Albert is interested when he sees that Ena has received a letter from the USA. Hilda denies that she's jealous of those invited to attend the installation. Ena shows Albert the letter. It's from her great-nephew Tom Schofield to say that he and his wife Faye-Marie are coming over for the Manchester Festival. As she practices her speech, Annie remembers Jack before she leaves for the Town Hall. The limousine arrives and Annie and Alf are seen off by the residents. Maggie wishes them both luck before they go. At the Town Hall, the installation takes place. Ken, Lucille, Betty and Ena are invited as representatives of the community but Lucille finds the whole thing a giggle as Ernie films the ceremony on his cine-camera. The ceremony adjourns so that Alf can be robed. Minnie boycotts the Rovers as she wasn't invited. Maggie tries to make the peace between Elsie and Hilda but fails. Fred Nelson calls in the Rovers and tells Bet that Billy's cheque has bounced and unless they're paid cash they won't deliver the food. She tries to contact Billy at the doctors. Alf is robed and presents Annie as Mayoress. Bet tells Billy about Nelson's visit and he tries to contact another caterer. Ethel Bostock gives Annie her chain of office and flowers. She makes her speech. Garbutts agree to deliver the food. Billy tells a concerned Bet that he's puts all his hopes on the 3.30 race.
Wed, May 9, 1973
Albert complains at the slow service in the Rovers and Hilda complains at the lack of pies as Bet struggles alone behind the bar. The installation ceremony concludes. Annie is touched when Ena presents her with a bouquet on behalf of all the Coronation Street residents. A drinks reception is held for the attendees. Lucille agrees to be Concepta's bridesmaid at her wedding in Ireland. Annie asks Alf if they can be on first name terms from now onwards. Billy loses on the horses. Fred Nelson tells Bet that Billy has twenty-four hours to pay up or the Brewery will be informed but Garbutts deliver on time for the Rovers party. Hilda sees Billy in the betting shop and makes pointed comments about him missing him mother's big occasion. Although tired, Annie thoroughly enjoys her day. She's puzzled by Billy's absence. Bet tries to cover for him. Betty still thinks that Maggie should have accepted Alf's offer to be Mayoress. Hilda tells Betty that she saw Billy in the betting shop. Annie feels too busy to attend Concepta's wedding. Billy avoids Annie as the regulars celebrate the installation of the Mayor of Weatherfield with a party in the Rovers. Annie realises that the caterers are different to their usual ones. She asks Bet why. Billy's last horse loses. Hilda tells Annie she saw Billy in the betting shop. She demands to know from Bet what has been going on.
Mon, May 14, 1973
Billy returns in the early hours after a night out with lads and a wallet full of notes. Annie tells him she knows about the money owed to the caterers but he makes up excuses and apologises for missing the installation. Ena prepares her flat for Tom and Faye-Marie's arrival. She tells Ken they're interested in visiting Woburn Abbey and gives Minnie back the crumpets she insisted that the Corner Shop put in her delivery for the visitors. Billy rings the caterers, offering £100 in cash and promises the remainder by the end of the week. They reinstate their supplies. Alf gets annoyed when Annie is late getting ready for their first engagement - opening a jumble sale at St. Mary's Church Hall. Annie overhears Hilda recommending Benny Lewis's betting shop to him instead of the one on Beaker Street. Tom and Faye-Marie arrive. As they chat, Ena realises they're not mentioning her brother and they gently tell her that he died in his sleep a few days ago. Stan gets annoyed when young kids try to pinch his ladders. Ena isn't too upset about her brother, knowing he lived a good life in America. Minnie asks Alf and Annie to Ena's flat so that they can meet a genuine British Mayor. Ken teaches his pupils about the Wounded Knee Massacre. Alf and Annie pay their visit to Tom and Faye-Marie and are invited back to the Rovers. Tom gives Ena a lucky talisman that her mother gave to him when he left in 1912. Faye Marie is introduced to Ken who is now organising the trip to Woburn Abbey. She's taken with him. Annie refuses to let Stan bring his ladders into the Rovers. Faye-Marie agrees to give a talk to Ken's pupils. Mr Davies, the bank manager tells a shocked Annie about Billy's bounced cheque on the Rovers account.
Wed, May 16, 1973
Minnie plans to take Bobby on the trip to Woburn Abbey but Ena refuses to let her. Annie tries to back off the inaugural dinner of the Manchester Festival committee, citing personal reasons, but won't tell Alf why. Betty tells him that Billy's involved and he demands to know from Annie what's going on. She tells him about the £200 loss through gambling. She can make good the money but worries what the brewery say if they find out and their reputation as Mayor and Mayoress should the news get out. Alf recommends she sack Billy as manager. Ray arranges a "no strings attached" date with Norma. She asks Ken for a seat on the coach to Woburn Abbey and is disappointed to find out he's not going. She thinks he fancies Faye-Marie. A furious Annie confronts Billy about his theft and lies. She's horrified to find out that he's dipped into the Rovers' account in the past. She demands he returns the cheque book and refuses to talk to him further. The next day, Ken takes Faye-Marie to Bessie Street School. Tom tells Ena that he and Faye-Marie have an "open" marriage. Billy tries to apologise again to Annie but she's still upset and tells him he's no longer manager. Betty will take his place instead. She tells him all she wants want him is to feel proud of him. Faye-Marie gives her talk to Ken's pupils. Billy wishes Betty good luck. Hilda refuses to let Stan take any crates on the coach. Annie decides not to go to Woburn. Alf tells Billy not to let Annie blame herself and to get her to join the trip. Faye-Marie persuades Ken to go on the trip. Ray tells Norma that Walter Biddulph is selling his newsagents/cafe shop and he's interested in it. Billy tells Annie he's at rock bottom but is going to have a new start. She agrees to go to Woburn. He begs her to forget what he's done.
Mon, May 21, 1973
Ena, Annie, Ken, Minnie, Stan, Hilda, Tom, Faye and Norma arrive at Woburn Abbey. Billy looks in "Situations Vacant" while Betty upbraids Bet for being late for work. Billy tells Ray that Deirdre Hunt has been looking for him. He finds her at the yard, looking for work, a job offer in London having fallen through. He finds out she has experience serving in a shop. The travellers go through the safari park. Minnie's taken with the tigers. Hilda's nervous of them. Ena notices that Annie is distracted. Billy asks Len for work but realises he has no relevant experience. Ray wants Len to buy Biddulph's with him but gets no commitment. Stan pushes the travellers to go for a drink. Annie wants to meet the Duke of Bedford. Ray inspects Biddulph's. He offers Walter cash for the premises and finds out that Len bought it himself two weeks ago. Minnie gets separated from the others and finds herself at the souvenir stall. Alan and Elsie agree that they're getting on well nowadays. Alf has given the garage a twelve-month contract from the Town Hall. Len asks Elsie to be his manager at Biddulph's but she refuses. Alan suggests Rita instead. At the same time, Ray offers Deirdre the position. Stan is refreshed after a pint or two while Ena searches for Minnie. Norma can't get Ken away from Faye-Marie. The Duke sells Minnie a souvenir tea towel. Billy can't find a job at the Town Hall. The day trippers explore the main house, Stan having been dragged away from the bar. Len offers a surprised Rita the job with the flat over the premises to go with it, while in the Rovers Ray tells Deirdre the job is hers, bar a few loose ends.
Wed, May 23, 1973
Len tells Rita that the purchase of Biddulph's has gone through. Alf overhears a comment from Elsie that Alan has so much on he has to work the bank holiday. He tells Billy that could mean there's an opening at the garage for him. At Woburn Abbey Annie doesn't believe that the Duke of Bedford sold Minnie her tea towel. Alan is horrified to hear from Ray that Deirdre will be given a job at Biddulph's and be permanently in the area. Alan isn't sure he can offer Billy permanent work. Ray tells Deirdre the manager's job is hers. The daytrippers inspect Queen Victoria's state bedroom. Stan asks a man if there's a bar in the house, not realising he's talking to the Duke. Elsie advises Alan not to take on Billy as he can't be trusted. Hilda realises that Stan is missing rooms out on the tour so he can get back to the pub. He's unimpressed with the Canaletto room as it's not licenced. Len brings Rita to the shop and Ray realises that she's been offered the manager's job. Len pulls rank on him but suggests Deirdre could be the assistant. Alan tells Billy there's no job for him. Though disappointed, Billy wishes him well. Alan feels rotten. In the Canaletto room, Ena recognises one of the guides, Dora Wainwright, as an old friend. She introduces Ena, Minnie, Tom, Faye-Marie and a delighted Annie to the Duke. In the Rovers, Ray gives Deirdre the bad news. He's relieved when she he takes it well. Elsie sees her and demands to know what happened when she was in her house. Elsie gets a cheeky answer which makes her laugh. Len hears from Alf that Walter Biddulph is with a rich widow and his shop might not be the goldmine he thinks it is. The happy daytrippers leave for Weatherfield. Billy closes up the pub for the night, puts a letter on the bar for Annie and leaves with his suitcases.
Mon, May 28, 1973
The residents prepare for a Manchester Festival day party at the Community Centre and in the street. Emily thinks the hall tables should be placed outside but Ernie disagrees, citing the weather. Betty and Hilda wonder what's in the letter on the bar. Annie finds it and reads that Billy has gone to London to look for work there. Rita takes Terry Bates out for the day. Alf fetches Annie to officially open the party. Ena isn't pleased to hear that Ken and Faye-Marie have gone out together. A children's merry-go-round, a barrel organ, candy floss and other attractions have been set up in the street. Under questioning from Annie, Alan admits that he turned Billy down for a job after discussing it with Elsie. Alf tells Annie not to worry about Billy, or that what happened will affect her office. Annie asks Elsie if Billy was turned down due to their fall-out and makes it clear that she blames them for what's happened. An angry Elsie snaps back that Billy is just a failure. A strong man entertains the children in the street. Ken agrees to take Faye-Marie to Platt Fields Park to see the statue of Abraham Lincoln. Ena isn't pleased. Alf and Annie open the Festival Day and Annie gives a speech. Ken and Faye-Marie see the statue. Ray and Len enjoy having their picture taken with Miss Weatherfield. Faye-Marie makes it clear to Ken that she finds her life with Tom to be limited. Ena gives tea to Alf and Annie. She's silent when Ken brings Faye-Marie back, realising that she's after him. Minnie advises her to let well alone but she refuses.
Wed, May 30, 1973
In her role as Mayoress of Weatherfield, Annie prepares herself to meet Princess Alexandra at the official opening of the Manchester Festival. She denies that she's nervous at the prospect and gets annoyed at Hilda who can see that she's still upset at Billy's departure. The residents clear the Community Centre hall after the Festival day. Stan drops a trestle table on Jerry's foot. Ena questions Ken who assures her that he has no intentions on Faye-Marie. Alf thinks Annie should go and stay with Joan for a while. Alf and Annie leave for the ceremony, leaving Bet with an unstocked bar. Elsie's annoyed when Alan offers to help her bring crates up from the cellar, telling him that it's Annie's problem. Ena questions Faye-Marie about the state of her marriage and her attraction for Ken. She suggests that Ena tell her husband if she's that concerned. Ernie and Emily give the Schofields an album of photographs as a leaving present. Ena summons Tom who assures her that Faye-Marie just likes to meet people. Annie enjoys her day. She thanks Alf for his support and friendship and promises to think about taking a break. She rings George Bolton at the brewery. Ray starts a summer pools syndicate, with Bet, Alan and Stan for 25p each, four numbers each, sticking to the same sixteen all season. Tom thanks Ken for looking after his wife so well. The Schofields leave with the present of a pot cat from Minnie and a Lowry print from Ena. Jerry tells Len that Rita is over-riding his decisions about changes to the shop. Mr Bolton visits Annie. He promises to find her a relief manager while she takes a break but is shocked when she tells him that she might never return.
Mon, Jun 4, 1973
Annie tells the staff of the Rovers she's going away for at least a month. Jerry makes a date with Mavis Riley for the evening after waving to her when he sees her going to work at the Warehouse. Relief manager, Glyn Thomas, turns up but doesn't make himself known immediately, preferring to see how the land lies. Rita is worried that the shop won't be profitable. Annie and Elsie make up their differences. Mavis tells Jerry she's tired of working at the Warehouse. When Len refuses to give Rita an assistant, she tells him that he can keep the job.
Wed, Jun 6, 1973
Rita tells Elsie the main reason she packed the shop in was Len will have a key to the flat. Ernie starts ballroom dancing at the Community Centre. Ted Loftus asks Hilda to accompany him to it. Jerry offers Mavis the job at the shop but she doesn't like the idea of all the responsibility. Ethel Bostock to stand in as Mayoress during Annie's absence. Len backs down and gives Rita his duplicate key to the flat and promises her an assistant. Rita wants the shop to be called "Rita's" but Len wants it called "The Kabin". Ted wants Hilda to be his dance partner - she agrees. Jerry suggests to Mavis that she apply to be Rita's assistant. Mavis worries about what Rita is like. Annie leaves the Rovers, being driven off in the Mayoral Rolls.
Mon, Jun 11, 1973
Hilda is in a good mood over the ballroom dancing. Stan isn't happy about Ted Loftus being her partner until he realises that it will give him uninterrupted supping time when she's at her Community Centre lessons and gives his "permission". With the shop opening for business, Jerry paints the sign saying "The Kabin". Rita isn't pleased that Len has ridden rough-shod over her wishes. Mavis tells Jerry she has an interview that afternoon as Rita's assistant. Glyn Thomas wants Bet or Betty to be his personal cook whilst he's at the Rovers. Betty agrees to be Ernie's dance partner at the lessons with Emily away though she has to think of a way of getting the time off. Norma is taken with Glyn when he offers to buy her a drink. Jerry asks Rita to take into account Mavis's shyness when she sees her. A nervous customer buys his regular copy of "Pig Producers' Monthly" from Rita but wonders where the usual supplement is before he runs from the shop. Mavis is a bag of nerves and Jerry tries to calm her but she starts with hiccups as the interview begins. A second customer asks for "Pig Producers' Monthly" and Mavis takes advantage of his presence to bolt from the shop. Finding that Walter Biddulph has left, the customer cancels his order. Muriel Chaplin arrives at the Community Centre for the lessons and finds chairs set out. She annoys Albert when she demands they are cleared each week. Hilda, Ted and Ernie are the only ones who turn up for the lesson. Glyn tells Bet that he refuses to look on Betty as senior barmaid. Happy with that remark, she agrees to cook his dinner tomorrow. A reluctant Ray goes with Deirdre to the lesson but is startled when Muriel makes him do the first dance with her. Jerry goes to The Kabin to plead Mavis's case but is thrown when Rita tells him that the job is hers if she wants it. She tells Len she is puzzled by having half a dozen men during the day asking for the "Pig Producers' Monthly". Len is also puzzled - there isn't a piggery within five miles of them.
Wed, Jun 13, 1973
Mavis starts work at the Kabin and hides the girly magazines out of view. Rita demands they be displayed again. Jerry makes excuses to call in as a customer. Rita tells Len all but one customer has cancelled their order for "Pig Producers' Monthly". Glyn gives Betty an hour off to attend the Community Centre's dance class. She, Bet and Hilda are taken with his charm. Ray collects his pools money off a hard-up Stan. Albert complains what state the hall floor will look like after the dance lesson. Glyn gets Ernie to send the dancers over to the Rovers afterwards. Deirdre, Ray and Jerry eat in the Kabin's new café. Rita is puzzled when another customer asks for "Pig Producers' Monthly", asking if Walter Biddulph has had trouble getting his supplies from Denmark. Glyn has plans for enlarging the Public into the Select and asks Len for a quote. Albert overhears and gets Norma to find out what he's up to, not convinced that Annie's giving up the pub permanently. Stan is happy for Ted to dance with Hilda but worries that it'll cost him a lot for new dresses for her. Len tells Glyn he can get the job done quickly if he wants them to. Glyn tells Norma that he's only going to make recommendations to Annie when she comes back. Muriel brings her champion dancers to put on a display for the pupils. A policeman calls into the Kabin and tells Len and Rita that Biddulph was selling porn and they realise what the "Pig Producers' Monthly" cover was for. The pupils are impressed with the champion dancers. Albert tries to complain to Glyn but gets nowhere. Glyn drops a hint to Bet that Annie might not want to come back. Hilda sees a lot of money in Stan's tea cup but danger from a dark man.
Mon, Jun 18, 1973
Hilda sees the dark man again in the teacups. Stan asks her for a borrow but she has no spare change. Bet fusses over getting Glyn his dinner. He makes enquiries from Betty about how interested Billy would be in returning to the Rovers and whether that means Annie would carry on as landlady in his absence. Len and Rita look for paperboys to start deliveries from The Kabin. A shy Jerry asks Mavis round to No.9 to watch television one night. Glyn successfully gets Bet and Betty to push the darts players to order more drinks. Jerry gets tired of the noise, mess and general laziness from Len and Ray in No.9. Betty chats to Minnie in the bar who tells her about Jackie Rigby who used to live at No.9. Glyn gently tells Minnie off for distracting his staff and upsets her. She walks out of the pub in high dudgeon. Albert complains at the lack of books available from the Kabin lending library. Lucille gives Stan Alan's pools money to pass on to Ray. She then finds Minnie upset on the bench. She tells her about Glyn and how she's missing Ena. Lucille goes to have it out with Glyn but gets nowhere with him. She's furious with him when he says that the bad habits in the pub came from Annie's ways and she knows well what it was to suffer those. Bet also gives Stan her pools money. Jerry asks Len and Ray to give him one free night in the house so he can bring someone home. The wholesalers say that they can deliver early papers for the home deliveries at 5.30am. Rita refuses to get up at that time and says Len can do it. Stan doesn't hand the pools money over to Ray when he calls. Betty is appalled at the state of the back room in the Rovers. She warns Lucille that Glyn's getting his feet under the table.
Wed, Jun 20, 1973
Mavis gets embarrassed when Rita teases her about Jerry. Hilda asks in the Kabin for a pattern for a ballroom dress. Mavis suggests she designs her own and Hilda is taken with the idea. Rita tells Len that she and Mavis will do the early morning papers each day, bar Sunday, if they get a pay rise. Glyn confirms to Bet that there is a possibility that Annie will give up the Rovers and he might take over. Lucille writes to Annie about how Glyn upset Minnie. He asks Lucille to apologise to Minnie on his behalf and to call in for a drink on the house. Hilda draws up her own design. She wants a tailor's dummy to make it with but Stan is appalled at the £4 price. She gives him the money to get a postal order to send off for one. Jerry gets annoyed again at the state of No.9 and that he can't get the house to himself to bring Mavis round that Saturday night. He arranges to meet with her the next night instead. On the Sunday morning, Stan returns with an old tailor's dummy he's bought from Tommy Deakin claiming he paid £1 for it. Jerry cleans the house out. Lucille lets slip that Tommy offered her the dummy for 25p and Hilda realises that Stan's conned her. Jerry loses his temper with Len and Ray and tells them to stay out of the way that night. Minnie refuses to accept Glyn's apology. Glyn tells George Bolton of Newton and Ridley that he had ideas to modernise the pub. Ray checks his pools coupon and thinks he's won big.