1980

S8.E1 ∙ Pigs Might Fly

Fri, Nov 07, 1986

Clive feels that Gladys trapped him into proposing marriage to her and asks Ted to get him out of his fix. Spike has momentary feelings for Gladys but is reunited with his April. Yvonne refuses to leave her chalet after Barry walks out on her but Gladys persuades her old partner Julian to fill the breach and he duly obliges. A fearsome new camp controller, sent by Maplin, arrives in the night and immediately sacks the security guard.

6.6 /10

S8.E2 ∙ The New Broom

Fri, Nov 14, 1986

Having sacked several other employees, new camp controller Foster turns his attentions to the entertainment staff. Clive tries to use the situation to his advantage by telling Gladys that his parents will disown him if he marries her but it does not work. Whilst some of the male staff squabble about sleeping arrangements, Peggy tells Foster of her desire to become a Yellowcoat and he invites her to his chalet late at night. However he makes a play for her and threatens to sack her if she gives him away. She confides in Gladys, who comforts her.

6.3 /10

S8.E3 ∙ Orphan of the Storm

Fri, Nov 21, 1986

Foster fires Peggy on trumped up theft charges and Gladys goes to have it out with him. He makes a pass at her and punches Spike, who, still fond of her, goes to defend her. When Clive intervenes on Gladys's behalf Foster punches him too and sacks him. Both Peggy and Clive intend to make a low-key early morning exit but help arrives from an unexpected quarter. Down-at-heel Punch and Judy man Sammy saved Maplin's life during the war and now he is asking the camp boss to return the favour, which,of course, he does. Clive and Peggy are reinstated and Foster is recalled.

7 /10

S8.E4 ∙ God Bless Our Family

Fri, Dec 05, 1986

Clive's parents and uncles arrive at the camp to persuade him to return home. Their Rolls Royce breaks down, blocking access for the van delivering toilet paper and the Rolls is eventually loaded with the toilet tissues and pushed into the camp. Clive's parents try to dissuade him from marrying a 'common' girl like Gladys, who is hurt and returns Clive's ring to prove she is not just after his money. Touched by this and annoyed by his family's arrogance, Clive swears he will marry Gladys after all. He then wonders what he has done and asks for Ted's help. . . again.

7 /10

S8.E5 ∙ Only the Brave

Fri, Dec 12, 1986

Now surer of his feelings for April, Spike gets Ted to organize a mass outing to the cinema on April's birthday to watch her favourite film, 'Bambi'. Since this is one of Ted's dodgy deals with the projectionist behind the manager's back, when the staff arrive at the cinema, 'Bambi' has been returned and replaced with a black and white war film, during which Gladys falls asleep. She imagines all the staff as being characters in an old war movie, in which the heroic Clive is feared missing but returns to her for the romantic fade-out. When she wakes up everybody else but Clive and herself have gone home.

5.7 /10

S8.E6 ∙ September Song

Fri, Dec 26, 1986

Julian gives Yvonne a conducted tour of his pig farm but she is not dressed for the part and finds the experience rather off-putting. Ted falls for Betty, a young pianist who has won the camp's talent contest. Despite the age gap she has feelings for him and they plan to form a variety act together. However Betty's mother tells Ted that her daughter has been accepted at a prestigious music college and, if they marry as planned, it could harm Betty's considerable future as a pianist. Ted agrees to let her go but, during a theme evening of At the Circus, he is given a note from her to say that she did really love him.

7 /10