Tue, Jan 1, 1974
Arthur Harvey tells Annie it's because of her that he and Nellie are splitting up; he told Nellie that Annie was a real lady - unlike her. He is drunk and Annie lets him stay in Billy's room for the night. With Ena gone, Minnie and Albert consider running the Community Centre together when they are married. Nellie turns up at the Rovers and finds Arthur in pyjamas. She tells him that she's contacting her solicitor for divorce, citing Annie. Albert tells the Bishops he doesn't want Ena's job because he doesn't want to give up his house. He tells Minnie the Bishops won't give him the job because he's too old. She sets off to visit Ena and tells him that when she returns she wants to know whose house they're going to live in. Arthur leaves the Rovers but is not returning to Nellie.
Sun, Jan 6, 1974
Jerry books a table at Mario's Italian restaurant to take Mavis out. Mavis tells Maggie her parents are returning to Grange-over-Sands and if things don't work out with Jerry she's going with them. Arthur Harvey turns up with chocolates for Annie. She tries to get him to return to Nellie. He tells her that he's not returning; he wants to live with Annie. Mavis and Jerry can't understand the Italian menu so they copy from another couple. Annie visits Nellie who refuses to believe her story and threatens to sue Annie for enticement as well as announcing her divorce plans in the Gazette.
Tue, Jan 8, 1974
Alf reassures Annie that the Gazette won't be touching the Harveys' divorce. Mavis wants Jerry to make a move for her and asks him if he thinks she should go to Grange-over-Sands. He thinks she wants to go. Maggie and Alf are witnesses when Annie meets Arthur Harvey. She tells him that unless he goes back to Nellie she'll never speak to him again. Jerry tells Mavis he was married - she is shocked. Nellie takes Arthur back when he promises her he's finished with Annie. Mavis decides to go to Grange. Nellie apologises to Annie. Alan sends Lucille a telegram: he's returning tomorrow.
Sun, Jan 13, 1974
Rita is fed up at the Kabin on her own; no one has answered her advertisement for an assistant. Alan returns without Elsie. Rita takes on sixteen-year-old Christopher Cullen but isn't sure she's doing the right thing. Alan tells Lucille they're settling in Newcastle. He plans to sell the Canal Garage and give up the tenancy of No. 11. Hilda considers giving up charring to become Rita's assistant to prove her worth to Trevor. Albert suggests the Barlows take out the tenancy on No. 11. Chris makes Rita feel very uncomfortable. Albert makes Janet see that renting No. 11 would give them time on their own. She tells Ken that she's not going to live in the Street. Alan tells Ken the house will be rented fully furnished. Chris makes advances to Rita when they close up for the night. She makes him realise it wouldn't work and he leaves for good. Janet is won round by the furniture and Ken makes plans to move Peter and Susan in.
Tue, Jan 15, 1974
Hilda applies to be Rita's assistant. Stan advises her to go easy on the makeup as Rita will see her as competition. Lucille wants to leave the Betting Shop and asks Rita to take her on. Rita agrees to hire her without an interview. When Hilda protests, Len insists they both have trials, sure that Hilda will fail however she proves her worth with her initial customers and gains Len's approval when she generously laces Len's tea with whisky. Douglas Wormold wants £7 a week for No.11. The Barlows take it. Wormold buys the Howards' furniture so that he can let the house furnished. Alan sells the garage but doesn't tell anyone who he sold it to. Lucille gives up her job at the Betting Shop and asks Alan if she can live with them in Newcastle but they want to break all ties. She moves in with Lorraine Binks. Stan bodges things up for Hilda when she gives him money to spend in the shop in a carefully prepared scene to show Rita how efficient she is. Instead Stan spends it in the Rovers and rolls up drunk to The Kabin where he giggles and says he's forgotten what Hilda told him to say. Lucille gets the job instead. Stan tells Hilda it's her own fault for leaving him in a pub with £3. Alan is suspicious about Wormold renting the house to the Barlows furnished which means it can be easier for him to quickly evict tenants. Len confirms Alan's suspicions that the street is down for redevelopment.
Sun, Jan 20, 1974
The Barlows install themselves at No. 11. Janet doesn't like Elsie's taste in decor or furniture. Douglas Wormold is the frontman for the London development buying up properties although the plans haven't yet been approved. Len favour the development as he owns three properties in the area. Maggie tells Alf she plans to enlarge the shop - knocking into the storeroom and making it self-service. Alf worries about Maggie's plans because the shop could be demolished but, as the development is confidential, he can only caution her due to the expense. Billy returns as Alan has offered him first refusal on the Canal Garage. Annie worries that he has returned to ask for money. He denies it but doesn't tell her about the garage. Maggie gets an architect in - an old friend of Gordon's - who tells her it'll cost over £1,000. Hilda sees him and guesses that Maggie is having the shop done up. Janet wants to start having friends over for dinner now that she and Ken have their own home. Billy checks with Len that Alan isn't trying to fleece him. Betty finds a wad of £2,000 in cash in Billy's case.
Tue, Jan 22, 1974
Betty tells Bet about Billy's £2,000. They wonder why he hasn't told anyone. The Barlows plan to entertain Ken's colleague, George Hawthorn and wife. Hilda puts herself forward as an assistant for Maggie when she expands the shop. Alan has a cash offer from Douglas Wormold for the Canal Garage. Len advises Billy to go after the garage to get a bigger profit from Wormold himself. He does so and buys it. Maggie pays £45 for the shop plans. Annie worries about where Billy got the money from and wonders why Wormold wants to buy a garage. The Barlows give Elsie's painting of the green girl to Hilda, hating it themselves. Hilda thinks it's classy. Maggie asks Len to do the conversion but he tells her to forget the idea. She realises he knows something. The Barlows' guests don't arrive as their babysitter has let them down so they have a candlelit dinner to themselves. Billy gives Annie the £200 he owed her. Betty takes a phone call for Billy that man is after him for an Alfa Romeo that he sold him. Billy is unconcerned but Annie overhears and begins to worry.
Sun, Jan 27, 1974
Janet invites her friends round for a meal. Annie questions Billy who reveals he sold a man a second-hand Alfa Romeo for £1,100 and passed it off as new when the buyer insisted on a new car for the cheap and unreasonable price. Maggie tells Betty that she's shelved the expansion plans. Douglas Wormold alarms Rita by turning up at The Kabin. Ena returns from St. Anne's. Billy agrees to do Deirdre's bike up if she'll do his typing. Wormold offers Len £5,000 for The Kabin - £1,000 more than it's worth - and wonders how he'll vote in the forthcoming committee meeting. Alf doesn't think the plans will go through as they don't have enough support. Albert annoys Janet by interrupting her dinner party. Maggie is annoyed that Alf didn't tell her about the shop before Len and snubs him when he tries to buy her a drink. Ken doesn't like the snobby Barretts. Len celebrates when Wormold writes Rita a down payment cheque of £1,000 but she rips it up; the shop's in her name and she's not selling.
Tue, Jan 29, 1974
Rita realises Len is desperate to sell the Kabin and wonders why. Ken takes Philip Barrett to the Rovers and learns that he wants children Jill is against them. Jill doesn't envy Janet having to raise someone else's kids. Janet admits she isn't looking forward to having the twins down and likes Jill's suggestion of sending them to boarding school although she knows Ken won't like it. Annie sees something pass between Len and Douglas Wormold and wonders if Len is taking backhanders. Wormold tells Rita he wants the Kabin for redevelopment and Len knows all about it. He tries to sweeten the deal by offering to fix her up with a new job but she still turns him down. Ken feels sorry for Philip being married to Jill. Wormold makes an offer for the garage. Len admits to Rita that the whole area is coming down. She thinks he's still holding something back from her. Ken arranges for Peter and Susan to start at Bessie Street School after half-term. Rita tells Maggie, Ena, Billy, Annie and Betty about the redevelopment.
Sun, Feb 3, 1974
Alf thinks Len let the cat out of the bag. Ken turns down a dinner invite from the Barretts without asking Janet as he doesn't like Jill Barrett. Rita feels bad for landing Len in hot water tells the residents to ask Douglas Wormold when they try to get more from her. Ken suggests Annie contacts the brewery to see if they know anything. Annie realises that Betty is upset with something. An indifferent Len tells his critics that the wheels are turning and there's damn all they can do about it. The managing director of Newton and Ridley assures Annie that there are no plans for the area. Annie reads a telegram for Betty - a birthday message from Cyril. The regulars sing happy 21st birthday to Betty when she jokes that she's sick of saying she's twenty-one. Alf refuses to shed any light on the rumours, telling the residents to ask their own councillor. Ken prepares No.11 for the twins' arrival. Peter and Susan don't get into Bessie Street School but are accepted into Regent's Road. Emily organises an informal meeting about the redevelopment at the centre and asks Len to attend. He considers it a waste of time and absents himself. Emily, Hilda, Stan, Ken, Betty (representing Annie), Ray, Minnie and Ena (representing Minnie) attend the meeting. They think Maggie knew something as she cancelled her modernisation plans. Janet rings Jill to tell her that she and Ken will go to theirs for dinner and asks her to send her a brochure for the boarding school. Minnie suggests the residents form an Action Group. They decide to hold a public meeting and invite people from neighbouring streets. They intend to get Len to come clean and face his responsibilities.
Tue, Feb 5, 1974
Emily counts on Alf to bring Len to the meeting. Janet is pleased about the redevelopment as they can move to a better house. Ken is nervous about the twins moving back as they'll have grown up since they last lived with him. Len admits to Alf that he put The Kabin in Rita's name but emphasises that it wasn't because of the redevelopment. Len tells Alf he's in favour of the development and refuses to attend the meeting. He tells Rita not to go either. Janet receives the brochure from Lindens Boarding School and makes enquiries. Ken chairs the meeting, which Hilda, Stan, Emily, Jerry, Ray, Ena, Albert and Vera Hopkins attend, as does an unhappy Alf who has to defend the plans. Rita also arrives part-way through. The twins are accepted into Lindens. Billy's Alfa Romeo buyer calls the Rovers looking for him. The residents accuse the councillors of using the development to line their own pockets. They aren't swayed by Alf's talk of new flats and offices and decide to march on the Town Hall. Annoyed by Len's non-appearance, they start a petition of no confidence in him. Ken finds the brochure. Janet confesses she doesn't want the twins down as she'll be tied to them. Ken explodes at her and smashes a bottle of wine against the table.
Sun, Feb 10, 1974
Ken spends the night on the sofa. He rips up the brochure. Janet hides the blankets under the sofa when Albert visits. Len is not bothered by the Street action committee at all. Alf calls him hard-faced. The Bishops start the petition against Len. They're prepared to demand a full public enquiry if necessary. Billy signs the petition when the residents pressure him. Ena thinks Albert is having doubts about marrying Minnie when he puts the wedding off because of the redevelopment. Billy decides not to sell the garage to Douglas Wormold. Hilda takes hers and Stan's names off the petition when Billy points out that they'll profit from selling their house. Rita still refuses to sell the Kabin. Len knows that without its sale he won't make any profit from selling No. 9 and the yard. Ernie takes a picture of Bet holding up the petition for tomorrow's Gazette. Cyril Turpin has advised Maggie to sell the shop to Wormold. She refuses to sign the petition, which reaches 100 names in one hour. Everyone is surprised when Len drinks at the Rovers. Janet makes up the spare room for Ken. Len tells Rita to choose between him and the Kabin. She picks the Kabin.
Tue, Feb 12, 1974
Len and Alf await the planning meeting where the Street's fate will be decided. Jerry calls Len a sell-out. Len thinks the residents are afraid of progress. Alf is prepared to declare Len's interests before the committee if he has to. Janet stops cooking Ken's meals. Ena tries to discourage Minnie from marrying Albert. The Gazette only has a short article on the protest by the Action Group and only gives the petition a cursory mention. The residents feel no one cares. Emily is furious and throws a brick through Len's window as he's preparing to set off for the Town Hall. She's frozen to the spot afterwards but Len and Ray blame it on some children and don't give her a second glance. The redevelopment plan is thrown out by the committee. Alf announces the result in the Rovers and reveals that Len voted against it and even swayed some others. Len plants the gift-wrapped brick on the bar and thanks whoever threw it. Ena tells Albert and Minnie that they have no excuse not to name the day now that the Street isn't coming down. Janet makes Ken a special meal but he thinks she's just cooking for herself and goes out with Billy. She pours it into the bin and throws the recipe book at a chair in frustration. A nervous man called Stuart Draper turns up and tells Bet he's not leaving until he's seen Billy.
Sun, Feb 17, 1974
Billy hears that Stuart Draper is after him and avoid the Rovers. He and Ken had a lousy night out as Ken got more miserable with every drink and they were nearly thrown out. Ken doesn't see any way to save his marriage unless Janet relents over the twins. Emily can't own up to throwing the brick as Ernie doesn't think the ends justify the means. Albert avoids Minnie as she keeps going on at him to name the day. She tracks him down and tells him she wants to marry at Easter. Maggie decides not to change the shop around as the redevelopment gave her a fright. Albert gets Jerry's advice on getting disentangled, making out it's for a friend of his. Jerry suggests he gets involved with someone else. Draper returns and doesn't believe Bet and Betty when they say Billy is out for the day. Emily is upset when everybody except Rita condemns the brick thrower. Rita tells her the brick had no effect on Len's decision. Draper tells Annie that Billy is a cheat and a fraud as the car he bought off him for £1,100 was an insurance write-off worth £400. Billy assures Annie that he didn't cheat Draper and promises to sort it out in the morning. Emily anonymously puts £5 through Len's letterbox to pay for the new window. He doesn't want it and returns it to Emily, asking her to give it to charity. Minnie admits to Ena that she's only marrying Albert for financial reasons. Ena tells her she'll get less money if she's married and suggests she jilts Albert. After a date, Len proposes and Rita accepts, giving him the Kabin back.
Sun, Feb 24, 1974
Annie stops the party as the news is broken to Betty. Stuart Draper puts a note on the car outside the garage telling of Billy's crookedness. Billy tows the car away. Emily and Ernie start the Rovers Amateur Dramatic Association (RADA) up. Betty feels she caused Cyril's death by hurrying him to come to the party. She becomes confused. Billy tells Draper he hasn't a leg to stand on legally. Draper manically drives the car into the Rovers' door, smashing it.
Tue, Feb 26, 1974
Stuart Draper refuses to move the car. Annie rings the police and demands they come out to the incident. Ernie asks for suggestions at a meeting of the RADA players: Bet, Rita, Lucille, Jerry, Deirdre and Emily. Deirdre suggests "Hair" and Lucille "Oh. Calcutta!" but Ernie gets them to admit they know nothing about them. Jerry suggests "The Teahouse of the August Moon" which Ernie stage-managed previously and knows to be too ambitious. Rita thinks they could do a musical. The police arrive and get Draper to remove the car. Draper goes for Billy and they have to be parted by the police. They are both taken away. Lucille agrees to look after the Corner Shop so that Maggie can be with Betty. Sgt Bert Daniels calls to pay his condolences to Betty. Even though Cyril left the force, Betty agrees to let his police friends be pallbearers. Ena and Minnie complain when their half-finished glasses disappear and get free replacements from Bet. Alf tells Annie not to worry herself too much over Billy. The RADA meeting is reconvened for 6.00pm. The police clear Billy and he returns home to find Annie has taken to her bed. Ena and Minnie pay their condolences to Betty. She makes a passing comment indicating that she is not alone and once by herself talks to Cyril as if he is just in another room. She calls at the Rovers to tell a surprised Bet she can't work because she's going out that night with Cyril. Ray joins the RADA meeting. Ernie volunteers himself to produce the play without giving anyone else the chance. Emily is annoyed. He reads out a list of plays that he thinks they could do. Annie gets up and questions Billy about his deal with Draper. She tearfully expresses disappointment in him. Mr Porter, Cyril's boss, calls at Maggie's and tells her that Betty is at his house, looking for Cyril. She realises her sister is ill.
Sun, Mar 3, 1974
Maggie has gone to Mr Porter's and taken Betty home. A doctor has advised her that Betty's behaviour isn't out of the ordinary and she just needs time. Rita goes down with the flu, leaving Lucille on her own at the Kabin. Emily helps Hilda write a letter of condolence. Maggie finds it hard to cope with Betty. She's still confused and distant. Maggie decides she won't let her attend the funeral. Ray gives Hilda a letter for Stan from the town hall which was delivered to No.9 by mistake. The mourners gather at Betty's house. Billy annoys Ray by getting Deirdre to do a spot of relief work behind the bar during her lunch hour from the yard. The Bishops worry that no one wants the caretaking job at the Community Centre. Stan's letter tells the Ogdens that the council is still considering his application for the post of caretaker. Hilda puts a stamp on the condolence letter even though Len is delivering it to Betty in person. Sgt Daniels encourages Maggie not to have Betty live with her, knowing from personal experience that it can damage relationships. Maggie tells him he's preaching to the converted. The mourners are surprised when she appears, ready for the funeral.
Tue, Mar 5, 1974
Betty, Maggie, Alf, Len, Bet, Ernie, Emily, Sgt Bert Daniels and Mr Porter bury Cyril. Hilda is thrilled that she and Stan might be caretakers of the Community Centre. Stan says he didn't tell her in case it fell through. Gertie Robson helps Billy out at the pub whilst waiting to see the Bishops for the caretaker's job. Gertie recognises Stan from Fatties Anonymous, when she called there to pick up her sister. He buys her a drink when she tells him that they could do with more men like him and asks if he's married. Maggie wishes Len well on his engagement. Mr Porter asks Maggie to look through Cyril's things at the office as he doesn't want to add to Betty's sadness by asking her. Emily visits the Ogdens to ask Hilda to clean the Community Centre until they find a caretaker. Hilda gleefully gets Stan to inform her that they're being considered for the position. Emily is stunned although Hilda feels deflated when Emily says that the consideration letter is a standard response - the next step is a shortlist. Maggie worries about the price she'll have to pay in helping Betty. Betty packs her bags and moves in with her at the shop. Ernie tells Emily the Ogdens have been shortlisted.
Sun, Mar 10, 1974
The Ogdens prepare for their interviews as caretakers at the Community Centre. Annie tells Betty she's under no pressure to return to the Rovers. Ernie thinks the committee ought to be impartial over the Ogdens but everyone else disagrees. Stan does the Bishops' windows for free to get on their good side. Annie is pleased when caretaker candidate Gertie Robson talks up Billy and the Rovers, and asks her to apply at the Rovers if she's unsuccessful at the centre. Chairman Mr Rodgers, Alf, Emily, Ernie and Vera Hopkins interview Stan. He is lucky with the questions and impresses the panel due to owning property. Betty tells Maggie she can't go home and is going to sell the house. Interviewing Hilda, Emily reads out Annie's tongue-in-cheek reference: "Since Mrs Ogden joined my staff, her conduct has been all I have come to expect of her. Her spirit of cooperation is out of the ordinary. Her attendance and her application to work are consistent with her other aptitudes. Her interest in other people is unique to herself, and I can unreservedly recommend her for any post requiring involvement in the affairs of the people around her. Should Mrs Ogden be successful in obtaining another post, I cannot say how sorry I shall be to lose her, but I can say in truth that Mrs Ogden will leave a gap at the Rovers Return which I am quite sure no one else will be able to fill."
Tue, Mar 12, 1974
Gertie Robson makes herself popular in the Rovers as she chats to the customers and staff. Deirdre enjoys the way Ray and Billy battle for her affections. Maggie tells Bet how hard she's finding Betty's presence at the Corner Shop. Vera and Mr Rogers takes Annie's reference at its face value and decide they want the Ogdens for Community Centre caretakers. The appalled Bishops and Alf count on Gertie being able to change their minds. Bet tries to get Betty to return to the Rovers for Maggie's sake, saying she's needed at the pub, but Betty is enjoying working at the shop. The committee are swung to Gertie's favour because she needs the accommodation with her Sankey Street home due to be demolished. Ray and Hilda argue over Stan's lax window cleaning. Maggie can't bring herself to ask Betty to leave. Emily worries how Gertie will cope with Albert. Ernie tells her he's found a suitable text for the play-reading for RADA that night. She's annoyed there's been no consultation. Betty assures Maggie she'll be gone as soon as Cyril's estate is sorted. Stan thanks an amused Annie for the reference. Billy and Ray agree to join Deirdre at the play-reading. Cyril's executor, Sgt Bert Daniels, works out Betty's money: £14 a week for six months, then £10.89 with the state pension included. His policies come to just £859. She does have the house, mortgage-free, but Bert tells her it'll be a waste of money if she moves from there. Hilda tries to get Emily to tell her if they're successful and is told she'll be getting a letter in a couple of days. Hilda takes that as confirmation they've got the job and hands in her notice at the Rovers. Waiting for the play-reading to start, Emily overhears Ray talking about the chosen text, Sand, as he reads it and finds out that it is almost pornographic.
Sun, Mar 17, 1974
Gertie Robson starts work at the Community Centre. The Ogdens are disappointed they didn't get the job and Stan feels the Bishops have sabotaged it. Emily warns Gertie that her assistant is hard to get on with. The residents are amazed at Sand. Emily is very against it while most of the men are in favour. A depressed Hilda asks to return to the Rovers on the strength of Annie's glowing reference and is re-hired. Albert is annoyed at the Bishops for not consulting him before hiring Gertie, and decides he's not going to like her but she wins him over by buying him a drink. Lucille flaunts her boyfriend Danny Burrows around. Ken tells Albert that Peter and Susan won't be living with them. Albert thinks it's Janet's doing. Emily exposes Sand's author - Shelley Summers - as a seventeen-year old income tax clerk, Margery Birtwhistle, who's copied the works of Delaney, O'Brien and Lawrence and made up the play. They realise they can't put it on as they'd be a laughing stock. In its place a victorious Emily suggests "The Importance of Being Earnest". Rita gets suspicious when Danny mentions shopping for two and gets Lucille to admit that they're living together.
Tue, Mar 19, 1974
Lucille tells Rita she's been living with Danny Burrows for a month. Emily has her heart set on being Lady Bracknell in RADA's production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Ernie favours Annie and suggests Emily plays Gwendaline. Albert rows with Janet over her attitude towards Peter and Susan. Deirdre wins the part of Gwendaline for herself. Billy takes Danny on at the garage. Ken gets the part of Algernon. Janet tells Ken to take the day off tomorrow and bring the twins home.
Sun, Mar 24, 1974
Ken goes to Glasgow to fetch Peter and Susan. Albert is pleased when Janet tells him as he was resigned to sending them their birthday presents by post. Edith Tatlock can't see Janet as a stepmother. With Ken, Annie and Bet unavailable, rehearsals for The Importance of Being Earnest go ahead with a skeleton crew. Ernie makes Emily the prompter. Rita is cast as Miss Prism. Ernie doesn't like Rita's send up of Miss Prism and she walks out, branding the whole thing a farce. To get through the rehearsal, the actors have to play multiple roles. A peeved Len plays Bet's part. Billy think Danny Burrows is going out with Lorraine Binks. Lucille tells Billy the truth. Edith tells Ken to ask Peter and Susan if they want to return to Weatherfield.
Tue, Mar 26, 1974
Albert and Janet prepare for Peter and Susan's homecoming. Ken returns from Glasgow with Edith Tatlock but without the twins; he needs Edith to make Albert believe that it was Peter and Susan's decision not to live with him. Lucille doesn't care that people are starting to talk about her and Danny Burrows. Ernie desperately tries to find a Miss Prism as Rita is refusing to come back. Billy is annoyed when Danny fixes Len up with a new van when Len brings his vehicle in for repairs at the garage. Ernie finds rehearsals hard as there are several no-shows and the actors who turn up don't take it seriously, preferring to play around with the costumes. Jerry's stilted performance is a further cause for concern. Edith interrupts the rehearsal to break the news about the twins to Albert. Albert is sickened and thinks Ken doesn't want the twins around but Ken insists that they're old enough to decide for themselves. As an olive branch, Ken pays for Albert to visit them. From his P45, Billy discovers that Danny is married. Danny explains that they've long split up. Billy wonders if Lucille knows.
Sun, Mar 31, 1974
Annie and Alf's year in office finishes and they bow out as the last Mayor and Mayoress of the Weatherfield County Borough Council. Emily puts herself forward for Miss Prism in "The Importance of Being Earnest" but Ernie tells her she'll be too busy helping him to have a part. She thinks he doesn't have faith in her as he's taken a role himself. Mavis returns from Grange-over-Sands and takes a job as a vet's receptionist. Billy tells Bet that Danny Burrows is married and enlists her help in finding out whether he's told Lucille. Mavis shows interest in the play but is put off when she hears that Jerry is playing the lead. Lucille tells Bet that she sees a future in her relationship with Danny - Bet guesses she doesn't know about Danny's wife. Maggie asks Annie's help in getting Betty back at the pub. Annie tries to lure Betty back by telling her that she has a replacement barmaid lined up but that the job is still hers. Billy tells Lucille about Danny being married. Lucille pretends that it doesn't bother her. Minnie drinks at the Rovers without Ena as they've fallen out again. Gertie joins her. Lucille confronts Danny - he tells her he's been separated for eighteen months and has stayed married as it would be too costly to divorce. Lucille doesn't know what to do.
Tue, Apr 2, 1974
Lucille decides to stay with Danny Burrows. Annie lets it be known she's going to take on Gertie Robson to replace Betty. Mavis and Jerry bump into each other and make awkward small talk. Minnie tells Gertie that Ena is thinking of going to St. Anne's and sounds relieved at the prospect. Betty goes into the Rovers to get change for Maggie. Bet accidentally puts her foot in it by telling her it's been a morgue in the Rovers while she's been away. At Billy's urging, Lucille tells Annie she's living with Danny. Annie tells her that she's sad but she does understand and invites him to tea. Ernie realises it's his wedding anniversary when Mavis apologises for not sending a card. Emily forgets the anniversary as well. Ernie presents her with a copy of the works of Oscar Wilde. Annie is pleased with how she handled Lucille and doesn't expect her relationship with Danny to last long. Danny doesn't want to meet her. Annie entertains Betty at the Rovers and takes her back on. Emily agrees to be Miss Prism. The regulars cheer them on as they make up. Betty tells Maggie she's got a couple interested in the house - now she's living with Maggie she might as well sell it.
Sun, Apr 7, 1974
Annie forces Jerry to rehearse with her after he fixes her kitchen sink. Danny doesn't see why he has to meet Annie as she isn't a blood relation. He feels his freedom is being curtailed but agrees for Lucille's sake. Betty tells Maggie she plans to stay at the shop until she can afford another house. Mavis is put in charge of props for the play. She takes the position very seriously. Rita collects her 50p from Mavis after winning their New Year bet. Minnie is off with everyone due to the strain of living with Ena. Annie and Billy entertain Lucille and Danny with sherry and hors d'oeuvres. Jerry panics after Annie mocks his acting and gets Rita to help him as she's a professional. Maggie asks Len for help with Betty. He can't get her a flat but offers to have a word with her. Annie invites herself round to see the bedsit. Gertie Robson has some fun with Stan, bringing up Mrs Regan but Hilda overhears and is upset by her remarks.
Tue, Apr 9, 1974
Annie feels sorry for Hilda when everyone takes up Gertie's theme of Stan and Mrs Regan and tells her to stand up to them. Betty's buyers drop their price by £500. Maggie is relieved as it's too low for Betty to accept. Annie doesn't approve of Danny's motorcycling. Hilda sees Stan laughing with Gertie but isn't so forgiving herself. Lucille worries that Danny won't want to marry as he had a bad experience with his first wife. Annie visits the bedsit and tells Danny they can live with her when they're married so that they can save for a decent place of their own. Betty goes home and isn't upset by the memories of Cyril, as she expected to be. She decides to move back. Danny finds Annie condescending and tells Lucille he doesn't want to see her again. Ena leaves for St. Anne's. Minnie is relieved at not having to live with her anymore but also sad to see her go. Rita tells Lucille to find out what Danny wants from their relationship.
Sun, Apr 14, 1974
Preparations for the play get Ernie down. Mavis lets herself be bullied by the prop benefactors into giving them tickets. Albert doesn't want to help out as he doesn't like Oscar Wilde. Lucille and Danny make up after their row over Annie. Minnie tells Alf she's not putting Ena up anymore when she returns from St. Anne's; it is up to him to find her somewhere to live. Lucille pushes Danny for his future plans and asks if he wants to get married eventually. He thinks Annie prepped her. She tells him she loves him. Alf asks Albert if he'd 'foster' Ena. He says it'll happen over his dead body. Annie goes away for the weekend leaving Ernie in the lurch. Alf has to play Lady Bracknell in the rehearsal. Gertie tells Minnie should let Ena live in her front parlour, and store her own furniture at the Community Centre. Ernie grows exasperated with his cast, telling them they aren't injecting any life into the lines. Lucille is shocked when Danny's wife Sandra turns up.
Tue, Apr 16, 1974
Sandra Burrows turns out to be a demure woman who doesn't mind that Lucille is living with Danny. She's after maintenance money as she hasn't had anything from Danny for six weeks and was laid off from work last week. Ernie starts behaving like a tyrant and calls his cast monumentally uninteresting. Jerry moves Minnie's furniture across the road to make room for Ena's. Sandra tells Lucille that she and Danny have only been parted for six months and she'll have to wait eighteen months for a divorce; she dumped him because he didn't want children. Lucille feels sorry for her and gives her £5. Ernie takes away everyone's scripts to force them to learn the lines. Minnie is annoyed that she has to put her furniture in storage because of Ena and thinks about getting an Alsatian to put her off. Lucille looks for a commitment from Danny and asks why he lied about how long the divorce would take. When she's met with indifference, she packs and leaves. Albert gets the impression that Ena plans to move in with him. Gertie and Minnie put him right when he goes on about it. Ernie walks out of rehearsals as his cast treat the show as a big laugh. Emily takes over the production, to their delight. Lucille doesn't want Annie to know she and Danny have split so Gertie goes in to fetch Rita for her. Rita lets her stay at the Kabin flat. Ena calls Minnie at the Rovers to tell her she's staying longer in St. Anne's as Mr. Foster is unwell again.
Sun, Apr 21, 1974
Hilda doesn't turn up for work at the Rovers. Ernie was in the Rovers until closing time, peeved that the rehearsals went well once Emily took over. He tells Emily that he didn't mean to resign and walking out was a psychological trick meant to energise the cast. Emily remains in charge but Ernie returns to play his part of Cannon. Danny writes to Billy resigning from the garage. Rita tells him that Lucille has left Danny. An unconcerned Hilda tells Betty she had a lie in. With the dress rehearsal starting, Annie hires a costume from a theatrical costumier in London. Albert gets Emily to ask him to run Front of House for the play, only to respond that he'll think about it. Hilda goes to the doctors without telling Stan. Emily worries that Annie's costume will make everyone else's look bad though that is Annie's intention; the play is about Lady Bracknell and her poor relations. The doctor tells Hilda she's run down and needs to get away from everything. Albert agrees to run Front of House. Hilda needs to be in the sun but the Ogdens have no money. Mavis gets a valuable sugar bowl to use in the play. Annie ruins her dress by sitting on a freshly painted chair.
Tue, Apr 23, 1974
Hilda is on the verge of a breakdown. Stan asks Len if they can use the money from the smoking syndicate but Len refuses. Mrs Morris wants her sugar bowl, used as a prop in the play, back during the show. When Mavis refuses to give it to her she calls the police. Stan finds something in an advertisement to help Hilda and gets her to sign an application form. The production goes well, despite Mrs Morris snatching her sugar bowl back on stage. Mavis is shocked when she walks into the men's dressing room to be confronted by a naked Billy.
Sun, Apr 28, 1974
The play is reviewed in the paper. Annie is described as a competent Lady Bracknell. Bet reminds her that she leaves next week to take a summer job at a holiday camp in Morecambe. With Hilda continually turning up late, Annie feels her staff are unreliable and warns Bet that she may not keep her job open. Rita feels the strain of living with heartbroken Lucille. Gertie's nephew Gary Turner arrives for a visit. The residents are disturbed by the noise of the lorries serving the warehouse. Stan sends for an application form for a job cleaning on a Caribbean cruise liner, the Monte Umber. Hilda hits him over the head with it when she sees it; she needs a rest, not more skivvying. Lucille tells Billy that she and Danny have split up and she's living with Rita. Billy passes the news onto Annie. Hilda doesn't want the job as it's at nights and she won't see any sunshine. Stan tells her it'll be too hot during the day. Gary admits he's fallen out with his parents. Gertie agrees he can stay as long as he tells them where he is. Annie wants Lucille back living at the Rovers but tells Billy she must ask for herself. Stan hears from one of the drivers that the warehouse lorries are going to be loaded every night from now on.
Tue, Apr 30, 1974
The lorry noise adds to Hilda's woes. Gertie agrees to nephew Gary Turner staying with her if his parents agree. The residents persuade Hilda to take the job - cleaning on a cruise ship, the Monte Umber. Annie sympathetically invites Lucille to return to the Rovers. She doesn't want to return as she feels she is getting nowhere in life. Ken gets a meeting with the Warehouse boss regarding the traffic noise. Stan tells Hilda she's too long in the tooth to get the cruise job. Lucille returns to the Rovers. The residents discuss the problem of the lorries in the Street. Annie questions two drivers, Eddie and Frank, about the noise. They don't care about the disruption as they work on commission. Annie bars them until the lorries are silenced. Hilda gets the cruise job and tells Stan she could be away for six weeks.
Sun, May 5, 1974
Hilda gets a telegram calling her on board her cruise ship cleaning job on 8th May. She is excited despite warnings from the residents about seasickness and snakes. Ken puts the residents' complaints to the warehouse's director, Lionel Portious and company boss, Sir Julius Berlin. He doesn't accept their excuse that work is being done on the loading bay at the other side of the warehouse, and insists that something is done about the lorries as the residents haven't been able to park in their own street. Portious looks into Ken's suggestion of redeploying the company's labour force from their branch in a non-residential estate in the Midlands, which is also having alterations made. Sir Julius is interested in him. Hilda asks Gertie to spy on Stan in her absence. The residents laud Ken for getting something done about the lorries but Janet isn't as impressed. Eric Turner isn't keen on his son and Gertie's nephew Gary Turner being a chef. Gary plans to take a course in catering management when he finishes his A-levels but Eric wants him to be a footballer and tries to push him into a contract with Rovers, to give his wife and himself financial security. He gives Gary the contract to sign. Stan thinks about getting a woman in to cook for him. Hilda lets him know someone will be watching him but doesn't say who.
Tue, May 7, 1974
Hilda joins the Seamen's Union. Stan tries to find out who Hilda has asked to spy on him. Bet prepares for her working holiday at a camp in Morecambe. Gary Turner refuses to decide between football and catering until he gets his degree. Eric Turner tells talent scout Bob Maskell he'll have to tackle Gertie to get at Gary. Annie discovers Hilda got the job using a reference she gave her for the Community Centre position. Albert warns Gary about the scandal mongering should he become a footballer and tells him about David Barlow having to retire after breaking his leg. Gary thanks Albert, saying it's helped him make up his mind. Annie coaches Hilda on etiquette on board ship, advising her to step aside to let a first class passenger past. Maskell tells Gary that if he joins the Rovers, they will pay Gertie thousands of pounds to look after him. Sir Julius Berlin summons Ken to the Warehouse. He finds out the contractors will concentrate on this depot and finish the work early next week, as per his suggestion. Gary decides to sign for the Rovers. Gertie tells Gary they don't need the money - he's not to sign. The residents say goodbye to Hilda. Sir Julius offers Ken a job with £1,000 a year more - as Northern Executive Administrative Assistant, with a car.
Sun, May 12, 1974
Stan wants to know who his minder is while Hilda is away working on the cruise ship. He suspects Emily when she calls round first thing. Ken decides not to tell Janet about Sir Julius Berlin's job offer until he knows what he wants to do; she thinks he made a fool of himself by running when Sir Julius clicked his fingers. Bet has left for Morecambe. Stan splashes out on drink with his housekeeping money. He decides to follow Hilda's example and have exotic meals while she's away. Ken asks Wilfred Perkins' opinion on the warehouse. Perkins advises him not to rush into it. After Stan pays £2.50 for a Chinese dinner and gets heartburn, Gertie tries to advise him how to spend his time and money more wisely. Maggie refuses Stan credit as Hilda hadn't settled her bill. He realises he isn't going to survive as he's spent nearly all Hilda's money. Aboard the Monte Umber, Hilda works like a dog. Janet has no faith in Ken at all. She doesn't think he's capable of finding opportunities.
Tue, May 14, 1974
Stan doesn't know what he's going to do for money. He's so preoccupied that he forgets his own birthday, remembering only when Emily delivers a card Hilda left with her. The warehouse's loading bay re-opens, to the residents' relief. Maggie is overworked running the shop by herself. Betty asks Alf to help her get out more. Bet sends the regulars a postcard from Morecambe. After hearing from Emily that the Gazette pays Ernie a retainer, Stan asks Annie for £2 a week while Hilda is away. She agrees as long as he works for it. Ken doesn't know what job security he would have at the warehouse. Alf offers to find out more about Sir Julius Berlin for him. Stan cleans the shop's back room and asks for a retainer. Maggie agrees but takes the money off his slate; he now owes her £1.36. Jerry feels sorry for him and pays him to move some timber in the yard, though Ray tells Stan he'll get his money at the end of the month after it's gone through the books. Wilfred Perkins gets Ken to work late at school so that he can call on Janet. Maggie agrees to let Alf help her out at the shop part-time. On board ship, Hilda starts to relax more, enjoying the sun. Stan's back goes while he's helping Betty shift bottles in the Rovers. Deirdre pays Stan the £2 but Ray takes half as Stan owed him money. Stan can't climb ladders because of his back so Deirdre interests him in taking in two 'businessmen' as lodgers after seeing their ad in the paper. Perkins tells Janet he doesn't want Ken to sell himself for an extra £1,000 and a company car. She is very surprised as Ken hasn't told her about the job offer.
Sun, May 19, 1974
Janet tells Ken about Perkins's visit. Janet wants Ken to take the warehouse job but Ken is still undecided. As Stan's agents, Lucille and Deirdre take Tommy Deakin and son-in-law Michael Ryan on at No. 13 at £7 a week each. The residents are surprised to see Tommy back in the Street after two years. Alf starts work as Maggie's assistant. Maggie is surprised when he takes the job seriously. Annie is dismissive of Alf's new position, saying he doesn't have a natural aptitude for it. Tommy and Michael pay a fortnight's rent in advance. Ken doesn't know what to do about the job and thinks about how to please Janet. Rita warns him that women don't change after marriage. Deirdre and Lucille get Stan to buy drinks to celebrate renting out the room. He's horrified to find Tommy at No. 13 and Dolores in the backyard.
Tue, May 21, 1974
Maggie is horrified to hear that Tommy Deakin and his donkey are ensconced next door. Ken has a week to decide whether to take the job at the warehouse. Janet is annoyed by how casual he is about it. Stan discovers Tommy and Michael Ryan have paid in advance for half-board meaning he has to cook for them. Ken finds the warehouse appealing as his work will have material results. Deirdre and Lucille are amused by Alf's idea that they found the men lodgings as they fancy Michael. Janet puts it about that Ken has got a top-level job and brags about "the right wives" going on executive trips with their husbands. Her snobbish attitude aggravates Rita, who wickedly mentions Ken's infatuation with Elaine Perkins. Tommy stores manure in the backyard of No.13 planning to sell it from there. Rita helps Ken see that his influence should be used to help children, not look after factory workers. He writes a letter to Sir Julius turning down the job. Janet knows she can't change his mind and is upset that her opinion doesn't matter to him. Deirdre tells Ray that a woman with a baby was looking for him at the yard. Deirdre and Lucille fall for Michael once he gets rid of the muck. Janet feels that Ken married her on the rebound and realises that their marriage will never work. She packs and leaves him.
Sun, May 26, 1974
Ray finds out that the mother's name is Alison. He tells a disapproving Jerry that he doesn't know any Alisons. Michael Ryan refuses to be tempted by Deirdre - he's keeping himself pure for his girlfriend, Mary. Stan, Tommy and Michael go to the races in a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce. Alison Wright meets Ray and tells him they met at a party when he was drunk. She tells him that he told her to look him up if she was in trouble - now she's left the father and needs his help as they're homeless. Stan, Tommy and Michael have a picnic in the country on the way back from the races. Tommy persuades the chauffeur, Sandy Pirie, to have a drink so Stan drives the Rolls the rest of the way. Ken tells Rita he doesn't want Janet back and he agrees with her that she shouldn't be made to be a mother to the twins. The Rolls is pulled over by the police and Stan and is breathalysed by P.C. Blakey. Alison and baby Jonathan move into No. 9.
Tue, May 28, 1974
Stan spends the night in the police station - he's been charged with speeding, DUI and driving with an out-of-date licence and his fines could top £100. He has to hitchhike home on a milk float. Ken has decided not to take the job at the warehouse. Minnie looks after him and buys his shopping for him. Jerry doesn't mind Alison staying at No.9 but Ray knows he'll have to sort it out before Len gets back. Rita is surprised to hear that Ken changed his mind based on something she said to him. Ken tells her it was a chance remark about Terry Bates not being happy at his foster home - he can't turn his back on the Terrys of the world. He's written a letter to Sir Julius Berlin turning the job down but hasn't sent it yet. Minnie collects the latest gossip to pass onto an absent Ena. Betty tells Stan he can be reported to the Health Inspector for selling manure from his backyard. Tommy and Michael plan to leave but demand compensation when Stan tells them to leave. He is forced to give them their money back and they persuade him to keep Dolores for them for a fortnight. Rita warns Ray that Len is due back tomorrow. Ken decides to take the job at the warehouse after all and hands in his resignation at Bessie Street School.
Sun, Jun 2, 1974
Len returns to No.9 early and finds Alison Wright asleep in his bed. Ray takes the sofa and gives Len his bed to keep the peace. Minnie feeds Dolores for Stan. Rita helps Ken by cleaning No.11. Len asks Alison about herself and her history with Ray. He's convinced that Ray is Jonathan Wright's father and wants no part of it. Maggie threatens to report Stan to the Health unless he moves the donkey. Janet returns for some clothes while Ken is at work and bumps into Rita. She knows that Ken is leaving Bessie Street School as his letter of resignation came through her office and is curious why he changed his mind. Jerry likes having Alison around as it's given him a break from cooking. Len works out that Jonathan was born when Ray went off on his own last year. Ken learns from Emily that Janet has been in the Street. Alison views a bedsit but doesn't go for it as it's damp and poky. Minnie accuses Maggie of not having sympathy for animals and takes Dolores in at No.5. Alison pleads with Len to let her stay at No.9 for three more days. He agrees. Rita tells Ken that Janet is returning for more clothes tomorrow and wants to see him.
Tue, Jun 4, 1974
Ken doesn't know if he wants to see Janet again. Jonathan's crying keeps the household up all night. Len is livid when he's left holding the baby while Jerry makes up a bottle for Jonathan. Stan tells Maggie he has moved Dolores. Hilda sends Stan a postcard, saying she's having a good time. Alison finds a flat she likes and waits to hear from the landlord. Ken finds Janet making lunch at No.11 and agrees to talk things over. Minnie can't keep Dolores in her yard anymore as Bobby is jealous and family comes first. Janet hopes that Ken changed his mind about the warehouse so that she'd return to him. He admits that the motive could have been there subconsciously but it wasn't his intention. They realise that if they got back together it would be because they were lonely and mutually agree that their marriage is over. Len is tired of the overcrowding at No. 9. Alison doesn't get the flat as she's too great a risk. Stan stores Dolores in Albert's yard in his absence. Albert calls Emily from Scotland telling her he's returning early. Len snaps over the situation when he's kept up for the second night in a row and orders Alison and the baby out.
Sun, Jun 9, 1974
Albert returns and demands Dolores' removal from his yard. Billy has put Alison up but demands that she goes before Annie returns from visiting Joan. Albert is sickened to hear the Barlows have split. Stan takes the donkey back and is reported to the Health Inspector by Maggie. He is given forty-eight hours to move the donkey by Inspector Tom Meeker. Alf tries to get Maggie interested in the modernisation again but she's not bothered. Rita takes Alison in and spoils Len's evening by babysitting Jonathan.
Tue, Jun 11, 1974
Rita doesn't believe Alison's story about her rich boyfriend, Harvey Shaw. With Hilda returning, Minnie agrees to take Dolores in if Stan looks after Bobby. Len makes enquiries about Harvey Shaw, pretending to be a mate. He gets Harvey's phone number and tells him he can come down any time he wants a good hiding. Albert asks Ken to move back into No. 1 but he chooses to remain at No. 11 by himself. Maggie gets worried with Alf in the shop. Harvey Shaw turns up, ready to fight Len. He thaws when Len makes it clear he just wants Alison and Jonathan out of his girlfriend's flat. Albert keeps getting at Ken about Janet, demanding to know why they've split. He thinks they didn't try hard enough. Ken tells him he's sick of his interference and calls him a stupid old devil. Harvey gives Ray £20 for Alison. She returns the money to him and collapses into his arms. As the couple depart, Harvey thanks the residents for bringing them together and hopes he never sees them again. Minnie hears from Maggie that the Health Inspectors are still about and puts Dolores back in the Ogdens' yard. Hilda returns to Manchester.
Sun, Jun 16, 1974
Bet returns from the Morecambe holiday camp and finds that no one has been taken on to replace her behind the bar of the Rovers in her absence. Maggie tells Alf she doesn't want him putting money in the shop as he doesn't know anything about the business. Ron Cooke returns to Weatherfield but he's only passing through on business. Rita tells him that Maggie is still around and that Alf is after her. Albert tells Stan that Dolores is back in his yard. Stan tells Health Inspector Tom Meeker that Dolores is in Blackpool giving rides but Meeker insists on checking himself in the yard. Hilda arrives home from working her cruise as Meeker finds Dolores still at No.13 and also as a policeman arrives and issues a summons to Stan for the drink-driving offence. Maggie is pleased to hear that Ron is back in the area; she always felt guilty about how she treated him. Annie returns from Derby and takes Bet back on but on the same salary as before and without the raise that Bet requests. Hilda shows off by ordering a Planter's Punch cocktail to try and catch Annie out. Annie easily makes the drink but charges 98p for that and a pint for Stan, reminding Hilda that the ship was duty-free and the Rovers isn't.
Tue, Jun 18, 1974
Rita celebrates the Kabin's first birthday. Hilda demands Dolores' removal before a summons is issued. Maggie has her hair done and is pleased to see Ron Cooke. He tells her that he's after a new job in Zaire. Hilda brings Deirdre home a sexy dress and she sets the temperature rising in the Rovers. Hilda discovers Stan has had lodgers when Michael Ryan calls for Dolores. Ron tells Maggie that he's been dry for two years - she is delighted. Hilda tells Stan he's not having any of her money to pay his fines which he estimates will be £200. Alf proposes to a shocked Maggie.
Sun, Jun 23, 1974
Alf tells Betty about his proposal. She is delighted. Bet is told and spreads the news. Hilda plans to spend her money on doing up the house. Emily is surprised to be paid promptly for developing her cruise photographs. Maggie is uncomfortable when Betty offers her congratulations. Len and Ken do their best to avoid seeing Hilda's photographs. Rita realises that Maggie isn't really interested in Alf's proposal now that she has Ron Cooke in her life. Len and Ray tell Stan to get a solicitor and Ray gives him Mervyn Traynor's name. They tell him that he has little chance of legal aid. Rita "accidentally" tells Ron about Alf's proposal. Hilda tells Stan that if he goes to jail she'll happily go back working on the cruise ships. Ron tells Maggie and Alf that he's got the job in Zaire and flies there in two days. Alf is pleased. Ron promises to send her his address. Stan goes to see Traynor and tells him his case. Ken returns and Albert refuses his offer of a drink. At the airport Ron has second thoughts and returns. Traynor agrees that Stan's case is a challenge and says that his fees could be next to nothing. He agrees to meet Hilda to allay her fears. Maggie is thrilled to see Ron return. He tells her that he always promised himself that if could give up the booze he would call back for her. She agrees to go with him to Zaire.