The Gilder family head to Ormston for Linda's wedding to Len. After a wild stag do, Len wakes nude in the village. Arthur, local doctor, prepares for his nurse's big day. As the guests' train breaks down, Linda has second thoughts.

Tom and Arthur clash over the hospital's unconventional management. Meanwhile, Deborah encounters Eddie, who asserts himself as the doctor's cleaner despite any objections. Eddie appears to be harbouring a secret.

Tom and Arthur prepare to meet Cornelius Sibbald, the official responsible for approving the new cottage hospital. Meanwhile, the villagers unite in a fundraising effort to support the building work.

Tom puzzles over local carpenter Bert Cartwright's determination to keep him away, despite Bert's wife's illness. Meanwhile, Michael discovers something exciting, prompting the entire village to hunt for buried treasure.

The people of Ormston face an anxious wait as the cottage hospital's future is decided upon by NHS inspector Neville Manly.

An abandoned child proves a mystery for Tom, while a haunted parishioner, and a trainload of stuffed animals cause troubles for Arthur and Brewer.

Fred Mills is reluctant to start medical treatment and instead concentrates on fulfilling his wishlist of activities. A mysterious rash spreads through the village.

Some villagers are found swigging brandy instead of water when the local supply is cut-off. Meanwhile, Eddie refuses to allow her daughter Joanne to go to hospital.

An elderly recluse agrees to go to hospital only if Arthur and the Rev. Brewer attend one last party; Jean and Eddie must pose as the Gilders.

Eugenia decides to turn the hospital into a platform for Tory propaganda, so Phyllis calls on Labour MP Reg Samuel to give her a run for her money. Helen plays Cupid for Jean and Eddie. Deborah collapses with an ectopic pregnancy.

Deborah loses her baby and, in addition to keeping an eye on her kids over the festive season, has to endure Arthur's childish pranks on Tom. Len and Wilf dress in drag to catch burglars disguised as Santa and an elf whilst Brewer raises eyebrows by announcing that he will be refereeing a female wrestling bout at the village Christmas extravaganza.

Phyllis' husband Harry returns to Ormston and she agrees to give him another chance. The pub is still in Harry's name, and he bets it in a poker game with Arthur. Deborah's cousin comes to town to give birth to a child that she wants to give up.

Tom discovers that Arthur plans to move to New Zealand and send old friend Donald Newman as his replacement. Eddie has a suspicious lump examined, and the villagers receive their eviction notices in advance of the new road building.

Donald Newman, Gilder's replacement, arrives and saves the life of a beautiful young woman. Deborah and Phyllis discover that the man behind the evictions and road scheme is London civil servant Mr. Ffotherington.

Mr. Ffotherington comes to Ormston, and Brewer and Mr. Boynton are suspicious of him. Wilf robs Jean's wedding dress fund to buy alcohol to drown his sorrows after Ivy's departure.

Nancy and Wilf swap jobs with predictable results. Nancy woos Nick, but Deborah spends the night during a storm. Charlie Polson pursues his assistant, Hettie, but lands in the hospital, trying to impress her.

Phyllis finds herself at the centre of an love triangle. Jean and Eddie get exciting news as they celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Logan leaves Ormston for Rattenbury and Deborah gives pursuit.