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.

Tom's patience is tested when his father appears to lose focus in their battle to run the village surgery, but unbeknownst to Tom, Arthur is busy brewing his own beer for the christening. Tension develops between Frank and Len.

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.

Deborah's mother arrives in Ormston with surprising news. Meanwhile, Tom has some unusual advice for shopkeeper Mr Boynton.

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.

A German war veteran has news of Wilf's missing brother; Arthur throws his back out and must miss a fishing trip.

Wedding bells are ringing in Ormston, but the groom may not be all he claims. Meanwhile, Wilf and Arthur may have met their match in a parrot.

There's a buzz of excitement around Ormston as a fortune teller arrives. Phyllis receives shocking news. Tom has been so busy he has been neglecting his family, and Deborah has something she needs to tell him.

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.

Tom is angry that Arthur deceived Eugenia; Brewer finalizes the arrangements for Archie's funeral.

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.

Helen becomes a trainee nurse just as the hospital welcomes its most demanding patient, Elizabeth Grimshaw. Tensions run high when a famous radio show arrives in Ormston, and Phyllis is upset as she heard that Harry has sold the pub to the brewery.

When Dennis Tyldesley arrives, Hubert Gough thinks that his much younger wife will run off with the mysterious man. However, Dennis reveals that he is in charge of building a new road that will run through the middle of the village.

Len and Linda's first foster child arrives and doesn't meet their expectations. Rita, a new barmaid, arrives with ideas to expand the pub, which the locals dislike. She leaves when Tom diagnoses her with a rare heart condition.

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.

Ormston is united in its determination to win the annual inter-village Pub Olympics against Thursvale so they can use the hefty cash prize to buy Phyllis' pub back from the brewery.

Jean and Eddie finally get married. Wilf's ex-wife Violet turns up and he insists that he will not attend the wedding if she is present. Whilst Donald looks out for young orphan Niamh, Tom decides to visit his father.