Hadleigh: Absolutely Feudal (ITV 12 Mar 1971, with Michael Billington)

In Absolutely Feudal the Westdale Show, the planning which was one of the topics of the episode Open Verdict, is in full swing. There are major problems for Hadleigh when one of the farmers tells him that his pigs are showing signs of foot and mouth disease. He has left his pigs at home but has brought in some cattle.

If the animals do have the disease it will mean every farmer at the show will have to have his stock quarantined.

Farmer Lock (J.G. Devlin) tells Hadleigh the news about his pigs.

Meanwhile on the personal front Anne Hepton’s estranged husband Freddie turns up unannounced. He seems more than a little keen to rekindle things between himself and Anne but is somewhat surprised when Hadleigh turns up to see Anne.

There is a great scene in the local pub when Freddie, who is supposed to have taken Charlotte out for a drive but has left waiting in the car park outside. He is clearly the worse for wear and starts pushing Hadleigh about. Hadleigh warns him to stop but he pays no heed so a swiftly couple of punches from James puts him out of action. Michael Billington, who plays Freddie Hepton, would soon go on to a major role in the BBC’s hugely popular drama The Onedin Line.

In the end, thankfully for the district, the trouble with the pigs is thanks to some over zealous cleaning of the pig pens by one of the farm hands.

Freddie Hepton has turned up unannounced.

production details
UK / ITV – Yorkshire / 1×50 minute episode / Broadcast Friday 12 March 1971 at 9.00pm

Writer: John Harrison / Production Design: Roger Cheveley / Director: Peter Cregeen

Series: Hadleigh Season 2 Episode 10

cast
Gerald Harper as James Hadleigh
Jane Merrow as Anne Hepton
Michael Billington as Freddie
J.G. Devlin as Lock
Preston Lockwood as Sam Mogford
Irlin Hall as Vera
Cicely Paget Bowman as Mrs Cockram
John Graham as MacLaren
Peter Carpenter as Farmworker