Parkin’s Patch (ITV 1969-1970, John Flanagan, Gareth Thomas)

Crime drama series Parkin’s Patch gave us cases from the files of country copper PC Moss Parkin. Writers were of a generally high calibre and included the likes of series creator Elwyn Jones, Allan Prior, Robert Barr and James Doran. Brothers Troy Kennedy Martin and Ian Kennedy Martin teamed up to write several scripts together under the pen name of Tony Marsh. Stephen Frears and Michael Apted were also among the directors.

The half hour format kept most of the scripts pretty tight and there was another strong role for Gareth Thomas as Parkin’s detective off sider Ron Radley. Interestingly although no credit is given for the voice of the radio despatch officer whom Parkin confers with on most episodes it does sound suspiciously like Gareth Thomas putting on a slight accent.

Series creator Elwyn Jones was also a main-stay of BBC series Z Cars and at the same time as this show was on the air also created Z Cars spin-off Softly Softly Task Force.

production  details
UK / ITV – Yorkshire / 26×30 minute episodes / Broadcast 19 September 1969 – 20 March 1970

Creator: Elwyn Jones / Police Consultant: Arnold Robinson, Ex-Det Chief Superintendent / Script Editor: Nick McCarty / Producer: Terence Williams

cast
JOHN FLANAGAN as PC Moss Parkin
GARETH THOMAS as Detective Constable Ron Radley
HEATHER PAGE as Beth Parkin John Flanagan as Moss Parkin.

THE EPISODES 19 September 1969 – 20 March 1970
These dates refer to broadcasts in the ATV Midlands region.
1. HOOF NOR HORN (19 Sep 1969)
2. LOCK, STOCK AND… (26 Sep 1969)
3. DEAD? OR ALIVE? (3 Oct 1969)
4. FAME OF A KIND (10 Oct 1969)
5. BONUS (17 Oct 1969)
6. THE GOOD LISTENER (24 Oct 1969)
7. THE DESERTER (31 Oct 1969)
8. THE WAY HOME (7 Nov 1969)
9. A PAIR OF GOOD SHOES (15 Nov 1969)
10. THE BIRMINGHAM CON (22 Nov 1969)
11. BOYS (29 Nov 1969)
12. NOTHING PERSONAL (6 Dec 1969)
13. EVERYBODY KNEW BUT ME (13 Dec 1969)
14. NO FRIENDSHIP FOR COPPERS (20 Dec 1969)
15 .THE MANCHESTER PASSENGER (3 Jan 1970)
16. THE JOURNEY (10 Jan 1970)
17. REGULATION 17 (17 Jan 1970)
18. VICKORY (24 Jan 1970)
19. FOX AMONG THE CHICKENS (31 Jan 1970)
20. WISEMEN (7 Feb 1970)
21. THIS LITTLE PIGGY…. (14 Feb 1970)
22. LOW NOON (20 Feb 1970)
23. THE SPIDER’S WEB (27 Feb 1970)
24. IT’S GOT TO BE LOCAL (6 Mar 1970)
25. THE LINK (13 Mar 1970)
26. TWO GENTLEMEN STANDING (20 Mar 1970)