Loftus asks Duncan, Paul, Dick and Bingham to come up with ideas for the 1973 St. Swithins Annual Garden Fete. Duncan wants a beauty contest, Paul wishes to do conjuring tricks ( as 'The Great Collieto' ), Dick ( rather bizarrely ) suggests a puppet show, and Bingham's big idea is...donkey rides.
Duncan is horrified when he learns his current girlfriend Annabel is to be one of the beauty contest contestants. Paul's expertise at magic rivals that of Tommy Cooper. Bingham's donkeys turn up four days early ( which means he has to hide them in one of the lecture theatres ), while Dick's puppet show turns out to be a sneaky ploy to sell beer...
Almost every sitcom at one time or another has featured a plot about a garden fête, from 'Terry & June' to 'Father Ted'. This Phil Redmond scripted episode, though playing on familiar turf, manages to be good fun. Though referred to ( she's one of the contestants ), Helen Fraser's 'Mary Bingham' is not in this episode. The oft-mentioned 'Nurse Doreen Willett' is again played by Andrea Lawrence ( last seen in the 'Doctor At Large' episode 'Pull The Other One' ).
Funniest moment - Loftus attacked by Mr.Punch!
Duncan is horrified when he learns his current girlfriend Annabel is to be one of the beauty contest contestants. Paul's expertise at magic rivals that of Tommy Cooper. Bingham's donkeys turn up four days early ( which means he has to hide them in one of the lecture theatres ), while Dick's puppet show turns out to be a sneaky ploy to sell beer...
Almost every sitcom at one time or another has featured a plot about a garden fête, from 'Terry & June' to 'Father Ted'. This Phil Redmond scripted episode, though playing on familiar turf, manages to be good fun. Though referred to ( she's one of the contestants ), Helen Fraser's 'Mary Bingham' is not in this episode. The oft-mentioned 'Nurse Doreen Willett' is again played by Andrea Lawrence ( last seen in the 'Doctor At Large' episode 'Pull The Other One' ).
Funniest moment - Loftus attacked by Mr.Punch!