SERIES 1 - First broadcast 1979

1. Losing Grantleigh Manor

Audrey fforbes-Hamilton's celebration of her husband Marton's death is rudely cut short by the discovery that he was bankrupt and that she must sell her beloved Manor to cover the debts. She is even more horrified when she discovers that the buyer is "trade".

First broadcast: 30th Sep 1979

2. The New Owner

Audrey moves to the Lodge, which is in a perfect location for keeping an eye on the activities of the new owner of Grantleigh – the charming and handsome businessman Richard DeVere. She's not happy about his humble beginnings, her only comfort being that he's English; unfortunately this illusion is dispelled when she meets his mother.

First broadcast: 7th Oct 1979

3. The Rhythms Of The Earth
(aka. Going to Church)

Already in Audrey's bad books for being born 'Bedrich Polouvicka', Richard sinks further by failing to attend church. (Ignorance of Pooh-Sticks doesn't help either.) He shows he can give just as good a lecture as she can though. Ned's clock repairing skills (or lack thereof) are exhibited.

First broadcast: 14th Oct 1979

4. The Fireplace

Richard wants to buy a horse and enlists Audrey's help in finding one. He is making some alterations at the Manor; since Audrey isn't at all pleased about this he gives her one of the fireplaces as a present. It's a pity he hasn't yet learned that when Audrey labels something as "the nation's heritage" it doesn't necessarily mean that she actually likes it.

First broadcast: 21st Oct 1979

5. The Hunt Ball

It's time for the Hunt Ball. Audrey usually organises it but refuses this year, purely to make Richard's life difficult and to prove the estate can't function without her. Instead of begging her "on bended knee" to reconsider, Richard promptly employs psychological warfare – he asks Marjory to organise the Ball, knowing Audrey won't stand being put aside. Audrey falls into the trap, but takes revenge later on.

First broadcast: 28th Oct 1979

6. The Grapevine
(aka. A Holiday At Home)

"The whole point about a holiday is not that one should take one, but that one should be seen to have taken one." Tired of being told how 'peaky' she looks, Audrey follows everyone's advice and takes a holiday – or rather stays hidden indoors for a week with the curtains shut, while Brabinger tells everyone she is in Spain. Richard accidentally discovers her secret and doesn't hesitate to make use of his weapon.

First broadcast: 4th Nov 1979

7. The TV Commercial

Audrey decides she must economise; in her language this means bouncing a cheque in one of Richard's supermarkets. Meanwhile Richard is making a television commercial at the Manor for 'Fauntleroy's Old English Tonic – The Little Aristocrat'. In her usual nosy way Audrey sends Brabinger to the Manor to find out what is going on and he is roped in to add 'authenticity'. Audrey is shocked, until she discovers how much money he was paid.

First broadcast: 11th Nov 1979

Christmas Special: Christmas At Grantleigh

Audrey is determined that Richard won't take over her "one remaining duty" – the providing of a Christmas crib. Since the old one was left behind at the Manor, she makes a new one with the help (or hindrance, depending on how you look at it) of Marjory and Ned. Unfortunately Richard has already supplied a brand new crib from one of his shops which completely outshines Audrey's effort: it even plays 'Jingle Bells' and has a guiding star that is… supposed to twinkle.

First broadcast: 25th Dec 1979