Episode 9. Clay for Mr.Farthing



IN BRIEF - When Harry Farthing's phone plays up he finds out about a new source of clay for his Pottery.But there's far more involved than just one man and a shovel.



We meet GPO men Mr.Wantage and his assistant Fred finishing a job in Trumpton Market Sq. And ride with them to the Pottery,where Harry Farthing's embarassed to find the fault with his line is due to "clay in the receiver rest" as "people will ring me when I'm busy at the wheel".So he's happy to oblige when Mr.Wantage asks for a potting demonstration

And,before they go,they tell him that a lot of clay's just been dug out to build "the new automatic telephone exchange,near Bell's Farm on the Camberwick Road." And as it's much nearer than the "clay pits near Pippin Fort" that he usually uses,Harry hitches a ride as it's their next port of call.

They arrive to find the clay piled up next to the new building and,despite the fact the exchange isn't up and running yet, Mr.Wantage emerges with a phone so Harry can ring Lord B. to ask for some help transporting it.

Which he gets of course,and with the railway line right next door,his Lordship arrives to find Harry starting to shovel it into 2 metal bins,with Winnie looking on.Hard work,and just as well that Farmer Bell happens to pull up in his truck. Because he explains he's got his digger parked nearby,tells them to load the empty bins on to Bessie and soon makes short work of filling them.So Lord B,Brackett,Harry and Winnie steam off back to the Pottery,where they're met by Mr.Crockett,who arrives to winch-off the heavy loads using his tow-truck -courtesy of a phone-ahead by Farmer Bell we're told. And the job's completed with enough time for everyone to get back for the 6 o'clock whistle and dance.

TRIVIA:-1) No clue as to how Harry Farthing's  "metal bins" or WInnie appear at the telephone exchange.