Episode 10. Trouble with the Crane



IN BRIEF - A crane malfunction at the Wharf signals a watery grave for Lord Belborough's crate of valuable books.But things are rarely as bad as they first appear in Trumptonshire.



We hitch a ride aboard Mr.Rumpling's barge as he sails to Treddle's Wharf laden with "2 crates for Tumpton Town Hall,a package for Munnings' the Printer and 1 crate marked 'books,with care' for Lord Belborough".And,as he arrives,so too does Farmer Bell with a crate of scrap metal to take their place.Mr.Swallow cranes off some of the packages,but leaves his Lordship's one on board as it can be hoisted straight on to Bessie,and phones through to let him know it's arrived.

Lord B and Brackett turn up,having stopped at the Pottery to take Winnie along for the ride,and Mr.Swallow lowers the hook down to the barge.But Mr.Rumpling's preoccupied,as he's just noticed some paint that's been scraped off the side of it,and absentmindedly hooks up the wrong crate.And as it's hoisted up,there's a problem with the crane's brake and it crashes into the canal."My books,my valuable books.They're ruined ! cried Lord Belborough" .The crane's "completely broken" and a chastened Mr.Swallow quickly puts a call for help through to Pippin Fort.And we cut to the truck hurrying to the scene with Private Armitage already in his frogman's outfit as he's "the best swimmer".

As soon as they arrive,he jumps in and hooks the crate up to Mr.Crockett's tow truck,who'd also got a call.And it's winched onto the quayside,still intact.But when opened they find it wasn't the books after all but only Farmer Bell's old scrap metal.And a relieved Lord B has to laugh,but encourages everyone to help load Bessie up so they can get back in time for the 6 o'clock dance.Job done.