Emmerdale — Series 7

Jan 1978

Spirits are low at Emmerdale Farm until Amos Brearly admits he knows where Dolly Acaster is hiding. But Annie Sugden wonders if she should tell Matt Skilbeck.

Jan 1978

Sam is furious at the thought of Matt spending the night in a hotel room with Dolly. At The Red Lion, Matt announces his intention to go to bed, but Richard insists on a last drink, after Matt has told them that he's staying at the hotel. When Richard goes off to get the drinks, Dolly and Matt have their first private conversation.

Jan 1978

Matt returns home from a night out with Dolly with some odd news. On their way through the village they pass The Woolpack and notice all the lights on well past closing time. Henry suggests to Donald that Miss Venables could live in the Vicarage for a while after it is discovered that she has a leaky caravan, but Hinton flatly refuses. However, he suggests that he wouldn't mind helping out financially if she stayed at The Woolpack. He and Henry go to the pub to put the idea to Amos.

Jan 1978

Dolly tells Matt that her mother is arriving that evening but the problem is where can she stay, the best thing, Dolly thinks is if she just tells her to go away again. Matt says no to that and calls Joe to ask him if Dolly and her mother can borrow Demdyke Row for a bit. Joe agrees and the arrangements are made. Matt then tries to ask Joe about engagement rings but Joe shoots off, fearing another favour. Meanwhile, Miss Venables is refusing to budge from her derelict caravan despite the good intentions of Henry who is trying his hardest to find her new accommodation.

Jan 1978

Sam and Annie are in disagreement over Miss Venables. When Sam tells her not to be too hard on Miss Venables he is sharply informed that Emmerdale is not a hotel and that Miss Venables is a menace. In the Hotten cafe, Henry, Dolly and Matt are having tea. Dolly doesn't look too happy but Henry is fine. Dolly says she might well go home now but Matt can't get out of her what's wrong. Henry and Dolly return to The Woolpack to find Amos snoozing in the back room. Amos immediately asks to see the engagement ring he thinks Dolly and Matt have just bought in Hotten which makes Dolly leave the room with a slur on Matt's character.

Jan 1978

Henry arrives at the farm with a brand new caravan for Miss Venables and its not long before everybody is in agreement over what should happen. Miss Venables should leave, and as soon as possible, despite her determination to set up home at Emmerdale Farm. Matt explains to Annie why he hasn't bought an engagement ring for Dolly yet. He wants to use the family engagement ring but has been afraid to ask. Annie immediately offers it to him. Having been given the ring, Matt presents it to Dolly - in the cowshed! This is followed by a family celebration.

Jan 1978

Beckindale is invaded by gypsies to the fury of some villagers. Meanwhile, Joe is annoyed at Glenda leaving the gate open but his rage soon turns to love. Also, Phyllis arrives in the village and tells Dolly that she won't allow her to make another mistake like Richard.

Feb 1978

One of the gypsies causes controversy in the village, which Joe manages to put right. Meanwhile, Donald receives a phone call threatening the play school.

Feb 1978

Jed breaks into Emmerdale Farm but is caught by Matt. Play school is interrupted when someone throws a brick through the window.

Feb 1978

Joe really manages to put his foot in it with Glenda, whilst the villagers are thrilled to find the gypsies leaving.

Feb 1978

Amos's journalism career is put into jeopardy after he receives a letter from Grant. Meanwhile, Phyllis asks Donald to look after Dolly's interests in the wedding.

Feb 1978

Phyllis's decisions about the wedding get on Dolly's nerves; she only allows the wedding in Beckindale when she is allowed to chose Dolly's wedding dress - yellow.

Feb 1978

Mr. Tyler arrives with bad news for Amos, whilst Annie talks to Phyllis about the wedding dress.

Feb 1978

Amos is shocked to discover Grant is a conman, and Glenda tries to help him get his job back at the courier.

Feb 1978

Joe makes clear of his disapproval of Ruth removing the copse, and Ruth tells Annie that she doesn't want to be bullied by local farmers like her brother was. Amos asks Phyllis to the ball but is shocked when he realises he doesn't have the tickets.

Mar 1978

Phyllis leaves the village now on good terms with Dolly, whilst Donald awaits the arrival of his son Clive.

Mar 1978

In a field somewhere near the village, a young man wakes up. He climbs out of his car, looks around, then gets back in again and prepares to drive off. Later on in the day the young man turns up at the Vicarage, finds no one at home and starts to bring his luggage in...

Mar 1978

Clive announces his intentions to go mining in Beckindale, whilst Joe buries the hatchet with Ruth by taking her out for dinner.

Mar 1978

Nellie is infuriated by Donald's comments whilst Donald gets a second visitor, Clive's associate Rod.

Mar 1978

Clive, Rod and Ian's attempt at mining goes terribly wrong when the electrics cause an explosion.

Mar 1978

Clive and Ian are rescued and Rod is left in a coma following the incident. However, Ian discovers the mine was emptied years ago, and Clive leaves the village unexpectedly.

Mar 1978

Clive returns and Annie tries to reconcile him with Donald, but to no avail as Clive does a moonlight flit.

Apr 1978

Donald announces Sam as the new organising secretary, but causes controversy in his first five minutes when he plans to scrap their upcoming trip.

Apr 1978

Matt and Joe are relieved to find their cows aren't infected by a plague, whilst Sam and Nellie become romantically closer.

Apr 1978

The Sugdens discover that the milk board have found brucellosis in their milk. Meanwhile, Sam and Nellie get closer.

Apr 1978

Sam believes he has caught brucellosis from the cows. Also, Sam tells Henry that he'd only move in with Nellie if they marry.

Apr 1978

Matt and Dolly discuss Matt potentially selling his share, whilst Nellie comforts Sam when the trip goes wrong.

Apr 1978

The Sugdens are relieved to discover that no disease was found in the herd. Meanwhile, Nellie admits she's too old for love, throwing Sam's proposal plans out the window.

Apr 1978

The Coulters cause a disruption outside the church when the parents disallow Pip from attending. Meanwhile, Steve takes an interest in Joe's shotgun..

Apr 1978

Pip refuses to return home and runs away, leaving Donald to break the news to the family. Meanwhile, Sam causes fishing plans to end abruptly when he puts his foot in the pond.

May 1978

Steve breaks into 3 Demdyke Row and steals Joe's shotgun. Meanwhile, Will reveals that Steve and the missing Pip want to marry and believe she has eloped.

May 1978

Steve and Pip perform an armed robbery at The Woolpack and lock Henry and Amos in the cellar, leaving them in there for the night. Joe finds them hours later and calls the police as Steve and Pip plan to abscond.

May 1978

Ted arrives at the scene and immediately puts two and two together, figuring out that Steve has broken into 3 Demdyke Row and robbed The Woolpack with Pip. Steve takes Sam hostage and escapes when Annie gives him her car, with Ted in pursuit.

May 1978

Donald tries to make Paul see that Pam is the reason Pip turned criminal and went on the run. Will believes the same and attacks Pam, hospitalising her.

May 1978

Donald shows new headteacher Antony around the school and introduces him to caretaker Seth. Meanwhile, Phyllis sends Dolly a letter about the wedding arrangements and sends Jessie to go through them with Dolly.

May 1978

Dolly and Jessie lock horns and Dolly declares that she's having nothing other than a white wedding. Meanwhile, on his first day of teaching, Antony and the school children find a skull.

May 1978

Plans begin to get Dolly christened, while the villagers try to find out who the mysterious Hannah Elizabeth is. Also, Antony offers to teach Seth how to read.

May 1978

Donald has found that Hannah Elizabeth Gough married Matthew Pearson in Robblesfield Church in 1800 - Seth notices that Matthew shares Sam's surname. Meanwhile, the villagers discover that the police have arrested Pip and Steve in Liverpool.

May 1978

Jessie is fuming when Phyllis begins to claim that she can't afford the reception and decides to go have it out with her. Meanwhile, Sam learns something horrifying about his family's past and asks for it to be kept private.

Jun 1978

Jessie helps Sam come to terms with his recent discovery, whilst a proper funeral is held for Hannah Elizabeth. Meanwhile, Jessie's heads back to Darlington to teach Phyllis a lesson.

Jun 1978

Pip returns to the village and stays with Joe. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hawker visits Donald and asks for him to stand up for Steve in court, saying he's not a bad person.

Jun 1978

Matt receives a visit from his cousin Polly who he hasn't seen in years. Meanwhile, Polly's husband Alec and Henry take a liking to each other.

Jun 1978

Amos is over the moon to be asked to give Dolly away at the wedding. Tom goes on the warpath after discovering Pip is pregnant and forces her out of the village.

Jun 1978

Joe snaps and punches Tom following an argument about Pip, causing Tom to fall and break a chair. Meanwhile, Phyllis returns with the news that she has gotten married.

Jun 1978

Amos clashes with Phyllis who wants Leonard to give Dolly away. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hawker announces her decision to leave Tom and considers asking Pip to live with her.

Jun 1978

Dolly and Matt marry at last. Leonard invites Dolly and Matt on his and Phyllis's honeymoon to the Bahamas but she rejects. Meanwhile, wedding bells ring for Pip and Steve as well, with Steve being allowed out of prison by Alec.

Sept 1978

Miffield Hall is sold following George's death, whilst Dolly feels useless at the farm. Sam tries to help by suggesting to Joe that they swap houses but gets an earful when Joe snaps, sick of people telling him how to live his life.

Sept 1978

Matt and Dolly return from viewing a house to find a surveyor in their top field, having been told it's owned by the Verneys.

Sept 1978

The Sugdens try to claim the top field, and Henry hears that Gerald is in a financial fix. Meanwhile, Amos and Henry finally discover what Frankie is bidding on.

Sept 1978

Henry's solicitor informs him that they have a very good chance of being awarded the land if they go to court, but it's a costly procedure. Meanwhile, Amos and Henry are shocked to discover Frankie has been involved in a car accident.

Sept 1978

The Sugdens are delivered a huge blow when Gerald proves that the top field was rented. Meanwhile, Donald is shocked to discover Clive has been arrested in Athens.

Sept 1978

Amos makes a kind gesture to Frankie by refusing to let her pay for staying. Meanwhile, Henry proves that they own the top field but Gerald tells them he wants £10,000.

Sept 1978

Sam is annoyed that David has arrived in the village, whilst David is shocked to discover Jacob is dead. Meanwhile, worries arise for Winn as someone comes round to discuss their tenancy.

Sept 1978

Nicky warns Pru off Joe, whilst Sam remains sour over David's return and snipes at Annie. Dolly and Annie have a heart to heart about marriage.

Oct 1978

Nicky is desperate to leave the farming life and tries to lie his way out of it. Meanwhile, Sam is livid when he bumps into David and an argument is inevitable.

Oct 1978

Nicky and Win discover they are being forced to leave their house as it is being sold. Meanwhile, Annie pays David a visit to clear the air

Oct 1978

Sam has an outburst at dinner, leaving the family (except Annie) wondering what's wrong with him. Meanwhile, Winn becomes suspicious and begins to believe Nicky is having an affair.

Oct 1978

Nicky and Winn clash when Winn cashes in the compensation cheque in her name and Winn finishes with Nicky. Meanwhile, David reveals the reason he left Beckindale many years ago.

Oct 1978

The villagers are shocked to meet the new owners of Home Farm, the renamed Miffeld Hall. Meanwhile, Donald is worried as Clive is to remain in prison until his trial which could be years, and he may be sentenced to ten years.

Oct 1978

Whilst going to help Joe with the milking, Matt collapses and is rushed to hospital. Meanwhile, the death of Henry's aunt hits hard and he contemplates leaving for Rome.

Oct 1978

Joe discovers that Ted's bottle previously had poisonous chemicals and hadn't been cleaned, which caused Matt's collapse. Meanwhile, Vivian pushes Henry to live his life the way he wants and considers buying him out of Emmerdale Farm Ltd. and The Woolpack.

Oct 1978

Marian returns to the village and Henry voices his idea to move to Rome but she is not keen. However, Vivian tells the Sugdens that he will be buying Henry's share. Having not agreed to anything, Henry hunts him down for a confrontation.

Oct 1978

The Sugdens receive a shock and begin to believe Vivian has been hiding the truth. Meanwhile, Marian tries to dissuade Henry from leaving the village.

Nov 1978

Vivian gets a grilling from Joe and Henry. Meanwhile, Seth and Sam tie for second place at the vegetable competition.

Nov 1978

Disaster strikes when kids start fires on Home Farm land, one setting fire to a barn. Meanwhile, despite being furious with him, Joe is concerned for Vivian.

Nov 1978

As the fire is put out, Henry is shocked to find the chemicals have leaked into the fish farm. Meanwhile, Rachel worries about getting too close to Joe.

Nov 1978

Trevor is shocked to discover his barn fire may put the fish farm out of business. Meanwhile, Marian puts all rumours to rest by revealing she barely ever sees Jack in Rome.

Nov 1978

Trevor catches the wrong man poaching on Home Farm land when Seth gets Sam to hold his dead bird. Meanwhile, Marian returns to Rome.

Nov 1978

Trevor goes to the police about Sam but is advised to drop the case. Meanwhile, Rachel's husband continues to bother Rachel, asking her to move to London with him.

Nov 1978

Trevor discovers the truth and considers hiring Seth as gamekeeper. Meanwhile, Rachel tells Joe that they met too soon and she's not ready for a relationship.

Nov 1978

Sam fumes upon discovering NY Estates want to evict Nellie, and Henry tries to help her take action.

Nov 1978

Nellie refuses to budge from her cottage, and is grateful when Amos offers to keep her private life out of the courier. Meanwhile, Joe meets Steve, who is due to move into Nellie's cottage.

Dec 1978

Nellie refuses to budge and is upset when Sam tells her NY Estates may take her to court. Meanwhile, Joe's news about attending a course doesn't go down well with the family.

Dec 1978

Nellie refuses to move, but begins to feel guilty about preventing Steve and his family from moving in. Meanwhile, Dolly helps Matt on the farm but he fusses over her when she feels faint.

Dec 1978

Trevor moves on from NY Estates as his replacement is set to arrive in Beckindale. Meanwhile, Steve discovers that he has been lied to and tells NY Estates that he wants alternate accommodation or he will resign.