Episode Overview
PPC Nicholson is reaching adulthood, and the village is busy organizing a surprise birthday celebration for him. To keep him and everyone safe, Sergeant Merton assigns him to accompany PC Bellamy on a task to check tax discs. Meanwhile, the police are trying to locate Jimmy Sutton, who is suspected of participating in an armed robbery, but neither his mother nor his wife Lesley has any information on him. While out in the woods, PC Bellamy discovers the robbers hiding out, and after he gets injured, Nicholson bravely offers to take his place as a hostage, leading to tragic consequences. Meanwhile, Lord Ashfordly is hosting a group of American WWII veterans, and Vernon Scripps convinces him to let the local brass band handle the entertainment, which turns out to be a poor choice since band leader George Sugden has a strong dislike for Americans, particularly this group.