Worzel Gummidge

- Season 3

(1980)

The Braithwaites and the Peters return from holiday to find Scatterbrook Farm a shambles, courtesy of Worzel Gummidge and Aunt Sally. It is up to the Crowman to find a way out of trouble for the two foolish artifacts.

Aunt Sally has run away to join the fair and poor lovesick Worzel follows her. He soon makes the acquaintance of the charming Dolly Clothes-Peg, a scarecrow who was once a fashion store mannequin in London, and the two hit it off, which is more than the jealous Aunt Sally can bear.

Worzel hitches a ride to town to shop for a new sweater to attract the attention of Aunt Sally. Once at the department store, he causes a commotion in the menswear department then is mistaken for the centerpiece of a display in the gardening section. All goes well until he is recognized by the Braithwaites as being the scarecrow stolen from their farm.

There's a new resident at the Hall, the imperious retired military man Colonel Bloodstock. Aunt Sally insinuates herself into the house as the parlor maid and Worzel tries to work up the courage to challenge the Colonel for her.

Following the example of all the humans he knows, Worzel takes an interest in gambling. After several failed attempts he decides to enter the Crowman's terrier Ratter in the local whippet race, because he has a trick up his sleeve to win.

Dafthead, the scarecrow created by Worzel (in the episode "Fire Drill"), comes back and usurps Worzel's place as the scarecrow of Scatterbrook Farm. Worzel's attempts to regain his rightful place lead to a scarecrow duel--umbrellas at dawn!

Mr. Shepherd hires a barge to take Aunt Sally down the river to sell to a museum. Worzel mounts a rescue mission with the aid of Saucy Nancy--even though Aunt Sally doesn't want to be rescued.

Worzel discovers that Aunt Sally has joined the church choir so she can partake of the luncheon served after choir practice. Thinking this a brilliant idea, he puts on his singing head and offers himself as a tenor, dreaming of the upcoming Harvest Festival picnic.

Double-length musical holiday special: it's Christmas Eve, a most important day for scarecrows as they must stand in position to guide Santa Claus back to the North Pole. Worzel Gummidge, however, deserts his post to enjoy the delights of the season, jeopardizing his chances for attending the Scarecrow Ball.