Heavens Above!

A travelogue style narration begins over a tranquil scene . . . "England's green and pleasant land."

"And, close to its heart, Orbiston Parva."

"For centuries a quiet backwater . . . "

". . . today Orbiston Parva moves proudly along the broad highway of human progress." Alan Twinam advises that this is Benskin House, formerly part of Benskin's Brewery and now Watford Museum, on Lower High Street in Watford, Hertfordshire.

Without the ivy and missing the chimneys, this is the view now taken by Antony Blair.

The camera tilts down to reveal that the building is to be demolished to make way for a branch of Woolworth. A street level view of Benskin House on Lower High Street, Watford located by Alan Twinam.

Antony Blair returned to the location 59 years later.

A montage of high street scenes appear before the narration continues "But man does not live by bread alone. For his material needs, an infinite variety . . . "

". . . for his spiritual needs, a variety of the infinite." A view of the Christian Spiritualist Church & Haling Centre is shown.

After a shot of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic church, we are taken to the local Friends Meeting House . . .

. . . the Methodist Church . . .

. . . and the Baptist Tabernacle. Shell Rubin found the since renamed Derby Road Baptist Church at the corner of Derby Road and Grosvenor Road in Watford, Hertfordshire.

Constrained by trees and a slip road, the best angle possible from Mark Alford.

Appearing in quick succession we see the Congregational church . . . .

. . . . the Emmanuel Pentecostal church and finally . . . . the Quakers Meeting House in Derby Road, Watford located by Shell Rubin who adds the "tin tabernacle" was demolished in the early sixties to make way for the ring road around the town.

With no reference points, Mark Alford believes that this is the approximate location.

. . . Holy Trinity Orbiston Parva. "But when it comes to a Christening, a wedding or a burial, the majority would undoubtedly claim to be Church of England." Gordon Thomson tells us that this capture is of the set on the back lot at Shepperton Studios in Littleton, Middlesex. (RL)

"It is a Sunday evening and the Townsfolk are engaged in their customary devotions." Sounds of screaming and gunshots accompany shots of television aerials.

Behind the curtains and closed doors of Orbiston Parva, murder is played out on the small screen.

After a sight of bingo players with their "eyes down", Teenagers twisting in a coffee bar appear.

A queue files inside the cinema to see the latest romantic release.

"The name Despard is dominant in Orbiston Parva."

"Not far from Trinity church stands a modern factory. The brainchild of the latest of the Despard line." Having worked there for three years as a student, John Hicks identifies this as Poplar House, the former BP Research Centre on Chertsey Road at the junction with Cadbury Road and Groveley Road in Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex. Other parts of the since demolished building can also be seen in 'Suspect' and 'It's Trad, Dad!'.

John provides this view of the replacement building which apparently needs to be kept at bay by a wall.

"Tranquilax has brought comport to millions, wealth to Orbiston Parva and re-emphasised the influence of the Despard family upon the town."

"And since any appointment to the living of Holy Trinity is vested in the family, that influence may be said to extend even into the life to come." A view of the Depard family seat is seen before the music swells and the titles appear. This is Claremont School situated in Esher, Surrey advises Bob Brumpton who adds "I used to deliver milk there in the 1970s."

Peter Bywaters took this view of the school across the front lawn.

At Fairfield Prison near Grimsdyke in Dorset, the Reverend John Edward Smallwood speaks with prisoner 181 Fred Smith in his cell. The gates to the former St. Albans Gaol on Grimston Road, St. Albans in Hertfordshire, also seen in 'Burning an Illusion'.

Brickwork now replaces the iron grille. (PW)

The prison gates are opened to allow in the car to collect the Reverend Smallwood for his new appointment at Holy Trinity in Orbiston Parva. Keith Wickham locates this as the former prison at the junction of Grimston Road and Stanhope Road in St. Albans, Hertfordshire adding "The prison has long gone, but the frontage remains. It was also used as the prison gateway for the opening titles of 'Porridge'."

Keith also provides this comparison of the old prison gates.

Looking from his office window, the Governor sees a Figure approach the waiting Austin. The yard of former St. Albans Gaol which also appears in 'Three Sundays to Live'.

The former yard has been built over. (PW)

Prison Officer Wilson raises the alarm as the gates are opened for the car to leave. Inside that gates of the former St. Albans Gaol on Grimston Road in St. Albans. Part of the former prison is now St. Albans Register Office with an address of The Gatehouse at 1 Victoria Square.

Still recognisable as the same place. (PW)

181 Fred Smith (Roy Kinnear) jumps out of the Austin and makes a run for it before being captured. St. Albans Gaol on Grimston Road, St. Albans in Hertfordshire.

Unrecognisable as the same place. (PW)

In the pouring rain, dustman Matthew Robinson (Brock Peters) throws rubbish into his refuse truck as the Reverend John Smallwood (Peter Sellers)leaves the station. Keith Wickham discovered that this is Shepperton station on Station Approach, Shepperton in Middlesex. The station can also be seen in 'On the Fiddle', 'Cockleshell Heroes' and 'Marilyn'.

Nick Boorman visited the redeveloped station.

Discovering that there are no buses or taxis, the Reverend approaches Matthew. The back lot at Shepperton, where most of the action takes place.

Matthew gives the Reverend Smallwood a lift to Holy Trinity Vicarage. Here's the set at Shepperton again.

Getting down to work, the new incumbent starts by learning about the beliefs of the Townsfolk.

Cycling through his parish, the Reverend becomes dismayed by the opinions of his flock. Shell Rubin's research led to finding the building to the right on Watersplash Road in Shepperton, Middlesex, opposite Stewart Avenue.

The building survives with newer neighbours in Nick Boorman's shot.

A puncture brings more disappointment. Petts Lane, Shepperton in Middlesex with Watersplash Road in the background, identified by Shell Rubin.

The same thoroughfare revisited by Nick Boorman.

Reverend Owen Thomas (Kenneth Griffith) sticks up a new poster outside the Latter Day Pentecostal Mission Hall. Shell Rubin found that the building was a Scout Hut standing at the corner of Wood Road and Petts Lane in Shepperton.

Nick Boorman records the condition of the building before it gets knocked down for redevelopment.

Turning from his task, the Reverend Thomas ventures "That's how this place gets you chaps. You go flat like that tyre." Wood Road at the corner of Petts Lane, Shepperton, discovered by Shell Rubin.

Dereliction by Nick Boorman.

Introducing himself to John Smallwood, Owen Thomas explains that he gives his congregation plenty of the fiery furnace stuff. Petts Lane in Shepperton, Middlesex located by Shell Rubin.

In a field near the Tranquilax factory a Council Official (Geoffrey Hibbert) tells Harry Smith (Eric Sykes) and Rene (Irene Handl) that an eviction order has been served and they must move off the land by next Monday.

The Reverend Smallwood approaches as the Official shouts back at the Smith family after a scuffle. Seen from land adjacent to King George's Field, in the distance stands Poplar House, part of the old BP Research Centre, in Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex located by John Hicks. A view of the location after development appears in 'Kevin and Perry Go Large'.

In the left background beyond the houses in John's comparison stands BP's current building.

Churchwarden Major Harold Fowler (William Hartnell) greets Parishioners as they arrive at Holy Trinity for the new Vicar's first service. More of the set on the back lot at Shepperton Studios.

Helping as best he can, Reverend Smallwood allows the Smiths to move into the Vicarage. Again, the Set at Shepperton Studios.

Major Fowler complains about Reverend Smallwood to the Bishop. Tom Quad at Christchurch College in Oxford.

Christchurch Hall in Tom Quad taken by David Steers who adds that all the stone in the quad has been refaced over the intervening years.

An urgent message is conveyed from the Bishop. David Steers identifies the location of this brief scene as a side entrance to the Cathedral in the Cloisters, a small area to the side of the Christchurch at the back of the Quad.

David Steers took a wider shot of the doorway.

Archdeacon Aspinall (Cecil Parker) speaks with a group of Clerics (including Malcolm Muggeridge) before he is called to the Bishop's office. Tom Quad at Christchurch College which stands on St. Aldates in Oxford.

David Steers explains that this is the opposite side of the quad to Christchurch Hall facing the Archdeacon's Lodgings.

The Postman delivers to the Major's house before Archdeacon Aspinall arrives at the Vicarage next door and discovers the error in the prison chaplain's appointment. The set on the back lot at Shepperton.

After she starts to follow Reverend Smallwood's premiss of giving to the poor, at Orbiston Vale Dairies Lady Lucy Despard (Isabel Jeans) tries to persuade the Manager (Jack McNaughton) to accept and deliver free milk. Identified by Shell Rubin, the dairy stood at 30 High Street in Addlestone, Surrey.

John Harwood that the dairy is now a gated community. (SJ)

On the golf course, the Bank Manager (Eric Barker) and Major Fowler discuss a loan towards his investment in the new Tranquilax building.

In the City, shares brokers Renshaw Thompson & Co. receive a letter from Lady Despard requesting that they sell her shares in Tranquilax. Facing the Royal Exchange from Mansion House Street in EC3. The location can be seen in many other productions including 'What's Good for the Goose', 'Aksar', 'The Tenth Man', 'The Salvage Gang', 'Circus of Fear', 'The Verdict', 'Two Gentlemen Sharing' and 'The Mackintosh Man'.

Traffic restrictions now abound. SJ

As Reverend Smallwood's "Good Neighbour Fellowship" scheme begins, two Tramps (Sydney Bromley and Cardew Robinson) make their way to the church hall where the free distribution of goods is to take commence.

Supervised by Matthew, consignments of vegetables leave local farms.

With the church delivering milk, butter, eggs to doorsteps and meat, fruit and vegetables available at the church hall, the media arrive in Orbiston Parva. The set on the back lot at Shepperton Studios, then in Middlesex.

As morning newspapers carry stories of the fall in Tranquilax share prices, milk floats return to the dairy with full loads. Facing south on High Street in Addlestone with the corner of Simplemarsh Road in the background located by Shell Rubin.

John H was on the spot. (SJ)

The camera follows the Morrison-Electricar into the dairy yard. Shell Rubin found the yard on High Street in Addlestone, Surrey. The depot operated until at least 2010.

As mentioned in the capture 44 comparison, John found a large gate. (SJ)

With no customers, butcher Mr. Pursey (John Comer) looks across a deserted high street towards a fellow Shopkeeper. Not a real doorway advises Shell Rubin, who recognised that it also appears in 'The Small World of Sammy Lee' and is part of a set at Shepperton Studios.

Following a sermon during which Reverend Smallwood condemns Tranquilax pills as being worthless, Sir Geoffrey Despard returns from the States. Claremont House, part of Claremont School, on Claremont Drive in Esher identified by Bob Brumpton.

Peter Bywaters returned to the imposing building.

Sir Geoffrey Despard (Mark Eden) looks around at the Down and Outs sitting around the building's entrance before entering to confront his Mother. The steps to Claremont House on Claremont Drive in Esher, Surrey located by Bob Brumpton.

The entrance is free from unwelcome visitors in Peter Bywaters' comparison.

When redundancies are announced after Tranquilax shares plummet, at the factory a Shop Steward (Harry Locke) calls for strike action in support of those dismissed.

When the town's shops and dairy close down through lack of custom, the queues at the Labour Exchange grow.

Unable to pay the bills, Mrs. Gunter (Joan Heal) watches her television be taken away by a Man (Sidney Jennings) from the rental company.

Lady Despard's Cook (Ruth Kettlewell) leads Chauffeur (Jeremy Longhurst) and the Maid from the house after they walk out. The steps of Claremont House at Esher in Surrey. The property can also be seen in 'The Admirable Crichton', 'The Naked Runner' as well as 'Fury at Smugglers' Bay' and segments for the television series 'Hornblower' were also filmed at the location.

No vagrants to trip over when Peter Bywaters visited.

As supplies run out at the church hall, tempers are lost and objects are thrown at Matthew. The set built at Shepperton Studios.

Members of the Chamber of Commerce walk through the town as the local Police Sergeant requests reinforcements to assist with the growing unease.

Stern faced Churchmen also make their way through Orbiston Parva.

Strikers from the Tranquilax factory take to the streets.

Trade union banners are held high.

Different columns of marchers merge at junctions and head towards the church hall.

While the Smith family prepare to move out of the Vicarage, taking lead from the church roof and valuables from the property, a Salvation Army band arrives. The back lot at Shepperton Studios.

Accompanied by their own band, patriotic demonstrators add to the crowds as fighting breaks out. Likely to be at Shepperton Studios.

Rescued from the church hall by Matthew, Reverend Smallwood is driven back to the Vicarage. A last look at the set built at Shepperton Studios in Middlesex.

The Bishop replaces Reverend John Smallwood from Fairfield Prison in Dorset with Reverend John Smallwood of the Vicarage at Framley Park, Dorset, sending the former to the remote island of Ultima Thule where a new rocket launching ground has been built.

Swapping places with the assigned Astronaut, just as Fred Smith had done with him, Smallwood is taken by Land Rover towards the launch pad.

A lift carries the new Bishop of Outer Space to the rocket's capsule.