Ups and Downs of a Handyman, The

Date: 1975
Director: John Sealey
Production Company: K.F.R. Productions

Stars: Barry Stokes, Gay Soper, Sue Lloyd, Bob Todd, Chic Murray, Robert Dorning
Location(s): Surrey, Kent

Region(s):

Storyline:

After Bob’s wife inherits a cottage in the countryside he takes up a job as the local handyman but soon becomes entangled with the women of the village.

Additional Information:

Screen captures uploaded by Phil Wilkinson from source material provided by John Tunstill.

Also known as ‘Confessions of a Handyman’ and ‘Confessions of an Odd-Job Man’ (Video titles)

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If you have any information regarding this production, the locations or, even better, some comparison shots please contact us. Images submitted must be in Landscape orientation, as would be seen on the cinema screen, not Portrait.

We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.

  • Capture 1
  • 03 Jun 2013

Bob (Barry Stokes) leaves the church in Hilcombe. St Mary's Church on Petworth Road, Chiddingfold, Surrey.

Looking south. SJ

  • Capture 2
  • 03 Jun 2013

Entering the village. Passing The Crown Inn, Opposite the church in the previous image. The Green in Chiddingfold.

The food is pricey in here. SJ

  • Capture 3
  • 03 Jun 2013

Bob goes to the newsagent to place an advertisement in the window. Jonathan Rose answers our query as to whether or not the building was ever a shop "It was indeed, and I would know as my father owned it! He sold it in 2001 to a family who got planning permission to convert it into the residential property that you see in the comparison view. The internal scenes were shot inside the store and, of mild amusement, was the fact that the shop kept a small video rental section, where we actually kept a copy of the film."

And doesn't even look like one now. SJ

  • Capture 4
  • 03 Jun 2013

Maisie (Gay Soper) the local 'mistress' leaves the shop after placing an advertisement. Looking towards The Green, Chiddingfold. Other parts of the village feature in 'The Years Between'.

Now, from the "shop." SJ

  • Capture 5
  • 03 Jun 2013

A car pulls up outside the newsagent. The Green, Chiddingfold near Godalming.

Less blurry. SJ

  • Capture 6
  • 03 Jun 2013

There are some unidentified actors and actresses in this film too . . . ! Chiddingfold, Surrey.

Now: but what is annoying is that there was no time for many other locations so near here including a couple 100 yards away (see below). Maybe a Chiddingfold local? SJ

  • Capture 7
  • 'Now' required

Bob says goodbye to his wife Margaretta (Penny Meredith) and sets out to find work. Unidentified location.

  • Capture 8
  • 'Now' required

Heading for the garage to get the transport. Unidentified location.

  • Capture 9
  • 12 Aug 2020

Police Constable Knowles (Chic Murray) starts work for the day. The house is at the corner of Petworth Road and Mill Lane, Chiddingfold.

Mick and Julie Mowatt did some detective work and found the same doorway.

  • Capture 10
  • 27 Sep 2024

P.C. Knowles rests his bike outside his house. Looking down Mill Lane in Chiddingfold.

A wider view from Antony Blair as the hedges have since grown somewhat.

  • Capture 11
  • 'Now' required

Bob on the lookout for work. Unknown location.

  • Capture 12
  • 'Now' required

Panning shot and around the corner from image udh011. Unidentified location.

  • Capture 13
  • 'Now' required

The first job of the day. Unknown location.

  • Capture 14
  • 'Now' required

Leaving after completing the task. Unknown location.

  • Capture 15
  • 'Now' required

Squire Bullsworthy joins the local hunt. The Rose & Crown, High Street, Elham, Kent. (SR)

  • Capture 16
  • 'Now' required

The local hunt gets ready to leave the village. Rose & Crown, Elham. (SR)

  • Capture 17
  • 'Now' required

Tally Ho! Looking southwards down the High Street in Elham, Kent, with the Rose & Crown in the distance. (SR)

  • Capture 18
  • 27 Sep 2024

A woman pulls up at a local service station on Petworth Road, Chiddingfold. The location has been redeveloped.

It's difficult to believe that this is the same building captured by Antony Blair.

  • Capture 19
  • 27 Sep 2024

More unidentified players. Petworth Road, Chiddingfold with St Mary's church visible through the trees.

49 years later at the same spot by Antony Blair who points out the background that proves the location of his previous comparison shot.

  • Capture 20
  • 31 Dec 2019

Bob heads for P.C. Knowles' house. Petworth Road, Chiddingfold, Surrey.

Taken from outside the house. SJ

  • Capture 21
  • 31 Dec 2019

Parking up outside the house. Mill Lane at the junction with Petworth Road, Chiddingfold.

The junction today, looking east. SJ

  • Capture 22
  • 31 Dec 2019

Bob readies to do a job for Mrs Knowles. Petworth Road looking towards The Green, Chiddingfold.

I think there's been some redesign on the house. SJ

  • Capture 23
  • 'Now' required

P.C. Knowles outside Bob and Margaretta's cottage. Unidentified location.

  • Capture 24
  • 31 Dec 2019

Bob and Margaretta eventually take over the Ram Cider House, a local pub. This is The Ram public house on Catteshall Lane in Godalming, Surrey identified by Paul Osborne.

Now known as The Old Cider/Cyder House. SJ

  • Capture 25
  • 31 Dec 2019

The Ram in Hilcombe played by The Ram in Godalming. Paul Osborne advises that the former public house is now a private residence.

Looking east on Catteshall Lane, to the east of Godlaming. SJ

  • Capture 26
  • 31 Dec 2019

But Bob still goes odd-jobbing. Looking along Catteshall Lane in Godalming towards The Ram. Location found by Paul Obsorne.

As above. SJ