Nearest and Dearest

This TV sitcom spinoff opens with a view of the Pledge's Purer Pickles factory in Colne, where Nellie Pledge struggles to run the firm whilst her ailing Father lies in his deathbed upstairs.

As the titles roll we see a flash forward of Eli Pledge (Jimmy Jewel) on the beach at Blackpool. Err . . . it’s actually Thorpe Bay in Essex as confirmed by Jon Wennington.

Jon ventured to the beach to find it looking remarkably similar.

Back up north, supposedly, a bus approaches a stop near the pickle factory. The bus once belonged to the Rhondda Transport Company Ltd. Aaron Gray advises that the pickle factory's surrounding streets are in Slough, Berkshire and this is Alpha Street South. (RL)

Antony Blair took a similar shot with a white van replacing the bus.

After dropping a package whilst alighting from the bus, Nellie Pledge (Hylda Baker) heads home. Looking from Grove Close towards Alpha Street South in Slough identified by Aaron Gray. (RL)

Antony found that the privet hedge is thriving.

A Man (Norman Chappell) follows, trying to attract Nellie’s attention after picking up the dropped package. Located by Aaron Gray, this is Grove Close, Slough. (RL)

Antony ventured further into the close.

Ignoring the shouts, Nellie speeds up to get away from her pursuer. Aaron further advises that the pickle factory stood at the end of Grove Close but St. Laurence Way was built through the site in the mid 1970s (RL)

Antony found a much changed scene.

Determined, the Man keeps up with Nellie. Grove Close in Slough identified by Aaron Gray. (RL)

The older houses have made way for a new apartment building in Antony's modern view.

Nellie Pledge reaches the door and lets herself inside before the misunderstanding is resolved and the package returned. Aaron Gray advises that this is at the end of Grove Close in Slough, Berkshire. (RL)

In his comparison, Antony Blair points out the same double apex building and chimney in the left distance.

Missing for fifteen years, Nellie's brother Eli fetches fish and chips before his date Freda (Pat Ashton) reads in the newspaper wrapping that he must return home to Colne as his father is at death’s door. Aaron Gray has scoured the planet and identified this as on High Road in Uxbridge, currently called the Cowley Fish Bar.

Antony Blair found the fish bar closed due to the prevailing pandemic.

At Joshua Pledge’s funeral, Lily and Walter Tattersall (Madge Hindle and Edward Malin) arrive at the graveside. Neil Rigby places this as St Mary the Virgin, Farnham Royal as seen in a later capture based on the tower of St. Anthony's across the field. (RL)

Recognisable as the same churchyard in Antony Blair's view.

Eli and Nellie make their way home for the reading of the Will. Once again St. Mary the Virgin, Farnham Royal says Neil. (RL)

The location is proven by Antony Blair's comparison.

The annual wakes see Nellie and Eli heading off to coast. Looking north along the beach in Blackpool, Lancashire. Although much of the film is set in the northern resort, none of the actors ventured this far.

Holidaymakers head to their guest houses. Facing northward on Tyldesley Road with The Tower in the left distance. The guest houses seen to the right lasted until the mid 2010s but have since been demolished.

This comparison from Paul Swailes shows that the houses to the right have been demolished with the land in the process of being redeveloped.

Nellie leads whilst her brother struggles with the cases. This shot is taken from the title sequence and it's a few miles from Blackpool . . . Hartington Road in Southend on Sea, Essex.

Refuse collection day on the same street, captured by Jon Wennington.

The pair look for their lodgings. Hartington Road, looking southward towards Marine Parade.

Jon Wennington also looked south along Marine Parade.

An establishing shot of The Promenade in Blackpool, just to remind us that we're really in Lancashire.

Paul Swailes took this shot of The Promenade.

Leaving Nellie at the boarding house, Eli sets out to see the resort.

Eli makes the most of the amusements. The Kursaal in Southend with the Water Chute to the top right. The amusement park also features in '21 Days' but closed in 1973. The site is now occupied by housing.

Nellie enjoys a donkey ride on the beach.

The bright lights of Blackpool's Pleasure Beach light up the evening sky.

This comparison by Paul Swailes shows the pleasure beach with the casino sign still in position.

On the seafront Eli speaks with fellow pickling entrepreneur Vernon Smallpiece (Norman Mitchell) as Nellie approaches. Marine Parade in Southend on Sea, Essex.

A clearer view of the background pavilion by Jon Wennington.

Nellie walks up to the two men. Marine Parade with the corner of Hartington Road to the left of centre and the Hope Hotel to the left.

Jon Wennington took this shot of the same junction.

Intent on marrying his sister off, Eli introduces Vernon to Nellie. Marine Parade, Southend on Sea.

Many of the features survive in Jon Wennington's comparison.

Suitably dressed, the Pledge's Purer Pickles delivery van arrives at the factory on the day of Nellie and Vernon's wedding.

Stan Hardman (Joe Gladwin) approaches the front door of the house where Eli and his sister are getting prepared.

Outside the church, Eli waits for Nellie as Lily and Walter arrive. St. Mary the Virgin in Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire says Neil Rigby. The church can also be seen in 'The Day of the Jackal' and 'Penny Gold'. (RL)

A similar view from the same pathway taken by Antony Blair.

Lily and Walter head into the church as Nellie arrives in the back of the horse drawn delivery van. St. Mary the Virgin on Church Road, Farnham Royal in Buckinghamshire says Neil Rigby. (RL)

Antony Blair provides this original to replace Neil's earlier Google capture.