Snowball

Mickey Donovan (Dennis Waterman) makes his way home from school. Windsor End in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, which also features in ‘Take a Girl Like You’, ‘Man in the Road’ and ‘Personal Affair’.

Antony Blair returned to Windsor End to find far more parked vehicles.

The camera follows Mickey as he continues on his way. The Green on Windsor End with St. Mary and All Saints church to the left. Other views of the church can be seen in ‘John and Julie’, 'Just William's Luck' and ‘Carry On Sergeant’.

Taken from a similar position by Antony Blair.

This is facing north on Windsor End with Hedgerley Lane to the right, a location that appears in ‘Doctor in Love’ and ‘Doctor in Distress’.

Apart from parked cars, there are only minor changes to the location as Antony Blair's comparison shows.

While his mother worries at home, Mickey pauses to throw stones into a stream.

Having arrived home at six, Bill Donovan (Gordon Jackson) sets out to look for his son. 29 Candlemas Lane in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

Still recognisable, and the trellis is still there to support the greenery. (SR)

Seeing his father come out of the house, Mickey runs and hides inside a gateway along the road. The entrance to St. Joseph's Nursing Home on Candlemas Lane, just behind Beaconsfield Studios.

Phil Richards visited the location to find that the whole site has now been converted into a private housing estate called St. Josephs Mews. The grand StJ entrance gates have been replaced with some less impressive low walls BUT the same studio buildings exist. (RL)

When the coast is clear, Mickey carries on home to where his mother Mary is relieved to see him. Looking out onto Candlemas Lane from the gateway of St. Joseph's Nursing Home with buildings belonging to Beaconsfield Studios in background.

Phil was able to record that the same studio building remains across the road. (RL)

Bill reaches the main road but can't see Mickey anywhere. The junction of Candlemas Lane and Amersham Road located by Steve Randall.

The same corner captured by Steve Randall.

Taking one last look up and down the road, Bill turns and heads home. Steve Randall identifies this view as facing north on Amersham Road.

Steve provides this shot as evidence.

After an unthinking Neighbour writes to the local newspaper when she learns that Mickey told his parents he was thrown off the school bus for not having his season ticket, junior reporter Boyd (Scot Finch) is sent to investigate. Looking along the pathway of 29 Candlemas Lane in Beaconsfield.

With the passage of years the front of 29 Candlemass Lane has been completely redesigned with no trees and no path as witnessed by this shot from Phil Richards. Also to be noted he says is that the building on the left (old fire station) has been replaced by a modern house.(RL)

Leaning from the door, Conductor Phil Hart (Kenneth Griffith) arrives at the depot on his number 41 bus. With help from Howard Berry this and the other buses seen in the production have been identified as belonging to the Thames Valley Traction Company. Anthony Spencer appealed for assistance from Malcolm Crowe, editor of the Oxford & Chilterns Bus Page, who advised him that the garage is at Stokenchurch in Buckinghamshire.

As the Valley Town Echo makes a big fuss of the story, Mary Donovan (Zena Walker) approaches a grocers where she is stared at and asked questions by other customers. Facing west on London End, Beaconsfield.

The same section of street captured by Antony Blair.

As tensions rise at home as well as at the bus company, a Conductress directs Bill and Mickey to the Depot Manager's office after an identity parade of Conductors has been arranged. The bus garage on Wycombe Road in Stokenchurch located by Malcolm Crowe. Although the background houses still stand, the bus depot has been demolished and an industrial unit now occupies the site

Malcolm Crowe took this view of the houses opposite the site of the bus garage.

Depot Manager Jim Adams (Wensley Pithey) meets Superintendent Ted Wylie (John Welsh) as he arrives at the garage. Outside the bus garage, facing Wycombe Road in Stokenchurch identified by Malcolm Crowe and brought to our attention by Anthony Spencer.

Leaving a pub after being snubbed my his workmates, Phil walks towards the railway bridge.

Having difficulty remembering things as a result of his experiences as a prisoner of war, Phil worries about the incident after being picked out by Mickey at the line up.

Hearing his Colleagues approaching from behind, Phil cuts through a fence onto the railway embankment.

Worrying about her husband, Nora Hart leaves their flat to search for him as he descends the embankment to rescue a stranded puppy.

Express trains hurry past as Phil trips and falls onto the line where he is knocked unconscious.

Witnessed by Nora, a train heads along the track across which Phil is lying.

Boyd leaves the offices of the newspaper that carries headlines about Phil's tragic death. Facing 27 London End in Beaconsfield.

Antony Blair's view shows modifications to the building.

Mickey and his father leave the house after the youngster inadvertently reveals the truth about the reason for his walk home from school. Facing 29 Candlemas Lane, Beaconsfield.

The house today comes with a large van. (SR)

Bill opens the garden gate as they head for the bus garage. The gate to Cherry Wood Cottage on Candlemas Lane.

Now Cherry Wood has a larger gate, to accommodate the van. (SR)

The two make their way to clear Bill's name. Candlemas Lane in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

The view down Candlemas Lane has not changed much over the years. (SR)