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00:00Which flavor lives on long?
00:30longest in the memory. Is it the bitter or the sweet, the sour surprise of a thing we
00:36did not ask for, or the warmth of expectations met? The pattern of the years embraces both,
00:44the honeyed and the harsh.
00:49In the dark days before the spring begins, we can't foretell what will distinguish the
00:55summer when it comes, or who we will be when the snows return. For now, we cling to ritual.
01:04This is where we once were. This is where we are now. This is where, if the fates are willing,
01:11we will be again.
01:13I can't tell you what a joy it is to have a pancake with sugar and lemon again.
01:17What do they eat them with in America?
01:19Maple syrup. And sometimes, bacon.
01:24That continent is a cauldron of all perversities.
01:28I think it sounds quite delicious.
01:30We could experiment with spam and treacle we have both in the cupboard.
01:35If that is how you would like to celebrate passing your exams, you have only to say.
01:40It's wonderful news, lass. Welcome to our profession.
01:44Wonderful work. That's wonderful work, Mancine.
01:53You forget how much it already has. Oh, Steve. Steve. Stevenson!
02:00I'm leaving.
02:02When you do the solicitor's office, they don't like the pine disinfectant in the toilet. You have to use the lemon.
02:09I'm supposed to be doing her cleaning shift fire.
02:13Do you have to leave now, Mr Drummond? This baby's about to be born.
02:17Oh, Reggie, love. You've even sliced the lemons. Aren't you good?
02:27I thought it would speed things up. Well, no one ought to be kept waiting on pancake day.
02:33Oh, good on you. You've been practicing your new money.
02:38It's easier than olden money.
02:41Now, that is what the government told us when they said that we were going decimal.
02:45Although, two weeks in, I don't think they've convinced a single shopkeeper.
03:07You have a little girl, Maxine. Another girl. We got another girl.
03:12I thought you wanted a boy. What?
03:15Never. Never, ever.
03:33Can I kiss her?
03:35Go on.
03:37I'll kiss you first.
03:45Oh, I didn't knock. I thought it was too late.
03:58The pancake batter's been standing all evening. I was listening for the sound of your bike wheel.
04:05Cyril, I'm in my uniform. And you're in your slippers.
04:09Good delivery?
04:11Actually, it was inspiring.
04:17Oh, good girls. Bang on time.
04:21Oh, that's nice, isn't it, Christopher? Lovely kisses to start the day.
04:28He's getting better from having his kidney removed, isn't he?
04:33Yes. And we'll find out when he starts his chemotherapy soon.
04:38Girls, don't forget the rota for wiping round the sink in the downstairs bathroom.
04:44We need to be extra careful of germs.
04:47All Teddy ever does is feed the rabbit.
04:50That's because chores need to be assigned to people I can trust.
04:54Patrick, are you up yet?
04:57The coffee's on!
05:00I'm on district duty for the rest of the week. We need a thorough review of all our diabetic patients.
05:06Sister Catherine, in honour of your first day as a fully qualified midwife,
05:11I have assigned you the antenatal round. Entirely solo, unsupervised and independent.
05:20I hope you've eaten a hearty breakfast, honey. You'll be riding that bike for miles.
05:24I've just added Thelma Cutler at 8 Loman Street to your list.
05:28That poor lady who was sick on the floor in clinic?
05:31Six months along and her nausea is intractable.
05:34It's rare, but I think the poor lass might be stuck with it for the duration.
05:53District nurse! Mr Kingsley, I found this little scamp halfway down the stairs to the street.
06:10Come here.
06:11Oh, Terence!
06:14If you keep doing this, I'm gonna get you a collar and lead, huh?
06:17Mr Kingsley, it's February. It's cold. He needs more on than one sock and a vest.
06:26What is that child doing up at the window?
06:30Ah, she likes looking down, seeing what's going on.
06:34Edna!
06:35I actually came from Dr Turner's practice to make sure that everything was up to date with your diabetes medication.
06:44We haven't seen you for a while.
06:45No, I'm under the hospital. I'm a serious case.
06:48Edna!
06:49Hello, nurse. Mrs Kingsley, I didn't know you were expecting a gun.
06:59Do you have any clothes for these children?
07:02Loads. Just need to sort the washing out.
07:05Hello, midwife's calling.
07:21It's on the latch.
07:27Poor love.
07:29There's nothing to bring up. It's just bile.
07:31I'm not crying. It's just my eyes watering.
07:38I'm not crying.
07:41You don't have to be brave all the time, Thelma.
07:44Sometimes it's all right to say this is hard.
07:46And it's old.
07:48I remember flushing my contraceptive pills down the toilet when we decided to start trying for a baby.
07:56I feel like I've done nothing but stare down that toilet ever since.
08:01A bed and a washing up bowl are probably better.
08:13I've got another three bags of it.
08:18Lass, you need to attend clinic.
08:21And you need to get your home ready for the new arrival.
08:24Got it ready for the last arrival. Still got the cotton bottles and everything.
08:31Yeah.
08:32Hair brushed, lippy on.
08:36That better?
08:38Sometimes getting dressed and ready to face the day is half the battle.
08:43Felt like a battle since we lost our eldest.
08:45You've had a lot to come back from, Edna.
08:49What I would advise is...
08:50I don't need advice from someone at the ark.
08:58The father's not doing his daily urine tests and that flat reeks to high heaven.
09:04An army of lice on all four kiddies and the eldest should have been in school.
09:09Faye Marie, born November 1965.
09:12And there was that little boy who died when they were at a different practice.
09:17I'm afraid we've missed St. Cuthbert's Diabetic Clinic for this week, Doctor.
09:20Would you like to assess Mr. Kingsley yourself?
09:22Yes, as soon as possible.
09:24I haven't seen Faye or Nicky for two years.
09:28And there were gaps in their record before that.
09:31We'd better tell social services.
09:33Go on through. They're all in there.
09:36Oh, come on in, nurse. We're just having a women's lib meeting.
09:40You don't mind me getting on with things while I'm feeding, do you?
09:42Oh, no, not at all.
09:44But once baby's finished on the breast, I will need to examine you.
09:46Fair enough. Take a pew.
09:49Go on. You can join us.
09:52It doesn't matter if we're supported or derided on the women's march through London.
09:56The most important thing is that we are seen and we are heard.
10:00Does derided mean made fun of?
10:02Yes, but it can also mean dismissed or belittled.
10:05Women have been put down since time immemorial and we aren't going to put up with it anymore.
10:09We want to get that on a placard.
10:12You might have to make it a bit shorter.
10:15And the point me and all the other women on the Cleaners Association want to make,
10:19placards or no placards, is that we want equal rights, equal status and equal pay.
10:25Which is why we are all going to be marching shoulder to shoulder through London.
10:32Thelma seems to be living on bits of toast and boiled sweets, Doctor.
10:37And she can scarcely keep those down.
10:39If she ends up clinically dehydrated, we'll send her to St Cuthbert's.
10:44I've not seen many cases of true hyperemesis, but every time it's the lowest I've ever seen a
10:51pregnant woman brought, mentally as well as physically.
10:55There's not really any medication for it, is there?
10:58Not after thalidomide.
11:00There will never be any medication for it after thalidomide.
11:03A political meeting at the bedside of a newly delivered mother.
11:09I'm amazed she had the energy.
11:11It was as though all the women were getting energy from each other.
11:14I've never seen anything like it.
11:16They even gave us some homework.
11:18Show them your book, child.
11:19The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer.
11:24What a very striking cover.
11:27What I want to know is, where do they come from?
11:30All these educated ladies campaigning side by side with cleaners from the East End.
11:35I think mostly hamstered, although there's no doubt the movement's spreading.
11:39Women of all classes have always been involved in women's advancement.
11:43My granny used to finish a factory shift in Paisley and go out campaigning.
11:50Will you come on the march with Joyce and I, Phyllis?
11:55Perhaps I should come to the meeting.
11:58I've no objection to finding out more.
12:01I think that's extremely public-spirited.
12:04The sisters and I look forward to hearing all about it.
12:21You forgot the knit lotion.
12:23I'm sorry.
12:24I must have got distracted putting a new diabetes kit together for Mr Kingsley.
12:27I deal with him myself, but I've two new cases of Venus Ulcer.
12:32And I think the family as a whole might respond better to a younger person.
12:41So, the projected budget details are in the blue folder,
12:45but we're still missing the sign returns from the Board of Health.
12:47I'm afraid you've drawn a dreadfully short straw.
12:50I've assigned myself nursery duties in the maternity home.
12:54Four delicious little newborns, including twins.
12:58I'll be down at feeding time.
12:59And we agreed that secular staff make better inroads with the council.
13:03Go.
13:04Leave me to get on.
13:08Asking you to fill in the 1971 census.
13:11An army of men and women with light blue satchel.
13:14Honey, I'm the nurse.
13:16Are your mum and dad at home?
13:17The form is secret.
13:19There is nothing to fear from completing it.
13:21When it comes to Venus Ulcer...
13:22What are you doing with those pills?
13:26These are saccharine tablets.
13:27Have a pudding in your tea.
13:30What are you doing with them, child?
13:37Is that all you have to eat?
13:49Your daughter should be at school.
13:51And all of your children are hungry.
13:53They need to be deloused, but first they need to be fed.
13:56Who gave you leave to come in here and start shouting odds, eh?
14:00My wife has been diagnosed with depression.
14:03I'm going to go to the corner shop and buy a loaf,
14:05some margarine and some jam.
14:08And when I get back, we're going to discuss a plan of action.
14:14I'm calling on behalf of Nunata's house, Hendy Street,
14:17with regard to our projected budget from June of this year.
14:21Please hold for a moment.
14:22Of course.
14:25Would that be my friend, Lady Aylward?
14:28Yes.
14:29I wasn't expecting to be put through to you, Dr Threpwood.
14:32I asked to be connected directly, should you call.
14:35I feel I should forewarn you of certain developments.
14:39Now?
14:40It would be expedient to meet within the week.
14:42Come on.
14:47Nurse Hyland.
14:51Mr. Kingsley refused to cooperate with their diabetes protocols,
14:54and I'm taking the children to the cleansing station.
14:57There's no way of heating water in that flat,
14:59and I think the youngest has scabies as well as lice.
15:03I'd better take a look at them.
15:05Come on.
15:06Where are they?
15:06I know.
15:14This belly aches worse than the sickness, sister.
15:16If I could just go.
15:17Go properly.
15:20You know what I mean.
15:21If you're dehydrated, that might well lead to constipation.
15:24But I'll have a feel of your tummy,
15:26just to make sure things are as they should be.
15:28I'll be back.
15:29I am putting in a complaint as soon as I get back to the surgery.
15:40That cleansing station needs to be open at all times,
15:42not on request or by appointment.
15:45I've never seen a family in a worse state than this.
15:47I've thought that so many times.
15:53May I come in?
15:54Yeah.
15:55Have your bowels moved at all, Thelma?
16:09I'm going to get you back to bed with a hot water bottle.
16:12Then I'm calling Dr Turner.
16:15There's nothing you can give me.
16:16Don't waste his time.
16:18The surgery's three minutes walk away,
16:21and we won't be wasting his time if we ask him to pop round
16:23and rule out early labour.
16:27We need to take care of you, Thelma.
16:29And your baby.
16:33I wish there was no baby sometimes.
16:44OK.
16:45We're going to have to get them taken into care.
16:53It may take a few days to implement, but this is a clear case of neglect.
16:58I think it's worse than neglect.
17:01There's bruises on the backs of the children.
17:04And I need you to look between Nicky's toes.
17:06I think there's a cigarette burn now.
17:25Something's moving into the toilet.
17:27Can I see you?
17:28What's the baby?
17:31Was the baby?
17:34Yes, sweetheart, it was.
17:42Don't look.
17:48Sweetheart, we need to get you up.
17:49Yeah.
17:50It's all right, Thelma.
18:01I'm with you.
18:05I'm going to leave you, but only for a moment.
18:07I need to fetch my bag.
18:08I'm afraid I always fear the worst when Dr. Threepwood starts taking an interest in our
18:38fortunes.
18:39All I could do was arrange to meet him at his office next week.
18:43Baby, 28 weeks gestation delivered into the toilet.
18:47Still breathing.
18:47Dr. Turner.
18:49Dr. Turner.
18:50He was breathing.
18:51What's happened?
18:53Premature baby, six months gestation.
18:55Get the flying squad.
18:57Sweetie, whose baby is it?
18:59Thelma Cutler, 8 Lawman Street.
19:02Kenilworth Row.
19:03Yes, the infant is still showing signs of life.
19:08Thelma, the placenta is still searched.
19:12The skin, the skin is like tissue paper.
19:17We've lost respiration.
19:20Come on.
19:21Come on, little warrior.
19:29It's all right, Thelma.
19:31Everything's going to be all right.
19:32Where did this gathering go?
19:35She took your baby to the maternity home, Thelma.
19:39Because it was dead?
19:41No.
19:42Because it's alive.
19:46Was it a boy or a girl?
19:48I don't know.
19:48We're taking it to Imperial Hospital.
19:53It's the only place in London with any expertise when they're this early.
19:57And this small.
19:58We haven't weighed him.
20:00Weight was the least of our consent.
20:02Fingers crossed it survives the journey across town.
20:05Blue lights all the way.
20:07It is a little boy.
20:09I wouldn't generally advise taking the bow by the horns in such a way in Nurse Highland.
20:32But in this case, it's as well you did.
20:35It's the indifference that angers me.
20:38The indifference and the laziness.
20:40As well as the cruelty.
20:42Life is more of a struggle for some people than it is for others.
20:46We're fortunate.
20:48Our struggle is only with our feelings.
21:02Good afternoon, Mr Kingsley.
21:04Have you got my kids?
21:06Your children are all here.
21:07They have been receiving hygiene treatment.
21:09We're taking them home.
21:10I suggest you come inside and speak to Sister Veronica.
21:13As a health visitor, she is the best person to advise.
21:16As her father, I'm best placed to advise the lawyer.
21:21You do not have the right to enter private premises in this manner.
21:24And you do not have the right to abduct my children.
21:28Edna.
21:30Edna.
21:30Edna.
21:31Nurse Highland brought your children here because they were in desperate need of bathing.
21:36And now we have found bruises that will have to be explained.
21:39You'll have to prove they weren't inflicted here.
21:42Huh?
21:42I know the way your sort operate and we know our rights.
21:47Edna.
21:56Come on.
22:00And thank you, Eleanor, for reminding us that women are not just discriminated against in the professional field.
22:17They are also discriminated against at home.
22:20The time has come for us to declare our self-respect and to claim a full identity and to get equal pay for equal work.
22:33Thank you, Eleanor.
22:34Thank you, Eleanor.
22:35Before we move on to discussing the logistics of the march, Maxine will highlight the things we're going to do to publicise it.
22:42Namely, the one-day strike on Saturday and the exhibition of bra burning.
22:46First, I'd like to open the meeting to the floor in case anyone has anything to say.
22:51I would like to say two things.
22:53Thank you very much to the women's liberation movement and it's high time.
22:58I would like to say thank you, too, to the women who welcomed me around this table tonight,
23:08to the women who showed me that this fight is necessary,
23:11and to the women who I will stand with when we shout this from the rooftops.
23:15Yes, Eleanor!
23:17Yes, Eleanor!
23:19Enter!
23:32You need not concern yourself with your attire.
23:36The Lord gave you those tresses, and if they are his delight, they do not offend me.
23:49I have prepared you a beverage out of concern for the day you have endured,
24:04but I find I have left it in the kitchen.
24:08I'm happy just to have your company.
24:13It was a terrible day.
24:14I have seen its like many times.
24:20An infant lost, or maimed, or not shaped well.
24:29I keep turning it over and over again in my mind.
24:35Did I do all I should have done?
24:39Did I do anything to make things worse?
24:41Oh, I recall that unabating voice.
24:46The doubt that pursues you home, and seeks to be your bedfiller.
24:54But say this to yourself.
24:58Tonight, a child breathes.
25:02Tonight, a mother lives.
25:07Tomorrow, you will resume your tasks.
25:10But what is my task now?
25:15The child is born.
25:17It has arrived.
25:20But the mother is still on the journey.
25:24And you must bring her home.
25:25I've never once doubted the importance of female solidarity.
25:33But for women of my age, it went unspoken.
25:37If we'd had a motto, it would have been deeds, not words.
25:40But we had a war to be getting on with.
25:42But even in the war, too many women were forced into limiting roles because of damaging stereotypes.
25:49That's why burning bras is so important. It's about the rejection of frivolity.
25:54A good bra is a very practical item and not frivolous at all.
26:00Trixie, tell me you're not going to be joining in with all that carry-on.
26:03Well, perhaps not with my current bras.
26:05I bought them at a New York lingerie department.
26:08But definitely something from my back catalogue.
26:11You were quite quiet in the meeting, Joyce.
26:16Didn't you enjoy it?
26:17I go quiet when I think.
26:19And I was doing a lot of thinking.
26:22So was I.
26:22I kept thinking, my husband had the power to run our finances into the ground without telling me.
26:29My husband beat me so badly, I left him without telling him.
26:33But what I learned tonight is that it's not what men have done to us that matters.
26:38It's what we do as women going forward.
26:41That I can't argue with.
26:54And that's it.
26:54We're ready for your outing.
26:56Shoes on, coats at the ready, and I've got your washing up bowl.
27:00I don't need it, Kev. I haven't been sick since yesterday.
27:03I keep trying to picture the baby.
27:06I never even saw his face.
27:10The sooner we get you to the hospital, the sooner you can have a proper look.
27:14You'll feel better then, I promise you.
27:16I can't believe the ideas women's liver coming up with.
27:26A one-day strike.
27:27We'll draw attention to the march at a local level, and give women who can't attend the
27:32chance to demonstrate their views.
27:33They tried it last year in America.
27:36Women withdrew their labour right across the country.
27:38No cooking, no ironing, no childcare.
27:40And there were no reports of any deaths.
27:44Prescriptions signed by Dr. Turner, all present and correct.
27:48Oh, thank you.
27:49We're very low on pethidine.
27:51And Mrs. Kumar's penicillin was becoming urgent.
27:53It's good of you when you're so busy.
27:55Well, I might be a lady of leisure tomorrow if I join in with this strike.
28:00Will you be participating?
28:02No, Mrs. Turner.
28:03I've decided to forego the pleasure.
28:05Why is that?
28:07Because I come from a generation of women that got on with it.
28:11No histrionics, no sloganeering, and our foundation gum stayed intact.
28:24Baby weighed in at exactly two pounds and a half an hour.
28:27We've had a couple of two-pounders do very well this past year.
28:30The doctors here are very skilled, learning all the time.
28:34What's with the playpen?
28:35I think those are the transistorised monitors.
28:39There's one attached to every incubator.
28:41If a baby stops breathing or there's a problem with the heartbeat,
28:45an alarm goes off.
28:46That's correct.
28:48Here he is, baby Cutler.
28:51We can update the labels once you've picked a Christian name.
28:55We like James, don't we?
28:57James Kevin or James Paul.
29:01Look at him filming. He's beautiful.
29:04He's gorgeous.
29:07Baby Smith has collapsed.
29:09She needs a chair.
29:15I can't look at him.
29:16I'm sorry.
29:17It's all right, Elma.
29:19You only gave birth yesterday.
29:22But did I give birth?
29:24It was nothing but felt like a contraction.
29:27I didn't even realise that I pushed.
29:29My body just let go of him.
29:37You didn't fail.
29:39You were valiant throughout your whole pregnancy.
29:43It wasn't even our whole pregnancy.
29:47It doesn't even look like a baby.
29:51It's my fault.
29:52It's my fault because I said that I wish that there was one.
29:58But baby James is doing well.
29:59Oh, Lady Aylwood, what an unexpected pleasure.
30:07Are you looking for anything in particular?
30:09Yes. Support for the Women's Liberation March on March the 6th.
30:13Oh, women's lib.
30:15Would you want me as Violet Buckle haberdasher or me in my mayoral robes?
30:21Either or both. Violet Buckle haberdasher is a highly successful businesswoman.
30:28And the mayor of Tower Hamlets is a trailblazing female politician.
30:33But I never thought of myself as liberated.
30:37Probably because you've been too busy.
30:40It's not necessarily men holding women back, Violet.
30:43But if we don't stand shoulder to shoulder with each other,
30:45we're never going to realise just how strong we are.
30:48I'll come, but only as myself.
30:52The Alderman might object if I wear the mayoral chain.
31:03What happened to your moped?
31:04It fell foul of budgetary cuts.
31:08Do you need to brief me on anything before we head in?
31:11The gap in their records is because they were out of the area when their son died.
31:16I've telephoned Gwynedge, but we still don't know what happened.
31:21It's nice to see the children eating a cooked meal at lunchtime, Edna.
31:25Well, Faye gets a hot dinner at school and I want you to see I'm not incompetent.
31:29Social services are not your enemy.
31:31We're here to help.
31:32Especially with the children.
31:35You were meant to help when Martin died.
31:37Hmm?
31:38Fat lot of you, she were then.
31:41Ian, do you want to tell us what happened to Martin?
31:43He had a fit.
31:45That's all. Babies have fits all the time.
31:47Martin wasn't a baby.
31:49He was four and a half.
31:51You're just setting a trap.
31:52Nobody's setting a trap.
31:53But we do need to understand why there are injuries on your children.
31:57Then look at how we can help you get back on your feet as a family.
32:00We've heard that before.
32:02When they took the kids away from us.
32:03After Martin died, it took us six months to get them back.
32:06You are not having them this time.
32:11I'm not having them this time.
32:15I'm not having them this time.
32:17Blessed are the midnight riders
32:21For in the shadow of God they sleep
32:27Blessed are the huddled hikers
32:35Staring out of falling rain
32:39Wondering at the retribution
32:43In their personal acquaintance with pain
32:51Blessed are the blood relations
32:57Of the young ones who have died
33:02Who had not the time or patience
33:07To carry on with this earthly ride
33:14Rain will come and winds will blow
33:21While deer die in the mountain snow
33:25Birds will be to have a fall
33:28Ticking away like a little clock
33:33Just the way I like to hear it
33:34You have obviously been doing everything right
33:37Not many people say that sort of thing to me
33:40Edna, the doctor and I were wondering
33:42If you'd like to come and have a look at the ward
33:44And deliver your own work
33:45We thought you'd like to mull over having the baby with us
33:48Instead of at St Cuthbert's
33:50I've decided against St Cuthbert's now
33:53I'm having a home birth
33:54This is your sixth pregnancy Edna
33:56And you just tell me I've been doing everything right
33:59I'm not spending one night away from our kids
34:01This will be a home birth
34:02So you best get that in your reds
34:13I used to work as a paediatric nurse, sister
34:16And I know the quest to heal can cause terrible suffering
34:20Baby James was born at 28 weeks
34:23He is considered viable
34:25But what does viable mean?
34:26Does it mean he'll go home as a happy, healthy baby?
34:30Or could he be brain damaged and blind?
34:33We're working to regulate the amount of oxygen these babies receive
34:36Now we know too much can affect their eyesight
34:39Sister Wilmot, do you share that information with the parents?
34:45We tell the parents what they need to know when they have to make decisions
34:48James' mother is in no fit state to make any decision
34:53She struggles to even believe he is her child
34:56And without that bond, how can she choose what's right?
35:01Sometimes the parents don't choose
35:03Sometimes the problems overwhelm the babies and they simply declare themselves
35:08We can't help them all
35:09But you can help the mothers
35:11Or at least you could help me to help this one
35:19I'm sorry, Mr. Robinson
35:21Sister Veronica has left for her district visits
35:24The Kingsley family's case notes have come through
35:27I have more details on the death of Martin
35:29Good, I don't like having a child
35:32Merely marked as deceased in our records
35:35It seems to speak of want of care
35:38Martin died of oxygen deprivation
35:42From a seizure that was only witnessed by his parents
35:45The post-mortem noted old bruises on his upper arms and back
35:50And a cigarette burn was found between his toes
35:53Were the parents ever charged?
35:54No, they were not
35:56There was thought to be insufficient evidence of child battery or neglect
35:59And the police fell back on a compassionate approach
36:02Will surveillance of the family increase now?
36:05It's ten past five on a Friday
36:08But yes, it will
36:11Hands through the portholes
36:13Like that
36:14Excellent
36:16And then just clean this little face with the damp cotton wool
36:20Or I feel sore with that big blaster on it
36:24I swear he's smiling
36:26It's like his lips just turned up a little bit at the corners
36:29Stand back, he's stop breathing
36:42That's the three of us, often ready for our big adventure
36:46Sister Veronica will collect Christopher
36:48She's going to read to him from some Cantonese story books
36:51Oh, that's great
36:52Teddy and me are going to do an air fix model
36:54But we're on strike, Patrick
36:57In preparation for the women's march next Saturday
37:00And I'm all for it
37:02Some of the newspaper coverage has been really thought-provoking
37:05But daddy, you need to do the ironing and washing
37:09I was in the army
37:11Ironing holds no fears
37:13Have you left us a casserole or something?
37:16That's not how women's strike works
37:18What's this fire?
37:25It's a list
37:26It's a list of everything that I usually do on a Saturday and Sunday
37:29In order to keep this household on the straight and narrow
37:32But it starts with run a haberdasher shop
37:35And then it says batch bake
37:37And then it says clean all the shoes
37:40And then it says and my handbags
37:42I mean, how do you fit all this in an afternoon?
37:45You've got more handbags than the Queen Mum
37:48I do your shoes
37:50Then I do my shoes and my bags while the batch bakes in the oven
37:54Why do you think I close the shop at four o'clock at weekends?
37:58A home and a family do not run themselves, Fred Buckle
38:02But I can't run the haberdasheries
38:04I don't know the names of all the different types of elastic
38:07And people come in and ask for, um, female things
38:12I'll stick with the paper shop
38:14Cyril's running the paper shop
38:17He's strongly in support of feminist ideals
38:21I'm sorry we're having to do this here
38:29I do need to ask you a few questions about bleeding
38:33And what goes on in the bathroom
38:35But we can do that before Kevin gets back with the tea
38:39Kevin keeps pushing me to agree to give James a tracheotomy
38:44I have the consultant said it's for the best
38:50They've said it's best for his chance of survival
38:51How do we know it's the best thing for him?
38:56A tracheotomy will prevent James from suffering so many collapses, Thilma
39:00They'll cut into his throat from the outside
39:04And stick a plastic nozzle in
39:07They'll have to breathe through his neck
39:10How's that better?
39:13Why is it better to just keep him surviving?
39:17Even if he may never see
39:18Even if his brain is going to be damaged
39:21We don't know any of those things are going to happen, Thilma
39:24And we don't know that they won't
39:25You know more than me, Sister Catherine
39:31But when it comes to a baby like James
39:34Nobody knows anything
39:35Hey, keep it up
39:47There's probably a cub badge for potato peeling
39:50It's taking you an hour to do two shirts
39:55Oh, Trixie, you made it
40:06Yes, Jaunty's nanny said she'd go on strike next week instead
40:10We worked out between us
40:11Compromise is power
40:13Are you sure that's right?
40:14When I have arguments, I like to win them
40:16Oh, Mrs. Turner, you are quite the dark horse
40:19Whoever invented new pens wants hanging
40:28I've had to charge people in decimal for things that I'm measuring in yards
40:31And that's before you start talking about two-ply wool and press studs
40:36Oh, flaming Nora
40:45Flaming scones
40:46Flaming scones
40:48Being a man is terrible
41:01What happened?
41:03She fell out the window
41:06Where are parents?
41:07I don't know
41:08Do you know the child, sir?
41:10Yes, I'm a social worker
41:12Excuse me, love
41:17You haven't got such a thing as a compact mirror, have you?
41:21I'm sorry, it's not a thing I generally carry around
41:24I suppose not
41:26I've got five minutes before a photographer arrives
41:29Me and my Nina are going to be in the papers
41:31We're taking her home
41:3314 months we've been in here
41:3514 months
41:37She must have been in the wars
41:38Not half
41:39Born at 28 weeks
41:41Bowel surgery
41:42Tracheotomy
41:43They thought she had a brain bleed
41:46Now all we're waiting for is a set of ankle splints and we're off
41:49Is my lippy all right?
41:51For the photograph
41:53It's a bit smudged
41:54Here
41:57Tal
41:58I owe you a favour
41:59I told the consultant you'll need a statement
42:08But he confirmed that Faye has a fractured femur and collarbone and concussion
42:14The police will need a copy too
42:16They also found she had catastrophically low blood sugar
42:20She seems to have swallowed prescription drugs or been fed them
42:24Why would anyone feed a child prescription drugs?
42:26Because low blood sugar makes a child dozy and compliant
42:31I don't know
42:32It is the honest answer
42:34Just as I don't know how anyone
42:36Blessed
42:37Blessed with such beautiful children could treat them with such hideous contempt
42:42Millicent
42:52Do you think I'm barking up the wrong tree?
42:55Resisting all this women's lib talk
42:58Well
43:00Not everyone is in support
43:02I've heard quite a number of ladies saying I'm not a feminist
43:05But
43:05I just don't like the gimmicky way it's all been put together
43:10I would always counsel against objecting to a book because of its cover
43:15Oh
43:16Innocent you're reading the female eunuch
43:19The authoress makes a series of very sensible points
43:23Notably regarding female sexuality
43:27It's a thing
43:29I spent much of my life being ashamed of
43:35I never did oddly enough
43:39It's like being a vegetarian
43:41As though I was wired to run counter to the general view
43:44But why am I being like this?
43:51Why am I picking holes in something the young people are full of fervour for?
43:59Do we perhaps fear losing our place in the scheme of things?
44:05Two weeks ago I was standing outside the Draper's on Inkerman Street
44:09And there was a blouse in the window with a psychedelic pattern
44:13Dual tones, but
44:16It was such a beguiling design
44:19And I was looking at it and
44:21I thought
44:23I will never wear that blouse
44:26Why?
44:27There's no harm in breaking out a bit fashion wise
44:31Phyllis
44:32There is no harm in breaking out
44:37And if we don't we'll be left behind
44:41You're not wrong
44:43Psychedelic pattern or no psychedelic pattern
44:51Police
44:54Don't answer it
44:57Mr. Kingsley
44:59Mrs. Kingsley
45:00Because of concerns about the welfare of your children
45:03A place of safety order has been issued
45:06We have come to remove them
45:07Don't let them take them Ian
45:09They're orchids
45:11They're not going anywhere
45:12They're terrified
45:13Mr. Kingsley will force entry if you do not cooperate
45:16As well as the police I have sister Veronica with me
45:19The children will be well taken care of
45:22Mr. Kingsley
45:25Mrs. Kingsley
45:26This is uncultful
45:27This is uncultful
45:29What?
45:29Are you in Kingsley?
45:29What?
45:30What?
45:30Edna Mary, Kingsley
45:31I'm arresting you
45:32and suspicion of child neglect and cruelty
45:34What?
45:35This is what they wanted all along
45:37We've already lost one of our children
45:42Doesn't that mean anything to you?
45:44It means a very great deal Mrs. Kingsley
45:47And I wish
45:50That we didn't have to do this
45:58Mommy
46:07Mommy
46:17Honestly, love, you wouldn't have given a tuppence apenny for her chances in the first few weeks in old money or new money
46:29She's as bonnie as anything now
46:31Look at her chubby little cheeks, Phil
46:35How's she with normal food?
46:37After all those months with the tube up her nose
46:39She's great with chocolate pudding
46:41Not so good with her greens though
46:43But as long as it's all mushed up she's just like any other baby really
46:47Do you ever feel like any other mum, Bernice?
46:50I feel like her mum
46:53It's not so different from having any other child
46:56You can't turn your back on them
46:58Can't work out what they're thinking
47:01Can't picture the future
47:03The doctors never gave us any guarantees
47:07My baby gets a guarantee really
47:10Guarantees of the things you buy in shops
47:12And we're lucky
47:14We get to call our babies miracles
47:16I'm not going to hospital
47:26And I'm not going to hospital
47:30Edna Kingsley is in labour
47:32Screaming blue murder and refusing to get into the ambulance
47:36Police said she wants one of us to attend and I'm first on the court board
47:40Whatever's gone on in the past
47:45Or is yet to come
47:48She is still a mother
47:51Let me know if it's a boy or a girl
47:54And I shall add it to my notes
47:55I'll get my back
48:03I'll get my back
48:05I'm afraid this isn't good news lady edward
48:13I'm afraid this isn't good news lady edward
48:27And it can't be countermanded
48:29Even with all the womanly wiles at your disposal
48:32A simple statement of facts will suffice Dr Threpwood
48:35Very well
48:36By 1974 all medical service provision across the country
48:41Will be taken out of council hands and given direct to the national health
48:45But the order have worked hand in glove with the national health since its inception
48:49And this council has been the go-between
48:51Without our future involvement there can be no more cajolery
48:55No more persuasion it is over
49:00A great deal could happen between now and 1974
49:03The new rules will be facing from this year
49:07And there is one I know the sisters won't accept
49:13Let's know it Edna lass
49:15Save your strength
49:18I want it to be all right nurse
49:19You're on the home straight I promise
49:22There's no reason to suppose anything will be amiss
49:25But don't be with the baby I'm in with everything
49:29Come on
49:30So come up barley sugar
49:32And concentrate on what's happening here and now
49:35They can't take a newborn off you can they
49:38Edna
49:43Save your energy for this big push
49:46Come on now
49:48Steady push
49:50Steady
49:52Steady push
49:55Steady
49:57You have a beautiful little daughter Edna
49:59Helping
50:08Hooray
50:08Bee
50:08Oh
50:09Bee
50:09Bee
50:10Bee
50:11Bee
50:13Bee
50:13Bee
50:16Bee
50:16Bee
50:17Bee
50:18Bee
50:18Bee
50:18Bee
50:19Bee
50:19Bee
50:20Bee
50:21Bee
50:21Bee
50:21Bee
50:22Bee
50:22Martin looked just like that when he was born.
50:25You forget when we haven't got a photo of him.
50:30We never had a camera.
50:34I'm going to give you the best life.
50:38Do you hear that?
50:40The best life.
50:47Hello, you.
50:48Oh, Mr Franklin, so good of you to go out of your way.
50:56What sort of friend would I be if I didn't tip up with a cup of Rosie and the chips are down?
51:03Dr Threepwood is right. We will not accept that diktat.
51:08But it is a diktat, Sister Julianne.
51:10You aren't going to be allowed to wear the habit anymore.
51:12My sisters and I have dressed like this since the inception of the Order.
51:15It is the outward expression of the reason why we do this.
51:20The powers that be don't give two hoots why you do this.
51:24They just want it done.
51:26If Nonata's house is to survive at all, we are all going to be national health employees.
51:31And the new rules state that we will have to dress as such or leave the system.
51:36We have never been a part of the system.
51:39We have rejoiced in that.
51:41Dr Threepwood said he'd like your response by the end of this month.
51:45I think it ties in with the end of the financial year.
51:51Who is this man to lay down the law in this way?
51:55This decision will be driven by prayer, not by the fiscal calendar.
52:02Therefore, I will choose the appropriate date.
52:06We will tell him what we are going to do on August 31st,
52:11which happens to be the feast day of St Raymond Nonatus.
52:17People think I talk too much.
52:19I don't.
52:22I know.
52:23And I know you listen.
52:25I've never seen here she goes again, writ large on your face.
52:31But the thing I think people don't understand about the life I chose
52:40is so much of it is silence.
52:46I understand.
52:46It isn't about when we can't speak.
52:50It's about what we can never say.
52:56What we can never name, because that might expose us.
53:03Lay us bare.
53:05Yes.
53:07And we can't afford that, can we?
53:10No.
53:10Because really, who wants the whole wide world to hear them howling?
53:18I don't think I can silence the howling anymore.
53:25What is it you want, Veronica?
53:27If we're going to drop the sister bit,
53:36I think you'd better call me Beryl, my real name.
53:42You can call me Geoffrey, if it's not too much of a stretch.
53:48What is it you want?
53:49I want a child.
53:59I want a child of my own to hold in my arms and keep safe and cherish always.
54:10I want a child before it becomes impossible.
54:20I feel like he ought to have a special little night even if he's to have an operation.
54:25I feel like his dad should have had the day off work.
54:27James' first year is going to be a long haul, Thelma.
54:33Keeping up a normal routine is going to be good for everyone.
54:36I'm good at routines.
54:38Before I fell pregnant, I used to dream I'd have all the nappies on the line every Monday.
54:44Dreams are a lovely thing to have.
54:47Sometimes we just have to dream for longer than we thought.
54:51I'll be a baby for longer too.
54:53I think I might like that.
55:04Have you come to take James for his tracheotomy?
55:07I'm his mother.
55:21What's this?
55:25Something to wear on Saturday, perhaps?
55:27On your marks.
55:39Get set.
55:40You want a sausage roll?
55:42I'll have one.
55:46I'll tell you what, pal.
55:48I love our lady folk.
55:49All of them.
55:51But it's liberation, Mark.
55:53It's hard work.
55:54I went for cotton.
56:05I thought it would burn longer.
56:07I bought this one from discounted stock.
56:11Nobody's buying long line these days.
56:14I relented.
56:15Bergdorf Goodman's finest.
56:16Girls!
56:17Where did you get that from?
56:22The charity cupboard.
56:23Provenance, uncertain.
56:26Sisterhood takes many forms.
56:28There will always be things that we cannot change, even when there is the will and the belief that we should try.
56:47Change chooses its own seeds, sows them in its own selected soil.
56:56Our task is to alter them and not trample green shoots underfoot.
57:03In the spring of 1971, there was so much that was altered.
57:11There were endings and there were beginnings.
57:15There was uncertainty and there was confidence.
57:19There was rage and there was love.
57:24And so we marched together into all the things we did not know, hoping and also fearing things would never be the same.
57:35You may begin!
57:39I started out in Bombay and then I worked my way right up to Ladakh.
57:43Find a way to make a living.
57:44I can't see any gas.
57:45I'll be in the delivery room, won't it?
57:47So many mothers looking after him.
57:50I'm telling you, nurse, the one thing his baby isn't is a Protestant.
57:54More tea, Mrs. Clifford.
57:55Yes, please.
57:56Some Dick's Vectile Grey.
57:58Before then, celebrate the sisterhood with access all areas.
58:05Call the midwife.
58:06Press red to watch on iPlayer now.
58:08Here next, shadows from the past continue to haunt the night manager.
58:11But just how dangerous are they?
58:13And for mystery with your drama, meet an iconic mismatched duo in Lindley.
58:17Watch the entire first series now on iPlayer.
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