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00:00Which
00:29flavor lives on longest in the memory. Is it the bitter or the sweet, the sour
00:36surprise of a thing we did not ask for, or the warmth of expectations met? The
00:42pattern of the years embraces both, the honeyed and the harsh. In the dark days
00:51before the spring begins, we can't foretell what will distinguish the summer
00:56when it comes, or who we will be when the snows return. For now, we cling to ritual.
01:05This is where we once were. This is where we are now. This is where, if the fates are
01:11willing, we will be again. I can't tell you what a joy it is to have a pancake with
01:17sugar and lemon again. What do they eat them with in America? Maple syrup, and
01:22sometimes bacon. That continent is a cauldron of all perversities. I think it
01:30sounds quite delicious. We could experiment with spam and treacle. We have both in the
01:35cupboard. If that is how you would like to celebrate passing your exams, you have
01:40only to say. It's wonderful news, lass. Welcome to our profession.
01:52Wonderful work. That's wonderful work, Maxine. You forget how much it already hurts. Oh, Steve.
01:58Steve? Stevenson!
02:01Stevenson! Don't leave me. When you do the solicitor's office, they don't like the pine disinfectant
02:08in the toilet. You have to use the lemon! I'm supposed to be doing her cleaning shit for her.
02:13Do you have to leave now, Mr. Drummond? This baby's about to be born.
02:24Oh, Reggie, love, you've even sliced the lemons. Aren't you good?
02:28I thought it would speed things up. Well, no one ought to be kept waiting on pancake day.
02:34Oh, good on you. You've been practising your new money.
02:38It's easy. It's easy than old money. Now, that is what the government told us when they
02:45said that we were going decimal. Although, two weeks in, I don't think they've convinced
02:50a single shopkeeper.
02:52You have a little girl, Maxine. Another girl? We got another girl. I thought you wanted
03:14a boy. I thought you wanted a boy. What? Never. Never. Never. Ever.
03:34Can I kiss her? Go on. I'll kiss you first.
03:44Oh, I didn't knock. I thought it was too late. The pancake batter's been standing
04:01all evening. I was listening for the sound of your bike wheel.
04:06Cyril, in my uniform. And you were in your slippers.
04:10Got delivery? Actually, it was inspiring.
04:19Oh, good girls. Bang on time. Oh, that's nice, isn't it, Christopher? Lovely kisses to start
04:29the day. He's getting better from having his kidney removed, isn't he?
04:34Yes. And we'll find out when he starts his chemotherapy soon. Girls, don't forget the rota. We're wiping
04:42round the sink in the downstairs bathroom. We need to be extra careful of germs.
04:48All Teddy ever does is feed the rabbit.
04:51That's because chores need to be assigned to people I can trust.
04:55Patrick, are you up yet? The 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.
05:07Sister Catherine, in honour of your first day as a fully qualified midwife, I have assigned you the antenatal round.
05:15Entirely solo, unsupervised and independent.
05:20I hope you've eaten a hearty breakfast, honey. You'll be riding that bike for miles.
05:26I've just added Thelma Cutler at 8 Loman Street to your list.
05:29That poor lady who was sick on the floor in clinic.
05:32Six months are long and her nausea is intractable.
05:35It's rare, but I think the poor lass might be stuck with it for the duration.
05:39District nurse, Mr Kingsley, I found this little scamp.
06:08Halfway down the stairs to the street.
06:11Come here.
06:12Oh, Terence.
06:15If you keep doing this, I'm going to get you a collar and lead, huh?
06:19Mr Kingsley, it's February. It's cold.
06:23He needs more on than one sock and a vest.
06:27What is that child doing up at the window?
06:31She likes looking down, seeing what's going on.
06:36Edna!
06:36I actually came from Dr Turner's practice to make sure that everything was up to date with your diabetes medication.
06:45We haven't seen you for a while.
06:47No, I'm under the hospital. I'm a serious case.
06:50Edna!
06:54Hello, Niles.
06:56Mrs Kingsley, I didn't know you were expecting again.
07:00Do you have any clothes for these children?
07:02Loads.
07:05Just need to sort the washing out.
07:19Hello, midwife calling.
07:22It's on the latch.
07:23Poor love.
07:30There's nothing to bring up. It's just bile.
07:33I'm not crying. It's just...
07:35My eyes watering.
07:40I'm not crying.
07:42You don't have to be brave all the time, Thelma.
07:44Sometimes it's all right to say this is hard.
07:48I think it's hard.
07:50I remember flushing my contraceptive pills down the toilet.
07:53We decided to start trying for a baby.
07:57I feel like I've done nothing but stare down that toilet ever since.
08:02Bed and a washing up bowl are probably better.
08:04I've got another three parts of this.
08:19Lass, you need to attend clinic.
08:22And you need to get your home ready for the new arrival.
08:26Got it ready for the last arrival.
08:27We've still got the cotton bottles and everything.
08:32Hey.
08:32Hair brushed, lippy on.
08:37That better?
08:39Sometimes getting dressed and ready to face the day is half the battle.
08:44Felt like a battle since we lost our oldest.
08:48You've had a lot to come back from, Edna.
08:51What I would advise is...
08:52I don't need advice from someone at the ark.
08:55The father's not doing his daily urine tests.
09:02And that flap reeks to high heaven.
09:05An army of lice on all four kiddies.
09:08And the eldest should have been in school.
09:11Faye Marie, born November 1965.
09:14And there was that little boy who died when they were at a different practice.
09:18I'm afraid we've missed St. Cuthbert's Diabetic Clinic for this week, Doctor.
09:21Would you like to assess Mr. Kingsley yourself?
09:23Yes, as soon as possible.
09:25I haven't seen Faye or Nicky for two years.
09:29And there are gaps in their record before that.
09:32We'd better tell social services.
09:35Go on through.
09:36They're all in there.
09:37Oh, come on in, nurse.
09:39We're just having a women's lib meeting.
09:41You don't mind me getting on with things while I'm feeding, do you?
09:44Oh, no, not at all.
09:45But once baby's finished on the breast, I will need to examine you.
09:48Fair enough.
09:49Take a pew.
09:50Go on.
09:51You can join us.
09:53It doesn't matter if we're supported or derided on the women's march through London.
09:57The most important thing is that we are seen and we are heard.
10:02Does derided mean made fun of?
10:03Yes, but it can also mean dismissed or belittled.
10:06Women have been put down since time immemorial and we aren't going to put up with it anymore.
10:11We want to get that on a placard.
10:13You might have to make it a bit shorter.
10:16And the point me and all the other women on the Cleaners Association want to make,
10:20placards or no placards,
10:22is that we want equal rights, equal status and equal pay.
10:26Which is why we are all going to be marching shoulder to shoulder through London.
10:31Thelma seems to be living on bits of toast and boiled sweets, Doctor.
10:39And she can scarcely keep those down.
10:41If 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 pregnant woman brought.
10:55Mentally as well as physically.
10:57There's not really any medication for it, is there?
10:59Not after thalidomide.
11:01There will never be any medication for it after thalidomide.
11:06A political meeting at the bedside of a newly delivered mother.
11:10I'm amazed she had the energy.
11:12It was as though all the women were getting energy from each other.
11:16I've never seen anything like it.
11:17They even gave her some homework.
11:20Show them your book, child.
11:22The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer.
11:25What a very striking cover.
11:27What I want to know is, where do they come from?
11:31All these educated ladies campaigning side by side with cleaners from the East End.
11:37I think mostly hamstered, although there's no doubt the movement's spreading.
11:41Women of all classes have always been involved in women's advancement.
11:45My granny used to finish a factory shift in Paisley and go out campaigning.
11:51Will you come on the march with Joyce and I, Phyllis?
11:54Perhaps I should come to the meeting.
11:59I've no objection to finding out more.
12:02I think that's extremely public-spirited.
12:05The sisters and I look forward to hearing all about it.
12:08You forgot the knit lotion.
12:24I'm sorry.
12:25I must have got distracted putting a new diabetes kit together for Mr. Kingsley.
12:29I deal with him myself, but I've two new cases of Venus also.
12:33And I think that the family as a whole might respond better to a younger person.
12:42So, the projected budget details are in the blue folder, but we're still missing the sign returns from the Board of Health.
12:49I'm afraid you've drawn a dreadfully short straw.
12:51So, I've assigned myself nursery duties in the maternity home for delicious little newborns, including twins.
12:59I'll be down at feeding time, and we agreed that secular staff make better inroads with the council.
13:04Go.
13:06Lead me to get on.
13:06Asking you to fill in the 1971 census, an army of men and women with light blue sachets...
13:15Honey, I'm the nurse.
13:17Are your mom and dad at home?
13:19The form is secret.
13:20There is nothing to fear from completing it.
13:22When it's content to be...
13:23What are you doing with those pills?
13:27These are saccharine tablets.
13:29Never put them in your tea.
13:31What are you doing with them, child?
13:32Hmm.
13:36Is that all you have to eat?
13:51Your daughter should be at school, and all of your children are hungry.
13:55They need to be deloused, but first, they need to be fed.
13:57Who gave you leave to come in here and start shouting odds, eh?
14:01My wife has been diagnosed with depression.
14:04I'm going to go to the corner shop and buy a loaf.
14:07Some margarine and some jam.
14:09And when I get back, we're going to discuss our plan of action.
14:16I'm calling on behalf of Nunata's house, Hendy Street, with regard to our projected budget from June of this year.
14:22Please hold for a moment.
14:23Of course.
14:26Would that be my friend, Lady Aylward?
14:29Yes.
14:31I wasn't expecting to be put through to you, Dr. Threpwood.
14:34I asked to be connected directly, should you call.
14:37I feel I should forewarn you of certain developments.
14:41Now?
14:41It would be expedient to meet within the week.
14:48Come on.
14:49Nurse Highland.
14:49Mr. Kingsley refused to cooperate with their diabetes protocols, and I'm taking the children to the cleansing station.
14:59There's no way of heating water in that flat, and I think the youngest has scabies, as well as lice.
15:04I'd better take a look at them.
15:07Come on.
15:07Oh, yeah.
15:09I know.
15:15This belly aches worse than the sickness, sister.
15:18If I could just go.
15:19Go properly.
15:21You know what I mean.
15:23If you're dehydrated, that might well lead to constipation.
15:26But I'll have a feel of your tummy, just to make sure things are as they should be.
15:29I'll be back.
15:38I am putting in a complaint as soon as I get back to the surgery.
15:41That cleansing station needs to be open at all times, not on request or by appointment.
15:46I've never seen a family in a worse day than this.
15:49I've thought that so many times.
15:51May I come in?
15:59Have your bowels moved at all, Thelma?
16:10I'm going to get you back to bed with a hot water bottle, then I'm calling Dr. Turner.
16:16There's nothing you can give me.
16:18Don't waste his time.
16:19The surgery's three minutes' walk away, and we won't be wasting his time if we ask him to pop round and rule out early labour.
16:28We need to take care of you, Thelma, and your baby.
16:34I wish there was no baby sometimes.
16:45I'm going.
16:46I'm going.
16:49We're going to have to get them taken into care.
16:54It may take a few days to implement, but this is a clear case of neglect.
17:00I think it's worse than neglect.
17:02There's bruises on the backs of the children.
17:05And I need you to look between Nikki's toes.
17:08I think there's a cigarette burn there.
17:26Something's moving to the toilet.
17:28Can I see?
17:29What's the baby?
17:33Was the baby?
17:35Yes, sweetheart, it was.
17:38Look.
17:44Don't look.
17:50Sweetheart, we need to get you up.
17:51It's all right, Thelma.
18:03I'm with you.
18:06I'm going to leave you, but only for a moment.
18:08I need to fetch my bag.
18:09Okay.
18:10I'm afraid I always fear the worst when Dr. Threatwood starts taking an interest in our
18:28fortunes.
18:40All I could do was arrange to meet him at his office next week.
18:44Baby, 28 weeks gestation delivered into the toilet.
18:48Still breathing.
18:49Dr. Turner.
18:50Dr. Turner.
18:51He wants breathing.
18:53What's happened?
18:54Our mature baby, six months gestation.
18:56Get the flying squad.
18:58Sweetie, whose baby is it?
19:00Thelma Cutler, 8 Lutman Street.
19:03Colonel Wethro.
19:04Yes.
19:05The infant is still showing signs of life.
19:10The sensor is still damaged.
19:13The skin.
19:14The skin is like tissue paper.
19:18We've lost respiration.
19:21Come on.
19:23Come on, little warrior.
19:26It's all right, Thelma.
19:32Everything's going to be all right.
19:34Where did this gathering go?
19:36She took your baby to the maternity home, Thelma.
19:40Because it was dead?
19:42No.
19:43Because it's alive.
19:47Is it a boy or a girl?
19:49I don't know.
19:52We're taking it to Imperial Hospital.
19:55It's the only place in London with any expertise, Leonard, this early.
19:58And this small.
19:59We haven't weighed him.
20:01The weight was the least of our consent.
20:03Fingers crossed it survives the journey across town.
20:06Blue lights all the way.
20:08It is a little boy.
20:11I wouldn't generally advise taking the bull by the horns in such a way, Nurse Highland.
20:33But in this case, it's as well you did.
20:37It's the indifference that angers me.
20:39The indifference and the laziness.
20:42As well as the cruelty.
20:43Life is more of a struggle for some people than it is for others.
20:47We're fortunate.
20:49Our struggle is only with our feelings.
20:51Good afternoon, Mr. Kingsley.
21:06Have you got my kids?
21:07Your children are all here.
21:09They have been receiving hygiene treatment.
21:10We're taking them home.
21:12I suggest you come inside and speak to Sister Veronica.
21:15As a health visitor, she is the best person to advise.
21:18As a father, I'm best placed to advise the lot of you.
21:21You do not have the right to enter private premises in this manner.
21:25And you do not have the right to abduct my children.
21:30Edna.
21:31Edna.
21:33Nurse Highland brought your children here because they were in desperate need of bathing.
21:37And now we have found bruises that will have to be explained.
21:41You'll have to prove they weren't inflicted here.
21:43Huh?
21:44I know the way your sort operate and we know our rights.
21:48Edna.
21:51Come on.
21:58Come on.
22:03Come on.
22:07And thank you, Eleanor, for reminding us
22:15that women are not just discriminated against in the professional field.
22:19They are also discriminated against at home.
22:23The time has come for us to declare our self-respect and to claim a full identity.
22:29And to get equal pay for equal work.
22:32Before we move on to discussing the logistics of the march,
22:40Maxine will highlight the things we're going to do to publicise it.
22:43Namely, the one-day strike on Saturday and the exhibition of bra burning.
22:48First, 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.
22:54Thank you very much to the Women's Liberation Movement and it's high time.
23:02I would like to say thank you, too.
23:06To the women who welcomed me round this table tonight.
23:09To the women who showed me that this fight is necessary.
23:12And to the women who I will stand with when we shout this from the rooftops.
23:31Enter.
23:33You need not concern yourself with your attire.
23:38The Lord gave you those tresses.
23:39And if they are his delight, they do not offend me.
23:58I have prepared you a beverage out of concern for the day you have endured.
24:05But I find I have left it in the kitchen.
24:09I'm happy just to have your company.
24:14It was a terrible day.
24:16I have seen its like many times.
24:21An infant lost or maimed or not shaped well.
24:28I keep turning it over and over again in my mind.
24:37Did I do all I should have done?
24:40Did I do anything to make things worse?
24:42I recall that unabated voice.
24:47The doubt that pursues you home and seeks to be your bedfiller.
24:53But say this to yourself.
24:55Tonight, a child breathes.
25:02Tonight, a mother lives.
25:08Tomorrow, you will resume your tasks.
25:11But what is my task now?
25:16The child is born.
25:18It has arrived.
25:19But the mother is still on the journey.
25:24And you must bring her home.
25:27I've never once doubted the importance of female solidarity.
25:35But for women of my age, it went unspoken.
25:39If we'd had a motto, it would have been deeds, not words.
25:42But we had a war to be getting on with.
25:44But even in the war, too many women were forced into limiting roles because of damaging stereotypes.
25:51That's why burning bras is so important.
25:53It's about the rejection of frivolity.
25:56A good bra is a very practical item and not frivolous at all.
26:02Trixie, tell me you're not going to be joining in with all that carry-on.
26:05Well, perhaps not with my current bras.
26:07I bought them at a New York lingerie department.
26:10But definitely something from my back catalogue.
26:14You were quite quiet in the meeting, Joyce.
26:18Didn't you enjoy it?
26:19I go quiet when I think.
26:21And I was doing a lot of thinking.
26:23So was I.
26:24I kept thinking, my husband had the power to run our finances into the ground without telling me.
26:31My husband beat me so badly, I left him without telling him.
26:35But what I learned tonight is that it's not what men have done to us that matters.
26:40It's what we do as women going forward.
26:43I left that calm to argue with.
26:45Mm.
26:55And that's it.
26:56We're ready for your outing.
26:58Shoes on, coats at the ready, and I've got your washing up bowl.
27:02I don't need it, Kev.
27:03I haven't been sick since yesterday.
27:06I keep trying to picture the baby.
27:09I never even saw his face.
27:11The sooner we get you to the hospital, the sooner you can have a proper look.
27:16You'll feel better then, I promise you.
27:17I can't believe the ideas women's liver coming up with.
27:27A one-day strike.
27:29We'll draw attention to the march at a local level and give women who can't attend the chance to demonstrate their views.
27:35They tried it last year in America.
27:37Women withdrew their labour right across the country.
27:39No cooking, no ironing, no childcare.
27:42And there were no reports of any deaths.
27:46Prescriptions signed by Dr. Turner, all present and correct.
27:49Oh, thank you.
27:50We're very low on pethidine.
27:52And Mrs. Kumar's penicillin was becoming urgent.
27:55It's good of you when you're so busy.
27:57Well, I might be a lady of leisure tomorrow if I join in with this strike.
28:02Will you be participating?
28:04No, Mrs. Turner.
28:05I've decided to forego the pleasure.
28:07Why is that?
28:09Because I come from a generation of women that got on with it.
28:13No histrionics, no sloganeering, and our foundation garments stayed intact.
28:19The baby weighed in at exactly two pounds and a half an hour.
28:28We've had a couple of two pounds to do very well this past year.
28:31The doctors here are very skilled, learning all the time.
28:36What's with the blade paint?
28:37I think those are the transistorised monitors.
28:40There's one attached to every incubator.
28:43If a baby stops breathing or there's a problem with the heartbeat, an alarm goes off.
28:48That's correct.
28:49Here he is.
28:51Baby Cutler.
28:52We can update the labels once you've picked a Christian name.
28:56Oh, we liked James, didn't we?
28:58James Kevin or James Paul.
29:03Look at him, Phil Marie.
29:03He's beautiful.
29:05He's gorgeous.
29:08Baby Smith has collapsed.
29:13She needs a chair.
29:17I can't look at him.
29:18I'm sorry.
29:19It's all right, Elmer.
29:21You only gave birth yesterday.
29:23When did I give birth?
29:25It was nothing that felt like a contraction.
29:28I didn't even realise that I pushed.
29:30My body just let go of him.
29:31My body just let go of him.
29:37I failed.
29:39You didn't feel.
29:41You were valiant throughout your whole pregnancy.
29:44I wasn't even an old pregnancy.
29:45I wasn't even an old pregnancy.
29:48I wasn't even look like a baby.
29:52It's my fault.
29:55It's my fault because I said that I wish that there was one.
29:58But baby James is doing well.
29:59But baby James is doing well.
30:06Lady Aylwood, what an unexpected pleasure.
30:09Are you looking for anything in particular?
30:11Yes.
30:12Support for the Women's Liberation March on March the 6th.
30:16Oh, women's lib.
30:18Would you want me as Violet Buckle Haberdasher or me in my mayoral robes?
30:23Either or both.
30:25Violet Buckle Haberdasher is a highly successful businesswoman.
30:29And the mayor of Tower Hamlets is a trailblazing female politician.
30:35But I've never thought of myself as liberated.
30:38Probably because you've been too busy.
30:41It's not necessarily men holding women back, Violet.
30:44But if we don't stand shoulder to shoulder with each other,
30:47we're never going to realise just how strong we are.
30:50I'll come, but only as myself.
30:53The Alderman might object if I wear the mayoral chain.
31:04What happened to your moped?
31:06It fell foul of budgetary cuts.
31:09Do you need to brief me on anything before we head in?
31:13The gap in their records is because they were out of the area when their son died.
31:17I've telephoned Greenwich, but we still don't know what happened.
31:19It's nice to see the children eating a cooked meal at lunchtime, Edna.
31:26Well, Faye gets a hot dinner at school and I want you to see I'm not incompetent.
31:30Social services are not your enemy.
31:32We're here to help.
31:34Especially with the children.
31:35You were meant to help when Martin died.
31:39Hmm?
31:40Fat lot of you, she were then.
31:42Ian, do you want to tell us what happened to Martin?
31:45He had a fit.
31:46That's all.
31:47Babies have fits all the time.
31:49Martin wasn't a baby.
31:51He was four and a half.
31:52You're just setting a trap.
31:53Nobody's setting a trap.
31:55But we do need to understand why there are injuries on your children.
31:59Then look at how we can help you get back on your feet as a family.
32:01We've heard that before.
32:03When they took the kids away from us.
32:05After Martin died.
32:06It took us six months to get them back.
32:09You are not having them this time.
32:12Blessed are the midnight riders
32:22For in the shadow of God they sleep
32:29Blessed are the huddled hikers
32:36Staring out of falling rain
32:41Wondering at the retribution
32:45And their personal acquaintance with pain
32:52Blessed are the blood relations
32:59Of the young ones who have died
33:04Who had not the time or patience
33:08To carry on with this earthly ride
33:15Rain will come and winds will blow
33:22Wild deer die in the mountains snow
33:27Birds will beat it past the moon
33:30Ticking the way like a little clock
33:34Just the way I like to hear it
33:35You have obviously been doing everything right
33:38Not many people say that sort of thing to me
33:41Edna, the doctor and I were wondering
33:44If you'd like to come and have a look at the ward
33:45And deliver your own work
33:46We thought you'd like to mull over having the baby with us
33:49Instead of at St Cuthbert's
33:50I've decided against St Cuthbert's now
33:53I'm having a home birth
33:55This is your sixth pregnancy, Edna
33:57And you just tell me I've been doing everything right
33:59I'm not spending one night away from our kids
34:02This will be a home birth
34:04So you best get that in your reds
34:06I used to work as a paediatric nurse, sister
34:17And I know the quest to heal can cause terrible suffering
34:21Baby James was born at 28 weeks
34:24He is considered viable
34:25But what does viable mean?
34:28Does it mean he'll go home as a happy, healthy baby?
34:31Or could he be brain damaged and blind?
34:35We're working to regulate the amount of oxygen these babies receive
34:38Now we know too much can affect their eyesight
34:40Sister Wilmot, do you share that information with the parents?
34:46We tell the parents what they need to know when they have to make decisions
34:49James' mother is in no fit state to make any decision
34:54She struggles to even believe he is her child
34:58And without that bond, how can she choose what's right?
35:03Sometimes the parents don't choose
35:05Sometimes the problems overwhelm the babies and they simply declare themselves
35:09We can't help them all
35:11But you can help the mothers
35:14Or at least, you could help me to help this one
35:18I'm sorry, Mr. Robinson
35:22Sister Veronica has left for her district visits
35:25The Kingsley family's case notes have come through
35:28I have more details on the death of Martin
35:30Good, I don't like having a child
35:33Merely marked as deceased in our records
35:35It seems to speak of want of care
35:38Martin died of oxygen deprivation
35:43From a seizure that was only witnessed by his parents
35:45The post-mortem noted old bruises on his upper arms and back
35:51And a cigarette burn was found between his toes
35:54Were the parents ever charged?
35:56No, they were not
35:57There was thought to be insufficient evidence of child battery or neglect
36:01And the police fell back on a compassionate approach
36:03Will surveillance of the family increase now?
36:07It's ten past five on a Friday
36:08But yes, it will
36:11Hands through the portholes
36:14Like that
36:15Excellent
36:16And then just clean his little face with the damp cotton wool
36:20What if you're sore with that big blaster on it?
36:26That's where he's smiling
36:27It's like his lips just turned up a little bit at the corners
36:30Stand back, you stop breathing
36:34That's the three of us, often ready for our big adventure
36:47Sister Veronica will collect Christopher
36:49She's going to read to him from some Cantonese storybooks
36:53Oh, that's great
36:53Teddy and me are going to do an airfix model
36:56But we're on strike, Patrick
36:58In preparation for the Women's March next Saturday
37:01And I'm all for it
37:02Some of the newspaper coverage has been really thought-provoking
37:06But, Daddy, you need to do the ironing and washing
37:09I was in the army
37:11Ironing holds no fears
37:14Have you left us a casserole or something?
37:17That's not how women's strike works
37:19What's this, Sophia?
37:26It's a list
37:27It's a list of everything that I usually do on a Saturday and Sunday
37:31In order to keep this household on the straight and narrow
37:33But it starts to have run a haberdasher shop
37:36And then it says batch bake
37:39And then it says clean all the shoes
37:41And then it says and my handbags
37:44I mean, how do you fit all this in an afternoon?
37:46You've got more handbags than the Queen Mum
37:48I do your shoes
37:51Then I do my shoes and my bags
37:53While the batch bakes in the oven
37:55Why do you think I close the shop at four o'clock at weekends?
38:00A home and a family do not run themselves, Fred Buckle
38:03But I can't run the haberdasheries
38:06I don't know the names of all the different types of elastic
38:08And people come in and ask for, um, female things
38:14I'll stick with the paper shop
38:16Cyril's running the paper shop
38:18He's strongly in support of feminist ideals
38:21I'm sorry we're having to do this here
38:30I do need to ask you a few questions about bleeding
38:34And what goes on in the bathroom
38:37But we can do that before Kevin gets back with the tea
38:40Kevin keeps pushing me to agree to give James a tracheotomy
38:46I have the consultant said it's for the best
38:49They've said it's best for his chance of survival
38:53How do we know it's the best thing for him?
38:57A tracheotomy will prevent James from suffering so many collapses, Thilma
39:01They'll come into his throat from the outside
39:05And stick a plastic nozzle in
39:07They'll have to breathe through his neck
39:10How's that better?
39:14Why is it better to just keep him surviving?
39:17Even if he may never see
39:19Even if his brain is going to be damaged
39:22We don't know any of those things are going to happen, Thilma
39:25And we don't know that they won't
39:26You know more than me, Sister Catherine
39:31But when it comes to a baby like James
39:34Nobody knows anything
39:37Hey, keep it up
39:48There's probably a cub badge for potato peeling
39:52It's taking me an hour to do two shirts
39:57Trixie, you made it
40:08Yes, John's nanny said she'd go on strike next week instead
40:11We worked out between us
40:13Compromise is power
40:14Are you sure that's right?
40:16When I have arguments, I like to win them
40:18Oh, Mrs. Turner, you are quite the dark horse
40:21Who ever invented new pence wants hanging
40:28I've had to charge people in decimal for things that I'm measuring in yards
40:33And that's before you start talking about two-ply wall and press studs
40:36Oh, flaming, Nora
40:39Flaming scones
40:48Being a man is terrible
40:51What happened?
41:04She fell out the window
41:05Where are parents?
41:08I don't know
41:09Do you know the child, sir?
41:11Yes
41:11I'm a social worker
41:13Excuse me, love
41:18You haven't got such a thing as a compact mirror, have you?
41:22I'm sorry, it's not a thing I generally carry around
41:25I suppose not
41:26I've got five minutes before a photographer arrives
41:30Me and my Nina are going to be in the papers
41:32We're taking her home
41:3314 months we've been in here
41:3614 months?
41:38She must have been in the wars
41:40Not half
41:41Born at 28 weeks
41:42Bowel surgery
41:44Tracheotomy
41:44They thought she had a brain bleed
41:46Now all we're waiting for is a set of ankle splints and we're off
41:50Is my lippy all right?
41:52For the photograph
41:53It's a bit smudged
41:55Here
41:56Tal, I owe you a favour
42:00I told the consultant you'll need a statement
42:09But he confirmed that Faye has a fractured femur and collarbone and concussion
42:15The police really look up here too
42:17They also found she had catastrophically low blood sugar
42:21She seems to have swallowed prescription drugs or been fed them
42:25Why would anyone feed a child prescription drugs?
42:27Because low blood sugar makes a child dozy and compliant
42:30I don't know
42:33It is the honest answer
42:35Just as I don't know how anyone
42:37Blessed
42:38Blessed with such beautiful children
42:41Could treat them with such hideous contempt
42:44Millicent
42:53Do you think I'm barking up the wrong tree?
42:57Resisting all this women's lib talk
42:59Well
43:00Not everyone is in support
43:03I've heard quite a number of ladies saying I'm not a feminist
43:06But
43:07I just don't like the gimmicky way it's all been put together
43:11I would always counsel against objecting to a book because of its cover
43:15Innocent, you're reading the female eunuch
43:20The authoress makes a series of very sensible points
43:24Notably regarding female sexuality
43:28It's a thing
43:30I spent much of my life being ashamed of
43:34I never did, oddly enough
43:39It's like being a vegetarian
43:42As though I was wired to run counter to the general view
43:46Look, why am I being like this?
43:52Why am I picking holes in something the young people are full of fervour for?
44:00Do we perhaps fear losing our place in the scheme of things?
44:06Two weeks ago I was standing outside the Drapers on Inkeman Street
44:10And there was a blouse in the window with a psychedelic pattern
44:14Dual tones, but
44:16It was such a beguiling design
44:19And I was looking at it and
44:22I thought
44:23I will never wear that blouse
44:27Why?
44:29There's no harm in breaking out a bit, fashion-wise
44:32Phyllis
44:33There 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
44:48Police?
44:55Don't answer it
44:56Mr. Kingsley?
45:00Mrs. Kingsley?
45:02Because of concerns about the welfare of your children
45:05A place of safety order has been issued
45:07We have come to remove them
45:09Don't let them take them in
45:10They're our kids
45:11They're not going anywhere
45:14They're terrified
45:15Mr. Kingsley will force entry if you do not cooperate
45:17As well as the police, I have Sister Veronica with me
45:20The children will be well taken care of
45:22Mr. Kingsley?
45:26Mrs. Kingsley?
45:29This is uncultful
45:30Why?
45:30Why are you here, Kingsley?
45:32And then Mary, Kingsley
45:33I'm arresting you
45:34I'm suspicious of child neglect and cruelty
45:36This is what they wanted all along
45:38We've already lost one of our children
45:42Doesn't that mean anything to you?
45:46It means a very great deal, Mrs. Kingsley
45:49And I wish
45:51That we didn't have to do this
45:53It means a very great deal, Mrs. Kingsley
46:00Mommy
46:01Mommy
46:05Mommy
46:10Weigh
46:14Honestly, love, you wouldn't have given a tuppence apenny for her chances in the first few weeks in old money or new money.
46:31She's as bonny as anything now.
46:33Look at her chubby little cheeks, Phil.
46:36How's she with normal food?
46:38After all those months with the tube up her nose.
46:40She's great with chocolate pudding.
46:42Not so good with her greens, though, but as long as it's all mushed up, she's just like any other baby, really.
46:48Do you ever feel like any other mum, Bernice?
46:51I feel like her mum.
46:54It's not so different from having any other child.
46:57You can't turn your back on them.
47:00You can't work out what they're thinking.
47:02You can't picture the future.
47:04The doctors never gave us any guarantees.
47:08That baby gets a guarantee, really.
47:10Guarantees are the things you buy in shops.
47:13And we're lucky.
47:15We get to call our babies miracles.
47:24Oi!
47:25Yes?
47:26My waters are broken.
47:28And I'm not going to hospital.
47:29Edna Kingsley is in labour, screaming blue murder and refusing to get into the ambulance.
47:38Police said she wants one of us to attend, and I'm first on the court board.
47:44Whatever's gone on in the past, or is yet to come, she is still a mother.
47:51Let me know if it's a boy or a girl, and I shall add it to my notes.
48:06I'll get my back.
48:07I'm afraid this isn't good news, Lady Edward, and it can't be countermanded, even with all the womanly wiles at your disposal.
48:33A simple statement of facts will suffice, Dr. Threpwood.
48:37Very well.
48:38By 1974, all medical service provision across the country will be taken out of council hands and given direct to the National Health.
48:47But the Order have worked hand in glove with the National Health since its inception.
48:51And this council has been the go-between.
48:54Without our future involvement, there can be no more cajolery.
48:58No more persuasion.
49:00It is over.
49:01A great deal could happen between now and 1974.
49:05The new rules will be facing from this year.
49:08And there is one I know the sisters won't accept.
49:14Let's know it's dead, my nurse.
49:17Save your strength.
49:19I want it to be all right, nurse.
49:21You're on the home straight, I promise.
49:23There's no reason to suppose anything will be amiss.
49:26I don't mean with the baby, I mean with everything.
49:29Come on.
49:31So come up, Barley Sugar, and concentrate on what's happening here and now.
49:36They can't take a newborn off you, can they?
49:39Edna.
49:40Save your energy for this last big push.
49:47Come on now.
49:50Steady push.
49:52Steady, steady push.
49:58You have a beautiful little daughter, Edna.
50:00Morten looked just like that when he was born.
50:25You forget when we haven't got a fight with him.
50:31We never had a camera.
50:35I'm going to give you the best life.
50:39Do you there?
50:41The best life.
50:43Hello, you.
50:53Oh, Mr. Franklin.
50:55It's so good of you to go out of your way.
50:58What sort of friend would I be if I didn't tip up with a cup of Rosie and the chips are down?
51:02Dr. Threepwood is right.
51:06We will not accept that diktat.
51:09But it is a diktat, Sister Julianne.
51:12You aren't going to be allowed to wear the habit anymore.
51:14My sisters and I have dressed like this since the inception of the Order.
51:17It is the outward expression of the reason why we do this.
51:21The powers that be don't give two hoots why you do this.
51:26They just want it done.
51:27If Nonata's house is to survive at all, we are all going to be national health employees.
51:33And the new rules state that we will have to dress as such or leave the system.
51:38We have never been a part of the system.
51:41We have rejoiced in that.
51:42Dr. Threepwood said he'd like your response by the end of this month.
51:46I think it ties in with the end of the financial year.
51:48Who is this man to lay down the law in this way?
51:58This decision will be driven by prayer, not by the fiscal calendar.
52:03Therefore, I will choose the appropriate date.
52:07We will tell him what we are going to do on August the 31st,
52:12which happens to be the feast day of St. Raymond Nonatus.
52:18People think I talk too much.
52:21I don't.
52:23I know.
52:24And I know you listen.
52:27I've never seen here she goes again, writ large on your face.
52:32But the thing I think people don't understand about the life I chose
52:41is so much of it is silence.
52:47I understand.
52:49It isn't about when we can't speak.
52:52It's about what we can never say.
52:57What we can never name because that might expose us.
53:04Lay us bare.
53:05We can't afford that, can we?
53:11No.
53:12Because really,
53:13who wants the whole wide world to hear them howling?
53:20I don't think I can silence the howling anymore.
53:27What is it you want, Veronica?
53:29If we're going to drop the sister bit,
53:37I think you'd better call me Beryl, my real name.
53:43You can call me Geoffrey if it's not too much of a stretch.
53:49What is it you want?
53:55I want a child.
53:57I want a child of my own
54:02to hold in my arms
54:05and keep safe
54:09and cherish
54:11always.
54:12I want a child
54:14before it becomes impossible.
54:21I feel like you ought to have a special little nightie
54:24on if he's to have an operation.
54:25I feel like his dad should have had the day off work.
54:30I think James' first year is going to be a long haul, Thelma.
54:34Keeping up a normal routine is going to be good for everyone.
54:37I'm good at routines.
54:39Before I fell pregnant,
54:41I used to dream I'd have all the nappies on the line every Monday.
54:43dreams are a lovely thing to have.
54:48Sometimes we just have to dream for longer than we thought.
54:52He'll be a baby for longer, too.
54:54I think I might like that.
55:02Have you come to take James for his tracheotomy?
55:08I'm his mother.
55:09What's this?
55:26Something to wear on Saturday, perhaps?
55:28And your marks, get set.
55:41You want a sausage roll?
55:43I'll have one.
55:47I'll tell you what, pal.
55:48I love our lady folk, all of them.
55:52But it's liberation, Mark.
55:54It's hard work.
55:55I went for cotton.
56:07I thought it would burn longer.
56:10I bought this one from discounted stock.
56:12Nobody's bought a long line these days.
56:15I relented.
56:17Bergdorf Goodman's finest.
56:20Girls!
56:21Where did you get that from?
56:23The charity cupboard.
56:25Provenance, uncertain.
56:28Sisterhood takes many forms.
56:30I think we should celebrate them all.
56:39There will always be things that we cannot change,
56:44even when there is the will and the belief that we should try.
56:51Change chooses its own seeds,
56:54sows them in its own selected soil.
56:58Our task is to alter them and not trample green shoots underfoot.
57:04In the spring of 1971, there was so much that was altered.
57:13There were endings and there were beginnings.
57:17There was uncertainty and there was confidence.
57:21There was rage and there was love and so we marched together into all the things we did not know, hoping and also fearing things would never be the same.
57:36You may begin.
57:41I started out in Bombay and then I worked my way right up to Ladakh.
57:45Find a way to make a living.
57:47I can't see any gas.
57:48It'll be in the delivery room, won't it?
57:50So many mothers looking after him.
57:52I'm telling you, nurse, the one thing his baby isn't is a Protestant.
57:56More tea, Mrs. Clifford.
57:57Yes, please, St. Dick's back to Earl Grey.
57:59Yes, please, St. Dick's back to Earl Grey.
57:59Thank you, St. Dick's back to Earl Grey.
58:29Thank you, St. Dick.
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