Noticing the absence of a proper creative conclusion for the departure of Babs and Mrs. Avery I thought I would put together a vignette created with a little, er, assistance. I've tweaked the final product a bit and you can think of this as attached to the end of an episode or it's own DVD-like extra. Hope you enjoy.
Title: Last of the Summer Wine: Babs and Mrs. Avery’s Farewell
Scene: The familiar bench overlooking the Yorkshire countryside, with Clegg, Truly, and Tom Simmonite gathered. The day is bright, but there’s an unusual tension in the air. Babs and Mrs. Avery are approaching with a serious air about them, and their expressions suggest that something isn’t right.
(Opening Scene)
The camera pans slowly across the Yorkshire landscape before cutting to the bench where Clegg, Truly, and Tom are sitting. They’re chatting quietly, but something feels off. The sound of footsteps grows louder as Babs and Mrs. Avery approach. They seem unusually somber.
Clegg: (looking up, with a slight grin) “Well, well, if it isn’t the dynamic duo! What’s the news today, then? New gossip or more trouble, eh?”
Babs: (sighing deeply, shaking her head) “No, Clegg... it’s not gossip this time. It’s... something else.”
Mrs. Avery: (quietly) “We’ve got something to tell you all. It’s... not easy to say.”
Truly: (frowning, concerned) “Not easy to say? Come on, confess as we used to say. You’re scaring us now. What’s going on?”
Tom: (crossing his arms) “Yes, you’ve both got me intrigued. You look like you’ve just received a letter from the taxman.”
Babs: (taking a deep breath, looking at Mrs. Avery) “It’s just... well, it seems that things aren’t exactly going as we hoped.”
Mrs. Avery: (looking at Babs, then at the group) “Apparently, we’re not being well received by the viewers anymore.”
(A shocked silence falls over the group. Clegg, Truly, and Tom look at each other, trying to process the words.)
Tom: (stepping forward, confused) “Not well received? What on earth do you mean? My associate Mrs avery – you can’t leave!. Everyone, ahem, “loves” you!”
Babs: (sadly) “That’s what we thought. But apparently, the audience has... well, they’ve been giving some feedback, and it’s not exactly positive.”
Mrs. Avery: “They’re saying we’re getting a bit old-fashioned. Too predictable. They want something... fresh. Something less boorish and more exciting.”
Tom: (shocked, as if he’s been slapped) “Exciting? What could possibly be more exciting than the wit and wisdom of Mrs. Avery and Babs?You two are part of the heart and soul of Yorkshire. What are they suggesting? Cartwheeling down the street in tutus?”
Truly: (grumbling) “Don’t be ridiculous, Tom. They’re always looking for the next big thing. What’s wrong with a little bit of old-fashioned fun, I say?”
Babs: (nodding, voice soft) “Exactly. But, well... they’ve said that we’re just too... boring now. No real chemistry apparently. And honestly, we’ve been thinking about it a lot. Maybe they’re right.”
Mrs. Avery: (looking down) “It’s hard to hear, but it’s the truth. They say we’re not as lively as we used to be. And, honestly, I’ve felt it myself. Baba, I don’t want to be just a background character, do you?”
Clegg: (shocked, trying to process) “But... but you’re not just background characters! You two are... well, well okay, background characters. And there are many of those as it is already.”
Truly: (fidgeting with his hat) “This is absurd! I’ve never heard such nonsense. You can’t just let a bunch of critics decide your worth. Who are these people, anyway? Where do they live? I’ll go have a word with them.”
Tom: (gently) “Maybe... maybe it’s time for a change? I don’t want to sound harsh, but sometimes you can’t ignore the way things are going. If the audience feels like you’re not connecting, then... well, it’s a sign that maybe the time’s come to step aside. I for one however will be staying.”
Babs: (nodding slowly, with a sad smile) “I get it, Tom. But it’s not just about what the viewers think. It’s also about how we feel. We’ve been part of this world for..okay, only a handful of episodes. So maybe it’s time for us to move on... go somewhere where we can still be useful.”
Mrs. Avery: (quietly) “We’ve been thinking of leaving Yorkshire, actually. Not just because of the feedback, but because it feels like we’ve reached the end of our story here. It’s hard, but sometimes... you’ve got to know when to let go.”
Clegg: (in disbelief, struggling to understand) “So... you’re telling us that you’re leaving because of some... letters from some people you’ve never met? Is that it?”
Truly: (angrily) “I can’t believe it. The very idea that someone could tell you that you’re not good enough! I won’t stand for it. It’s outrageous!”
Tom: (quietly) “It’s not about them, Truly. It’s about... feeling like you’ve done all you can. Maybe it’s time to hand over the reins to someone younger, more fit for purpose.”
Babs: (looking around at the group) “It’s just... it’s hard to think of not being part of all this. Yorkshire. You. All of you. But the truth is, we’ve been thinking about it. We need something new, something that feels right for us.”
Mrs. Avery: (softly) “We’re going to pack up and head south. Maybe somewhere warmer, where we can still make a difference. But not here anymore. The screen... the world out there... it’s different now.”
Clegg: (quietly, looking down) “I... I don’t know what to say. You’ve both only just got here. It won’t be the same without you.”
Truly: (looking at them, still angry) “I don’t like it, but if you really feel like that’s what you need... then, I suppose I’ll have to accept it. But don’t you dare forget us.”
Tom: (gently) “If you need a change, you have my blessing. I know you’ll find something just as meaningful wherever you go. When you come back to visit, I expect a full debrief on whatever new adventure you’re having. And don’t you dare try to get fancy on me.”
Babs: (laughing softly through the sadness) “We won’t. You’ll always have us, Tom. Even if we’re not in Yorkshire, we’ll still be here in spirit.”
Mrs. Avery: (smiling through her sadness) “It’s been an honour, Truly. But now it’s time to pass on the torch. The next group can figure out their own chaos.”
(The group falls into a quiet, contemplative silence, each of them absorbing the news. Finally, after a few moments, Babs and Mrs. Avery stand up.)
Babs: “Well, I suppose we’d better get going. Before we change our minds. We only have a few lines left in this script”
Truly: (nodding, still trying to accept it) “Good luck, then. I can’t say I like it, but I’ll support you.”
Clegg: (softly) “Take care. And don’t forget to send us a postcard from wherever you end up.”
Tom: (with a grin) “And don’t forget us when you’re living the good life somewhere sunny.”
Tom: (smiling, as if he’s been spared the axe somehow) “Don’t you two get up to anything too foolish. And remember—no running off with anyone’s husband, Babs.”
(They all share a laugh, though tinged with sadness, as Babs and Mrs. Avery begin to walk off toward their new adventure. The camera lingers on the group, watching them leave, before cutting to the empty bench beside them.)
Clegg: (quietly) “It won’t be the same, will it?”
Truly: (looking up) “No, it won’t.”
(The camera slowly fades to the Yorkshire hills in the distance as the group remains, silent and reflective.)
End Scene.
Title: Last of the Summer Wine: Babs and Mrs. Avery’s Farewell
Scene: The familiar bench overlooking the Yorkshire countryside, with Clegg, Truly, and Tom Simmonite gathered. The day is bright, but there’s an unusual tension in the air. Babs and Mrs. Avery are approaching with a serious air about them, and their expressions suggest that something isn’t right.
(Opening Scene)
The camera pans slowly across the Yorkshire landscape before cutting to the bench where Clegg, Truly, and Tom are sitting. They’re chatting quietly, but something feels off. The sound of footsteps grows louder as Babs and Mrs. Avery approach. They seem unusually somber.
Clegg: (looking up, with a slight grin) “Well, well, if it isn’t the dynamic duo! What’s the news today, then? New gossip or more trouble, eh?”
Babs: (sighing deeply, shaking her head) “No, Clegg... it’s not gossip this time. It’s... something else.”
Mrs. Avery: (quietly) “We’ve got something to tell you all. It’s... not easy to say.”
Truly: (frowning, concerned) “Not easy to say? Come on, confess as we used to say. You’re scaring us now. What’s going on?”
Tom: (crossing his arms) “Yes, you’ve both got me intrigued. You look like you’ve just received a letter from the taxman.”
Babs: (taking a deep breath, looking at Mrs. Avery) “It’s just... well, it seems that things aren’t exactly going as we hoped.”
Mrs. Avery: (looking at Babs, then at the group) “Apparently, we’re not being well received by the viewers anymore.”
(A shocked silence falls over the group. Clegg, Truly, and Tom look at each other, trying to process the words.)
Tom: (stepping forward, confused) “Not well received? What on earth do you mean? My associate Mrs avery – you can’t leave!. Everyone, ahem, “loves” you!”
Babs: (sadly) “That’s what we thought. But apparently, the audience has... well, they’ve been giving some feedback, and it’s not exactly positive.”
Mrs. Avery: “They’re saying we’re getting a bit old-fashioned. Too predictable. They want something... fresh. Something less boorish and more exciting.”
Tom: (shocked, as if he’s been slapped) “Exciting? What could possibly be more exciting than the wit and wisdom of Mrs. Avery and Babs?
Truly: (grumbling) “Don’t be ridiculous, Tom. They’re always looking for the next big thing. What’s wrong with a little bit of old-fashioned fun, I say?”
Babs: (nodding, voice soft) “Exactly. But, well... they’ve said that we’re just too... boring now. No real chemistry apparently. And honestly, we’ve been thinking about it a lot. Maybe they’re right.”
Mrs. Avery: (looking down) “It’s hard to hear, but it’s the truth. They say we’re not as lively as we used to be. And, honestly, I’ve felt it myself. Baba, I don’t want to be just a background character, do you?”
Clegg: (shocked, trying to process) “But... but you’re not just background characters! You two are... well, well okay, background characters. And there are many of those as it is already.”
Truly: (fidgeting with his hat) “This is absurd! I’ve never heard such nonsense. You can’t just let a bunch of critics decide your worth. Who are these people, anyway? Where do they live? I’ll go have a word with them.”
Tom: (gently) “Maybe... maybe it’s time for a change? I don’t want to sound harsh, but sometimes you can’t ignore the way things are going. If the audience feels like you’re not connecting, then... well, it’s a sign that maybe the time’s come to step aside. I for one however will be staying.”
Babs: (nodding slowly, with a sad smile) “I get it, Tom. But it’s not just about what the viewers think. It’s also about how we feel. We’ve been part of this world for..okay, only a handful of episodes. So maybe it’s time for us to move on... go somewhere where we can still be useful.”
Mrs. Avery: (quietly) “We’ve been thinking of leaving Yorkshire, actually. Not just because of the feedback, but because it feels like we’ve reached the end of our story here. It’s hard, but sometimes... you’ve got to know when to let go.”
Clegg: (in disbelief, struggling to understand) “So... you’re telling us that you’re leaving because of some... letters from some people you’ve never met? Is that it?”
Truly: (angrily) “I can’t believe it. The very idea that someone could tell you that you’re not good enough! I won’t stand for it. It’s outrageous!”
Tom: (quietly) “It’s not about them, Truly. It’s about... feeling like you’ve done all you can. Maybe it’s time to hand over the reins to someone younger, more fit for purpose.”
Babs: (looking around at the group) “It’s just... it’s hard to think of not being part of all this. Yorkshire. You. All of you. But the truth is, we’ve been thinking about it. We need something new, something that feels right for us.”
Mrs. Avery: (softly) “We’re going to pack up and head south. Maybe somewhere warmer, where we can still make a difference. But not here anymore. The screen... the world out there... it’s different now.”
Clegg: (quietly, looking down) “I... I don’t know what to say. You’ve both only just got here. It won’t be the same without you.”
Truly: (looking at them, still angry) “I don’t like it, but if you really feel like that’s what you need... then, I suppose I’ll have to accept it. But don’t you dare forget us.”
Tom: (gently) “If you need a change, you have my blessing. I know you’ll find something just as meaningful wherever you go. When you come back to visit, I expect a full debrief on whatever new adventure you’re having. And don’t you dare try to get fancy on me.”
Babs: (laughing softly through the sadness) “We won’t. You’ll always have us, Tom. Even if we’re not in Yorkshire, we’ll still be here in spirit.”
Mrs. Avery: (smiling through her sadness) “It’s been an honour, Truly. But now it’s time to pass on the torch. The next group can figure out their own chaos.”
(The group falls into a quiet, contemplative silence, each of them absorbing the news. Finally, after a few moments, Babs and Mrs. Avery stand up.)
Babs: “Well, I suppose we’d better get going. Before we change our minds. We only have a few lines left in this script”
Truly: (nodding, still trying to accept it) “Good luck, then. I can’t say I like it, but I’ll support you.”
Clegg: (softly) “Take care. And don’t forget to send us a postcard from wherever you end up.”
Tom: (with a grin) “And don’t forget us when you’re living the good life somewhere sunny.”
Tom: (smiling, as if he’s been spared the axe somehow) “Don’t you two get up to anything too foolish. And remember—no running off with anyone’s husband, Babs.”
(They all share a laugh, though tinged with sadness, as Babs and Mrs. Avery begin to walk off toward their new adventure. The camera lingers on the group, watching them leave, before cutting to the empty bench beside them.)
Clegg: (quietly) “It won’t be the same, will it?”
Truly: (looking up) “No, it won’t.”
(The camera slowly fades to the Yorkshire hills in the distance as the group remains, silent and reflective.)
End Scene.
