Interesting thread, quite a few of you don't seem all that keen on the Blamire years.
I actually like the episodes with him in it, not sure if it's because i was in my late teens when Summer Wine was first broadcast, although i didn't start watching the programme seriously until 1984, when i got my first video recorder.
When i watch the series with Blamire in it, i enjoy seeing the vehicles of that time, plus the "fashions" of that era remind me of what i twit i looked, in me flares and platform shoes!
I pretty much liked all of the "third" men, they all had their own personalities and brought them into the show, to give it a bit more range in what the trio got up to.
Either way, Roy Clarke made sure that the third man was always a figure of authority, which was needed to keep the other two on their feet.
G ; )