What on earth did they find?

Dr Cleal reels away, in despair, clutching her brow. Was it something Mike Taylor said? Was it something Peggy Poole found? Doubtless the answer is lost in the mists, but the moment was beautifully captured by Corky Gregory on cutting AXVII in 1982.

A rampart taller than a man ...

Fine dramatic shot through the 1982 rampart cutting with John Parry cleaning up on the left, Peggy Poole in the middle and Mike Taylor, helpfully posing as a ranging rod on the right.  Even with his splendidly untamed hair the rampart is still a good few inches taller than he. The JCB backfills behind ...

Rainy day 1982 ...

Sometimes, although it was rare, the damp just got to us and made everyone feel a bit miserable: this looks like one of those days: even Phil's van of which I have affectionate memories looks a bit gloomy. Also in the shot, Joyce, Mike Taylor, Peggy Poole and Duncan. Erecting the shelter was always a tough job especially on a windy day. We used to weight down the plastic with turves.

Jim Irvine reckons this is 1983 ...

Jim suggested the other day that Peggy Poole was one of those featured on the July 1983 cover of Gloucestershire & Avon Life here: he's hunted the Irvine archive and sends the conclusive proof: here she is with Mike as they both lean up against Phil's van. No doubt that the hat's the same in both photos: good spot, Jim.

Gloucestershire & Avon Life July 1983

The Phillpotts archive is full of jewels: Terry Courtney, three in from the left in mid-picture, with a catbasher dangling from his right hand: anyone recognise anyone else? At least two non-standard issue buckets front left: there were a few green ones but I think the yellow one is a plant ...

"Gloucestershire & Avon Life" began, according to the Cheltenham Reference Library catalogue, as "Gloucestershire Countryside" and was published between 1931 and 1967. Thereafter, under the new title it appeared between 1967 and July 1993 after which I can find no trace.

Jim Irvine helps out: "The old eyes aren't too good these days but may I postulate? Thank you! How about Mr Noakes at the top right with what looks like beard and dark glasses. Also just below him in what appears to be a red cap with white wings may be Peggy Poole - who later became Mrs Mike the Whale. Even less certain, if that is possible, what about Les Capon in blue rainwear on top of the bank directly above Terry? And even lesser certainer - Mike Sims next to Terry? I believe he still has and uses that jumper."

You're spot on about Paul Noakes. Well done for seeing through the disguise: the toolbelt is the clincher. I've compared this with the Phillpotts 1982 series and now suggest that the two women in white safety helmets at the bottom of the picture are Gail Boyle and Rhian Locke but I don't know their surnames.