Lilian is still trying to influence Justin’s choice of PA; the PCC meeting is conducted in an appropriate manner; Justin believes that he has won the day.

Radio Times: Jill feels under attack. Neil must remain impartial

Characters: David, Jill, Justin, Kirsty, Lilian, Neil

• Kirsty tells Jill that she’s attending the PCC meeting in order to speak about the pig rearing development. Jill thinks it’s very early days to campaign against the project. Kirsty gets rather hot under the collar about Justin trying to “sweeten” the locals by offering to look after the Millennium Wood. She lectures Jill about the nature of pig farming and how the local economy will barely benefit. Jill snaps back saying that she’s quite aware of how difficult it is to make a living from farming. Kirsty slopes off to the meeting, wishing that Lynda were around to offer support.
• Justin bumps into Neil and asks if he’s heard of any potential conflict at the forthcoming PCC meeting. As it was Neil who gave him the idea of intensive pig rearing, he thought that he should be in possession of the full facts. BL has agreed to the proposal and will apply for planning next week. It’s an excellent opportunity to breathe life into Berrow Farm and improve employment prospects. Neil hopes that Justin isn’t trying to influence him as chair of the meeting and insists that at present, the PCC is simply giving local people the opportunity to air their opinions.
• At Brookfield, David walks in on a somewhat subdued Jill. She’s sorting out old photos for Open Farm Sunday but feels that everyone is against her. Kirsty has apparently accused her and all farmers of wrecking the planet and now Ruth has refused to help her with the photographs, preferring instead to engage on a tirade against Josh pushing his new business on the open day. David makes excuses for Ruth, but Jill just wants to see the end of the day arrive.
• As Justin arrives home, Lilian accosts him with her changing thoughts on his new PA, Cressida. He will have nothing of it. Lilian agreed at the interview that she was the best candidate, so she got the job, and that’s that. Lilian changes tack and enquires how his day went. He was perfectly happy that Neil, a very “sound sort of chap”, will keep the PCC meeting under control. It will give Justin some idea of the level of local protest. Even though he won’t be there, Richard Thwaite, a local councillor will be. He has offered to phone Justin later to let him know how the land lies.
• At the PCC meeting, Neil allows 15 minutes for members of the public to put their views about the Berrow Farm proposal. Kirsty spoke from the heart about the needs of the pigs, living unnaturally under almost intolerable stress and at risk of premature death from heart attacks. It was totally unacceptable. David spoke of a rigorous impact assessment before planning consent was considered. An anaerobic digester was already on site and the plan would prevent the current practice of “bussing” slurry in. He was completely in favour of the proposal. With that, Neil moved the meeting on to further business.
• Lilian is still trying to get Justin to see the error of his ways. She has another candidate standing by who knows Borsetshire well and would fit the bill perfectly. He agrees to see the new woman on Monday morning, as Lilian only has his interests at heart. Hmm! Regarding the PCC meeting, Richard has told Justin that there was very little opposition. However, Justin is surprised to find Helen supporting Kirsty “under the circumstances”. When Lilian pushes him to explain what these circumstances were, he blithely explains that he meant that he was soon to become a family member. He adds that he is glad that the village had seen sense; if you handle people correctly, you usually get your way!