
Way back in 1983 I watched a TV drama written by Willy Russell. The five-part serial was called One Summer and starred a very young David Morrisey. There aren't many programs from way back in the early 80s that have really stuck with me, however, One Summer affected me in a different way and I have never forgotten watching it. I recently received it as a birthday present and have just watched it again for only the second time in 33 years.
The story revolves mostly around two Liverpudlian schoolfriends, Billy, played by David Morrisey, and Icky, played by Spencer Leigh. Billy doesn't get on with either his sister or his mother and neither him or Icky have a particularly good school attendance record. The local police are out to get Billy. After getting into a dispute with another local gang Billy and Icky catch the train and run away to Wales. They're not sure where they're going in Wales, Billy holidayed there once and Wales has always been somewhere he wanted to get back to.
After arriving in Wales they come across a farmhouse which is home to Kidder, played by James Hazeldean. He takes both lads under his wing and lets them stay with him. Why is Kidder living all alone in Wales? There's more to his story as you will find out.
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