A Horseman Riding By is a 13-part BBC television serial produced by Ken Riddington, and adapted by Arden Winch, Alexander Baron, and John Wiles from R.F. Delderfield's 1966-68 historical novel series of the same name. Having been invalided out of the Boer War, Paul Craddock buys Shallowford, a manor house and estate in Devon, with money from his late father's scrapyard business. He soon becomes a much-respected 'Squire' determined to treat all his tenant farmers fairly, unlike his predecessor.
A Horseman Riding By (Season 1)
1902: Valley for Sale (Episode 1)
Writer: Arden Winch
Air date: 1978-09-24
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Paul Craddock answers an advertisement and arrives in Devon, not realising he has made the most momentous journey of his life.
1902: The Party (Episode 2)
Writer: Alexander Baron
Air date: 1978-10-01
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Paul has achieved his aim - Shallowford House is his. Now he must learn his job of being squire. John Rudd is a help and so, in different ways, are Claire Derwent and Grace Lovell.
1903: An Outbreak of Romance (Episode 3)
Writer: Alexander Baron
Air date: 1978-10-08
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Paul has married Grace Lovell. Will Codsall also has marriageon his mind, but with a mother like Arabella he needs a lot of help.
1905: A Birth and a Death (Episode 4)
Writer: Alexander Baron
Air date: 1978-10-15
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: When Grace returns from London there is tragedy in the valley and Paul has a difficult decision to make.
1905: The Storm (Episode 5)
Writer: Alexander Baron
Air date: 1978-10-22
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: The relationship between Grace and Paul grows worse, particularly when Paul suggests Claire Derwent becomes nanny to their child.
1905: The Hollow Victory (Episode 6)
Writer: Arden Winch
Air date: 1978-10-29
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: With Grace gone, Claire becomes indispensable to Paul and when Smut Potter plays a dangerous game, Claire is there to help. Lloyd George speaks in the valley.
1914: The Last Hot Summer (Episode 7)
Writer: Arden Winch
Air date: 1978-11-05
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Nine years have passed and Paul has been married to Claire for seven years.
1914: Call to Arms (Episode 8)
Writer: Arden Winch
Air date: 1978-11-12
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: The Great War hits the valley. Will Codsall is the first man to be called up. The war fever spreads quickly, taking everyone in its wake even John Rudd.
1915: Death of a Hero (Episode 9)
Writer: John Wiles
Air date: 1978-11-19
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Will Codsall, back on leave, causes a lot of trouble. Claire and Rose both have emotional decisions to make.
1916: The Profiteers (Episode 10)
Writer: John Wiles
Air date: 1978-11-26
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: The valley has its first conscientious objector and most of the locals don't approve. Sydney Codsall, now a solicitor, visits Paul and tries to involve him in a dubious deal.
1917: The Bad Season (Episode 11)
Writer: John Wiles
Air date: 1978-12-03
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Paul has joined up. Shallowford is now a convalescent home and very crowded. John Rudd suggests that Claire should move out. Elinor Codsall has a German POW to help.
1918: The Service (Episode 12)
Writer: John Wiles
Air date: 1978-12-10
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: Penultimate episode of the series. The Potter twins have two new admirers.
1919: The Old and the New (Episode 13)
Writer: Arden Winch
Air date: 1978-12-17
Runtime: 60 min
Overview: With Paul missing and the army having vacated Shallowford, Will Codsall sets out to buy the valley.
Seasons
Episodes 13