Nearest and Dearest

The well‑known 1970s sitcom featured Jimmy Jewel and Hylda Baker as siblings Eli and Nellie Pledge, who are compelled to manage their family pickle factory in Lancashire. The episode referenced is Series 4, Episode 2, titled “A Young Man’s Fancy.”

The programme in question is a popular 1970s sitcom that centres on the comedic exploits of a brother‑sister duo, Eli and Nellie Pledge. The characters are portrayed by Jimmy Jewel and Hylda Baker, and the series is set in the industrial heartland of Lancashire. Its humour stems from the pair’s reluctant partnership as they are compelled to keep the family’s pickle factory running. In the fourth series, episode two – titled “A Young Man’s Fancy” – the narrative continues to follow Eli and Nellie as they grapple with the everyday trials of managing the pickle business together. The episode showcases the siblings’ banter and the inevitable mishaps that arise when familial duty meets a stubbornly stubborn trade. The installment forms part of the show’s broader run, which consistently blends the quirks of sibling rivalry with the distinctive flavour of Lancashire life. By the time the series reaches its fourth season, the characters have become well‑established, and “A Young Man’s Fancy” adds another chapter to the ongoing story of the Pledge family’s reluctant stewardship of their pickle‑making enterprise.