Nearest and Dearest

The hit 1970s sitcom stars Jimmy Jewel and Hylda Baker as brother and sister Eli and Nellie Pledge, who are forced to run their family pickle factory in Lancashire. The programme is a comedy series. Series four, episode five is titled “An Open‑And‑Shut Case”.

The show is a well‑known sitcom that aired in the 1970s, fronted by Jimmy Jewel and Hylda Baker. Both actors play the sibling pair Eli and Nellie Pledge, whose interactions drive the comedy. From the outset, the series presents a distinctly British flavour, grounding the humour in everyday life. At its core, the programme follows Eli and Nellie as they are compelled to run their family’s pickle factory together in Lancashire. The forced partnership provides a steady stream of situations that highlight the brothers‑and‑sisters dynamic, with each episode exploring how the two cope with the quirks of the business and the demands of the trade. In the fourth series, episode five – titled “An Open‑And‑Shut Case” – the siblings continue their joint stewardship of the pickle works. The episode maintains the series’ focus on the pair’s attempts to keep the factory afloat while navigating the inevitable mishaps that arise from their contrasting approaches. The fact that the show reached at least four series underlines its popularity during its run. Its Lancashire setting and the chemistry between Jewel and Baker helped cement its reputation as a hit sitcom of the decade, drawing audiences who enjoyed watching the Pledge siblings tackle the challenges of family‑run industry with humour and resilience.