An Island Parish

In the first of a new series charting a year in the life of the remote Isles of Scilly, off the western coast of Cornwall, minister the Reverend David Easton struggles to come to terms with the biggest blow of his entire career - in a secret vote, a small group of his congregation has voted him off the islands. Meanwhile newly engaged island vet Heike and her fiancee Alistair ponder whether they can really afford a proper wedding, and after the disastrous attempt by four island men to row home from New York, a wrecked rowing boat turns up unexpectedly in Newfoundland.

With the arrival of the worst winter for a generation, there's an unexpected question mark over the future of Heike's nurse Sara - can the budding romance with new boyfriend Gregg really last? Meanwhile, the legendary boatman Fraser Hicks is determined to enhance his reputation after years of leg-pulling by his fellow skippers, and Minister David Easton turns up in a surprising role in the islands' annual pantomime.

After criticism of his ministry on the Isles of Scilly, it is a big night for Reverend David Easton as he puts his reputation on the line as the leading dame in the pantomime. Meanwhile, with her wedding date finally in the diary, nervous vet Heike meets the potential in-laws for the first time, and Sara the nurse is forced to make an agonising decision about her future.

After years facing financial disaster, Heike the vet is thrown a lifeline which could transform her prospects and secure her future on the islands. Meanwhile, island chiropodist Auntie Kris has a secret plan for a new business enterprise, and some very unusual cargo arrives at the parish church, meaning that Sundays on the islands will never quite be the same again.

Faced with soon having to leave his beloved Scillies, the Reverend David Easton slips quietly away in search of a new job at a secret destination. Meanwhile, at the Dibble and Grub restaurant, Gaz is in big trouble with Button over his first driving lesson, and there is more sudden and very sad news for Heike, the beleaguered island vet.

Just as life begins to look brighter for Heike, the beleaguered Isles of Scilly vet, there's a bombshell which throws her personal life into total disarray and stuns family and friends. A group of fanatical Dutch rowers prepare to make a pilgrimage to Scilly, and for the first time in their long history, the islands echo to the sound of church bells.

It's Easter on the remote Isles of Scilly, and the islanders are nervously preparing for the start of the critically-important holiday season. Alistair has to explain why he suddenly broke off his engagement to Heike the vet, which has put his whole future on Scilly in doubt, and an important visitor arrives from the mainland - but how will the new Bishop of Truro go down with the locals?

It's the famous world gig-rowing championships on the Isles of Scilly, and all eyes are on the magnificent new boat built in the local yard for a group of Dutch rowing fanatics. Heike the vet, still reeling from the abrupt cancellation of her wedding, tries her hand at giving driving lessons; and the head of the Methodist Church in Cornwall, the Revd. Steve Wild, hatches an unusual scheme to boost the islanders' flagging morale.

The islanders' landlord, HRH Prince Charles, arrives on Scilly with Camilla for a surprise visit - but, with rents high and few affordable properties to buy, not everyone is overjoyed to see him. Meanwhile, local radio reporter Steve Watt uncovers an exclusive about the plight of stranded racing pigeons, and Glynn, the island busman, reveals a secret passion.

The Minister, the Revd David Easton faces an agonising wait to see if he's got the new job he's applied for in Wales. Heike the vet welcomes a new member of the family into her home, but has she bitten off more than she can chew? Nigel from the Air Fayre Cafe has to say a sad farewell to his long-lost son Gregg.

A young couple urgently seek the help of Minister David Easton before he leaves the islands. Meanwhile, David's boss, the Reverend Steve Wild, arrives from the mainland with some important news about the man he's appointed to take over as the new minister. And it's time for the big annual Scilly dog show, when Heike the vet has to decide whether to run the risk of introducing her troublesome rescue dog Jasper to the other islanders.

With advertisements promoting their first gig appearing all over the Isles of Scilly, Glynn the island busman is worried that his newly formed band are facing a crisis of confidence - but knows that to cancel at this stage would be a very public humiliation. Meanwhile, Phil and Mimi brace themselves as their respective parents meet for the first time; and the Revd. David Easton plans a permanent legacy of his years on the islands.

After months of secret planning it's time for the island's Minister, the Rev David Easton's big farewell party - and a surprise is flown in from the mainland which even he could never have imagined. Meanwhile it's D-Day for Glynn, the island busman, and his nervous rock and roll band as they take to the stage for the first time. Phil and Mimi at last see their dream come true with the baptism of their little daughter Annie.

There's a big threat to Phil and Mimi's dream life on the Isles of Scilly when they discover that the hotel where they both work is in deep financial trouble. Meanwhile, Heike the vet is trying to help her pen pal Moon, who's serving a prison sentence in America. And, after seven years, it's time to say a final tearful farewell to the Minister, the Revd David Easton.