Jam & Jerusalem: Series 3 - Episode guide

It's all change for the residents of small West Country town Clatterford as Jennifer Saunders's comedy, Jam & Jerusalem, returns to BBC One in August for a third series.

> Take a look at our Series 3 preview feature.

Taking an affectionate look at village life, Jam & Jerusalem stars Sue Johnston, Sally Phillips, David Mitchell, Dawn French, Pauline McLynn, Clive Russell, Rosie Cavaliero, Maggie Steed and Jennifer Saunders.

> Buy Series 1 on DVD.

> Buy Series 2 on DVD.


Episode 1
Sunday 9th August 2009

As the series begins, Sal is devastated to discover via a planning notice that a barn renovation is to take place in the field that backs onto her house. When she informs the Women's Guild, she finds that they have been well aware of the construction for some time. Sal tries her best to convince the Guild to help her fight the application.

The Guild rallies around Sal, until Rosie makes an exciting discovery from Clatterford's newest member, site manager Jock – he refuses to deny that the house is being built for actor Charles Dance. Suddenly, the appearance of a celebrity in the town changes everyone's opinion. Sal isn't convinced, though, and vows to carry on the fight alone.

Construction begins on the renovation and Sal's protest has collapsed, as the Guild is more in favour of having a celebrity neighbour than of protecting the area. As the work begins, Jock notices various men, including the vicar, going in and out of Sal's house, and he becomes suspicious.

The truth is that Sal has decided to turn her kitchen into a miniature surgery for the less-mobile locals who can't get to the main surgery. With rumours spreading around the village, Sal is forced to come clean to her sensible doctor son, James, who, in the meantime, is becoming increasingly involved in politics, meeting the local Lib Dem MP.


Episode 2
Sunday 16th August 2009

Sal starts to snoop around the construction site with a camera and a note pad and is determined to find some wrongdoing. Instead, she finds Jock the builder, who manages to offend her during a heated exchange. He tries to make it up to her by killing the rogue turkey that's recently been terrorising anyone who strays into her garden but, unfortunately, Sal was more fond of the turkey than Jock imagined, making a bad situation worse.

Meanwhile, Caroline organises a dinner party for her husband John's London friends, although her thoughts are really with their soldier son who has recently been drafted to Afghanistan. Caroline accidently invites Rosie and the vicar, and then has to ask Sal along to look after Rosie.

When Caroline's guests (the ones she really wanted to see) get stuck on the train, she is left to entertain just Rosie, Sal and the vicar. On the way home Sal meets Jock, who again attempts to make amends. This time Sal finds it harder to be angry with him.

Eileen is organising the biannual Guild Charity Fashion Show. Sal tries to duck out but is told that attendance is mandatory. Sal's relationship with Jock is evolving and she is beginning to enjoy his company. The vicar has gone missing, leaving the Guild locked out of the church. Kate eventually finds him up on the moor. He seems to be having a mid-life crisis and Kate, in her own unusual way, tries to comfort him. The pair spark a friendship and soon share a kiss...

The fashion show has made Rosie feel unhappy about her appearance and, after harsh words from her alter ego, she pulls out of the event. Sal is determined to help her regain her confidence, and gives her a make-over which ends up stealing the show – parading on the cat walk with Jock on her arm.


Episode 3
Sunday 23rd August 2009

Tash and Spike finish restoring their van and Tash finally moves out of the family home. Sal is emotional as she realises that both her children have now grown up and that she is going to be left alone in the house. But as Tash's van starts up, it reverses straight into the side of Sal's house and Sal's dreams of a quiet life lie in ruins; Tash and Spike are clearly going nowhere.

Jock offers to repair the damage to Sal's house while he works on the barn conversion. So things are not so bad after all; Sal enjoys Jock's company and looks forward to seeing him.

Sal joins a gym, but it is her growing friendship with Jock that is actually making her feel younger and look fitter. But when she comes home to find that Tash and her van have disappeared, she rushes around in a panic trying to find her. Tash, however, has just moved the van into the field behind the house and explains that Jock has let her and Spike set up home there.

Meanwhile, Eileen makes the exciting announcement that Jock has secured Charles Dance as a guest speaker for the Guild. As Eileen makes frantic arrangements, Sal realises that if Charles owns the field, then Jock can't grant Tash permission to stay there. She confronts Jock, who admits that he only told people that Charles was moving into the barn in order to get people off his back about renovating it – for himself. Jock refuses to do anything about letting Eileen and the rest of the Guild down gently and he and Sal have a big argument.

The event gets under way, with only Sal and Tip knowing that the whole thing is a lie. They are both at the marquee as Eileen rushes around trying to entertain the crowd. Sal finally steps up to tell Eileen the truth but, just as she does, Charles Dance appears. While the Guild sit in rapture as Charles gives his speech, Sal learns that, feeling guilty, Jock has personally tracked him down and paid him to give a speech. Sal can't believe what Jock has done and her faith in him is restored.