A ban-the-bomb demonstration outside the nearby Fylingdales radar station has been announced and sergeant Blaketon turn down an offer of outside help believing it will only be a small gathering. But matters are complicated by the visit of the American ambassador to the area and the arrival of the prominent activist Paul Melthorn. Melthorn is assaulted at the protesters' camp site on lord Ashfordly's field - courtesy of Claude Greengrass - by troublemakers working at Fylingdales.

A group of young offenders has got permission to do some labouring work on PC Bradley's patch with only one guard, Blenkiron. Two of the boys, Varley and Sloper, wander off during a lunch break and break into a car. Varley returns as nothing has happened, while Sloper continues and befriends the famous writer Honor Gale, who has rented a cottage in Aidensfield to start a new book. Mrs. Gale also has a very soft spot for PC Bradley and uses every opportunity to call him. The election for the Ashfordly rural district council is getting nearer, and Claude Greengrass is helping Tom Drabble with his campaign with the reluctant aide of Bernie Scripps because he needs a planning permission for his latest scheme. Another reason is that Drabble's rival candidate is Oscar Blaketon.