When the rector Peter takes his family to Africa for a year so that he can work in a Mission the villagers are bereft. What's more the locum Anna has rather modern ideas & the parishioners determined to keep an eye on her. Then she brings a down-&-out petty thief into their midst sparking conflict within the community. The Women's Institute comes up with the idea of raising funds for Peter's Mission & holds an upmarket pyjama party midnight skinny dipping & an afternoon's horse racing. Then a message arrives from Peter with the most devastating news
- & the villagers are more determined than ever to raise a substantial sum for the Mission.