The Gathering Seed

The saga of Manchester lad Joe Henshaw, a story that takes in family life, the trials and tribulations of the Labour movement and World War Two

Drama

Seasons

1. Episode 1

Air Date: 1983-09-07

A bare-knuckle fight on a patch of waste ground. A hard, bruising, savage battle between Welsh Dave and Jim Larkin - who is watched and hero-worshipped by his grandson, the 13-year-old Joe Henshaw. But Joe's childhood is soon to come to a shattering end.

2. Episode 2

Air Date: 1983-09-14

The war is over, and in the General Election the Labour Party has swept to a colossal victory. Joe Henshaw , home on leave, joins the VJ night celebrations.

3. Episode 3

Air Date: 1983-09-21

After demob, a restless Joe Henshaw returns to Collyhurst. The Kilbride family is in trouble - Martin is still in Strangeways, Martha is badly in debt and Irene has disappeared. Joe sets out to find her

4. Episode 4

Air Date: 1983-09-28

A dispute on the site, and the employers bring in scab labour. The attempt to make the strike official involves Joe once more with Sarah

5. Episode 5

Air Date: 1983-10-05

The strike going badly; a sudden illness; and a career taking off. Joe is learning fast, but the lessons are uncomfortable ones.

6. Episode 6

Air Date: 1983-10-12

Joe is torn between Sarah's ambitions, Pawsey's idealism and Martin's schemes for making money. But it is to be through his grandfather that he makes the significant discovery.

Select an episode to start watching