Heartbeat - The Complete Series 12 [DVD]

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A feud between two brass bands leads to a musician's death by apparent poisoning, but Sgt. Miller discovers there is more to the conflict than a trophy. As they intervene, PC Mason and DS Dawson succumb to their attraction for each other, only for Carol to catch them in the act. Meanwhile, Dawn is swept off her feet by a handsome young man, whom Blaketon has suspicions about. Things seem perfect for her, until Peggy finds her in the garage crying, after discovering the truth about their relationship. A fish-and-chips shop is burned down, and suspicion initially falls on the fiancé of the owner's sister. But an interesting story emerges from investigation of the electricity bills. An old flame makes advances toward Lord Ashfordly, inviting him into her consortium. Blaketon distrusts the woman's motives but is too late to save Ashfordly. A surprise going-away party is held for Maggie, who accepts a job at a hospital. When a boy becomes trapped in a well in the gardens of a seemingly deserted, derelict house, a media circus descends on the place as firemen attempt a rescue. However, matters become complicated when gunshots are fired from the house, endangering the rescue operation. Meanwhile, Peggy regrets renting out her spare room to a bothersome journalist who tries to exploit local gossip. Blaketon becomes suspicious when Greengrass takes an interest in a rumour concerning a hidden treasure in the area, following the death of a local scholar, but when he pursues after him into some old abbey tunnels, both men are trapped when there is a cave-in that seriously injures Blaketon. Ashfordly police finds themselves dealing with a spate of thefts around Aidensfield, until local garage owner and undertaker Bernie Scripps provides a clue to the thief's identity. Ashfordly police work to stop a gang of safe robbers, but face a complicated situation when one of them turns up dead, and, to recover a lost bag of explosives, the remaining robbers take everyone hostage at Dawn's birthday party. Meanwhile, Blaketon bets PC Younger and Ventress that he can uncover Wetherby's lunchtime activity, leading him into an embarrassing situation.

The Ashfordly team reopen an eleven-year-old unsolved case when a compulsive liar with mental health issues confesses to the murder of a young girl. However, a search for the victim's body uncovers a male skeleton. Rob and Helen try to protect the suspect and his mother from a campaign of abuse. Meanwhile, Peggy sets her sight on a boorish widower, providing amusement for Gina but not for a close friend of the man. Merton is reluctant to start a police investigation when one of Liz's patients becomes convinces that her husband is trying to kill her, until she is nearly killed by a runaway tractor. Meanwhile, Vernon's pest control solution jeopardises Aidensfield's chances of winning the "Best Kept Village" award, provoking Blaketon's wrath. Steve becomes attracted to Gina's cousin Diana, while Bellamy neglects his police work to plan the wedding and faces a dilemma regarding the choice of best man. Wetherby is followed to Aidensfield by a deranged stalker who ruined his marriage. He asks Joe for help when she makes a serious accusation against him. Meanwhile, Bernie's dating weekend with a widow coincides with Ventress and Blaketon's private investigation into a series of burglaries, when they all arrive at the same hotel. Gina resolves to return to work at the pub after a heart-to-heart with Peggy, and Carol finds herself attracted to Chris. Carol is consumed by guilt and regret when a newborn baby dies in her care, provoking the father to return to his criminal ways after a run-in with Rob and Blaketon at the pub. Meanwhile, Peggy hatches a plan to rescue Bernie when he becomes the object of a predatory widow's affections.Merton and Jenny's honeymoon is cut short when Jenny becomes ill. Merton finds Ventress has let standards slip in his absence, incurring the wrath of an inspector whose car is stolen. The team hurry to recover the vehicle and the station's reputation, when a crooked travel agent takes advantage of absent holiday-makers. While organising a Bentley rally at Ashfordly Hall, Vernon is persuaded to invest all his money through Lloyd's of London insuring the ill-fated Torrey Canyon, and he is financially ruined. Gina is displeased at the prospect of giving up the pub licence to marry Bellamy. Miller demands answers from Lord Ashfordly when a priceless Manet painting is stolen from the home of a retired German art dealer, who suffers critical injuries in a car accident. Meanwhile, Peggy tries to convince a pair of visiting bird-watchers that Aidensfield's wildlife includes a rare bird of prey, and David poses as an ornithological expert.

Sgt. Merton refuses to allow an investigation into a couple who recently arrived in the area, after PC Bradley suspects they may be involved in the disappearance of a Ming vase At the same time, Oscar has suspicions on a new guest at the Aidensfield Arms, who also arrived at the same time and is working with the couple. However, it soon transpires that the couple are part of an extremist group seeking to abduct an important VIP, unaware that their friend is an undercover Special Branch officer seeking to arrest them. A desperate family man trying to pay for his daughter's wedding is extorted by a loan shark into engineering a robbery at his workplace. Fearful for his life, he confides in Blaketon who must choose between ruining the family or protecting the man's life. Meanwhile, David causes trouble when he takes up photography and catches the villagers in compromising positions. PC Bradley contemplates his future with Dr. Summerbee, as both become concerned in a case of a wife who recently lost a child. They soon discover her husband is abusive, but in seeking to get her to safety, Summerbee finds herself put in danger. Meanwhile, Vernon decides to take over catering for future funerals, but while he enjoys going into business with a charming woman who can help, her troublesome daughter soon puts a spanner in his plans. Miller immediately suspects a disgruntled drink driver of raiding the police station, stealing a patrol car and uniform. However, a new lead becomes apparent when Olive Winstanley jeopardises Dawson's witness protection operation, and Joe gets into trouble while distracted by an old flame. Meanwhile, Peggy becomes Lord Ashfordly's new gamekeeper and impresses with her clear-up rate, but her newfound power alienates David and she puts a poacher in hospital.

Series Twelve first aired on 6th October 2002 and ended on 18th May 2003. It consists of 25 episodes. An ageing jazz band travel to Aidensfield to perform at a Christmas concert, and find themselves left with a newborn baby after giving a ride to a teenage hitchhiker. Rob must bring two estranged families together for Christmas. Meanwhile, Gina takes centre stage at the concert with her rendition of " Winter Wonderland", whilst a mix-up leaves both Blaketon and David taking on the role of Father Christmas.

As Ashfordly Hall prepares to hold the annual county sheepdog trials, PC Bradley and Sgt. Merton find their hands full when the rivalry between two of the contestants causes unexpected trouble. Meanwhile, Vernon tries to impress Lord Ashfordly during the event by helping to organises its toilet facilities, but finds that his plans do not go as smoothly as he hopes for. Cash is stolen from a blind man's home, leading the team to a farmworker's revolt against an unpopular businessman and a shady practice of covering-up injuries and unsafe work practices. Carol finds reason to believe the businessman is abusing his teenage daughter. Meanwhile, David becomes the guardian angel for a suicidal naturist who jumps off a bridge, and Peggy tries to make some money from the strange man.Ashfordly police find themselves dealing with a series of counterfeit notes, which DS Dawson identifies as being made by a gang that had recently been arrested, except for the ringleader who managed to escape with his girlfriend. Suspecting they are seeking actual money to buy passage out of the country, the police work hard to apprehend them, unaware of the risks that the counterfeiter will take to escape. Meanwhile, Miller is horrified when his wife is arrested for shoplifting and exposes the martial troubles they have, and Bernie is excited when he becomes convinced his idol Judy Garland has secretly moved to Aidensfield. The police station's reputation comes under scrutiny when evidence suggests that someone from within the force is responsible for a string of burglaries. Meanwhile, Vernon hosts an exclusive painting weekend at Ashfordly Hall but is put in a compromising position by the absence of his life model. A businesswoman attempts to seduce David. Sgt. Merton's singer-songwriter cousin aims to settle down in Aidensfield, until her aspiring daughter turns up and reveals she is pregnant. The matter becomes tense when her father and manager turns up, moments before an escape armed robber turns up and takes them hostage. Meanwhile, David finds himself helping out a grieving daughter with the running of her family's greengrocer store, after her father dies in his taxi, but swiftly finds her overbearing.