Part 1: Meet the People: a film for the Silver Jubilee, originally transmitted on BBC1, 29 March 1977

Milton Colliery, South Yorkshire. Manager Stan Forbes tells a meeting that Prince Charles will visit the colliery next month. Money is available for cosmetic improvements, though Sid Storey complains these improvements will be restricted to areas viewed by Prince Charles, not where they are needed by workers.

Many features get a new coat of paint. Sid and Harry find a new sign reading 'E. Tenebris Lux'; Sid can translate because his eldest son Tony - also a Milton miner - studied Latin at school. Finding Pete planting a tree, Sid recommends a bigger hole so it can spread its roots, but Pete says it's only required for the Royal visit.

The miners are frisked for contraband, and joke about Prince Charles receiving similar treatment. Critical of the taxpayers' money allocated to Prince Charles, Sid notes that his future widow is allocated £60,000 per year, when ordinary widows receive £13.30 a week. Miners joke about wearing velvet overalls during the Royal visit, or fitting foam rubber seating to prevent piles.

Forbes, area representative Mr Atkinson and other managers troubleshoot problems, crawling on the ground to inspect newly-planted grass, which amuses passing miners. Forbes considers laying red carpet outdoors. His deputy, Geoff Carter, suggests a free alternative to avoid antagonising miners, but Forbes believes most men support the visit.

Forbes prepares presents for the Prince: a silver-topped deputy's yardstick and an album of press coverage of local Royal visits. Atkinson recalls a 1912 visit that coincided with a nearby pit disaster killing six miners, a story Forbes omitted from the album.

Palace emissary Sir Gordon Horrocks visits to test the Prince's itinerary. Forbes is surprised to learn that the Prince will arrive by helicopter; a landing sign is hastily painted. Explaining etiquette, Horrocks rehearses the line-up of Coal Board and union personnel to whom the Prince will be introduced. Forbes condemns old Walter's bad language and apprentice Michael's long hair.

Playing snooker, miners debate the Prince's visit. Some welcome it, and the money spent on improvements, but Sid bemoans the expense for a two-hour visit in hard economic times. Sid argues that Milton was selected only because their branch officials are too soft to oppose it. Sid believes people should stop sucking up to Royals, who for him are reactionary Tories and figureheads of a class-ridden society based on inherited wealth and privilege. He is criticised for talking at the sidelines rather than being politically involved.

Harry helps others escape heavy rain with a large parasol from the pub garden. Forbes observes that the rain has caused damage, washing away the grass seeds.

Miners joke about toilet arrangements for the Prince's visit. To their amusement, rehearsals manoeuvring the paddy train into position descend into chaos. The miners find the plaque that Prince Charles will unveil. They are warned about using foul language on the day, and respond with playful posh mannerisms.

At home, Sid's youngest son Mark says that, though his school has the day off for the Prince's visit, he doesn't want to attend, and claims that his friends are going fishing. Sceptical, Sid will punish Mark if he alone avoids the visit. Explaining his own concerns over the visit, Sid argues that, if the Prince decided to fish at Mark's pitch, the water would be specially filled with fish for him.

The day of the visit. Fresh graffiti appears supporting miners' leader Arthur Scargill. Forbes orders it painted over. Dick's food bag is inspected by the Bomb Squad. Bob complains about an unsightly brick propping open a window; Forbes orders it to be painted to match the window. Sheila and Linda arrange soap, favouring brands By Royal Appointment, and prepare the Prince's boots, noting his shoe size and laughing about sayings about men with big feet.

Sid and other miners work underground. A crowd and the line-up await Charles's arrival. As the helicopter approaches, children wave flags. The helicopter's arrival blows dust over the crowd, and blows off Atkinson's toupee. Prince Charles disembarks and the introductions begin. Some distance away, Mark fishes, alone.