Civil servant Jasper Pye is sent to report on a long forgotten Ministry research unit at Arcady Hall in Suffolk.

The fate of Arcady Hall is sealed by a confession from Miss Mounsey but Jasper Pye finds the residents more interested in the village fete.

Amorous advances from 'wicked' Belinda, inexperienced Matilda and already married Chloe make Pye forget his staid morals.

Jasper is urgently needed for the annual cricket match, but an unscheduled drinking bout threatens the days play.