Miss Dollit opens an antique shop and tea-garden called "The Treasure Ship" and finds willing helpers in Robin and Marlene. Of course, the scarecrow colony becomes involved too - and Worzel Gummidge is given a job as a hatstand, which he undertakes in sulky silence. Earthy Mangold, dressed in Miss Dollit's twinset and skirt, is often to be seen propped at a table drinking tea to encourage passers by to join her. Saucy Nancy, the ship's figurehead, who has appeared in earlier gummidge stories, is bought by Miss Dollit to join the motley collection of plaster gnomes, toadstools, etc., which adorn the tea-garden. The children have many curious adventures with their scarecrow friends and Worzel Gummidge even gives a lecture to a local bird watching club.