Dryden Hogben

Dryden Hogben arrived in Beckindale in February 1974. He was the mystery man camping on the top field near Emmerdale. He chatted up Christine Sharp in The Woolpack, much to the disapproval of her lover Joe Sugden. Dry and Joe did not get on either. Annie Sugden allowed him to camp up the top field. Dry moved his tent to another part of the field. Joe saw his tent had gone from its original place, and happily thought he had left the area but was peeved to find Dry had just moved his tent. Dryden planned to stay in Beckindale, and started to do odd jobs for the Sugdens and even Franklin and Diana Prescott, who were business friends of Henry Wilks and had followed him to Beckindale. Dryden became popular in the village with his friendly stories, and his handy man skills. Dry and Joe became friends after Joe realised Dry was grateful for the Sugdens taking him in.
Dry once stayed the night with Diane whilst Franklin was in London. Rumours spread that they had slept together. Dryden explained he had slept on the sofa. Dry occasionally used the Beckindale Forge as a place to stay, with permission of Dolly Harker who was the mother in law of the man who still leased the forge from George Verney. In July 1974 a man called Colin recognised Dry in The Woolpack. Colin told Briddy Middleton that Dry is from a wealthy Surrey family. The following day, some people arrived in the village looking for Dry including his fiancee Celia. Colin had tipped them off about Dry's whereabouts. Dry said to Amos that he likes it in Beckindale and plans to stay round here but his mood soon changed when Celia found him in The Woolpack.
Dry hid at the village shop to avoid his family. Dry agreed to meet up with Celia at Emmerdale Farm. He called off his engagement to Celia, saying how she got him to propose to her, and also explaining he liked the travelling lifestyle he led, and for his inheritance to be dispersed amongst other members of the family. Celia vowed to stay in the village until he agreed to marry her, and if he leaves, she will follow. Dry then walked out of the farm, and due to Celia finding him, he suddenly decided to leave the village overnight. The next morning, Joe Sugden and Celia went out and saw Dryden's tent was still there but Dry was not around. They searched the whole village for Dry but to no avail. Dry had handed the keys of the forge back to Dolly Harker as well. As well as Celia and Dry's family, villagers like Wilks, Annie and Joe looked for Dry but had not seen him and after a couple of days it became evident that he had left Beckindale. He was never seen again.
As he had become popular with the villagers during his stay in Beckindale they wondered why he left the village as suddenly as he had arrived 6 months before. Celia confided in Annie Sugden, and Annie told Celia that Dry is no longer in Beckindale, he has moved on. Celia agreed that her and Dry was over. Dryden later wrote to the Sugden's to say that he was in Ireland. He has never been seen or heard from since.
In July 1980, 6 years on from his departure, Dryden was indirectly referred to when Matt Skilbeck said how the attic was converted after Jack Sugden first left the village in 1973, and it was just a loft beforehand. This referred to the time Dry helped convert the attic.
==Quotes==
"Given the right mind, you can do anything". (first line)
"I am as content as I am." (final line)
==See also==
*Full list of appearances
Category:Emmerdale Farm characters
Category:1974 debuts
Category:1974 departures
Category:1942 births