Caroline (Dawn French) is determined to mend her ways

The residents of Lark Rise and Candleford are intrigued when Queenie finds a beautiful embroidered panel on a grave, which is clearly very old, in tonight’s penultimate episode of the adaptation of Flora Thompson’s magical memoir of her Oxfordshire childhood. Dorcas and Sir Timothy set about getting to the bottom of the mystery of who created the panel.

Alf and Philip’s rivalry, meanwhile, continues as Alf’s boast that he is skilled enough to poach in the manor grounds undetected leads both him and Laura’s brother, Edmund, into danger. Edmund looks up to Alf and tries to emulate his daring attempts at poaching. While Alf manages to catch himself a pheasant, Edmund is seriously injured by one of Philip’s traps. Edmund is forced to hide his injuries from his father, however, rather than face his wrath, but he’s not going to be able to last long without treatment for his injury.

Caroline has also returned to Lark Rise from her stay in prison and is determined to mend her ways. She constantly has to bite her tongue and suppress her excessive urges in order to prove to herself, and her children, that she is reformed.

Back in Candleford, Dorcas tries once again to bring Thomas and Miss Ellison together, but they both reject her invitation to a matchmaking tea at the post office to take a private walk together instead. Dorcas is moved to learn that the creator of the panel was apparently a seamstress and spinster, who made it as a token of her love for her employer – a married man whom she could never have.

Queenie is played by Linda Bassett, Dorcas Lane by Julia Sawalha, Sir Timothy Midwinter by Ben Miles, Alf Arless by John Dagleish, Philip White by Oliver Jackson Cohen, Laura Timmins by Olivia Hallinan, Edmund by Thomas Rhys Jones, Caroline Arless by Dawn French, Thomas Brown by Mark Heap and Miss Ellison by Sandy McDade.

Sun 24 Feb, 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm  60mins

Alf (John Dagleish) is managing o keep his family together with the support of his friends

The arrival of a new teacher, Mr Delafield, causes a stir in Candleford when some new books arrive for him at the Post Office, as the adaptation of Flora Thompson’s magical memoir of her Oxfordshire childhood continues. A prickly Dorcas takes the books to him, but the tension soon turns to chemistry. It seems that Sir Timothy might have a serious rival for Dorcas’s affections…

However, elsewhere in Candleford, Mr Delafield’s radical political views raise concern that he might damage young minds. In Lark Rise, meanwhile, he endears himself to the residents by setting up evening classes for the older boys to continue their education and by reviving an old tradition: holding a “penny reading” at the school, which is attended by all.

Alf is managing to keep his family together with the support of his Lark Rise friends. At the penny reading, he tries to impress Laura by reading her favourite poem, but is it enough to draw her attention from Philip? The night ends in panic as Twister, who has been minding the Arless children, becomes confused and takes them to the pub for some brandy. It’s a race against time for the villagers to rescue the children from harm.

Back in Candleford, the residents have taken things into their own hands and insist that Mr Delafield is relieved of his position. Sir Tim isn’t convinced, but is forced to act when the Pratts write to the school board. Timothy tells Dorcas about the letter and she goes to warn Delafield, urging him to leave rather than see his reputation ruined…

James Delafield is played by Stephen Campbell-Moore, Dorcas Lane by Julia Sawalha, Sir Timothy Midwinter by Ben Miles, Alf Arless by John Dagleish, Laura Timmins by Olivia Hallinan and Philip White by Oliver Jackson Cohen.