Lark Rise To Candleford

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.