Robert Timmins, (Brendan Coyle, pictured) has a gift for Alf (John Dagleish)

As the annual Harvest Festival returns to Candleford, PC Patterson’s wife, as per usual, takes to her bed with a mysterious illness. But this year is different: she gives him her express permission to seek a new wife when she passes away. Patterson has no intention of doing such a thing – until a damsel in distress sets his heart soaring. Meanwhile, an unlikely rival from Lark Rise threatens to scupper his continued success in the Harvest Festival’s produce competitions, when Alf Arless sets his eyes on the two-shilling prize.

Later, Robert Timmins has a gift for Alf that could change both his future and the path of his blossoming romance with Nan.

Jason Watkins plays PC Patterson, Michelle Fairley plays Mrs Patterson, John Dagleish plays Alf Arless, Brendan Coyle plays Robert Timmins and Rebecca Night plays Nan. Lark Rise To Candleford also stars Olivia Hallinan as Laura Timmins, Jason Merrells as James Dowland, Julia Sawalha as Dorcas Lane, Matilda Ziegler as Pearl Pratt, Victoria Hamilton as Ruby Pratt, Claudie Blakley as Emma Timmins and Ruby Bentall as Minnie.

Twister (Karl Johnson) is convinced

that Nan and her family are up to no good

An attractive local milkmaid, Nan, takes a fancy to Alf, as BBC One’s adaptation of Flora Thompson’s childhood memoirs continues. But this budding young love looks like it might be thwarted by an animosity that goes back generations between Lark Rise and the neighbouring hamlet of Fordlow. Things are made worse when Queenie’s bees are stolen and Twister is convinced it is Nan’s family and neighbours who have committed such an unforgivable crime.

In Candleford, James Dowland is making every effort to mend his relationship with Dorcas. Can he win back her affections, or does she know too much of his past to ever trust him again?

Rebecca Night plays Nan, John Dagleish plays Alf, Linda Bassett plays Queenie, Karl Johnson plays Twister, Jason Merrells plays James Dowland and Julia Sawalha plays Dorcas Lane.

After a number of requests, I’m trying to set up a forum for you Lark risers and Candlefordians.

Please be patient as it’s my first. Any suggestions, let me now.

Forum Page

Sunday 15 February

The arrival in Candleford of a well-to-do woman from London throws James Dowland into something of a spin, as BBC One’s adaptation of Flora Thompson’s childhood memoirs continues. It seems that the life he has lived since he left Lark Rise has not been as straightforward as he has so far portrayed, and some extraordinary revelations about his past threaten the very fabric of his trusting relationship with Dorcas.

When Emma’s father comes to Lark Rise, meanwhile, he stirs up emotions throughout the hamlet. The prospect of him remaining in the End House, however, does not go down well with Robert. And Old Edmund’s fondness for Queenie causes quite a rivalry between him and Twister, and a long-kept secret about Queenie and Twister’s relationship is revealed.

Jason Merrells plays James Dowland, Julia Sawalha plays Dorcas Lane, Claudie Blakley plays Emma Timmins, Brendan Coyle plays Robert Timmins, Paul Freeman plays Old Edmund, Linda Bassett plays Queenie Turrill and Karl Johnson plays Twister Turrill.

Sunday 8 February

When Robert’s work tools disappear while he is enjoying a relaxing summer afternoon with his children, it tips the Timmins family into financial despair, as BBC One’s charming adaptation of Flora Thompson’s childhood memoirs continues. Much as Emma tries to comfort and buoy up her dejected husband’s spirits, a stonemason without his tools cannot work, and Robert is forced to take on the most basic of tasks.

When family and neighbours rally to help restore Robert to his position as a craftsman, his pride bristles and his stubborn nature makes things worse: with poverty biting, something must be done.

Time weighs heavily on blossoming romances in Candleford. As preparations for the grandest of inauguration celebrations for the new town clock gather pace, James Dowland’s courting of Dorcas may be beginning to bear fruit when he bestows upon her a very special privilege.

The countdown to the clock unveiling also weighs heavily on the amount of time Fisher and Laura have left together. When the clock is finished, he is determined to leave Candleford. Will his love for Laura persuade him to change his mind?

Brendan Coyle plays Robert Timmins, Claudie Blakley plays Emma Timmins, Jason Merrells plays James Dowland, Julia Sawalha plays Dorcas Lane, Matthew McNulty plays Fisher Bloom and Olivia Hallinan plays Laura Timmins.