Lark Rise To Candleford

Battling with her emotions for new arrival James Dowland, Dorcas Lane sets out to defeat the dashing property developer in the parish council elections, as this popular adaptation of Flora Thomson’s memoir of her Oxfordshire childhood continues. In her quest to win, Dorcas is caught up in a fight to prove that there is a place for women in politics.

Meanwhile, over in Lark Rise, the daily grind of making ends meet proves too much for Robert and Emma Timmins, as they find themselves torn between the past and the future. As Candleford continues to embrace the growth and prosperity that James Dowland pledges, Robert’s reluctance to change grows stronger.

Lily Spicer, too, has her own issues with change. Used to living her life on the road, the appeal of a little home comfort is overwhelming. Longing to settle down, but hesitant to compromise her true self, Lily must decide what it is that makes her a real woman.

Young romance continues to puzzle Alf Arless, as he questions his feelings for Laura again. With the help of Twister, they set out to win her over. But the introduction of Alf’s new love interest is not quite what it seems.

Jason Merrells plays James Dowland, Julia Sawalha plays Dorcas Lane, Brendan Coyle plays Robert Timmins, Claudie Blakley plays Emma Timmins, guest star Lorraine Ashbourne plays Lily Spicer, John Dagleish plays Alf Arless, Olivia Hallinan plays Laura Timmins and Karl Johnson plays Twister.

Lark Rise To Candleford is also being simulcast on the BBC HD channel – the BBC’s High Definition channel available through Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media. With up to five times more detail than standard definition television, HD gives you exceptionally vivid colours and crisp pictures to make Lark Rise To Candleford a truly cinematic TV experience.

04 Jan 2009, 20:00 on BBC One

Following last week’s Christmas special, a new series of Lark Rise To Candleford, adapted by Bill Gallagher from Flora Thompson’s magical memoirs, begins tonight.

A handsome stranger rides into Candleford with a look of determination about him. As he approaches, the man, James Dowland, chances upon young Edmund Timmins and presents him with a silver thruppence.

James’s arrival in Candleford catches the eye of several of the residents, but he only has eyes for a certain Dorcas Lane. For the Pratt sisters, he is their new hero who will put Candleford on the map with the opening of a new hotel.

Not everyone is so keen on James. Robert Timmins is suspicious of his motives and is less than accepting of his financial help when he offers to take the Lark Rise tenants under his wing. Emma Timmins and the other tenants, however, are more than happy to welcome James into their homes.

Mrs Herring, the cantankerous landlady, continues to add to the strains of the Lark Rise residents with her refusal to upkeep their homes. Dorcas and James take it upon themselves to help, and come up with a plan to show Mrs Herring the error of her ways.

Meanwhile, Dorcas’s patience is tried with the arrival of a new maid, Minnie, who can do no right. She means well but, with her troubled past, struggles to contain her excitement – testing Dorcas and those around her to the limit.

Edmund Timmins is played by Thomas Jones, James Dowland by Jason Merrells, Dorcas Lane by Julia Sawalha, Pearl Pratt by Matilda Ziegler, Ruby Pratt by Victoria Hamilton, Robert Timmins by Brendan Coyle, Emma Timmins by Claudie Blakley, Mrs Herring by Maggie Steed and Minnie by Ruby Bentall.

Lark Rise To Candleford is also being simulcast on the BBC HD channel – the BBC’s High Definition channel available through Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media. With up to five times more detail than standard definition television, HD gives you exceptionally vivid colours and crisp pictures to make Lark Rise To Candleford a truly cinematic TV experience.

The inhabitants of Lark Rise and
Candleford go carol singing

Lark Rise To Candleford returns for a second series with a feature-length Christmas special, followed by 11 new episodes of this popular and heart-warming adaptation of Flora Thomson’s charming memoir of her Oxfordshire childhood.

Julia Sawalha, Olivia Hallinan, Dawn French, Brendan Coyle and Mark Heap return to delight and entertain in a wonderfully captivating seasonal tale that unites the past and the present.

There’s also an extra festive treat for viewers in the form of guest star Sheridan Smith (Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps, Love Soup and Jonathan Creek – The Grinning Man) in the role of Cinderella Doe.

When Dorcas and Emma each want to give Laura the same gift for Christmas, an old family wound is opened up and Laura finds herself torn between two mothers.

As the inhabitants of Lark Rise and Candleford prepare for the festivities, loyalties are tested and, amid the gift-giving and carol singing, tensions are building.

However, the arrival of a ragged, bare-footed young woman, who goes by the name of Cinderella Doe, introduces a note of Christmas mystery.

With its usual mix of charm, warmth, comedy and pathos, Lark Rise To Candleford kicks off its new season with a story rich in history.

Laura Timmins is played by Olivia Hallinan, Dorcas Lane by Julia Sawalha, Caroline Arless by Dawn French, Emma Timmins by Claudie Blakley, Robert Timmins by Brendan Coyle, Alf Arless by John Dagleish, Thomas Brown by Mark Heap, Queenie Turrill by Linda Bassett, Twister Turrill by Karl Johnson, Ruby Pratt by Victoria Hamilton, Pearl Pratt by Matilda Ziegler, Miss Ellison by Sandy McDade and Walter Arless by Robert Pugh.

Lark Rise To Candleford is also being simulcast on the BBC HD channel – the BBC’s High Definition channel available through Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media. With up to five times more detail than standard definition television, HD gives you exceptionally vivid colours and crisp pictures to make Lark Rise To Candleford a truly cinematic TV experience.

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.

Philip (Oliver Jackson Cohen) is becoming increasingly possessive of Laura

Tensions between Dorcas and Sir Timothy continue to grow as they review the history of their relationship, in tonight’s concluding episode of the adaptation of Flora Thompson’s magical memoir of her Oxfordshire childhood. A bitter argument gives way to a tender embrace, but Dorcas decides that she can’t go on living and working so close to Sir Timothy. She announces, to her devastated staff, that she intends to sell the Post Office and go travelling.

For Laura, meanwhile, love’s young dream is turning sour as Philip becomes increasingly possessive, and she expresses doubts about their relationship. Philip vents his frustration on Robert by demanding he tell Sir Timothy the identity of the poacher, but when he refuses Sir Timothy is forced to sack Robert from his job at the manor. This is the last straw for Laura, and she tells Philip she never wants to see him again.

It’s Zillah’s birthday and everyone visits the Post Office for a party. Sir Timothy also comes to tell Dorcas that he must put his family before their friendship and that he has decided to leave Candleford – he and Lady Adelaide will leave for London immediately. Dorcas is shocked but also relieved – perhaps now they can get on with their lives apart.

Caroline has been desperately hoping that her husband will return from sea before her baby’s born, but the baby won’t wait any longer and she gives birth at the Post Office during Zillah’s birthday celebrations.

Later, it emerges that Thomas didn’t post the deeds to the Post Office. Dorcas can stay and everyone is elated.

Dorcas Lane is played by Julia Sawalha, Sir Timothy Midwinter by Ben Miles, Laura Timmins by Olivia Hallinan, Philip White by Oliver Jackson Cohen, Robert Timmins by Brendan Coyle, Zillah by Liz Smith, Lady Adelaide by Olivia Grant, Caroline by Dawn French and Thomas Brown by Mark Heap.

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.

When Robert takes pity on a homeless family and takes them in, Emma’s horror is nothing compared to their shock when they discover the family have departed during the night, leaving behind their little daughter, Polly, as the adaptation of Flora Thompson’s magical memoir of her Oxfordshire childhood continues.

Lady Adelaide becomes aware of Polly’s existence and soon falls in love with her. Sir Timothy, however, is extremely wary of this. He knows how badly Adelaide wants a child, but for them to adopt Polly would be completely inappropriate. Sir Timothy takes Polly to the Post Office where an out-of-sorts Zillah is lifted by the bond she forges with the child. Adelaide realises she cannot keep Polly but follows Sir Timothy to the Post Office in order to say goodbye. As it becomes apparent that there’s no clear solution, little Polly’s future hangs in the balance.

Thomas, meanwhile, has been having trouble sleeping and his restlessness is keeping everyone else at the Post Office awake. When Laura and Dorcas realise that it is thoughts of Miss Ellison that are keeping him up, they decide to intervene by sending her a love poem on his behalf. Miss Ellison responds with a poem of her own. Her poem ends up in Sir Timothy’s possession, however, and events spiral out of control, making Dorcas wish she’d never intervened.

Back in Lark Rise, Queenie is increasingly concerned about Twister’s worsening delusions.

Robert Timmins is played by Brendan Cole, Emma Timmins by Claudie Blakley, Polly by Ruby Douglas, Lady Adelaide by Olivia Grant, Sir Timothy Midwinter by Ben Miles, Zillah by Liz Smith, Thomas Brown by Mark Heap, Laura Timmins by Olivia Hallinan and Dorcas Lane by Julia Sawalha.

Thomas (Mark Heap) is in danger of losing his job and his pension

Dorcas is thrown by the surprise arrival of a new Post Office inspector, Mr Rushton, as the adaptation of Flora Thompson’s magical memoir of her Oxfordshire childhood continues. Rushton starts to unearth anomalies in the way Dorcas runs the Post Office, which are in breach