Lark Rise to Candleford

Synopsis

In the rural hamlet of Lark Rise and the market town of Candleford, life is marked by the pattern of the seasons and the customs of the countryside. Seen through the eyes of a young girl, Laura - based on Flora Thompson herself - "Lark Rise to Candleford" portrays May Day celebrations and forgotten children's games, harvest times and traditional songs, farmworkers and craftsmen, friends and relations, rivalries and lasting friendships. Full of gaiety and freshness of observation, this semi-autobiographical account is an endearing portrayal of a vanished way of life and a lost corner of England. Olivia Hallinan reads Flora Thompson's much-loved story, based on her experiences during childhood and youth. "Lark Rise to Candleford" is now a major BBC television series, starring Julia Sawalha, Ben Miles and Olivia Hallinan.