(L) Lark Rise to Candleford

Lark Rise to Candleford is a TV show is based on a book trilogy by Flora Thompson. The BBC show appeared on BBC One and ran for four seasons.

It stars the beautiful Olivia Hallinan as Laura, the very likable heroine. The books and movies are partly based on Flora's (Laura's) life. It is about a small town girl from Lark Rise who works in the neighboring bustling city of Candleford. She works in the post office which is run by her older female cousin.

There are a lot of strong female characters in this story. Aside from Laura and her cousin Dorcas, there is also the Sisters Pratt, Caroline Arless, Queenie and Emma Timmins.

There are a couple of likable fellas as well: Robert Timmins, Laura's father, played by the very handsome Brendan Coyle and Alf Arless, a childhood friend, who is young but head strong and determined.

The case is rounded out by many other colorful and important characters that makes one want to live among them, although they are very poor indeed. And of course there are many guest stars who roam in and out of Candleford

Unfortunately, Lark Rise to Candleford will not be returning for a fifth season, to many of the fans dismay. I hate to see it end. If you are into costume dramas (period pieces) you will absolutely adore this show.

If you are a British history buff, you might run into a few anachronisms (on the DVDs). The story takes place around the mid-1890s and one such anachronisms is one of the characters is imprisoned for debt, however, that practice was abolished in 1869. In another episode during Christmas they sing "O Little Town of Bethlehem", which wasn't written until 1904. I mean it goes on from clocks to cricket balls, but it is still a fantastic show and visually stunning.

I have not finished watching it myself, I'm currently making my way through season 3 (it just came out) and will be watching season 4 straight away.

I hate when I find a good BBC TV show and it ends. The last time I felt a loss like this was when I was watching the BBC TV show Bramwell. It felt like losing a friend.

The author, Flora Jane Timms Thompson was born in Oxfordshire in 1876, she worked in various post offices in southern England as a postmistress. She married John Thompson and had 3 children (2 sons - Peter and Henry and a daughter - Winifred). Her son Peter would be lost at sea during WWII in 1941, which caused her great grief until her death in 1947.

I've not read the book, but I find the story so compelling I have put it on my TBR list.

The books are easily found in bookstores, and all seasons of the DVDs can be found in stores, Libraries, Netflix (etc.)

Flora Jane Timms Thomspon