Wonderful comedy drama adapted from the beloved novels featuring an all-star cast

Welcome to Thrush Green, a small and peaceful village in the Cotswolds, where everything and nothing happens. This wonderful, gentle comedy features and all-star cast including Adam Godley (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Anna Massey (Rebecca), Geoffrey Whitehead (Poirot) and Trevor Peacock (The Vicar of Dibley). Over two series we follow the highs and lows of village life in this 60s village.

In series one, a young doctor comes to Thrush Green on the day of the spring fair and causes a stir. A host of unforgettable characters, from the school mistress to the church sexton, show that village life is far from quiet and challenges, secret love affairs, and even trials can make the seemingly most peaceful of villages teem with intrigue and delight. In the second series, we return to Thrush Green our familiar cast of characters is mixed with some new faces. When a young woman arrives in a red mini with her son in tow, confirmed bachelor Harold is smitten. The vicar is battling with not only a crumbling rectory but also an unexpected crisis and who will take care of Dotty Harmer’s animals when she is taken ill?

Written in the 1960s by Dora Saint, under the pen name Miss Read, these charming stories are laced with gentle humour and subtle social commentary. If you are fan of Barbara Pym or E.M. Delafield, then this is the perfect listen for you. A treat from the archive not to be missed.

Cast and credits

Series 1

Written by Miss Read

Dramatised by Lesley Bruce

Directed by Clare Grove and Marylin Imrie

Doctor Lovell - Adam Godley

Dotty Harmer - Anna Massey

Ella Bembridge - Maggie McCarthy

Dimity Dean - Janet Maw

Dr Bailey - Terence Edmond

Mrs Bailey - Marlene Sidaway

Miss Fogerty - Marcia Warren

Miss Watson - Linda Basset

Charles Henstock - Ian Masters

Harold Shoosmith - John Rowe

Albert Piggott - Trevor Peacock

Nelly Tiling - Annette Badland

Mrs Butler - Ann Beach

Mrs Cooke - Colleen Prendergast

Willie/Mulloy - Paul Ritter

PC - Ben Crowe

Witness - Harry Myers

Miss Potter - Tilly Gaunt

Ray - Christopher Scott

Mrs White/Kathleen - Jillie Meers

Robert/Edward - Andrew Harrison

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 24th May - 28th Jun 1999

Series 2

Written by Miss Read

Dramatised by Nick Warburton

Directed by Mary Peate and Marylin Imrie

Charles Henstock - Ian Masters

Ella Bembridge - Salina Cadwell

Dimity Dean - Janet Maw

Harold - Geoffrey Whitehead

Phil - Teresa Gallagher

Betty - June Barrie

Frank - Andrew Harrison

Anthony - Duncan Bell

Isobel - Dinah Stabb

Winnie - Marlene Sidaway

Dr Lovell - Adam Godley

Dotty Harmer - Anna Massey

Albert Piggott - Trevor Peacock

Nelly Tiling - Annette Badland

Molly - Alison Pettit

Ben - Tom George

Willie - Paul Ritter

Miss Potter - Tilly Gaunt

Ray - Christopher Scott

Mrs White/Kathleen - Jillie Meers

Jenny - Rachel Atkins

Percy - Geoffrey Greenhill

First Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 3rd Apr - 8th May 2000

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