Lark Rise to Candleford

As Lark Rise and Candleford prepare for Christmas, a beguiling stranger arrives.

James Dowland is the new man in town who takes the woes of the Lark Rise tenants under his wing. He also takes the heart of Dorcas Lane into his keeping, while putting Candleford on the map with the opening of a new hotel. Robert Timmins is suspicious of Dowland's motives, and is less than accepting of his financial help.

Battling with conflicting emotions towards new arrival James Dowland, Dorcas Lane sets out to defeat the dashing property developer in the parish council elections. Meanwhile, the grind of making ends meet in Lark Rise proves too much for Robert and Emma Timmins, and Robert's reluctance to change grows stronger.

The death of Miss Ellison's father unites the communities of Lark Rise and Candleford, but amid the sadness Miss Ellison is confronted by her brother George, whom she blames for her father's death. Overwhelmed with grief, Miss Ellison is oblivious to Thomas Brown's affections for her and his desire for her hand in marriage. Eventually Thomas assists in effecting a reconciliation between brother...

Time rests heavy on the residents of Lark Rise and Candleford, as baby Annie Timmins stirs up emotions of days gone by and loves yet to be found. And with Emma Timmins feeling the strains of family life, Dorcas Lane offers to lend a helping hand, unaware of the consequences that her generosity will bring.

Lark Rise and Candleford rally round to show support for Laura's new role in the post office when Dorcas Lane is taken ill, but Laura feels pressure mounting when anonymous letters begin to arrive. Minnie sees the delivery of one of the letters, and fears that her past is catching up with her. Dorcas and Laura help Minnie to escape the threat presented by her brutal father.

Lark Rise and Candleford anticipate the inauguration of a clock, paid for by James Dowland. But when Robert Timmins loses his stonemason's tools, his means to work is lost, and there is a possibility that Fisher Bloom may leave Candleford unless Laura can find a way to stop him.

The hot summer brings a surprise visitor to Candleford in the form of Celestia Brice Coulson, who stays at the Golden Lion Hotel and becomes acquainted with Dorcas Lane. Dorcas has other things on her mind, however, when she begins 'walking out' with James Dowland. And in Lark Rise, Emma's father, Old Edmund, arrives for his birthday. But problems arise when Emma asks him to live with them perm...

A feud between Lark Rise and the neighboring village of Fordlow has been simmering for three generations, but it takes young love to bring the two communities together and save the day. In Candleford, the path of true love runs less smoothly for Thomas and Miss Ellison; will they ever set the date for the wedding?

Patterson's wife is struck with illness, and gives him permission to seek a new wife.

A sudden storm reveals a secret romance, but also makes the address on a letter indecipherable. When Dorcas pursues the identity of the letter's recipient, she reveals another secret: a child, kept hidden even from his own father.

James Dowland is confined to his hospital bed when his son arrives in Candleford, and Dorcas welcomes the boy into the post office, doing everything she can to make him feel at home. But this causes a great deal of turmoil when James is released from the hospital to be reunited with his son.