Lark Rise to Candleford

Lark Rise and Candleford are transformed into magical places as the inhabitants prepare for festivities. Some of the residents find themselves driven to speak difficult truths amid the gift giving and carol singing, however, as loyalties are tested with the arrival of a ragged, bare-footed young women who goes by the name of Cinderella Doe

Who is this beguiling and hypnotic woman and why is she searching for a man who died over 80 years ago? Is she the one who opens up the old family wound when Dorcas and Emma each want to give Laura the same gift for Christmas and Laura finds herself torn between two mothers? Is it the same kind of ghostly or other-wordly menace that drives Cinderella Doe to create havoc, or is it just a yearning for home, family and belonging?

From Lark Rise to London and back to Candleford, 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. Emma Timmins and the other Lark Rise tenants are, however, more than happy to see the return of a once Lark Rise boy.

Meanwhile, Dorcas has her own heart strings pulled with her new maid, Minnie. Minnie can do no right; she means well, but with her troubled past she struggles to contain her excitment, testing Dorcas and those around her to the end.

Battling with her emotions for 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 amongst the sadness Miss Ellison is confronted by her brother George, and a past she would rather forget.

Overwhelmed with grief, Miss Ellison is oblivious to Thomas Brown's affections for her and his desire for her hand in marriage.

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 around 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.

Lark Rise and Candleford are filled with fun and anticipation with the inauguration of a clock, paid for by James Dowland.

But sadness looms for the Timmins family when Robert's 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 permanently.

A feud between Lark Rise and the neighbouring 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?

Every autumn, Constable Patterson is used to his wife taking to her bed with a mysterious illness. But this year is different, as she gives him permission to seek a new wife.

The constable has no intention of doing any such thing, until a Pratt sister in distress sets his heart soaring.

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 hospital to be reunited with his son.