South Riding (1999)
A dramatisation of a novel by Winifred Holtby. The community of South Riding, like the rest of the country, lives in the long shadow of war. Blighted by recession and devastated by the loss, they must also come to terms with significant social change. Forward-thinking and ambitious, Sarah Burton is the embodiment of such change. After the death of her fiancé, she returns home to Yorkshire focused on her career as headmistress of the local school. But not everyone can embrace the new social order. Robert Carne, a force of conservatism, stands firmly against Sarah. Also starring Sarah Lancashire.
First Broadcast: Monday 31st May 1999 (BBC Radio 4)
First Broadcast: Monday 31st May 1999 (BBC Radio 4)
Philip plays...
Robert Carne
On the surface, he may appear snobbish, obstructive and backward-looking but Robert Carne is actually just trying to protect the way of life in the countryside that he so believes in and loves. He is equally protective of his delicate young daughter, Midge, who reminds him constantly of her mother, his beloved wife now lost to him. He is a tormented man, who carries a heavy burden that locks him in the past, but the world of the thirties is a rapidly changing place...
Robert Carne
On the surface, he may appear snobbish, obstructive and backward-looking but Robert Carne is actually just trying to protect the way of life in the countryside that he so believes in and loves. He is equally protective of his delicate young daughter, Midge, who reminds him constantly of her mother, his beloved wife now lost to him. He is a tormented man, who carries a heavy burden that locks him in the past, but the world of the thirties is a rapidly changing place...
Here is a short extract from the production. You can purchase the complete CD recording from Amazon.uk.
Episode Guide
South Riding comprised 15 episodes each lasting 15 minutes.
Episode 1: Headmistress Sarah Burton returns to 1930s Yorkshire for a challenging new post.
Episode 2: New headmistress Sarah has much to tackle at her run-down school.
Episode 3: Headmistress Sarah faces her first event in the community.
Episode 4: Headmistress Sarah develops a soft spot for a married school governor.
Episode 5: Headmistress Sarah Burton sparks upset when she takes her girls on an educational walk in the snow.
Episode 6: Headmistress Sarah Burton decides Lydia mustn't be allowed to lose a scholarship.
Episode 7: When measles confines Midge to school, her father makes a confession.
Episode 8: As the school gossips about Midge, headmistress Sarah feels for Lydia.
Episode 9: Headmistress Sarah befriends the father of one of her pupils.
Episode 10: When tragedy strikes pupil Lydia, headmistress Sarah Burton takes action.
Episode 11: Headmistress Sarah encounters the bitter taste of loss and the joy of achievement.
Episode 12: Headmistress Sarah Burton opens up her school for voters in the election.
Episode 13: Yorkshire landowner Robert Carne confronts headmistress Sarah. Lydia is distressed.
Episode 14: Headmistress Sarah Burton fears for the life of landowner Robert Carne.
Episode 15: Lydia finds a body. Headmistress Sarah Burton must make some decisions.
South Riding comprised 15 episodes each lasting 15 minutes.
Episode 1: Headmistress Sarah Burton returns to 1930s Yorkshire for a challenging new post.
Episode 2: New headmistress Sarah has much to tackle at her run-down school.
Episode 3: Headmistress Sarah faces her first event in the community.
Episode 4: Headmistress Sarah develops a soft spot for a married school governor.
Episode 5: Headmistress Sarah Burton sparks upset when she takes her girls on an educational walk in the snow.
Episode 6: Headmistress Sarah Burton decides Lydia mustn't be allowed to lose a scholarship.
Episode 7: When measles confines Midge to school, her father makes a confession.
Episode 8: As the school gossips about Midge, headmistress Sarah feels for Lydia.
Episode 9: Headmistress Sarah befriends the father of one of her pupils.
Episode 10: When tragedy strikes pupil Lydia, headmistress Sarah Burton takes action.
Episode 11: Headmistress Sarah encounters the bitter taste of loss and the joy of achievement.
Episode 12: Headmistress Sarah Burton opens up her school for voters in the election.
Episode 13: Yorkshire landowner Robert Carne confronts headmistress Sarah. Lydia is distressed.
Episode 14: Headmistress Sarah Burton fears for the life of landowner Robert Carne.
Episode 15: Lydia finds a body. Headmistress Sarah Burton must make some decisions.