Lark Rise to Candleford is the BBC's adaptation of the semi-autbiographical book of the same title by Flora Thompson set in the 1880's.

The series centres itself on the small hamlet town of Lark Rise and its dwellers and the neighboring town Candleford, with its more well-to-do folk and businesses. Lark rise is seen as clinging onto the past whereas Candleford is a town that is much looking forward to the future. The episodes are told through Laura Timmin's eyes played by Olivia Hallinan.

Over the course of the 10 episodes you come across a wide variety of characters, from farmers and the poor to postmistresses and gentry. The mix of characters is brilliant and when they cross each others path the outcomes can be very amusing.

Two of the characters that I felt helped steer the show in the right direction were the Pratt sisters, played by Victoria Hamilton and Matilda Ziegler. their acting was flawless and the attitude of the characters and the comments they came out with helped give the show some humor, which I felt was lacking in areas.

The main characters of the story focus on Laura Timmins, played by Olivia Hallinan previously of Sugar Rush. She portrays a young girl of good educational standard who moves to Candleford from the hamlet of Lark Rise to work in the post office. Her you see her exploits and friction with her family and love interests. Olivia portrays her nicely but one thing I found really irritating was the accents. I didn't think that she used it very well and think that perhaps Olivia would have been better speaking as she would do normally.

Lark Rise to Candleford also had many big names attached to it, including famous comedian Dawn French. She played Caroline Arless, a big and mouthy character with a large family that she raises on her own, with her husband out at sea. Caroline with the Pratts provides humour to the show as she finds herself in debtors prison due to not paying a brewer.

Liz Smith from the Royle Family also makes an appearence as an old housemaid in the Post Office. Rambling about old times and very unwilling to move into modern times. Liz plays the character as well as she does her many other appearance in shows. All credit to an 86 year old!

Twist, an old man who loves a song and dance, is also another memorable character from the show played by Karl Johnson. He is a resident in the Hamlet and provides an insight into the old ways. He is often found in the pub and gives his friend Queenie a hard time. As with many dwellers in the Hamlet, money is scarce, but they make the best of their situation.

With this mix of characters and skilled actresses/actors I thought that this programme was going to be something special. Succeeding Cranford as BBC costume adaption drama I think I placed my hopes and expectations a little high. I found the story line a little flat and boring in places and Lark Rise to Candleford lacked a certain spark in my opinion. Perhaps to have 10 episodes was a little ambitious.

However the programme was typical Sunday Night Television. Similar to the likes of heart beat in pace and events I can see why the programme is a love/hate series.

I, personally, would not want to watch the programme again, but if you find yourselves a fan of period dramas and Sunday night programmes like heart beat I think that you would enjoy this programme.

DVD box set is available for £25.98 on amazon and its rrp is £34.99. I would wait until the sales,but for your money you do get 10 episodes at an hours length each, so there is some volume to the box set.