 Lark Rise to Candleford is a classic book written by Flora Thompson, recalling the rural England of the late 19th Century, leading up to the Great War of 1914 - 1918. Crammed full of stories, customs, music, singing games and much more besides, it was brought to life in the 1980's with two remarkably successful plays and an album of music. The in 2008, with Dawn French heading the cast, Lark Rise became a hugely popular BBC television programme with viewing figures peaking at 12 million. Such has been the success of Lark Rise to Candleford that the BBC have commissioned a Christmas Special for December 2008 and another 12 episodes starting January 2009.
When the National Theatre decided to put on a play of Lark Rise in 1981 it was Ashley Hutchings who was appointed Music Director and his Albion Band provided the music. The subsequent album, simply called Lark Rise to Candleford, became both a commercial and artistic legend. In England the phrase "The Guv'nor" refers to the man in charge which certainly is an apt description of Ashley Hutchings when it comes to the English folk rock scene. He has founded Fairport Convention (the greatest folk-rock band in the world), Steeleye Span, The Albion Band and was responsible for the famous ‘Morris On’ series.
With the re-release of the original classic album, Ashley has formed a Lark Rise band to once again draw focus to the memorable music of the plays. Joining him in the band is a new generation of singers and musicians, all of whom have discovered the magic of Lark Rise and its words and music and have released a brand new CD Lark Rise Revisited featuring music from the original plays alongside new material from the television shows. Both the album and the live shows have received rave reviews and this is a great opportunity for venues and festivals to draw in new audiences. Any of the millions of viewers who have seen the programmes and will enjoy a concert performance by the Lark Rise Band as they present music, words, dance and song from the book, plays and television series in celebration of a lost way of life so memorably captured by Flora Thompson.
 |  related internet links
just because....
our brand new website concerning
the many activities of The Gov'nor
our website, concerning
this Albion Country Band masterpiece,
at the new commercial-free web address
our website on the books
and poems of Flora Thompson
download the Bluebeat player
and you're already to listen to
some incredible music
home label to The Lark Rise Band,
Judy Dunlop, Ashley Hutchings and
a good many other folk.
our unofficially official website
with gigs information, discography,
and related Lark Rise to Candleford
information
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