Corsham dead tree is 'ideal' for BBC period drama scene (From Wiltshire Times)

Corsham dead tree is 'ideal' for BBC period drama scene

4:24pm Friday 26th June 2009 in News By Rachel Allen

Rain didn’t dampen the moods of TV crews who were at Corsham Court Estate this week filming scenes for well-known BBC period drama, Lark Rise to Candleford.

A host of stars descended on the picturesque country park, owned by James Methuen-Campbell, yesterday and today after crews made a last minute decision to use a dead tree there for one of the main scenes in the period drama.

Rufus Andrews, location manager, said: “We had been filming in Tetbury, Gloucestershire, and were going to use a dead tree there, however it was deemed unsafe, and I had been walking through Corsham estate one day when I saw the tree and thought this would be the ideal location.

“Not only is the tree safe to film under but the whole area looks authentic without any pylons or telegraph poles.”

Local boy Fergus Drysdale is taking part in filming for his third year as Frank Timmins, the son of Emma Timmins played by Claudie Blakeley and Robert Timmins played by Brendan Coyle.

His proud father Steve Drysdale said: “He has glad to be filming again with the crew as he has very close friends on set and really gets on with his on-screen parents.

“He has been receiving tutoring to ensure he doesn’t miss any of his school work while he is filming.”

The third series of the BBC drama features Julia Sawalha as Dorcas Lane, Olivia Hallinan as Laura Timmins, Jason Merrells as James Dowland, Brendan Coyle, Mark Heap as Thomas Brown and Ruby Bentall as Minnie.

Lark Rise To Candleford, is based on Bill Gallagher's adaptation of Flora Thompson's magical memoir of her Oxfordshire childhood.

Set in the small hamlet of Lark Rise and the wealthier neighbouring market town, Candleford, at the end of the 19th century, the series shows the daily lives of farm workers, craftsmen and gentry, showing the main characters going about their everyday life in their close knit communities.

Lark Rise To Candleford is written and executive produced by Bill Gallagher. The series' executive producer is Susan Hogg.

The drama is due to be screened at the beginning of 2010.

Producer Annie Tricklebank said: “It’s fantastic to be back in the south west to film the third series of Lark Rise to Candleford. As always, we have been made to feel welcome by the local people filming is progressing and we hope viewers will look forward to the new series which airs on BBC1 in the new year.”