Broadcast on 23 December 1980, this BBC adaptation of a novel by Penelope Lively revolved around the lost village of Astercote, which was wiped out by the Black Death 500 years ago.
Mair (Siobhan Brooks) and Peter (Ifor Williams) Jenkins have moved to Somerset with their teacher father. One day, they enter the forbidden Tranters’ Wood when their dog wanders off. There, they encounter a simpleton called Goacher (John Branwell), who helps heal their injured dog, and soon they meet the reclusive Tranter family of World’s End Farm.
The family are guarding a medieval chalice, and legend states that if the chalice is ever stolen, the deadly plague will return.
When the mysterious cup vanishes one day, and people begin getting sick, Mair and Peter are as anxious as the locals to discover its whereabouts and return the chalice to its rightful place in the forest.
The Bells of Astercote was filmed on location at Porlock in Somerset.
Mair Jenkins
Siobhan Brooks Peter Jenkins
Ifor Williams Goacher
John Branwell Evadne Fletcher
Janis Winters Mr Tranter
Ivor Roberts Mrs Tranter
Kristine Howarth Betsy Tranter
Alison Rolfe Mr Jenkins
Davyd Harries Tom Craddock
John Malcolm Major Pratt
Lloyd Lamble Mrs Fletcher
Brenda Cowling Luke Tranter
Richard Hunter Mrs Fowler
Pat Quayle Frank Turner
Keith James TV reporter
Sarah Grazebrook TV cameraman
Bill McGuirk
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