Sarah Burton returns to her childhood home after many years away to apply for the new vacant position of headmistress at the local school. Her personality wins over many people, but at least one of the school governors, Robert Carne, is…
Sarah checks out her new school and teachers ready for the term to come, but is less than impressed by both the conditions of the building and the staff's lack approach to teaching. She also checks out the other pupils that will be…
Sarah has her first meeting with Joe Astell, newly elected Alderman of the area at the local Jumble Sale and discovers they are like minds on many things. Anthony Snaith has hopes that his plan for the new road and development will go…
Sarah Burton is determined to secure improvements for her school building as term time begins and attracts the notice of councillor and vicar Alfred Huggins in her bid to gain funding. Pupil Lydia Holly is also gaining notice, especially…
It's Easter 1933 now, and squire Robert Carne is reduced to selling the family heirlooms to make ends meet as his farming business continues to struggle. Sarah discovers why Lydia Holly's schoolwork has deteriorated when she learns that…
The measles outbreak continues to affect the community, with the young especially at risk. Fred Mitchell receives a letter from his old employer asking to see him, leaving to hopes of his job back, but while he leaves his wife Nancy's…
Tensions and recriminations begin to run high at the school among the staff, while Sarah Burton looks at the possibility of laying off a couple of the staff. Agnes Sigglesthwaite, the oldest and longest serving there, lacks discipline in…
Squire Robert Carne is stunned when he finds the bank will lend him no more money, while attempts to raise money elsewhere fall embarrassingly flat. But many in South Riding are struggling for money during the Great Depression. Fred…
Mrs Beddows is disturbed to hear rumours that Maplethorpe may be sold while visiting the local asylum and goes to see Robert Carne. But she is equally perturbed to find School teacher Sarah Burton there when she arrives enjoying drinks.…
It's Christmas in South Riding, but there is little in the way of festive cheer for some of the residents. Fred Mitchell receives a devastating loss when his wife leaves him to move back with her mother, leaving him near destitute. Robert…
It's now 1934 and Robert Carne is battling to hold on to his house and his seat in the local election against new candidate Stanley Dollan, a man backed by Anthony Snaith, who is suing Carne for defamation after implicating him in Alfred…
The search continues for Robert Carne as the authorities and community believe him dead. The press are intrigued as speculation grows that he either committed suicide or faked his own death due to his debts, and a reporter goes down to…
Lydia Holly has been accepted back into school, but her mind is elsewhere over her father's upcoming nuptials to Mrs Brimsley. However, an afternoon picnic with her siblings soon takes their mind off things when they make a nasty…
