Exclusive By Andrew McCreaddie

LITERATURE enthusiasts in Knutsford could be among the first to see clips of a new BBC television drama.

Scriptwriter Heidi Thomas has been asked to give a talk and describe images from Cranford Chronicles during this year’s Knutsford Literature Festival.

“The television programme will be just about to go out at the time,” said organiser Joan Leach.
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“We’re still working on the details, but we hope we’re going to be able to show parts of it during the talk.”

Knutsford Heritage Centre has helped researchers working on Cranford Chronicles, which is based on three Elizabeth Gaskell novels.

The volunteers were inundated with queries about life in the town in the 19th century. (more…)

Steve Cunliffe in the Manchester Evening News

A CHESHIRE town has been snubbed for a new TV costume drama – because it is not old-fashioned enough.

Despite author Elizabeth Gaskell setting her book Cranford Chronicles in Knutsford, filming of the BBC drama – which will star Dame Judi Dench – will not take place there. (more…)

. . . she would have despised the modern idea of women being equal to men. Equal, indeed! she knew they were superior.

Today is your last chance to see the stars out in Lacock as filming for the BBC drama The Cranford Chronicles comes to an end.

Film crews will be in the picturesque village until 9pm.

Dame Judi Dench was whisked into action again this week when she was filmed in Church Street.

The Oscar-winning actress arrived at the last possible moment before her cue, in a silver Mercedes with blacked out windows.

After turning in another consummate performance as Miss Matty Jenkyns, a spirited and rebellious woman who is forced to give up the man she loves, the 72-year-old got back in the car and left the set. (more…)