Up and Down in the Dales (The Dales Series Book 4) eBook: Gervase Phinn: leondumoulin.nl: Kindle Store.
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An innovative characteristic of the programme was that a brief introductory narrative in each episode was spoken by Mrs Dale as if she were writing her diary. The serial centred on Mrs Mary Dale, a doctor 's wife, husband Jim, and the comings and goings of a middle class society. They had moved there from the real area of Kenton , which straddles the border between the London boroughs of Brent and Harrow. Later in the series, to modernise the programme and its setting, the producers relocated the family in the fictional new town of Exton New Town.
Mrs Dale's mother was Mrs Freeman, whom Jim always called, rather gravely, "mother-in-law". The family had one daughter, Gwen, and a son, Bob. Bob, who worked in the motor trade, was married to Jenny; they had twins.
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Gwen was widowed after her husband David was killed in a water-skiing accident in the Bahamas where he was holidaying with his rich mistress. Mary Dale's sister Sally which she always pronounced "Selly" lived in Chelsea and moved in exotic circles. The Dales and their friends and Captain, Mrs Freeman's cat, apparently named after her late husband's rank when he fell in the First World War got along in almost perfect harmony. It was all respectable, comfortable and middle-class.
The programme is thought to be the first British mainstream drama which depicted a character known to be homosexual sympathetically in a leading part — Sally's husband. It was a brave move to feature a gay man, especially when homosexuality was still illegal in the United Kingdom.
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Not least is that though apparently based on the homosexual writer Patrick White Richard's history in the serial was heterosexual. He was in fact a character who had developed a lot, having been presented in the early days as a monster of petulance. In February , the serial was renamed The Dales. The linking narratives by Mrs Dale were dropped. The reason was that the BBC was conscious that the series was considered by the media to be twee and hopelessly old fashioned. The changes included a new theme tune composed by Ron Grainer , composer of the futuristic theme tune for Doctor Who.
On 19 February , a plump and embittered fifty-six-year-old character actress called Ellis Powell walked out of Broadcasting House for the last time.
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She was not a star. But her voice was as well known in Britain as that of Queen Elizabeth II, for it was heard twice a day by seven million devoted listeners.
Miss Powell was Britain's most sacrosanct fictional paragon, Mrs. Dale, in the radio serial Mrs. And now, after fifteen years in the role she had created, the BBC had summarily fired her partly because of her drinking habits, and partly because it was felt that the role, and also the entire programme, was in need of a facelift. Three months later, at the age of fifty-seven, she died.
Her friends believed she never recovered from the shock and distress of her summary dismissal by the BBC. In the last weeks of her life she worked as a demonstrator at the Ideal Home Exhibition and as a cleaner in an hotel. In its last years, The Dales became more sensational.
Mrs Dale became a councillor, a position she had to relinquish when she caused a man's death by careless driving. A heart attack forced Dr Dale to retire from practice. Perhaps the most famous storyline was Jenny getting measles; listeners wrote in thousands complaining that she had already had measles in When it became The Dales , the show did try to copy The Archers , which was originally a medium to disseminate information to the agricultural community, and to give an insight into rural affairs to the public.
Thus medical stories became the order in The Dales. Jul 16, Amanda rated it really liked it Shelves: For some reason, I found this book in the Dales series a little tougher-going than the previous three. It was still light-hearted, but seemed a lot more wrapped up in Phinn's personal life rather than tales of the schools he inspects, which is always the most joyful part of the books.
In this book, his wife gets up in arms about a school closure, Sidney Clamp plays a rather amusing joke concerning a Quaker meeting house, and Phinn welcomes his first child into the world. Jun 29, Liz rated it really liked it. More amusing tales from the life of a school inspector in the North Yorkshire dales. Jul 02, Brona rated it did not like it. I read this book for book club as quickly as I possibly could fitting it around work so that I could put it down and watch some paint dry.
Boring is not a sufficient description. Reading this book was like wading through mud. The prose is dry and forced and the author is doing his best except his anecdotes, on the whole, are not funny. His descriptions of the female characters portray a range of women however the only positive description of a womans physical appearance and personality was saved I read this book for book club as quickly as I possibly could fitting it around work so that I could put it down and watch some paint dry.
His descriptions of the female characters portray a range of women however the only positive description of a womans physical appearance and personality was saved for his wife. I did not like this book and I certainly didn't find myself sympathetic to the author at all. Nov 01, Erin rated it really liked it.
Recommended to me by my Grandpa Ken through marriage who is British and a delight in and of himself. This book was warm and funny and poignant. I struggled a little with the language barrier but understood most of what was going on. Many laugh out loud moments. The best parts are the comments by the children in the schools he visits. Phinn did delve into his personal life a bit but it made him endearing. Will look at reading his other books as well. Nov 04, Florence Millo rated it it was amazing Shelves: This delightful book is the first that I have read by Gervase Phinn but I can guarantee that it won't be the last.
Phinn is a school inspector in the Yorkshire dales and the book is a chronicle of his adventures in daily life. A very pleasant read.
Gervase Phinn
Mar 21, Erica rated it it was amazing. This is an amusing, compassionate insight into the work and life of a school inspector who lives and works in the Yorkshire Dales. Although there is much humour, the author is never patronising or judgemental about the folks he interacts with and writes about. I will be looking out for any other books by Gervase Phinn. I read this book a very long time back but I still remember it well.
Hannah Hauxwell
I loved the subtle comedy style of this book and it made me laugh throughout. The situations he faces as a school inspector are hilarious! I plan on reading more books by Gervase Phinn. Feb 14, Vicki rated it really liked it. Continues the series this is book 4 really well.
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Highly recommend it for those who love an "All Creatures Great and Small" style of book, but about a school inspector, instead of a vet. Feb 23, James rated it it was amazing Shelves: Another great book in Phinn's excellent series. This book talks more about Gervase's personal life. This is good as it is interesting reading. The saga of the ramshackle shed in his garden is very funny!
Mrs Dale's Diary - Wikipedia
May 04, Fiona rated it really liked it Shelves: Little gem of a book covering Gervaise's 4 th year as a school inspector. His wife is expecting their baby, he has just tore down a listed historical building in his garden , and the usual anecdotes from the kids make this as always a cracking read! These books are like James Herriot books. Feel good happy books where nothing too bad ever happens. Funny laugh out loud descriptions of real kids and the unexpected things they say. I also died laughing reading his descriptions of some of the 'difficult' people in his office.
In this autobiography, we see the same Phinn humor that is prevalent in his three former novels of school and village life in the Dales, along with some of the characters and occurrences upon which his novels are based, delightful reads all. Jul 07, Ashlin rated it really liked it. I had read this book a few years ago but some scenes of the book will always remain with me as good memories and will always make me smile.
If you are looking for a light, heartwarming read, this is your book. Jan 06, Karen rated it liked it Shelves: Phinn has been compared to James Herriot, and these books are his stories of being appointed as a Schools Inspector in the Yorkshire Dales.
Many chuckles about the funny things the children say or do, and likewise about life in the slower-paced world of Yorkshire. Sep 12, Zarabeth Davies rated it it was amazing. Loved it wish there were ! Nov 30, Shauna rated it really liked it Shelves: More of the same from the entertaining Gervase Phinn. Gentle and amusing tales of his time as a Schools Inspector in the Yorkshiire Dales. Feb 26, Aimee rated it it was amazing. Jan 08, Taly rated it it was amazing Shelves: Beautiful combination of humor and wisdom.
Oct 09, Rose added it Shelves: Enjoyable but some of the anecdotes dragged on far too long. Shorter and snappier would have been more entertaining! More hilarious fun from the children and adults of the Dales schools. Apr 19, Brooke rated it it was amazing Shelves: Oct 05, Gwen Perfitt rated it it was amazing.