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Church Street appeared to be in a time warp at the end of March when a strange, dark clad figure, sporting a stovepipe hat was observed, disappearing into the grounds of Lady Cruck's Estate (I'm assured by a reliable source that it wasn't Lord Cruck) and in the Church yard, a variety of costumed figures were clad in outfits fashionable from the early 19th to the 21st Century.

No, I wasn't on my way home from the Pub, Endemol were filming more scenes for the BBC's Restoration Series which will feature the Reverend Massey's Folly. The production team were shooting scenes from various periods in Farringdon History with a selection of notable Vicars, characters from the past and a number of current residents in a variety of costumes.

 

In a break in filming, one long serving Farringdon Rector takes the opportunity to examine the grave of his equally long serving successor. Quite what the Rev. Massey would have made of the visit of his predecessor, The Reverend John and Harriet Benn and we shall never know.

Recalled into the action by the director the crew prepare for the next shot, one of a series filmed in and around the Church during the day.

A lady takes a constitutional past the Old Manor Farm House for the benefit of the cameras, making her way towards the Church. A trip she made many times in her lifetime although it was long before the council fingerpost and the connection box were installed.

It won't take many guesses to identify the authoress making her way from Chawton to meet her friends in Farringdon. (There are no prizes on offer for the first correct answer)

 

If you didn't know better you would think this trio of "Miss Marples" were heading for an Agatha Christie convention. ( I'm sure I've seen the two leading ladies somewhere before!) In fact they are preparing for the next shot possibly the one being discussed by Alan, Donna and Mary in the picture below.

 

If they look a trifle concerned, it could be because they have seen the pair that had just emerged from Lord Cruck's estate, with good reason, as you can see for yourselves.

 

 

Quite what the Blues brothers had to do with Massey's Folly I'm not sure but I would rather not be the person to ask this dubious looking pair, even if the one on the right does bear an uncanny resemblance to the Parish Clerk. (Note the period shades to give that final touch of 1925 authenticity.)

 

By this time the crew must have been getting restless as a spontaneous outbreak of Morris Dancing began to afflict those in close proximity to the Church Green - and this was before the pub lunch.

 

 

Meanwhile the mob were gathering close by, with the assembled Marples appearing to prepare for a mass launch of their headgear at any challenge to the authority of the "Boss".

After a short shower the clearing weather brought out the Traffic Control to protect the cast and crew from the hazards of passing cars as they prepared to reconstruct the opening of the Folly for the camera.

 

Just time to apply the final touches to the make-up before the camera begins to roll . . . .

. . . . . .The crew are all ready for action . .

 

. . .The actors are all ready with their flags at the prescribed angle . . . .

. . . when the real Vicar, the Rev. Tony Pears, arrives on the scene on his way to lunch in the Rectory. Fortunately Donna was on hand to set him on the right path and after a slight delay he was allowed to continue on his way.

 

Meanwhile the Marples were multiplying, with another addition making up a quartet that Agatha Christie would have been proud of. All it needed to round off the day was a murder in the Vicarage. ( Good job the Vicar wasn't too late home! )

By now lunchtime was approaching and your reporter followed the example of the
Rev Benn and set off for home.

Filming continued in the afternoon, with three dubious artisans rebuilding the Folly and a freezing congregation assembled in the Church pews. (What is the collective noun for Marples?)

Endemol will be in the Village again shortly to film some more sequences for the programme which will be broadcast in the Autumn.

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