West Country Tales was an early 1980s supernatural drama series based on "real-life" experiences submitted by viewers in response to a BBC appeal. Of the hundreds of letters received, 8 stories were selected and and turned into TV scripts.
Exec. Producer: John King / Producer: Kevin Crooks.
1. THE VISITOR
A
young woman, Christine, lives with her two young
children in an isolated cottage near the Cornwall coast. While
out walking near the cliffs she discovers a little
secret cove. She starts to explore the place but, feeling strangely uneasy,
hears what
may be a cry coming from some rocks near the sea.
On
returning
to the cottage she finds that an old friend, Fran,has
turned up to stay. But there is something odd about
her and she mysteriously disappears after leading Christine
and her children back to the secret cove. There
Christine discovers an unnerving parallel between
current events and a shipwreck that took place off the
coast 130 years earlier.
Writer: Elizabeth Elliot.
2. THE POACHER
Bernard
is a old poacher steeped in the ways and
lore of the West Country. He is also well-known in the locality as
a "Charmer - one who can heal minor afflictions
using traditional plants and spells. Recently he has
been down on his luck - the traps and snares
he has been setting for years remain strangely empty.
Then a bizarre encounter in the woods turns his
fortunes around...............
Writer: Tom Salmon.
With DAVE ROYAL as the Poacher
3. THE BEAST
A
teenage boy lives at Foxhollies farm with his family.
While out illicitly hunting he encounters a strange
creature, neither human nor animal. Twenty years later
he returns to the farm at the request of his cousin,
only to find that the "beast" is still at
large.
Writer: Kevin Crooks.
4. THE BREAKDOWN
Bill
lives alone in a large house in unspoilt countryside halfway
between two villages. His wife was murdered some time
ago and the finger of suspicion pointed at Bill for
a while but nothing was proved. Nevertheless the locals
give him a wide berth. One day a car
breaks down outside his house and the woman driver calls
at the door for assistance. But her seemingly innocent
inquiry conceals a more sinister purpose.
Writer: Josephine Poole. Featuring: Anita
Harris.
5. MISS CONSTANTINE
Miss Constantine lives out her days in a big old tumbledown
mansion with only memories for company. One day
she complains to the local
vicar that her home has been invaded by young people. Concerned, he visits the house but can find no trace of any other occupants. He finally agrees to conduct a blessing ceremony to give the old lady peace of mind.
Writer: Josephine
Poole.
6. THE SABBATICAL
Anthony
Shaw, a stressed-out clergyman, is sent on a relaxing
sabbatical in the country by his Bishop. He stays at
a guest house in the village but finds the attitude
and behaviour of the locals unnerving.
While out on
a walk he comes across an old, disused chapel and a
little girl picking flowers in the graveyard. When he
returns the next day he gets trapped in the chapel and
spends a terrifying night battling against the forces
of darkness.
Writer: Josephine Poole.
7. WAITING FOR SIMON
As
a young lad, Simon is evacuated to the country
house of Mrs Grey after his family's home is bombed
during the war. He becomes obsessed with the portrait
of a young woman hanging in one of the rooms, so much
so that, in later years, he returns to buy the very
same house.
Writer: Josephine Poole.
8. THE WHITE BIRD OF LAUGHTER
Period
drama based on a Dartmoor Myth. A young man goes to
stay at a country house in the wilds of Dartmoor.
He falls in love with a poor country girl. But her drunken
father's reacts angrily when he finds out about the
affair and tragedy ensues.
Writer: Josephine Poole.