Based on the original BBC Radio 4 series, The Village: the early years follows a year in the life of the Hampshire village of Bentley and features many of the characters who now star in the hugely popular BBC TV series of the same name. Tony Holmes and his family gradually emerge from a traumatic and sad year, while Tony’s daughter Pom, negotiates the perils of final examinations. Catherine Parker is interviewed by a famous magazine about her search for a tummy-button and the indomitable Ada Allen returns to Bentley for another season of hop picking. Complete with village fete, sponsored cycle ride and controversy over the long-awaited Bentley bypass, the early years of The Village are action packed.