Precious Bane

Mary Webb’s award-winning novel adapted for radio with a full cast, plus a dramatised biography of the celebrated author Novelist and poet Mary Webb is as closely associated with Shropshire as Thomas Hardy with Dorset and the Brontës with Yorkshire. She wrote six books set against the timeless landscape of the county she knew and loved so well, but only achieved literary success after her death when the then Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin praised her work, describing her as a neglected genius. Her final novel, Precious Bane , was awarded the Prix Femina Vie Heureuse, and is featured here alongside a bonus programme exploring Webb’s life. Precious Bane – Born with a cleft lip, Pru Sarn is an outcast in her superstious rural community, who regard her as cursed and suspect her of being a witch. Yet her gentle heart longs for love and honest communication with her neighbours – in contrast with her brother Gideon’s all-consuming desire for wealth. As Pru works side-by-side with him on the family farm, she becomes increasingly disturbed by his single-mindedness – and ever more attracted to the handsome weaver, Kester Woodseaves. But when Gideon’s obsessive ambition results in tragedy, Prue finds herself accused of murder – and only Kester can save her… Miriam Margolyes stars as Pru, with Terry Molloy as Gideon and Peter Davidson as Kester. The Shropshire Lass – Based on Gladys Mary Cole’s biography of Mary Webb, The Flower of Light , this dramatised profile explores how Webb lived ‘betwixt and between’ – half in the world and half out of it. The heroine of a fairy story with a sad ending, she yearned for fame, riches and admiration, but spent her life struggling against illness and disillusion. Narrated by John Darran , with Dillwyn Jones as the reader, Sue Jones-Davies as Mary Webb and Gareth Armstrong as her husband Henry. Cast and credits Precious Bane Pru – Miriam Margolyes Gideon – Terry Molloy Kester – Peter Davidson Mrs Sarn – Penelope Lee Mr Sarn – Haydn Jones Mrs Beguildy – Jill Meers Wizard Beguildy – Robert Vahey Jancis Beguildy – Elspeth Charltok Gideon (aged 7) – Henry Milner Tiwy – Cecily Hobbs Sexton – Roger Snowdon Callard – John Rowe Dorabella – Patricia Gallimore Squire Camperdine – David Vann Felena – Kathryn Hurlbutt Sukey – Deirdre Lee Moll – Hedli Niklaus Mrs Sexton – Carol Snape Mrs Grimble/Mrs Callard – Ysanne Churchman Grimble/Grandfather Callard – Gordon Reid Huglet – Malcolm Gerard Miller’s Tim – Peter O’Dwyer Apothecary – Stephen Hancock Sexton’s Sammy – David Landberg Doctor – Denys Hawthorne Written by Mary Webb Dramatised by Michelene Wandor Directed by Vanessa Whitburn Traditional folk music sung and played by Sue Harris, John Kirkpatrick and Ann Weller First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 April-10 May 1981 The Shropshire Lass Narrator – John Darran Mary Webb/Susan Buchan – Sue Jones-Davies Henry Webb/Caradoc Evans – Gareth Armstrong Reader – Dillwyn Owen Written by Herbert Williams Based on The Flower of Light by Gladys Mary Coles Produced by Robin C. Rollinson First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 July 1986 © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd