Precious Bane

Synopsis

Mary Webb’s award-winning novel adapted for radio with a full cast, plus a dramatised biography of the celebrated authorNovelist 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 creditsPrecious BanePru – Miriam MargolyesGideon – Terry MolloyKester – Peter DavidsonMrs Sarn – Penelope LeeMr Sarn – Haydn JonesMrs Beguildy – Jill MeersWizard Beguildy – Robert VaheyJancis Beguildy – Elspeth CharltokGideon (aged 7) – Henry MilnerTiwy – Cecily HobbsSexton – Roger SnowdonCallard – John RoweDorabella – Patricia GallimoreSquire Camperdine – David VannFelena – Kathryn HurlbuttSukey – Deirdre LeeMoll – Hedli NiklausMrs Sexton – Carol SnapeMrs Grimble/Mrs Callard – Ysanne ChurchmanGrimble/Grandfather Callard – Gordon ReidHuglet – Malcolm GerardMiller’s Tim – Peter O’DwyerApothecary – Stephen HancockSexton’s Sammy – David LandbergDoctor – Denys HawthorneWritten by Mary WebbDramatised by Michelene WandorDirected by Vanessa WhitburnTraditional folk music sung and played by Sue Harris, John Kirkpatrick and Ann WellerFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 26 April-10 May 1981The Shropshire LassNarrator – John DarranMary Webb/Susan Buchan – Sue Jones-DaviesHenry Webb/Caradoc Evans – Gareth ArmstrongReader – Dillwyn OwenWritten by Herbert WilliamsBased on The Flower of Light by Gladys Mary ColesProduced by Robin C. RollinsonFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 29 July 1986© 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd