The leisurely pace of life at Cranford was relished by Swindon audiences last week.

Director Sandra Gilbert also played the elegant narrator.

The well-designed set, sound effects and period costumes evoked the years 1835– 1836, when class consciousness was a vital element of village life, and Miss Matty Jenkyns’ secure place in society hinged on the fact that she was the rector’s daughter.

Sally Lovejoy, in that role, was the central character in whose parlour ladies shared gossip. Joanne Parr was charming as Mary Smith, the young observer of their interaction.

Emma Palmer, as the maid, Martha, who lacked social graces, eventually experienced a remarkable reversal of fortune, as the tea, sipped by ladies in the early scenes, became an economic mainstay for Miss Matty.

Dennis Breakspear as Mr Hoggins, the local doctor, exuded charm and bonhomie, and scandalised the snobbish Mrs Jamieson (Margaret Price) by his marriage to Lady Glenmire (Jean Bolt).

This was a relaxing, amusing retreat into a bygone age.