Larks with H. E. Bates

WATCHING the first episode of ITV’s the Larkins was sheer joy. I thought the actors playing Pop & Ma Larkin were entertaining and funny.

The series is a new version of the darling buds Of May by h. E. bates.

as a young GP, I made a home visit in 1973 to the old granary where the author lived in Little Chart, Kent.

Despite being unwell, in a chirpy voice he said: ‘as you are the new boy in the ashford practice, don’t forget to write me a repeat of my sleeping tablets!’

I was shown around the beautiful garden by his wife, Madge. Mr bates was a keen, knowledgeable gardener who wrote many books on flowers.

It was delightful to watch the scenes in a Kentish garden in the Larkins with Mariette wearing a pretty flower in her hair.

Dr JINDI DHILLON,

Folkestone, Kent.