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It is 1911, and five-year-old Muriel begins to question her mother's night-time absences.

The series which explores the 20th century through the words of real people. Muriel Howard's account of her Somerset childhood and the secret that defined it adapted by Tina Pepler with Sara Davies.

It's 1911 and Muriel at 5-years-old begins to question her mother's night-time absences

Violinists ..... Sam and Andrew McGregor

Produced and directed by Gemma Jenkins

Muriel Howard, full name Brenda Muriel Howard-Tripp, grew up in the Somerset village of Sampford Brett with her brother and widowed mother after her father, the rector, died of consumption. Behind the story of a fatherless and impecunious but affectionate rural upbringing hovers a secret that threatens to emerge and tear apart her close-knit family.

Adapted from her unpublished memoir, The Secret, explores the emotions of a child caught in an adult drama she doesn't understand.

The action plays out against the backdrop of village life, school and friendships in early 20th Century rural England, spanning the years 1911-1923.

Brenda Muriel Howard-Tripp went on to become a trail-blazing career woman, Director of East Europe at the British Council and cultural attachΓ© in the Soviet Union after the Second World War.

15 minutes

Last on

Mon 11 Apr 2016 19:45

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Credits

Role Contributor
Muriel Scarlett Brookes
Mother Jeany Spark
Young Muriel Madeleine Power
Young Philip Finn Monteath
Jinks Joe Sims
Mrs Burnel Susan Jameson
Mrs Sawyer Adie Allen
Ethel Nicola Ferguson
Violet Nicola Ferguson
Adaptor Tina Pepler
Adaptor Sara Davies
Director Gemma Jenkins
Producer Gemma Jenkins

Broadcasts

  • Mon 11 Apr 2016 10:45
  • Mon 11 Apr 2016 19:45

Who was Muriel Howard?

Brenda Muriel Howard-Tripp, author of the childhood memoir, had a remarkable career.

Who was Muriel Howard?

Brenda Muriel Howard-Tripp, author of the childhood memoir had a remarkable career.

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