Long before R. D. Wingfield created the world of Detective Inspector Jack Frost, he was writing ingenious dramas for BBC radio.
Our West Ladyton Branch, first broadcast in 1968, was Wingfield’s breakthrough radio play — a wonderfully understated mixture of suspense, crime, dry humor, and ordinary people finding themselves in decidedly extraordinary circumstances.
A bank manager recovering from a nervous breakdown is sent to what should be an easy assignment: a quiet little branch in the Devon town of West Ladyton.
Peaceful. Routine. Uneventful.
At least, that’s the idea.
Before long, the new manager begins to discover that the sleepy branch may not be quite as respectable — or as innocent — as it appears.
If you enjoy classic British radio drama, clever mysteries, and the later A Touch of Frost, this is a fascinating opportunity to hear R. D. Wingfield near the very beginning of his remarkable career.
Originally broadcast: November 13, 1968Written by: R. D. WingfieldRunning time: approximately 56 minutes
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