Er, has anyone seen Dame Judi by any chance?
TV CREWS have descended on a village to film scenes from the hit BBC drama Cranford.
The critically acclaimed period drama will be returning to BBC One this Christmas in a two-part special feature.
And producers are this week filming at Foxfield Colliery, off Godley Lane, Dilhorne, and Foxfield Railway.
The cast and crew are also using Dilhorne Village Hall and the recreation ground as a base for actors to change into period costumes.
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Villagers were delighted with the arrival of the stellar cast of the drama, which follows the small absurdities and major tragedies of the people of Cranford.
Many are hoping to catch a glimpse of Dame Judi Dench, who plays the much-cherished Miss Matty Jenkyns.
Landlord of the Royal Oak, Mike Cunningham, said: "We had a couple of actors in the pub yesterday but Dame Judi Dench hasn't walked through the doors yet. The rumour is she'll be here on Thursday.
"The filming is great for the village. We've heard the BBC has paid for some work to the Foxfield Railway. There is a new period style shed at Dilhorne Park Station and they've altered the sign to call it Handbury Holt.
"From what I've heard, the railway has asked the BBC if it can keep the sign like that."
A group of retired women having lunch at the pub said they were thrilled to hear about the filming of Cranford.
Margaret Booth, from Blythe Bridge, said: "It's a brilliant costume drama. Dame Judi Dench is fabulous. She can't do any wrong for me. If we'd known she was in the village we would have invited her for lunch."
Margaret Watts, from Cheadle, said: "I'm a big fan of the programme. The whole production is fantastic. It's great that it's being filmed here."
Sue Bradbury, from Lightwood, added: "I'm amazed to think they are filming right on our doorstep.
"I've seen all the episodes so I'll be looking forward to this one."
Cathie Davey, BBC publicist for Cranford, said the production team had chosen Dilhorne because it was an ideal location with its beautiful, unspoilt countryside.
She said: "There is a storyline in the second part of the drama which requires filming in a beautifully preserved area.
"The landscape in Dilhorne is perfect because we can get great panoramic shots of scenery without the trappings of modern day life."
Lynn Cantlay, Dilhorne Parish Council clerk, said: "I saw all the trucks and vans arriving and wondered what was going on.
"It certainly puts the village on the map. It's not everyday you get the BBC filming down the road.
"It would be nice to bump into Dame Judi Dench in the village."
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Comments
by lee minor, dilhorne
Thursday, June 04 2009, 3:18PM
“i carnt beleave what i was seeing as i was seeing all of the signs around the village and i went passed the railway and there was people filming a play and then i saw it in the paper”