Miss Bessemer Saves The Train

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

'friday. My Stewed Cabbage And Cold Gravy Day...'

20210926

Penelope Keith is Madge Bessemer in this 5-part serial inspired by the true story of one woman's fight to halt the closure of her local railway.

Village Guide Captain Madge Bessemer is not a particular fan of railways. Who needs trains when you've got a 1948 Austin Princess to tootle around in? However, when she discovers that, as part of their closure plans, British Rail are going to auction off the line side footpath, which holds precious memories for her, she determines to put a stop to proceedings.

Supported by The Lewes and East Grinstead Railway Fighting Committee - two Girl Guides, two train spotters, one pigswill man and a dog - Madge takes her battle right to the heart of government.

But the Prime Minster has just been humiliated by Colonel Nasser and has no intention of suffering a further humiliation at the hands of a village Girl Guide leader. John Profumo, Under Secretary of State to the Minister of Transport and a rising star in the government, is tasked with seeing that Miss Bessemer's plans are consigned to the dustbin of history.

All seems lost but, as Madge gains strength from the ghosts of her past, an unlikely idea for a railway of the future takes shape.

Everyone loves a fighter and Madge becomes a national hero, finding herself midwife not just to the birth of the world's first preserved standard gauge passenger railway -the Bluebell Line - but also to the UK's multi-million pound heritage railway industry.

Writer: Roy Apps

Reader: Penelope Keith

Director: Celia de Wolff

Sound Design: Matt Bainbridge

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer, Chairwoman of the village Railway Fighting committee.

Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer in Roy Apps's 5-part serial inspired by a true story.

'four Teenagers, One Pigeon Fancier And A Dog...'

20211003

Penelope Keith is Madge Bessemer in this 5-part serial inspired by the true story of one woman's fight to halt the closure of her local railway.

Supported by The Lewes and East Grinstead Railway Fighting Committee - two Girl Guides, two train spotters, one pigswill man and a dog - Madge takes her battle right to the heart of government.

All seems lost but, as Madge gains strength from the ghosts of her past, an unlikely idea for a railway of the future takes shape.

Writer: Roy Apps

Reader: Penelope Keith

Director: Celia de Wolff

Sound Design: Matt Bainbridge

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer. The time has come to confront the men in suits.

Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer in Roy Apps's 5-part serial inspired by a true story.

'can I Tempt You With A Fondant Fancy, Miss Bessemer...?'

20211010

Penelope Keith is Madge Bessemer in this 5-part serial inspired by the true story of one woman's fight to halt the closure of her local railway.

Supported by The Lewes and East Grinstead Railway Fighting Committee - two Girl Guides, two train spotters, one pigswill man and a dog - Madge takes her battle right to the heart of government.

All seems lost but, as Madge gains strength from the ghosts of her past, an unlikely idea for a railway of the future takes shape.

Writer: Roy Apps

Reader: Penelope Keith

Director: Celia de Wolff

Sound Design: Matt Bainbridge

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer, now forced to acknowledge that pride goes before a fall.

Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer in Roy Apps's 5-part serial inspired by a true story.

'citizens Of Sussex! You've Nothing To Lose But Your Trains...!'

20211017

Penelope Keith is Madge Bessemer in this 5-part serial inspired by the true story of one woman's fight to halt the closure of her local railway.

Supported by The Lewes and East Grinstead Railway Fighting Committee - two Girl Guides, two train spotters, one pigswill man and a dog - Madge takes her battle right to the heart of government.

All seems lost but, as Madge gains strength from the ghosts of her past, an unlikely idea for a railway of the future takes shape.

Writer: Roy Apps

Reader: Penelope Keith

Director: Celia de Wolff

Sound Design: Matt Bainbridge

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer. Has the Fighting Committee reached the end of the line?

Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer in Roy Apps's 5-part serial inspired by a true story.

'young Man, I Know Precisely What A 'v' Sign Means...!'

20211024

Penelope Keith is Madge Bessemer in this 5-part serial inspired by the true story of one woman's fight to halt the closure of her local railway.

Supported by The Lewes and East Grinstead Railway Fighting Committee - two Girl Guides, two train spotters, one pigswill man and a dog - Madge takes her battle right to the heart of government.

All seems lost but, as Madge gains strength from the ghosts of her past, an unlikely idea for a railway of the future takes shape.

Writer: Roy Apps

Reader: Penelope Keith

Director: Celia de Wolff

Sound Design: Matt Bainbridge

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4

Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer. In her moment of triumph our heroine goes AWOL.

Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer in Roy Apps's 5-part serial inspired by a true story.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	'friday. My Stewed Cabbage And Cold Gravy Day...'	20210926	Penelope Keith is Madge Bessemer in this 5-part serial inspired by the true story of one woman's fight to halt the closure of her local railway. Village Guide Captain Madge Bessemer is not a particular fan of railways. Who needs trains when you've got a 1948 Austin Princess to tootle around in? However, when she discovers that, as part of their closure plans, British Rail are going to auction off the line side footpath, which holds precious memories for her, she determines to put a stop to proceedings. Supported by The Lewes and East Grinstead Railway Fighting Committee - two Girl Guides, two train spotters, one pigswill man and a dog - Madge takes her battle right to the heart of government. But the Prime Minster has just been humiliated by Colonel Nasser and has no intention of suffering a further humiliation at the hands of a village Girl Guide leader. John Profumo, Under Secretary of State to the Minister of Transport and a rising star in the government, is tasked with seeing that Miss Bessemer's plans are consigned to the dustbin of history. All seems lost but, as Madge gains strength from the ghosts of her past, an unlikely idea for a railway of the future takes shape. Everyone loves a fighter and Madge becomes a national hero, finding herself midwife not just to the birth of the world's first preserved standard gauge passenger railway -the Bluebell Line - but also to the UK's multi-million pound heritage railway industry. Writer: Roy Apps Reader: Penelope Keith Director: Celia de Wolff Sound Design: Matt Bainbridge A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer, Chairwoman of the village Railway Fighting committee. Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer in Roy Apps's 5-part serial inspired by a true story.
02	'four Teenagers, One Pigeon Fancier And A Dog...'	20211003	Penelope Keith is Madge Bessemer in this 5-part serial inspired by the true story of one woman's fight to halt the closure of her local railway. Village Guide Captain Madge Bessemer is not a particular fan of railways. Who needs trains when you've got a 1948 Austin Princess to tootle around in? However, when she discovers that, as part of their closure plans, British Rail are going to auction off the line side footpath, which holds precious memories for her, she determines to put a stop to proceedings. Supported by The Lewes and East Grinstead Railway Fighting Committee - two Girl Guides, two train spotters, one pigswill man and a dog - Madge takes her battle right to the heart of government. But the Prime Minster has just been humiliated by Colonel Nasser and has no intention of suffering a further humiliation at the hands of a village Girl Guide leader. John Profumo, Under Secretary of State to the Minister of Transport and a rising star in the government, is tasked with seeing that Miss Bessemer's plans are consigned to the dustbin of history. All seems lost but, as Madge gains strength from the ghosts of her past, an unlikely idea for a railway of the future takes shape. Everyone loves a fighter and Madge becomes a national hero, finding herself midwife not just to the birth of the world's first preserved standard gauge passenger railway -the Bluebell Line - but also to the UK's multi-million pound heritage railway industry. Writer: Roy Apps Reader: Penelope Keith Director: Celia de Wolff Sound Design: Matt Bainbridge A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer. The time has come to confront the men in suits. Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer in Roy Apps's 5-part serial inspired by a true story.
03	'can I Tempt You With A Fondant Fancy, Miss Bessemer...?'	20211010	Penelope Keith is Madge Bessemer in this 5-part serial inspired by the true story of one woman's fight to halt the closure of her local railway. Village Guide Captain Madge Bessemer is not a particular fan of railways. Who needs trains when you've got a 1948 Austin Princess to tootle around in? However, when she discovers that, as part of their closure plans, British Rail are going to auction off the line side footpath, which holds precious memories for her, she determines to put a stop to proceedings. Supported by The Lewes and East Grinstead Railway Fighting Committee - two Girl Guides, two train spotters, one pigswill man and a dog - Madge takes her battle right to the heart of government. But the Prime Minster has just been humiliated by Colonel Nasser and has no intention of suffering a further humiliation at the hands of a village Girl Guide leader. John Profumo, Under Secretary of State to the Minister of Transport and a rising star in the government, is tasked with seeing that Miss Bessemer's plans are consigned to the dustbin of history. All seems lost but, as Madge gains strength from the ghosts of her past, an unlikely idea for a railway of the future takes shape. Everyone loves a fighter and Madge becomes a national hero, finding herself midwife not just to the birth of the world's first preserved standard gauge passenger railway -the Bluebell Line - but also to the UK's multi-million pound heritage railway industry. Writer: Roy Apps Reader: Penelope Keith Director: Celia de Wolff Sound Design: Matt Bainbridge A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer, now forced to acknowledge that pride goes before a fall. Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer in Roy Apps's 5-part serial inspired by a true story.
04	'citizens Of Sussex! You've Nothing To Lose But Your Trains...!'	20211017	Penelope Keith is Madge Bessemer in this 5-part serial inspired by the true story of one woman's fight to halt the closure of her local railway. Village Guide Captain Madge Bessemer is not a particular fan of railways. Who needs trains when you've got a 1948 Austin Princess to tootle around in? However, when she discovers that, as part of their closure plans, British Rail are going to auction off the line side footpath, which holds precious memories for her, she determines to put a stop to proceedings. Supported by The Lewes and East Grinstead Railway Fighting Committee - two Girl Guides, two train spotters, one pigswill man and a dog - Madge takes her battle right to the heart of government. But the Prime Minster has just been humiliated by Colonel Nasser and has no intention of suffering a further humiliation at the hands of a village Girl Guide leader. John Profumo, Under Secretary of State to the Minister of Transport and a rising star in the government, is tasked with seeing that Miss Bessemer's plans are consigned to the dustbin of history. All seems lost but, as Madge gains strength from the ghosts of her past, an unlikely idea for a railway of the future takes shape. Everyone loves a fighter and Madge becomes a national hero, finding herself midwife not just to the birth of the world's first preserved standard gauge passenger railway -the Bluebell Line - but also to the UK's multi-million pound heritage railway industry. Writer: Roy Apps Reader: Penelope Keith Director: Celia de Wolff Sound Design: Matt Bainbridge A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer. Has the Fighting Committee reached the end of the line? Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer in Roy Apps's 5-part serial inspired by a true story.
05	'young Man, I Know Precisely What A 'v' Sign Means...!'	20211024	Penelope Keith is Madge Bessemer in this 5-part serial inspired by the true story of one woman's fight to halt the closure of her local railway. Village Guide Captain Madge Bessemer is not a particular fan of railways. Who needs trains when you've got a 1948 Austin Princess to tootle around in? However, when she discovers that, as part of their closure plans, British Rail are going to auction off the line side footpath, which holds precious memories for her, she determines to put a stop to proceedings. Supported by The Lewes and East Grinstead Railway Fighting Committee - two Girl Guides, two train spotters, one pigswill man and a dog - Madge takes her battle right to the heart of government. But the Prime Minster has just been humiliated by Colonel Nasser and has no intention of suffering a further humiliation at the hands of a village Girl Guide leader. John Profumo, Under Secretary of State to the Minister of Transport and a rising star in the government, is tasked with seeing that Miss Bessemer's plans are consigned to the dustbin of history. All seems lost but, as Madge gains strength from the ghosts of her past, an unlikely idea for a railway of the future takes shape. Everyone loves a fighter and Madge becomes a national hero, finding herself midwife not just to the birth of the world's first preserved standard gauge passenger railway -the Bluebell Line - but also to the UK's multi-million pound heritage railway industry. Writer: Roy Apps Reader: Penelope Keith Director: Celia de Wolff Sound Design: Matt Bainbridge A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer. In her moment of triumph our heroine goes AWOL. Penelope Keith is Miss Bessemer in Roy Apps's 5-part serial inspired by a true story.