Review of Born and Bred

Surprisingly,"Born and Bred" dates from the 21st century even though it is set firmly in the middle of the previous one. Perhaps somewhere in the heart of the determinedly "progressive"BBC there lurks a mole who is minded to portray a lost England as not entirely metrosexual,multicultural and "liberal" as so many programme makers do who are now re - writing history to suit their own agenda. Yes there were places that time forgot where families lived happily together,and were content with their lot.You'd be hard pushed to believe so from what passes as "historical" drama on TV nowadays though. And as my generation gradually dies out who is to speak out for what was real and what is re - imagined? Thankfully,all the time "Freeview" has slots to fill up,programmes like "Born and Bred"will continue to be shown,gold amongst the dross of daytime TV but well worth seeking out. We have father and son doctors in practice in a small Lancashire village and various folk -,vicar,publican,copper,stationmaster,shopkeeper and eccentric old ladies without whom no village can flourish - together making a community. Even without rose - coloured glasses life was simpler then. Doctors had no quotas,the railway ran in blissful ignorance of Dr Beeching,the vicar was a tippling card - playing old boy and the shopkeeper had no sign limiting the number of schoolchildren allowed in his premises. The cast manages to do without such useful props as mobile phones and computers and gives every appearance of enjoying the sensation. Mr J. Bolam freed from playing the miserable ex - detective in "New Tricks" is delightful as Dr Gilder senior, a respected,much loved and wily GP.Mr M.French,freed from playing the miserable surgeon in "Holby City" is equally deft as his son. Miss M.Stride,freed from playing the rather oblique wife of an unlikely restaurateur/detective in "Pie in the sky"is equally oblique but a bit more believable as the publican.When she smiled I felt likeapplauding. "Born and Bred" is not cutting - edge TV,but it is hugely enjoyable family fare with likable characters none of whom are hiding some ghastly secret to be revealed in the next episode. Just decent folk doing what they have to do to get along. Just like it was in the 1950s in fact. Catch it before they ban it for being unreal and unhelpful. Because it is neither.