Our Family: The Edginton’s Wars

Three semi-autobiographical plays by Victor Pemberton telling the story of one family across the 20th century Novelist and playwright Victor Pemberton was best known for scripting Doctor Who and working on Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock. His many plays for BBC Radio included The Slide, Kill the Pharaoh. and this three-part family saga, a love story inspired by the lives of his own parents and starring Nerys Hughes, Nigel Anthony, Sheila Grant and Wendy Richard. The Trains Don’t Stop Here Any More – 1916. When 18-year-old Letty Edginton goes to work in a munitions factory, she meets and falls for Oliver Hobbs, a young man whose leg was severely wounded at the Somme. Despite their different backgrounds and her snobbish mother’s objections, they marry and set up home – but married life proves more challenging than Letty had expected. Don’t Talk to Me About Kids! – It’s 1939, and, like so many other Londoners, Letty and Ollie find themselves living through the horrors of another world war. As German bombs begin to fall on the city, their kids Eddie and Mick are evacuated to the countryside, and their eldest son Ron is called up to fight in the Royal Navy. But Letty is determined that whatever troubles and tragedies lie ahead, her family should survive and be reunited. Down by the Sea – 1963. Letty and Ollie have always dreamed of living by the sea and, having reached their sunset years, they’ve retired to a seaside bungalow bought for them by their children. After a long and happy marriage, they celebrate their Golden Wedding anniversary in the company of family and friends, but back at home, they must face the problems of old age alone... Production credits Written by Victor Pemberton Pianist: Mary Nash 1. The Trains Don’t Stop Here Any More Letty Edginton – Nerys Hughes Beatrice, her mother – Sheila Grant William, her father – Malcolm Hayes Oliver Hobbs – Nigel Anthony Violet – Wendy Richard Tom – Derek Seaton Frank O'Malley – Bill Monks Nicky/Bugle Boy – Adam Godley Bill Brooks – Kenneth Shanley Amy Lyall – Eve Karpf Mr Cotton – Eric Allan Mr Pearson/Gateman – Robert Trotter Directed by John Tydeman First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 July 1978 2. Don’t Talk to Me About Kids! Letty Hobbs – Nerys Hughes Oliver Hobbs – Nigel Anthony Beatrice – Sheila Grant Sam – Philip Sully Violet – Wendy Richard Ron/Malcolm/Train Guard – Jonathan Tafler Florrie – Eva Stuart Colonel Meecham – Laurence Payne Bill Brooks/Warden – Michael Tudor Barnes Tilly Brooks – Emily Richard Mother Superior – Julie Berry Mick – Rickey Coombes Eddie – Nicholas Delve Janey/Doreen – Zelah Clarke Directed by David Spenser First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 14 January 1989 3. Down by the Sea Letty Hobbs – Nerys Hughes Oliver Hobbs – Nigel Anthony Beatrice – Sheila Grant Mick – Spencer Banks Eddie – Sean Barrett Mary – Karen Archer Jonathan – Rory McNicholl Bill Brooks – Michael Tudor Barnes Tilly Brooks/District Nurse – Emily Richard Fred Golding – Norman Bird Gladys Golding/Alice – Joan Matheson Cypriot man/Newsreader – John Baddeley Cypriot woman – Julie Berry Reporter/Charlie – Kim Wall Doctor/Brian – Steven Harrold Guests at the Golden Wedding played by members of the cast Dance band: Les Brown Trio Directed by David Spenser First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 21 January 1989 © 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2026 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd