Village Affairs/Village Centenary: Miss Read

Village Affairs (Fairace XIII): Everything seems to be changing in the village of Fairacre. Most disturbing of all are the rumours the village school will close down and a shadow hangs over Miss Read's future as headmistress. Her situation is made worse when her infants’ room teacher decides to leave and the short-tempered Mrs. Pringle becomes more contrary than ever. This isn't the only concern in the village: there are tangled matrimonial affairs and a police investigation to disrupt Fairacre life. But the villagers are determined to face the challenges ahead, whatever they may be. Village Centenary (Fairacre XV): Fairacre School is one hundred years old. Such an event should be celebrated and all of Fairacre is quick to offer suggestions - from a tea party to a full-scale pageant. Deciding how to stage the grand occasion, however, is only one of Miss Read's problems. The ancient skylight in the school is leaking and Mr. Willetts fears that replacing it will be a difficult job. The new teacher, Miss Briggs, fresh from college and full of idealistic theories, proves a thorn in Miss Read's side. The vicar has decided to keep bees and Mrs Pringle is her usual dour self. But as always, the seasons continue to change and the centenary year unfolds with its hopes and fears, its memories and forecasts and its friendships and feuds.