Small Pleasures By Clare Chambers

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Letter

20210222

20240408 (BBC7)
20240409 (BBC7)

But as she becomes more deeply involved with Gretchen, Howard and Margaret Tilbury, things begin to change...

Historical romance novel by Clare Chambers, first published in 2020.

Abridged in ten parts and produced by Jeremy Osborne

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021.

**** Clare Chambers was born in Croydon and studied English at Hertford College, Oxford. After graduating she lived for a year in New Zealand where she wrote her first novel Uncertain Terms at the age of 22. Small Pleasures was a BBC2 Between The Covers Book Club Pick.

Jean investigates the strange case of Gretchen Tilbury.

After receiving a letter claiming a virgin birth, Jean investigates the strange case of Gretchen Tilbury. Read by Monica Dolan.

By Clare Chambers. Jean investigates the strange case of Gretchen Tilbury.

Husband

20210223

20240409 (BBC7)
20240410 (BBC7)

Jean visits Gretchen's husband, Howard Tilbury in his jeweller's shop near Covent Garden.

A novel of unexpected second chances set in 1950s England. Written by Clare Chambers

But as she becomes more deeply involved with Gretchen, Howard and Margaret Tilbury, things begin to change.

Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021.

Jean visits Howard Tilbury, jeweller, at his shop.

Jean visits Gretchen's husband, Howard Tilbury, in his jeweller's shop near Covent Garden. Read by Monica Dolan.

Episode Two

By Clare Chambers. Jean visits Howard Tilbury, jeweller, at his shop.

Matron

20210224

20240410 (BBC7)
20240411 (BBC7)

Jean goes to Broadstairs to talk to Alice Halfyard, the former matron of the St Cecilia Nursing Home.

Written by Clare Chambers

Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021.

Jean visits Alice, the former matron of St Cecilia's.

Jean goes to Broadstairs to talk to Alice Halfyard, the former matron of the St Cecilia Nursing Home. Read by Monica Dolan.

Episode Three

Jean goes to Broadstairs to talk to Alice Halfyard, the for-mer matron of the St Cecilia Nursing Home.

By Clare Chambers. Jean visits Alice, the former matron of St Cecilia's.

Friendship

20210225

20240411 (BBC7)
20240412 (BBC7)

Jean is developing a friendship with Gretchen and Howard, but she must keep up the investigation. In London, she visits Martha - Gretchen's friend from her time at St. Cecilia's.

Written by Clare Chambers

Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021.

Jean visits Gretchen's friend Martha in London.

Friendships develop but the investigation must go on. In London, Jean visits Gretchen's friend. Read by Monica Dolan.

Episode Four

By Clare Chambers. Jean visits Gretchen's friend Martha in London.

Outing

20210226

20240412 (BBC7)
20240413 (BBC7)

With Gretchen's blessing and encouragement, Jean takes Margaret for an outing in London.

Written by Clare Chambers

Produced by Jeremy Osborne

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021.

By Clare Chambers. Prompted by Gretchen, Jean takes Margaret on an outing.

By Clare Chambers. With Gretchen's blessing and encouragement, Jean takes Margaret for an outing in London.

Episode Five

Aunt

20210301

20240415 (BBC7)
20240416 (BBC7)

Gretchen stays home to look after a sick Margaret. Jean and Howard drive off together to visit Howard's aunt.

Written by Clare Chambers

Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021.

Jean and Howard drive together to visit Howard's aunt.

Gretchen stays home to tend to a sick Margaret. Jean and Howard drive off to visit Howard's aunt. Read by Monica Dolan.

Episode Six

By Clare Chambers. Jean and Howard drive together to visit Howard's aunt.

Confusion

20210302

20240416 (BBC7)
20240417 (BBC7)

Gretchen leaves Howard, and everything is thrown into confusion.

Written by Clare Chambers

Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021.

Confusion reigns when Gretchen leaves Howard.

Gretchen leaves Howard and everything's thrown into confusion. A tale of how unexpectedly life can change. Read by Monica Dolan.

Episode Seven

By Clare Chambers. Confusion reigns when Gretchen leaves Howard.

Troubles

20210303

20240417 (BBC7)
20240418 (BBC7)

Jean has been focused on the dynamics of the Tilbury family and her relationship with Howard, but now she has troubles closer to home.

Written by Clare Chambers

Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021.

The Tilburys aside, Jean has troubles closer to home.

Jean has been focused on the Tilbury family, and Howard, but now she has troubles closer to home. Read by Monica Dolan.

Episode Eight

By Clare Chambers. The Tilburys aside, Jean has troubles closer to home.

20210304

20240418 (BBC7)
20240419 (BBC7)

After visiting former patient Kitty, Jean gets closer to the truth of what happened at St Cecilia's.

Written by Clare Chambers

Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021.

Jean closes in on what really happened at St Cecilia's.

After visiting former patient Kitty, Jean gets closer to the truth of what happened at St Cecilia's. Read by Monica Dolan.

Episode Nine

By Clare Chambers. Jean closes in on what really happened at St Cecilia's.

Decision

20210305

20240419 (BBC7)
20240420 (BBC7)

Jean solves the mystery of Gretchen Tilbury. Howard makes a decision.

Written by Clare Chambers

Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021.

All is revealed to Jean and Howard makes a decision

Jean solves the mystery of Gretchen Tilbury, while Howard makes a decision. Concluded by Monica Dolan.

Episode Ten

By Clare Chambers. All is revealed to Jean and Howard makes a decision.

OMNI-01

20240414

20240415 (BBC7)

Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes.

Jean is almost 40 and leads a restricted life with her demanding mother. But as she becomes more deeply involved with Gretchen, Howard and Margaret Tilbury, things begin to change.

Written by Clare Chambers

Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021.

A woman claims her daughter was the result of virgin birth. Read by Monica Dolan.

A novel of unexpected second chances set in 1950s England. Omnibus edition.

The North Kent Echo receives a letter from a woman claiming her daughter was the result of virgin birth. Read by Monica Dolan.

OMNI-02

20240421

20240422 (BBC7)

The concluding omnibus of the last five of ten episodes.

Jean is almost 40 and leads a restricted life with her demanding mother. But as she becomes more deeply involved with Gretchen, Howard and Margaret Tilbury, things begin to change.

Written by Clare Chambers

Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne

A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021.

A Kent journalist continues investigating a woman's claim of having had a virgin birth.

A novel of unexpected second chances set in 1950s England. Omnibus edition.

Kent journalist Jean Swinney continues investigating a woman's claim of having had a virgin birth. Read by Monica Dolan.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Letter	20210222	20240408 (BBC7) 20240409 (BBC7)	But as she becomes more deeply involved with Gretchen, Howard and Margaret Tilbury, things begin to change... Historical romance novel by Clare Chambers, first published in 2020. Abridged in ten parts and produced by Jeremy Osborne A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021. **** Clare Chambers was born in Croydon and studied English at Hertford College, Oxford. After graduating she lived for a year in New Zealand where she wrote her first novel Uncertain Terms at the age of 22. Small Pleasures was a BBC2 Between The Covers Book Club Pick. Jean investigates the strange case of Gretchen Tilbury. After receiving a letter claiming a virgin birth, Jean investigates the strange case of Gretchen Tilbury. Read by Monica Dolan. By Clare Chambers. Jean investigates the strange case of Gretchen Tilbury.
02	Husband	20210223	20240409 (BBC7) 20240410 (BBC7)	Jean visits Gretchen's husband, Howard Tilbury in his jeweller's shop near Covent Garden. A novel of unexpected second chances set in 1950s England. Written by Clare Chambers But as she becomes more deeply involved with Gretchen, Howard and Margaret Tilbury, things begin to change. Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021. Jean visits Howard Tilbury, jeweller, at his shop. Jean visits Gretchen's husband, Howard Tilbury, in his jeweller's shop near Covent Garden. Read by Monica Dolan. Episode Two By Clare Chambers. Jean visits Howard Tilbury, jeweller, at his shop.
03	Matron	20210224	20240410 (BBC7) 20240411 (BBC7)	Jean goes to Broadstairs to talk to Alice Halfyard, the former matron of the St Cecilia Nursing Home. Written by Clare Chambers Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021. Jean visits Alice, the former matron of St Cecilia's. Jean goes to Broadstairs to talk to Alice Halfyard, the former matron of the St Cecilia Nursing Home. Read by Monica Dolan. Episode Three Jean goes to Broadstairs to talk to Alice Halfyard, the for-mer matron of the St Cecilia Nursing Home. By Clare Chambers. Jean visits Alice, the former matron of St Cecilia's.
04	Friendship	20210225	20240411 (BBC7) 20240412 (BBC7)	Jean is developing a friendship with Gretchen and Howard, but she must keep up the investigation. In London, she visits Martha - Gretchen's friend from her time at St. Cecilia's. Written by Clare Chambers Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021. Jean visits Gretchen's friend Martha in London. Friendships develop but the investigation must go on. In London, Jean visits Gretchen's friend. Read by Monica Dolan. Episode Four By Clare Chambers. Jean visits Gretchen's friend Martha in London.
05	Outing	20210226	20240412 (BBC7) 20240413 (BBC7)	With Gretchen's blessing and encouragement, Jean takes Margaret for an outing in London. Written by Clare Chambers Produced by Jeremy Osborne A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021. By Clare Chambers. Prompted by Gretchen, Jean takes Margaret on an outing. By Clare Chambers. With Gretchen's blessing and encouragement, Jean takes Margaret for an outing in London. Episode Five
06	Aunt	20210301	20240415 (BBC7) 20240416 (BBC7)	Gretchen stays home to look after a sick Margaret. Jean and Howard drive off together to visit Howard's aunt. Written by Clare Chambers Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021. Jean and Howard drive together to visit Howard's aunt. Gretchen stays home to tend to a sick Margaret. Jean and Howard drive off to visit Howard's aunt. Read by Monica Dolan. Episode Six By Clare Chambers. Jean and Howard drive together to visit Howard's aunt.
07	Confusion	20210302	20240416 (BBC7) 20240417 (BBC7)	Gretchen leaves Howard, and everything is thrown into confusion. Written by Clare Chambers Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021. Confusion reigns when Gretchen leaves Howard. Gretchen leaves Howard and everything's thrown into confusion. A tale of how unexpectedly life can change. Read by Monica Dolan. Episode Seven By Clare Chambers. Confusion reigns when Gretchen leaves Howard.
08	Troubles	20210303	20240417 (BBC7) 20240418 (BBC7)	Jean has been focused on the dynamics of the Tilbury family and her relationship with Howard, but now she has troubles closer to home. Written by Clare Chambers Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021. The Tilburys aside, Jean has troubles closer to home. Jean has been focused on the Tilbury family, and Howard, but now she has troubles closer to home. Read by Monica Dolan. Episode Eight By Clare Chambers. The Tilburys aside, Jean has troubles closer to home.
09	Close	20210304	20240418 (BBC7) 20240419 (BBC7)	After visiting former patient Kitty, Jean gets closer to the truth of what happened at St Cecilia's. Written by Clare Chambers Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021. Jean closes in on what really happened at St Cecilia's. After visiting former patient Kitty, Jean gets closer to the truth of what happened at St Cecilia's. Read by Monica Dolan. Episode Nine By Clare Chambers. Jean closes in on what really happened at St Cecilia's.
10	Decision	20210305	20240419 (BBC7) 20240420 (BBC7)	Jean solves the mystery of Gretchen Tilbury. Howard makes a decision. Written by Clare Chambers Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2021. All is revealed to Jean and Howard makes a decision Jean solves the mystery of Gretchen Tilbury, while Howard makes a decision. Concluded by Monica Dolan. Episode Ten By Clare Chambers. All is revealed to Jean and Howard makes a decision.
OMNI-01		20240414	20240415 (BBC7)	Omnibus of the first five of ten episodes. Jean is almost 40 and leads a restricted life with her demanding mother. But as she becomes more deeply involved with Gretchen, Howard and Margaret Tilbury, things begin to change. Written by Clare Chambers Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021. A woman claims her daughter was the result of virgin birth. Read by Monica Dolan. A novel of unexpected second chances set in 1950s England. Omnibus edition. The North Kent Echo receives a letter from a woman claiming her daughter was the result of virgin birth. Read by Monica Dolan.
OMNI-02		20240421	20240422 (BBC7)	The concluding omnibus of the last five of ten episodes. Jean is almost 40 and leads a restricted life with her demanding mother. But as she becomes more deeply involved with Gretchen, Howard and Margaret Tilbury, things begin to change. Written by Clare Chambers Abridged and produced by Jeremy Osborne A Sweet Talk production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2021. A Kent journalist continues investigating a woman's claim of having had a virgin birth. A novel of unexpected second chances set in 1950s England. Omnibus edition. Kent journalist Jean Swinney continues investigating a woman's claim of having had a virgin birth. Read by Monica Dolan.