Bluntly spoken Yorkshire man Simon Robsby leaves the army for a job selling farm equipment in Sussex. He and his wife Angela (Angie) and two children Lizzie and Mark settle in the pretty village of Shinkley notorious for its strange cults. But Simon has a dark secret that Angie must never know. While exploring the woodlands his children rescue an abused runaway child and take her home. The family adopt little Anna, settle down to life in their new home and make friends. But can Simon keep his dark secret from Angie? Life and Loves in Shinkley is filled with pathos, humour and affection for the Sussex countryside and its people.