The Spooks of Bottle Bay facts for kids

The Spooks of Bottle Bay was a fun children's TV show that aired on CITV between 1993 and 1995. It was a drama series filled with adventure and a bit of mystery! The exciting stories were created by Ian Allen. The amazing puppets and the detailed sets were designed by John Thirtle. Paul Cole directed the series, bringing the world of Bottle Bay to life. You could find a few episodes on video in the 1990s, but the show hasn't been on TV since 2004.

What is The Spooks of Bottle Bay About?

The show follows the adventures of a kind young man named Sidney Sludge and his loyal blue bulldog Maxwell. They live in a unique place called Bottle Bay. Guess what? The whole town is actually inside a bottle! This bottle sits on a mantelpiece in someone's house.

Sidney and Maxwell often face problems caused by Sidney's tricky brother and sister, Sybil and Cedric. These two are always up to no good! Sidney spends most of his time trying to avoid their schemes. Luckily, he always gets help from the friendly ghosts of Bottle Bay, even if they don't mean to help him directly.

Who Are the Characters in Bottle Bay?

Let's meet the main characters who make Bottle Bay so interesting!

Sidney Sludge and His Friends

Sidney Malcolm Sludge

Sidney is the main character of the show. He's a really nice, friendly, and honest young man. Sometimes he can be a bit slow to catch on, but he always means well. Sidney often looks for jobs around Bottle Bay and even finds love in one episode! A lot of his time is spent trying to avoid the sneaky plans of his brother and sister, Sybil and Cedric. In later seasons, Sidney would say his catch-phrase "Now that's spooky!" at the end of each episode.

Maxwell the Dog

Maxwell is a blue bulldog and Sidney's best friend. He is very loyal and always by Sidney's side. Sometimes, Cedric would even try to take Maxwell from Sidney!

Ted and Lily Turine

Ted and Lily own the Seaview Guest House. This is where Sidney stays in the later series to try and get away from his siblings.

Madge the Housekeeper

Madge works as the housekeeper at the Seaview Guest House.

Joe the Seaman

Joe is a seaman who looks after a ship called the Mermaid Molly. It's docked in the harbour. Joe also has a parrot named 'Bananas'!

Bella Butler

Bella owns The Happy Plaice, which is the fish and chip shop in Bottle Bay.

Brenda Drain

Brenda is Sidney's girlfriend.

The Spooks of Bottle Bay

The Spooks are friendly ghosts who live in Bottle Bay. They often help Sidney, even without him knowing it!

Sally Spook

Sally is one of the leaders of the Spooks of Bottle Bay. She is also the mother of Baby Spook.

Fred Spook

Fred is another leader of the Spooks. He works with Sally to stop Sybil and Cedric's evil plans.

Baby Spook

Baby Spook is a little ghost who lives with Fred and Sally in the House on the Hill.

Betty Bat

Betty is a bat who lives with Fred, Sally, and Baby Spook in the House on the Hill.

Tommy Spook

Tommy is a Spook who wears a red hat and always has a smile. He lives at the Sea View Guest House. Tommy secretly helps Sidney when his siblings cause trouble. Even though he looks a bit mischievous, he's kind and always helps stop Sybil and Cedric.

Lucy Spook

Lucy is Sally's best friend. She lives in the antique shop.

Nancy Spook

Nancy is an Irish spook who lives in the launderette. She often babysits Baby Spook when Sally goes to night school.

Daphy Spook

Daphy is a bright pink spook who wears green glasses and speaks very politely. She lives with Tommy at the Sea View Guest House, where Sidney and Maxwell also live.

Damask the Highwayman

Damask is the ghost of a highwayman. Sally meets him in the first series. He accidentally helps to stop Cedric's plan to steal a lot of money from Sybil.

Other Spooks

There are other spooks too, like Bed Bug Willy Spook and the School Master spook. The School Master leads the night school for younger ghosts. Captain Patch is a spook who haunts the galleon in the harbour. Sally and Fred asked him for help to stop Sybil from stealing diamonds.

Sidney's Tricky Siblings

Sybil Melanie Sludge

Sybil is Sidney's green-skinned, flame-haired sister. She is one of the main villains of the show, along with Cedric. Sybil spends her time planning thefts and trying to defeat the Spooks. But no matter how clever her plans are, the Spooks always manage to outsmart her!

Cedric Montague Sludge

Cedric is Sybil and Sidney's brother. He usually helps Sybil with her plans instead of coming up with his own. Cedric is just as determined as Sybil to get rich, and he will do anything to achieve it.

Other Bottle Bay Residents

Gran

Gran is an old woman who really likes Sidney. She has a cat named Norman.

Duchess of Dingledale

The Duchess is a royal visitor to Bottle Bay. She attends important events like the Dog Show and the Talent Show. She also went to a party on the Galleon, where Sybil tried to steal her diamonds.

PC Twopence

PC Twopence is the police officer in Bottle Bay.

Music from the Show

A musical album called Spooky Musicals was released on March 18, 2004.