The Woodentops (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Woodentops |
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| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 26 |
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| Running time | 15 minutes |
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| Original network | BBC Television |
| Original release | 9 September 1955 – 2 March 1956 |
The Woodentops was a popular children's television series from the United Kingdom. It first appeared on BBC Television in 1955. The show was created by Freda Lingstrom and Maria Bird. It was a regular part of the Watch with Mother program on Fridays. Many children enjoyed watching it until 1973. The series taught young viewers about family life through the adventures of a family living on a farm.
Contents
Discovering The Woodentops: A Classic Children's Show
The Woodentops quickly became a favorite for young audiences. It showed the everyday lives of a family and their friends on a farm. The show used puppets to tell its stories, making it a fun and engaging way to learn about family life.
Meet the Woodentop Family and Friends
The show centered around the Woodentop family, who lived on a busy farm. Each character brought their own special touch to the stories.
- Daddy Woodentop
- Mummy Woodentop
- Jenny Woodentop
- Willy Woodentop
- Baby Woodentop
- Spotty Dog – known as "the very biggest spotty dog you ever did see!"
Jenny and Willy were twins. They often did things together, showing how siblings interact and play.
Other characters who helped out on the farm included:
- Mrs Scrubbitt – She helped Mummy Woodentop with household tasks.
- Sam – He assisted Daddy Woodentop with the farm animals.
- Buttercup the Cow – One of the friendly farm animals.
Bringing the Puppets to Life: The Creators
Many talented people worked to create The Woodentops. They made the puppets move and speak, bringing the farm stories to life for children.
- Scripts and Music: Maria Bird wrote the stories and composed the music for the show.
- Puppeteers: Audrey Atterbury, Molly Gibson, and Gordon Murray skillfully operated the puppets.
- Voices: Eileen Browne, Josephina Ray, and Peter Hawkins gave voices to the characters. Maria Bird also narrated the show and voiced Mummy Woodentop.
- Designs: Barbara Jones created the look of the characters and their farm setting.
The Magic Behind the Scenes: Production Details
Creating a television show in the 1950s was different from today. The Woodentops was filmed in a simple tin shed at the BBC's Lime Grove Studios. This shows how creativity can thrive even with basic equipment.
The show had a unique style. Each episode started with the whole Woodentop family sitting on a stage in front of a tall curtain. They would be in the same pose at the end, with the word "GOODBYE" appearing on screen.
The show's memorable theme music came from a Norwegian folk song. It was a piece called "Kulokk" by Edvard Grieg, which means "Cattle-Call." This short, sweet melody was used for the introduction and ending of each story. Mummy Woodentop sometimes hummed this tune during the episodes.
A fun fact about the puppets: In 1983, the original puppets were stolen from the BBC! Luckily, they were found a year later at an auction in London and returned safely. Today, you can see these historic puppets in the Museum of London's permanent collection.
A Lasting Legacy: The Woodentops Today
Even decades after it first aired, The Woodentops remains a beloved part of British television history. Its simple charm and educational focus have left a lasting impression.
In 2009, characters from The Woodentops made a special appearance. They were in The Official BBC Children in Need Medley music video. This video became a number one hit in the UK Singles Chart. Jenny and Willy Woodentop were featured in the video, and Jenny even appeared on the cover of the CD and DVD! This shows how popular the Woodentops still are, even for new generations.
