Well this has been one of the most enjoyable opinions I have researched for Dooyoo. I felt inspired to write this as a few days ago my Dad brought me a whole host of mysterious boxes after having a pre-moving clear out. To my delight I discovered old school work and dolls and toys I had no idea had even been kept. Apart from a few very sentimental items that have followed me into adulthood, I assumed everything else had been binned. So I spent a strange but happy nostalgic weekend rediscovering my childhood. What better time than to write an opinion on my top ten children’s television programmes?

It’s been quite difficult to reduce my list to ten because in my surfing across the web I’ve come across so many forgotten programmes that spark flashes of love and laughter and mystery and magic in my mind. Still – somehow I’ve managed it and given a mention to those that didn’t make it to the main list – just for the sake of it.

Keepsakes – that’s what these programmes are. What is fed into us when we are young goes into making the landscape of our dreams. Television, books, music – all are pieces of us. I believe that when we are children we have a clearer idea of who we are. Before the world descends upon us we are happy just being ourselves and we already know well the spirit that resides in our little body. When I look at the stories that compelled me to watch, the drama’s that had me still and a million miles away from the sofa, it all makes sense now. I already knew of the white horse, the longing for the sea and the wind and the fields and ancient times. But these weren’t the only pieces of me. No - there was room for laughter and silliness too. They were the forgotten things that now remind me how serious I can be and that I wasn’t always just a serious child. For much of the time I was – but sometimes I laughed and laughed and laughed…

Sitting he
re at my computer this evening I have been catapulted back into those times when having a colour telly meant you were moving on up in the world. I can almost smell the Victoria spongecake my Mum used to bake and we ate at tea-time on Sundays. I recall the boring sit through “Portrait of a Village” which I would probably love now but hated as a child. I stuck it out though because afterwards would come the Sunday evening children’s television – tales of Narnia and the like. I can recall running home from school when I was 5 so I wouldn’t be late for Play School. I remember my unnatural hatred for Captain and my adoration of Paddington. I was captivated by Tom’s Midnight Garden and the Secret Garden, irritated by the kids on Why Don’t You (but I wanted to be one!), and speechless when the phone was answered when I rang Multi-Coloured Swapshop (thank God it was just the researcher I hung up on). Saturday mornings were full of Tiswas on telly and Misty Magazine (anyone else remember that brilliant scary girls mag?). Ah childhood days…

Right then – lets stick on that old Basil Brush LP, sit Sindy on my knee (eehwww dolls are creepy!) and settle down with lashings of ginger beer. Are you sitting comfortably?

1) THE MOON STALLION

Oh well now you didn’t think I could write this list without horsey programmes being top of it now did you *grin* .
The Moon Stallion has haunted me for years. It was THE most magical, beautiful and fantastic story I ever saw when I was young. It literally spoke to me and I see now it had a heavy hand in pulling me onto the present path I now take in life. I wear an Uffington Whitehorse around my neck and that is the name I am known by. When I visited the actual place a few years back I was completely overwhelmed with emotion. For so long I had wanted to walk up the hill and stand in that ancient eye and spin my wishes into reality as Diana did in the serie
s. I didn’t actually do the latter as the National Trust prefer people not to wear away the figure with tramping feet. Even so, just to stand at the edge of the horse and look over at Dragon Hill was a dream fulfilled.

The story centres around a blind, young Diana and her psychic link with the mysterious legends attached to the Uffington White Horse hill figure. The most beautiful white horse ever (in my humble opinion) appears to pull her onto a journey of discovery. The actual folklore attached to this mystical hill figure is woven into the storyline, as is the ancient art of horse whispering. Intrigue and mysticism abound in this series which was made in 1977. I was the tender age of 9.

The theme to the series was wonderful with that folky “I’m dancing in the forest” feel. In fact I loved it so much that I learned to play it on the recorder and performed the whole thing at the school music concert with the orchestra backing me. If one programme has haunted me into adulthood it is this one. To my delight I recently discovered that the series is now available on video so guess what I’m buying for myself this Xmas?

Writer: Brian Hayles
Producer: Anna Home
Diana SARAH SUTTON (she went on to play Nyssa in Dr. Who)

2) WHITE HORSES

Okay – kinda obvious huh?

I was very happy to see this programme listed on the top one hundred children’s tv shows a few weeks ago. It was one of those programmes that had escaped me for years. In my minds eye I could vaguely remember a dubbed programme that featured Lippizaners (the white horses of the famed Vienna Riding school). I could see flashes of scenes in my mind and could capture the feelings I had as I watched it but I couldn’t actually remember it. As soon as the theme music began to play though, it all fell into place. I remembered how much I loved watching this. When I was a child it seemed so amazing that these childre
n spoke a different language to me, that this was filmed in a country I had never seen. I loved the scenery and of course the horses. According to my research it was made in 1968 – the year of my birth  The famous theme tune “On White Horses” was sung by Jacky.

The story centred around Julia (Helga Anders) and the adventures she has with the lippazaners. The stories didn’t have the mystery of the Moon Stallion but captivated me nonetheless.

Take it as read that Black Beauty deserves a place here too but the Moon Stallion and White Horses are two programmes that could just about define the core of me. Perhaps I could add here though that the beginning titles of Black Beauty can still reduce me to tears! Likewise with Follyfoot.
Whitehorse disappears into memory land singing
“Grow, grow the lightening tree…”

3) KIZZY
Oh wow – another series that I fell in love with and would still watch today. In fact I still have the book somewhere: you know, one of those comfort books that you read when the winter rain beats on the roof and the wind howls around the house? I remember when I first got the book out of the library and was excited to find that a short list of Romany words was included at the back of the book. “Diddakoi” frequented my language right into adulthood; even to the point of naming one of my dogs “Kizzy Dids” The novel by Rumer Godden which spawned the series is called Diddakoi and won the Whitbread chidrens book of the year award in 1972.

Kizzy is half Romany, half Irish and lives with her Gran in traditional caravan pulled by Joe the family horse. She dresses like a gypsy (I thought she looked wonderful!) and is consequently teased by the kids at school. I can still remember the scene where one of the children smash her head against a stone when bullying her. Then, when her Grandmother dies, Kizzy has a fight on her hands to save h
er horse and her heritage.
These are the adventures of Kizzy (played by Vannessa Furst) and how she lives in two worlds – the world of the Romany and the modern world of houses and water on tap. In my memory it still retains the magical spark of the Romany ways and I for one am very proud of my heritage. Ah for a wagon and horse…

4) LIZZIE DRIPPING
My Goodness – how could I have forgotten this wonderful funny series? I was only reminded of it a few days ago whilst having a “do you remember?” conversation with friends. I think I wanted to BE Lizze Dripping! I loved her. She made me laugh with her endless pranks and secret conversations with the witch of Little Hemlock village that no one but her could see. The series was made in 1971 so I am presuming that it was repeated at some point as I would only have been 3 then. I can find little information about the series on the net. There seems to be no books sparked by the programme and no video’s. If anyone knows any different then please leave me a message in the comments section.

Creator: Helen Cresswell
TINA HEATH as Lizzie Dripping /
SONIA DRESDEL as The Witch

5) CHILDREN OF THE STONES
Thinking about this show can still send a shiver up my spine. Kind of “The Wicca Man” for kids. I can remember being afraid whilst watching this programme. I also remember my Mum seemed to like this one although she was never one for watching kids tv. Perhaps she just happened to be sitting down at the time.
The little village of Milbury is surrounded by a stone circle. When Matthew and his astrophysicist father (Adam) arrive in the village they discover a mysterious power emanates from the ancient stones – a power that is taking over the village. I don’t remember whether this was actually filmed in Avebury or whether my memories are getting mixed up here but certainly the idea is drawn from Avebury Stone Circle.


There is an excellent website at http://www.btinternet.com/~sarsen/children/episo.h tml
Here you can find an episode guide and cast info
Children of the Stones was made in 1977 and written by Jeremy Burnham

Adam was played by Gareth Thomas (who of course went on to become Blake in Cult Sci-Fi series Blakes 7)

6)WORZEL GUMMIDGE

“A cup o’ tea an’ a slice o’ cake”

Worzel Gummidge was definitely a relation of Catweazle – another bizarre kids programme that I loved but sadly can remember little about. I just remember the beard and the name. Worzel however is still fresh in my mind. Jon Pertwee brought the scarecrow with many heads to life with great gusto. Children John and Sue Peters befriend Worzel when they move to the countryside and the series is about their adventures along with wooden Aunt Sally who is the love of Worsel’s life. Aunt Sally however is most certainly not impressed as she is far to upper class to got out with the likes of him! I can still hear Una Stubbs who played Aunt Sally in my head when I think about the show. My favourite memories however are Worzel changing heads to suit the occassion and the robin he kept in a nest in his chest.

Worzel Gummidge 1979-81
Written by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hill
JON PERTWEE as Worzel Gummidge
UNA STUBBS as Aunt Sally
JEREMY AUSTIN as John Peters
CHARLOTTE COLMAN as Sue Peters

There is a scarily comprehensive unofficial site at http://www.worzelgummidge.currantbun.com/
If you are wanting to re-live your Worzel Days. On here you can discover as I did the long history of Worzel Gummidge who’s life began in around the 1930’s. Did you know that Wozel Gummidge or The Scarecrow of Scatterbrook Farm
Was chosen to be the first Puffin book published in 1941. You learn something everyday!

7) JACKANORY
Do you know this programme ran for 30 years? It was finally axed
in 1995 and I for one felt quite sad when I heard the news. Somewhere along the line, children on mass seem to have lost the art of being enthralled by the ancient art of storytelling and Jackanory was ditched – probably to make room for some other mad cartoon or noisy slapstick that seems to be preferred by the millenium kid. Ooops my cynacism seems to have seeped out rather a lot there. Now I do know that there are a few kids who do enjoy listening to stories but sadly I see few. In the age of computer games in a world where everything is fast, fast, and supplied on demand – where does the simple story fit in? A story where one has to use imagination to create excitement rather than images simply being supplied straight into the eyes? Yes some stories were illustrated but the beauty of this series was simply the listening. So many personalities read wonderful stories that I could lose myself in. I loved the sound of Richard Briers, Brian Cant, Kenneth Williams, Bernard Cribbans – these are the voices of my childhood. Oh yes and Derek Griffiths – I have to mention him too as my Dad always used to remind me he used to go to school with him – everytime he was on the telly!

8) THE FLINSTONES
I had no idea that the original series was made even before I was born. Saturday nights would have been empty without me and my Dad laughing at the antics of Barney, Betty, Wilma and Fred. This cartoon series was spectacularly inventive and created by the cartoon Gods William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. These two certainly made a mark on many children’s minds – from the Flinstones to Tom and Jerry, Top Cat (another favourite) and Scooby Doo. These cartoons where wild and funny yet never seem as “busy” as the newer kiddies cartoon does. Perhaps these were made for adults too because I can still sit down a giggle at all of these.

The Flinstones is kind of set in the stone age and every day-to-day object is giv
en a stone age twist. Even the pet is a little dinosaur named Dino. When I watch the Simpsons I often think that Homer reminds me of Barney and Fred all rolled into one.
Sadly the cartoon never really translated to the big movie screen, much as they invested time and money into the special effects. There were various spin-offs from the show such as The Flinstones Comedy Show and Frankestone but nothing beats those early episodes.

Joseph and Barbera 1960-66
ALAN REED as Fred Flinstone
JEAN VANDER PYL as Wilma Flinstone & Pebbles
MEL BLANC as Barney Rubble & Dino
BEA BENADERET as Betty Rubble
DON MESSICK as Bamm Bamm

9)ANIMAL MAGIC
Johnny Morris – Now there’s another voice I know and love! Animal Magic was on our screens for years, 1962-84 to be precise. Basically it was an early dawning of something like the Really Wild Show – only without that sexy blond guy ;-) Animal Magic certainly was magic however. Johnny Morris had an uncanny anthropomorphical wisdom. The voices he used for the animals in his keeping where just perfect. Every movement by the monkey’s, elephants and birds was turned into a hilarious animal commentary which could probably still make me laugh today. Nowadays I’m not big on zoo’s but I love the way this programme brought the wonders of the animal kingdom to children like me. I still remember the seal called Gemini and the song.

10) THE CLANGERS
What a wonderful surreal, bizarre world. Oliver Postgate is perhaps another voice of childhood I should include. I adored the Clangers. Recently they seem to have made a bit of a comeback – along with the magic roundabout. Hhmmm…nowt to do wi’ Cannabis suddenly becoming class C then?
Seriously trippy, the Clangers are strange, pink handknitted frame by frame animated creatures living on a moon like planet. Their language (made by one of those weird pipes that I don’t know the name of)
was completely unintelligible but as a child it seemed to make perfect sense – or was I just a strange child? The Soup Dragon was the loveable baddie of Clanger World. For some reason he always reminds me of Professor Yaffle of Bagpuss fame. Good grief – another that hasn’t made my list. Saggy old cat.

http://www.clangers.co.uk/home.htm

Going to this page will immerse you into the whole world of the Clangers – production details, episode guides, how to make a clanger and oh yes – an audio file of tiny clanger speaking that has just sent my dog loopy! Dog owners be warned – turn your speakers down!

So there you have it – a glipse into my childhood . A wandering through the ancient pathways of my mind and heart. Credit goes to the folowing sites for help on details

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.seymour1/ukb ookguide/
http://www.tvchronicles.com/childrenstv/kidstv m2.htm

Also for title sequences for some of these shows and many others go to
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/ilove/tv/titles/inde x.shtml
– you need real player to view them though.

Lastly as promised – a rather long mention to other shows that I knew and loved when I was young.

BASIL BRUSH (BOOM BOOM! What more can I say?)
BLUE PETER (because I cried when the dog died, and I never had double sided sticky tape)
BOD (because it was just so odd!)
CHAMPION THE WONDER HORSE (because it’s about a horse for goodness sake!)
CHOCKY (because it was about aliens)
FINGERBOBS/FINGERMOUSE (because it seemed magical but watching a clip recently was a big let down)
FOLLYFOOT (do I really need to explain?)
THE GHOSTS OF MOTLEY HALL (because it was about ghosts and had me in hysterics)
GRANGE HILL (because it was cool – apparently)
HONG KONG PHOOEY (only because I remember the theme music)
HOW (whitehorse hold up right hand and says HOW in a deep voic
e)
LASSIE (because we always had collies when I was a kid)
MICHAEL BENTINE'S POTTY TIME (because it was weird)
MONKEY (because it was Chinese, badly dubbed and fantastic)
MR BENN (because I wanted to visit the costume shop)
THE PINK PANTHER SHOW (because it was groovy and pink)
PIPKINS (who can forget Hartley, Topov and Pig?)
PLAY SCHOOL (because Johnny Ball was just wonderful!)
RAINBOW (but I always hated Rod, Jane and Freddy)
RECORD BREAKERS (because my cousin did the mass tap dance thing)
SKIPPY THE BUSH KANGAROO (yes I was the one who liked it – along with FLIPPER)
SPIDER-MAN (even though it was meant to be a boy’s programme)
THE TOMORROW PEOPLE (because the theme music was great)
VISION ON (because it was just plain weird and I never knew it was for deaf children at the time. Also Tony Hart helped me to learn to draw.)
THE WOMBLES (because I loved Orinocho)
THE WOODY WOODPECKER SHOW (because my Dad used to laugh too)
YOGI BEAR (just because Boo Boo)