I have been trying to find a picture of Gladys Whitred (1919-1985) the
classically trained soprano singer who sang on Andy Pandy as well as performed
for Benjamin Britten at the Adelburgh festivals and for the English Opera Group
during the Fifties. Can any one please tell me where I might find such a picture
and other career information for Gladys? Thank you. Richard.

HOW DO YOU DO !
From Tuesday 4th October 1977.    13 programmes.
Carmen Munro with rhymes, stories and counting games.
Illustrations by Joan Hickson.
Designer John Holland.
Written and Directed by Carole Ward.


--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "mathersangela" <mathersangela@...>
wrote:
>
> I have been looking for the name of this show for weeks.I stupidly had Floella
Benjamin as presenter.Can anyone else remember it and fill in the blanks for
me?Also,is there any clips,anywhere?
>
>
> Angela
>

I have been looking for the name of this show for weeks.I stupidly had Floella
Benjamin as presenter.Can anyone else remember it and fill in the blanks for
me?Also,is there any clips,anywhere?


Angela

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freda_Lingstrom


--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "Brian" <bsfraser2003@...> wrote:
>
> TVlives.com states: Maria Bird was a producer at the BBC and the original
narrator of Andy Pandy. Now there is something I'm very satisfied to read, there
had always been some doubt as to WHO was narrating these fifties episodes: If
you listen carefully, it is the same Maria then, who narrated Bill and Ben, as
well as 'Bizzy Lizzy'.
> In Children's Tv On Trial Julia Williams says she voiced the 'Weeeeed' of Bill
& Ben! Vera McKechnie narrated the much later (1970 colour) eps. of Andy Pandy.
> Very little is known of Maria Bird except that she shared an idyllic life with
Freda Lingstrom 'inventor' of children's Tv. David Oswell in his book on
children's television goes into detail about those early episodes: Maria,
narrating addresses the listening audience as well as speaks for Andy; "Have you
got a swing in your garden?-I expect some of you have"
>

I have been trying to find the answer to the above simple question.
Do any of the group know how man of the original b/w episodes of:
1.Andy Pandy 2.Bill & Ben 3.The Woodentops 4.Tales of the Riverbank,
still exist?

I understand there were about 26 episodes of each made.

Can anyone tell me?

Thanks, Peter.

--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "david576265" <davidcjtilley-3@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi, I have just restored a 1951 television and would love to see the
> Watch With Mother episodes again on it. I have them on VHS (no player)
> but it seems the BBC do not issue them on DVD. OR at least I can't
> find them!
>
> Can anyone tell me if these are available on DVD or not?
>
> Thanks - Dave
>  Dave!
A regular Ebayer has the Black and White (50's) originals on Ebay.
They are transfers from the VHS copies to DVD Disc.
Mail me if you can't find them
Hope this helps!
Bryan.

I don't recall ever seeing WWM DVD's, but there are dvd's available for all of
the different programmes that were on WWM, all on amazon.com. Not the same, i
know, but it's still good to know you can still watch muffin the mule and bill
and ben.......etc.

TVlives.com states: Maria Bird was a producer at the BBC and the original
narrator of Andy Pandy. Now there is something I'm very satisfied to read, there
had always been some doubt as to WHO was narrating these fifties episodes: If
you listen carefully, it is the same Maria then, who narrated Bill and Ben, as
well as 'Bizzy Lizzy'.
In Children's Tv On Trial Julia Williams says she voiced the 'Weeeeed' of Bill &
Ben! Vera McKechnie narrated the much later (1970 colour) eps. of Andy Pandy.
Very little is known of Maria Bird except that she shared an idyllic life with
Freda Lingstrom 'inventor' of children's Tv. David Oswell in his book on
children's television goes into detail about those early episodes: Maria,
narrating addresses the listening audience as well as speaks for Andy; "Have you
got a swing in your garden?-I expect some of you have"

Hi everyone,

I loved this program as a kid and am glad that I am not imagining it, as I can't
find it anywhere e.g. dvds, videos, youtube, google.... can anyone help me out
where to find it?

Thanks!

Hi, I've just joined.  I'm wondering if anyone here is a Rubovia fan.  It was my
favorite TV program when i was a kid. My husband and I created a website devoted
to this series (plus some other Gordon Murray works), at www.rubovia.org and are
always on the lookout for more information, viewer's memories, plot outlines,
etc.  Thanks a lot.  jan

Hi, I have just restored a 1951 television and would love to see the
Watch With Mother episodes again on it. I have them on VHS (no player)
but it seems the BBC do not issue them on DVD. OR at least I can't
find them!

Can anyone tell me if these are available on DVD or not?

Thanks - Dave

I've just found where you can hear it and read about the piece here:
http://www.oreshko.co.uk/giulianiAndante.htm


--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "Roger" <maritair@...> wrote:
>
> Im sorry if this is a bit ott but can anyone tell me what that
> wonderful piece of guitar music is called that was used as the main
> theme for the above programme.
> I have been trying to find it for the last 30 + years,
> Many thanks    Roger E Haddock
>

Apparently the guitar piece played is based on 'Andante in C' by Mauro
Giuliani.
MB.


--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "Roger" <maritair@...> wrote:
>
> Im sorry if this is a bit ott but can anyone tell me what that
> wonderful piece of guitar music is called that was used as the main
> theme for the above programme.
> I have been trying to find it for the last 30 + years,
> Many thanks    Roger E Haddock
>

Im sorry if this is a bit ott but can anyone tell me what that
wonderful piece of guitar music is called that was used as the main
theme for the above programme.
I have been trying to find it for the last 30 + years,
Many thanks    Roger E Haddock

--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "cymru87uk" <geraint1@...>
wrote:
>
> I have just joined the bbc archive via their website
>
> There are limited episodes of bbc tv from 50's 60's 70's
> on there for viewing including WWM stuff
>
> People may find this of interest
>
i would like to join this bbc archive, anybody ever watch counterattack
about children on an island invaded by the germans nora

i remember watching counterattack way back and missed the last episode

News just in of the sad passing of Oliver Postgate today, aged 83.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7772620.stm
Dearly remembered for episodes of Pogles Wood, Noggin The Nog, The
Clangers, The Pingwings and Bagpuss amongst others.
Recall some of his greatest work as many happy memories live on here

http://www.smallfilms.co.uk/

I'm sure he will be sadly missed.

Hello Judi.
I just typed "Tales Of The Riverbank DVD" in the Search
Engine "Google" and lots of stuff came up. The DVD can be bought all
over the place and at Amazon too.
So you should be able to pick these up fairly easily.
Kind Regards
Malcolm.


--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "judithchico88"
<judithchico88@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> I used to watch Tales of the Riverbank with my children and now
that
> I am a grandmother would like to watch them with my grandchildren.
We
> used to enjoy all the troubles GP caused.  Does anyone know if they
> are still on TV somewhere or where the DVD can be bought?  Thank
you,
> Judi---
>  In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "malcyb2000" <malcyb2000@>
> wrote:
> >
> > Hello Jane. I have gone through each month for 1953 and can
confirm
> > that Watch With Mother was only shown on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
> > Wednesday was added from September in that year. But Mondays and
> > Fridays had no Watch With Mother programme. On Fridays the
> > 3.45pm/4.00pm slot was filled with either Newsreels, Historic
> Houses
> > Of England or a Science Review.
> > MB.
> >
> >
> > --- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, Jane Hayward
> > <jhw4.writing@> wrote:
> > >
> > > I have been doing some research into Watch with Mother in
> > conncection with 1953.  I have discovered - I think - that
> > children's television was only broadcast 3 days a week in 1953.
Can
> > anyone confirm this please or what would they have watched on
> Friday
> > afternoon?
> > >
> > > Thank you
> > >
> > > JH
> > >
> >
>

I used to watch Tales of the Riverbank with my children and now that
I am a grandmother would like to watch them with my grandchildren. We
used to enjoy all the troubles GP caused.  Does anyone know if they
are still on TV somewhere or where the DVD can be bought?  Thank you,
Judi---
  In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "malcyb2000" <malcyb2000@...>
wrote:
>
> Hello Jane. I have gone through each month for 1953 and can confirm
> that Watch With Mother was only shown on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
> Wednesday was added from September in that year. But Mondays and
> Fridays had no Watch With Mother programme. On Fridays the
> 3.45pm/4.00pm slot was filled with either Newsreels, Historic
Houses
> Of England or a Science Review.
> MB.
>
>
> --- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, Jane Hayward
> <jhw4.writing@> wrote:
> >
> > I have been doing some research into Watch with Mother in
> conncection with 1953.  I have discovered - I think - that
> children's television was only broadcast 3 days a week in 1953. Can
> anyone confirm this please or what would they have watched on
Friday
> afternoon?
> >
> > Thank you
> >
> > JH
> >
>

Hello Jane. I have gone through each month for 1953 and can confirm
that Watch With Mother was only shown on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Wednesday was added from September in that year. But Mondays and
Fridays had no Watch With Mother programme. On Fridays the
3.45pm/4.00pm slot was filled with either Newsreels, Historic Houses
Of England or a Science Review.
MB.


--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, Jane Hayward
<jhw4.writing@...> wrote:
>
> I have been doing some research into Watch with Mother in
conncection with 1953.  I have discovered - I think - that
children's television was only broadcast 3 days a week in 1953. Can
anyone confirm this please or what would they have watched on Friday
afternoon?
>
> Thank you
>
> JH
>

I can remember a lot of puppet shows on the BBC from 1972 till 1989. I have a
friend and we both like the old childerns shows made
by the BBC and ITV. We both like the old puppet show during those dates.
It would be helpful for me to know a lot more about those old puppet
shows like Rainbow and the Sooty Shows during thoes years.
I have seen some of my favourite puppet heroes like Muffin
and Zippy and George in a lot of different places and did you know that
Brian Cant lives in Buckinghamshire.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LOVE FROM MATTHEW FISHER

I have been searching the web for clear photos of the original Bill &
Ben (not the modern charlatans posing as them)
If at all possible I am looking for full length clear photos of the
front and backs of the original puppets.
They do not have to be in the original context or setting but need to
be the original puppets.
If anyone can help me it would be greatly appreciated
Does anyone know where they live now?
Cheers
Tim

If you loved the Schools Interval Music of the 1970s and I980s on UK
television during the day then I would recommend you checkout this new
CD:
http://www.testcardcircle.org.uk/CDS.HTML#whr
No money is made from this CD as all funds go to the hospital charity
concerned.
There are some great daytime uk television interlude pieces on here,
including the 5'26" guitar rock instrumental track "Bart" by Ruby.



--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "malcyb2000" <malcyb2000@...>
wrote:
>
> A new CD produced by the guy behind "A Girl In A
Suitcase", "Department
> TV", "Natural Born Fillers" etc, Steven Wills from Winchester
Hospital
> Radio in the UK has come up with a CD called "Watch With Teacher"
> containing most of those catchy tunes played during the 1970s and
1980s
> before and in-between the Schools broadcasts on ITV along with a few
> like Ruby's "Bart" and "Ardente Elisabeth" from BBC-tv. Also included
> are the original theme tunes to "Watch", "My
> World", "Stop.Look.Listen"and "Meeting Our Needs". More details on
this
> release direct from Steven at: stevenwillstcc@...
>

A new CD produced by the guy behind "A Girl In A Suitcase", "Department
TV", "Natural Born Fillers" etc, Steven Wills from Winchester Hospital
Radio in the UK has come up with a CD called "Watch With Teacher"
containing most of those catchy tunes played during the 1970s and 1980s
before and in-between the Schools broadcasts on ITV along with a few
like Ruby's "Bart" and "Ardente Elisabeth" from BBC-tv. Also included
are the original theme tunes to "Watch", "My
World", "Stop.Look.Listen"and "Meeting Our Needs". More details on this
release direct from Steven at: stevenwillstcc@...

The 'Matronly Voice' of early Andy Pandy/Bill and Ben episodes was
narrator: Julia Williams, I found after an internet search; Julia
also narrated 'Buzy Lizzie' tales as part of Picture Book. I cant
scource a pic of Julia anywhere though.




--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "malcyb2000" <malcyb2000@...>
wrote:
>
> Before Vera McKechnie the pages of Picture Book were turned by
> Patricia Driscoll.
>
>
> --- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "Brian" <bsfraser2003@>
> wrote:
> >
> > Dear Malcyb!!
> > I have FOUND that voice on a you tube clip, please click on
Picture
> > Book where there is a 'Buzy Lizzie' clip well THERE is the
narrator
> > with the 'Matronly/Boomy' voice!! 100% sure IT IS NOT V.McKechnie-
as
> > both voices are in the clip, you'll hear for yourself.
> > Look f/ward to your comments.

> > Brian.

> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "Brian" <bsfraser2003@>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > The 'Matronly' i.e: deeper and more resonant voice is clear in
the
> > > early (1950?) episodes; whereas Vera, if you listen carefully
(esp
> > > in 'Picture Book') sounds more girlish, though stillBBC
ladylike.
> > > The Matronly voice DOES appear in the very first eps of B+Ben!
> > > If someone wrote that book about Watch With Mother wouldn't that
> > > disclose the ORIGINAL lady narrator?? There are NO internet
refs
> to
> > > Maria Bird, so I guess we'll never know if she storytold or not?
> > > Best Bryan.
> >
> >
> > >
> > > In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "malcyb2000" <malcyb2000@>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Nope, I don't think this does clear it up Brian. As you raise
a
> > > valid
> > > > point about the tone in the voice in the three programmes.
> > > > Personally, I think the tone in Bill & Ben of the female
voice
> is
> > > > more akin to Picture Book. Hence it could belong to Vera's.
But
> I
> > > do
> > > > agree the more Matronly voice does appear in Andy Pandy. Plus
> this
> > > > person sings in it as well. Hence the musical connection a la
> > Maria
> > > > Bird perhaps?
> > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "Brian"
<bsfraser2003@>
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > --- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "malcyb2000"
> > > <malcyb2000@>
> > > > > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > If Maria Bird was responsible for the music then I guess
we
> > can
> > > > > > safely assume Vera McKechnie and Peter Hawkins did the
> voices.
> > > > Come
> > > > > > to think of it when she says "no one saw Bill and Ben
> playing,
> > > > only
> > > > > > you and I saw them, but I think the little house may know
> > > > something
> > > > > > about it, don't you?" her voice does sound pretty much the
> > same
> > > > as
> > > > > > the narration Vera gave when she read "Picture Book" with
> > > Sausage
> > > > > > Dog.
> > > > >   Thanks Malcy; this seems to clear it up; though websites
(s)
> > > have
> > > > > said Maria Bird "brings Andy out to play" I always thought,
> > > > > therefore, she had narrated the stories.. When you see Vera
> > > > speaking
> > > > > the lines in Picture Book, she sounds more gentle, unlike
the
> > > > hearing
> > > > > of the Flowerpot Men narration, which is boomy and almost
> > > Matronly..
> > > > > Best
> > > > > Brian.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > > --- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, Robert Horspole
> > > > > > <testcardrob@> wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > The credits on my BBC Video read:-
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >   Scripts: Freda Lingstrom     Music:Maria Bird
Voices:
> > > > Peter
> > > > > > Hawkins
> > > > > > >   Puppeteers: Audrey Atterbury and Molly Gibson
> > > > > > >   Singers: Julia Williams and Gladys Whitred.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >   Hope this helps.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Brian <bsfraser2003@> wrote:
> > > > > > >           Do any members know for sure who narrated The
> > > > Flowerpot
> > > > > > Men originals?
> > > > > > > Speaking in a very BBC English and plummy baritone
voice,
> > now
> > > > > some
> > > > > > say
> > > > > > > it was Maria Bird, others-Vera McKechnie, would love to
> > know.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > ---------------------------------
> > > > > > > Sent from Yahoo! Mail.
> > > > > > > A Smarter Inbox.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

Before Vera McKechnie the pages of Picture Book were turned by
Patricia Driscoll.


--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "Brian" <bsfraser2003@...>
wrote:
>
> Dear Malcyb!!
> I have FOUND that voice on a you tube clip, please click on Picture
> Book where there is a 'Buzy Lizzie' clip well THERE is the narrator
> with the 'Matronly/Boomy' voice!! 100% sure IT IS NOT V.McKechnie-as
> both voices are in the clip, you'll hear for yourself.
> Look f/ward to your comments.
> Brian.
>
>
>
>
> --- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "Brian" <bsfraser2003@>
> wrote:
> >
> > The 'Matronly' i.e: deeper and more resonant voice is clear in the
> > early (1950?) episodes; whereas Vera, if you listen carefully (esp
> > in 'Picture Book') sounds more girlish, though stillBBC ladylike.
> > The Matronly voice DOES appear in the very first eps of B+Ben!
> > If someone wrote that book about Watch With Mother wouldn't that
> > disclose the ORIGINAL lady narrator?? There are NO internet refs
to
> > Maria Bird, so I guess we'll never know if she storytold or not?
> > Best Bryan.
>
>
> >
> > In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "malcyb2000" <malcyb2000@>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Nope, I don't think this does clear it up Brian. As you raise a
> > valid
> > > point about the tone in the voice in the three programmes.
> > > Personally, I think the tone in Bill & Ben of the female voice
is
> > > more akin to Picture Book. Hence it could belong to Vera's. But
I
> > do
> > > agree the more Matronly voice does appear in Andy Pandy. Plus
this
> > > person sings in it as well. Hence the musical connection a la
> Maria
> > > Bird perhaps?
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "Brian" <bsfraser2003@>
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > --- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "malcyb2000"
> > <malcyb2000@>
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > If Maria Bird was responsible for the music then I guess we
> can
> > > > > safely assume Vera McKechnie and Peter Hawkins did the
voices.
> > > Come
> > > > > to think of it when she says "no one saw Bill and Ben
playing,
> > > only
> > > > > you and I saw them, but I think the little house may know
> > > something
> > > > > about it, don't you?" her voice does sound pretty much the
> same
> > > as
> > > > > the narration Vera gave when she read "Picture Book" with
> > Sausage
> > > > > Dog.
> > > >   Thanks Malcy; this seems to clear it up; though websites(s)
> > have
> > > > said Maria Bird "brings Andy out to play" I always thought,
> > > > therefore, she had narrated the stories.. When you see Vera
> > > speaking
> > > > the lines in Picture Book, she sounds more gentle, unlike the
> > > hearing
> > > > of the Flowerpot Men narration, which is boomy and almost
> > Matronly..
> > > > Best
> > > > Brian.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > --- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, Robert Horspole
> > > > > <testcardrob@> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The credits on my BBC Video read:-
> > > > > >
> > > > > >   Scripts: Freda Lingstrom     Music:Maria Bird    Voices:
> > > Peter
> > > > > Hawkins
> > > > > >   Puppeteers: Audrey Atterbury and Molly Gibson
> > > > > >   Singers: Julia Williams and Gladys Whitred.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >   Hope this helps.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Brian <bsfraser2003@> wrote:
> > > > > >           Do any members know for sure who narrated The
> > > Flowerpot
> > > > > Men originals?
> > > > > > Speaking in a very BBC English and plummy baritone voice,
> now
> > > > some
> > > > > say
> > > > > > it was Maria Bird, others-Vera McKechnie, would love to
> know.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ---------------------------------
> > > > > > Sent from Yahoo! Mail.
> > > > > > A Smarter Inbox.
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>