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.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

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.
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

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.
> > >
> >
>

--- 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.
> >
>

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.


--- 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.
>

Enjoyed watching this program during the 1950s. All I remember was that
the program closed with a rabbit hopping down the road.

I'm assumming it was Bobtail. Am I correct? Which Watch with Mother
program ended like that?

Any help would be appreaciated.

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.

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.

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the watchwithmother
group.

   File        : /   PICTURE BOOK THEME/Bach - Orchestral Suite
No.2-Badinerie.mp3
   Uploaded by : malcyb2000 <malcyb2000@...>
   Description : Picture Book Theme

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/watchwithmother/files/%20%20%20PICTURE%20BOOK%20TH\
EME/Bach%20-%20Orchestral%20Suite%20No.2-Badinerie.mp3

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/files

Regards,

malcyb2000 <malcyb2000@...>

I'm trying to identify the 'Picture Book' theme tune, and I'm hoping
someone here can help out. TIA.

Here's some more info Linda taken from "The Internet Movie Database"

Based on the children's novel of the same name by Rumer Godden, this 10-
part stop-motion animated mini-series tells the story of Tottie, a
small wooden Dutch doll, and her "family of dolls", which were made up
of Mr Plantaganet ("father"), Mrs Plantaganet aka Birdie ("mother"),
Apple ("little brother") and Darner (pet dog). Their wish for a proper
home was finally fulfilled, when their owners' relatives gave them an
old dolls' house which they found in the attic of a deceased Great
Aunt's house. Happiness, however, was short-lived. One day, Tottie's
owners were given a beautiful doll which used to live in the dolls'
house. Her name was Marchpane, and as the saying goes, "Do not judge a
book by its cover", Marchpane's beauty was just superficial. She was
mean and heartless, and over time, she took control of the dolls' house
and ultimately caused the death of Birdie. With this being a children's
program, it created quite a controversy when this show was first aired
on TV. Written by Noor Azhar

--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "Linda Bennett" <lindabb77@...>
wrote:
>
> TOTTIE
> From Monday 6th February 1984.                First series of 5 films.
> From Wednesday 17th September 1986.    Second series of 5 films.
> Tottie, a dutch doll made of wood, and her friends Mr. Plantagenet
and
> Apple,
> who all live in a dolls' house.
> By Rumer Godden.
> Voices by Anna Calder-Marshall, Nancy Gair & Olwen Griffiths.
> Music by David Heneker.
> Animated & directed by Oliver Postgate & Peter Firmin.
> A Smallfilms Production.
>

TOTTIE
From Monday 6th February 1984.                First series of 5 films.
From Wednesday 17th September 1986.    Second series of 5 films.
Tottie, a dutch doll made of wood, and her friends Mr. Plantagenet and
Apple,
who all live in a dolls' house.
By Rumer Godden.
Voices by Anna Calder-Marshall, Nancy Gair & Olwen Griffiths.
Music by David Heneker.
Animated & directed by Oliver Postgate & Peter Firmin.
A Smallfilms Production.

Has anyone any info on this movie that was on BBC a long time ago.
thanks, linda

In the "Files" area here something new!
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/watchwithmother/files/
My latest articles and full A-Z details of every BBC-1 five-minute
5.44pm children's programme, e.g. "The Magic Roundabout", "Hector's
House","The Wombles","Morph","Roobarb", etc etc....
PLUS
"SMALL TIME" Full Details of ITV's answer to the BBC's "Watch With
Mother" slot, with programmes such as "The Pingwings","The Music Box",
"Torchy The Battery Boy","The Adventures Of Twizzle","Ivor The Engine"
etc, etc.
...enjoy!
Malcy B

Hi Sue
Sugarball was made by Yorkshire TV between 1968 - 69
the puppets were made and performed by Eric Bramall and Chris
Somerville of The Harlequin Puppet Theatre in Rhos on Sea North Wales
Chris Somerville wrote the script and still runs the theatre.
This might bring back the memories

http://ww.puppetmagic.co.uk/images/sugarball.jpg

Tim.


--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "sue41harrison"
<sue41harrison@...> wrote:
>
> can anyone help me I remember when i was a kid i used to watch a
> programme called either saugar ball lived in the jungle or big cheif
> bilo does anyone else remember this kids programme no one else \i speak
> too seems to recall this programme can anyone help. please email me
> at
>
> sue41harrison@...
>

can anyone help me I remember when i was a kid i used to watch a
programme called either saugar ball lived in the jungle or big cheif
bilo does anyone else remember this kids programme no one else \i speak
too seems to recall this programme can anyone help. please email me
at

sue41harrison@...

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

There are at least 2 episodes available on BBC VHS Tapes
Watch with Mother and Watch with Mother 2
Try Ebay auction site or Amazon.
I'm sure you'll pick up copies very easily and quite cheaply

It's a shame that BBC4 are only doing documentaries at the moment
about Children's TV and very few single episodes are being shown

Think they have missed a trick here or is that my wishful thinking


--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "Lee Paul Richards"
<paul_richards3@...> wrote:
>
> This is it seems one surviving episode of the above. Is it possible to
> obtain it somewhere?
>

This is it seems one surviving episode of the above. Is it possible to
obtain it somewhere?

I am searching for the written music to the woodentops programme.

Good God yes I'd totally forgotten about that one
Will try it in google soon
It's not what I was thinking of,well don't think it was. I recall it
was a Welsh language type of Blue Peter / Magpie type thing
but could be wrong, it was over 40 years ago ........
Many thanks

--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "malcyb2000" <malcyb2000@...>
wrote:
>
> There was this Welsh children's magazine programme
called "Telewele".
> As far as England was concerned it went out each Saurday lunchtime
> between 12.25pm and 12.50pm. If that helps...
>
>
> --- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "cymru87uk" <geraint1@>
> wrote:
> >
> > I remember watching a puppet series in the mid to late 60's
centred
> as
> > I recall around the living room of a house/cottage and maybe
> involving
> > a talking poodle, bit vague on that one
> >
> > Does anyone have a similar memory of this series and/or further
> > information about it
> >
>

There was this Welsh children's magazine programme called "Telewele".
As far as England was concerned it went out each Saurday lunchtime
between 12.25pm and 12.50pm. If that helps...


--- In watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com, "cymru87uk" <geraint1@...>
wrote:
>
> I remember watching a puppet series in the mid to late 60's centred
as
> I recall around the living room of a house/cottage and maybe
involving
> a talking poodle, bit vague on that one
>
> Does anyone have a similar memory of this series and/or further
> information about it
>

I remember watching a puppet series in the mid to late 60's centred as
I recall around the living room of a house/cottage and maybe involving
a talking poodle, bit vague on that one

Does anyone have a similar memory of this series and/or further
information about it

> I talk to my grandchildren about watch with mother, bill and ben, andy
> pandy etc. I would love to be able to show them some footage. Can
> anyone help I would pay any reasonable amount?
> Alan


Hi Alan
I think I can help you here.
Drop me a line on stirlingnash@... and I'll let you know.
Barry

--
GMX FreeMail: 1 GB Postfach, 5 E-Mail-Adressen, 10 Free SMS.
Alle Infos und kostenlose Anmeldung: http://www.gmx.net/de/go/freemail

I talk to my grandchildren about watch with mother, bill and ben, andy
pandy etc. I would love to be able to show them some footage. Can
anyone help I would pay any reasonable amount?

Alan

Can anyone help I am looking for a good picture of spotty Dog
Many Thanks
Paul

> It was the vhs copy of Bill and Ben 1 that I was looking for.
> I can send you the copy of Bill and Ben 2 tomorrow if you send me the
> address,Jay Ps.Your other e-mail address has been bouncing!

when you say "copy" do you mean you don't have the original tape?

I don't have the original tape of Bill And Ben 1 any more but I can send you a
DVD or I can copy the DVD down onto a VHS tape if you prefer it that way.
I can send it with a copy of the original artwork so basically there's no
difference to an original as I still have some brand new HQ tapes to copy onto.
If you have trouble with the    stirlingnash@...    email address, you can
try my other address at    stirlingnash@...    which has never given me any
worries.

My address is:

STIRLING NASH
HOHENZOLLENRING 161A
13585 BERLIN
GERMANY

Don't forget to let me know what I can send you in return.
--
"Feel free" - 10 GB Mailbox, 100 FreeSMS/Monat ...
Jetzt GMX TopMail testen: http://www.gmx.net/de/go/topmail

It was the vhs copy of Bill and Ben 1 that I was looking for.
I can send you the copy of Bill and Ben 2 tomorrow if you send me the
address,
Jay


Ps.Your other e-mail address has been bouncing!

_________________________________________________________________
Share folders without harming wildlife!
http://www.communicationevolved.com/en-ie/

Hi Jay
No,didn't hear from you since you wanted to go to a relative or something to
collect the tape.No more mails since then.
You then wanted to let me know when you have it.
I can't remember which tape you wanted as swap.
I've sold a lot of my old stuff since then but maybe what you wanted is still
here. I remember you didn't want DVDs and that's why I wanted your tape.Not
neccessarily to buy but to borrow to copy onto DVD and then return with a DVD
copy as thanks.
Anyway,let me know what we were actually talking about and we'll see.
Better is direct:

stirlingnash@...

Bye
--
"Feel free" - 10 GB Mailbox, 100 FreeSMS/Monat ...
Jetzt GMX TopMail testen: http://www.gmx.net/de/go/topmail

In message <BAY13-F19B99A93B1090FF4C8B2EFCE530@...>, Jay Dee
<jayjay20062007@...> writes
>Hi,
>not sure if you were getting my e-mails but we arranged for a swap of the
>tape a few months back and I've been mnailing you about it the last few
>weeks but havn't got a reply.Are you still interested?
>
Hi.  I have replied directly to your e-mail address.  My address is on
there also.  I do remember, I can only swap with content from 1970s.
OK?
>
>>From: "rickygitarre" <stirlingnash@...>
>>Reply-To: watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com
>>To: watchwithmother@yahoogroups.com
>>Subject: [watchwithmother] Flowerpot Men 2 Video
>>Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 14:39:21 -0000
>>
>>Hi everybody.I've now got about everything from 50's/early 60's Watch
>>With Mother series (that was issued on VHS)on DVD! I'm still looking
>>for Flowerpot Men 2 on VHS.Does anyone have this tape and can lend it
>>to me? I will return the tape in the same condition plus a DVD version
>>as a thank you.I would of course buy the tape outright.So,tons of
>>replies please!!
>>
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>Make free PC-to-PC calls with no loss of life!
>http://www.communicationevolved.com/en-ie/
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

--
James Robinson