Small Films

An interesting day as we returned to Canterbury to 'meet' an old friend at the Beaney House of Art and Knowledge: the friend in question being Bagpuss, the 'saggy old cloth cat, but Emily loved him' from BBC Children's television.


All the characters that Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin created are on permanent exhibition, so many, in fact, that some I did not recognise - I'll list later those whose cabinets I photographed (yes, photographs are positively encouraged, though the lighting is not always favourable). Those of us of a certain vintage may recall happy times in front of the TV in the afternoons.


With Bagpuss is Madeline the Doll, Gabriel the Toad, Professor Yaffle and the Mice on the Mouse Organ, even the Biscuit Factory, with the dress that Emily wore. Elsewhere were some of the items that Emily 'found' but I was saddened to note the absence of the Porcupine Pin Cushion, aka the Small Soft Hamish.


What we do see in the exhibition is everything that went into the production; outline  sketches, draft, final coloured draft, individuals with different facial expressions, arms and legs - the list goes on, for each of the series. I did enjoy reading quotes from their children, who were drafted in to assist by painting backdrops or cutting out  limb shapes and being first critic of the actual stories.


But, for me, Bagpuss and Ivor the Engine stand out as these were the family favourites when the Flums were little. Extra of an illustration from Ivor, with the elephant.


All went well until a very loud threesome came in, the gentleman declaring to the ladies how 'these were the actual items used in the programmes' etc etc, such that the entire museum would have been fully informed. We had a chat over the video running and he spoke normally then. But we'd had our fill of nostalgia so, after a wander round the other exhibits and art we headed off for lunch. 


Suggesting a boat trip we pottered down to the river but, on seeing only punts, Mr Flum hesitated and we followed the river westwards to Westgate Gardens, remembered our intention to see St Augustine's Abbey and turned Eastwards along Rope Walk to enter the town at Beer Cart Lane, passing a patch of meadow with corn cockle flowers and comma butterflies feeding on brambles and buddleia.

Our route to the abbey was with the assistance of a local man who guided us so far and gave directions from there, so we had the best part of an hour to take in the information of this historic site with its early Christian heritage, until the closing bell ushered us out.


From there it was a relatively short  walk for our tired limbs back to the Park and Ride bus and a car ride to Wye. Temperature today more comfortable, with cloud cover and balmy breeze