Postman Pat
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Postman Pat is a BBC stop motion animated children's television series aimed at pre-school children, concerning the adventures of Pat, a postman in the (fictional) Yorkshire village of Greendale (inspired by the real valley of Longsleddale). The animated series was originally screened in 1981. It was based on a set of stories by John Cunliffe. Animator Ivor Wood also worked on The Magic Roundabout, Paddington Bear, and The Herbs.
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Pat is the owner of a small black and white cat named Jess, who always travels with him. Other characters include his wife Sarah, the postmistress, Mrs Goggins, Ted Glen, Granny Dryden and the vicar, Reverend Timms. The jaunty theme tune was a big hit, and has enjoyed a revival as a mobile phone ring tone. The theme song has also been parodied for use mainly in school playgrounds.
Several books based around the series were also produced. Merchandise featuring the image of Postman Pat is still popular among children (as well as with parents who grew up watching the programme).
In June 2003, the Beast Banks post office in Longsleddale, the real-life inspiration for the Greendale post office, closed down due to lack of business. On September 15 2004 a plaque was placed at the former post office to mark its role as the inspiration for the Postman Pat stories. The government minister Paul Goggins revealed that his mother was the inspiration for the character of Mrs Goggins in 2004.
In Scotland, Postman Pat is broadcast as "Pàdraig Post", in the Gaelic language, on BBC Scotland. However, it is still advertised in the programme schedules on the BBC Scotland website as "Postman Pat".)
In 2004, a new series of the show was broadcast, with much more fluid animation and even mouth movements. However, some people who grew up with the original series may prefer the original, slower style. Another set of 28 episodes has been commissioned, and will air in autumn 2005.
In the new series, there is more space for plot, and the new series has so far involved:
- Pat having a go on a snowboard.
- Pat scoring a goal in a game of football.
- Julian (Pat's son) and his friends making a beach out of some sand spilt outside the post office.
- An outbreak of chickenpox.
- Julian and one of his friends watching a movie while Pat is taking care of a baby.
- Ted Glen having invented an ice-cream machine, with some rather messy test runs before the bugs are worked out.
- Julian losing the school's hamster (the hamster went on Pat's rounds and kept Jess busy.)
External links
- Postman Pat homepage (http://www.postmanpat.com/)