The British Animations Awards 2012 organisers are conducting an online poll and discussion forum to discover the UK’s All Time Favourite British Animated Character. The British Animations Awards ( BAA ) say on their website that “this is designed to celebrate the rich heritage of notable and well-loved animated characters”.  You can nominate and discuss your favourite characters for consideration for their shortlist on their website: www.britishanimationawards.com  The winner will be announced at the British Animation Awards 2012 on 15th March.

The British Animations Awards organisers are asking the public to nominate present favourites and also “cast your minds back to best-loved characters from the past”. They give you a helping hand by suggesting characters like Simon’s Cat, Wallace or Gromit or Roobarb or Custard, Dangermouse, Bagpuss , Bob the Builder, Noggin the Nog or Captain Pugwash; or more contemporary characters like The Meerkat or virtual cartoon band the Gorillaz.

As I write this blog on Pancake Day, I am transported back to childhood, with memories of the excitement of Mum tossing the pancakes ( usually with disastrous consequences!! ), one of the few events in the year that were allowed to interrupt my  Children’s Hour TV viewing!! So what were your all time favourite animated children’s programmes? My earliest recollections go back to circa 1966 and Black & White TV – “Bill & Ben” and “Andy Pandy”. Then a little later in colour came “The Banana Splits” ( 1968 – 1970 ), along with the ghost hunters in “Scooby Doo” and the glory hunters in “Wacky Races” ( who can forget the villainous Dick Dastardly and his loveable sidekick Mutley?! ).

In the early 1970s “Children’s Hour” came to an end with a five minute segment from the psychedelic world of “The Magic Roundabout” or the slightly creepy and bizarre “Hector’s House”. Both were equally bonkers – take your pick between a menagerie comprising a dog ( Dougal ), a snail ( Brian ), a cow ( Ermintrude ) and a rabbit ( Dylan ) OR a ménage a trois involving a dog ( Hector ), a cat ( Zaza )and a frog ( Kiki ). Later the news bulletin at 5-45pm was preceded by “Parsley and the Herb Garden”, “Crystal Tips and Alastair” and “Captain Pugwash” ( how did the BBC get away with the chracters Master Bates and Seaman Staines?!! ) And then in 1973 along came our furry, litter picking friends from Wimbledon Common. Yes it all changed in 1973, with the advent of The Wombles, who very quickly grabbed the nation’s hearts, minds and wallets with a host of spin off merchandising, including five Top 20 hits the following year, 1974!!

1974 was also the year that saw the arrival of two other perennial favourites, “Roobarb and Custard” and “Bagpuss”. Meanwhile US imports “Top Cat” and “The Flintstones” gave we kids access to the glamour of American culture. However, even as a child I was very much an anglophile and preferred the pastoral “Camberwick Green” and it’s neighbouring villages “Trumpton” and “Chigley”. Occasionally I was allowed to watch TV at lunchtime over a plate of spaghetti hoops – “Watch with Mother” showcasing the alternative worlds of “Pogle’s Wood” or “Mr Ben”.

So what were your favourites? Let us know in the Reply Box below. And did you ever buy the theme music of your favourite animated children’s programmes as a vinyl single? As a reminder, here is MyFirstRecord.co.uk’s Top 5 TV Theme Tunes / Songs –

Top 5 Animated Children’s TV Show Theme Tunes / Songs

1)  Jackie Lee – Rupert ( Rupert the Bear )

2)  Henry Mancini – Theme to the Pink Panther

3)  Wombles – Wombling Song

4)  The Dickies – Banana Splits

5)  Bob The Builder – Can We Fix it?

 

You can immortalise your favourite TV show themes from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s in your own home or office, by ordering your favourite TV show theme on vinyl record or CD single; framed and mounted as a picture disc. ORDER NOW by clicking on…….. http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Alternatively this would make a unique present or original gift for a special celebration  ie a Wedding ( Wedding Song ), a 30th, 40th, 50th or 60th Birthday, a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s Day or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!! THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!