“The Trumpton Years........”

“Here is a clock,
The Trumpton clock,
Telling the time,
Steadily, sensibly,
Never too quickly,
Never too slowly,
Telling the time for Trumpton.”

And so began the second instalment in what has come to be known as the Trumptonshire Trilogy. After the initial success of Camberwick Green, Murray expanded the theme moving from the country cousin to the sophisticated action of the big smoke named Trumpton. (Except there never was any smoke not even a fire, but more of that later.......)

The move enabled us to meet a whole host of new characters with different storylines and expanded settings, with the occasional cross over with the residents of Camberwick. Being the metropolis, of course it had its fair share of officials with a Major, town hall clerk and the unforgettable Fire Brigade.

A fresh cast and situations were created using the familiar stop frame filming technique. The same puppetry style, narration by Brian Cant and the storylines revolving around a minor problem, major panic and resolution by tea time bedded the show in easily to a captive audience. Many can be forgiven for mixing up the three shows as they sit so comfortably together.

Arguably the greatest creation was the Fire Brigade, who never actually fought a fire, whether it was seen as too frightening for a younger audience or the risk or filming a fire with flammable puppets too great, one can only ponder. They were kept busy rescuing animals, rocking horses, people from ponds, removing trees and even suffering the indignity of a false alarm. They certainly left a lasting impression with thousands of 30 something’s being able to still recite –
“Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew! Cuthbert, Dibble and Grub”
Being able to recite it correctly however is another matter when often it is sung as “Hugh, Pugh” or “Hugh who? Barney too”. For the life of me I couldn’t understand why there was two fire-fighters called Pugh, until I was enlightened that the rhyme recalls the surnames (with the exception of Barney McGrew) and Pugh, Pugh were twins. DOH!

Trumpton boasts a wide range of facilities including a Town Hall, Square, Clock Tower, Fire Station and various shops. Other establishments are referred to, but never seen including the hospital, bank, church, gasworks and bus station. Were the foundations being laid to revisit them in future programs one can only wonder?

One common thread with the whole trilogy is the large part that music played, providing an ideal opportunity for songs with many characters having their own signature tune including –

Mr Clamp  —  Greengrocer
Mr Antonio  —  Ice Cream Seller
Chippy Minton  —  Carpenter
Miss Lovelace  —  Milliner
Mrs Coppit  —  Flower Seller
Mr Craddock  —  Park Keeper
Mr Robinson  —  Window Cleaner
Mr Munnings  —  Printer
Mr Platt  —  Clockmaker
Raggy Dan  —  Rag & Bone Man
Nick Fisher  —  Bill Sticker
Walter Harkin  —  Painter
Mr Wilkins  —  Plumber
Mr Wantage  —  Telephone Engine

Written by Freddie Philips and sung by Brian Cant, many were reproduced in album format often as a compilation of the three shows. Released in the 1960’s and 1970’s by Music For Pleasure, Polydor, Starline, Pye and BBC Records, they not only featured songs but spoken word stories too. A good variety of these are available for collectors as are bubble bath sets, jigsaws and figures. A varied selection of books includes pop up, colouring, story books and annuals.

One of the most prized collectables is a Trumpton talking fire engine produced by Bradgate. Made in bright red (what else) plastic it has removable fire men and moving crane, it is difficult to find now particularly in good condition with its box.

The recent resurgence in interest has seen items being offered by Beswick (limited release), Royal Doulton and Robert Harrop (all branded as Camberwick Green) who has produced a delightful line of figures and buildings. There are also interesting lithographs from Riviere Publishing.

The ‘Trumpton Years’ was in fact only one — 1967, 12 months after Camberwick Green. The 13 episodes lasting 15 minutes long left a lasting impression on the children of the era and can now be enjoyed again by the magic of DVD.

Follow the link to see the Trumpton items we have on sale.