The Great Pipkins Reunion

In a response to America's Sesame Street in the early 1970s, the UK's ITV network launched a series of lunchtime kids shows aimed at young children. All the big ITV regions got in on the act. Yorkshire Television brought us a show called Mr Trimble, Hickory House came from Granada TV and of course there was Rainbow from Thames. And from the Midlands came ATV's Pipkins which was filmed at Elstree in the studios next door to The Muppets. 

Pipkins was full of puppet characters including a pig, a monkey and a tortoise. But the one every kid of the 70s remembers is Hartley Hare who over time became the big star of the show.

Here writer Gail Renard, Pipkins presenter Jonathan Kydd who played Tom and puppeteer Nigel Plaskitt join MIM's Ashley Byrne for a trip down memory lane. Will Hartley put in an appearance after all these years? Tune in now to find out.

Meanwhile another blast from the past at ATV (long time 70s announcer Peter Tomlinson) has been brought into introduce this special podcast.

For a full rundown of what's still to come in this series, listen to the promo teaser below these episodes - and make sure you subscribe to the podcast to get regular updates on future series and seasons. 

Distinct Nostalgia - A TV enthusiast's paradise, is produced by MIM Productions: www.madeinmanchester.tv
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The Distinct Nostalgia by MIM theme is composed by Rebecca Applin and Chris Warner.