Oliver Postgate, Creator of UK's 'Bagpuss', Dies at 83

by Jarrett Martineau | December 9, 2008 at 09:23 am

786 views | 4 Recommendations | 13 comments

Oliver Postgate, creator of the acclaimed UK children's television series Bagpuss, Pingwings, Ivor the Engine, The Clangers, and Noggin the Nog, has died at 83.

[Oliver] Postgate, who lived in Kent, created some of the best-loved children's TV series including Ivor the Engine, the Clangers and Noggin the Nog.

His work, screened on the BBC and ITV from the 1950s to the present day, was often in collaboration with the artist and puppeteer Peter Firmin.

In a poll earlier this year, Bagpuss, a saggy pink cloth cat, was voted the best TV animal of all-time.

Postgate's partner, Naomi Linnell, confirmed he died at a nursing home near his home in Broadstairs in Kent on Monday.

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Rachel Nixon

at 10:15 on December 9th, 2008

This is a shame. Oliver Postgate inadvertently played a big role in my formative years: Bagpuss and The Clangers were my two favourite TV programmes when I was a child. They only made 13 episodes of Bagpuss but I never tired of watching the wise old cloth cat (owned by Emily) and his friends the mice, the academic woodpecker Professor Yaffle, Madeleine the Rag Doll, and the musical Gabriel the Toad, amongst others.

For the cognoscenti, here's a reminder of one of the staples of each programme:

Bagpuss gave a big yawn, and settled down to sleep
And of course when Bagpuss goes to sleep, all his friends go to sleep too
The mice were ornaments on the mouse-organ
Gabriel and Madeleine were just dolls
And Professor Yaffle was a carved wooden bookend in the shape of a woodpecker
Even Bagpuss himself once he was asleep was just an old, saggy cloth cat
Baggy, and a bit loose at the seams
But Emily loved him

MrsWoman

at 11:29 on December 9th, 2008

A few years back, the folk musicians responsible for the charming songs used on Bagpuss went on tour. Imagining only a handful would turn up to the venue in our God-forsaken corner of the world, I was pleasantly surprised that a good crowd turned up to revisit the innocence and magical memories Postgate invoked.

Postgate and Firmin's work is timeless and whimsically gentle; qualities I wish more of today's kids would appreciate. On explaining the more repeated SmallFilms programmes to a niece only a few weeks back, she replied, "But they're so lame...". Ah, but will they remember High School Musical so fondly thirty-odd years on?

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c.patterson

at 11:30 on December 9th, 2008

I could write reams about the wonderful worlds created by Oliver Postgate, and his collaborator, Peter Firmin.
about what they meant to myself, to people of a certain age...and a whole younger generation who still delight in these animated worlds even today.
Magical tales of innocence and gentle adventure.
and maybe I will.

but for now my thoughts are with his family, who have lost a wonderful and creative soul.
May God Bless him.

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tezzer57

at 12:52 on December 9th, 2008

I'm sure many people this morning who are old enough to remember the work of Oliver Postgate, will feel with his death that part of their childhood has been taken away from him...

I've very happy memories of when i was little watching "Bagpuss", "Ivor the Engine" and "Noggin the Nog"...

Compared to today, they really do seem to be be from another age, but they were part of my childhood and always will...

Rest in peace Oliver Postgate and thank you....

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/ben-davies/2008/12/oliver-postgate-2006-february

penzo07

at 12:46 on December 9th, 2008

Respect to Oliver Postgate, creator of Bagpuss, the Clangers and others from my childhood.
This photo was taken at a funfair that visits my town, Loughborough UK every November.
This was in a 'crane grab' slot machine win a prize game.

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Sizemore

at 15:00 on December 9th, 2008

My cat and everyone's cat. RIP Oliver.

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lesandclaire

at 15:34 on December 9th, 2008

Bagpuss in Fes looking down on the medina from Hospital Hill. Xmas 2007

Thanks for that warm nostalgia of childhood at the mere sound of your mellifluous voice Oliver. You and Peter were a big part of my early years from the early black and white days onwards. Proper stories with proper characters made by proper people.

Cheers!

Les & Claire

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fonatic71

at 01:22 on December 10th, 2008

my wife's bagpuss

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ebelthite

at 02:46 on December 10th, 2008

Bagpuss became an icon of childern toys. Everyone loved him, as well as emily...

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Z_dead

at 03:10 on December 10th, 2008

My daughter who is going on 5 loved to watch these on NickJr, this demonstrates the longevity and appeal of Bagpuss, I too used to enjoy watching these when I was a child.

LifeForLola

at 08:59 on December 11th, 2008

These Bagpuss toys were in an amusement arcade in Hastings, UK. I felt sorry for them trapped waiting to be grabbed.

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tracyhughes2_7

at 11:20 on December 14th, 2008

What a shame.

Bagpuss always springs to mind when I think of my childhood.

Didnt realise he lived in Kent either, not too far from the area I know.

Katcal

at 09:11 on December 16th, 2008

Loved bagpuss when I was little, but we used to have a black and white TV, until I was about 5, and then I discovered to my horror that he was PINK!!! I always imagined him to be a ginger tom. Oh well, I got over it soon enough, and my husband bought me this 30th anniversary edition plush with a mouse that sings...

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