A sunny Saturday so I dragged Ted along to visit some old friends.
The Victoria and Albert Museum’s Museum of Childhood was built in 1872 as an eastern complement to the museums in South Kensington.
V&A Museum of Childhood
It then evolved from a general extension of the V&A into its specialist childhood arm.
It’s a pretty amazing space.
Interior of the V&A Museum of Childhood
The Clangers, Bagpuss and Co. exhibition, which features the work of Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, featured many characters from the “golden age” of children’s television.
Noggin, King of the Nogs, on his journey to meet his wife-to-be, Nooka.
Ted and I were lucky enough to be children when many of these were shown on the BBC, and it was very lovely to see how these old shows, some of which are still enjoyed by the little people in our lives, were put together.
Sketch of Ivor the Engine
The paper models were made in three sizes, for closeup, regular and long-distance shots. The attention to detail is quite wonderful.
Details of Jones the Steam, a true Welsh hero
The faces are just so expressive. Some of these pieces of paper are very tiny indeed. The Thor Nogson heads below are about an inch high each.
Thor Nogson, looking slightly intimidated by the Ice Dragon
Their work is so meticulous, and yet is underpinned by such creative anarchy.
Welsh sheep and Mrs Porty’s foxes. Mrs Porty was the best.
Ted even bumped into an old colleague.
My second-favourite professor.
Then we came home for a hot supper. I think the Soup Dragon would have approved.
Clangers family
The exhibition is open until Sunday, 9 October and admission is free.
Time for bed.
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