Clangers

The Clangers memorably spoke in a language played on swannee whistles. No one expected them to have scripts. But they did. Within an ancient barn nestled in the heart of the Kent countryside, Smallfilms founders Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin created one of the most beloved BBC children’s series of the twentieth century: Clangers. Clangers: The Complete Scripts 1969–1974 is the ultimate compendium of scripts from the original two series of the show in one lavishly illustrated volume. These previously unseen scripts sit alongside original writing from Daniel Postgate – son of the original creator Oliver Postgate – exploring the inspiration for and lasting cultural impact of the show, new and historical photographs, Peter’s original illustrations, Oliver’s handwritten musical notations and more. The joyful revelation that the Clangers’ often colourful words were scripted in English brings an exciting new dimension to the Smallfilms legacy.

The Clangers live on a blue cratered moon, far away in space. They make their homes in underground caves, with saucepan lids protecting the entrances. Resembling small pink anteaters, the adorable knitted Clangers have transfixed audiences for the past forty years. This fantastic book will allow you to knit your own Clanger. Choose from Major, Mother, Granny, Small and Tiny. Also includes instructions on making the friends of the Clangers – the Soup Dragon, Iron Chicken and of course the Froglets. There are insider tips and tricks to create your very own Clanger planet with step-by-step instructions for Tiny's boat and Major's rocket as well as sets and trees. Learn how to make scenery, backdrops and props, and perfect that distinctive Clanger whistle! Made by Smallfilms, Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin's series Clangers started in November 1969, just four months after NASA's moon landing. The programmes were originally broadcast by the BBC from 1969–1972 and a new series, narrated by Michael Palin, began in June 2015.

Ivor the Engine, Noggin the Nog, Pingwings, Pogles Wood, Clangers, and Bagpuss - the iconic animations produced by the Canterbury-based Smallfilms studio between 1958 and 1984 - constitute a significant thread of British cultural history. The lasting appeal of the imagined worlds created by Smallfilms is evident in the highly-successful BBC reboot of Clangers (2015-present), which has introduced a whole new audience to the pink moon mice. As well as the shows likely to be famiilar to readers, this history expands the Smallfilms story to include those less well-known animated shows that nonetheless played an important part in the studio's history. Through extensive studio access, interviews with many key Smallfilms collaborators, press and audience analysis, Chris Pallant provides a comprehensive and definitive historical record of the studio's work. Beyond Bagpuss is illustrated with 100 images from the Smallfilms archive, including those that have not previously been published.

Oliver Postgate is widely regarded as the greatest children's storyteller of the modern era. His work, which included The Clangers, Ivor the Engine, The Pogles, Noggin the Nog and, most famously, Bagpuss, is beloved by generations. In this delicious memoir Oliver Postgate describes how he came to create his stories and characters, developing innovative techniques of animation and puppetry alongside his friend and co-producer Peter Firmin. Amazingly, almost all of Oliver's films were made in a cowshed in Kent on a budget of next to nothing. The story of Oliver Postgate's extraordinary and adventurous life, and the wonderful characters who populated it - both real and imagined - is witty, charming, beautifully remembered and exquisitely told.

The music for science fiction television programs, like music for science fiction films, is often highly distinctive, introducing cutting-edge electronic music and soundscapes. There is a highly particular role for sound and music in science fiction, because it regularly has to expand the vistas and imagination of the shows and plays a crucial role in setting up the time and place. Notable for its adoption of electronic instruments and integration of music and effects, science fiction programs explore sonic capabilities offered through the evolution of sound technology and design, which has allowed for the precise control and creation of unique and otherworldly sounds. This collection of essays analyzes the style and context of music and sound design in Science Fiction television. It provides a wide range of in-depth analyses of seminal live-action series such as Doctor Who, The Twilight Zone, and Lost, as well as animated series, such as The Jetsons. With thirteen essays from prominent contributors in the field of music and screen media, this anthology will appeal to students of Music and Media, as well as fans of science fiction television.

Interaction Design explores common pitfalls, effective workflows and innovative development techniques in contemporary interaction design by tracking projects from initial idea to the critical and commercial reception of the finished project. The book is divided into six chapters, each focusing on different aspects of the interaction design industry. Exploring design projects from around the world, the authors include examples of the processes and creative decisions behind: – Apps, games and websites – Responsive branding – Complex, large-scale services – Interactive museum installations – Targeted promotions – Digital products which influence real-world situations Each case study includes behind-the-scenes development design work, interviews with key creatives and workshop projects to help you start implementing the techniques and working practices discussed in your own interaction design projects. From immersive tourist experiences, to apps which make day-to-day life easier, the detailed coverage of the design process shows how strategists, creatives and technologists are working with interactive technologies to create the engaging projects of the future.

A sweeping history of how ecological challenges have shaped English society over the last sixty years. England’s Green explores how environmental concerns have shaped and reflected English national identity since the 1960s. From agriculture to leisure, climate change, folklore, archaeology, and religion, David Matless shows how national environmental debates connect to the local, regional, global, and postcolonial worlds. Moving across a breadth of material including government policy, popular music, ecological polemic, and television comedy, England’s Green shows the richness and complexity of English environmental culture. Along the way, Matless tracks how today’s debates over climate and nature, land, and culture, have been molded by events over the past sixty years.

An indispensable resource, this book provides wide coverage on aliens in fiction and popular culture. The wide impact that the imagined alien has had upon Western culture has not been surveyed before; in many cases the essays in Aliens in Popular Culture are the first written on the topic. The book is a compendium of short entries on notable uses of aliens in popular culture across different media and platforms by almost 90 researchers in the field. It covers science fiction from the late nineteenth century into the twenty-first century, including books, films, television, comics, games, and even advertisements. Individual essays point to the ways in which the imagined alien can be seen as a reflection of different fears and tensions within society, above all in the Anglo-American world. The book additionally provides an overview for context and suggestions for further reading. All varieties of readers will find it to be a comprehensive reference about the extra-terrestrial in popular culture.

“An excellent collection of creative activities....Full-color photographs show a wide variety of children in action....Safety is stressed throughout...fun, engaging text is well written....Pair it with the author’s Zany Rainy Days...to keep youngsters busy year-round.” —School Library Journal. Winner of the Disney Adventures Book Award.

British and Irish cuisine, rich in tradition and flavour, has faced challenges in adapting to the modern world. Renowned for its hearty ingredients and lengthy cooking times, this style of cooking often clashes with today’s fast-paced lifestyle, where time is precious and health consciousness prevails. Moreover, these cuisines are known for their quirky and sometimes whimsical dish names. This cookbook celebrates the unique and oddly named dishes of British and Irish fare, offering just under 200 recipes for culinary exploration. Each recipe is preceded by a story delving into the dish’s history and distinct features. While some dishes remain widely recognized and cherished classics, like ‘the full English,’ ‘colcannon,’ ‘toad in the hole,’ and ‘bubble and squeak,’ others are regional favourites, such as ‘scouse’ in Merseyside and ‘parmo’ in the North East. There are also lesser-known, rarely eaten delicacies like ‘apple hat’ and ‘collier's foot.’ For those intrigued by the misleading, such as ‘squab pie’ (made with lamb, not pigeon) or ‘Glamorgan sausages’ (meatless, cheese-based sausages), this book is a treasure trove of culinary surprises. And for the more adventurous, how about trying ‘toenail pudding’ or a slice of ‘fly cemetery’? This book promises to pique your curiosity and introduce you to the charming eccentricities of British and Irish cooking.