Oh yes, consider my self quite a tough and stoic grumpy old man but as I type these words I can't stop my eyes watering, not so much seeing the Woodentops again but as others have said on here, what we have lost so much and what we have become. I accept us baby boomers as all old people have done for centuries look back with 'rose-tinted' glasses but when I watch and read the news and what a violent, uncaring and unstable country we are now, things have TRULY changed for the worse. I often wonder, did we back then as the 'Youth Culture' of the 1960s kick off everything that has now changed so much and for the worse, i.e no discipline in schools and was it allowed by our parents because of what our fathers had experienced in WW2 that they did not have it in them any more to be as strict and authoritarian as their fathers had been to them.
@@wakeupuk3860 1955, trouble in Cyprus, Warsaw Pact signed, Cold war under way, Vietnam war on its way. Poverty existed then as it does now, going to the dentist was torture. Mind you kids could play in the street without getting runover!
Yes, I was 2 years old. We might not have had a television until 1956 or 57. But I definitely watched Watch With Mother: Picture Book, Andy Pandy, Bill and Ben, Rag Tag and Bobtail and The Woodentops.
@@martm216PICTURE BOOK!!!!! Thank you so much.... I've been reading all the various comments on this forum and I was trying to think of that programme but I had forgotten the name of it.... Thank you..... It's brought back so many brilliant memories for me, growing up in the 60s.....
@@Anne-Crosby2020 thank you. I am :) it just gets to me when people assume the past were good old times. For some maybe but certainly not for all. There was a lot of poverty in the 60’s & ‘70’s, far worse than now. Also a lot of child abuse, that went un said and un punished, I know about that as well. Esther Ransome helped bring that to light with child line but that wasn’t until ‘86, before that there was nothing to help children report these things. So no, for me I think things are better now.
Woodentops, Andy Pandy, Tales from the Riverbank, Bill and Ben, Pogles, then Camberwick Green, Trumpton and Chigley.....Happy safe times with mum and dad. Wish it was like that now and they were still here to watch them all again with us. 😢
You took the words right out of my mouth and read my mind . lf l could get in a time machine and go back to those happy days l would in an instance .We were so lucky to be young in such wonderful times .
@nannieg7622 Yep, I could well up thinking back about those great times. We were so lucky but we were also carefree and safe and the UK was a better place all round. We didn't have a lot but we were happy and made our own entertainment with simple things. Nostalgia is a wonderful but often sad thing! 😪
Mind you, some things ARE better now, as I watched these progs at a childminder's house not with Mother, sadly.. These days at least there is monitoring of sorts for this!
Oh I totally agree I am so frightened for my grandchildrens future I wish we could turn the clock back when people had morals and Britain was a more pleasant place to live.
mint days no central heating, ice on the inside of the windows, washed in cold water, sugar and bread for a snack, walked everywhere, 1 christmas present, spoilt rotten to day, never had it so easy
Yeh, and me dad would come home every day and kill us all, bury us in the front yard, and dance on our graves signin' alleluya. You tell that to the kids of today ... and they don't believe ya'.
Your comments made me smile... I'm 63 years old and Watch With Mother brings back fond nostalgic memories for me as a child. Andy Pandy, The Woodentops, Tales From The Riverbank and Bill and Ben The Flowerpot Men..... And who remembers the Gerry Anderson programme's like Thunderbirds, Joe 90, Fireball XL5, Captain Scarlet..... Brilliant times back then in my opinion.
I've just come across this, I'm 66 in just over a week's time, it's all come back to me . I'm flabbergasted. With all the rubbish I have to listen to today this has made my day.
I’m 67 yes brings back memories. Did life seem better then ?? Bill & Ben, Andy Pandy, Scooty, The Magic Roundabout, The Wombles. Even Blue Peter was fun. I use to hide behind the sofa at Dr. Who at times. 😂😂. Thanks for putting this out. 🥰
I'm a little older and I bloody loved the past ,yes it was always earn what you had, your parents where hard people not afraid to work ,or clip you round the ear, or clip the kid who hit you , kids had respect put into them ,itcwas give yer seat up for any one older than yer self . Better harder people back then
I loved all the watch with mother programmes, especially when I was off school ill mum would give me hot soup & crusty bread in front of the black & white TV.Happy days.
Times are just awful now in the world.. when I saw this I felt a lovely sense of nostalgia.. no wonder we yearn to go back when we had all our loved ones still with us 💔
Yes when the working class were treated like shit ,and the white working class in turn treated immigrants black and white like shit, Blacks even worse, boy i sure miss those good old days. The good old days of your white thugs paki bashing and treating people like Poles and others like shit. Yep those were for sure the " good old days"
That is when children had imaginations we walked played outside made go carts had dolls scooters bikes now were all glued to our phones forgotten how to have a conversation the old days went all bad
You called em go carts we called em bogies made out of wood and pram wheels, and a bit of rope to steer ,and as many kids on the bogie as possible, and go hell for leather down the steepest street we could find, and no fear, even even we all fell off at top speed, just to get back on, what a laugh just thinking back. But today there all dnow flakes😅😅😅😅😅😅
Yes, im also 68 (69 in May, how the years have flown by). Fridays were my favourite, waiting with my Mum for the Woodentops to come on. Makes me teary just watching this,
@@kimberleyaxxxx934 Yes but not all immigrants were badly treated and by and large they were accepted not like the near future today. Women did not have the freedoms they have today but some go over the top with it these days. Of course it was not all roses, we had rationing and harsh treatment for wrong doers including innocent hangings but overall I think it was better then than now. Just look at rail travel, constant cancellations and a maze of fares but then you could go anywhere on one ticket bought at a booking office and get to your destination. Politicians were, overall, trying to make the country better.
As a kiddie growing up in the 60's this brings back happy memories of a gentler , kinder and simpler time . What l'd give to go back to those lovely days when being a child was being a child and the innocence and joy that went with it . We were truly blessed to live through those times .
I’m 74 always rushed home to watch the wooden tops , the ending part where they all waved goodbye really got me and today I watched this and I still had tears rolling down my eyes may be I’m still a child.
the woodentops, andy pandy, pogle's wood, Bill & Ben, the flowerpot men, camberwick green, trumpton, pinky &perky, thunderbirds, captain scarlet, tales of the riverbank. i remember them all, because i was born at the end of 1962!
This is my childhood back in the early 1960s...now 64 in 2024, The freedom, family unit, the fun I had as a child. We didn't have a car or fancy holidays etc., but so truly loved those times..
I did get a lump in my throat thinking of my wonderful Nan,Grandad, Mum, and Dad. We lived a harsh but happy life. I truly feel sorry for today's children. They are definitely missing out on the magic we all had.
Yes when my mother could afford a sack of coal, the coal man would carry it in his back up a flight of concreted stairs . And it was wonderfull a lovely warm fire banked right up ,and we all managed to get a hot bath and warm feet ,yes they where the good or bad days, but I would go back in the blink of an eye😢
Seems like not alone as an adult fan of vintage children's TV. I remember the series from the early 1960s, not so much the individual episodes. Another children's program I remember from around 1985/66 when I was 7/8 was Space Patrol. Does this still exist? Trouble is watching this children's TV makes me realise how my life has gone. Then it had barely begun, now it is almost over. Don't think I have ever cried so much as an adult, not even at funerals.
Oh such wonderful memories. I used to watch this in the mid 50s, along with Rag, Tag and Bobtail, Andy Pandy, Bill and Ben & Picture Book. My late Mum used to enjoy it as well! Where have all those wonderful times gone - it makes me want to cry. I'm at the ghastly age of 75!
I’m nearly 72…I loved these programs. I only realised watching this, why I’ve always had a love of living in a cottage in the country and having a gingham table cloth! And you’re not at a ghastly age…we are lucky! Well, if we have our health!
Watching this as a young kiddie with my lovely late mum and my baby brother brings back such happy and cherished times . Oh for those blissfully happy days again . l.m 70 and wonder how the time has gone by so fast .
63 year old, I use to watch, Watch With Mother and the many other puppet shows from this show when I was off school. Sat in front of a coal fire. Didn't get much better than that, apart from Christmas time.
It’s nice to reflect I’m 70 and I still enjoy watching them , every Friday at 12pm I sat down by the tv ,it was a real treat . I wish we could have those days back again life is an illusion so every moment of your life is important to remember for nothing returns
@@sixtieschild1035 your words are so perfect my dear lady reflecting back we Had the best years live ,the way people think and behave I’m sad to say Has change for the worst and there is no changing it for better god bless you and thanks for your reply x
I remember sitting with mum watching the wooden tops, and Andy panda. Dam sooo long ago. I agree. You think your mum will be around for ever, I remember sitting on my mums knee. So excited. Andy panda was another. I was born in 1959. And there isn’t a day that goes by. That I don’t think about the innocence of being a kid in the 60s and fond memories. My mum and dad passed 20 yrs ago watching this is a little upsetting because the last time I saw this episode my mum was eating ice cream with me.
I used to watch "Watch With Mother" every day and "The Woodentops" on Friday was my favourite. I loved Spotty Dog. I came across this video by chance and it has made my day. So many happy memories.
No mobile phones no Internet no Knifes on the Streets no Speeding Cars 😢 life was so much better people had more Respect for one Another. We might not have had much but we always look back on the Black and white Days with love in Our Joy and Love in our Hearts ❤
No knives on the street? In 50s Britain? Have you completely forgotten about the Teddy Boys? I seem to recall that smashing up arcades and kniving each other with switchblades were their favourite past times.
I’m now 71, and yes, I too watched this as a child. When I saw this in my You tube feed I thought that I’d reminisce and watch it. As soon as the audio started I was staggered to see that I could remember the intro word for word. Astonishing. 👍😀
Ladydiva when we were in school my brother and 1 were allowed half an hour each of tv. If we were playing out which we usually were we had no tv. We each choose a program so we had an hour lol. I'm 67 and dont watch tv. I never got used to watching my unger brothersnd sister who were born years after my other brother and sister were not restricted warching tvmy sister was born on my 10th birthday and my little brother was born when was12.
Mum had chilled when they came along, lol. We had different dads, so realty they are my half-brother and sister, but we don't act like that they are my little brother and sister. I have a tv i had one for my children they watched when they wanted to. Im 67 now so they have grown my youngest will be back home soon my tv isn't plugged in i unpluged it when he went away in 2019. Hecwill plug it in ehen he comes home h is 23 he enjoys tv. I never got used to watching lol. I do watch movies on my tablet some nights. I enjoy disney plus i watch ncis on that and grey anatomy. But i read a lot
The Woodentops were always my favourite!!! Especially Spotty Dog! Such comforting childhood memories when everything was safe. I'm going to try these on my 2 yr old grandson. I can't bear the modern children's programs, so fast, too much going on, too much colour. too noisy, too busy!
Makes you wonder about all the ADHD, anxiety et C in all ages. Life used to be much quieter and calmer. . gentler pace too. Enjoy with your little one x
I used to love Watch with mother. Whenever I was off school poorly, mum would put this on for me. It was always a surprise as to what was showing.....Andy Pandy, Bill and Ben and all the other favourites. How I wish for those calmer days back again 😊
Ditto Ann….our generation is now in danger of outstaying our welcome. Time to wish them good luck and leave the youngsters to it now. I don’t think their future will be quite the same.
What wonderful memories, watching with Mum whilst she knitted, was sewing or baking....life seemed safe, happy and idyllic then. I work in childcare and so many children cry and cry for their Mummy.....I do hope one day we can go back to how it used to be....
The warmth in your heart, knowing you were safe and loved. We contributers, commenting on here, were the lucky ones. Our mums home knitting or baking. A coal fire glowing in the grate. You need your mum up to at least 5, not a minder however lovely they are. And now the government have introduced funding for 2-year-old childcare, followed soon by 9-month-olds. Tell me somebody please, why bother giving birth at all?
Yes and they wonder why less and less are having children these days... Never wanted to miss those early years myself, much less pay someone else for the privilege!
So lovely to read the comments..so many I want to add as liked..this was my youth too..I'm nearly 55 ..I've just lost my beautiful mum to this s***e virus. Her and dad brought me up on this.I'll cry if I watch or read anymore..
So sorry to hear of your loss, it is so painful losing a parent. I have no words to comfort you, I can only say, through experience that, the pain will ease but the loss is always with you and crying does help.
@@notlob23 it’s still very early days for you…I remember for 20+years, everyday, I’d think of her for some reason or other. The sky was so blue, the birds singing, spring is back, hedgerows with the softest green, seeing her in my dreams, hearing her voice again. But now, I accept she’s not here, I can smile at her picture and say, “good morning mother”. 30 years, and I can still feel her soft cool fingers caress my upturned face. Phew, this is sad. But at least we were loved and we loved back.
Just popped up randomly in you tube...how do the algorithms know that you are in a nostalgic mood....smashing days with my Mum..'.listen with mother' and then this on our rented DER small tv..tears are welling up...😢
I used to watch this but my favourites were Twizzle, Torchy and the wonderful Sara and Hoppity...the theme song of S&H has been in my mind for 60 years now. Also loved Tales of the Riverbank with Johnny Morris, and Blue Peter with Christopher Trace and Valerie Singleton...a magical time!
Aww noooo Torchy the battery boy ,yeesss I loved this aswell. All my childhood oww ,stop !!! I'm now in overflow memories. I'm so melancholy oh the past ,take me back 😢😢😢
It was so naive, so simple but to me, at that time, it was real. I loved the Woodentops, i was enthralled by it, all the childrens programmes then were lovely they were calming, kind and gentle, not like today. I'm 74 and still remember the happiness these programmes brought me. I wish our world was still like this, thanks for the wonderful memories. 🤎🤗😘
What a wonderful memory of childhood, when everything was innocent for children. The babies cry is so familiar can't wait to see if spotty dog is on this, yes he is. I know if I had a child today I would play these old children's TV shows. The narrator and puppets speaking well to give children a good example of language. This does give you such a warm feeling of security and love. [What have we got for dinner today ] I sang that to my daughter and still do to my dogs and cat. I remember Bill and Ben too. I just looked at all the comments and replies, thank you everyone. Many thanks you made my day.
Oh these were the days, Andy Pandy, The Woodentops, Bill and Ben. this was when we lived in a fair and happy country with normal ideology and happy, happy childhoods. No woke, no lunatic activists, nothing but a wonderful life, I'm 64 years old now, I used to have nightmares about my mother and father dying when I was young, it was years after thinking that they would be there forever when I used to watch these shows, and my father always comforted me my saying that his mother and father were both still alive - It soothed me because I thought he was old back then, even though he was probably about 30! Both gone now, dad first fifteen years ago and my mam in 2020. I miss them every day but I still remember really watching these with my mother.
Wooden Tops, Andy Pandy, Sooty, Bill and Ben, Noddy, oh so lovelyit makes me glow all over with happiness remembering those days. On cold days mum and i would make toast on forks over the open coal fire, roast chestnuts in it, and watch these lovely shows. I thought it would go on forever and a day. Makes me listen to the song Those were the Days. I am shedding a few tears thinking of those times.
These comments make me cry. Whatever our circumstances were in the past, a lot of us would love to go back to a simpler time. I'd give anything for one more day at home with mum and dad, brother and sister. I didnt appreciate what I had at the time,
You've now broken me, cos what you said was everything i said I would give my all for one more day as a child with my whole family and ma and dad . I feel do upset 😢
So many poignant and warm memories of being a child in the 1960s, and of course 'Watch with Mother' was an important part. For some reason, out of all the many wonderful programs, I particularly remember 'Joe' very fondly. From around 1966 (when I was six) this was a lovely still frame animation where Joe's family managed a motorway transport café! Narrated by Colin Jeavons (who is still with us!).
Talk about opening windows to memories of a childhood, Like many who have written here I saw the very first episode. Strangest feeling, happy and melancholy at the same time. Thank you for bringing this back to me.
World was a great deal more innocent then, for a moment i was seven again in about 1958, watching this with my sister on a Bush TV53 television, both kneeling over the arm of a big old armchair, now I'm sitting in my own armchair in a Britain i no longer recognise, if anyone ever invents a time machine just dial in 1960 and I'm out of here.
well i never thought i would see this again took me straight back to my 4yo self sitting in front of a very old and very small black and white telly. A roaring open fire going and mum sat on the couch knitting i could even smell her hairspray, thanks for posting,
How well I remember the little opening tune from way back in the early 1960s. It was only years later that I discovered it was A Cow Herds Dance written by Edvard Greig & played on Piano - so evocative. Truly, this simple little affecting Kiddies programme now creates in one a "Recherche pour Temps Perdu". As the poet A.E Houseman would say many decades previously: "This is the land of lost content, I see it shining plain!"
I was3 years old such happy warm memories, watching wooden tops and andy pandy bill and ben ragtail and bobtail muffin uk was a better place then to live
