Not Just Emily

Another sad one. Yesterday we thought about John Lennon in 1980. Today, we learn that the creator of such classic children's TV as Ivor The Engine, The Clangers, Noggin The Nog and Bagpuss, Oliver Postgate, has died aged 83.

I mentioned Bagpuss less than two months ago in a post here.

The Guardian has some more links to Youtube videos of Postgate's legacy here.

It is easy to get sentimental in such circumstances but a simple goodbye and thank you seems the very least we can say to a man who defined a huge portion of childhood for many of us.

But Emily Loved Him

After yesterday's pronouncement that 5 year olds may be taught about the birds and the bees, comes news that they may get to discover the cat.

• Classic children's characters Bagpuss and the Clangers are set for a comeback after rights to them were sold to the firm behind Purple Ronnie for £400,000.

Without getting too sentimental and becoming a TV talking head reminiscing about remembering Captain Pugwash, I did feel a tinge of excitement at the news. Off I went to Youtube to discover why I failed - many years ago - to answer the perennial quiz question about the colour of Bagpuss. This is where I wax lyrically about only having a black and white TV and no scalectrix but I don't wish to labour my deprived upbringing (young people today with their Wii, ipods and immunisations).