Worzel Gummidge is a delightful character in a series of childrens' stories created by the novelist Barbara Euphan Todd.
Worzel Gummage with his 'Happy Head' on.
He is a fictional scarecrow and lives at Scatterbrook Farm. He has a set of interchangeable heads of turnips, mangel wurzels, and swedes, each of which suited a particular occasion or endowed him with a specific skill. His best friends are two children who live nearby, called Sue and John, and are always running to his rescue and getting him out of trouble.
In the book he had a wife called Earthy Mangold, sadly in the TV series there was hardly any mention of her, which is a shame because apart from having such a glorious name she was quite an eccentric and quirky character.
This is the only reference to Earthy Mangold that I could find in the form of the original book. I don't know why she was left out of the TV series as she was quite a glorious character. I suspect the writers wanted to concentrate on the character of Aunt Sally, played by the popular actress from TV soaps and British films, Una Stubbs.
Aunt Sally was a great character and portrayed wonderfully by Una Stubbs.
Aunt Sally and the scarecrow she loves to tease, dear old Worzel Gummidge. Sadly, a severe case of unrequited love.
Another character who is integral to the stories is........
The Crowman.
He is the 'Boss' of the scarecrows, he created them all and his job is to look after them, including the rascally Worzel Gummidge.
The Crowman cycles all around the village and visits them regularly. he rides a three wheeler trike, which tows a trailer and the tools of his trade within. It has a basket on the front, which carries his Jack Russell dog called Ratter.
Part of his jobs include restuffing the scarecrows with straw and generally fixing them.
Visiting Worzel Gummidge is a chore because he's never in his field and usually off out somewhere, not necessarily causing trouble, but often in the midst of it! Particularly if there is a slice of cake and a nice cup of tea. Tea and cakes were his passion apart from Aunt Sally.
Right, enough Turnip tales from me.... and thanks to Denise for creating ABCW and to Roger and Co for all their hard work too.Best wishes to all,Di.xxABCW team.
***
Worzel Gummage with his 'Happy Head' on.
He is a fictional scarecrow and lives at Scatterbrook Farm. He has a set of interchangeable heads of turnips, mangel wurzels, and swedes, each of which suited a particular occasion or endowed him with a specific skill. His best friends are two children who live nearby, called Sue and John, and are always running to his rescue and getting him out of trouble.
In the book he had a wife called Earthy Mangold, sadly in the TV series there was hardly any mention of her, which is a shame because apart from having such a glorious name she was quite an eccentric and quirky character.
This is the only reference to Earthy Mangold that I could find in the form of the original book. I don't know why she was left out of the TV series as she was quite a glorious character. I suspect the writers wanted to concentrate on the character of Aunt Sally, played by the popular actress from TV soaps and British films, Una Stubbs.
Aunt Sally was a great character and portrayed wonderfully by Una Stubbs.
Aunt Sally and the scarecrow she loves to tease, dear old Worzel Gummidge. Sadly, a severe case of unrequited love.
Another character who is integral to the stories is........
The Crowman.
He is the 'Boss' of the scarecrows, he created them all and his job is to look after them, including the rascally Worzel Gummidge.
The Crowman cycles all around the village and visits them regularly. he rides a three wheeler trike, which tows a trailer and the tools of his trade within. It has a basket on the front, which carries his Jack Russell dog called Ratter.
Part of his jobs include restuffing the scarecrows with straw and generally fixing them.
Visiting Worzel Gummidge is a chore because he's never in his field and usually off out somewhere, not necessarily causing trouble, but often in the midst of it! Particularly if there is a slice of cake and a nice cup of tea. Tea and cakes were his passion apart from Aunt Sally.
Right, enough Turnip tales from me.... and thanks to Denise for creating ABCW and to Roger and Co for all their hard work too.
Best wishes to all,
Di.xx
ABCW team.
It sounds like this was really a fun show to watch! Too bad we never had it in Canada because I think my girls would have liked it....or is it a new show?
ReplyDeleteLeslie
abcw team
No Leslie it was shown in 1979/81 then shipped out to New Zealand.
DeleteIt was on the radio 1946.
The first book was published in 1936.
It was very popular with adults as well as children although it was
only on TV for a short time it was repeated often over the years .
I was first introduced to him at school in the fifties when he was
on a programme called childrens hour and we used to sit in our
classroom huddled arround a crackly old big brown radio to listen
to him and we had to listen very carefully because out teacher
would test us later !
Our girls loved it...You can pick up some episodes if you google it.
Incidentally, the writer Barbara Euphan Todd attended the same school
as Molly our granddaughter does, down in Bramley Surrey.
Di xx
Seems very enjoyable.... I had not heard of it before, I can't remember it ever being on tv in The Netherlands... feel I've missed something ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi melody,
ReplyDeleteIf you google 'Worzel Gummidge' you'll be able to see some of the episodes,
via you tube..., well worth watching, particularly the ones with Aunt Sally.
Kind regards,
Di.
ABCW team.
I will take a look Di, thank you
DeleteReminds me a little of the late American comedian Red Skelton
ReplyDeleteI vaguely remember him Roger, so now I shall look him up to satisfy my curiosity,
DeleteCheers Di,xx
Very interesting! Thank you Di:)
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome Amit, I'm always pleased to hear
Deletefrom you,
Best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team,
http://actionsspeaklouderitaly.blogspot.com/2016/08/tuesday-votes-short-story-slam-week-51.html
ReplyDeletepowerful.
Amelia,
DeleteThanks for dropping by,
Best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.
This scarecrow looks like a delightful character for kids to watch!
ReplyDeleteJeanette, Worzel is a treat for children and adults alike,
DeleteThere's plenty of the series on YouTube if you want to have a look.
It is easily accessed through Google.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Looks like a fun character--and I love scarecrows.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Hello Ann,
DeleteWorzel is hillarious well worth a watch via google to youtube,
particularly that you like scarecrows,
As I keep saying he's not just for the kids, adults love him
too.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
I will have to look for Gummidge Worzel! I had never heard of him! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Shady Gardener,
DeleteLook him up on Youtube via google.
I hope you enjoy..if you do, please let me know,
Thanks,
Di,
ABCW team
Jolly characters all! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Uppal,
Deletegood to hear from you again and thanks
for your comments,
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI remember him! :-) Genial Greetings!
ReplyDeleteMy "G"stands for GREECE
Hi Nick,
ReplyDeleteAt last somebody knows of him, I think may have picked the wrong
subject this time ! Thanks for your Genial Greetings.
I love Greece, we've had many happy holidays there.
I have fond memories of eating the delicious Kleftika which was cooked
in a tiny clay oven that stood in the doorway at our favourite Taverna,
A good move by the owners to place the oven outside the doorway, it brought
a lot of diners... Golden memories.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Great big gobbledygook! Always nice to remember our childhood...
ReplyDeleteMy "G" is for GARDENS
As I age (slowly) I find my mind wandering back to 'the good old days'. i shall
Deletego over to your garden just now.
Thanks for your comments,
best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Thanks for this informative and interesting post.
ReplyDeleteAnd "G" is for GREEN!
ReplyDeletehttp://olivegardenatwuhuanhui.blogspot.com/2016/08/sundays-whirligig-74-abc-wednesday.html
ReplyDeletewonderful.
Thank you Cindy.
DeleteBest wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Oh, wow, Worzel Gummidge and Earthy Mangold sound delightful. I'm going to look for their books. I'm thinking of entering the scarecrow category in our County Fair. Never made a scarecrow before. Always a first time, right. You've got me excited now, Di. Big hugs to you. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Susie If you find Denise Nesbitt's other site not ABCW, she has loads of info about scarecrows,
ReplyDeleteI go and find a link for you..Thanks for your kind comments,
love Di xxx