It's been confirmed today that Peter Firmin has passed away at the stately age of 89. Alongside Oliver Postgate, Firmin was responsible for many of the programmes which have gone on to define British children's TV such as Bagpuss, Ivor the Engine, The Clangers and Pogles' Wood to name but a handful.
The strength of Firmin's contribution to British culture is almost unparalleled in terms of longevity; not only was he behind millions and millions of childhood memories that remain active after many decades, but the appeal of his shows has remained strong for one generation after another.
Firmin's passing is, naturally, tinged with sadness, but it also represents yet another break from that rose tinted era when only a handful of channels made up British television. An era when children's TV shows ran for relatively few episodes, but remained ensconced within our hearts for time immemorial. It may seem tiresome to repeat that oft quoted opinion that children's TV from the past was sprinkled with magic, but it was. That's why people are still buying Ivor the Engine mugs and Bagpuss soft toys over 40 years on from their initial broadcast.
The legacy of Firmin's work will continue to delight and entertain millions of viewers for many decades to come. And there can be no finer compliment to Firmin's talents than that.
Loved Childrens TV when I was growing up and without Peter's Work would have been very sad.You left a great Legacy Peter.R.I.P.x
ReplyDeleteA very talented programme maker who make some of the best children's TV,and best TV ever,R.I.P.
ReplyDeleteIn a time when the word is banded around too easily its safe to say both Firmin & Postgate deserve to be honoured with the word Genius. Their programmes were so simple yet unforgettable and the world not just of children's TV but TV in general would have been so much poorer without them.
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