Anne Wood CBE is a British children’s television producer

Television producer

The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...

.

She was born in Spennymoor

Spennymoor

Spennymoor is a town in County Durham, England. It stands above the Wear Valley approximately seven miles south of Durham. The town was founded over 160 years ago...

, County Durham

County Durham

County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...

, England and grew up in Tudhoe Colliery, a small coalmining village nearby.

Her Teaching Years

She qualified as a secondary school teacher through Bingley Training College in Yorkshire and took up her first teaching post back home in Spennymoor. She married Barrie Wood in 1959 and moved to Surbiton in Surrey where she took up a teaching role at Hollyfield Road Secondary School.

This was the era of the first children’s paperback book and Anne became an early pioneer of a children’s paperback book club scheme for schools set up by Scholastic Publications. She retired from teaching on the birth of a daughter and was taken on by Scholastic as Editor of their Children’s Book Club.

Her Children’s Book Years

When the Wood family moved to Byfleet in Surrey Anne expanded her interest in how books and children’s development could be brought together. In 1965 she founded and edited a quarterly magazine BOOKS FOR YOUR CHILDREN, a publication aimed at parents, teachers and librarians and fully supported by children’s publishers. Initially the UK Arts Council supported the magazine with a small financial grant. As a further promotion of children’s books in 1969 Anne set up a National Federation of Children’s Book Groups, an organisation still in existence today. Also in 1969 in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the promotion of children’s books Anne was awarded the Eleanor Farjeon Award

Eleanor Farjeon Award

The Eleanor Farjeon Award is made for distinguished service to the world of British children’s books and is given to someone whose commitment and contribution is deemed to be outstanding. Founded in 1966, it is presented annually in memory of the celebrated author Eleanor Farjeon...

. In 1974 she received the Ronald Pulitzer Award for her work in promoting children’s books.

Her Years As A Television Producer

1. Tyne Tees Television for ITV 1977 Puzzle Party hosted by Gyles Brandreth and featuring Gnigel The Gnu!
2. Yorkshire Television for ITV 1979 - 1983 5 series of THE BOOK TOWER a programme aimed at stimulating children’s interest in books. Hosts included Tom Baker and Stephen Moore. Winner of Children’s BAFTA in 1979 and 1982. Winner Prix Jeunesse 1980. 1982 – 1987 3 series of RAGDOLLY ANNA based on the children’s books by Jean Kenward. Innovative technology brought the ragdoll to life. The series starred Pat Coombs as the dressmaker owner of the ragdoll.
3. Head of Children’s Programmes for TV-AM. In 1983 introduced ROLAND RAT in SHEDVISION. The series is generally regarded as the saviour of the ailing breakfast television service. ROLAND took the audience form 100,000 to 1.8 million. Anne produced 6 further series RAT ON THE ROAD (1983), ROLAND’S WINTER WONDERLAND (1983) filmed in Switzerland, ROLAND GOES EAST (1984) filmed in Hong Kong, RAT ON THE ROAD II (1984), OPERATION FOG I (1984), ROLAND’S COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS (1984). Concurrent with ROLAND RAT Anne produced a Sunday morning series RUB A DUB TUB – a magazine style one hour programme for very young children. It began transmission in February 1983.
4. Ragdoll Production (UK) Limited Anne founded her own independent children’s television production company in 1984.

Productions (with first transmission years):

• POB for Channel 4 1985 – 1987 (3 series) 2 special videos produced: POB AND FRIENDS (1988) POB GOES TO HOSPITAL (1990)
• THE MAGIC MIRROR for ITV 1989 (1 series) British animation series with live action opening and closing sequences. First sponsored (Kellogg’s) children’s programme series shown on British television.
• BOOM! for Channel 4 1990 – 1991 (2 series) Innovative programme series aimed at giving “special needs” children a programme of equal status.
• PLAYBOX for ITV 1988 – 1989 (1 series) (35 programmes)
• ROSIE AND JIM for ITV 1990 – 2000 (8 series)
• BRUM for ITV 1991 – 2001 (3 series)
• TOTS TV for ITV 1993 – 1998 (8 series)
• OPEN A DOOR for BBC 1994 – 2003 (4 series)
• TELETUBBIES for BBC 1997 – 1999 (2 series) (365 programmes)
• TELETUBBIES EVERYWHERE for BBC 2002 (1 series) (52 programmes)
• BADJELLY THE WITCH for BBC 2000 (1 programme)
• BOOHBAH for GMTV and ITV 2003 – 2005 (2 series) (125 programmes)
• WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY for Channel Five 2005 (1 series)
• BLIPS for ITV 2005 – 2006 (2 series)
• IN THE NIGHT GARDEN for BBC 2007 – 2008 (2 series) (100 programmes)
• TRONJI for BBC 2009 (2 series)
• THE ADVENTURES OF ABNEY AND TEAL for BBC 2011 – 2012 (2 series)
• DIPDAP for BBC 2011 – 2012 (1 series) (52 programmes)

AWARDS

PERSONAL

• 1969 ELEANOR FARJEON AWARD (for services to children’s books)
• 1974 RONALD POLITZER AWARD (for book promotion)
• 1997 THE BAIRD MEDAL The Royal Television Society, Midland Centre
• 1998 FELLOWSHIP The Royal Television Society
• 1999 THE VEUVE CLICQUOT AWARD Business Woman of the Year 1998
• 2000 COMMANDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE Services to Children’s Broadcasting
• 2000 BAFTA SPECIAL AWARD Outstanding Contribution in Children's Television and Film
• 2003 WOMEN in FILM & TELEVISION AWARDS The Olswang Business Award
• 2007 The Harvey Lee Award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting British Press Guild Awards
• 2010 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Mother and Baby Magazine

PRODUCTIONS For Yorkshire TV

• 1979 CHILDREN’S BAFTA (for The Book Tower) Harlequin Documentary/Factual
• 1980 PRIX JEUNESSE (for The Book Tower)
• 1982 CHILDREN’S BAFTA (for The Book Tower) Children's Programme (Documentary/Factual)

PRODUCTIONS As Ragdoll Productions

BRUM

• 1990 NEW YORK FILM & TELEVISION FESTIVAL
• 1991 NEW YORK FILM & TELEVISION FESTIVAL
• 1991 BIRMINGHAM (UK) FILM & TELEVISION FESTIVAL

ROSIE AND JIM

• 1992 TV ONTARIO AWARD

MAGIC MIRROR

• 1990 NEW YORK FILM & TELEVISION FESTIVAL (The Goose Girl, The Hobyahs, Jack & The Beanstalk)
• 1990 CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF FILMS

TOTS TV

• 1993 TV QUICK - GOLD AWARD
• 1996 PRIX JEUNESSE
• 1996 CHILDREN’S BAFTA (For Best Pre-School Live Action)
• 1997 CHILDREN’S BAFTA (For Best Pre-School Live Action)
• 1997 RETAIL MARKETING AWARD (Highly Commended) Awards of Excellence (Video Home Entertainment) "Fluffy Little Chicks"

OPEN A DOOR

• 1996 PRIX JEUNESSE for Brazilian episode "The Boy, The Slum and The Pan Lids"
• 1998 FESTIVAL OF LIGHT FILMFEST, Seattle, USA Brazilian episode "Tezi" for “ Most Popular Film of the Festival Award”
• 1998 SEOUL INTERNATIONAL FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL, KOREA First Prize, Short Live-Film Section "Jasper", UK episode
• 2000 PRIX JEUNESSE “Tuli” (Namibia) BMW Special Prize for a programme with limited production facilities.
• 2000 EARLY EDUCATION 28th Contest of the Japan Prize for UK episode “Laura and Barry”
• 2001 GOLD WORLD MEDAL, CHILDREN’S SPECIAL CATEGORY The New York Festivals Television Programming and Promotion Competition for the OPEN A DOOR series
• 2002 GRAND AWARD, BEST CHILDREN’s/YOUTH PROGRAMME The New York Festivals Television Programming and Promotion Competition for the OPEN A DOOR series
• 2004 GOLD WORLD MEDAL The New York Festivals Television Programming and Promotion Competition for OPEN A DOOR series 4
• 2004 THE JAPAN FOUNDATION PRESIDENT’S PRIZE “Yolanda”, Series 4, OPEN A DOOR, South Africa episode Also one of the two runners-up in the JAPAN PRIZE EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM DIVISION
• 2005 BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM 7th Annual BAMKids Film Festival, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), USA “Hic!”, Series 4, OPEN A DOOR, USA episode

BADJELLY THE WITCH

• 2002 FINALIST CERTIFICATE Children’s Programs Category The New York Festivals Television Programming and Promotion Competition.

TELETUBBIES

• 1997 GRAND PRIZE: WINNER, PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION CATEGORY 24th Japan Prize International Contest, Tokyo
• 1997 CITY OF BIRMINGHAM (UK) AWARD Best Midlands Produced Children's Television Production of 1997 (Celebrating a unique contribution to the media industry in the region)
• 1997 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY The Children’s Entertainment Award
• 1997 VIDEO PROGRAMMES AWARD - AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE (Video Home Entertainment)
• 1998 THE NATS INDIES CHILDREN'S AWARD Sixth Annual Awards for Independent Television Productions
• 1998 CHILDREN'S BAFTA Best Pre-School Programme
• 1999 THE NICKLEODEON INDIES CHILDREN'S AWARD Seventh Annual Awards for Independent Television Productions
• 1999 INTERNATIONAL LICENSING INDUSTRY MERCHANDISERS’ ASSOCIATION 17th ANNUAL AWARDS GALA in NEW YORK
  • LICENSE OF THE YEAR
  • ENTERTAINMENT/CHARACTER LICENSE OF THE YEAR
  • ENTERTAINMENT/CHARACTER LICENSEE OF THE YEAR/HARD GOODS (to Hasbro Inc for Teletubbies)
  • ENTERTAINMENT/CHARACTER LICENSEE OF THE YEAR/SOFT GOODS (to Children's Apparel Network for Teletubbies Apparel)
  • INTERNATIONAL LICENSING AGENCY OF THE YEAR (awarded to BBW Worldwide and Ragdoll)
• 2000 BBC AUDIOCALL INDIES CHILDREN'S AWARD Eighth annual awards for Independent Television Production (third consecutive year of winning at the Indies)
• 2000 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY Best Pre-School & Infants Award
• 2003 GHANA’S TV AND RADIO PROGRAMME AWARDS Best Children’s Programme
• 2005 MUMSNET Best DVDs for 0-1s and 1-2s

TELETUBBIES EVERYWHERE

• 2002 CHILDREN’S BAFTA Best Pre-School Live Action Award

BOOHBAH

• 2004 THE FLASH FESTIVAL - PARIS Best Website Experimental Category – www.boohbah.tv

WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY

• 2007 GOLDEN BUTTERFLY AWARD - IRAN Best Short or Medium-length Video Golden Butterfly Award – at 2007 International Festival of Film for Children and Young Adults
• 2007 9th CHINA CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL SPECIAL AWARD – NINGBO, China As selected by a viewer panel comprising solely of children
• 2008 37th ROSHD INTRNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, IRAN GOLDEN STATUE AWARD to “Mahmoud’s Film” (Palestine)
• 2009 CHICAGO CHILDREN’S INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL “Angelina’s Film” (South Sudan) nominated
• 2009 CINE GOLDEN EAGLE AWARD WASHINGTON, USA “Angelina’s Film” (South Sudan)
• 2011 CINE GOLDEN EAGLE AWARD WASHINGTON, USA “Jose’s Film” (Colombia)
• 2011 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL “Tung’s Film” (Vietnam) Best Children’s Category

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN

• 2007 BAFTA CHILDREN’S Best Pre-school Live Action Programme
• 2007 British Toy Retailers’ Association UK Toy of the Year – Igglepiggle Blanket Time
• 2008 Australian Toy Association Australian Toy Hobby & Nursery Fair Pre-school Licensed Product of the Year – Igglepiggle Blanket Time
• 2008 BAFTA CHILDREN’S Best Pre-school Live Action Programme
• 2008 LICENSING AWARDS 2008 BEST LICENSED TOYS or GAMES RANGE In the Night Garden Toy Range from Hasbro
• 2008 LICENSING AWARDS 2008 BEST BABY/PRE-SCHOOL LICENSED PROPERTY (aimed at 0-5 year olds) In the Night Garden
• 2008 LICENSING AWARDS 2008 BEST FOOD or DRINK RANGE In the Night Garden Confectionery Range from Bon Bon Buddies
• 2008 RIGHT START MAGAZINE BEST TOY AWARDS In the Night Garden Sit & Ride, MV Sport & Leisure Ltd for Best Useof Character for the Tombliboos In the Night Garden Gazebo Ball Pool, Martin Yaffe won the Outdoor Category In the Night Garden Wooden Ninky Nonk Stacking Train, DanJam was Highly Commended in the Mini Movers Category
• 2008 TOY RETAILERS ASSOCIATION PRE-SCHOOL RANGE 2008 In the Night Garden by Hasbro
• 2010 BROADCAST Magazine Award Best Pre-school show
• 2010 VOICE OF THE LISTENER AND VIEWER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN BROADCASTING Best Children’s Television Programme

DIPDAP

• 2011 CHILDREN’S BAFTA Best Children’s Short Form Programme

External links

• Ragdoll Productions
• "Ragdoll founder fears for children's TV" by Tara Conlan: Guardian Friday March 23 2007 (include's portrait)
• The Ragdoll Foundation