The Treacle People
Encyclopedia
The Treacle People was a children's television programme shown on CITV
in the United Kingdom
, from 3 May 1996 to 25 July 1997. It only had two series, each with 13 episodes. The programme was short lived due to a lack of viewers. In a similar vein to other shows by the same writer, the humour worked on two levels for younger and older viewers. It was produced by The London Studios
for London Weekend Television
(Granada Television produced the second series) and Fire Mountain Productions in association with Link Entertainment.
) and Johnathan Trueman and was based in a fictionalized version of the Northern English village of Sabden
, in Pendle, where treacle
is (allegedly) a natural resource extracted through mines
. However, the mines have run dry from overextraction, and the village may face destruction from a lack of economy. The main characters, Wizzle and Rosie, use a Treacle finder, similar to a water dowser, to discover a vein of treacle in the abandoned mines, bringing hope to the village. The two series focus on reopening the mines, and problems faced (such as exportation). One of the recurring support characters was the Moobark, a cross between a Friesian cow and an Airedale Terrier
.
in the UK, but was never shown elsewhere, but it will coming to Cartoon Network TOO
soon during the Cartoonito block for preschoolers. It featured on Channel 4
before The Hoobs
, and a microsite still exists. It is now repeated on Channel 4 weekday mornings.
There is an official website still maintained (but not updated) featuring the second episode of the first series, known as "The Great Escape".
CITV
CITV is a British television channel from ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It broadcasts content from the CITV archive, as well as commissions and acquisitions. CITV itself is the programming block on the main ITV Network .The CITV channel broadcasts from 06:00 to 18:00...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, from 3 May 1996 to 25 July 1997. It only had two series, each with 13 episodes. The programme was short lived due to a lack of viewers. In a similar vein to other shows by the same writer, the humour worked on two levels for younger and older viewers. It was produced by The London Studios
The London Studios
The London Studios is a television studio complex which is owned by London Weekend Television and has been home to the London Weekend ITV provider since 1972...
for London Weekend Television
London Weekend Television
London Weekend Television was the name of the ITV network franchise holder for Greater London and the Home Counties including south Suffolk, middle and east Hampshire, Oxfordshire, south Bedfordshire, south Northamptonshire, parts of Herefordshire & Worcestershire, Warwickshire, east Dorset and...
(Granada Television produced the second series) and Fire Mountain Productions in association with Link Entertainment.
Plot
The show was written by Brian (the writer of DangermouseDangerMouse
Danger Mouse is a British animated television series which was produced by Cosgrove Hall Films for Thames Television. It features the eponymous Danger Mouse, an English mouse who works as a superhero/secret agent. The show is a loose parody of British spy fiction, particularly James Bond and the...
) and Johnathan Trueman and was based in a fictionalized version of the Northern English village of Sabden
Sabden
Sabden is a village and civil parish in Ribble Valley, and the Forest of Pendle, Lancashire.-Location:Sabden is located south of Pendle Hill, in a valley about north-west of Padiham.-Demographics:In the 2001 census, Sabden had a population of 1,371....
, in Pendle, where treacle
Treacle
Treacle is any syrup made during the refining of sugar and is defined as "uncrystallized syrup produced in refining sugar". Treacle is used chiefly in cooking as a form of sweetener or condiment....
is (allegedly) a natural resource extracted through mines
Mining
Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
. However, the mines have run dry from overextraction, and the village may face destruction from a lack of economy. The main characters, Wizzle and Rosie, use a Treacle finder, similar to a water dowser, to discover a vein of treacle in the abandoned mines, bringing hope to the village. The two series focus on reopening the mines, and problems faced (such as exportation). One of the recurring support characters was the Moobark, a cross between a Friesian cow and an Airedale Terrier
Airedale Terrier
The Airedale Terrier is a breed of the terrier type that originated in Airedale, a geographic area in Yorkshire, England. It is traditionally called the "King of Terriers" because it is the largest of the terrier breeds...
.
Availability
The show was repeated on Nick JrNick Jr. (UK)
Nick Jr. is a television channel in the United Kingdom and Ireland operated by Nickelodeon UK. The channel is aimed at pre-school children.-History:...
in the UK, but was never shown elsewhere, but it will coming to Cartoon Network TOO
Cartoon Network TOO
Cartoon Network Too is a British TV network created by Turner Broadcasting. CN Too is the sister station of Cartoon Network, and it often airs programmes a while after they are shown on the main Cartoon Network...
soon during the Cartoonito block for preschoolers. It featured on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
before The Hoobs
The Hoobs
The Hoobs is a BAFTA-winning children's television programme created and produced by The Jim Henson Company. It stars five creatures called Hoobs from the fictional Hoobland, and their interactions with Earth and the human race...
, and a microsite still exists. It is now repeated on Channel 4 weekday mornings.
There is an official website still maintained (but not updated) featuring the second episode of the first series, known as "The Great Escape".
Rights
The rights to "The Treacle People" is now owned by Shepperton Studios based production company, Fire Mountain Productions Limited. Fire Mountain Productions was set up by the show's producer, Iain Russell. Most recent credits include "London's Hollywood" which has just started showing on ITV1 in the London region. This documentary is based at Shepperton Studios and Pinewood Studios and takes viewers through the whole movie-making process from pre- to post-production.Credits
- Written by: Brian & Jonathan Trueman
- Developed for Television by: Iain Russell & Mike Furness
- From an Original Idea by: The Dewhurst Family
- Featuring the Voices of: Alec Bregonzi, Caroline Bernstein, Jim McManus, Glynn Mills, Jim Norton
- Title Song: Sticky
- Music by: Simon Webb
- Casting Director: Nikki Finch
- Director of Animation: Martin Pullen
- Animators: Timon Dowdeswell, Andy Joule, Mike Cottee
- Additional Animation: Mark Waring, Tobias Fouracre
- Lighting Cameramen: Colin Innes-Hopkins, Peter Ellmore, Tom Kinane
- Puppets Designed & Built by: Richard Blakey, Maggie Haden
- Original Art Director: Alan Murphy
- Sets Designed & Built by: Keith Grant, Colin Armitage, Barbara Cowdery, Toby Burrell
- Graphic Designer: Bill Wilson
- Editors: Alex Maddison, Andy Marangone, Alan Ritchie, Jeremy Scott
- Sound: Jon Matthews, Russell Smithson, Graham Hix
- Production Associates: Sue Bennett-Urwin, Kathy Schulz
- Executive Producer: Penny Lent
- Director: Mike Furness
- Producer: Iain Russell