The Treacle People

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The Treacle People was a children's television programme shown on CITV in the United Kingdom, in 1995. It only ever 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 and Fire Mountain Productions in association with Link Entertainment.

1 Plot
2 Theme Tune
3 Availability
4 Rights
5 Awards
6 Credits
7 See also
8 External links

[edit] Plot

The show was written by Brian (the writer of Dangermouse) and Johnathon 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

[edit] Theme Tune

The theme tune is similar to that of the Smurfs. The lyrics are as follows.

We are the treacle people.

We seek treacle high and low.

We are the treacle people.

We all live in Giggle Row.

Willy Wizzle saved the day

His treacle tracker led the way.

To seams of treacle far below.

Down to the mines we go.

We are the treacle people.

We seek treacle high and low.

[edit] Availability

The show was repeated on Nick Jr in the UK, but was never shown elsewhere, but it will coming to Cartoon Network TOO soon during the Cartoonito block for preschoolers^{[citation needed]}. It featured as a Channel 4 learning programme, and a microsite still exists.

There is an official website still maintained (but not updated) featuring the second episode of the first series, known as "The Great Escape".

[edit] 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.

[edit] Awards

The Treacle People, followed up by a Christmas Special, was BAFTA nominated.

[edit] Credits

Written by: Brian & Jonathan Trueman
Developed for Television by: Iain Russel & 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 Cameraman: 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
Sound: Jon Matthews, Russell Smithson
Production Associates: Sue Bennett-Urwin, Kathy Schulz
Executive Producer: Penny Lent
Director: Mike Furness
Producer: Iain Russell