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Postman Pat

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Postman Pat
Postman Pat and his black-and-white cat, Jess in the original series.
GenreChildren's stop motion
Created byJohn Cunliffe[1]
Developed byIvor Wood
Written byJohn Cunliffe[1]
Directed byIvor Wood[1]
Voices ofKen Barrie
Carole Boyd
Kulvinder Ghir
Janet James
Archie Panjabi
Melissa Sinden
Anji Kreft
Angela Griffin
Jimmy Hibbert
Narrated byKen Barrie (1981–96)
ComposersBryan Daly
Simon Woodgate
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of series8
No. of episodes196 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersTheresa Plummer-Andrews, Michael Carrington and Chris Rose (CBBC)
Jane Smith and Oliver Ellis (Entertainment Rights)
Chris Bowden (Cosgrove Hall Films)
ProducersDebbie Pears
Jo Jorden
EditorMartin Bohan
Running time15 minutes (Series)
30 minutes (Specials)
Production companiesWoodland Animations (1981–96)
Entertainment Rights (2003-08)
Classic Media (2013)
DreamWorks Animation (2015-17)
Cosgrove Hall Films (2003–08)
Mackinnon and Saunders (2013-17)
Original release
NetworkBBC1
(1981–2002)
CBeebies
(2002–present)
HBO (2004)
Release16 September 1981 (1981-09-16)[1] –
29 March 2017 (2017-03-29)
Related
Guess with Jess (spin-off)

Postman Pat was a British stop-motion animated children's television series first produced by Woodland Animations.

It is aimed at pre-school children, and concerns the adventures of Pat Clifton, a postman in the fictional village of Greendale (inspired by the real valley of Longsleddale near Kendal).[2]

Postman Pat′s first 13-episode series was screened on BBC1 in 1981.[3] John Cunliffe wrote the original treatment and scripts, and it was directed by animator Ivor Wood, who also worked on The Magic Roundabout, The Wombles, Paddington Bear, and The Herbs. Following the success of the first series, four TV specials and a second series of 13 episodes were produced during the 1990s. Here, Pat had a family for the first time. A new version of the series was produced by Cosgrove Hall Films from 2003, which expanded on many aspects of the original series. In 2000, Royal Mail stopped using Postman Pat for their promotional and charity work.[4][5] The television programme continued to use the Royal Mail logo on his postal van PAT 1 for several years after.

The original voice of Postman Pat, Ken Barrie, died on 29 July 2016.[6][7]

Plot

Each episode follows the adventures of Pat Clifton, a friendly country postman, and his "black and white cat" Jess, as he delivers the post through the valley of Greendale. Although he initially concentrates on delivering his letters, he nearly always becomes distracted by a concern of one of the villagers and is usually relied upon to resolve their problems. Notable villagers include the postmistress, Mrs Goggins; Alf Thompson, the farmer; and the local handyman and inventor, Ted Glen.

Setting

Postman Pat is set in the fictional village of Greendale and the nearby town of Pencaster, on the border between Cumbria and North Yorkshire.

Greendale is a large, busy village situated in the heart of the Cumbrian countryside. Running through the centre of the village is the High Street, home to Mrs Goggins' Post Office and shop, an unofficial meeting house for the residents. Located on the edge of the village is the railway station, home to the Greendale Rocket. Nisha Bains runs a popular café there with Sara while her husband Ajay runs a regular schedule on the Greendale Rocket to the nearby town of Pencaster. In the original series (1 and 2), Greendale consisted of windy and narrow country roads in the valley which usually had some involvement as to why Pat had problems with his rounds, as the lanes would be blocked or full of snow drifts that were not passable.

Pencaster is a large, bustling, modern town located within easy commuting distance for the villagers of Greendale. Situated on the waterfront, Pencaster is a hive of activity, boasting a market square in the centre surrounded by shops, houses, a large railway station, state-of-the-art buildings and a boat jetty. It bears some resemblance to Lancaster, the county town of Lancashire, which likewise is a short commute from Longsleddale, the area used as the inspiration for Greendale.[citation needed]

In the second series of the show from the mid-90s, the area is referred to as Garner Bridge, and is located in Greendale. For example, in the episode "Postman Pat and the Suit of Armour", Greendale Post Office is referred to as "Garner Bridge Post Office".

Ingledale is another large, busy village town situated in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside, only seen once in a special in 1991, set to make a second appearance in the revival.

Inspiration

Cunliffe, interviewed about the series, has said that he chose the character of a postman since he needed a character who could visit the countryside and interact with many different people.[8][9][10]

The inspiration for the post office itself comes from that located on the Kendal street where Cunliffe lived when he was writing the original treatment. The post office, at 10 Greenside, closed in 2003.[11]

Cunliffe did not retain rights to the character and was disappointed by some of the tie-in media later released. He created the series Rosie and Jim, which he also presented, as a show which he could have tighter control of.[10]

While Cunliffe visited post offices for inspiration, he has said that the character and village was not based on any one place or person. He commented in 2015 that "I got maybe half a dozen people last year saying they were the inspiration."[12]

Cast

  • Lewis MacLeod as Postman Pat (2nd time), Ben Taylor, Robot 1, Sat Nav, Alf Thompson (2nd time), Sean McGuinness
  • Ken Barrie as Postman Pat (1st time), Matt Clifton, Mrs. Goggins (1st time), Ted Glen (1st time), Alf Thompson (1st time), Dorothy Thompson (1st time), Bill Thompson (1st time), Peter Timms (1st time), Julia Pottage (1st time), Katy Pottage (1st time), Tom Pottage (1st time), Arthur Selby (1st time), Lucy Selby (1st time), Sylvia Gilbertson (1st time), Sarah Gilbertson (1st time), Jeff Pringle, Charlie Pringle (1st time), Rebecca Hubbard (1st time), Sam Waldron, Granny Dryden, Peter Fogg, Major Forbes, George Lancaster, Santa Claus, Train Inspector, Pumpkin Wrigglesworth, Narrator, Radio Greendale Speaker, John, George, Countdown Sequence Voice
  • Carole Boyd as Sara Clifton, Julian Clifton (1st time), Mrs. Goggins (2nd time), Dorothy Thompson (2nd time), Bill Thompson (2nd time), Julia Pottage (2nd time), Katy Pottage (2nd time), Tom Pottage (2nd time), Betty Pottage, Lucy Selby (2nd time), Sylvia Gilbertson (2nd time), Sarah Gilbertson (2nd time), Jackie Gilbertson, Charlie Pringle (2nd time), Rebecca Hubbard (2nd time), George's Wife, Radio Weather Woman
  • Kulvinder Ghir as Bill Thompson (3rd time), Tom Pottage (3rd time), Ajay Bains, Bessie Thompson, Michael Lam, Robot 2, Grizzly, Shopper-Bot 3000
  • Janet James as Julian Clifton (2nd time), Lucy Selby (3rd time), Lauren Taylor
  • Archie Panjabi as Katy Pottage (3rd time), Nisha Bains, Meera Bains
  • Melissa Sinden as Jess Clifton, Polly Clifton, Dotty Pringle, Bonnie Goggins
  • Anji Kreft as Additional Voices (1st time)
  • Angela Griffin as Amy Wrigglesworth, Lizzy Taylor, Flora, Rowena Roberts, Duchess of Pencaster
  • Jimmy Hibbert as Additional Voices (2nd time)
  • Bradley Clarkson as Ted Glen (2nd time), Arthur Selby (2nd time), Ned Glen
  • Dan Milne as Peter Timms (2nd time)
  • Joel Trill as Chris Beacon
  • Professor Brian Cox as Professor Ryan Farrow

Characters

Surname Forename or title Introduced Note
Bains Ajay 2003 Nisha's husband, Meera and Nikhil's father, owner of Greendale Station and the Greendale Rocket
Bains George 2013 Meera's gecko, appears in 1 episode
Bains Meera 2003 Ajay and Nisha's daughter, Nikhil's older sister, age 8 years
Bains Nikhil 2003 Ajay and Nisha's son, Meera's younger brother, age 10 months
Bains Nisha 2003 Ajay's wife, Meera and Nikhil's mother, worker at Greendale Station café alongside Sara Clifton
Beacon Chris 2016 Owner of Pencaster Bay Lighthouse
Beacon Micawber 2016 Chris' blue-and-yellow macaw
Claus Santa 2004 Father Christmas; appears in 1 episode
Clifton Jess 1981 Pat's black-and-white cat, goes everywhere with Postman Pat, appears in every episode apart from "Postman Pat in a Muddle"
Clifton Julian 1991 Pat and Sara's son, age 6 years
Clifton Matt 2004 Pat's cousin, Sara's cousin-in-law, Julian's cousin-once-removed, moved to America, appears in 1 episode
Clifton Pat (Postman) 1981 Title character of the series, Sara's husband, Julian's father, postman for Greendale, only character who appears in every single episode
Clifton Polly 2004 Matt's black-and-white ship's cat, appears in 1 episode
Clifton Sara 1991 Pat's wife, Julian's mother, worker at Greendale Station café alongside Nisha Bains
Dryden Granny (first name unknown) 1981 Old lady who lives in a cottage in the countryside outside Greendale, phased out of the series from 2003
Farrow Ryan (Professor) 2017 Parody of Professor Brian Cox, the main who voices him, appears in 1 episode
Fogg Peter 1981 Farmhand of Greendale Farm, phased out of the series from 2003, but makes a cameo in 2004
Forbes Major (first name unknown) 1991 Retired army major, owner of Garner Hall, phased out of the series from 2003, but makes a return in Postman Pat: The Movie in 2014
Gibertson Jackie 2017 Sylvia's sister-in-law, Sarah's auntie, owner of a castle near Cardiff, appears in 1 episode
Gilbertson Sarah 1981 Sylvia's daughter, age 7 years
Gilbertson Sylvia (Doctor) 1981 Sarah's mother, doctor for Greendale, originally from Wales
Glen Ned 2016 Ted's identical cousin, handyman, inventor, lives in Cornwall, only appears in 1 episode
Glen Ted 1981 Handyman, inventor
Goggins Bonnie 2005 Mrs Goggins's West Highland Terrier
Goggins Flora 2017 Mrs Goggins's niece, lives in Scotland, appears in 1 episode
Goggins Mrs (first name unknown) 1981 Mistress of Greendale Post Office, originally from Scotland
Hubbard Rebecca 1981 Phased out of the series from 2003, but makes a cameo in 2004 and a return in Postman Pat: The Movie in 2014
Lam Michael 2008 Mobile shop owner, originally from China
Lancaster George 1981 Farmer of Intake Farm, phased out of the series from 2003, but makes a return in Postman Pat: The Movie in 2014
McGuinness Sean 2017 Park ranger, lives in Northern Ireland, appears in 1 episode
Lee Brad 2017 Pop star, appears in 1 episode
Pottage Betty 2006 Julia's sheep, appears in 1 episode
Pottage Julia 1981 Katy and Tom's mother, farmer of Greendale Farm, phased out of the series from 2008, but gets a mention in Postman Pat: The Movie in 2014
Pottage Katy 1981 Julia's daughter, Tom's twin sister, age 6 years, phased out of the series from 2008
Pottage Parsley 2006 Julia's sheep, appears in 1 episode
Pottage Sage 2006 Julia's sheep, appears in 1 episode
Pottage Tom 1981 Julia's son, Katy's twin brother, age 6 years, phased out of the series from 2008
Pringle Charlie 1981 Jeff's son, age 7 years
Pringle Dotty 2004 Jeff's guinea-pig, appears in 2 episodes
Pringle Jeff 1994 Charlie's father, teacher at Greendale Primary School, phased out of the series from 2008
Roberts Roweena 2017 Owner of Cardiff SDS centre, appears in 1 episode
Selby Arthur 1991 Lucy's father, police constable for Greendale
Selby Blob 2006 Lucy's goldfish, appears in 2 episodes
Selby Lucy 1981 Arthur's daughter, age 7 years
Taylor Ben 2008 Lauren's husband, Lizzy's father, manager of the Special Delivery Service
Taylor Dottie 2013 Lauren's hamster, appears in 2 episodes
Taylor Lauren 2008 Ben's wife, Lizzy's mother, teacher at Greendale Primary School
Taylor Lizzy 2008 Ben and Lauren's daughter, wheelchair-user since birth, age 7 years
Thompson Alf 1981 Dorothy's husband, Bill's father, farmer of Thompson Ground
Thompson Bill 1981 Alf and Dorothy's son, age 9 years
Thompson Bessie 2006 Alf's sheep, appears in 2 episodes
Thompson Cedric 2004 Alf's racing pigeon
Thompson Daisy 2004 Alf's sheep, appears in 2 episodes
Thompson Daisy 1981 Alf's Aberdeen Angus cattle, appears in 5 episodes
Thompson Dorothy 1981 Alf's wife, Bill's mother, farmer of Thompson Ground
Thompson Flossie 2006 Alf's sheep, appears in 1 episode
Thompson Maisy 2006 Alf's sheep, appears in 1 episode
Thompson Mabel 2006 Alf's sheep, appears in 3 episodes
Thompson Mollie 2008 Alf's sheep, appears in 3 episodes
Thompson Pat 2017 Alf's sheep, Trixie's son, appears in 1 episode
Thompson Rosie 2004 Alf's goat
Thompson Tamsie 2016 Alf's sheep, appears in 1 episode
Thompson Trixie 2016 Alf's sheep, Pat's mother, appears in 1 episode
Timms Peter (Reverend) 1981 Vicar at Greendale Church
Waldron Sam 1981 Mobile shop owner, phased out of the series from 2003, but makes a cameo in 2004
Wrigglesworth Amy 2006 Veterinarian for Greendale
Wrigglesworth Dora 2008 Amy's dormouse, appears in 1 episode
Wrigglesworth Pat 2013 Amy's sheep, appears in 1 episode
Wrigglesworth Pumpkin 2006 Amy's Welsh Mountain pony
Duchess of Pencaster (name unknown) 2017 Appears in 1 episode
Train Inspector (name unknown) 2004 Appears in 1 episode

Postal Vehicles

  • Bicycle It only appeared in two episodes; one in 1991 and a second in 2004.
  • Postal Scooter It only appeared in one episode, in 1997
  • Postal Trolley
  • Royal Mail Post Bus (PAT 2) is a red bus resembling an LDV Sherpa, used to carry passengers to market. It was introduced in 1991 and phased out from 2003. It returned in 2006 and now it has been converted into the school bus (SCHOOL 1), but remains PAT 2 in the revival.
  • Royal Mail Post Van (PAT 1) is a red van resembling an LDV Sherpa. It is Pat's most famous vehicle. It has appeared in almost every single episode, and was used less commonly as a private vehicle in the SDS series.
  • SDS Boat is a blue and white boat. It was recycled from the boat, and was introduced in 2016.
  • SDS Forklift (PAT 6) is a red forklift. There is another one of these at the SDS Centre in Cardiff. It was introduced in 2008.
  • SDS Helicopter (PAT 3) is a red helicopter introduced in 2008.
  • SDS Jeep (PAT 7) is a red jeep, introduced in 2013.
  • SDS Limousine is a red limousine. It only appeared in Postman Pat The Movie in 2014.
  • SDS Minivan (PAT 4) is a red van resembling an LDV Sherpa. It shares the same body as the Royal Mail Post Van (PAT 1) and was introduced in 2008.
  • SDS Motorbike (PAT 5) is a red motorbike. It also includes a sidecar for Jess. It was recycled from the motorbike and was introduced in 2008.
  • SDS Plane (PAT 9) is a red plane introduced in 2016.
  • SDS Snowmobile (PAT 8) is a red snowmobile introduced in 2013.
  • SDS Van (PAT 2) is a large, red economy van introduced in 2008.

Other Vehicles

  • Bicycle is ridden by Arthur Selby. It was introduced in 1991 and phased out from 2006.
  • Bicycle is ridden by Peter Timms. It only appeared in one episode, in 1991.
  • Bicycle is ridden by Rebecca Hubbard. It was introduced in 1991 and phased out from 2003.
  • Boat is a blue and white boat, for anyone to hire. It was introduced in 2004 and has since been converted into the SDS boat.
  • Cruiseliner is a large white ship, sailed by Brad Lee. It only appeared in one episode, in 2017.
  • Fishing boat is a red and white boat, sailed by Alf Thompson and Arthur Selby. It only appeared in one episode, in 2017.
  • Greendale Rocket is an old, green steam engine, driven by Ajay Bains. It also includes a passenger carriage and a mail carriage. It was introduced in 2003.
  • Hot-air balloon is a red and yellow hot air balloon, first flown by Major Forbes and later meant to be flown by Ted Glen. It only appeared in two episodes; one in 1997 and another in 2005.
  • Jeep (VET 1) is a dark green Jeep, driven by Amy Wrigglesworth. It also includes a horsebox trailer for Pumpkin. It was introduced in 2006.
  • Loch boat is a red and white boat, sailed by Flora. It only appeared in one episode, in 2017.
  • Lorry (KJL 678) is an old, brown lorry, driven by Ted Glen. It was introduced in 1991.
  • Mobile shop (SAM 1) is a blue van resembling a Volkswagen T25 Transporter, driven by Sam Waldron. It was introduced in 1981 and phased out from 2003. It made cameos in a few episodes since.
  • Mobile shop is a yellow van, driven by Michael Lam. It was introduced in 2008.
  • Motorbike (ENP 724) is a motorbike resembling a Francis Barnett Falcon 150, first driven by Peter Fogg and later driven by Ajay Bains. It also includes a sidecar. It was introduced in 1981 and had a sidecar added on in 2005. Now it has been converted into the SDS Motorbike.
  • Panda car (PC 1) is a blue and white police car resembling either a Triumph 2000 Mark 2 or a Ford Escort Mark 1, driven by Arthur Selby. It was introduced in 2005.
  • Pencaster Flyer is a blue diesel electric engine, driven by Ajay Bains. It also includes a passenger carriage and was introduced in 2008.
  • Quad bike is a dark blue quad bike, driven by Alf Thompson and introduced in 2013.
  • Red rocket is a red flying machine, meant to be flown by Ted Glen. It only appeared in one episode, in 2008.
  • School bus (SCHOOL 1) is a yellow bus resembling an LDV Sherpa, driven by Jeff Pringle and letterly by Lauren Taylor. It was converted from the Royal Mail Post Bus (PAT 2) and was introduced in 2006.
  • Sports car (SYLVIA 1) is a white open-top car, driven by Sylvia Gilbertson. It was introduced in 2006.
  • Tractor is a red and yellow tractor, driven by Alf Thompson. It was introduced in 1981 and phased out from 2003.
  • Tractor is a red tractor, first driven by Peter Fogg and later by Alf Thompson. It was introduced in 1981.
  • Trolley is a railway pump trolley. It was introduced in 2006 and phased out from 2008. It only appeared in two episodes, in 2006.

Locations

  • Cottage, is located in the countryside just outside Greendale for Granny Dryden's, and Rebecca Hubbard's is located out in the countryside near Greendale. .
  • Forge Cottage, is where Pat, Sara, Julian and Jess live. It is located on the edge of the village of Greendale near the station.
  • Garner Hall, is a stately home, located at the northernmost part of Greendale Village. This is where Major Forbes lives.
  • Greendale Church, is the local church in Greendale.
  • Greendale Crag, is a cliff-face landmark in Greendale. It is high, steep and dangerous and not a place where the locals dare to visit on top.
  • Greendale Farm, is where the Pottage family lives and where Peter Fogg works.
  • Greendale Light Railway, is the local train station where the Bains live.
  • Greendale Post Office, is the local post office of Greendale. Pat Clifton used to be employed here.
  • Greendale Primary School, is located on the edge of the village near the church. It often holds special events outside of school hours and the main room is sometimes used for meetings on up and coming functions.
  • Ingledale, is one of the neighbouring towns near Greendale and Pencaster.
  • Intake Farm, is where George Lancaster lives.
  • Thompson Ground, is the farm where the Thompson family live.
  • Vets, is where Amy Wrigglesworth lives and works. It has a stable next door for Pumpkin.
  • Vicarage, is where the Reverend Timms lives.
  • Workshop, is an old barn where Ted Glen lives outside Greendale. Later on in the series, a watermill was built next to the workshop.

Special Delivery Service

(Originally Postman Pat: SDS) In the new spin-off series, Postman Pat Special Delivery Service (SDS), Postman Pat has been promoted to Head of the SDS and is now called upon to deliver anything. Each episode follows Postman Pat on a Special Delivery mission, from rescuing a runaway cow to delivering a giant ice cube. In his new role, Postman Pat commutes to the nearby town of Pencaster where he collects his special deliveries from the Pencaster Mail Centre. Postman Pat now has a new fleet of vehicles including a helicopter, 4x4 Jeep and motorbike, complete with side-car for Jess.[13] He has a new boss, Ben, who tends to give him instructions (whereas he was his own master before the "promotion"). Pat also seems to make more mistakes in his work since moving to SDS, largely because the new format is always based on one delivery, which has to go wrong somehow (thus often because of Pat's errors).

Postman Pat SDS features an expanded and diverse cast, a fleet of new vehicles, a world full of gadgets and the new town of Pencaster. Postman Pat Special Delivery Service first screened on BBC2 on 29 September 2008. The new series was commissioned by the BBC and produced by Entertainment Rights and Cosgrove Hall Films.

Both seasons of Postman Pat SDS are available digitally on iTunes.

A new series aired in 2016.[14]

Outside the main broadcast series

Film

Postman Pat: The Movie, a British-American 3D computer-animated comedy children's feature film version of the British stop-motion animated children's television show, was theatrically released on 23 May 2014 in the United Kingdom. The film was distributed and produced by Lionsgate and Icon Productions and animated by Rubicon Group Holding. The story revolves around Pat entering a talent show audition which leads to robots taking over his postal service whilst he is away. The film stars Stephen Mangan as the voice of Pat and also features Jim Broadbent, Rupert Grint, David Tennant, Ronan Keating, Susan Duerden, Sandra Teles, TJ Ramini and Peter Woodward.

Spin-off

A CGI spin-off to the series was made called Guess with Jess which follows Pat's cat Jess now with the ability to talk and his adventures with the farm animals. The series debuted on 9 November 2009.

Music

Music for the original 1981 series was by Bryan Daly (died January 2012),[15] who wrote a number of songs including the well-known theme tune. For the 2003 series, pop writer Simon Woodgate scored the show and wrote new songs, including a new closing theme "What's in His Bag?". The theme tune "Postman Pat & His Black and White Cat" was sung by Ken Barrie for the original series in the 1980s and '90s. An extended version of the tune was released as a single in the UK where it reached number 44 in the charts in July 1982.[16]

The theme tune and songs for the new series and sequel, Postman Pat Special Delivery Service (including "Special Delivery Service, What's It Going to Be Today?), was recorded by Simon Woodgate at Echobass Studios.

In 2013 Classic Media released Postman Pat SDS Series 2. The new 26 episode series retained Bryan Daly's original theme tune and Simon Woodgate's closing song, however new character themes and incidental music was composed by Sandy Nuttgens.

There is also an album called Postman Pat: Songs And Music From The Television on Post Music released in 1982.

The ever-popular theme song underwent several adaptations; from 1994 to 1996, the theme tune had additional instruments such as synthesised strings and a tambourine. The same was done to the 1995 album version which was an edit of the original 1982 album version.

Books

As of 2009, over 12 million books, including storybooks, integrated learning books, colouring books, and multi-character magazines, have been sold worldwide.[17]

Advertising

The Postman Pat characters and setting have also been used in the UK and Australia in television advertisements for the company Specsavers.

US VHS releases

Titles include:

  • Vol.1 Postman Pat takes the Bus
  • Vol.2 Postman Pat and the Tuba
  • Strand Home Video (1990)

Titles Include:

  • Postman Pat's ABC Story
  • Postman Pat's 123 Story
  • Landmark Films
  • The First Season was released on 13 separate VHS tapes: 1 episode per tape. It is unknown when these were released.

Fisher Price Home Video also made a VHS with 3 episodes on it: Postman Pat's Finding Day, Postman Pat's Secret and The Sheep In The Clover Field.

US DVD releases

As Postman Pat wasn't as popular in the United States, only one DVD title, Postman Pat: The Movie, was released by Paramount Pictures in 2015.

UK DVD and VHS releases

With over four million DVDs and videos sold globally, there is a growing collection of titles available for Home Entertainment release, including feature-length specials and interactive games. Titles include:

  • Postman Pat – ABC & 123 Stories
  • Postman Pat – Read Along with Postman Pat
  • Postman Pat – Magic Christmas
  • Postman Pat – Clowns Around
  • Postman Pat – Ice Cream Machine
  • Postman Pat – In A Muddle
  • Postman Pat – The Pirate Treasure
  • Postman Pat Boxset – Ice-Cream Machine/Clowns Around
  • Postman Pat – Great Dinosaur Hunt
  • Postman Pat – The Giant Snowball
  • Postman Pat – Popstars
  • Postman Pat – Football Crazy
  • Postman Pat – Great Big Party
  • Postman Pat Boxset – Magic Xmas & Giant Snowball
  • Postman Pat – Go-Kart Race
  • Postman Pat Popstars/Great Big Party
  • Postman Pat's Summer Spectacular
  • Postman Pat – Christmas Eve
  • Postman Pat – Big Boat Adventure
  • Postman Pat Boxset – Great Dinosaur Hunt/Giant Snowball/Spotty Situation/Ice Ladder/Big Butterflies/Spooky Sleepover/Greendale Movie/Train Inspector
  • Postman Pat Boxset-Pirate Treasure/Green Rabbit/Flying Saucers
  • Postman Pat Boxset – Christmas Eve/The Giant Snowball/Magic Christmas
  • Postman Pat Special Delivery Service – A Brand New Mission
  • Postman Pat Special Delivery Service – Pat to the Rescue
  • Postman Pat Boxset: Great Big Party/Postman Pat: Great Dinosaur Hunt/Postman Pat: The Ice Cream Machine
  • Postman Pat Special Delivery Service: Flying Christmas Stocking
  • Postman Pat Special Delivery Service: A Speedy Delivery
  • Postman Pat – Happy Birthday Pat

Original series DVD releases

DVD releases of classic Postman Pat were limited in availability in various regions. In the UK, only one volume with three episodes from Series 2 was released by Right Entertainment in 2004 under the title Postman Pat in a Muddle. The same year saw the entire original series released on DVD in Spain, featuring both English and Spanish audio options.[18] No further releases were seen in the UK until 2011 when Classic Media issued all four specials from 1991–1994 on the DVD Happy Birthday Postman Pat. On 3 February 2014, the first and second series were made available in their entirety for the first time in the UK, However the titles are both season 2 with the season 3 theme which received bad reviews from classic fans.[19][20]

  • Postman Pat – Postman Pat Takes a Message
  • Postman Pat – Postman Pat's Big Surprise

UK VHS releases

Between April 1983 and May 1984 three Postman Pat pre-certed titles (before the Uc rating by the BBFC got established in 1985) with twelve episode of the entire first series all except for Letters On Ice [episode 12] were released by Longman Video in its children's treasury range. Also, one 30-minute title by Longman Video called My Own Postman Pat (Cat. No. LGVH 2001) was released featuring two episodes – Pat's Rainy Day [episode 4] and The Sheep in the Clover Field [episode 5]. On the back covers The Woodland Animations detail was copyrighted in 1982.

VHS video title Year of release Episodes
Postman Pat (LGVH 5011) April 1983 Pat's Rainy Day (Episode 4), The Sheep in Clover Field (Episode 5), Pat's Tractor Express (Episode 6), Pat's Thirsty Day (Episode 7)
Postman Pat 2 (LGVH 5019) October 1983 Pat's Foggy Day (Episode 9), Pat's Difficult Day (Episode 10), Pat Goes Sledging (Episode 11), Pat Takes a Message (Episode 13)
Postman Pat 3 (LGVH 5021) May 1984 Postman Pat's Finding Day (Episode 1), Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen (Episode 2), Postman Pat's Birthday (Episode 3), Pat's Windy Day (Episode 8)

In Spring 1986 a single video of four Postman Pat stories was released in the Marks and Spencer (originally called St Michael) Video library that was presented by BBC Enterprises Ltd.

VHS video title Year of release Episodes
Postman Pat (2511/5820) March 1986 Pat's Rainy Day (Episode 4), Pat's Tractor Express (Episode 6), Postman Pat's Birthday (Episode 3), Pat Takes a Message (Episode 13)

From November 1986 to May 2001 numerous Postman Pat video releases were released by the BBC.

VHS video title Year of release Episodes
Postman Pat 1- Letters on Ice (BBCV 4028) 3 November 1986 Postman Pat's Finding Day (Episode 1), The Sheep in Clover Field (Episode 5), Letters on Ice (Episode 12)
Postman Pat 2- Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen (BBCV 4029) 3 November 1986 Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen (Episode 2), Postman Pat's Foggy Day (Episode 9), Postman Pat Goes Sledging (Episode 11)
Postman Pat 3- Postman Pat's Thirsty Day (BBCV 4030) 3 November 1986 Postman Pat's Thirsty Day (Episode 7), Postman Pat's Windy Day (Episode 8), Postman Pat's Difficult Day (Episode 10)
Postman Pat's Big Video (BBCV 4168) 7 November 1988 Postman Pat's Rainy Day (Episode 4), Postman Pat's Tractor Express (Episode 6), Postman Pat's Birthday (Episode 3), Postman Pat Takes a Message (Episode 13)
Postman Pat 1 Re-Release- Letters on Ice (BBCV 4028) 2 April 1990 Postman Pat's Finding Day (Episode 1), The Sheep in Clover Field (Episode 5), Letters on Ice (Episode 12)
Postman Pat 2 Re-Release- Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen (BBCV 4029) 2 April 1990 Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen (Episode 2), Postman Pat's Foggy Day (Episode 9), Postman Pat Goes Sledging (Episode 11)
Postman Pat 3 Re-Release- Postman Pat's Thirsty Day (BBCV 4030) 2 April 1990 Postman Pat's Thirsty Day (Episode 7), Postman Pat's Windy Day (Episode 8), Postman Pat's Difficult Day (Episode 10)
Postman Pat's New Video (BBCV 4691) 4 November 1991 Postman Pat and the Toy Soldiers (Episode 15), Postman Pat Takes the Bus (Episode 14),
The Very Best of Postman Pat (BBCV 4869) 5 October 1992 Postman Pat's Windy Day (Episode 8), Postman Pat's Tractor Express (Episode 6), The Sheep in the Clover Field (Episode 5), Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen (Episode 2), Postman Pat's Thirsty Day (Episode 7)
Postman Pat 1- Letters on Ice Re-Release (BBCV 4028) 2 November 1992 Postman Pat's Finding Day (Episode 1), The Sheep in Clover Field (Episode 5), Letters on Ice (Episode 12)
Postman Pat 2- Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen Re Release (BBCV 4029) 2 November 1992 Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen (Episode 2), Postman Pat's Foggy Day (Episode 9), Postman Pat Goes Sledging (Episode 11)
Postman Pat 3- Postman Pat's Thirsty Day Re-Release (BBCV 4030) 2 November 1992 Postman Pat's Thirsty Day (Episode 7), Postman Pat's Windy Day (Episode 8), Postman Pat's Difficult Day (Episode 10)
Postman Pat's Big Video Re-Release (BBCV 4168) 2 November 1992 Postman Pat's Rainy Day (Episode 4), Postman Pat's Tractor Express (Episode 6), Postman Pat's Birthday (Episode 3), Postman Pat Takes a Message (Episode 13)
Postman Pat's New Video Re-Release (BBCV 4691) 4 July 1994 Postman Pat and the Toy Soldiers (Episode 15), Postman Pat Takes the Bus (Episode 14),
Postman Pat: Postman Pat's Birthday and other stories (BBCV 5468) 5 September 1994 Postman Pat's Birthday (Episode 3), Letters on Ice (Episode 12), Postman Pat's Thirsty Day (Episode 7), Postman Pat's Foggy Day (Episode 9)
Postman Pat: Postman Pat Takes a Message and other stories (BBCV 5469) 5 September 1994 Postman Pat Takes a Message (Episode 13), Postman Pat's Windy Day (Episode 8), Postman Pat Goes Sledging (Episode 11), The Sheep in the Clover Field (Episode 5)
Postman Pat: Postman Pat's Finding Day and other stories (BBCV 5470) 5 September 1994 Postman Pat's Finding Day (Episode 1), Postman Pat's Tractor Express (Episode 6), Postman Pat's Difficult Day (Episode 10), Postman Pat's Rainy Day (Episode 4), Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen (Episode 2)
Postman Pat and the Tuba (BBCV 5472) 3 October 1994 Postman Pat and the Tuba (Episode 16), Postman Pat and the Barometer (Episode 17)
Postman Pat's Bumper Collection (BBCV 5683) 2 October 1995 Postman Pat Takes the Bus (Episode 14), Pat Goes Sledging (Episode 11), Pat's Difficult Day (Episode 10), Postman Pat and the Toy Soldiers (Episode 15), Postman Pat's Birthday (Episode 3)
Postman Pat – 2 on 1 (BBCV 5814) 1 April 1996 Postman Pat's Finding Day (Episode 1), The Sheep in the Clover Field (Episode 5), Letters on Ice (Episode 12), Postman Pat and the Magpie Hen (Episode 2), Postman Pat's Foggy Day (Episode 9), Postman Pat Goes Sledging (Episode 11)
Postman Pat: Postman Pat and the Hole in the Road (BBCV 5891) 2 September 1996 Postman Pat and the Hole in the Road (Episode 18), Postman Pat and the Suit of Armour (Episode 19), Postman Pat in a Muddle (Episode 20), Postman Pat Misses the Show (Episode 21)
Postman Pat's Bumper Bag (BBCV 6223) 5 May 1997 Postman Pat's Windy Day (Episode 8), Postman Pat's Rainy Day (Episode 4), Postman Pat Takes A Message (Episode 13), Postman Pat and the Tuba (Episode 16), Postman Pat and the Barometer (Episode 17),
Postman Pat: Postman Pat Has Too Many Parcels (BBCV 6123) 15 September 1997 Postman Pat Has Too Many Parcels (Episode 25), Postman Pat Follows the Trail (Episode 22), Postman Pat Has The Best Village (Episode 23), Postman Pat Paints The Ceiling (Episode 24)
Postman Pat's Big Surprise (BBCV 6539) 7 September 1998 Postman Pat and the Big Surprise (Episode 26), Postman Pat and the Robot (Episode 27), Postman Pat takes Flight (Episode 28), Postman Pat and the Beast of Greendale (Episode 29)
Postman Pat's Big Surprise (Limited Edition) (BBCV 6706) 7 September 1998 Postman Pat and the Big Surprise (Episode 26), Postman Pat and the Robot (Episode 27), Postman Pat takes Flight (Episode 28), Postman Pat and the Beast of Greendale (Episode 29), Postman Pat and the Mystery Tour (Episode 30)
Postman Pat's Special Delivery (BBCV 6770) 12 April 1999 Postman Pat Follows a Trail, Postman Pat and the Hole in the Road, Postman Pat and the Tuba (Episode 16)
Postman Pat – More Adventures from Pat and his friends (2 on 1 BBCV 6952) 15 November 1999 Postman Pat's Thirsty Day (Episode 7), Postman Pat's Windy Day (Episode 8), Postman Pat's Difficult Day (Episode 10), Postman Pat's Rainy Day (Episode 4), Postman Pat's Tractor Express (Episode 6), Postman Pat's Birthday (Episode 3), Pat Takes a Message (Episode 13)
Postman Pat's Bigger Video! (BBCV 6945) 2 May 2000 Postman Pat and the Robot (Episode 27), Postman Pat Paints the Ceiling (Episode 24), Postman Pat and the Suit of Armour (Episode 19), Postman Pat and the Mystery Tour (Episode 30), Postman Pat Has Too Many Parcels (Episode 25), Postman Pat Misses the Show (Episode 21)
Postman Pat's Favourites (BBCV 6985) 2 October 2000 Postman Pat in a Muddle (Episode 20), Postman Pat Has the Best Village (Episode 23), Postman Pat and the Big Surprise (Episode 26), Postman Pat Takes Flight (Episode 28), Postman Pat and the Hole in the Road (Episode 18), Postman Pat and the Beast of Greendale (Episode 29)
Postman Pat's Prize Postbag (BBCV 7143) 8 May 2001 Postman Pat Takes the Bus (Episode 14), Postman Pat and the Toy Soldiers (Episode 15), Postman Pat and the Tuba (Episode 16), Postman Pat and the Barometer (Episode 17)

Broadcasters in other countries

  • In mainland China, the series launched on China's dominant broadcast platform, China Central Television (CCTV) in July 2008. The show was dubbed into Chinese.
  • In Sri Lanka, Postman Pat first series was broadcast over Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (State Television Company) in the early 90's.
  • In Hong Kong, Postman Pat Special Delivery has aired on ATV World in English.
  • In New Zealand, the original series has aired on TV1 and later on TV2 and the new SDS series currently screens on Kidzone, the children's show on TVNZ6.
  • In Australia, Postman Pat airs on ABC, Max, Nickelodeon, ABC Kids, ABC2, Boomerang, Cartoon Network, ABC1 and ABC 4 Kids.
  • In 2005, Postman Pat was sold to the Japanese division of Disney Channel, finally putting to rest a long-standing misconception[citation needed] in the UK that Japanese television would not take the series because having only three fingers and a thumb on each hand (as Pat does) was a Yakuza symbol.[21] The series is dubbed into Japanese.
  • In the United States, newer episodes of Postman Pat initially aired weekdays at 8:00 AM Eastern time on the HBO Family cable network. The 2004 series used to broadcast weekends on the Qubo channel; the episodes were unaltered. Postman Pat no longer airs in the United States.
  • In Iran, Postman Pat was broadcast in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The show was dubbed into Persian under the name Pat-e Postchi.[22]
  • In Israel, Postman Pat has been known as Dar HaDavar (דר הדוור), Dani HaDavar (דני הדוור) and Dan HaDavar (דן הדוור) and has been shown on the Israeli Educational Television and on the Hop! Channel, dubbed into Hebrew.
  • In the Philippines, the series aired on TV5, dubbed into Tagalog. Cartoon Network (Philippines) also broadcasts until 2009 or 2008.
  • In Canada, Postman Pat is shown on the Treehouse Children's Network.[23]
  • In Ireland, Postman Pat was broadcast on RTÉ2 and aired on their biggest children's block The Den.
  • In South Africa, Postman Pat was broadcast on M-Net being shown on their children's block K-T.V.. It was later moved to SABC 2.

Europe

  • In Scotland, Postman Pat is shown not only in English but also sometimes broadcast as Pàdraig Post, in the Gaelic language, on BBC Scotland.
  • In the Netherlands the series was also shown dubbed in Dutch. There the series is called Pieter Post. It was first broadcast by NCRV, later on Kindernet and Nickelodeon.
  • In Galicia (Spain), Postman Pat is broadcast as O Carteiro Pat, in Galician language, on Televisión de Galicia.
  • In Catalonia (Spain), Postman Pat is broadcast as Pat el carter, in Catalan language, on Televisió de Catalunya.
  • In Italy Il postino Pat has aired at various times on the RaiSat Ragazzi channel, Raitre and RaiSat YOYO.
  • In Poland the adventures of Listonosz Pat is shown on MiniMini and TVP1.
  • In Spain Postman Pat is known as Pat el cartero and is shown dubbed in Spanish on Clan TVE.
  • In Iceland, Pósturinn Páll is how Pat is known to the viewers of Sjónvarpið, the public Icelandic television network.
  • In Austria and Germany, Postman Pat has been broadcast on ORF (Austria) and Super RTL (Germany) with the name "Postbote Pat".
  • In France, Postman Pat is called "Pierre Martin".
  • In Portugal, Postman Pat is known as "O Carteiro Paulo" and is shown on RTP2, MOV and Canal Panda, dubbed into Portuguese.
  • In Sweden, Postman Pat is known as Postis-Per and is shown dubbed into Swedish.
  • In Denmark, Postman Pat is known as Postmand Per and is shown on DR, dubbed into Danish.
  • In Norway, Postman Pat is known as Postmann Pat and is shown on NRK, dubbed into Norwegian.
  • In Finland, Postman Pat is known as Postimies Pate and is shown on YLE, dubbed into Finnish.
  • In Greece, Postman Pat was also known as "Taxydromos Pat" (Ταχυδρόμος Πατ - Tahhydromos Pat) and was shown on ALTER until the station's closure. From November 2016 to January 2017, it was shown on ERT2.

Postman Pat Village at Longleat

Longleat Safari Park had an outdoor reproduction of Greendale village, including the Post Office, the Clifton's house and the Greendale station. It also had a miniature model of Greendale.[24] It was installed during the 1990s, was relocated during 2008 in preparation for a new animal area and was revamped a third time for 2013. The attraction was closed at the end of 2015 and was permanently removed in 2016.

Award nominations

In 2006, Postman Pat was nominated for "Best Pre-school Animation Series" at the BAFTA Children's Awards.[25]

Parodies

  • Harry Enfield and Chums featured a parody entitled "Il Postino Pat" (the show's Italian title), with an operatic reworking of the theme tune and the characters speaking in Italian. At the end there is a communist revolution in Greendale and Pat is shot by fascist soldiers.[26]
  • Harry and Paul parodied Postman Pat in series 3 and 4 with "Parking Pataweyo", a stereotypical African immigrant traffic warden, played by Daniel Kaluuya, whose name and theme tune are based on Pat's.
  • Spitting Image in 1987 the topical satirical puppet series, featured Temporary Postman Pratt[27] in a send-up of Royal Mail's employment of temporary postal workers during busy times. In the opening titles, Pratt can be seen driving a familiar (though yellow in colour) van along country roads before running over a black and white cat. Pratt likes to clear his workload as quickly as he can by dumping the post rather than delivering it. He is portrayed as a student who is lazy and rude.

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Postman Pat's creator looks back at its conception". BBC News. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2014. The first episode, Postman Pat's Finding Day, was broadcast on September 18, 1981
  2. ^ "Postman Pat". BBC. 30 March 2006. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  3. ^ DeMott, Rick (13 June 2011). "Postman Pat Kicks Off 30th Birthday Celebration". Animation World Network. Retrieved 24 June 2014. First introduced on BBC1 on September 16, 1981,...
  4. ^ "Postman Pat gets the Sack". BBC News Online. 19 November 2000.
  5. ^ "Royal Mail drops Postman Pat". Brand Republic. 20 November 2000.
  6. ^ ITV News, "Ken Barrie, the voice of Postman Pat, dies at the age of 83", 29 July 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016
  7. ^ "Postman Pat voice actor Ken Barrie dies".
  8. ^ "Postman Pat's creator looks back at its conception". BBC News. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  9. ^ "Postman Pat's creator John Cunliffe has been at a school in Kendal". ITV. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  10. ^ a b Davies, Nick. "The Selling of Postman Pat". nickdavies.net. The Guardian. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  11. ^ Visit Cumbria – Beast Banks Post Office, Kendal. Retrieved 6 January 2009
  12. ^ "Arisaig villagers shocked after author kills legend that kids' cartoon favourite was based on Highland postie". Daily Record. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  13. ^ "Postman Pat goes postal", The Register.
  14. ^ "Postman Pat – Postman Pat Trailer". Archived from the original on 15 November 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Bryan DALY Obituary". The Times. 20 January 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
  16. ^ "Chart Stats". Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 24 March 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ CHappet, Marie-Claire (16 September 2011). "Postman Pat: from Greendale to Hollywood". The Telegraph. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
  18. ^ "8 DVD Spanish box set" – via Amazon.
  19. ^ "Postman Pat: Series 1 – Postman Pat Takes A Message". 3 February 2014 – via Amazon.
  20. ^ "Postman Pat: Series 2 – Postman Pat's Big Surprise". 3 February 2014 – via Amazon.
  21. ^ Bob the Builder fixed for Japan, BBC News.
  22. ^ Blockbuster Online – Postman Pat Archived 19 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ "Postman Pat at Treehouse TV". Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ "Longleat – As featured on BBC's Animal Park".
  25. ^ "Past Winners and Nominees – Children's – Awards – 2006". BAFTA. Retrieved 17 March 2010.
  26. ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  27. ^ "Temporary Postman Pratt on Spitting Image (ITV)", Spitting Image (ITV).