Summerton Mill – where magical things happen

I remember it being a real challenge to find anything savoury I was happy for Little miss Green to watch when she was a toddler.

I hated most of the messages many children’s TV programmes were subliminally teaching, and sought out some old dvds from programmes I watched as a child instead. The programmes in the 1970s seemed pretty benign and innocent with a few good morals thrown in for good measure.

I did come across a real gem, however in the form of Summerton mill – a magical place where wonderful and unexpected things  happen!

Summerton Mill seemed reminiscent of my childhood in the production and there’s no surprise there as it is a 21st Century stop-frame animation. Filming takes place on a model set where the characters are moved from position to position in minute increments, with a still image taken in each position. When these frames are viewed rapidly in succession, the characters are brought to life in a way that is characteristic of many of the older classic children’s television series such as Bagpuss, Camberwick Green and the Magic Roundabout.[amazon-product align=”right” small=”1″]B003EG6BN2[/amazon-product]

I was sent a sample DVD a long time ago and it became one of my favourites! Now I’m delighted to hear that Summerton Series 1 is available on DVD through Amazon. The producers are hoping Summerton Mill will soon be finding itself in the hands of a UK broadcaster. There is also a facebook group, campaigning to get Summerton Mill onto CBeebies.

Summerton Mill was rated as the number two animated TV series of the decade by Toonhound. and I have to say I love it. It took me right back to my childhood, where everything seemed at a slower pace and people on TV programmes were good to each other. The episodes were full of charm and a community spirit.

My favourite character is the rather lazy Mousey Tongue; a large grey cat who does little but sleep in the sun all day. The chickens are delightful balls of feathers with legs that squeak

Dr Naybhur is a wonderful man who often ‘feels a song coming’ and whisks out his acoustic guitar to entertain his friends and then there are the Millfreaks; a cross between a rabbit and hedgehog who scuttle around the place defending their territory. And I cannot forget Francoise, a cow who moos with a French accent!

Do yourself a favour and get hold of a copy of this DVD. It exudes warmth, affection and every character and scene is infused with love. It’s truly delightful and in today’s fast-paced world you will do you and your children a great service by slowing down at the waters edge of Summerton Mill from time to time.