The Flumps was one of the regular programmes that was shown on the BBC’s See-Saw slot for tots, shown around 1pm in the afternoon on weekdays, if my memory serves me correctly. It was perfect gentle viewing for pre-schoolers, and centred around a family of Flumps, strange hairy ball creatures consisting of little more than a face, and a pair of arms and legs. Whilst their arms and hands could move, the relaxed position for them was to have them holding the front of their body, almost as if they had just finished eating a massive meal.
Most of the episodes centred around the adventures of Posie, Perkin and Pootle, the three child Flumps. Pootle was the youngest and funniest of the three, who frequently misunderstood what the rest of the Flumps were talking about and spoke with a wonderful voice that sounded like he always needed to blow his nose a bit more often. The rest of the family were made up of Mother and Father Flump, and Grandfather Flump. Obviously Flump hair colour is not a genetic trait, since Mother and Father Flump were both a deep brown, whilst the children were much lighter in colour, with Pootle being blonde. Either Mother Flump was lying to Father Flump, or Flumps hair colour gets darker with age…
Each episode was narrated and sung by Gay Soper, and she also provided a distinct voice for each Flump, most importantly a proper real voice speaking in English, not some gobbledygook like a Teletubby or any of the countless other programmes that pass for kids entertainment these days. Considering each episode was only 10-15 minutes long, it was amazing how much they packed in, since there were usually a couple of songs and a story read by Mother Flump jammed in with the main story of the episode. There was no repeating of large segments of footage like some of todays shows (yes, Teletubbies, I’m talking about you!).
Flump is such a funny word, and the creators of the programme realised this which is why they invented the Flumpcycle, a three seater tandem, and the Flumpet, a musical instrument played by Grandfather Flump (when he wasn’t asleep that is). I’m sure there must have been others. This naming convention was also used to great effect in the episode “Moon Shot” in which Pootle daydreams about being an astronaut aboard Flumpollo Number 1, taking off from Flumpbase and encountering MoonFlumps.
The single thing I will always remember most about The Flumps was the bit on the title sequence where Posie, Perkin and Pootle are playing catch. Pootle would always drop the ball, and at this point you would guess which way it would roll away, as sometimes it was to the left, and sometimes to the right. If you want to have a go at playing this game again, then grab hold of a copy of “The Complete Flumps” on DVD, which contains all 13 episodes.
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[…] and the way in which they speak gobbledy gook instead of proper language (see the post on The Flumps for more!), but here is a prime example from the 1980’s for which the same could be said. How […]
It appears that the music to The Flumps is now being used in the UK on an advert for Autotrader magazine – a listings magazine for people trying to buy or sell a used car.
I keep expecting Pootle to appear driving a Smart or Ford Ka, but he sadly never does…
I am trying to find flump toys. My sister and cousins and I all had them when we were wee but don’t know what happened to them, probably given to a jumble sale by our parents. Anyway, do you know where I can get them? I have tried amazon and ebay.
Sorry Sharon, I don’t think any new Flumps toys exist at the moment, which I must admit surprises me. If I come across any then I’ll let everyone know.
Hi,
My friend has recently had a little baby girl and has called it posie. I really need a hi res images of posie which i can print out and give to them as a present. any help would be great.
Thank you! 😉
Aw, Posie is a really cute name for a little girl. Wish her and her parents all the best from Child of the 1980’s!
As to a picture of Posie the best I could find was on the Little Gems website. Here’s a link to their page on The Flumps.
http://www.thechestnut.com/flumps.htm
It’s not particularly high resolution but it might do?
Anyone got any idea where i’d be able to get a knitting pattern of the flumps as i too can’t find any flump toys on the net?
I have got three of the six cuddly Flumps toys, and four of the six miniature figures…
Hoping and praying I will eventually get the full sets one day!!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37199493@N06/4185615946/in/photostream/
Aw, they’re really cute Sarah. I love the little round mouths on the larger toys. I can hear the Pootle one going “Ooooh!” just looking at it!
Best of luck completing your collection. I’ve never seen these before but they are really good!
I am trying to find flump toys. Do you know where I can get them?
Sorry Beth, I don’t believe there are any official Flump toys available at the moment (there really should be though!)
I think eBay is probably your best bet, unless anybody knows any different?
Link for Flumps knitting pattern
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flumps
Cost is $4.00 USD which works out to £2.something.
Have fun 😀
This is brilliant! I was wondering if I might be able to use this photo for my new (ish) blog, which is basically my 80s teen diaries? Am always on the look out for photos of all the pop and TV culture at the time, so if I could use this (or any others from your site) that would be wonderful. Would obviously credit you and post a link! If you could let me know that’d be great. Thanks! Cat